All language subtitles for Star.Trek.The.Next.Generation.S07E25E26.1080p.x265.en

That was an incredible program.

I am glad you approve.

I have always found
the black sea at night

to be a most stimulating experience.

Worf, we were walking
barefoot on the beach

with balalaika music in the air,
ocean breeze washing over us,

stars in the sky, full moon rising.

And the most
you can say is stimulating?

It was...

Very stimulating.

What?

You know, I don't spend
nearly enough time on the holodeck.

I should take my own advice
and go there to relax.

Next time, I'll choose the program.

If you like the black sea, you're going
to love lake cataria on betazed.

Deanna.

Perhaps before there is a next time,

we should discuss
commander riker.

Why? Is he coming along?

No, but I do not wish...

I mean,
it would be unfortunate if he...

If you and I are going to continue,
I do not wish to hurt his feelings.

Worf, I think it's all right
to concentrate on our feelings.

Yours and mine.

Picard: Counselor.

What's today's date?

- The date?
- Worf: Stardate 47988.

Captain, what's wrong?

I'm not sure.

I don't know how or why...

But I'm moving back and forth
through time.

Picard:
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.

I had this feeling
that I had physically left the enterprise.

I was in another time, another place.

I was somewhere in the past.

Can you describe where you were,
what it looked like?

You see,
it's all slipping away so fast.

It's like waking up from a nightmare.

I, uh...

It was years ago.

It was before I took command
of the enterprise.

I was talking to someone.
I can't remember who.

And then it all changed.

I was no longer in the past.

I was now an old man in the future.

And...

I was outside,
and I was doing something.

God, I can't remember what it was.

I'm sorry, it's all gone.
I just can't remember.

It's all right.

Have you considered the possibility
that this was just a dream?

No, no.
It was much more than a dream.

The smells, the sounds,
the very touch of things.

Much more real than a dream.

How long did you spend
in each time period?

Did it seem like minutes?

Hours?

You see, I can't say.

At first, I had a sense of...
A sense of confusion, disorientation.

I wasn't sure where I was.
And then all of that passed.

And it all seemed perfectly natural,
as though I belonged in that time.

But I can't...

La forge:
Captain picard to the bridge.

Captain, we've got a problem
with the warp core

or the phase inducers.

Ha, ha, or some other damn thing.

Geordi.

La forge: Hello, captain.

Or should I call you ambassador?

Oh, I haven't been called that
for some time either.

How about Mr. Picard?

How about Jean-Luc?

No, I don't think
I can get used to that.

Good lord, geordi.

- Well, how long has it been?
- Nine years.

No, no, no.
Since you last called me captain?

Since we were
all together on the enterprise?

Close to 25 years.

Twenty-five years.

Well, time has been good to you.

A little too good in some places.

Can I give you a hand here?

Oh, well,
I'm just tying up some vines.

You've got leaf miners.

You might wanna try
a bacillus spray.

My wife is quite a gardener.

I've picked up a little bit of it.

How is Leah?

Just wonderful.

Busy as ever.

She's just been made director
of the daystrom institute.

What about the little ones?

Bret, alandra and, um...

- Sidney. Yeah.
- Sidney.

Well, they're not so little anymore.

Bret is applying
to starfleet academy next year.

So, what brings you here?

Oh, I just thought I'd stop by.

I've been thinking about the old days
on the enterprise.

Was in the neighborhood.

Geordi, you don't make the trip
from rigel III to earth just to drop by.

So you've heard.

Leah's got a few friends
at starfleet medical.

Word gets around.

I'm not an invalid.

Irumodic syndrome
can take years to run its course.

I know.

Once I heard,

well, I just wanted
to stop by just the same.

Well, now that you're here,
you can help me carry those tools.

Well, my cooking may not be
up to Leah's standards,

but I can still make
a decent cup of tea.

Oh, I read your last novel.

I thought that the protagonist
was a little too flamboyant,

but for the rest, I...

Captain, are you all right?

Captain.

Woman: Captain?

Will this be your first time
on a galaxy-class starship?

Are you all right, sir?

I'm sorry, lieutenant.
My mind must have wandered.

What were you saying?

I was asking if you'd ever been aboard
a galaxy-class starship before.

Of course,
I'm familiar with the blueprints

and the specifications,

but this will be my first time on board.

Well, then, if I may be so bold, sir,
you're in for a treat.

The enterprise is quite a ship.

I'm sure she is.

Have I done something wrong, sir?

It's just that you look very familiar.

Man:
Enterprise to shuttlecraft Galileo.

You are cleared
for arrival in shuttlebay 2.

Acknowledged, enterprise.

And there she is.

Troi: Captain?

Captain.

Tasha.

I was just with Tasha in the shuttle.

I just finished
the neurographic scan.

I didn't find anything
that would cause hallucinations

or psychogenic reaction.

Is there any indication
of temporal displacement?

Crusher: No. Usually a temporal
shift would leave some sort

of tryptamine residue
in the cerebral cortex,

but the scan didn't show any.

Personally, I think you just enjoy
waking everybody up

in the middle of the night.

Actually, I really like running
around the ship in my bare feet.

The biospectral test results, doctor.

Your blood gas analysis
is consistent

with someone who's been breathing
the ship's air for weeks.

If you'd been anywhere else,

there would have been an indication
of change in the oxygen isotope ratios.

Deanna,
would you excuse us, please?

Of course.

Jean-Luc, I scanned you
for evidence of irumodic syndrome,

as you suggested.

There wasn't any.

But I did find a small structural defect
in the parietal lobe.

A defect
that you hadn't noticed before?

It's the kind of defect
that would only show up

on a level-four neurographic scan.

It could cause you
to be susceptible to several kinds

of neurological disorders,
including irumodic syndrome.

Now, it's possible for you to live
with this defect for the rest of your life

without developing a problem.

Or even if you do, many people
continue to live normal lives

for a long time after the onset
of irumodic syndrome.

If that's so, why do you look

as if you just signed
my death sentence?

I'm sorry.

I guess it caught me off guard.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Something tells me that you're
gonna have to put up with me

for a long time to come.

Well, it won't be easy,
but I'll manage.

Riker: Captain.

Has worf found anything?

No, sir.

His security scans
came up negative.

They're still checking the sensor logs,
but there is no indication

that you ever left the ship.

I wasn't dreaming.
Something happened.

Worf: Wonc to captain.

Go ahead, Mr. Worf.

Worf: Sir, there is an incoming
transmission from admiral Nakamura.

It is a priority-one message.

Beveny.

Mr. Worf,
will you route the call through

to Dr. Crusher's office?

Wo rf: Aye, sir.

Nakamura: Captain.

- Admiral.
- I am initiating a fleet-wide yellow alert.

Startleet intelligence
has picked up some alarming reports

from the romulan empire.

It appears that at least 30 warbirds
have been pulled

from other assignments
and are headed for the neutral zone.

Is there any explanation
why they would make

such a blatantly aggressive move?

Our operatives
on romulus have indicated

that there appears to be something
happening in the neutral zone.

Specifically in the devron system.

Our own long-range scans
have picked up

some kind
of spatial anomaly in the area.

We can't tell what it is.

What are our orders?

This is a very delicate situation.

I am deploying 15 starships
along our side of the neutral zone.

I want you to go there as well.

See if you can find out
what is going on

in the devron system.

Am I authorized
to enter the neutral zone?

Not yet.

Wait and see
what the romulans do.

You can conduct long-range scans,
send probes if necessary.

But do not cross the border
unless they do.

Understood.

Starfieet out.

La forge: Captain.

What's wrong?

This is not my time.

- I don't belong here.
- What?

I was somewhere else
a few moments ago.

What do you mean?
You've been right here with me.

No, no, no.

I was somewhere else.

I was...

It was a long time ago.
There was someone talking.

I was... I...

I was talking to someone.

Beverly. I was talking to Beverly.

It's okay, captain.
Everything's gonna be all right.

I'm not senile, you know.

This did happen.

I was here, I was talking to you,
and then I was somewhere else.

I was, uh...

I was on the enterprise.

I was back on the enterprise.

At least, I...

I think that's where it was.
I was in sickbay.

Well, it might have been a hospital.

Captain, I think we should go back
to the house and call your doctor.

Yes, yes.
I know what you're thinking.

It's the irumodic syndrome.

He's beginning to lose his mind,
the old man.

Well, it's not that.
And I'm not daydreaming either.

Well, all right. All right.

So, what do you wanna do about it?

I wanna see data.

Data? Why?

Because I think he can help.

- Help how?
- I don't know, I don't know.

I wanna see data.

Okay, then.

All right, let's go see data.

- He's still at Cambridge, isn't he?
- I...

Yes, I think he is.

You see them, don't you?

See who?

They're everywhere.

They're laughing at me,
but why are they laughing?

Come on, captain.

Let's go see data.

We'll go see data.

I know how it sounds,
but it happened.

It was real. I was there,
back on board the enterprise.

Jessel:
How do you like your tea?

Tea? Earl grey, hot.

Of course it's hot.
What do you want in it?

Nothing.

Well, data, I must say,
this is a fine place you have here.

They certainly treat professors
very well at Cambridge.

Holding the lucasian chair
does have its perquisites.

This house originally belonged
to sir Isaac Newton

when he held the position.

It's become the traditional residence.

Jessel: Here you go.
La forge: Thank you.

If you're really his friend, you'll get him
to take that gray out of his hair.

- Jessel...
- Looks like a bloody skunk.

She can be frightfully trying at times,
but she does make me laugh.

Data, what is it with the hair,
anyway?

Well, I found that a touch of gray
adds an air of distinction.

You're sure this is Earl grey?
I'd swear that it was darjeeling.

Captain, how long has it been
since you've seen a doctor

about your irumodic syndrome?

A week.

They prescribed peridaxon.

- Data: But, sir, peridaxon...
- Yes, I know, it's not a cure.

There's nothing
that can prevent the deterioration

of the synaptic pathways.

And you think that I'm senile,
that all this is just a delusion.

Oh, come on, captain.
No one said anything of the kind.

In all honesty, captain,

the thought has occurred to me.

However, there's nothing
to disprove what you're saying,

so it's possible
something is happening to you.

The first thing we should do
is run a complete series

of neurographic scans.

We can use the equipment in
the biometric lab here on the campus.

Jessel, ask professor rippert
to take over my lecture for tomorrow.

Possibly for the rest of the week.

- Oh, dear.
- Captain,

we'll get to the bottom of this.

That's the data that I remember.

I knew that I could count on you.

Commanding officer,
enterprise, arriving.

"To captain Jean-Luc picard,
stardate 41148..."

"You are hereby requested
and required to take command..."

"To take command
of the USS enterprise as of this date.

Signed, rear admiral Norah satie,
starfleet command."

Red alert. All crew to battle stations.

You heard him. Move.

Picard:
Personal log, stardate 41153.7.

Recorded under
security lockout omega 327.

I have decided not to inform
this crew of my experiences.

If it's true
that I've traveled to the past,

I cannot risk giving them
foreknowledge of what's to come.

Report.

We've completed a full subspace scan
of the ship and surrounding space.

We've detected
no unusual readings or anomalies.

With all due respect, sir,
it would be helpful if we knew exactly

what we were looking for.

Noted. Counselor,
do you sense anything unusual

on board the enterprise?

Perhaps an alien presence
that doesn't belong here.

Maybe one operating on a level
of intelligence far superior to our own.

No, sir. I'm only aware of the crew
and the families on board the ship.

Mr. Worf, initiate a level-two security
alert. All decks, until further notice.

With all due respect, sir,
I'm the security chief on this ship.

Unless you're planning
to make a change.

No. Uh... of course not.

- Lieutenant, security alert two.
- Aye, sir.

O'brien:
Captain picard to the bridge, please.

We're on our way, chief.

All right.

Sir, starfleetjust issued an alert.

A number of vessels
are moving toward the neutral zone

between romulan
and federation space.

What kind of vessels?

O'brien:
Freighters, transports, all civilians,

none of them starfleet ships.

This tells me
that a large spatial anomaly

has appeared in the neutral zone.

In the devron system.

Captain, it could be a romulan trick
to lure our ships into the neutral zone

as an excuse for a military strike.

Starfleet's canceling our mission
to farpoint station

and ordering us to the neutral zone
as soon as we leave the space dock.

No. We'll proceed to farpoint.

You heard me.

Captain, the security
of the federation could be at stake.

Mr. Worf, will you man your station?

Worf: Aye, sir.

Captain, perhaps if we understood
your thinking, if you could explain...

I have no intention
of explaining to anyone.

We will proceed with our mission
to farpoint as planned.

Chief o'brien, am I right in thinking
that you're having a problem

with the warp plasma inducers?

- That's right.
- I know how to get them back online.

You're with me.
We'll be in main engineering.

Mr. O'brien,
will you use these specifications

to bypass
the secondary plasma inducer?

You have to realize, sir,
this isn't exactly my area of expertise.

The chief engineer
should be making these modifications.

But the chief engineer isn't on board.

Mr. O'brien, trust me.
I know you can do it.

All those years you spent as a child
building those model starship engines,

they were well worth it.

How did you know that, sir?

From your starfleet records.

Yes, sir.
I'll get right to these modifications.

Fletcher, tell munoz and Lee

- to get up here right away.
Fletcher: Aye, sir.

O'brien: We have to realign
the entire power grid.

We'll all be burning
the midnight oil on this one.

That would be inadvisable.

O'brien: Excuse me?

If you intend to ignite
a petroleum product on this ship

at 0000 hours, you will activate
the fire-suppression system,

which would seal off
this entire compartment.

O'brien:
That was just an expression.

Data: Expression of what?

O'brien: A figure of speech.

I was trying to tell him
that we'd be working late.

Ah. Then to burn the midnight oil
implies late work.

That's right. Data: Hmm.

I am curious.

What is the etymology of that idiom?

Data: How did it come to be used
in contemporary language?

Well, I don't know, sir.

Picard: Commander data.

Welcome on board.
It's so very good to see you.

It is good to see you too, sir.

I could use your help
with the infuser array.

Certainly.

As you can see, we're having problems
with the plasma conduits.

This will need a completely
new field induction subprocessor.

It appears we will be required
to ignite the midnight petroleum, sir.

Crusher:
Jean-Luc, what's going on?

It happened again.

- A time shift?
- Yeah.

What happened?

It's still a little vague,
but I can remember more this time.

It seems that every time I shift periods,
I can retain more memory.

At first, it appeared
that I was in the future,

years from now.

And then I was in the past,
just before our first mission.

What is it?

I just scanned
his temporal lobe and compared it

with the scan I performed
just a few minutes before.

There's a 13 percent increase
in the acetylcholine

of the hippocampus.

Within a matter of minutes,
you have accumulated

over two days' worth of memories.

Counselor, do you remember when I
first came on board the enterprise?

What happened
after the welcoming ceremony?

There was a reception
in ten-fonnard.

I introduced you to worf
and the other senior officers.

Do you have any memory of my calling
red alert in the space dock?

Do you remember
starfleet diverting us

from farpoint to the neutral zone
to investigate a spatial anomaly?

Data:
It would appear there is a discontinuity

between the time periods
you described.

Events in one time period would seem
to have no effect on the other two.

Yet in both the past and the present,
there is a report of the same anomaly

in the devron system. I find it hard
to believe that that's a coincidence.

For all I know, I may find
the same thing in the future.

Perhaps the anomaly is a temporal
disturbance of some kind.

How is all this related
to your time-shifting?

These are all
very important questions,

and perhaps I will find
answers to them in the past.

But now we have a potentially
dangerous threat from the romulans.

I want all departments to present
a battle readiness report to me

at 0800 hours tomorrow morning.

Dismissed.

Deanna, it's going to be a late night.

Would you like to have
some dinner first?

Actually, I...

We have plans.

Oh, I see. I'm sorry.

I'll see you in the morning.

Good night, sir.

I want continual subspace sweeps.

We may be able to detect
a temporal disturbance.

- Aye, sir.
- Will?

This time-shifting,

when it happens, I experience
a momentary disorientation.

If that should happen
during a crisis, will,

I want you
to take command immediately.

Number one?

Riker: I'm sorry.

Be prepared to take command.
Aye, sir.

Speaking of disorientation,
are you all right?

I'm just a little distracted. I'm fine.

You have the bridge,
number one. I'll...

I'll be in my ready room.

Come.

Crusher: Milk, warm.

A dash of nutmeg.

Picard: What's this?

A prescription.

A glass of warm milk
and eight hours' uninterrupted sleep.

- Beverly...
- Doctor's orders.

You're exhausted.

Look, I don't know whether you slept
in the past or in the future,

but I'm sure
you haven't slept in the present.

Now, get some rest,
or I'll have you relieved and sedated.

Yes, sir.

What?

Hey.

Beveny?

As a physician, it's often my job
to give people unpleasant news.

To tell them that they need surgery
or that they can't have children

or that they might be facing
a difficult illness.

But you said yourself
that this is only a possibility.

But you've been to the future.

You know it's going to happen.

I prefer to look
on the future as something

which is not written in stone.

A lot of things
can happen in 25 years.

A lot of things can happen.

La forge: Captain.

La forge: Captain, wake up.

Yes?

What is it?

Have we reached the neutral zone?

La forge: The neutral zone?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I was in the past again.

What's going on?

Data's arranged for us
to run those tests on you

in the biometrics lab.

- We're ready to go if you are.
- No, no, no.

No, we have to get
to the neutral zone.

The neutral zone?

Why?

In the other two time periods,
starfleet reported a...

A sort of a spatial anomaly in...

In the devron system.

In the devron system,
in the neutral zone.

Captain...

If the anomaly appeared there
in the past, then it might be here too,

and we have to find out.

Just because you've seen it
in two other time frames

doesn't mean
that it's gonna be here.

Yeah. But if it is here,
then it means something.

Damn it.
Geordi, I know what we have to do.

All right.

Okay, but first,
there is no neutral zone.

Remember?

Right.

Right.

Klingons. In this time period,

the klingons have taken over
the romulan empire.

And right now relations between us
and the klingons aren't too cozy.

I know that.

I haven't completely
lost my mind, you know.

Well, if we're going
to the devron system,

we're gonna need a ship.

Right.

Now, I think it's time to call in
some old favors.

Contact admiral riker.

Starbase 247.

Jean-Luc, you know I'd like to help.

But frankly what you're asking for
is impossible.

The klingons
have closed their borders

to all federation starships.

Will, what if this spatial anomaly
really is in the devron system?

I saw a report
from starfleet intelligence

this morning on that sector.

There is no activity.

There is nothing unusual
going on in the devron system.

Well, I don't believe it.

What if their long-range scans
are faulty?

We have to go there
and see for ourselves.

Look, I've got the yorktown
out near the border.

I'll have her run some long-range
scans in the devron system.

If she finds out anything,
I 7! Let you know.

Will, that is just not good enough.

It's going to have to be. I'm sorry.

It's all I can do. Riker out.

Computer,
restore holographic image.

Damn him anyway.

After all
we've been through together.

He's been sitting
behind that desk too long.

Captain, I'm sorry.

I guess all we can do now
is wait and see

if the yorktown finds anything.

There is another option.

We could arrange passage
aboard a medical ship.

Medical ship? Data: Yes, sir.

There was an outbreak
of terrellian plague on romulus.

The klingons have been
allowing federation medical ships

to cross the border.

Yes, yes!

So, what we need now
is a medical ship.

I think I can arrange that.

Data, find the USS pasteur.

I have some pull with the captain.

At least, I used to have.

Crusher:
Well, this is a page from the past.

I never thought I'd see
either of you on a starship again.

- Hello, doctor.
- Geordi.

Doctor. Crusher: Data.

- Let's just choose one.
- Crusher: All right.

- Picard: So did you get my message?
- Yes.

Jean-Luc, crossing
into klingon territory, it's absurd.

But then,
I never could say no to you.

Oh, so that's why you married me.

Well, now, the first order
of business is to get clearance

to cross the klingon border.

Agreed. What about worf?

That's it. Worf.

Yes, that's the answer.
Worf will help us.

Data, isn't worf still a member
of the klingon high council?

I'm not sure.

Information on the klingon
political structure

is hard to come by these days.

However, at last report,
worf was governor of h'atoria,

a small klingon colony
near the border.

Captain picard.

Crusher & picard: Yes?

Chilton:
Captain, McKinley station is signaling.

They wanna know
when we'll be docking.

Tell McKinley we've been
called away on a priority mission.

Chilton: Aye, sir.

So you kept the name.

I've prepared quarters
for you on deck 5.

You might wanna get some rest.

No, I'm fine. I don't need rest.

Nell, please escort
the ambassador to his quarters.

Look, you are treating me
as if I'm an invalid,

but I do have
a few years left in me yet.

I do not want to be led around,
and I do not want to be patronized.

You're right. I'm sorry.

Now I'll go and get some rest.

How long
since his last neurological scan?

La forge: I'm not sure.

But I wouldn't try suggesting it.

He says he's not taking
any more damn tests.

Do you really think
he's moving through time?

I'm not sure I do either.

But he's Jean-Luc picard.

And if he wants to go
on one more mission,

that's what we're going to do.

We'll find the anomaly.

I know we will.

Report.

We're nearing the coordinates
you gave me, sir.

Is there anything unusual
in the vicinity, Mr. Data?

How would you define unusual, sir?

Every region of space
has its own unique properties

that cannot be found anywhere else.

There should be a barrier
of some sort nearby.

A large plasma field,
highly disruptive.

Nothing, sir.

This is the right time, the right place.

He should be here now.

Who, sir?

Q, we're here.

This has gone on long enough.

Counselor,
do you sense an alien presence?

No, sir.

What is a q?

It's a letter of the alphabet,
as far as I know.

Picard: I don't understand.

This is not the way
it's supposed to happen.

Maintain this position.
I'll be in my ready room.

Mon capitalne,
I thought you'd never get here.

Q, I knew it.

What's going on?

It's judge q to you.

- And isn't it obvious what's going on?
- Woman 1: Yeah.

The last time that I stood here
was seven years ago.

Seven years ago. How little
do you mortals understand time.

Must you be so linear, Jean-Luc?

You accused me
of being the representative

of a barbarous species.

I believe my exact words
were "a dangerous, savage child race."

We demonstrated to you that mankind
had become peaceful and benevolent.

You agreed,
and you let us go on our way.

Now, why am I standing here again?

Oh, you'd like me
to connect the dots for you,

lead you from a to b to c
so that your puny mind

could comprehend.

How boring.

Man 1: Bonng.

They'd be so much more entertained
if you just tried to figure it out.

I'll answer any ten questions

that call for a yes or a no.

Well?

Are you putting mankind
on trial again?

Man 2:

Is there any connection
between the trial seven years ago

and what's happening now?

Oh, I'd have to say yes.

The spatial anomaly
in the neutral zone,

is it related to what's going on?

Most definitely yes.

Is it part of a romulan plot?
A ploy to start a war?

No and no.

- Five down.
- That's only four.

Is it a romulan plot?

Is it a ploy to start a war?

Those are separate questions.

Woman 2: Yeah.

Did you create the anomaly?

No, no, no. Ha!

You're going to be so surprised
when you realize where it came from,

if you ever figure it out.

Are you responsible
for my shifting through time?

I'll answer that question
if you promise you won't tell anyone.

Yes. Picard: Why?

Sorry, that's not
a yes-or-no question.

You forfeit
the rest of your questions.

Oh, I expected as much.
You're such a limited creature.

Perfect example
of why we made our decision.

The trial never ended, captain.

We never reached a verdict,
but now we have.

You're guilty. Woman 3: Yeah.

Picard: Guilty of what?

Of being inferior.

Seven years ago,
I said we'd be watching you,

and we have been,
hoping that your ape-like race

would demonstrate some growth,
give some indication that your minds

had room for expansion.

But what have we seen instead?

You worrying
about commander riker's career,

listening to counselor troi's
pedantic psychobabble,

indulging data
in his witless exploration of humanity.

We've journeyed
to countless new worlds.

We've contacted new species.

We have expanded
our understanding of the universe.

In your own paltry limited way,
you have no idea

how far you still have to go.

But instead
of using the last seven years

to change and to grow,
you have squandered them.

We are what we are,
and we're doing the best we can.

It is not for you to set the standards
by which we shall be judged.

Oh, but it is, and we have.

Time may be eternal, captain,
but our Patience is not.

It's time to put an end
to your trek through the stars,

make room for other
more worthy species.

You're going to deny us
travel through space?

Ha-ha-ha. No. Crowd: Ha-ha-ha.

You obtuse piece of flotsam.
You're to be denied existence.

Humanity's fate has been sealed.
You will be destroyed.

Q, I do not believe that even you
are capable of such an act.

There you go again,
always blaming me for everything.

Well, this time, I'm not your enemy.

I'm not the one that causes
the annihilation of mankind.

You are.

Me? Q: That's right.

You're doing it right now.

You did it before,
and you'll do it yet again.

What sort of meaningless
double talk is this?

He doesn't understand.

I have only myself to blame, I suppose.

I believed in you.

I thought you had potential.
But apparently, I was wrong.

May whatever god you believe in
have mercy on your soul.

This court stands adjourned.

Picard: Commander, assemble
the senior staff and go to red alert.

We have a bigger problem
than I thought.

Riker: Red alert.

I don't believe him.

This has to be another one
of q's games.

He's probably listening
to us right now, getting a big laugh

out of watching us
jump through his hoops.

And normally,
I would agree with you.

But this time,
I feel that somehow it is different.

There was a deadly earnestness
about him.

I think he's serious,
which means that in some fashion,

I am going to be the cause
of the destruction of humanity.

But didn't q say
you already had caused it?

And that you were causing it now?

Given the fact that there
is an apparent discontinuity

between the three time periods
the captain has visited,

q's statement may be accurate,
if confusing.

So, what am I going to do?

Lock myself in a room
in all the three different time periods?

Riker: Captain, maybe not acting

is what causes the destruction
of mankind.

What if you were needed on the bridge
and in a key moment you weren't there?

I don't think we can start
second-guessing ourselves.

I think we have to proceed normally

and deal with each situation
as it occurs.

Agreed.

I've been thinking
about my conversation with q.

He admitted that he was responsible
for my shifting through time.

Now, it occurred to me that...

He might be giving me
a chance somehow to save humanity.

What makes you say that?

Well, he's always had a certain
fascination with humanity,

with myself in particular.

I think he has more
than a passing interest

in what happens to me.

Data: That is true.

Q's interest in you
has always been very similar to that

of a master and his beloved pet.

That was only an analogy, captain.

- Man: Captain picard.
- Go ahead.

We 're approaching
the neutral zone, captain.

We're on our way.

All stop. Initiate long-range scans.

Captain, there are four warbirds
holding position on the romulan side

of the neutral zone.

The federation starships
Concord and Bozeman

are holding position on our side.

The question is,
who's going to move first?

We are.

Mr. Worf, hail the romulan flagship.

Worf:
The warbird terix is responding.

Captain picard.

Hello, worf. It's been a long time.

It is good to see you again.

Have you had a chance
to read our request?

But you must realize I am no longer
a member of the high council.

But surely, worf,
you must still have some influence.

We have to get
into the neutral zone.

Can't you just get us permission
to cross the border?

I must refuse.

It is for your own safety.

The neutral zone
is extremely volatile.

If admiral riker had given you
a starship with a cloak,

you would have been safe.

It is hard to believe
that even he would refuse to help you.

I don't care
what kind of ship we go in.

We have to get
to the devron system.

I am sorry.

My first duty is to the empire.
I must adhere to regulations.

Well, I know that I'm an old man
and I'm out of touch,

but the worf that I remember
was more concerned with things

like honor and loyalty
than rules and regulations.

But that was a long time ago.

And maybe you're not the worf
I once knew.

You have always
used your knowledge

of klingon honor and tradition
to get what you want from me.

Because it always works, worf!

Your problem is that you really
do have a sense of honor

and you really do care
about trust and loyalty.

Don't blame me
for knowing you so well.

Very well.

You may cross the border.

But only if I come with you.

I am familiar with the neutral zone.

Terms accepted.

Inform transporter room 2
to beam the governor aboard.

I must make one thing very clear,
Jean-Luc.

If we run
into any serious opposition,

I'm taking us back
into federation territory.

We aren't well armed
and wouldn't last long in a fight.

Governor worf is aboard, captain.

All right. Set course
for the devron system, warp 13.

Once more, for old times' sake.

Engage.

Engage to where, sir?

Uh, set a course for the devron
system and engage at warp nine.

The devron system
is inside the neutral zone, sir.

I am aware of that, lieutenant.

- Carry out my orders, chief.
- O'brien: Aye, sir.

Captain, may I have a word
with you in private?

Yes, of course, counselor.

Contact farpoint station.

I wish to speak
with commander riker.

Aye, sir.

Captain, I just wanted
to voice my concerns about the way

the crew is responding
to your unexpected orders.

They don't trust me.

They think
that I'm behaving erratically.

Some do.

Others are confused.

It takes some time for a new crew
to get to know their captain

and for him to know them.

I understand.

But I also know what this crew
is capable of even if they don't.

It would also help
if they knew what was going on.

I know it's difficult
operating in the dark.

But right now
I don't think I have any other choice.

Tasha: Yar to captain picard.

I have commander riker
for you, sir.

Excuse me.

Put him through here.

Commander riker,
I wanted to inform you

that we will be delayed
picking you up at farpoint station.

Riker:
I see. May I ask how long?

I can't say. I'll keep you updated.

Will you inform Dr. Crusher
and lieutenant la forge of our delay?

Understood.

Riker out.

Is there anything else, counselor?

Actually, sir, there is.

I was debating
whether to mention it.

And perhaps...

It's about commander riker.

What about him?

I think you should know that he and I
have had a prior relationship.

I see.

Do you think this will interfere
with your duties?

It happened several years ago,
and it's well behind both of us now.

I just thought you should know.

I appreciate your telling me.

But I am quite sure that the two of you
will find some way

to deal with the situation.

Thank you, sir.

Tea, Earl grey, hot.

Computer: That beverage
has not been programmed

into the replication system.

So, captain, how long
shall we stare at each other

across the neutral zone?

There is an alternative, tomalak.

We each know why we're here.

We could each send one ship
into the neutral zone

to investigate the anomaly
in the devron system.

Has starfleet command
approved this arrangement?

- No.
- I like it already.

Agreed. One ship from each side.

But I warn you,
if another federation starship

tries to enter the zone...

There is no need to make threats.
We each know the consequences.

Very well.

I 7! See you in the devron system.

Helm, set a course
for the devron system, warp five.

Ensign: Aye, sir.
Picard: Engage.

Sensors are picking up
a large subspace anomaly

directly ahead.

All stop. On-screen.

Full scan, Mr. Data.

Data: Aye, sir.

Picard: We have to get
as much information as possible

about that anomaly.

We are approaching
the devron system, captain.

Sensors are picking up
a large subspace anomaly

directly ahead.

All stop. On-screen.

It is larger in the past.

Nothing.

Full scan, Mr. Data.

Data: Aye, sir.

On-screen, on-screen! Let's see it!

As you can see, sir,
there's nothing there.

Still nothing, captain.

I've conducted a full sensor sweep out
to one light year from the pasteur.

No temporal anomalies,
no particle fluctuations, nothing.

I don't understand. It was here
in the other two time periods.

Why isn't it here now?

Captain, I have been monitoring
klingon communications channels.

Several warships
have been dispatched to this sector

to search
for a renegade federation vessel.

You're not thinking of leaving.

There's nothing here, Jean-Luc.

But there should be.
There has to be.

Data, is there some other way
to scan for a temporal disturbance?

Something that isn't covered
in a normal sensor sweep.

There are several methods
of detecting temporal disturbances,

but we're limited
by the equipment on the pasteur.

We should head back
to federation territory.

However, it may be possible
to modify the main deflector

to emit an inverse tachyon pulse
which could scan

beyond the subspace barrier.

- That's it. Make it so.
- Wait a minute.

Data, how long would this take?

To make the modifications
and search the entire devron system

would take approximately 14 hours.

All right. Data, begin
to modify the tachyon pulse.

Ensign chilton, lay in a course
back to the federation.

We'll stay here for six more hours,
and if we haven't found anything,

we're heading back, maximum warp.

- Aye, sir.
- Six more hours may not be enough.

We have to stay here until we find it,
no matter how long it takes.

Carry out my orders.

May I see you a moment?

Beverly, I cannot believe
that you are not willing to stay...

Don't you ever question my orders
on the bridge of my ship again.

Damn it, I was just trying to...

Look,
there are larger concerns here.

What you don't understand...

I understand
that you would never have tolerated

that kind of behavior back
on the enterprise, and I won't here.

I don't care if you're my ex-captain
or my ex-husband.

You're right.

I was out of line.
It won't happen again.

But what you have to understand
is what is at stake here.

Q has said that all of humanity
will be destroyed.

I know.

That's why I've allowed us
to stay here longer and keep looking.

But I also want you
to allow for the possibility

that none
of what you're saying is real.

What?

Jean-Luc, I care for you too much
not to tell you the truth.

You have
advanced irumodic syndrome.

It's possible that all of this
is in your mind.

I'll stay here six hours longer,
and then we're heading home.

I want you to remember,

if it were anyone else but you,
we wouldn't even be here.

Hey. What was that she said, Sonny?
I couldn't quite hear her.

What is going on here?

Where is the anomaly?

Where's your mommy?

- Well, I don't know.
- Answer me.

There is an answer, Jean-Luc.

But I can't hand it to you.

Although you do have help.

What help?

You're not alone, you know.

What you were
and what you are to become

will always be with you.

My time-shifting.

The answer does lie there,
doesn't it?

Now, tell me one thing.

This anomaly we're looking for,
will that destroy humanity?

You're forgetting, Jean-Luc.

You destroy humanity.

By... by doing what? When?

How can...?

Report, Mr. Data.

The anomaly
is 200 million kilometers in diameter.

It is a highly focused
temporal energy source

which is emitting approximately
the same energy output

as ten g-type stars.

What is the source of this energy?

I am uncertain, sir.

Sensors are unable
to penetrate the anomaly.

What if we modified the main deflector
to emit an inverse tachyon pulse

that might be able to scan
beyond the subspace barrier?

That might give us some idea

of what the interior
of this thing looks like.

That is a most intriguing idea, sir.

I do not believe a tachyon beam
was ever used in such a way.

I had no idea you were so versed
in the intricacies

of temporal theory, sir.

I have some friends
who are well versed in it.

Make it so.

I believe we can make
the necessary modifications

in main engineering, sir.

We can get more power
if we reroute the primary eps taps

to the deflector array.

Agreed.

Initiating tachyon pulse.

Okay. The pulse is holding steady.

We're starting
to receive data from the scan.

It will take the computer some time
to give us a complete picture

of the anomaly's interior.

- I suggest we...
- Ugh.

- Geordi?
- Oh.

What is wrong?

I don't know. It's like somebody's
sticking an ice pick in my temples.

My visor's picking up all kinds
of electromagnetic fluctuations.

Data to sickbay. Medical emergency
in main engineering.

Crusher: This is amazing.

The DNA in his optic nerves
is regenerating.

Geordi, it's as if you're growing
new eyes.

How is this possible?

It shouldn't be possible at all.

There's no medical explanation

for spontaneous regeneration
of an organ.

Doctor, we've just gotten reports
from two crew members

who say they have old scars
which are healing themselves.

Captain, I believe
I have a partial explanation.

I have completed
my analysis of the anomaly.

It appears to be a multiphasic
temporal convergence

in the space-time continuum.

In English, data.

It is, in essence,
an eruption of anti-time.

Anti-time?

Data: A relatively new concept
in temporal mechanics.

The relationship between anti-time
and normal time is analogous

to the relationship between antimatter
and normal matter.

So if time and anti-time
were to collide...

They would annihilate one another,
causing a rupture in space.

I believe this is what happened
in the devron system.

The rupture may be sending out
waves of temporal energy,

which are disrupting
the normal flow of time.

Data, what could have caused
this collision of time and anti-time?

Anti-time, sir?

I believe that if you modify
the deflectors to send out

an inverse tachyon pulse,
then you'll find that the anomaly

is a rupture
between time and anti-time.

That is a fascinating hypothesis.
How did you...?

I don't have time
to discuss it now, Mr. Data.

Do the modifications
and send out the pulse.

Then try working on a theory
as to what caused this rupture.

Mr. O'brien,
how large is this anomaly?

Approximately 400 million kilometers
in diameter, sir.

I don't understand
why it's bigger in the past.

Lieutenant, you have the bridge.

I'll be in my ready room.

Aye, sir.

- What's going on?
- Crusher: We're under attack.

Shield strength down to 52 percent.

Minor damage to the port nacelle.

Two klingon attack cruisers
decloaking to port and starboard.

Warp speed. Get us out of here.

Warp power is off-line, sir.

Heading 148, Mark 215,
full impulse.

Chilton:
Impulse power is fluctuating.

Shields down to 30 percent.

Weapons status?

These weapons are no match
for their shields.

Geordi,
we need more warp power now.

I'm trying, captain.
They're too much for us.

I can't keep
the phase inducers online.

Chilton: Shields down to 9 percent.
One more hit and they'll collapse.

Open a channel.

- Chilton: Open.
- This is captain Beverly picard.

We are a medical ship
on a mission of mercy.

Please break off all...

Worf, signal our surrender.

Our shields have collapsed.

We are defenseless.

Captain, another ship is decloaking.

Bearing 215, Mark 310.

It's the enterprise.

- They're hailing us.
- Crusher: On-screen.

I had a feeling
you weren't going to listen to me.

Stand by.

I 7! See if I can get
the klingons' attention.

The enterprise is drawing their fire.

Damage report.

The warp core
has been badly damaged.

There's a breach in progress.

We have to stop it.

Data:
The klingon ship is disengaging.

Admiral riker is hailing us.

Our sensors indicate your ship
has a warp core breach in progress.

Prepare for emergency beam-out.

All the pasteur's crew
is safely on board, admiral.

Raise the shields.
Where are the klingons?

They're still moving on, sir.
Half a light year away.

They'll be back.

As I said, I figured
you wouldn't take no for an answer.

But I thought you had more sense
than to send a defenseless ship

across the border into hostile territory
with no escort.

If you had not turned down the captain
when he came to you for help,

none of this would have happened.

But unlike you, I still have
a sense of honor and loyalty.

We don't have time for this.

The pasteur's core
is going to breach.

Take us out of here. Full impulse.

All right. Let's get out of here.

No, will! We can't!

We have to save humanity.

Engage cloak.

Gaines: Admiral, we took a direct hit
to the starboard plasma coil.

Our cloak isn't functioning.

Engineering reports
it'll be seven hours

before we can cloak again.

Riker: All right.
We'll do it the old-fashioned way.

Set a course
for federation space, warp 13.

Will, don't leave.

We have to stay here and find out
what is causing the temporal anomaly.

We can't stay, captain.

We have to.
Everything depends on it.

We can't leave now!

Please, listen to me!

Crusher: Your visual acuity
is improving by the hour, geordi.

I'm sorry, Alyssa.
May I take another look?

You'll have a little tenderness
for a few days.

That's to be expected.

Jean-Luc.

I'll be right back, Alyssa.

Alyssa lost the baby.

I think it's the same phenomenon
that affected geordi.

Somehow, the temporal energy
from the anomaly

caused the fetal tissue to revert
to an earlier stage of development.

It's as if the unborn child
began to grow younger

unfilfinahy,
the DNA itself began to break down.

How is she?

Physically, she's fine for now.

But if this temporal reversion
confinues,

I don't think any of us
are going to be fine for much longer.

So this is affecting the entire crew.

Our cellular structures
appear to be coalescing,

reverting to earlier forms.

In some cases, this has caused
old injuries to be healed,

but the effect is only temporary.

Eventually, it may kill all of us.

We have to determine
how widespread this effect is.

Contact starbase 23.
That's the nearest outpost.

Have them check their personnel
to see if there are any signs

- of temporal reversion.
- Aye, sir.

Mr. Data, how close are you
to completing the tachyon scan?

- Approximately one hour 45 minutes.
- Good.

When it's done,
I want you to find some way

of collapsing this anomaly
without making things worse.

Give me a risk analysis
of whatever solution you come up with.

- Aye, sir.
- Dismissed.

It's a pretty big decision, Jean-Luc,

tinkering with an anomaly
you know nothing about,

trying to collapse it.

Isn't that risky?

Why? Will that cause
the destruction of mankind?

Maybe.

On the other hand,
maybe leaving it alone

would be the wrong thing to do.

It's a pretty big decision, all right.

Would it help
to have a different perspective?

Welcome home.

Home?

Don't you recognize
your old stomping grounds?

This is earth, France, about,
oh, 3 and a half billion years ago.

Give or take an eon or two.

Smells awful, doesn't it?

All that sulfur and volcanic ash.

I really must speak to the maid.

Q, is there any point to all this?

Picard:
So the anomaly is here too.

At earth.

At this point in history, the anomaly
fills your entire quadrant of the galaxy.

The further back in time,
the larger the anomaly.

Come here.

There's something
I want to show you.

You see this?

This is you.

I'm serious.

Right here, life is about to form
on this planet for the very first time.

A group of amino acids are about
to combine to form the first protein.

The building blocks, heh, heh...

Of what you call life.

Strange, isn't it?

Everything you know,
your entire civilization,

it all begins right here
in this little pond of goo.

Appropriate somehow, isn't it?

Too bad you didn't bring
your microscope.

It's really quite fascinating. Oh, look.

There they go.

The amino acids
are moving closer and closer

and closer.

Nothing happened.

See what you've done?

Are you saying
that I caused the anomaly?

And that the anomaly
somehow disrupted the beginnings

of life on earth?

Congratulations.

Let's concentrate on how this anomaly
was initially formed.

Speculation.

Our tachyon pulse has been unable
to completely penetrate the anomaly.

If we had information
on the center of the phenomenon,

we might have a basis
for speculation.

Is there any way
that we can scan the interior?

I've tried everything I know.

There's just too much interference.

There's nothing on board
that will do the job.

Do you know what could?

In theory,
a tomographic imaging scanner

capable of multiphasic resolution
would be able to penetrate

this much interference.

The daystrom institute
has been working on such a device,

but it is still only theoretical.

Picard: Data, do we have a
tomographic imaging scanner on board?

Yes, sir.

Can you use it to scan
the interior of the anomaly?

Possibly.

There is a great deal of interference,
but I am getting some readings.

This is very unusual.

What is it?

It appears that our tachyon pulse
is converging

with two other tachyon pulses
at the center of the anomaly.

The two other pulses have
the exact same amplitude modulation

as our own pulse.

It is as if all three
originated from the enterprise.

Three pulses from three time periods

converging at one point in space.

Data:
Captain, what are you suggesting?

Computer, where is admiral riker?

Computer:
Admiral riker is in ten-forward.

The ship has held up pretty well
over the years.

They tried to decommission her
about five years ago.

One of the advantages
of being an admiral

is you get to choose your own ship.

Will...

How long is this thing
between you and worf going to go on?

It's been going on for over 20 years.

It doesn't look like it's going
to end anytime soon.

I suspect the last thing
counselor troi would have wanted

is for the two of you to be alienated.

I agree.

I think it's time to put it behind you.

I tried at Deanna's funeral.

He wouldn't even talk with me.

Might have been tough for him then.

He took her death pretty hard.

Oh, yeah?

Well, he wasn't the only one.

I know.

But I think in his mind,
you were the reason

that he and Deanna
never got together.

I never did anything
to stand in his way.

Didn't you, will?

Did I?

I didn't want to admit
that it was over.

I always thought
that we would get together again.

And then she was gone.

You think you have
all the time in the world until...

Yup.

Ensign.

How do I get to ten-fonnard?

It's four decks down, sir.
Section 005.

Thank you.

Crusher: Oh, my god.

Will.

Will, I know why it's happening.

I know what's causing the anomaly.
We have to go back.

The only place
we're going back to, sir, is bed.

Damn it, will.
I know why it's happening.

We caused the anomaly
with a tachyon pulse.

It happened three times, will.

We did it
in three different time periods.

I think you better come with me.

Will you leave me alone?

Damn it, I'm not stupid.

Will, the tachyon pulses,
they were used in the same spot

in three different time periods.

Don't you see?

When the tachyon pulse used...

I mean...

I mean, when the pasteur
used the tachyon pulse, then we...

I mean, everything started, will.

We set everything in motion.

It's like the chicken and the egg, will.
The chicken and the egg.

We think it started in the past,
but it didn't.

It started right here in the future.

That's why
it's getting larger in the past.

I think I know
what the captain is talking about.

If I'm not mistaken,
he's describing a paradox.

Yes, right. That's it.

Data: Intriguing.

It is possible.

We could have caused
the very anomaly

we've been looking for.

Let us assume for a moment
that the captain

has been traveling through time.

Let us also assume
he has initiated a tachyon pulse

at the same coordinates
in all three time periods.

In that case,

it is possible that the convergence
of three tachyon pulses

could have ruptured
the subspace barrier

and created an anti-time reaction.

I see where you're going, data.

And because anti-time operates
opposite the way normal time does,

the effects would travel backwards
through the space-time continuum.

Yes. That's why it gets larger
in the past.

It grows
as it travels backwards in time.

All right. Just for the moment,
let's say that you're right.

- What do we do?
- We go back to the devron system.

He may be right.

If we go back
to the devron system now,

we might be able to see
the initial formation of the anomaly.

Riker to bridge.
Set a course for the devron system.

Maximum warp.

Gaines: Aye, sir.

Worf, we could use a hand.

Entering the devron system, sir.

Full stop.

Data: Sensors are picking up
a small temporal anomaly

off the port bow.

On-screen.

I was right.

La forge:
It's an anti-time eruption.

It seems to have been formed
within the last six hours.

We must stop it here
so that it can't travel back

through time.

Riker: Mr. Data, we need a solution,
and we need it now.

The anomaly is being sustained
by the continuing tachyon pulses

in the other two time periods.

I suggest shutting them down.

The next time I'm there,
it's the first thing I'll do.

Isn't there something more
we can do here?

- Seal the rupture somehow?
- I'll investigate the options.

Data, disengage the tachyon pulse.

Sir? Picard: Do it.

The convergence of the tachyon
pulses from the three time periods

is what's causing the anomaly.

Aye, sir.

Is there any change in the anomaly?

No, sir.

Disengage the tachyon pulse.

But we haven't finished the scan, sir.

I know that.

But it is imperative that you disengage
the tachyon pulse immediately.

Data: Aye, sir. Disengaging.

Why isn't the anomaly
being affected?

Why would it be, sir?

I've shut off the tachyon pulses
in the other two time periods,

but it hasn't changed the anomaly.

It remains unaffected here
as well, sir.

What do we do?

Well, the only way to stop this thing
is to repair the rupture

at the focal point where time
and anti-time are converging.

How do we do that?

It would require taking the ship
into the anomaly itself.

Once inside,
we may be able to use the engines

to create a static warp shell.

La forge:
Yeah, data. That's right.

And the shell would act
as an artificial subspace barrier

separating time and anti-time.

Collapsing the anomaly
and restoring the normal flow of time.

But this would have to be done
in the other two time periods as well.

That could be a problem.

The anomaly is so much larger
in the other two time periods.

It may be dangerous
to take the ship in.

- Take the ship in where, sir?
- Into the anomaly, chief.

Lay in a course for the exact center

and transfer all available power
to the shields.

Sir, can you give us
some explanation?

No, lieutenant. I cannot.

Captain, so far
we've obeyed every order

no matter how far-fetched
it might have seemed.

But if we're to risk
the safety of the ship and crew,

I think we have to ask you
for an explanation.

I understand your concern,
lieutenant.

And I know that
if I were in your position,

I would be doing the same thing.

Looking for answers.

But you're not gonna find any,
because I don't have any to give you.

I know it is difficult
for you to understand,

but we have to take the ship
into the very center

of the phenomenon
and create a static warp shell.

Now, this will put the ship at risk.

Quite frankly, we may not survive.

But I want you to believe
that I'm doing this

for a greater purpose.

And that what is at stake here
is more than any of you

can possibly imagine.

I know you have
your doubts about me,

about each other, about this ship.

All I can say is that

although we have
only been together for a short time,

I know that you are
the finest crew in the fleet.

And I would trust
each of you with my life.

So I am asking you
for a leap of faith

and to trust me.

Shields up. Maximum strength.

Boosting field integrity
to the warp nacelles.

We may encounter shearing forces
once we enter the anomaly.

I am preparing
to initiate a static warp shell.

Course laid in, sir.

All decks report ready, sir.

Take us in, chief.

Captain, I have an idea.

If we take the ship to the center
of the anomaly and create...

Create a static warp shell.

It could repair the barrier
and collapse the anomaly.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Data, you are a clever man
in any time period.

Helm, lay in a course
for the center of the anomaly

and prepare to initiate
a static warp shell.

Ensign: Aye, sir.

The other two enterprises,
they're on their way.

Very well. Ensign, take us in.

We're entering the anomaly, sir.

All hands brace for impact.

Tasha: The temporal energy
is interfering with main power.

- Switching to...
- Auxiliary power.

I'm having trouble
keeping the impulse engines online.

I've got power fluctuations
all across the board.

Maintain course and speed.

Mr. Data, how long
until we reach the center?

At least 30 seconds, sir.

We've entered the anomaly.

We have reached the center, sir.

Initiate warp shell.

Initiating static warp shell now.

Is it having any effect?

Something is happening.

A new subspace barrier
appears to be forming.

Captain, the sensors
are picking up two other ships.

Captain, it appears to be working.

The anomaly is beginning to collapse.
I think that...

Temporal energy is rupturing
our warp containment system.

We must eject the core.

No. We have to maintain the static
warp shell as long as possible.

We're losing containment, captain.

I can't stop it. It's going to...

Transfer emergency power
to the antimatter containment system.

I'm trying,
but there's a lot of interference.

The warp shell
is definitely having an effect, sir.

The anomaly is collapsing.

I can't hold it.

The containment system is going.

Maintain your position,
Mr. La forge.

Both of the other ships
have been destroyed.

Two down. One to go.

Data, report.

The anomaly is nearly collapsed.

We're losing containment.

Goodbye, Jean-Luc.
I'm gonna miss you.

You had such potential.

But then again, all good things
must come to an end.

Containment field is at critical.

I'm losing it.

The continuum didn't think
you had it in you, Jean-Luc.

But I knew you did.

Are you saying that it worked?

We collapsed the anomaly?

Is that all this meant to you?

Just another spatial anomaly.
Just another day at the office.

Did it work?

Well, you're here, aren't you?
You're talking to me, aren't you?

What about my crew?

The anomaly, my ship, my crew.

I suppose you're worried
aboutyourflshtoo.

Well, if it puts your mind at ease,
you've saved humanity once again.

Thank you.

For what?

You had a hand
in helping me get out of this.

I was the one that got you into it.

A directive from the continuum.

The part about the helping hand,
though, was my idea.

I sincerely hope
that this is the last time

that I find myself here.

You just don't get it,
do you, Jean-Luc?

The trial never ends.

We wanted to see
if you had the ability

to expand your mind
and your horizons.

And for one brief moment, you did.

When I realized the paradox.

Exactly.

For that one fraction of a second,
you were open to options

you had never considered.

That is the exploration
that awaits you.

Not mapping stars
and studying nebula,

but charting the unknown
possibilities of existence.

Q, what is it
that you're trying to tell me?

You'll find out.

In any case, I'll be watching.

And if you're very lucky, I'll drop by
to say hello from time to time.

See you out there.

Troi:
Captain, are you all right?

Mr. Worf, what's the date?

Stardate 47988.

Troi: Is something wrong, sir?

No, no.

I think I'll get back to bed.

I, uh... I could use some sleep.

Picard:
Captain's log, supplemental.

Starfleet command reports
no unusual activity

along the neutral zone,
and there is no sign

of a temporal anomaly.

It would appear that I am
the only member of the crew

to retain any knowledge
of the events I experienced.

Anytime, doctor.

Worf: Four hands in a row.

How does he do it?

Icheat

I'm kidding.

You know, I was thinking
about what the captain

told us all about the future.

About how we all changed
and drifted apart.

Why would he want
to tell us what's to come?

Sure goes against everything
we've always heard

about not polluting the time line,
doesn't it?

I believe, however,
this situation is unique.

Since the anomaly did not occur,
there have already been changes

in the way this time line is unfolding.

The future we experience
will undoubtedly be different

from the one
the captain encountered.

Maybe that's why he told us.

Knowing what happens in that future
allows us to change things now

so that some things never happen.

Agreed.

Riker: Come in.

Am I too late?

Of course not. Pull up a chair.

- Troi: What's the game?
- Five-card draw. Deuces wild.

Riker: Come in.

Is there a problem, sir?

No, I, uh...

I just thought that I might, um,
join you this evening.

Uh, if there's room.

Riker: Of course. Have a seat.

Would you care to deal, sir?

Oh, thank you, Mr. Data.

Actually, I, uh...

I used to be quite a card player
in my youth, you know.

I should have done this
a long time ago.

You were always welcome.

So five-card stud, nothing wild.

And the sky's the limit.