Star Trek: Picard (2020–…): Season 3, Episode 2 - Disengage - full transcript
Aided by Seven of Nine and the crew of the U.S.S. Titan, Picard makes a shocking discovery that will alter his life forever - and puts him on a collision course with the most cunning enemy he's ever encountered. Meanwhile, Raffi r...
Warning.
Security breach.
Unauthorized docking.
Admiral Picard.
I'm encoding this transmission
with coordinates.
Trust no one.
I think I may have a ship.
The captain, Shaw, we got to
con him into changing course.
- Where?
- The Ryton system.
No.
Welcome to the Ryton
system, gentlemen.
This was you.
You just loyaltied your
way to the end of a career.
So, is my
handler here this time
or are you gonna
flake out on me again?
I've been under for
months, trying to figure out
who stole these goddamn
experimental weapons
from Daystrom Station and why.
Starfleet recruitment,
I believe you're
under imminent threat
of a terrorist attack.
Number
One, she's here.
Beverly is clearly wounded.
- We're here to help you.
- What makes you think I want your help?
Beverly
would never call out
in order to save only herself.
- Then who's this?
- Her son.
They must have
followed you here.
- What the hell is going on?
- We're being hunted.
♪ Jumping on a starship♪
♪ Take me on a space trip...♪
Hailing
frequency is open.
This is Jack Crusher
on Mariposa medical vessel
designation Eleos XII
on approach to Sarnia Prime.
Confirming orbital entry.
Can anybody read me?
Please respond if you are...
Warning. Fenris Ranger
vessel approaching.
- There you are.
- Eleos, you have violated
our airspace en route to a
designated quarantine zone.
Provide the Federation
access codes
or surrender for inspection.
Ranger, I assure you,
we've been granted
the moral authority,
but that seldom
comes with paperwork,
and right now, there
are thousands below
with Galarian Fever who are
immunoresistant to bureaucracy.
Inspection it is, then.
This is a medical vessel,
delivering medical supplies
to people who are
medically in need.
And as a medical expert,
I assume you're aware
of the protocols,
which you are currently
in violation of, at least,
oh, 27, give or take.
Protocols which will have
the desired effect of killing
the disease by killing
everybody who carries it.
Galarian Fever is fatal
at the rate of one
life per minute,
so while we've been at
this, we've murdered...
...ten civilians.
Steroids, suppressants.
Antibody therapeutics.
Gene re-sequencers.
And what
about this one?
Romulan ale?
New miracle cure
I'm not aware of?
For sterilization.
It's ideal antiseptic,
and a commonly prescribed
treatment for life in general.
All of which we're
happy to share.
Is that a bribe?
No, don't be daft.
I'd never bribe you
with medical equipment.
I'd bribe you... with these.
Look, we all know the
warlords down there
engineered the fever in
order to clear the free-zone
from refugees before the
others could claim it.
I give half to one
warlord, half to another,
cut you in for, say, 25...
- 35.
- ...30% of the take and...
...it's
bad guys shooting bad guys,
and we've helped refugees
by curing a pandemic.
Oh, mon ami.
We're basically saints.
Take this one first.
Mon ami.
Come on. Anybody
would think it was heavy.
Reach out to the Marked
Woman. We found him.
Power level at 13%.
Who is it out there?
I don't know.
First it was Fenris Rangers,
then Klingons, a day later.
Then three guys in
Starfleet uniforms
tried to prime-direct
me into an early grave.
We've been running for months.
Whoever's piloting that
ship has resources.
And we've been too close
to the nebula for too long
and it's fried our systems.
We're running on fumes.
"Trust nobody."
That's what Beverly
said. What do they want?
We have to find out.
But first of all, we
have to make contact,
strike an accord, negotiate.
Computer, threat assessment.
Unidentified vessel presently
targeting all ship's systems.
Probability of
destruction: 100%.
They're not here to negotiate.
Look, she called you, I didn't.
Before you two turned up with
the baddies in tow, I had this.
But now that you're here,
you might as well makes
yourselves useful.
That med-pod's power
is nearly drained,
and my mother needs
medical attention.
So, please, tell me
that your little shuttle
has a much bigger
friend close by.
We came on the Titan.
She's gone, but possibly
still within range.
If we could get
Beverly on the shuttle,
we can reach out to the
Titan, ask them for help.
Sir, it's faint, but I'm
picking up a third signal
by the nebula.
Lieutenant T'Veen, get me
a full diagnostic scan.
I'm reading photonic activity,
along with energy signatures
I don't recognize.
It's definitely a
vessel, Captain.
And it's packing.
Have they entered
Federation space yet?
No, sir, it appears to be
sticking close to the nebula.
It's going for Picard.
If we act now, we can intercept.
La Forge, how long
to reach them?
Belay that, Helmsman.
Sir, AdmiralPicard and
CaptainRiker are in danger.
CommanderHansen.
We are an exploratory vessel.
If that ship decides to
engage us, we are outgunned.
And I am not gonna risk 500
souls for two relics who think
that a couple of brass
medals make them golden boys.
They dug their grave,
they took you with them.
Hold your position, La Forge.
Dismissed.
I said dismissed.
Why is it
just circling us?
Why hasn't it hailed us yet?
- We need to go, Captain.
- Admiral.
You can educate me on the chain
of command in the afterlife,
but from what I've heard,
history remembers you
with one less pip.
We need to get her med-pod
to your shuttle now.
I'll prep the docking bay.
Beverly's son?
There's just something...
familiar about him.
Incoming!
Blast shield engaged.
- What the hell just happened?
- Will,
the pod's losing power, and
her life signs are fading.
- We need to get to her to the Titan.
- Admiral!
Change of plan.
We just lost the shuttle.
We're trapped here.
Today the
Federation looked on in terror
as the Starfleet
recruitment building,
a symbol of peace
and hope to many,
was destroyed in an
unprecedented attack.
Nothing is known about
the devastating weapon,
but sources within Starfleet
suggest that the dissident
Lurak t'Luco, leader of
a Romulan rebel faction,
is responsible.
So far, 117 are confirmed dead.
Secure channel open.
Sorry to bother you.
Just thought we could
have another chat.
You...
You sent me undercover
to find whoever stole
experimental weapons
from Daystrom
and stop them before
they could use them.
And, well...
...here we are.
117 confirmed.
117 that could've been
avoided had I been faster.
Do not seek blame.
Do not seek anger.
I have to keep digging,
find out who did this.
Starfleet Command
is terminating
investigation until
further notice.
Suspect identified.
What are you talking about?
What, the press,
the intel reports?
They're pawning this
off on Lurak t'Luco?
A Romulan triggerman
who's never made it
to anyone's most wanted list
goes through the
trouble of heisting
an ultra-secure off-site
Daystrom facility?
And steals some
world-ending portal tech
and uses it to-to blow
up, of all things,
a mid-level Starfleet
recruitment bureau?
And even if he did do it,
he's not the one who
stole the weapon.
He purchased it on
the black market.
There's a redacted
statement from a lowlife
Ferengi crime lord named Sneed.
He said he brokered the sale
between an anonymous seller
and t'Luco as the buyer, just,
you know, tidy, convenient.
But it doesn't add up.
I'm gonna need to
speak to that Ferengi.
Starfleet Command
has terminated investigation.
Disengage.
Disengage?
No.
Hell no.
Sneed is lying.
He's covering for
whoever really did this.
And 117 people are gone.
118 should you continue.
Do not join the dead.
Why are you hamstringing me?
What do you know
that I don't know?
Do not engage.
Look, you're my handler,
right? Whoever you are?
I am requesting
an in-person meet.
Denied.
Well, somebody needs
to speak for the dead.
And since you're not
even gonna talk to me,
I guess I'm on my own.
I'm gonna find out from
Sneed who really did this.
Am I gonna need to
confine you to quarters?
Lieutenant Mura detected
weapon system activity,
presumably targeting
Picard's unarmed shuttle.
So it will be so
noted in my report.
Sir, they could die
if we don't help.
Did you assist Captain
Riker and Admiral Picard
in commandeering my shuttle?
I am more than certain
they were able to find
the shuttle bay
without assistance.
Bullshit.
Sir, you could be the
hero who saved heroes
or you could be remembered
for being the captain
who let two legends die.
It's your call. Sir.
Okay, so we've got no visuals,
we've lost our escape
and help isn't coming.
- Suggestions?
- Have they hailed us?
Surrendering is an option.
They haven't offered terms.
Well, I could
offer them you two.
Does the legendary
admiral have any ideas?
I'm not strategizing,
I'm safeguarding.
Against what?
Against that.
Transport inhibitors.
- Now we know.
- What?
They want you.
Alive.
If they
can't get you out,
they're coming in.
gravimetric lock detected.
Hey, kid. Throw me one
of those plasma charges.
Enemy transport countermeasures
targeting docking bay.
Any more incoming?
No.
Hopefully, they realize now
that they're sending their
forces to their deaths.
We're in a stalemate.
structural integrity at 22%.
You were saying?
Tractor beam.
If they can't board us,
they'll make us board them.
Hull
breach on Deck 2.
Emergency force fields in place.
Power relay failure.
Beverly.
Life support at 14%.
Shield report.
Off-line.
Hull breach on Deck 2.
If you get
me enough power,
I think I can improvise
a beam repulsor.
Stop!
It won't work.
We don't have
repulsor capability.
We've been limping by for weeks.
It's pointless.
They have us.
power levels at critical.
Total power failure imminent.
Well.
It was nice meeting you.
I've got movement
on the sensors.
What the hell is that?
Sir, tractor beam is broken.
Red alert. Helm, hold position.
Bring those two back on board.
Captain, I'm reading
four life signs.
Bring them all on board.
We're basically a hotel now.
Get me a channel to the Eleos.
This is theTitan.
Prepare to beam aboard.
Not a moment too soon.
- Hull compromised.
- Tell her she better hurry up.
Sir, the alien vessel
is preparing to fire!
Esmar, get them
out of there now.
Something's wrong,
it's not working!
I can't lock onto them.
What the hell
is that thing doing?
I don't know, but
it looks pissed.
Picard, we can't
get a lock on you.
The transport inhibitors.
Structural integrity at...
Picard to Titan.Try it now!
Exposure
to lethal gas on Deck 3.
Hey. You know, I only called
because I never thought
you'd actually answer.
Marrow tea?
Uh, n-no. No, thanks.
So, how you doing,
Jae? How's our son?
Gabe says you, uh...
you ambushed him at
his baby's doctor.
Ambushed?
So that's what my
son thinks of me.
I only wanted to see her.
In person, you know?
- You staying clean?
- Yeah.
Yeah, I'm... I'm
with Starfleet now.
I have to be. I want to be.
I need something.
I know you're still connected.
- Goddamn it, Raffi.
- No, it's for work.
I know you still turn a blind
eye to the shady business
that happens in the
back room of your bar,
and I need an intro...
to Sneed, the Ferengi broker.
Are you out of your mind?
You do realize that "broker"
is just a polite
word for "gangster."
He's a monster.
It's important. I
wouldn't ask otherwise.
I'm with Starfleet Intelligence,
but they are blind
to something big.
And they don't know
it. It is wrong.
When your head
goes to that place,
the webs, conspiracies,
that's when it all starts up.
The drugs, the
dark rabbit holes.
How did you break away from it?
- It was so easy for you.
- I made a choice.
And we had this...
this beautiful boy.
So I chose...
my son, my art.
And that was enough for me.
But not for you.
Gabe pushes you away
because he remembers that.
Sneed is protecting murderers.
For some reason, Starfleet's
turning a blind eye.
I'm the only one
who can do this.
Damn.
And I actually thought
you were here about Gabe.
Thought maybe you'd want me
to put in a word with him.
You'd do that?
I could talk to Gabe.
Or I'll talk to Sneed,
but I will not do both.
Right here, right now.
Make a choice.
Yeah.
That's what I thought.
Status report.
We got all four. Injured
civilian was beamed
directly to sick bay and
is unconscious but stable.
Captain, I suggest we
get away, maximum warp.
Not yet. We've engaged.
I want to know with who and why.
Oh, you boys are
in so much trouble.
She said to trust nobody, and
you basically brought everyone.
- Captain.
- Who the hell are you?
Can we just all take a breath?
- Captain!
- What?
We're being hailed.
Let's see what you
all got us into.
On screen.
Good afternoon.
I believe it is afternoon
in Sol System.
I am Captain Vadic.
And you are, uh...
...Captain Liam Shaw.
That's me.
I think it's important for
you to know that I was having
a nice morning
before all of this.
Ooh, that's lovely
to hear, Liam.
Given your official
psychological profile
with Starfleet,
I'm so glad that you've
remained, uh, functional.
You have been causing us
some concern, Captain.
State your business.
Oh.
Admiral Jean-Luc Picard.
In the synthetic flesh.
You're harboring
one Jack Crusher.
He's broken a number
of laws both inside
and outside Federation space.
There is a sizable
bounty on his head.
And we are taking him.
I hate to inform you
that Starfleet does not
negotiate with bounty hunters.
Ooh, I see you're
having difficulty
understanding the
situation.
May I remind you that you are
outside of your jurisdiction?
But so you may
have clarification,
I'll lower my shields so
that you can scan my ship.
- Their shields are lowering.
- Weapons?
40 isolytic
burst warheads,
88 plasma torpedoes,
236 six photon torpedoes,
18 antimatter missiles.
20 pulse wave,
- 30 series five...
- I get it.
And something...
loaded in primary
position in the bay, sir.
Technology unknown.
You have one hour to
hand over Jack Crusher.
Turn your back to run,
and the only way you'll
see the shot that kills you
is through the hole in
your proverbial chest.
Until then, enjoy
this parting demonstration
of my intentions.
Shields up. Evasive maneuvers!
What did she just do?
She... threw a ship at us.
Sir.
It broke
through our shields, Captain,
hit with enough
force that shrapnel
tore the hull on Deck 11.
How is that even possible?
Reverse tractor beam
with anti-gravitational
polarity phasing.
Basically, blunt force trauma.
If my father taught me anything,
there's no law of physics that
can't be either weaponized
or broken by another
law of physics.
Thank you, Ensign.
So, we have 500 guns
pointed at our head.
We try to run, we are vapor
the second our
nacelles light up.
Help is days away
and this nebula is wreaking
hell on our long-range comms.
We are essentially cornered.
In space.
Which has no corners.
What do we know
about this Vadic?
Nothing in the Starfleet
database, but...
there have been rumors.
Oh, right, yeah.
Among the antiestablishment
pirate types, huh?
The Fenris folk.
A ship, similar in design,
flying no flag but
boasting every weapon
known to Starfleet
and then some.
So it's us and the boogeyman
at the edge of space.
No cavalry in sight.
What about Jack Crusher?
What do we got on him?
Who I am doesn't matter.
Oh, yes, it
most certainly does.
This is no longer about Beverly
only, this is also about you.
I've already told you
everything I know.
I've never even
heard of a Vadic.
We're at a
disadvantage here, kid.
And if there's one place in
the galaxy I don't want to be,
it's on my back foot, so think.
For yourself and
for your mother.
Ah.
Well...
this took longer than
I thought it would.
- What's happening here?
- The brig. That's what's happening.
Thank you for the
rescue, Admiral.
Gentlemen, I'd
like to introduce you
to... Jack Crusher.
A.K.A. Jack Canby, John
Carson, James Cole,
and my personal
favorite, Jarlis Carvel?
Yeah, that one took
a lot of imagination.
Looks like you two were conned
into saving the
life of a con man.
The bounty hunter's
claims are valid.
We are harboring an
intergalactic fugitive.
Take him away.
Sir, as
a former Fenris Ranger,
I've had many interactions
with bounty hunters.
That ship is clearly not...
And you. You are no better.
Helping them
commandeer my shuttle?
Persuading me to engage
with a hostile entity
outside of Federation space?
Wagering 500 lives
against your loyalty to
a whopping total of two.
You are relieved of duty
for insubordination.
Captain Shaw, Seven
was clearly placed
in an impossible situation.
This man is getting
what he deserves.
So is she. So are you.
I am inclined to
give Vadic her bounty
and send us on our merry way.
Anything after that, we'll
save for the tribunal.
Since when does Starfleet
give into hostile demands?
That man is wanted for
trial, not execution,
and we damn well know that's
not a ship, it's a guillotine.
The rules of engagement outside
of Federation space are clear.
"The safety and preservation
of the ship's crew
above all else."
You've seen the
firepower on that thing.
That is a dogfight we will lose.
Captain, allow me
to speak with Jack.
Th-There has to be more to this.
Well, she gave us an hour.
You have half that to
prepare him for departure.
Why are you dancing around this?
Around what?
Are you serious?
Well, even if he
is Beverly's son,
then if these
charges are real...
That is not what it's
about, and you know that.
Are you not seeing
what I'm seeing?
Do the math, Jean-Luc.
Will, don't speculate.
Tell me, honestly, you
do not see what I see.
I have a great affinity
for virtuosos, but...
it seems that your
instrument is deception.
- Thievery.
- Wow.
That's a hell of an opener.
How is my mother?
Mending, but unable to defend
you, so defend yourself.
You're accused of
organized crime on Andoria,
actual terrorism on Binar III
and you're wanted for the
death of a man on Andreus 5.
That's unfair, he's a Falsetti,
and they go into a deep
hibernation for seven cycles,
so is he dead or is he alive?
Who's to say?
Says here you were
recently sighted on Kemiyo.
- That's a war zone.
- It's a rebellion.
The Kemiyans have been fighting
against their
oppressors for decades.
I brought them
medicine, supplies.
Oh. So you're a freedom fighter?
Only in the sense that a
doctor fights for the freedom
of his patient to not be dead.
I'm that, at best.
At worst? Well, I'm a thief.
Of stolen medical supplies, yes.
But also, stolen weapons
and other prohibited cargo.
Currency is currency
and medicine isn't free.
The people who dislike
me are gamblers,
low-level gangsters,
the fathers of
daughters everywhere.
Not vigilante bounty hunters
willing to pick a fight
with the Federation.
Oh, a lovely self-pardon.
But we both know that Beverly
would never permit this.
Who do you think
taught me all this?
When she's not behind
me, kicking my ass,
she's right beside
me, equal partners,
trying to do some good in a
good-less, imperfect universe.
And that's how I
know you're lying.
What, because you
know her so well?
When was the last time you
even spoke to my mother?
Ask yourself,
is there anybody you know who
is still the person you knew?
Or have you planted
roots in your vineyard
while everybody else moved on?
- Who is your father?
- I never had one!
Look...
if handing me over to Vadic
buys my mother a future...
...then so be it.
Especially if it puts an
end to this conversation.
Whatever your
circumstances may be,
you deserve the justice
of courts, not criminals.
To turn you over
is to acquiesce.
Worse yet, it betrays
an old friend.
But to harbor you
risks the lives
of everyone aboard this ship.
Including hers.
And I only have 18 minutes
before I have to determine
what to do about you.
Stepping over junkies
is one hell of a way
- to conceal a drug den.
- We're not open to strangers.
Move on.
Sneed's expecting me.
I like human things,
retro things.
It's like pressure and coal.
Let something get
old long enough,
eventually, it becomes vintage.
And... of value.
Sit, please. You're
making me nervous.
Transaction complete.
I make deals between people.
I broker. I know things.
And who Jae knows, I know.
Only, I don't know you.
Which makes me wonder,
how well do I know Jae?
In my experience, artists
are unknowable assholes
who live in their head
instead of the real world.
Very true, very true.
Which is probably why his first
wife left him for Starfleet.
See, the
thing about Starfleet
is in an organization
that doesn't value money,
it makes it very hard
to be high-class.
Consequently, I freelance now.
Ooh, la, la.
You nasty girl.
But nobody comes in here
asking nothing for something.
It would offend me if they did.
Word on the street is
you brokered a deal
for stolen portal tech
for a Romulan named t'Luco.
Same kind of tech
that brought down
the Starfleet
recruitment center.
T'Luco,
t'Luco, t'Luco.
Ah, I heard he went underground
after swallowing
up that building.
But see, we both know he
didn't push that button.
You want to know why?
Because I work for t'Luco.
Oh, do you?
Now, who in your
little black book here
paid you to blame my
client for the attack?
I've been stung enough times
to smell a sting coming.
You smell like
Starfleet.
Federation?
Section 31?
Unless, of course...
there's some way to convince me
that you're not.
Prove it.
Be my guest.
Yeah.
That's right.
Goes down real easy.
Oh, yum, yum, yum, yum.
It's good, isn't it?
I named it "splinter"
because it feels like
you're being ripped apart
and then pulled back together
again and again and
again.
Who do you work for?
I told you. T'Luco.
I'm impressed.
You know, it takes an old
addict to fight it this hard.
You must have really been
something back in the day.
The only thing is, I know
you don't work for t'Luco,
because this...
...is t'Luco.
Do you really think I
wouldn't tie up my loose ends?
Or risk my goddamn reputation
selling out the big fish?
But I will take your money.
And they'll take your head.
I told you, do not engage.
Captain.
Captain.
We may need to discuss
a course of action
that will not
involve cooperating.
Just because you
don't want to sell out
your ex-girlfriend's
son does not mean
I have to sell out
the lives of my crew.
And you of all people...
Should know that Jack
Crusher is a person.
A criminal, maybe,
but not unprincipled.
That's if you trust him.
To love his mother
more than himself.
And how do we even know
he really is her kid?
Easy play, handcuffing yourself
to the speechless woman
unconscious in the med-pod.
You have 15 minutes.
Fifteen.
Oi.
Oi, Starfleet.
What's the power level
of this force field?
According to
Starfleet regulations,
you are required to inform
me of the power level.
In the event I may harm myself
whilst trying to escape.
Level 10. Standard issue.
Go ahead. Stick your tongue
out, test it to be sure.
Thank you kindly.
How's Beverly?
Arterial wound.
We located the internal
trauma, stopped the bleeding.
She'll be all right.
- How sedated is she?
- Heavily.
Whoa. What are you doing?
No-- Sir, she
needs time to rest.
This is not a diplomatic
issue, Picard.
They have already engaged us.
Reestablish comms.
We may be able to bring her
down simply by standing up.
Enemy vessel is hailing us, sir.
On screen.
You know, it's been centuries
since timepieces last ran
on the mechanics of gears,
and yet, that persistent
sound you hear
is the gentle ticktock
of passing seconds.
- We still have time.
- Of course.
And I will honor my terms.
But... I thought you
might care to know
the name of my
particular vessel.
TheShrike.
It's an Earth creature.
A small carrion bird,
one that doesn't attack
in anger or malice,
one that isn't made
frantic by hunger
but rather kills
surgically, carefully.
Give me the boy now
or continue to delay,
but with each ticking moment,
I will take another
piece of you.
I'll peck, and I'll jab
at everything that
makes you you.
Every system that makes
your ship your ship,
until there's nothing left but
the choice to have given me
what you could
have given me now.
But certainly...
...take your time.
That was some terrific
standing up, Admiral.
All right, enough.
Let's turn him over.
Sir, there's been a
security breach on Deck 12.
At the brig.
Find him.
Shuttles, transporters,
lock 'em down.
Security alert.
A prisoner has escaped the brig.
Use precautions.
He may be armed.
I don't give a damn what
rank I do or don't have,
I need a tac team to
the shuttle bay ASAP.
I'll secure the transporters.
Security lockdown
on Decks 7 through 10.
All non-essential...
Get on with
it. Get on with it.
Get him to unlock it.
I want out.
No sign of the escaped
prisoner in Shuttle Bay 2.
Proceeding to Shuttle Bay 3.
If he escapes,
there's no guarantee
she won't engage us anyway.
Hansen
to Shaw. I found him.
You may have just earned
your post back. Bring him up.
He's currently in the
transporter bay with a phaser
and a request to
unlock the controls.
If he was escaping,
he'd be a half a system
away in a shuttle by now.
And the only place he can get to
with a transporter
would be there.
He's trying to
hand himself over,
in the event that we wouldn't.
He's protecting his mother.
If that's the case,
by all means, let him.
Clear your conscience, Picard.
Whoever this kid may be, he's
not worth the lives of my crew.
One minute to go.
I'm giving the order.
Esmar...
...unlock the transporters.
Belay that!
Admiral's orders.
Lock it down.
Shuttles, transporters.
The boy stays here.
You are going to
get us all killed.
Why are you doing this?
Because he's my son.
Oh, goddamn it.
Tactical.
Full power to forward shields.
La Forge, get ready to fly.
Stand by to execute commands.
Whatever happens next,
Admiral, that's on you.
Comms, put the
Shrike on the screen.
How very precise with your
timing, Jean-Luc Picard.
And your answer?
Engage!
Oh, follow him.
If they're looking
for a fight...
They'll have to find us first.
Follow him!
Captioning sponsored by CBS
Security breach.
Unauthorized docking.
Admiral Picard.
I'm encoding this transmission
with coordinates.
Trust no one.
I think I may have a ship.
The captain, Shaw, we got to
con him into changing course.
- Where?
- The Ryton system.
No.
Welcome to the Ryton
system, gentlemen.
This was you.
You just loyaltied your
way to the end of a career.
So, is my
handler here this time
or are you gonna
flake out on me again?
I've been under for
months, trying to figure out
who stole these goddamn
experimental weapons
from Daystrom Station and why.
Starfleet recruitment,
I believe you're
under imminent threat
of a terrorist attack.
Number
One, she's here.
Beverly is clearly wounded.
- We're here to help you.
- What makes you think I want your help?
Beverly
would never call out
in order to save only herself.
- Then who's this?
- Her son.
They must have
followed you here.
- What the hell is going on?
- We're being hunted.
♪ Jumping on a starship♪
♪ Take me on a space trip...♪
Hailing
frequency is open.
This is Jack Crusher
on Mariposa medical vessel
designation Eleos XII
on approach to Sarnia Prime.
Confirming orbital entry.
Can anybody read me?
Please respond if you are...
Warning. Fenris Ranger
vessel approaching.
- There you are.
- Eleos, you have violated
our airspace en route to a
designated quarantine zone.
Provide the Federation
access codes
or surrender for inspection.
Ranger, I assure you,
we've been granted
the moral authority,
but that seldom
comes with paperwork,
and right now, there
are thousands below
with Galarian Fever who are
immunoresistant to bureaucracy.
Inspection it is, then.
This is a medical vessel,
delivering medical supplies
to people who are
medically in need.
And as a medical expert,
I assume you're aware
of the protocols,
which you are currently
in violation of, at least,
oh, 27, give or take.
Protocols which will have
the desired effect of killing
the disease by killing
everybody who carries it.
Galarian Fever is fatal
at the rate of one
life per minute,
so while we've been at
this, we've murdered...
...ten civilians.
Steroids, suppressants.
Antibody therapeutics.
Gene re-sequencers.
And what
about this one?
Romulan ale?
New miracle cure
I'm not aware of?
For sterilization.
It's ideal antiseptic,
and a commonly prescribed
treatment for life in general.
All of which we're
happy to share.
Is that a bribe?
No, don't be daft.
I'd never bribe you
with medical equipment.
I'd bribe you... with these.
Look, we all know the
warlords down there
engineered the fever in
order to clear the free-zone
from refugees before the
others could claim it.
I give half to one
warlord, half to another,
cut you in for, say, 25...
- 35.
- ...30% of the take and...
...it's
bad guys shooting bad guys,
and we've helped refugees
by curing a pandemic.
Oh, mon ami.
We're basically saints.
Take this one first.
Mon ami.
Come on. Anybody
would think it was heavy.
Reach out to the Marked
Woman. We found him.
Power level at 13%.
Who is it out there?
I don't know.
First it was Fenris Rangers,
then Klingons, a day later.
Then three guys in
Starfleet uniforms
tried to prime-direct
me into an early grave.
We've been running for months.
Whoever's piloting that
ship has resources.
And we've been too close
to the nebula for too long
and it's fried our systems.
We're running on fumes.
"Trust nobody."
That's what Beverly
said. What do they want?
We have to find out.
But first of all, we
have to make contact,
strike an accord, negotiate.
Computer, threat assessment.
Unidentified vessel presently
targeting all ship's systems.
Probability of
destruction: 100%.
They're not here to negotiate.
Look, she called you, I didn't.
Before you two turned up with
the baddies in tow, I had this.
But now that you're here,
you might as well makes
yourselves useful.
That med-pod's power
is nearly drained,
and my mother needs
medical attention.
So, please, tell me
that your little shuttle
has a much bigger
friend close by.
We came on the Titan.
She's gone, but possibly
still within range.
If we could get
Beverly on the shuttle,
we can reach out to the
Titan, ask them for help.
Sir, it's faint, but I'm
picking up a third signal
by the nebula.
Lieutenant T'Veen, get me
a full diagnostic scan.
I'm reading photonic activity,
along with energy signatures
I don't recognize.
It's definitely a
vessel, Captain.
And it's packing.
Have they entered
Federation space yet?
No, sir, it appears to be
sticking close to the nebula.
It's going for Picard.
If we act now, we can intercept.
La Forge, how long
to reach them?
Belay that, Helmsman.
Sir, AdmiralPicard and
CaptainRiker are in danger.
CommanderHansen.
We are an exploratory vessel.
If that ship decides to
engage us, we are outgunned.
And I am not gonna risk 500
souls for two relics who think
that a couple of brass
medals make them golden boys.
They dug their grave,
they took you with them.
Hold your position, La Forge.
Dismissed.
I said dismissed.
Why is it
just circling us?
Why hasn't it hailed us yet?
- We need to go, Captain.
- Admiral.
You can educate me on the chain
of command in the afterlife,
but from what I've heard,
history remembers you
with one less pip.
We need to get her med-pod
to your shuttle now.
I'll prep the docking bay.
Beverly's son?
There's just something...
familiar about him.
Incoming!
Blast shield engaged.
- What the hell just happened?
- Will,
the pod's losing power, and
her life signs are fading.
- We need to get to her to the Titan.
- Admiral!
Change of plan.
We just lost the shuttle.
We're trapped here.
Today the
Federation looked on in terror
as the Starfleet
recruitment building,
a symbol of peace
and hope to many,
was destroyed in an
unprecedented attack.
Nothing is known about
the devastating weapon,
but sources within Starfleet
suggest that the dissident
Lurak t'Luco, leader of
a Romulan rebel faction,
is responsible.
So far, 117 are confirmed dead.
Secure channel open.
Sorry to bother you.
Just thought we could
have another chat.
You...
You sent me undercover
to find whoever stole
experimental weapons
from Daystrom
and stop them before
they could use them.
And, well...
...here we are.
117 confirmed.
117 that could've been
avoided had I been faster.
Do not seek blame.
Do not seek anger.
I have to keep digging,
find out who did this.
Starfleet Command
is terminating
investigation until
further notice.
Suspect identified.
What are you talking about?
What, the press,
the intel reports?
They're pawning this
off on Lurak t'Luco?
A Romulan triggerman
who's never made it
to anyone's most wanted list
goes through the
trouble of heisting
an ultra-secure off-site
Daystrom facility?
And steals some
world-ending portal tech
and uses it to-to blow
up, of all things,
a mid-level Starfleet
recruitment bureau?
And even if he did do it,
he's not the one who
stole the weapon.
He purchased it on
the black market.
There's a redacted
statement from a lowlife
Ferengi crime lord named Sneed.
He said he brokered the sale
between an anonymous seller
and t'Luco as the buyer, just,
you know, tidy, convenient.
But it doesn't add up.
I'm gonna need to
speak to that Ferengi.
Starfleet Command
has terminated investigation.
Disengage.
Disengage?
No.
Hell no.
Sneed is lying.
He's covering for
whoever really did this.
And 117 people are gone.
118 should you continue.
Do not join the dead.
Why are you hamstringing me?
What do you know
that I don't know?
Do not engage.
Look, you're my handler,
right? Whoever you are?
I am requesting
an in-person meet.
Denied.
Well, somebody needs
to speak for the dead.
And since you're not
even gonna talk to me,
I guess I'm on my own.
I'm gonna find out from
Sneed who really did this.
Am I gonna need to
confine you to quarters?
Lieutenant Mura detected
weapon system activity,
presumably targeting
Picard's unarmed shuttle.
So it will be so
noted in my report.
Sir, they could die
if we don't help.
Did you assist Captain
Riker and Admiral Picard
in commandeering my shuttle?
I am more than certain
they were able to find
the shuttle bay
without assistance.
Bullshit.
Sir, you could be the
hero who saved heroes
or you could be remembered
for being the captain
who let two legends die.
It's your call. Sir.
Okay, so we've got no visuals,
we've lost our escape
and help isn't coming.
- Suggestions?
- Have they hailed us?
Surrendering is an option.
They haven't offered terms.
Well, I could
offer them you two.
Does the legendary
admiral have any ideas?
I'm not strategizing,
I'm safeguarding.
Against what?
Against that.
Transport inhibitors.
- Now we know.
- What?
They want you.
Alive.
If they
can't get you out,
they're coming in.
gravimetric lock detected.
Hey, kid. Throw me one
of those plasma charges.
Enemy transport countermeasures
targeting docking bay.
Any more incoming?
No.
Hopefully, they realize now
that they're sending their
forces to their deaths.
We're in a stalemate.
structural integrity at 22%.
You were saying?
Tractor beam.
If they can't board us,
they'll make us board them.
Hull
breach on Deck 2.
Emergency force fields in place.
Power relay failure.
Beverly.
Life support at 14%.
Shield report.
Off-line.
Hull breach on Deck 2.
If you get
me enough power,
I think I can improvise
a beam repulsor.
Stop!
It won't work.
We don't have
repulsor capability.
We've been limping by for weeks.
It's pointless.
They have us.
power levels at critical.
Total power failure imminent.
Well.
It was nice meeting you.
I've got movement
on the sensors.
What the hell is that?
Sir, tractor beam is broken.
Red alert. Helm, hold position.
Bring those two back on board.
Captain, I'm reading
four life signs.
Bring them all on board.
We're basically a hotel now.
Get me a channel to the Eleos.
This is theTitan.
Prepare to beam aboard.
Not a moment too soon.
- Hull compromised.
- Tell her she better hurry up.
Sir, the alien vessel
is preparing to fire!
Esmar, get them
out of there now.
Something's wrong,
it's not working!
I can't lock onto them.
What the hell
is that thing doing?
I don't know, but
it looks pissed.
Picard, we can't
get a lock on you.
The transport inhibitors.
Structural integrity at...
Picard to Titan.Try it now!
Exposure
to lethal gas on Deck 3.
Hey. You know, I only called
because I never thought
you'd actually answer.
Marrow tea?
Uh, n-no. No, thanks.
So, how you doing,
Jae? How's our son?
Gabe says you, uh...
you ambushed him at
his baby's doctor.
Ambushed?
So that's what my
son thinks of me.
I only wanted to see her.
In person, you know?
- You staying clean?
- Yeah.
Yeah, I'm... I'm
with Starfleet now.
I have to be. I want to be.
I need something.
I know you're still connected.
- Goddamn it, Raffi.
- No, it's for work.
I know you still turn a blind
eye to the shady business
that happens in the
back room of your bar,
and I need an intro...
to Sneed, the Ferengi broker.
Are you out of your mind?
You do realize that "broker"
is just a polite
word for "gangster."
He's a monster.
It's important. I
wouldn't ask otherwise.
I'm with Starfleet Intelligence,
but they are blind
to something big.
And they don't know
it. It is wrong.
When your head
goes to that place,
the webs, conspiracies,
that's when it all starts up.
The drugs, the
dark rabbit holes.
How did you break away from it?
- It was so easy for you.
- I made a choice.
And we had this...
this beautiful boy.
So I chose...
my son, my art.
And that was enough for me.
But not for you.
Gabe pushes you away
because he remembers that.
Sneed is protecting murderers.
For some reason, Starfleet's
turning a blind eye.
I'm the only one
who can do this.
Damn.
And I actually thought
you were here about Gabe.
Thought maybe you'd want me
to put in a word with him.
You'd do that?
I could talk to Gabe.
Or I'll talk to Sneed,
but I will not do both.
Right here, right now.
Make a choice.
Yeah.
That's what I thought.
Status report.
We got all four. Injured
civilian was beamed
directly to sick bay and
is unconscious but stable.
Captain, I suggest we
get away, maximum warp.
Not yet. We've engaged.
I want to know with who and why.
Oh, you boys are
in so much trouble.
She said to trust nobody, and
you basically brought everyone.
- Captain.
- Who the hell are you?
Can we just all take a breath?
- Captain!
- What?
We're being hailed.
Let's see what you
all got us into.
On screen.
Good afternoon.
I believe it is afternoon
in Sol System.
I am Captain Vadic.
And you are, uh...
...Captain Liam Shaw.
That's me.
I think it's important for
you to know that I was having
a nice morning
before all of this.
Ooh, that's lovely
to hear, Liam.
Given your official
psychological profile
with Starfleet,
I'm so glad that you've
remained, uh, functional.
You have been causing us
some concern, Captain.
State your business.
Oh.
Admiral Jean-Luc Picard.
In the synthetic flesh.
You're harboring
one Jack Crusher.
He's broken a number
of laws both inside
and outside Federation space.
There is a sizable
bounty on his head.
And we are taking him.
I hate to inform you
that Starfleet does not
negotiate with bounty hunters.
Ooh, I see you're
having difficulty
understanding the
situation.
May I remind you that you are
outside of your jurisdiction?
But so you may
have clarification,
I'll lower my shields so
that you can scan my ship.
- Their shields are lowering.
- Weapons?
40 isolytic
burst warheads,
88 plasma torpedoes,
236 six photon torpedoes,
18 antimatter missiles.
20 pulse wave,
- 30 series five...
- I get it.
And something...
loaded in primary
position in the bay, sir.
Technology unknown.
You have one hour to
hand over Jack Crusher.
Turn your back to run,
and the only way you'll
see the shot that kills you
is through the hole in
your proverbial chest.
Until then, enjoy
this parting demonstration
of my intentions.
Shields up. Evasive maneuvers!
What did she just do?
She... threw a ship at us.
Sir.
It broke
through our shields, Captain,
hit with enough
force that shrapnel
tore the hull on Deck 11.
How is that even possible?
Reverse tractor beam
with anti-gravitational
polarity phasing.
Basically, blunt force trauma.
If my father taught me anything,
there's no law of physics that
can't be either weaponized
or broken by another
law of physics.
Thank you, Ensign.
So, we have 500 guns
pointed at our head.
We try to run, we are vapor
the second our
nacelles light up.
Help is days away
and this nebula is wreaking
hell on our long-range comms.
We are essentially cornered.
In space.
Which has no corners.
What do we know
about this Vadic?
Nothing in the Starfleet
database, but...
there have been rumors.
Oh, right, yeah.
Among the antiestablishment
pirate types, huh?
The Fenris folk.
A ship, similar in design,
flying no flag but
boasting every weapon
known to Starfleet
and then some.
So it's us and the boogeyman
at the edge of space.
No cavalry in sight.
What about Jack Crusher?
What do we got on him?
Who I am doesn't matter.
Oh, yes, it
most certainly does.
This is no longer about Beverly
only, this is also about you.
I've already told you
everything I know.
I've never even
heard of a Vadic.
We're at a
disadvantage here, kid.
And if there's one place in
the galaxy I don't want to be,
it's on my back foot, so think.
For yourself and
for your mother.
Ah.
Well...
this took longer than
I thought it would.
- What's happening here?
- The brig. That's what's happening.
Thank you for the
rescue, Admiral.
Gentlemen, I'd
like to introduce you
to... Jack Crusher.
A.K.A. Jack Canby, John
Carson, James Cole,
and my personal
favorite, Jarlis Carvel?
Yeah, that one took
a lot of imagination.
Looks like you two were conned
into saving the
life of a con man.
The bounty hunter's
claims are valid.
We are harboring an
intergalactic fugitive.
Take him away.
Sir, as
a former Fenris Ranger,
I've had many interactions
with bounty hunters.
That ship is clearly not...
And you. You are no better.
Helping them
commandeer my shuttle?
Persuading me to engage
with a hostile entity
outside of Federation space?
Wagering 500 lives
against your loyalty to
a whopping total of two.
You are relieved of duty
for insubordination.
Captain Shaw, Seven
was clearly placed
in an impossible situation.
This man is getting
what he deserves.
So is she. So are you.
I am inclined to
give Vadic her bounty
and send us on our merry way.
Anything after that, we'll
save for the tribunal.
Since when does Starfleet
give into hostile demands?
That man is wanted for
trial, not execution,
and we damn well know that's
not a ship, it's a guillotine.
The rules of engagement outside
of Federation space are clear.
"The safety and preservation
of the ship's crew
above all else."
You've seen the
firepower on that thing.
That is a dogfight we will lose.
Captain, allow me
to speak with Jack.
Th-There has to be more to this.
Well, she gave us an hour.
You have half that to
prepare him for departure.
Why are you dancing around this?
Around what?
Are you serious?
Well, even if he
is Beverly's son,
then if these
charges are real...
That is not what it's
about, and you know that.
Are you not seeing
what I'm seeing?
Do the math, Jean-Luc.
Will, don't speculate.
Tell me, honestly, you
do not see what I see.
I have a great affinity
for virtuosos, but...
it seems that your
instrument is deception.
- Thievery.
- Wow.
That's a hell of an opener.
How is my mother?
Mending, but unable to defend
you, so defend yourself.
You're accused of
organized crime on Andoria,
actual terrorism on Binar III
and you're wanted for the
death of a man on Andreus 5.
That's unfair, he's a Falsetti,
and they go into a deep
hibernation for seven cycles,
so is he dead or is he alive?
Who's to say?
Says here you were
recently sighted on Kemiyo.
- That's a war zone.
- It's a rebellion.
The Kemiyans have been fighting
against their
oppressors for decades.
I brought them
medicine, supplies.
Oh. So you're a freedom fighter?
Only in the sense that a
doctor fights for the freedom
of his patient to not be dead.
I'm that, at best.
At worst? Well, I'm a thief.
Of stolen medical supplies, yes.
But also, stolen weapons
and other prohibited cargo.
Currency is currency
and medicine isn't free.
The people who dislike
me are gamblers,
low-level gangsters,
the fathers of
daughters everywhere.
Not vigilante bounty hunters
willing to pick a fight
with the Federation.
Oh, a lovely self-pardon.
But we both know that Beverly
would never permit this.
Who do you think
taught me all this?
When she's not behind
me, kicking my ass,
she's right beside
me, equal partners,
trying to do some good in a
good-less, imperfect universe.
And that's how I
know you're lying.
What, because you
know her so well?
When was the last time you
even spoke to my mother?
Ask yourself,
is there anybody you know who
is still the person you knew?
Or have you planted
roots in your vineyard
while everybody else moved on?
- Who is your father?
- I never had one!
Look...
if handing me over to Vadic
buys my mother a future...
...then so be it.
Especially if it puts an
end to this conversation.
Whatever your
circumstances may be,
you deserve the justice
of courts, not criminals.
To turn you over
is to acquiesce.
Worse yet, it betrays
an old friend.
But to harbor you
risks the lives
of everyone aboard this ship.
Including hers.
And I only have 18 minutes
before I have to determine
what to do about you.
Stepping over junkies
is one hell of a way
- to conceal a drug den.
- We're not open to strangers.
Move on.
Sneed's expecting me.
I like human things,
retro things.
It's like pressure and coal.
Let something get
old long enough,
eventually, it becomes vintage.
And... of value.
Sit, please. You're
making me nervous.
Transaction complete.
I make deals between people.
I broker. I know things.
And who Jae knows, I know.
Only, I don't know you.
Which makes me wonder,
how well do I know Jae?
In my experience, artists
are unknowable assholes
who live in their head
instead of the real world.
Very true, very true.
Which is probably why his first
wife left him for Starfleet.
See, the
thing about Starfleet
is in an organization
that doesn't value money,
it makes it very hard
to be high-class.
Consequently, I freelance now.
Ooh, la, la.
You nasty girl.
But nobody comes in here
asking nothing for something.
It would offend me if they did.
Word on the street is
you brokered a deal
for stolen portal tech
for a Romulan named t'Luco.
Same kind of tech
that brought down
the Starfleet
recruitment center.
T'Luco,
t'Luco, t'Luco.
Ah, I heard he went underground
after swallowing
up that building.
But see, we both know he
didn't push that button.
You want to know why?
Because I work for t'Luco.
Oh, do you?
Now, who in your
little black book here
paid you to blame my
client for the attack?
I've been stung enough times
to smell a sting coming.
You smell like
Starfleet.
Federation?
Section 31?
Unless, of course...
there's some way to convince me
that you're not.
Prove it.
Be my guest.
Yeah.
That's right.
Goes down real easy.
Oh, yum, yum, yum, yum.
It's good, isn't it?
I named it "splinter"
because it feels like
you're being ripped apart
and then pulled back together
again and again and
again.
Who do you work for?
I told you. T'Luco.
I'm impressed.
You know, it takes an old
addict to fight it this hard.
You must have really been
something back in the day.
The only thing is, I know
you don't work for t'Luco,
because this...
...is t'Luco.
Do you really think I
wouldn't tie up my loose ends?
Or risk my goddamn reputation
selling out the big fish?
But I will take your money.
And they'll take your head.
I told you, do not engage.
Captain.
Captain.
We may need to discuss
a course of action
that will not
involve cooperating.
Just because you
don't want to sell out
your ex-girlfriend's
son does not mean
I have to sell out
the lives of my crew.
And you of all people...
Should know that Jack
Crusher is a person.
A criminal, maybe,
but not unprincipled.
That's if you trust him.
To love his mother
more than himself.
And how do we even know
he really is her kid?
Easy play, handcuffing yourself
to the speechless woman
unconscious in the med-pod.
You have 15 minutes.
Fifteen.
Oi.
Oi, Starfleet.
What's the power level
of this force field?
According to
Starfleet regulations,
you are required to inform
me of the power level.
In the event I may harm myself
whilst trying to escape.
Level 10. Standard issue.
Go ahead. Stick your tongue
out, test it to be sure.
Thank you kindly.
How's Beverly?
Arterial wound.
We located the internal
trauma, stopped the bleeding.
She'll be all right.
- How sedated is she?
- Heavily.
Whoa. What are you doing?
No-- Sir, she
needs time to rest.
This is not a diplomatic
issue, Picard.
They have already engaged us.
Reestablish comms.
We may be able to bring her
down simply by standing up.
Enemy vessel is hailing us, sir.
On screen.
You know, it's been centuries
since timepieces last ran
on the mechanics of gears,
and yet, that persistent
sound you hear
is the gentle ticktock
of passing seconds.
- We still have time.
- Of course.
And I will honor my terms.
But... I thought you
might care to know
the name of my
particular vessel.
TheShrike.
It's an Earth creature.
A small carrion bird,
one that doesn't attack
in anger or malice,
one that isn't made
frantic by hunger
but rather kills
surgically, carefully.
Give me the boy now
or continue to delay,
but with each ticking moment,
I will take another
piece of you.
I'll peck, and I'll jab
at everything that
makes you you.
Every system that makes
your ship your ship,
until there's nothing left but
the choice to have given me
what you could
have given me now.
But certainly...
...take your time.
That was some terrific
standing up, Admiral.
All right, enough.
Let's turn him over.
Sir, there's been a
security breach on Deck 12.
At the brig.
Find him.
Shuttles, transporters,
lock 'em down.
Security alert.
A prisoner has escaped the brig.
Use precautions.
He may be armed.
I don't give a damn what
rank I do or don't have,
I need a tac team to
the shuttle bay ASAP.
I'll secure the transporters.
Security lockdown
on Decks 7 through 10.
All non-essential...
Get on with
it. Get on with it.
Get him to unlock it.
I want out.
No sign of the escaped
prisoner in Shuttle Bay 2.
Proceeding to Shuttle Bay 3.
If he escapes,
there's no guarantee
she won't engage us anyway.
Hansen
to Shaw. I found him.
You may have just earned
your post back. Bring him up.
He's currently in the
transporter bay with a phaser
and a request to
unlock the controls.
If he was escaping,
he'd be a half a system
away in a shuttle by now.
And the only place he can get to
with a transporter
would be there.
He's trying to
hand himself over,
in the event that we wouldn't.
He's protecting his mother.
If that's the case,
by all means, let him.
Clear your conscience, Picard.
Whoever this kid may be, he's
not worth the lives of my crew.
One minute to go.
I'm giving the order.
Esmar...
...unlock the transporters.
Belay that!
Admiral's orders.
Lock it down.
Shuttles, transporters.
The boy stays here.
You are going to
get us all killed.
Why are you doing this?
Because he's my son.
Oh, goddamn it.
Tactical.
Full power to forward shields.
La Forge, get ready to fly.
Stand by to execute commands.
Whatever happens next,
Admiral, that's on you.
Comms, put the
Shrike on the screen.
How very precise with your
timing, Jean-Luc Picard.
And your answer?
Engage!
Oh, follow him.
If they're looking
for a fight...
They'll have to find us first.
Follow him!
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