Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994): Season 1, Episode 15 - Too Short A Season - full transcript
The Enterprise transports an elderly Starfleet Admiral to negotiate a hostage crisis. When the Admiral takes a de-aging drug, he endangers both his life and the mission.
Captain's log, stardate 41309.5.
We are orbiting Persephone V,
where I have been sent to confer
with Admiral Mark Jameson
in regard to
an extraordinary situation.
Starfleet received this subspace
transmission two days ago, Admiral.
- Let's see it, Captain.
- On viewer.
I am Karnas, Governor of Mordan IV.
A dissident group of terrorists
have taken Federation Ambassador
Hawkins and his staff hostage.
They will not discuss terms
with me.
This is a crisis I cannot resolve.
The terrorists are demanding
a Federation negotiator.
I feel there is only one negotiator
with the skills
to resolve the situation.
The lives of the hostages depends on
Starfleet bringing this man here.
Cmdr Mark Jameson.
Admiral Jameson.
The terrorists have given you
six Earth days to deliver him,
or the hostages will die.
Starfleet cannot understand
why this crisis has developed.
Mordan IV has finally gained peace
after decades of civil war.
- 40 years of civil war, Captain.
- Yes, sir.
Karnas was largely responsible for
the planet's unification and peace.
Why should he now be unable
to deal with this rebellious faction?
45 years ago I negotiated a hostage
situation on Mordan, Captain.
Karnas was a young man then...
but so was I.
He seems to feel
that I can handle things again.
I'm to take you to Mordan IV
as soon as you're ready, Admiral.
My wife and I will beam aboard
at 1500 hours, Captain.
- Acknowledge.
- Received and acknowledged, sir.
Picard out.
Nearly 1,500 now, sir.
Well, Number One, let's go
and welcome the Admiral aboard.
Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.
Welcome aboard, Admiral. This is
my Executive Officer, Cmdr Riker.
My pleasure, sir. Ma'am.
My wife, Anne.
Captain, there are certain details
of this mission you should understand
before we begin.
- Yes, sir.
- I am not just an adviser.
On any assignment I accompany,
Starfleet has designated me
Senior Mission Officer.
I control the away team and all
its actions. Is that understood?
Of course, Captain, you command
the ship, but the mission is mine.
I trust you are in full agreement?
Yes, sir. Of course.
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.
Message coming in from Mordan, sir.
Put it on the screen, Mr. Data.
Mordan IV to Enterprise. This is
Karnas. I will speak to the Captain.
I am Capt Picard,
commanding the Enterprise.
Is Admiral Jameson on board?
He's here, beside my First Officer.
Do you wish to speak to him now?
So, Jameson,
I see time has not been kind.
It seldom is, Karnas.
But we could save a good deal of it,
if you'll outline
the terrorists' demands.
They insist all discussions
will take place here on Mordan.
They refuse to speak to me,
only to a Federation mediator.
They say
they will brook no excuses.
If there are any offered, the
hostages will die... unpleasantly.
I believe them.
So should you, Admiral.
Tell them... I accept the conditions
of negotiation.
I will do so immediately.
He doesn't seem to know much
about the situation.
Wrong, Number One.
He told me that the terrorists are
desperate enough to kill if crossed.
They are willing to talk,
one on one, but not to him.
Counselor?
From his body language,
as well as his words and tone,
I'd judge that
what Karnas said was honest.
But I sensed a holding back.
Perhaps he knows more about them
than he's prepared to admit.
Possible, but I suspect
it's closer to the mark if we said
he doesn't want to admit failure
of his own efforts to negotiate.
- He is a proud man.
- That could be.
Karnas has established himself
as a powerful man on Mordan.
Suddenly, in this situation,
his power is useless.
Sickbay to bridge.
I'm ready for Admiral Jameson now.
In a few moments, Doctor.
Ready for what, Captain?
It's just a routine medical checkup.
Ship's regulations.
I don't understand how Karnas knew
that you were still... available.
- Still alive, you mean?
- You could've been dead.
Quite right, Commander, but I am not,
and I imagine Ambassador Hawkins
has told him that.
I briefed the Ambassador about
Mordan before he took up residence.
Karnas has a problem
he thinks you can resolve.
What do the terrorists need that
Karnas can't, or won't, give them?
Mordan's had peace for five years.
They're finally at
a state of productivity
which satisfies their planetary
needs, but no more than that.
Perhaps the dissidents feel
the Federation could provide more.
I have negotiated many treaties
on many planets.
Peace, or the appearance of it,
is often a prelude to war.
Admiral, are you suggesting
the terrorists want arms and weapons?
They may. I am suggesting that Karnas
is the last man to give them weapons.
I see. You believe that Karnas
would not negotiate on that point,
and so the terrorists demanded
an outside negotiator.
I know Karnas. He is a warrior.
He lives for challenge.
These people have insulted his honor
by taking the embassy staff hostage.
I'll negotiate, but I'll have to be
very careful in dealing with Karnas.
He'll want revenge for that insult.
Well, it's about time.
Couldn't get away from the bridge?
Didn't want to.
Feels good to be on one again.
I'm glad, Mark.
You want me to help you up?
You're stronger today.
I'm fine. I feel like a kid again.
This ship is magnificent.
It even has family quarters.
Pity we didn't have them
20-30 years ago.
We could have been together
almost all of your career.
- Mark? I'll get sickbay.
- No.
There's no need.
It's... happened before.
When? You haven't said anything.
It'll pass. Just give me a moment.
See, I'm... better. It's going away.
What is it? Did the doctors know?
Just body changes. Last checkup
they said I'd have to expect it.
You're sure? Don't lie to me.
I'm sure.
All the medical information the
Admiral provided is satisfactory.
- Excellent, Doctor.
- Except for one thing.
The test results he gave aren't
two days old, they're two months old.
The medical records coder includes
the date within the file number.
He lied to me and I don't know why.
He is 85 years old.
For some, memory starts to fail.
He suffers from Iverson's disease.
That affects the body, not the mind.
No, I have a gut feeling
he's hiding something.
That is an observation
I would expect from Troi.
Doctor...
I do respect your opinion...
...and I'll want you on the bridge
for a few days.
The Admiral must remain in the best
of health for these negotiations,
and he might require your services.
Admiral, we're approaching
the Idini star cluster.
Would you like to take the conn
as we make transit?
Thank you, Captain. I would.
Well, Admiral, quite a
little surprise you've pulled on us.
Yes, quite.
Neglected to mention...
I began some new therapy before
I... left. Seems to be working.
I haven't felt this good
since the last time I was in space.
All I needed to get me up was the
thought of commanding a ship again.
Admiral,
you only have the conn temporarily.
A figure of speech. She's your ship.
I'll just keep an eye on her
for a while.
The Admiral displayed
a remarkable improvement.
No one recovers
from Iverson's disease.
There's no cure,
and it's never gone into remission.
I know of no therapy
that would produce such results.
- How do you account for it?
- I can't.
The Admiral has been confined
to his chair for four years now
because of Iverson?s.
By all the medical facts we know,
he should never have walked again.
- Look into it, Doctor, thoroughly.
- Yes, sir.
The terrorists have given you
six Earth days to deliver him...
...or the hostages will die.
I don't know how much more
you think you can get from that tape.
- My God! What's happened?
- It's the new therapy I'm taking.
It's... working, Annie.
Darling!
I told you I just needed
to get back in space again.
- You really are looking much better.
- It's the new treatment.
No... come here.
I hope you're heading
for the bedroom.
You stop it.
Darling, you look like you looked
20 years ago.
You flatter me.
Now, you tell me
what the hell is going on.
I don't know.
Sickbay, medical emergency
in the Admiral's quarters.
I found chemical substances
in his blood and tissue samples,
but none of them
are in our pharmacopoeia.
I'm still working on alien references
to such substances.
But he's certainly ingested something
that's strongly affecting his body.
Specifics, Doctor.
I can't give specifics
until I do a lot more tests.
- What do you have?
- His red cell count's running riot.
The cellular structure of his body
is changing,
but we don't know
what it's changing to.
His DNA is skewed.
Don't ask me how,
but he even looks younger.
And, Captain, there are absolutely
no traces of Iverson?s disease.
You said there was no cure.
None that we know of.
Whatever these substances are doing,
at least they've done that.
But how or why?
It's too early to say.
Get me some answers, Doctor.
As soon as possible.
Yes, sir.
Captain.
Mrs. Jameson, I have to ask
the Admiral some questions.
Ask away.
There's nothing to hide now.
Sir, in addition to your rank, you
are particularly valuable just now.
Starfleet has a right
to some answers.
I've planned this for a long time,
ever since I learned I had Iverson?s.
- Since it put me in that chair.
- What did you do?
There's a planet
in the Cerebus system: Cerebus II.
They have a process
that rejuvenates the body,
gives you your youth back.
I've heard that story. It's a myth.
It's true, Picard. I'm living proof.
It's dangerous. The mortality
rate is high, and it's very painful.
Aliens are seldom allowed to obtain
the process, but I managed it.
I negotiated a treaty
for Cerebus II some years ago,
and they felt obligated
to honor my request for the process.
Obviously it works rapidly,
but how does it work?
The herb and drug combinations
are self-administered slowly
over a period of two years.
Every response is different
depending on a being's DNA.
I got enough for both of us, but I
had to test it. I couldn't risk you.
If I died, well, I was half a man,
so what did it matter?
- It would matter to me.
- I was starting to change.
It... was almost undetectable,
but the improvement was there.
Then when this hostage crisis came
up, I knew I had to be at my peak.
I couldn't wait
for the drug to work naturally...
- So you took the whole dose?
- Both of them.
And look at me, Annie.
I'm strong. I'm alert. Fit.
I'm fitter than you are, Picard.
I'm getting younger.
The only question I have is why
you thought it necessary to be young
to negotiate the hostages' release.
Even willing
to put your life at risk for it.
I'll be on the bridge, Admiral,
if you want to talk further.
Why didn't you tell me, Mark?
We've always been honest
with each other until now.
I did it for us.
I'm sure you believed that,
until you had a chance to lead
a mission, and to command again.
Then you just upended the bottle,
or whatever it was,
and damn everything.
Did you think about me at all?
I obtained enough of the dosage
for both of us.
But you never asked if I wanted it.
It's just like you
to assume that what you felt
was right was the answer.
It was the right answer for me.
It was killing you,
caring for an invalid.
What good was I?
We can be together again.
Let me go.
I can get you
another supply of the drug.
Cmdr Data, I wish to open
a communication frequency to Karnas.
- Aye, sir.
- One moment.
Admiral, this is Picard. May I know
the reason for this communication?
Karnas must have tried to negotiate
before he was forced to call on me.
I want all the information
he has access to.
You said Karnas was proud, and
probably sensitive to his failure.
Is it wise to press him?
I am the negotiator.
Karnas will have to cooperate
with me, and damn his sensitivities.
Then may I suggest a secured channel,
Admiral?
A sensible precaution, Picard.
Make it so.
- Make it so.
- Aye, sir.
Frequency open and secured.
- Karnas.
- What is it, Admiral?
We're on a secured channel, Karnas.
You can talk freely.
Who's behind this thing?
You said dissidents.
Yes, political opponents who feel
the Federation will disavow me
if they stir up enough trouble here.
Then who is it? Ardan? Gilnor?
They're dead, Jameson.
A long time now.
A long time
I thought you were dead, too.
I almost died
a few times on missions,
but I always survived somehow.
Yes. Now you're returning to Mordan
to negotiate for hostages again.
It's almost as though the 45 years
in between never happened.
You've never forgiven me.
Of course I have. It was years ago.
There are no dissidents, are there?
No terrorists.
You have the hostages.
And if I have... ?
You're coming to Mordan,
and you're going to negotiate
for their lives.
And I'm going to ask
a very, very high price.
- What if I refuse?
- Then the hostages will die.
You've seen
how my executioners work.
They are still as efficient as they
were, perhaps even more skilled now.
You'll come... even if you don't
have much honor left.
Conn, are we still on schedule
to arrive at Mordan in 38 hours?
Aye, sir, we're at warp four.
I want to jump to warp eight, so we
arrive ahead of our announced ETA.
It'll throw Karnas off balance, and
we can catch him before he's ready.
Ready for what exactly?
I believe Karnas has the hostages
and there never were any dissidents.
Why have you come to that conclusion?
I'm not at liberty to say,
but negotiations
are no longer the answer.
Isn't the most important thing
the hostages' lives?
And you agree, Riker?
- I do.
- Good.
Because I plan to lead the away team
on an armed mission
to get them out of there.
Cmdr Data, bring up the plans I
requested on the viewscreen, please.
Aye, sir.
Most of Mordan's principal city
was devastated during the war.
What was left consisted largely
of a network of underground tunnels.
A rats' maze. When they rebuilt the
city, they built over the tunnels.
I have it, sir.
Sir, where do these tunnels
come into the picture?
It's where Karnas
held his hostages before,
and where I believe he has them now.
Wouldn't that be too obvious?
Karnas is a dogged strategist,
not a brilliant one.
He sticks to what works.
He will kill the hostages
if we do not get them out.
Therefore this armed raid
is the only option?
You don't agree?
With respect, I would point out
that no one else
has heard Karnas's demands.
The Federation might view them
differently if they knew of them.
Starfleet has given me command
of the away team, Picard,
and I intend to use them
as I see fit.
Our anniversary is next week.
Our 50th.
In his heart, he's still
the same man you married.
That's true.
He still cares for you, despite
the physical changes he's undergoing.
But he's getting younger, and I'm...
Well, look at me.
Why did he do this?
Because there are lives at stake,
Mrs. Jameson.
Well, what about our lives,
his and mine?
I was looking forward to time
together, finally. Our retirement.
Now he's young again,
and has his life to live over.
- Doctor, she has to know.
- Know what?
- Your husband...
- What is it?
He's not stabilizing.
He may not have
that life to live over.
We'll be at Mordan in three hours.
I couldn't sleep, either.
I never could before a mission.
I always wound up in the observation
lounge, staring out, thinking.
Perhaps in this case... rethinking.
Why is this so important? Why did you
risk your life to lead it?
I want to save lives, Captain.
Noble sentiments,
but that's too easy an answer.
You've been here before.
You negotiated a release
of the hostages with Karnas before.
Why is it now your answer
is an armed raid?
It's my away team
you're sending in there.
There's something you're not saying.
I have a right to know.
Do you know the background?
The Mordanites
had some sophistication,
but were still ruled
by family tribal units.
Karnas's father was the ruling
chief of one of the families.
Another tribe had him assassinated.
Karnas seized the passengers of
a starliner and held them hostage,
demanding that Starfleet
provide him with weapons
that would enable him
to defeat his rivals.
That's the official record.
Officially,
the story is that after
two other mediators were murdered,
I went in and negotiated with
Karnas to bring out the hostages.
Are you saying that's not the truth?
It wasn't my... golden oratory
that saved them, Captain.
I gave Karnas the weapons he wanted.
You did what?
I gave the same weapons
to his rivals.
My interpretation
of the Prime Directive.
Let them solve their problems
with those arms on an equal basis.
And that decision plunged them
into 40 years of civil war.
I didn't know that would happen.
I thought it'd be over in a year.
How would I know
it would take four decades?
But I... falsified the records
to Starfleet.
I lived with that on my soul.
63 people came away safe,
but millions died on Mordan
because I delivered those weapons.
Karnas could have worked for peace
instead of fighting.
- It's not all on your head.
- But I started it. I lit the match.
Now finally I can vindicate myself,
if only in a small way.
I came to negotiate,
but that isn't what Karnas wants.
Revenge. That's why he demanded you
when he knew you were still alive.
I'm not going to give it to him.
I will do
what I should have done last time.
We're taking the hostages out
by force, if necessary. No deals.
- Prepare to energize, Chief.
- Belay that.
Admiral, your proper place
is on the bridge.
I will remind you one more time,
Picard.
I am the Senior Mission Commander
and I am leading this team.
Sir?
The Admiral is correct, Number One.
He has that right.
But I am the Captain of this ship,
and I have a right to accompany him.
Riker, you're in command
of the Enterprise. Energize.
Yes. Perfect.
We are in the M-4 tunnel, directly
under the Governor's residence.
M-4 is a subsidiary tunnel, but
it links with several main ones.
Sorry, sir. That does not correspond
with the information in my tricorder.
It is incorrect. I know the tunnels
like the back of my hand.
Keep scanning
for signs of human life forms.
Karnas held the hostages in these
tunnels before. He'll do it again.
Captain, the Admiral
is definitely incorrect.
Our tunnel schematics show this
was sealed off two years ago.
No doubt you're right.
But 45 years ago, I'm sure it joined
the tunnels the Admiral remembers.
Damn.
This is steelplast, sir.
Fairly recent installation.
This is the most direct route.
Set phasers to cut through it.
If you have the coordinates where the
hostages are, we could beam there.
Karnas may not have them together.
There's no substitute, Lieutenant,
for a personal reconnoiter.
Admiral, there's
an infrared light signal ahead.
Steady beam, across the tunnel,
chest-high. Another at waist level.
- An alarm trigger or...
- Reset phasers to stun.
Take cover!
Look out!
Their phasers are set on kill.
Thank you, Mr. Data.
I have heard the sound before.
- Is he hit?
- No sign of a wound.
Enterprise, this is Picard.
Six to beam up, now!
The Admiral?
Sickbay. "Not good"
is a galactic understatement.
Sir? Karnas again. On screen.
There has been an armed intrusion
in the tunnels beneath the city.
That smells of Jameson.
Where is he?
This is Picard. I'm sorry to inform
you, the Admiral is critically ill.
That is not my concern.
Sick or well, you have ten minutes
to beam him down.
- Sickbay to bridge.
- Picard.
Dr Crusher requests your presence
immediately, sir.
I'm on my way.
Sickbay.
What is it, Doctor?
I think you'd better see
for yourself.
- I have to get to Karnas.
- I can't allow it.
It's my last option. The raid failed.
All I have to bargain with is myself.
- Bridge to Picard.
- Picard here.
A new message from Karnas, sir.
We deliver Jameson in five minutes,
or a hostage dies.
15 minutes after that, another.
He promises the method of execution
will be most painful.
Let me go. If I give myself over
to him, he'll let the hostages go.
It's me he wants.
It means
almost certain death for you.
My life for how many hostages? 20?
Let me go.
Inform Karnas we'll be beaming down
in under five minutes.
- Did you say "we," sir?
- You have your orders.
Aye, sir.
Who are you? I want Jameson.
Karnas...
this is Admiral Mark Jameson.
This... charade
will accomplish nothing, Picard.
Beam down Jameson
and the hostages will be freed.
Continue this and they will die.
And you with them.
Peretor Karnas, you always were
stubborn. I thought you wanted me.
I'm here. Release the hostages now.
Peretor was my old title.
Why do you call me that?
I warn you, Picard.
This trick is going on too far.
He has been coached
for some devious reason.
If this farce does not stop
immediately,
you and the hostages
will be put to death.
Doctor!
I am waiting for an explanation,
Captain.
He is the Admiral!
He took an overdose
of an alien de-ageing drug.
He... wanted to face you
with strength again, on even terms.
- This is what the drug has done.
- This story is unbelievable!
Jameson is a man
of more than 80 years, not this!
I want that old man, Picard.
I want to show him this world
he helped to make.
The scars on old soldiers' bodies.
The graveyards of our young dead.
The wasted cities
that we are still rebuilding.
And all of it caused by him.
It was you who demanded the weapons
to avenge your father's death.
But Jameson didn't give weapons
to only us.
If he had, we would have
quickly beaten our enemies
and there would have been peace
long ago.
I want him to pay for that, Picard.
I think Mrs. Jameson
should beam down now.
Enterprise, this is Picard. Have
Mrs. Jameson prepare to beam down.
We have brought visual records we
made of the Admiral's deterioration.
- Look at them.
- Don't waste my time.
Just a few moments.
- You saw the Admiral en route here?
- Yes.
- And recognized him?
- Yes.
Is this who you saw?
- This is the man I want!
- He's here, Karnas. Look.
Once he took the compound,
there was no way to stop it.
You'll have to deal with me, Karnas.
Whatever you wanted from Jameson
isn't possible now.
And you wanted revenge.
You blamed your war on him.
No doubt he had a lot to do with it,
but you used the weapons.
You could've tried for negotiations
for peace on your planet long ago.
Instead, you chose to fight.
How many of those 40 years of war
are on your head?
Jameson must pay.
I've sworn it to my people.
45 years ago he made the wrong
decision. He wanted to right it,
to atone for what he did.
Now all he can do
is give himself up to you.
He brought this retribution
on himself.
No. I don't believe you.
You're shielding Jameson on the ship.
This tale is to save his life.
Peretor Karnas... there were
only two of us in the meeting.
You didn't even trust
your lieutenants there.
You told me that old Peretor Sain had
ordered your father's assassination.
You told me that you wanted arms
to destroy him.
Peace... wasn't on your mind.
All you wanted was revenge.
And I gave you the weapons
to do it.
Jameson told you this.
If it is you, show me the scar.
There! The blood cut you gave me
to seal our bargain.
It is you.
Somehow... it is you.
Then die by your own weapon!
No. No, my revenge will be
in seeing you live like this.
Such pain.
His cells are being forced to go
younger. They can't take the stress.
It's like they're imploding.
I can't give him anything to stop it.
Can you ease the pain?
Mark, can you hear me?
Yes.
I will always love you.
Annie with the golden hair.
Flatterer. It's grey now.
I see only the gold.
Rest, Jameson.
Your long night... and mine...
are over.
The hostages will be freed
immediately, Captain.
I'm... prepared to be... cooperative.
The hostages have been freed
by Karnas, unharmed.
The body of Admiral Mark Jameson
has been buried on Mordan,
at the request of his widow,
and by the permission of Karnas.
The quest for youth, Number One...
So futile.
Age and wisdom have their graces too.
I wonder if one doesn't have to have
age and wisdom to appreciate that.
I hope not, Number One.
Mr. La Forge,
prepare to take us out of orbit.
- Set course for Isis III.
- Aye, sir. Leaving orbit.
Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.
We are orbiting Persephone V,
where I have been sent to confer
with Admiral Mark Jameson
in regard to
an extraordinary situation.
Starfleet received this subspace
transmission two days ago, Admiral.
- Let's see it, Captain.
- On viewer.
I am Karnas, Governor of Mordan IV.
A dissident group of terrorists
have taken Federation Ambassador
Hawkins and his staff hostage.
They will not discuss terms
with me.
This is a crisis I cannot resolve.
The terrorists are demanding
a Federation negotiator.
I feel there is only one negotiator
with the skills
to resolve the situation.
The lives of the hostages depends on
Starfleet bringing this man here.
Cmdr Mark Jameson.
Admiral Jameson.
The terrorists have given you
six Earth days to deliver him,
or the hostages will die.
Starfleet cannot understand
why this crisis has developed.
Mordan IV has finally gained peace
after decades of civil war.
- 40 years of civil war, Captain.
- Yes, sir.
Karnas was largely responsible for
the planet's unification and peace.
Why should he now be unable
to deal with this rebellious faction?
45 years ago I negotiated a hostage
situation on Mordan, Captain.
Karnas was a young man then...
but so was I.
He seems to feel
that I can handle things again.
I'm to take you to Mordan IV
as soon as you're ready, Admiral.
My wife and I will beam aboard
at 1500 hours, Captain.
- Acknowledge.
- Received and acknowledged, sir.
Picard out.
Nearly 1,500 now, sir.
Well, Number One, let's go
and welcome the Admiral aboard.
Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.
Welcome aboard, Admiral. This is
my Executive Officer, Cmdr Riker.
My pleasure, sir. Ma'am.
My wife, Anne.
Captain, there are certain details
of this mission you should understand
before we begin.
- Yes, sir.
- I am not just an adviser.
On any assignment I accompany,
Starfleet has designated me
Senior Mission Officer.
I control the away team and all
its actions. Is that understood?
Of course, Captain, you command
the ship, but the mission is mine.
I trust you are in full agreement?
Yes, sir. Of course.
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.
Message coming in from Mordan, sir.
Put it on the screen, Mr. Data.
Mordan IV to Enterprise. This is
Karnas. I will speak to the Captain.
I am Capt Picard,
commanding the Enterprise.
Is Admiral Jameson on board?
He's here, beside my First Officer.
Do you wish to speak to him now?
So, Jameson,
I see time has not been kind.
It seldom is, Karnas.
But we could save a good deal of it,
if you'll outline
the terrorists' demands.
They insist all discussions
will take place here on Mordan.
They refuse to speak to me,
only to a Federation mediator.
They say
they will brook no excuses.
If there are any offered, the
hostages will die... unpleasantly.
I believe them.
So should you, Admiral.
Tell them... I accept the conditions
of negotiation.
I will do so immediately.
He doesn't seem to know much
about the situation.
Wrong, Number One.
He told me that the terrorists are
desperate enough to kill if crossed.
They are willing to talk,
one on one, but not to him.
Counselor?
From his body language,
as well as his words and tone,
I'd judge that
what Karnas said was honest.
But I sensed a holding back.
Perhaps he knows more about them
than he's prepared to admit.
Possible, but I suspect
it's closer to the mark if we said
he doesn't want to admit failure
of his own efforts to negotiate.
- He is a proud man.
- That could be.
Karnas has established himself
as a powerful man on Mordan.
Suddenly, in this situation,
his power is useless.
Sickbay to bridge.
I'm ready for Admiral Jameson now.
In a few moments, Doctor.
Ready for what, Captain?
It's just a routine medical checkup.
Ship's regulations.
I don't understand how Karnas knew
that you were still... available.
- Still alive, you mean?
- You could've been dead.
Quite right, Commander, but I am not,
and I imagine Ambassador Hawkins
has told him that.
I briefed the Ambassador about
Mordan before he took up residence.
Karnas has a problem
he thinks you can resolve.
What do the terrorists need that
Karnas can't, or won't, give them?
Mordan's had peace for five years.
They're finally at
a state of productivity
which satisfies their planetary
needs, but no more than that.
Perhaps the dissidents feel
the Federation could provide more.
I have negotiated many treaties
on many planets.
Peace, or the appearance of it,
is often a prelude to war.
Admiral, are you suggesting
the terrorists want arms and weapons?
They may. I am suggesting that Karnas
is the last man to give them weapons.
I see. You believe that Karnas
would not negotiate on that point,
and so the terrorists demanded
an outside negotiator.
I know Karnas. He is a warrior.
He lives for challenge.
These people have insulted his honor
by taking the embassy staff hostage.
I'll negotiate, but I'll have to be
very careful in dealing with Karnas.
He'll want revenge for that insult.
Well, it's about time.
Couldn't get away from the bridge?
Didn't want to.
Feels good to be on one again.
I'm glad, Mark.
You want me to help you up?
You're stronger today.
I'm fine. I feel like a kid again.
This ship is magnificent.
It even has family quarters.
Pity we didn't have them
20-30 years ago.
We could have been together
almost all of your career.
- Mark? I'll get sickbay.
- No.
There's no need.
It's... happened before.
When? You haven't said anything.
It'll pass. Just give me a moment.
See, I'm... better. It's going away.
What is it? Did the doctors know?
Just body changes. Last checkup
they said I'd have to expect it.
You're sure? Don't lie to me.
I'm sure.
All the medical information the
Admiral provided is satisfactory.
- Excellent, Doctor.
- Except for one thing.
The test results he gave aren't
two days old, they're two months old.
The medical records coder includes
the date within the file number.
He lied to me and I don't know why.
He is 85 years old.
For some, memory starts to fail.
He suffers from Iverson's disease.
That affects the body, not the mind.
No, I have a gut feeling
he's hiding something.
That is an observation
I would expect from Troi.
Doctor...
I do respect your opinion...
...and I'll want you on the bridge
for a few days.
The Admiral must remain in the best
of health for these negotiations,
and he might require your services.
Admiral, we're approaching
the Idini star cluster.
Would you like to take the conn
as we make transit?
Thank you, Captain. I would.
Well, Admiral, quite a
little surprise you've pulled on us.
Yes, quite.
Neglected to mention...
I began some new therapy before
I... left. Seems to be working.
I haven't felt this good
since the last time I was in space.
All I needed to get me up was the
thought of commanding a ship again.
Admiral,
you only have the conn temporarily.
A figure of speech. She's your ship.
I'll just keep an eye on her
for a while.
The Admiral displayed
a remarkable improvement.
No one recovers
from Iverson's disease.
There's no cure,
and it's never gone into remission.
I know of no therapy
that would produce such results.
- How do you account for it?
- I can't.
The Admiral has been confined
to his chair for four years now
because of Iverson?s.
By all the medical facts we know,
he should never have walked again.
- Look into it, Doctor, thoroughly.
- Yes, sir.
The terrorists have given you
six Earth days to deliver him...
...or the hostages will die.
I don't know how much more
you think you can get from that tape.
- My God! What's happened?
- It's the new therapy I'm taking.
It's... working, Annie.
Darling!
I told you I just needed
to get back in space again.
- You really are looking much better.
- It's the new treatment.
No... come here.
I hope you're heading
for the bedroom.
You stop it.
Darling, you look like you looked
20 years ago.
You flatter me.
Now, you tell me
what the hell is going on.
I don't know.
Sickbay, medical emergency
in the Admiral's quarters.
I found chemical substances
in his blood and tissue samples,
but none of them
are in our pharmacopoeia.
I'm still working on alien references
to such substances.
But he's certainly ingested something
that's strongly affecting his body.
Specifics, Doctor.
I can't give specifics
until I do a lot more tests.
- What do you have?
- His red cell count's running riot.
The cellular structure of his body
is changing,
but we don't know
what it's changing to.
His DNA is skewed.
Don't ask me how,
but he even looks younger.
And, Captain, there are absolutely
no traces of Iverson?s disease.
You said there was no cure.
None that we know of.
Whatever these substances are doing,
at least they've done that.
But how or why?
It's too early to say.
Get me some answers, Doctor.
As soon as possible.
Yes, sir.
Captain.
Mrs. Jameson, I have to ask
the Admiral some questions.
Ask away.
There's nothing to hide now.
Sir, in addition to your rank, you
are particularly valuable just now.
Starfleet has a right
to some answers.
I've planned this for a long time,
ever since I learned I had Iverson?s.
- Since it put me in that chair.
- What did you do?
There's a planet
in the Cerebus system: Cerebus II.
They have a process
that rejuvenates the body,
gives you your youth back.
I've heard that story. It's a myth.
It's true, Picard. I'm living proof.
It's dangerous. The mortality
rate is high, and it's very painful.
Aliens are seldom allowed to obtain
the process, but I managed it.
I negotiated a treaty
for Cerebus II some years ago,
and they felt obligated
to honor my request for the process.
Obviously it works rapidly,
but how does it work?
The herb and drug combinations
are self-administered slowly
over a period of two years.
Every response is different
depending on a being's DNA.
I got enough for both of us, but I
had to test it. I couldn't risk you.
If I died, well, I was half a man,
so what did it matter?
- It would matter to me.
- I was starting to change.
It... was almost undetectable,
but the improvement was there.
Then when this hostage crisis came
up, I knew I had to be at my peak.
I couldn't wait
for the drug to work naturally...
- So you took the whole dose?
- Both of them.
And look at me, Annie.
I'm strong. I'm alert. Fit.
I'm fitter than you are, Picard.
I'm getting younger.
The only question I have is why
you thought it necessary to be young
to negotiate the hostages' release.
Even willing
to put your life at risk for it.
I'll be on the bridge, Admiral,
if you want to talk further.
Why didn't you tell me, Mark?
We've always been honest
with each other until now.
I did it for us.
I'm sure you believed that,
until you had a chance to lead
a mission, and to command again.
Then you just upended the bottle,
or whatever it was,
and damn everything.
Did you think about me at all?
I obtained enough of the dosage
for both of us.
But you never asked if I wanted it.
It's just like you
to assume that what you felt
was right was the answer.
It was the right answer for me.
It was killing you,
caring for an invalid.
What good was I?
We can be together again.
Let me go.
I can get you
another supply of the drug.
Cmdr Data, I wish to open
a communication frequency to Karnas.
- Aye, sir.
- One moment.
Admiral, this is Picard. May I know
the reason for this communication?
Karnas must have tried to negotiate
before he was forced to call on me.
I want all the information
he has access to.
You said Karnas was proud, and
probably sensitive to his failure.
Is it wise to press him?
I am the negotiator.
Karnas will have to cooperate
with me, and damn his sensitivities.
Then may I suggest a secured channel,
Admiral?
A sensible precaution, Picard.
Make it so.
- Make it so.
- Aye, sir.
Frequency open and secured.
- Karnas.
- What is it, Admiral?
We're on a secured channel, Karnas.
You can talk freely.
Who's behind this thing?
You said dissidents.
Yes, political opponents who feel
the Federation will disavow me
if they stir up enough trouble here.
Then who is it? Ardan? Gilnor?
They're dead, Jameson.
A long time now.
A long time
I thought you were dead, too.
I almost died
a few times on missions,
but I always survived somehow.
Yes. Now you're returning to Mordan
to negotiate for hostages again.
It's almost as though the 45 years
in between never happened.
You've never forgiven me.
Of course I have. It was years ago.
There are no dissidents, are there?
No terrorists.
You have the hostages.
And if I have... ?
You're coming to Mordan,
and you're going to negotiate
for their lives.
And I'm going to ask
a very, very high price.
- What if I refuse?
- Then the hostages will die.
You've seen
how my executioners work.
They are still as efficient as they
were, perhaps even more skilled now.
You'll come... even if you don't
have much honor left.
Conn, are we still on schedule
to arrive at Mordan in 38 hours?
Aye, sir, we're at warp four.
I want to jump to warp eight, so we
arrive ahead of our announced ETA.
It'll throw Karnas off balance, and
we can catch him before he's ready.
Ready for what exactly?
I believe Karnas has the hostages
and there never were any dissidents.
Why have you come to that conclusion?
I'm not at liberty to say,
but negotiations
are no longer the answer.
Isn't the most important thing
the hostages' lives?
And you agree, Riker?
- I do.
- Good.
Because I plan to lead the away team
on an armed mission
to get them out of there.
Cmdr Data, bring up the plans I
requested on the viewscreen, please.
Aye, sir.
Most of Mordan's principal city
was devastated during the war.
What was left consisted largely
of a network of underground tunnels.
A rats' maze. When they rebuilt the
city, they built over the tunnels.
I have it, sir.
Sir, where do these tunnels
come into the picture?
It's where Karnas
held his hostages before,
and where I believe he has them now.
Wouldn't that be too obvious?
Karnas is a dogged strategist,
not a brilliant one.
He sticks to what works.
He will kill the hostages
if we do not get them out.
Therefore this armed raid
is the only option?
You don't agree?
With respect, I would point out
that no one else
has heard Karnas's demands.
The Federation might view them
differently if they knew of them.
Starfleet has given me command
of the away team, Picard,
and I intend to use them
as I see fit.
Our anniversary is next week.
Our 50th.
In his heart, he's still
the same man you married.
That's true.
He still cares for you, despite
the physical changes he's undergoing.
But he's getting younger, and I'm...
Well, look at me.
Why did he do this?
Because there are lives at stake,
Mrs. Jameson.
Well, what about our lives,
his and mine?
I was looking forward to time
together, finally. Our retirement.
Now he's young again,
and has his life to live over.
- Doctor, she has to know.
- Know what?
- Your husband...
- What is it?
He's not stabilizing.
He may not have
that life to live over.
We'll be at Mordan in three hours.
I couldn't sleep, either.
I never could before a mission.
I always wound up in the observation
lounge, staring out, thinking.
Perhaps in this case... rethinking.
Why is this so important? Why did you
risk your life to lead it?
I want to save lives, Captain.
Noble sentiments,
but that's too easy an answer.
You've been here before.
You negotiated a release
of the hostages with Karnas before.
Why is it now your answer
is an armed raid?
It's my away team
you're sending in there.
There's something you're not saying.
I have a right to know.
Do you know the background?
The Mordanites
had some sophistication,
but were still ruled
by family tribal units.
Karnas's father was the ruling
chief of one of the families.
Another tribe had him assassinated.
Karnas seized the passengers of
a starliner and held them hostage,
demanding that Starfleet
provide him with weapons
that would enable him
to defeat his rivals.
That's the official record.
Officially,
the story is that after
two other mediators were murdered,
I went in and negotiated with
Karnas to bring out the hostages.
Are you saying that's not the truth?
It wasn't my... golden oratory
that saved them, Captain.
I gave Karnas the weapons he wanted.
You did what?
I gave the same weapons
to his rivals.
My interpretation
of the Prime Directive.
Let them solve their problems
with those arms on an equal basis.
And that decision plunged them
into 40 years of civil war.
I didn't know that would happen.
I thought it'd be over in a year.
How would I know
it would take four decades?
But I... falsified the records
to Starfleet.
I lived with that on my soul.
63 people came away safe,
but millions died on Mordan
because I delivered those weapons.
Karnas could have worked for peace
instead of fighting.
- It's not all on your head.
- But I started it. I lit the match.
Now finally I can vindicate myself,
if only in a small way.
I came to negotiate,
but that isn't what Karnas wants.
Revenge. That's why he demanded you
when he knew you were still alive.
I'm not going to give it to him.
I will do
what I should have done last time.
We're taking the hostages out
by force, if necessary. No deals.
- Prepare to energize, Chief.
- Belay that.
Admiral, your proper place
is on the bridge.
I will remind you one more time,
Picard.
I am the Senior Mission Commander
and I am leading this team.
Sir?
The Admiral is correct, Number One.
He has that right.
But I am the Captain of this ship,
and I have a right to accompany him.
Riker, you're in command
of the Enterprise. Energize.
Yes. Perfect.
We are in the M-4 tunnel, directly
under the Governor's residence.
M-4 is a subsidiary tunnel, but
it links with several main ones.
Sorry, sir. That does not correspond
with the information in my tricorder.
It is incorrect. I know the tunnels
like the back of my hand.
Keep scanning
for signs of human life forms.
Karnas held the hostages in these
tunnels before. He'll do it again.
Captain, the Admiral
is definitely incorrect.
Our tunnel schematics show this
was sealed off two years ago.
No doubt you're right.
But 45 years ago, I'm sure it joined
the tunnels the Admiral remembers.
Damn.
This is steelplast, sir.
Fairly recent installation.
This is the most direct route.
Set phasers to cut through it.
If you have the coordinates where the
hostages are, we could beam there.
Karnas may not have them together.
There's no substitute, Lieutenant,
for a personal reconnoiter.
Admiral, there's
an infrared light signal ahead.
Steady beam, across the tunnel,
chest-high. Another at waist level.
- An alarm trigger or...
- Reset phasers to stun.
Take cover!
Look out!
Their phasers are set on kill.
Thank you, Mr. Data.
I have heard the sound before.
- Is he hit?
- No sign of a wound.
Enterprise, this is Picard.
Six to beam up, now!
The Admiral?
Sickbay. "Not good"
is a galactic understatement.
Sir? Karnas again. On screen.
There has been an armed intrusion
in the tunnels beneath the city.
That smells of Jameson.
Where is he?
This is Picard. I'm sorry to inform
you, the Admiral is critically ill.
That is not my concern.
Sick or well, you have ten minutes
to beam him down.
- Sickbay to bridge.
- Picard.
Dr Crusher requests your presence
immediately, sir.
I'm on my way.
Sickbay.
What is it, Doctor?
I think you'd better see
for yourself.
- I have to get to Karnas.
- I can't allow it.
It's my last option. The raid failed.
All I have to bargain with is myself.
- Bridge to Picard.
- Picard here.
A new message from Karnas, sir.
We deliver Jameson in five minutes,
or a hostage dies.
15 minutes after that, another.
He promises the method of execution
will be most painful.
Let me go. If I give myself over
to him, he'll let the hostages go.
It's me he wants.
It means
almost certain death for you.
My life for how many hostages? 20?
Let me go.
Inform Karnas we'll be beaming down
in under five minutes.
- Did you say "we," sir?
- You have your orders.
Aye, sir.
Who are you? I want Jameson.
Karnas...
this is Admiral Mark Jameson.
This... charade
will accomplish nothing, Picard.
Beam down Jameson
and the hostages will be freed.
Continue this and they will die.
And you with them.
Peretor Karnas, you always were
stubborn. I thought you wanted me.
I'm here. Release the hostages now.
Peretor was my old title.
Why do you call me that?
I warn you, Picard.
This trick is going on too far.
He has been coached
for some devious reason.
If this farce does not stop
immediately,
you and the hostages
will be put to death.
Doctor!
I am waiting for an explanation,
Captain.
He is the Admiral!
He took an overdose
of an alien de-ageing drug.
He... wanted to face you
with strength again, on even terms.
- This is what the drug has done.
- This story is unbelievable!
Jameson is a man
of more than 80 years, not this!
I want that old man, Picard.
I want to show him this world
he helped to make.
The scars on old soldiers' bodies.
The graveyards of our young dead.
The wasted cities
that we are still rebuilding.
And all of it caused by him.
It was you who demanded the weapons
to avenge your father's death.
But Jameson didn't give weapons
to only us.
If he had, we would have
quickly beaten our enemies
and there would have been peace
long ago.
I want him to pay for that, Picard.
I think Mrs. Jameson
should beam down now.
Enterprise, this is Picard. Have
Mrs. Jameson prepare to beam down.
We have brought visual records we
made of the Admiral's deterioration.
- Look at them.
- Don't waste my time.
Just a few moments.
- You saw the Admiral en route here?
- Yes.
- And recognized him?
- Yes.
Is this who you saw?
- This is the man I want!
- He's here, Karnas. Look.
Once he took the compound,
there was no way to stop it.
You'll have to deal with me, Karnas.
Whatever you wanted from Jameson
isn't possible now.
And you wanted revenge.
You blamed your war on him.
No doubt he had a lot to do with it,
but you used the weapons.
You could've tried for negotiations
for peace on your planet long ago.
Instead, you chose to fight.
How many of those 40 years of war
are on your head?
Jameson must pay.
I've sworn it to my people.
45 years ago he made the wrong
decision. He wanted to right it,
to atone for what he did.
Now all he can do
is give himself up to you.
He brought this retribution
on himself.
No. I don't believe you.
You're shielding Jameson on the ship.
This tale is to save his life.
Peretor Karnas... there were
only two of us in the meeting.
You didn't even trust
your lieutenants there.
You told me that old Peretor Sain had
ordered your father's assassination.
You told me that you wanted arms
to destroy him.
Peace... wasn't on your mind.
All you wanted was revenge.
And I gave you the weapons
to do it.
Jameson told you this.
If it is you, show me the scar.
There! The blood cut you gave me
to seal our bargain.
It is you.
Somehow... it is you.
Then die by your own weapon!
No. No, my revenge will be
in seeing you live like this.
Such pain.
His cells are being forced to go
younger. They can't take the stress.
It's like they're imploding.
I can't give him anything to stop it.
Can you ease the pain?
Mark, can you hear me?
Yes.
I will always love you.
Annie with the golden hair.
Flatterer. It's grey now.
I see only the gold.
Rest, Jameson.
Your long night... and mine...
are over.
The hostages will be freed
immediately, Captain.
I'm... prepared to be... cooperative.
The hostages have been freed
by Karnas, unharmed.
The body of Admiral Mark Jameson
has been buried on Mordan,
at the request of his widow,
and by the permission of Karnas.
The quest for youth, Number One...
So futile.
Age and wisdom have their graces too.
I wonder if one doesn't have to have
age and wisdom to appreciate that.
I hope not, Number One.
Mr. La Forge,
prepare to take us out of orbit.
- Set course for Isis III.
- Aye, sir. Leaving orbit.
Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.