Computer, dispatches.
A research inquiry
from the Manitoba Journal of Interplanetary Psychology
and three communiqués from your mother.
( sighs )
Transfer the letters from my mother to the viewscreen.
And, computer, I would like a real chocolate sundae.
Define "real" in context, please.
Real.
Not one of your perfectly synthesized
ingeniously enhanced imitations.
I would like real chocolate ice cream
real whipped cream...
This unit is programmed
to provide sources of acceptable nutritional value.
Your request does not fall within current guidelines.
Please indicate whether you wish
to override the specified program.
Listen...
Picard to Counselor Troi.
Now what?
Yes, Captain?
The pleasure of your company is requested, Counselor.
We are, um... we're having a little impromptu reception
for the arriving delegates.
Captain, I'm not really dressed for a reception.
Oh, Counselor
just throw on any old thing.
We're about to get our first look at the wormhole.
Of course, Captain.
I'm on my way.
God forbid I should miss my first look at the wormhole.
May I escort you, Miss Troi?
Just tell me there's some chocolate here.
PICARD: Ah, Counselor Troi.
Will you allow me to do the introductions?
This is Premier Bhavani of Barzan.
Counselor Deanna Troi.
Your discovery has produced
a great deal of excitement, Premier.
Hopefully, it will also produce
a new era of prosperity for my people.
We'll see to that.
You know Mr. Mendoza, the Federation negotiator.
A pleasure to see you again, Counselor Troi.
This is a worthy Federation competitor in the bidding
Leyor of the Caldonians.
Madam.
MAN: And I am Devinoni Ral.
Ship's Counselor Deanna Troi.
MENDOZA: My good friend Ral
is the best hired gun in the business.
Hired gun?
My good friend Mendoza means that I'm a negotiator
who serves a variety of clients.
On this particular occasion, I represent the Chrysalians.
BHAVANI: I believe it's almost time, isn't it, Captain?
Indeed.
It will be visible directly ahead.
Is it always on time, Bhavani?
Always.
We see it every 233 minutes.
Our scientists say
it's due to radiation buildup in the accretion disk.
The visible burst is very brief.
There it is, ladies and gentlemen, the first
and only stable wormhole known to exist.
It's yours, for the right price.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission--
to explore strange new worlds
to seek out new life and new civilizations
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
[Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES]
Captain's Log, Stardate 43385.6.
We are orbiting Barzan II, which is entertaining bids
for control of what appears to be a stable wormhole
which could provide a permanent shortcut
to the distant Gamma Quadrant.
As you all know, the environment on my planet
is completely inhospitable to most other life-forms.
So I'd like to express my appreciation to you
Captain Picard
for hosting these negotiations.
The Barzan has been a society
dependent on others for generations.
We want that to end.
The appearance of this stable wormhole in our space
provides us with our first true natural resource.
We have neither the experience
nor the technology to exploit it.
But you do.
RIKER: Excuse me.
There's a delegation of Ferengi
that wishes to be beamed aboard, sir.
Were you expecting the Ferengi, Premier?
No, but I do not wish to create ill will, Captain.
If they are interested in bidding, I have no objection.
Chief O'Brien, this is Captain Picard.
Will you beam the Ferengi
directly to the observation lounge?
Aye, sir.
On behalf of all Ferengi, I protest.
Why were we not invited to these negotiations?
BHAVANI: My apologies.
We did not anticipate your interest.
You're welcome to join us.
My name is DaiMon Goss
and these are my consuls-- Kol and Dr. Arridor.
We'll need chairs.
I'm Captain Picard of the Enterprise.
I am serving as host for these proceedings.
Good.
Then see to it we get some chairs.
Let me explain...
Fine, fine-- just have your Klingon servant
get us some chairs.
I'm in charge of security.
Then who gets the chairs?
DaiMon, due to the delicate nature
of these negotiations, all parties
have agreed that one representative will suffice.
Now, I will be happy to provide
your consuls with accommodations
and you may have my chair.
Very well.
Premier.
Kol, the bag.
RIKER: Gentlemen, this way.
We can handle all the pleasantries later.
Now, let's get down to business.
I'll match anyone's best offer
and add the gold
on top of it.
( chuckles )
Devinoni Ral, human, age 41.
Born Brussels, European Alliance.
Relocated at age 19 to Hurkos III...
( door chimes )
Come in.
Should I call for an appointment?
No, I was just looking over some personnel files.
Well, that's too bad.
I thought you might be thinking about me.
I thought you'd be deep in negotiations by now.
In recess.
I never play the opening rounds, anyway.
Inconsequential.
Besides, there are much better things
to negotiate on this ship...
like dinner tonight.
What about your traveling companion?
My traveling companion is... traveling.
I sent her home.
Why?
You know why.
Weren't you getting along?
Don't do that.
What?
Don't do "Counselor" Troi.
Was I?
Yes, you were.
When you leave this office
who are you?
Oh, so that's how it goes?
You never do.
You never do...
leave the office.
What are...?
Shh-shh-shh-shh-shh...
Dinner at 8:00?
( door opens and closes )
The readings from the Barzans' probe of the wormhole
are quite impressive, Captain.
The wormhole delivered the probe beyond the Denkiri Arm
in the Gamma Quadrant.
( whistles )
It would take nearly a century at warp 9
to cover that distance.
The same distance could be achieved
in a matter of seconds through the wormhole.
Imagine the Ferengi collecting tolls if we lose to them.
I don't think the Ferengi
are the greatest threat at the table.
With all of DaiMon Goss' bluster
they don't have the resources the Barzans need.
Mm-hmm.
I think that Devinoni
is the one we need to watch out for.
An accurate observation.
How did you recognize that?
Well, he was the most comfortable one in the group.
You must play poker, Commander.
Poker? Is that a game of some sort?
Commander Riker conducts master classes in poker.
Our skills are
not dissimilar, Commander.
Mr. Mendoza, if this lives up to its billing
it will be a discovery of extraordinary value
but it is a very big "if."
A wormhole is there one moment and then gone the next.
A stable wormhole is unheard of.
Are you saying this may not be what it seems?
The Barzans do not have manned space travel
so they had to resort to an automated probe.
Its findings are limited.
It cannot be determined from these charts
how stable the wormhole really is
or how long it will remain intact.
The Federation could end up buying
a proverbial lemon.
"Proverbial lemon"?
Later, Data.
Aye, sir.
And, of course, that means
once the contract is negotiated and closed
we would be obliged to fulfill the terms.
I think we should take a look for ourselves.
I don't think Bhavani could object to that.
Geordi has been in continuous visual contact
with the wormhole, Captain.
I think he's a logical choice.
I would also like to volunteer, sir.
Hmm. Nobody's going in there
until we have done a full sensor analysis.
I want to do everything possible to determine that it is safe
and when I am satisfied, then you, Data
and Commander La Forge will enter the wormhole
tomorrow.
Just a moment of discomfort for a good cause, DaiMon.
You understand this will not be lethal?
Doctor, you surprise me.
I have no wish to kill anyone.
A short-term crippling will suffice.
Then, this will be just fine.
A distillation of your own blood pyrocytes--
harmless to you, undetectable by the ship's bio-filters
but, when absorbed through your victim's skin
it will provoke an extreme allergic reaction.
I'd say it's time to extend the hand of the Ferengi
to the Representative of the Federation.
( cackling giggles )
Much better.
Thank you.
Come in for a drink?
Ah, Federation decor.
Not your style?
Well, conformity is not my style.
What would you like?
I'd even like another.
Well, there she is again.
Counselor Troi.
I'm not.
Computer, champagne.
For two.
Am I moving too fast for you?
No, I'm moving too fast for me.
I like that better.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about you all day.
You must have had a nice day.
Anticipation is fun.
We'll be late for dinner.
Very late.
Mr. Mendoza?
I seem to be a bit warm...
I need some help here.
You attempt to gain every unfair advantage, Picard.
Premier Bhavani has no objection.
Well, I most certainly do.
First, you conveniently arrange to play host
then you plan to send a manned probe
into the wormhole.
The Federation
thinks it can do anything it wants to.
Well, I will not tolerate it.
I will gladly share the results of our explorations
with all the delegates.
And you expect us to believe what you report?
Then send in your own probe, Goss.
That's exactly what I intend to do
and I should strongly suggest that you stay out of our way.
Tell Data and La Forge to do themselves a favor
and stay out of their way.
CRUSHER: Captain Picard, please come to Sick Bay.
Acknowledged, Doctor.
CRUSHER: Whatever he's got
is obviously not life-threatening.
It's some kind of system-wide histaminic reaction.
He certainly can't go back
to negotiations for several days.
Will you keep me informed?
The Federation's top negotiator
taken out by a mysterious ailment.
Suspicions?
With the Ferengi around?
Always.
You'll have to fill in, Number One.
Me?
Well, I'm the designated host.
It would be a most awkward transition.
You're the next likely choice.
And Mr. Mendoza will certainly agree.
He's quite impressed by your natural instincts.
Excuse me, sir, but those weren't natural instincts.
Those were poker instincts.
A card game doesn't exactly prepare me for this.
Yes, the stakes are higher, but then, isn't that
when the game gets interesting, Commander?
The wormhole will reappear in 30 seconds, sir.
WORF: The Ferengi pod is moving into position.
Shuttle 9, stand by.
Ferengi Pod, this is Lieutenant Commander La Forge
in the Enterprise shuttle.
This is Dr. Arridor. Go ahead.
Would you care to take the point, Doctor?
We will gladly yield that honor to you, Lieutenant Commander.
You know, if this doesn't work
the thought of spending the rest of my life in here
is none too appealing.
There is a bright side, Geordi.
You will have me to talk to.
DATA: It is visible, Captain.
Proceed when ready.
DATA ( distorted ): ...and intense energy fields
which appear to be stabil...
They've traveled beyond our communication capabilities, sir.
A complete analysis of our bid
is available on the ship's computer for your consideration.
Commander, I realize what a difficult position
this must be for you.
If you don't understand something
I hope you won't be too embarrassed to ask me.
I think I have an idea what the rules are.
Well, that's what makes it so interesting.
The rules of the game change to fit the moment.
Not unlike commanding a starship, Mr. Ral.
Well, Mr. Riker's placed a...
a great deal of emphasis on defense--
a subject he obviously knows well
having served Starfleet
in a number of conflicts.
Now, the Chrysalians-- we're enemies to no one
and we choose to remain that way.
Neutral.
Neutral and uninvolved, sir
in virtually all interstellar matters of consequence.
No one would claim that the Chrysalians are as powerful
as the mighty Federation, but we have resources
and technology and scientists, too.
But we also have had peace
for ten generations.
RAL: You know, I was thinking...
TROI: Mmm?
RAL: Maybe I could stretch out these negotiations
for a few days.
Would you like that?
TROI: Mm-hmm.
Devinoni Ral...
who are you?
Well, what do your Betazoid senses tell you about me?
Not much.
My human physical response must be blocking them out.
Good.
It never happened to me before.
I rather like that I'm more difficult to read
than your other men.
There aren't any others... currently.
What about Commander Riker?
Who have you been talking to?
No one. No one.
I just, uh... sensed something
when I saw the two of you together.
Will Riker and I are good friends.
Uh-huh.
It was once a little more than that.
Ah...
How come we're talking about me instead of you?
Haven't you had enough people talk about their lives to you?
Who counsels the Counselor?
Oh, no.
I want to know about you.
I'm what you see right now.
Just me... wanting to run away with you
but knowing you'd never leave this damned ship.
When I first saw you
I felt as if I'd been waiting for you.
I'm trying to understand
why or how that's possible.
Does it matter?
Well, it will, when I tell you.
But you must promise never to tell anyone else.
What?
I am part Betazoid, too.
My mother was one-half.
I am one-quarter.
You're empathic?
The only one of five children.
And I must admit, I was... I was never as comfortable
sensing emotions as you seem to be.
So that's why you left Earth.
Yes.
I learned to live with it, use it, as you have.
But still...
it isolates us, doesn't it?
And I thought it always would
so I tucked my heart away.
I didn't need it.
I didn't want it.
At the negotiating table, it can be fatal to have a heart.
But I never realized how much I needed mine
until I looked at you.
I'm picking up an increase in accretion matter
filtering in from the terminus.
Monitors are functioning normally again.
Ferengi Pod...
everybody in one piece over there?
ARRIDOR: Our condition
is no concern of yours, Enterprise Shuttle.
We are competitors in this venture, not partners.
Ferengi Pod out.
Happy landings to you, too.
Curious.
Hmm?
We are not where we are supposed to be.
What do you mean?
We're on the other side of the wormhole, aren't we?
According to the Barzan probe
we should be in the Gamma Quadrant
but these readings clearly indicate
we are nearly 200 light-years away
in sector 3556
of the Delta Quadrant.
Maybe the Barzan readings were wrong.
Perhaps their readings were correct.
Their probe could have exited the wormhole
at a completely different location.
Hmm. Data, my visor's picking up
subatomic fluctuations.
Meson and lepton activity is definitely increasing.
Gravitational acceleration is also increasing.
Something very strange is happening to this wormhole.
Sorry.
You're unusually limber this morning.
I'll say.
Devinoni Ral.
It's ridiculous and wonderful.
I feel completely out of control.
Happy, terrified...
but there's nothing rational about this.
Who needs rational when your toes curl up?
I'm afraid I'm going to lose myself.
I can't get enough of him.
Is it possible
to fall in love in one day?
I did.
It was like this for you and Jack?
No, it was another fellow.
I fell in love in a day.
It lasted a week, but what a week.
Then I met Jack.
Took months to figure it out with him.
Well, then maybe I should slow down.
Catch my breath.
Not let this thing get out of control.
BOTH: Nah.
I get no complaints.
( chuckles )
Uh, no.
Hi.
To be honest, I was surprised
to see the Caldonians here at all, Leyor.
You must think Caldonia very insular, Mr. Ral.
Oh, no, no, not at all, not at all.
On the contrary, I've always respected
your world's commitment to pure research.
It's just that...
well...
Go on, please.
Well, scholars don't always enjoy administrative demands
and certainly we've seen here
that the administration
of the wormhole is...
Yes, I must admit
I have begun to feel some trepidation about that.
Yes.
Yes, I'm sure you have, Leyor.
I'm sure we all have.
Do you realize that in the next century
the number of ships that will pass...
Gentlemen, this open session
is called by request of the Caldonian delegation.
Madame Bhavani
Caldonia withdraws from these proceedings.
For what reasons, Leyor?
It has been made very clear
that the maintenance and administrative requirements
are beyond our abilities.
Leyor, the Federation would like to negotiate
a trade agreement
in which we could acquire your planet's rich deposits
of trillium 323, which we would add to our bid
Premier Bhavani.
My apologies.
We have already reached an agreement
with the Chrysalians.
Mr. Ral
you either had very good instincts
or a foreknowledge of the Caldonian withdrawal.
Well, some people just don't like
to transact business with the Federation
Commander.
The Chrysalians hereby add the Caldonian trillium 323
to its bid, Premier.
I'm telling you, it's changing.
I can see it with my VISOR.
I have no intention of leaving yet.
We have not finished taking our readings.
Listen, Doctor.
Your readings must be telling you
the same things we're getting.
This is not the Gamma Quadrant.
I will not confirm your speculations.
This is not a speculation, Doctor.
We are not where the Barzans said we should be
which would indicate
this side of the wormhole is not stable.
There are meson and lepton fluctuations.
Local gravitational fields are increasing exponentially.
Everything says we better get the hell out of here.
It will be visible again in... 40 seconds.
We will make our own judgments then.
I can see it now, and I'm telling you
you don't have time to wait, not even 40 seconds.
Ferengi Pod out.
Damn it, Arridor!
We're 70,000 light-years
away from our ships.
Come on now-- follow us in.
We'll lead you.
Idiots.
It's getting worse.
I'm taking us in, Data
with or without them.
Thrusters at half power.
Three-quarters.
Entering outer event horizon.
They panic quickly under pressure.
There.
Precisely as scheduled.
Right where I expected it to be.
( gasping )
Everyone was talking today
about the way you absorbed the Caldonian bid.
Well, the opening was there.
I took it.
Commander Riker didn't know how you managed it.
Let me tell you something about Commander Riker.
He's good.
He's the most dangerous man in that room to me.
But he doesn't have an edge...
your edge.
Our edge.
You make it sound unethical.
Isn't it?
Deanna, it's just business.
Why haven't you told anyone you're an empath?
Because I find it makes people uncomfortable.
I think you don't tell them so you can gain an advantage.
Well, I gained an advantage by using it with you.
You didn't seem to mind that.
Look, Deanna.
The point of negotiating is to take advantage.
I don't know what the other side is offering
and they don't know what I'm offering
so we dance around each other until somebody wins.
I never cry foul when I lose.
But you're reading their emotional states
their inner selves
and then using that to manipulate them.
Well, people have been doing that for thousands of years
just by listening carefully
by-by watching body language.
I just happen to be better at it.
You do it.
I do it to help my crew, not outmaneuver them
and I don't hide that I'm an empath.
Oh, so you announce it
to every alien culture you encounter?
Or do you use it to give your side an advantage?
Do you tell the Romulan that's about to attack
that you sense that he may be bluffing
or do you just tell it to your Captain?
That's different.
That's a matter of protection.
Yes, protection--
your protection, your Captain, your crew
your edge.
Yes.
Now, it's a matter of life and death
when you take the advantage.
Me, I deal in property, exchanges.
Nobody gets hurt.
So you tell me--
which one of us would you say
has more of a problem with ethics?
Excuse me.
May I join you, Commander?
Bought out the Ferengi yet, Ral?
Think I should give it a try?
No, but I think that you will.
One way or another
it's going to come down to you and me.
You know, you're very good at this.
Very good.
Much better than you realize.
Well, I hope I'm better than you realize.
The last mile of the marathon
is always the toughest.
That's when the winners are willing to take the big risks.
You willing to do that?
We'll see, won't we?
Well, let's see now.
I'm prepared to reach a firm agreement with Bhavani
before we learn the outcome of your probe's expedition.
Are you?
Well, well, well.
That would not be looked upon favorably
by the Federation, I'd imagine.
You see, you have to be willing to take that last step alone
or it just isn't worth playing.
Your point of view, not mine.
Oh, I see that, Commander, I see that.
Otherwise, you wouldn't be second in command
of this starship.
You know
I feel responsible for you in a way... related.
Deanna.
We both love Deanna.
Oh, in different ways, of course.
I will remove that burden of responsibility right now.
My relationship with Deanna stands very well on its own
without any help from you.
Of course it does, of course it does.
It's just that, well...
She's a remarkable woman.
Brilliant, lovely...
very passionate.
And she could have been yours, Will.
But you just didn't do enough to keep her.
And now, well...
I'm here
and I'm going to take her, too.
That's the first bad play I've seen you make.
If you can bring happiness into Deanna's life
nothing would please me more.
You know, you're really not such a bad sort, Ral
except you don't have any values--
beyond the value of today's bid, that is.
Deanna is just the woman to bring some meaning
to your sorry existence
if you're smart enough to take it.
I doubt that you are.
To the last mile.
Sir, the Ferengi vessel is moving out of orbit.
Impulse power.
They are approaching the entry to the wormhole, sir.
Computer, is the Ferengi Goss still on board the Enterprise?
DaiMon Goss departed the Enterprise at 1400 hours.
They are powering forward missile launchers, sir.
Yellow Alert.
Hail the Ferengi.
Request an explanation of your actions, DaiMon Goss.
I've learned from informed sources that the Federation
has manipulated these negotiations
from the very beginning
and has already signed a secret agreement with the Barzans.
That is not true.
The Ferengi offer was never seriously considered.
Premier Bhavani welcomed you to these proceedings
despite my better judgment.
We will be ignored no longer.
They fired a missile directly at the opening, sir.
Destroy it.
On screen.
Firing phasers.
Your offers both have merit, gentlemen.
If I could find a deciding factor...
( alarm blaring )
Riker to Picard.
What's happening, Captain?
Goss has fired a missile at the wormhole.
I need you on the Bridge, Number One.
Excuse me.
Excuse me for saying so under the circumstances, Premier
but... this fight seems to really be
between the Federation and the Ferengi.
Now, it seems unconscionable that your wormhole
is being used as a pawn in their power struggle.
You must know we will not allow you to do this.
If the Ferengi cannot have the wormhole, no one will.
A missile will have no destructive effect on a wormhole
but, if it should explode near the shuttlecraft
they will be destroyed.
Casualties of war, Captain.
My men are prepared to die.
Are yours?
Captain.
He's lying.
I'm almost sure if it.
He doesn't mean what he says.
Why? What is he doing it for, then?
Permission to enter the Bridge, Captain.
Premier, with all due respect...
RAL: Captain.
I believe I am in a better position
to settle this with DaiMon Goss
than you are.
May I address him?
Premier?
DaiMon Goss?
This is Devinoni Ral.
I have nothing to say to you, Ral.
Well, then just listen.
The planet Barzan has reached an agreement with the Chrysalians
for long-term control of the wormhole.
Now, on behalf of the Chrysalians
I am prepared to offer the Ferengi
free access to the wormhole in perpetuity.
I have your word on this?
Yes, my word, sir.
In exchange for Ferengi convoy privileges
to be negotiated in good faith.
This is an acceptable offer.
The Ferengi vessel has shut down its forward missile launcher.
Stand down Red Alert.
Commander Riker
I'm sorry you had to learn
about my decision this way.
You represented the Federation well
but I have come to believe that the Chrysalians'
tradition of peace is more desirable to my planet.
Excuse me, Premier.
There's something you should know.
I'm sorry.
Was there something you wanted to say?
No, not at all.
I sensed you suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Well, after all, it was a very tense situation.
But that's what's so odd.
It wasn't tense at all.
In fact, I sensed no tension
from you or Goss.
I was tense!
I was ready to blow it up.
Wha... I strongly protest!
Screen off.
It was as though
you were performing a scene for all of us.
Pardon me, Captain.
I... I believe there's a slight conflict of interest here.
I agree entirely.
Mr. Ral asked me not to tell anyone
he has empathic powers
which he uses to manipulate his competitors
in a negotiation.
And, yes, it did put me in a conflict of interest
which I hope I have now resolved.
Premier, I believe Ral
has used your fear of continuing aggression
between the Federation and its enemies
to undermine our position.
I also believe
that this incident was staged by Ral and Goss
to provide you a reason
to choose in favor of the Chrysalians.
Captain
it's the shuttlecraft.
They're coming back through.
LA FORGE: Shuttle 9 to Enterprise.
On screen.
This is Shuttle 9 reporting in.
Barely.
PICARD: And the Ferengi pod, Commander?
Trapped on the other side, sir.
In Delta Quadrant.
We tried to warn them.
They wouldn't follow us.
Elaborate.
Captain, this end of the wormhole is currently stable
but the other end apparently shifts positions periodically.
The Barzan probe had no way to recognize this.
Eventually, both sides will be unstable.
LA FORGE: It's a dry well, Captain, worthless.
Acknowledged, Shuttle.
Main Shuttle Bay, prepare for final approach.
Aye, sir.
WORF: Captain, DaiMon Goss is demanding
to know where his men are.
Advise him to set his coordinates
for the Delta Quadrant.
He may run into them in... 80 years or so.
Mr. Ral...
congratulations on winning the rights
to the Barzan wormhole.
I take the risks, Mr. Riker
and I stand by my agreements.
Come in.
When do you leave?
Soon.
I've been recalled by the Chrysalians.
Explanations demanded, and so forth.
I'm sorry.
Well, I've done well for them over the years.
They understand the stakes.
It'll be fine.
I had to do it, Troi.
Bhavani was ready to go with the Federation.
I sensed it.
I'd used up every card in the deck.
I needed to change the rules.
You must have known I couldn't allow you to do that.
My human physical response
must have been blocking my Betazoid senses.
I'm very grateful for what you did, in a way.
It's made me take a hard look at who I am.
I don't like what I see.
I once asked you to run away with me.
And now I'm asking again.
I need you.
You could help me change.
You could... you could be my conscience.
I already have a job as counselor.