First officer's log, supplemental. On the orders of Captain Picard, we have returned
to the vicinity of the energy pattern cloud. I am personally convinced that something from
this cloud now shares the Captain's mind. But there seems to be nothing we can do, at
least within regulations.
[Bridge]
LAFORGE: We're now approaching the cloud, sir.
Very well, Mister La Forge. Bring us to within ten thousand kilometres and hold us there.
LAFORGE: Aye, sir. (Picard enters)
Shall we begin the scientific tests you wanted, sir?
Oh, they're already underway. I have an announcement for the entire Bridge. As many of you suspected,
when our ship passed through the edge of this, it accidentally carried away a sentient being.
Much like these energy patterns we're seeing here. A terrifying experience for any intelligent
being. As if a great claw had reached down and scooped one of you from your home world.
Drawn into the energy circuits of this vessel, it found its way to you, Worf. Frantic at
being carried from its home world, and recognising you as sentient beings, it pleaded for help,
but in ways you couldn't understand. Desperately going from person to person, and then discovering
the computer intelligence in this ship's memory circuits. Oh, simplistic intelligence, but
it furnished it enough to slow this Enterprise thing that had captured it. And it very much
regrets the accidental death of Engineer Singh. Captain, do you exist in combination with
this entity? Is it in control of you, sir?
Very soon after we combined we had learned much about each other. A passion for exploration,
for the unknown. We found we had similar dreams, and it offered your Captain a way to realise
them beyond human expectations. Captain, I must speak to you privately now.
I understand. As an energy pattern, free of the limitations of matter, he might travel
anywhere, at any velocity. Captain, do you hear me?
Sir, I see no way for you to journey with an energy form.
Isn't there? He's planning to beam himself and the entity
into that cloud. The transporter need not pattern your Captain
into matter. We'll beam energy only, and we will become a combined energy pattern of our
life forms. A resignation from this command and from Starfleet has been appropriately
recorded. I refuse to allow this, sir.
How does this resignation threaten the ship and its crew in any way?
(Music) Captain Picard, you are now relieved from
duty. I judge you to be disabled and mentally incapacitated.
(Red Alert music) (Picard sends blue energy into the ship's
systems and through all the Bridge crew) Security! Red Alert! Restrain the Captain!
Where is he? This is blinding me.
Captain! I'll help you if you'll let me. (Picard leaves the Bridge as the crew are
still transfixed by the blue energy) Someone restrain the Captain!
[Transporter room]
(The transporter chief is on the floor with blue energy dancing on him. Picard activates
the transporter and beams out.) (Music)