[Starbase 515 Operating Theatre] (dramatic music)
PHYSIOLOGIST: Metabolation? SURGEON: Negative.
PHYSIOLOGIST: Heterocyclics? SURGEON: Failing. And capillary integrity
too unpredictable to attempt a resect. PHYSIOLOGIST: You're unwilling
to make the attempt?? SURGEON: I'm not qualified.
PHYSIOLOGIST: I know someone who is. [Engineering]
Are you sure he can do it, sir? Geordi's an engineer, not a weapons specialist.
If anyone can improvise, it's Geordi. What makes you think the Pakleds even
have that kind of gear on board? Ongoing scanning indicates progressive
weapons potential. The timing will be crucial. Geordi must correctly interpret our intentions.
Geordi's up to speed. I trust his instincts. The Pakleds did hear our little fiction about
Geordi's weapons knowledge. Exactly. And since they equate
intelligence with strength, they won't pass up the chance to use that knowledge. Can you do it?
Count on it. Bridge to Commander Riker!
Go ahead, Bridge. [Bridge]
(dramatic music) I am receiving an
emergency summons from Starbase Five One Five. Captain Picard
[Engineering] Is close to death.
Be ready. [Pakled armoury]
We are strong. You're now armed to the teeth.
Teeth are for chewing. You have photon torpedo. You are strong.
We are strong. We have power. [Bridge]
Positive indication of armed photon torpedoes, Commander.
Geordi did it. Starbase requests we proceed to base at warp nine
We've got to go. Yes. the Captain needs our help.
We can't leave Geordi behind. I want the Pakleds on that screen and I want them now.
Forced spectrum communications are spotty at best,
sir. Do it.
This is the Enterprise. Return our personnel or face immediate reprisal.
We are strong now. We have better weapons.
Are you prepared to use them? We are a force now. We will have respect. Power.
We don't have time for this. You want power? Here's power. Riker to Ensign Gomez.
[Engineering] Ready, Commander Riker.
Prepare firing sequencing. [Bridge]
Start firing countdown from twenty four. [Pakled ship]
I can't believe it! My friends, my people,
they're trying to kill us! Kill me! Believe it. They are violent.
Okay, they want to play rough, that's fine with me. Just let me check something.
Good. He is on our side now. [Engineering]
Begin firing sequence. COMPUTER: Twenty four,
twenty three [Bridge]
COMPUTER: Twenty two. twenty one, twenty Firing sequence proceeding, sir.
Hold fast. COMPUTER: Eighteen, seventeen
[Pakled armoury] COMPUTER [OC] Sixteen, fifteen
Don't do anything yet. COMPUTER [OC]: Fourteen, thirteen.
What are you doing? Making sure your systems are operative.
We will attack. We are strong. [Bridge]
COMPUTER: Nine, eight, seven, six, five [Pakled armoury]
We should attack now. Just another second. We
can't afford a mis-fire here. COMPUTER [OC]: Two, one.
Hurry. [Bridge]
Fire. (and streams of red gas
shoot forward from the nacelles) [Pakled ship]
Now! (nothing happens,
except the lights go red) No! Too late!
We have fired! They will be destroyed. They used their crimson force field.
It did not shoot. No, the crimson force field has disarmed us.
They are smart. We are not strong.
Drop your shields. [Bridge]
Allow us transport Lieutenant La Forge immediately.
Shields are down. Transporter room, beam one to the Bridge.
CHIEF [OC]: Aye, sir. (Geordi arrives)
Set heading for Starbase Five One Five, warp nine.
Blowing that hydrogen exhaust through the Bussard collectors sure put on a nice light show.
Harmless, but effective. Were you able disable the photons?
Just in time. That's why you're still here.