Star Trek: The Next Generation

Repulse shuttle has cleared Docking Bay 3.

Open hailing frequencies.

Hailing frequencies open.

Repulse, this is the Enterprise.

We are getting underway.

Acknowledged, Enterprise.

Transfer complete. Good luck on your mission.

And to you.

Give my regards to your captain.

Repulse out.

Shuttlebay secure, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Crusher.

Make all preparations to get underway.

We're constructing the enclosure on Cargo Deck 5.

Come.

The transfer has been completed.

Dr. Pulaski is being shown to her quarters.

- We're ready to get underway. - Grand.

Take a look at the containment module our chief engineer has designed.

Chief engineer. It still has a nice ring to it.

Each of these units will have total environmental control.

Gravity, temperature, atmosphere, light, all in a protective stasis field.

And these get put into the large containment unit?

Right. See, these modules will keep the specimens alive,

but it's this large containment area that's gonna keep us alive.

Now I have to go and replicate this 512 times,

which means I'll have to divert power

from the warp engines to the replicator for a while.

Oh. How long will we be on impulse power?

A couple of hours. It can't be helped.

When we leave 'aucdet IX,

I'll need all the power in those warp engines.

You'll have it.

Number One, I'll relieve you at 0300.

Take us out of orbit, Mr. Crusher.

Set course for 'aucdet IX.

Aye, sir. Course for 'aucdet IX has been input.

Maximum impulse velocity.

Aye, sir.

Engage.

Engineering, this is Science One.

I have just observed what appeared to be a random energy transference.

- Where? - Aft.

Outboard of the port nacelle.

Hold on, I'll check.

No, I show nothing here, Data.

- Problem, commander? - Possibility, sir.

An unexplained power fluctuation.

- You let me know if it reoccurs. - Aye, sir.

Huh.

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.

Captain's log, stardate 42073.1.

There's been an outbreak of plasma plague in the Rachelis System.

We're on a run to collect specimens of the deadly plague

and transport them to Science Station Tango Sierra,

where, hopefully, an antidote can be produced.

How's it going?

Finished. Just waiting to insert the modules.

Number One.

Lieutenant La Forge says we will be able

to engage the warp drive within the hour.

Grand. Mr. Data,

when we have a complete list

of all the specimens we will be carrying,

I want you and Doctor, uh...

Pulaski, sir.

Dr. Pulaski. I want you to go through them.

Aye, sir.

By the way, where is our new doctor?

- Has she reported in? - Not yet.

Sickbay, this is the captain.

Sickbay, aye.

Is Dr. Pulaski there?

Uh, no, sir, the doctor is in Ten-Forward.

- Thank you. - Aye, sir.

A few hours on board and already she's found Ten-Forward.

- I'll go get her. - No.

I'll go.

Not the best way to meet your new captain.

Deck Ten, Forward Station One.

Hello, captain.

Ensign.

I'm, uh, sorry this mission will delay your reunion with your mother.

That's all right.

It'll give me the time to finish some projects I have to do.

It's going to be hard leaving the Enterprise.

Mixed feelings for all of us.

It's always hard leaving any ship.

Just as it was for your mother

when she left to become head of Starfleet Medical.

But moving from one assignment to another is part of the life

which you are choosing.

I know.

But this isn't any ship.

How true.

- Guinan. - Captain.

Where is Dr. Pulaski?

Thank you.

Dr. Katherine Pulaski?

- Ah. You must be Captain Picard. - Doctor, protocol may have been lax

on your last assignment, but here on the Enterprise --

Sit down, captain, you'd better listen to this.

Lieutenant La Forge, status report.

The containment area is completed

and the last of the modules are being inserted.

Take us to warp 6 as soon as possible.

- Acknowledged. - This is Dr. Katherine Pulaski.

We'll handle the formal introductions later.

Counselor Deanna Troi is pregnant.

She...

- She is going to have a baby. - Baby?

This is a surprise.

More so for me.

This pregnancy is unlike anything I have ever encountered.

Since she came to me a few hours ago,

I have done two complete examinations of Counselor Troi.

Now, this is the first examination.

The fetus is about halfway through the first trimester, about six weeks old.

Now, understand,

we believe that conception took place 11 hours ago.

- What? - It gets better.

This is the second exam, one hour later.

Now, it's consistent, except for the fact

that it appears that the fetus is several weeks older.

At this growth rate, Counselor Troi will have her baby in about 36 hours.

The normal gestation rate for a Betazoid is 10 months.

I don't mean to be indelicate,

but who's the father?

Last night while I slept,

something which I can only describe as a presence

entered my body.

A life-form of unknown origin and intent is breeding

right now inside Counselor Troi.

Our purpose here is to determine

what is to be done about this. Discussion.

No, wait, now let me get this straight.

Deanna was impregnated by what?

Doctor, what do the tests show? Is it a humanoid? An alien?

It's a male human.

Or in this case, half human, half Betazoid.

Exactly the same as Deanna.

In every way.

There is nothing to indicate

any genetic patterns other than hers.

I don't think this is random.

I think there's a purpose here, a reason. What, I don't know.

The pregnancy must be terminated.

For the safety of the ship and the crew.

Worf, you can't assume the intent was belligerent.

That is the safest assumption.

Captain, this is a life-form.

Not to allow it to develop naturally

would deny us the opportunity to study it.

If the fetus is aborted, laboratory analysis is still possible.

Doctor, is there any health risk to Counselor Troi

if the fetus is aborted?

Captain.

Do whatever you feel is necessary to protect the ship and the crew.

But know this.

I'm going to have this baby.

Then it seems that the discussion is over.

Captain's log, supplemental.

We have finally arrived at 'aucdet IX,

where we will pick up the specimens of plasma plague

for transport to Rachelis.

It is only because so many lives are at stake

that I'm willing to put this ship and crew at such great risk.

Meanwhile, Counselor Troi's pregnancy continues to progress

at an astonishing rate.

How are you feeling?

I should be feeling uncomfortable with all the changes in my body,

but I don't. I feel fine.

Better than fine. Wonderful.

Standard orbit.

Standard orbit, sir.

Open hailing frequencies.

Hailing frequencies open.

'Aucdet IX, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.

Ah, the Enterprise, here at last. Well, good, let's get going.

Excuse me, to whom am I speaking?

To whom are you speaking?

I'm Lieutenant Commander Hester Dealt.

Medical trustee. Federation Medical Collection Station.

Are the specimens ready for transfer?

Yes, but with your permission, I would like to inspect

the containment area before we proceed.

Now, it's not that I doubt the ability of your crew, captain,

but we cannot afford a mistake.

I appreciate your caution.

In the like vein, I want a complete detailed manifest

of everything you intend to bring aboard my ship.

Very good. I will allow you access to my computer banks, okay?

Mr. Data, download the inventory,

cross-reference it with the medical computer.

Number One, arrange to have Hester Dealt transported up.

Captain's log, supplemental.