

(written from a Production point of view Real World article

Picard tries to finish his old archaeology teacher's monumental last mission: solving a puzzle that leads Humans, Romulans, Klingons and Cardassians to the secret of life in this galaxy, revealing the origin of humanoid life.

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Summary

Teaser

While the USS Enterprise-D is studying protostars in the Volterra Nebula, Captain Picard receives an unexpected visit from Richard Galen, a reclusive professor, and personal mentor of his, from Starfleet Academy. In the Enterprise's observation lounge, Galen gives the captain an extremely rare archaeological gift, an intact third-dynasty Kurlan naiskos, and encourages him to take a leave of absence from Starfleet to go on an expedition of vast importance to the galaxy.

Act One

Picard and Galen sit together in Ten Forward. Galen urges him to accept, telling Picard that when he announces his findings, it will be heard across the galaxy. Picard asks the professor if he can sleep on it. "Dream not of today", he tells the captain. Picard briefly mulls it over while talking to Dr. Crusher the next morning at breakfast, but knows that he can never leave the Enterprise, despite the tempting offer. He informs Galen that he cannot go with him, and receives a bitter rebuke from his former teacher, who immediately leaves on a shuttlecraft for his next destination.

Not long after, the Enterprise receives a distress call from Galen's shuttle, which is under attack by a Yridian vessel. Worf fires a single moderate phaser shot that should not destroy the ship, but somehow it does. They barely retrieve Professor Galen, but, unfortunately, he dies in sickbay – telling Picard with his last breath that his earlier rebuke had been too harsh.

Act Two

Data and Geordi La Forge discover that Galen tried to protect certain files in his computer system when the Yridians attacked. But the files only contain blocks of numbers, and without anything to narrow their search, it will be almost impossible to tell what they mean. Assuming that the Yridians were going to sell the information, Picard asks about where Galen was. Data says his course had taken him through a star system with no current inhabitants, but with a planet, Ruah IV, capable of sustaining life. Picard delays the ship's current diplomatic mission to the planet Atalia VII to follow the clues in the number blocks from Galen's database. It will take four days to get there.

When they arrive, they see that there are some proto-hominids, but no sign of previous civilizations. Picard recalls that Galen was planning to head to Indri VIII on his archaeological expedition. Picard believes there is some connection between the two planets and he intends to find it, though Riker reminds him of his diplomatic responsibilities. When the Enterprise arrives at Indri VIII, they find a process rapidly destroying the planet's atmosphere, killing all life there. Worf announces that the effect is global and cannot be stopped.

Act Three

In a science lab, Crusher and Picard discover that the number blocks from Galen's database actually represent DNA strands from nineteen different species from all across the Quadrant, each of which has existed in the lifeforms of these planets since the formation of life there. Crusher has all the DNA strands combined together by protein link compatibility. It forms a strange shape that Picard and Crusher cannot identify.

In engineering, Commander La Forge tells Picard and Crusher that it is not part of a natural design, but rather an algorithm, suggesting that it is part of some kind of program. Picard, Data, Crusher, and La Forge cannot determine what the purpose of the program is or why someone apparently designed it four billion years before. La Forge has tried every DNA material in the Enterprise's database to run the program, but they cannot find any compatible protein combinations. Picard muses on this computer program designed by an apparently advanced civilization four billion years ago. "Whatever information this program contains could be the most profound discovery of our time… or the most dangerous. The professor knew that."

In Picard's ready room, he remembers Galen telling him that he was in the neighborhood near Kurl. Crusher suggests he was in the Kurlan system collecting DNA samples. Picard, while looking through a PADD, finds that only one planet in the Kurlan system is capable of supporting life: Loren III. Picard has the Enterprise proceed to Loren III at maximum warp where they are immediately confronted by two Cardassian warships, prepared to attack in order to protect the planet for only their scientific mission. Immediately, the IKS Maht-H'a, a Klingon Vor'cha-class attack cruiser, decloaks, making the situation all the more tense.

Act Four

Picard decides to invite the commanding officers of each vessel to the Enterprise to discuss the situation and collaborate. Meeting the Cardassian Gul Ocett and the Klingon captain Nu'Daq, he plays his cards, relating that the Enterprise crew has determined that Galen's research leads them to believe that a computer program has been written and scattered throughout the galaxy, being stored in the genetic code of organisms on certain planets. An uneasy truce is forged between the three powers so as to share the data all three factions possess.

In the science lab, Ocett and Nu'Daq provide their samples. Combined, it appears there are still missing pieces. Picard supposes that there should be a pattern, for the designers would have wanted the code to be found. He has Crusher program the computer to use the locations of the samples to extrapolate where the missing DNA would be. It will take some time, so Ocett and Nu'Daq wait. Nu'Daq decides to use this time to seek out Data in Ten Forward and challenge him physically, unsuccessfully. He then attempts to bribe Data to tell him the results first, also unsuccessfully.

However, chief engineer La Forge discovers that the Enterprise's defensive systems have been tampered with – rightfully anticipating deception on the part of the Cardassians. Secretly, Picard and Nu'Daq decide to tamper with their data a bit prior to the meeting. All three factions meet back in the science lab to view the star chart inferred from the data points. Immediately, and as predicted, Ocett transports off of the Enterprise and begins firing on both the Maht-H'a and the Enterprise.

Act Five

The Enterprise makes a good show of being damaged, and the Maht-H'a actually is slightly damaged. To save time, Nu'Daq stays on board the Enterprise as it heads to the true coordinates, the planet Vilmor II.

Once there, they transport to the surface to take tricorder measurements of lichen growing in an ancient seabed. They don't get too far before Ocett and a team beam down next to them. Then, suddenly, a team of Romulans appear as well, insisting that everyone else leave. (They must have been monitoring communications since Galen's shuttle was intercepted.) The Cardassians threaten to destroy what they all came for. While they argue with the Klingon and Romulans, the Enterprise away team covertly take readings of the lichen. The program then begins to reconfigure the tricorder.

The argument is silenced when the tricorder begins projecting a holographic image of a humanoid. She explains that her civilization existed alone in the galaxy, billions of lonely years before any of the others developed. They decided to spread their genetic material to other planets, in the hopes of creating a rich ecosystem of humanoids who could fulfill the joys of finding and integrating with alien cultures that these first beings never had. Most parties seem disgusted at the thought of a common progenitor.

Back on board the Enterprise, Picard is pleased at solving the mystery, but wishes Galen could see it, and that the message had not fallen on deaf ears. Then, he receives an unexpected message from the Romulan commander. In light of the recent events, he expresses his opinion that Humans and Romulans are not so dissimilar after all, and hopes that one day, the two powers could stand together in friendship.

Log entries

"Captain's log, Stardate 46731.5. We are in the midst of the Volterra nebula, a stellar nursery. Our three week mission is a routine analysis of several dozen protostars in various stages of development."

"Captain's log, supplemental. It's been over thirty years since I last saw my archaeology professor. His presence has taken me back to a time when I had considered a very different career."

"Captain's log, supplemental. We have completed our mission in the nebula and are en route to a diplomatic conference on Atalia Seven. I must admit I've lost my enthusiasm for those proceedings."

"Captain's log, supplemental. It seems that we have not one, but two competitors in our attempt to complete Professor Galen's puzzle. I have prevailed upon the Cardassian and Klingon captains to meet with me."

"Captain's log, stardate 46735.2. Our frequent use of high warp over the last few days has overextended the propulsion systems. We are finishing minor repairs before returning to Federation territory."

Memorable quotes

"When finished… and I announce my findings, it will be heard halfway across the galaxy."

- Richard Galen, to Picard on his discovery



"Dream not of today."

- Professor Richard Galen, to Picard



"If I go, I go for good… and it's not something that I'm prepared to do."

- Picard, reluctantly refusing Galen's offer to join him on his archaeology mission



"Will you come with me?"

"…I can't."

"Then I'll be going."

- Galen and Picard



"Jean-Luc… I was too harsh."

- Richard Galen's dying words



"This is not part of a natural design, captain. This is part of an algorithm coded at the molecular level."

"An algorithm? Are you saying that these DNA fragments are elements in some kind of computer program?"

"I know how it sounds, but there's no way this could be a random formation. This is definitely part of a program."

"This fragment has been part of every DNA strand on Earth since life began there and the other fragments are just as old. Someone must've written this program over four billion years ago."

"So…four billion years ago someone scattered this genetic material into the primordial soup of at least 19 different planets across the galaxy?"

"The genetic information must have been incorporated into the earliest lifeforms on these planets and then passed down through each generation."

"But why would anyone do this in the first place?"

"And what was this program designed to do?"

"Well, we couldn't know that until we assembled the entire program and ran it. We've tried all of the DNA material in the Federation computer but we haven't been able to come up with any compatible proteins."

"Then, they must be from worlds outside the Federation."



- La Forge, Picard, Crusher, and Data



"Until we assemble it, we will never know its purpose."

"He's right. As far as we know it might just be a recipe for biscuits!"

"Biscuits? If that's what you believe, then go back to Cardassia, I will send you my mother's recipe."



- Picard, Gul Ocett, and Nu'Daq



"My upper spinal support is a polyalloy designed for extreme stress. My skull is composed of cortenide and duranium."

- Data, explaining to Nu'Daq why he was unaffected by a Klingon head-butt



"A being of your abilities would go far in the Empire."

"You are attempting to bribe me."

- Nu'Daq, trying to get Data to reveal the results of the combined DNA samples to him before anyone else



"That's all!? If she were not dead, I would kill her!"

- Nu'Daq, expressing his disappointment about the message



"It would seem that we are not completely dissimilar after all; in our hopes, or in our fears."

"Yes…"

"Well then perhaps, one day…"

"…one day…"

- Romulan captain to Picard

Background information

Production history

Story and production

Continuity

Trivia

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Video and DVD releases

Starring

Also starring

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Special appearance by

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Uncredited co-stars

Stand-ins

References

Al-Leyan transport; ability; archaeological expedition; archaeologist; arboretum; Atalia VII; Atalia system; attack cruiser; B'aht Qul challenge; battle station; biological database; biosphere; biscuit; bribery; Caere; Cardassia; Cardassian; Cardassian war vessel; centurion; class M; command ship; companionship; datastream; deciduous; Deep Space 4; dilettante; DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid); Earth; earthworks; emitter diode; Federation; Federation territory; fellowship; Fifth Dynasty; final exam; flight log; Galen's children; Galor-class; generation; genus; geometric pattern; goose; high orbit; high warp; Indri VIII; Indri system; inertial damper; information dealer; jigsaw puzzle; Klingon; Klingon Empire; Kurl; Kurlan; Kurlan naiskos; Kurlan system; L-class; land mass; level 3 diagnostic; level 4 security; lichen; "long shot"; Loren III; Loren system; IKS Maht-H'a; M'Tell; Master of Tarquin Hill; medical tricorder; micropaleontology; monument; number one; Ocett's war vessel; Ocett's sister ship; offensive systems; orbit; path; Picard, Maurice; plasma; protein; proto-hominid; province; pupil; Rahm-Izad; Rahm-Izad system; Roman; Roman Empire; Romulan; Romulan command ship; Romulan space; Romulus; Ruah IV; Ruah system; Satarran; Schliemann, Heinrich; scholar; science laboratory; Sector 21459; short-sightedness; Sothis III; standard orbit; staring; stomach; Subsector 3383; summer; surrender; tractor beam; transporter; Transporter Room 1; tricorder; Troy; Type 7 shuttlecraft (Galen's shuttlecraft); Vilmor II; Vilmoran system; vital sign; Volterra Nebula; Vor'cha-class; Vulcan transport (aka Vulcan ship); workshop; Ya'Seem; Yash-El; Yridian; Yridian destroyer

Other references

USS Enterprise Personnel Database: Aaamazzara; Alpha Carinae I; Alpha Cygnus II; Blackman, Robert; Braga, Brannon; Chattaway, Jay; Courage, Alexander; Curry, Dan; Delos IV; Echevarria, Rene; Eminiar VII; Fukai, Arlene; Gamma Trianguli IV; Goldsmith, Jerry; James, Richard; Johnson, J. Lowry; Mees, Jim; Neuss, Wendy; Regulus V; Rigel VI; Selcundi Drema; Sherman's Planet; Simmons, Adele; Sigma Draconis system; Surma, Ron; Taurus I; Therbia; Triacus; Triskelion Prime; Tucker, Steve; Tycho IV; West, Jonathan; Xendi Sabu II; Yacobian, Brad

Starship mission status: Ajax, USS; Alderaan; Alpha Laputa IV; Ambassador-class; Apollo-class; Aries, USS; Beta Cygni system; Bradbury, USS; Bradbury-class; Charleston, USS; Constellation-class; Excelsior-class; Fearless, USS; Goddard, USS; Hood, USS; Korolev-class; Merced-class; Merrimac, USS; Monitor, USS; Nebula-class; pulsar; Renaissance-class; Repulse, USS; Romulan Neutral Zone; sector; Sector 21396; Sector 21538; Sector 22358; Sector 22846; Sector 22853; Sector 23079; Starbase 134; Starbase 434; Thomas Paine, USS; Trieste, USS; Victory, USS; Vulcan Science Academy; warp drive; Zhukov, USS

Unreferenced materials

Aolian Cluster; Kea IV; macchiato; nail polish; power generator



