| The Next Generation | |
| 137 | |
| Chain Of Command, Part II | |
| 46360.8 | |
Continued from last time...
The Gorge of Eternal Peril: What is your name? Jean-Luc Picard. What is your quest? I seek the metagenic weapons. What are the Federation's defence plans for Minos Korva? I don't know that. Arrrggghhhh!!!!
Captain Jelly-cone isn't going well in his negotiations with the GlueHeads - military action may be necessary. Is there a problem with this? Gul Lemec finally brags that they have captured Picard, but if Starfleet won't acknowledge that his actions were an act of war, they will be forced to treat him as a terrorist. Riker races off in a shuttle to the rendezvous point to see if they are telling the truth, and unfortunately, they are...
A stubborn pig-headedness and the inability to look reality in the eye is certainly a quaint trait of the human race. Picard demands to see a neutral representative under the terms of some random treaty or another. Gul Madred just smiles and says "You are a criminal". It's time for one of those life decisions: (a) divulge all the details of the defence strategy for Minos Korva in return for a "civilised" punishment; or (b) torture. That's an easy one, I pick option (b)! No wait, I got that wrong...
Gul Madred says in a disarmingly calm voice "From now on, I will refer to you only as... Winston!". My God, it's a blatant piece of cinematographic plagiarism - this is the Ministry of Truth! Winston is stripped naked and hung up by his arms. "How many lights do you see there?" asks Madred. "I see four lights" says Winston. "No, there are five." Madred backs up the assertion with a quick blast from the pain sender that's been implanted in Winston's chest.
The Cardassians are definitely taking the upper hand in the negotiations. They have a simple proposal - complete withdrawal from the sector in return for Picard. Jelly-cone rejects the offer out of hand, and when Laughing Boy tries to stand up for his pal, the teacher sends him out of the class and back to his room. Data is now wearing the red shirt!
Winston tries to engage his captor in idle banter about the futility of miliary rule. Starvation and spirituality or militarism and might - you choose. Winston just sneers. "How many lights are there?" asks Madred. "What lights?" Zap! Everyone say hello to the pain sender again...
Our valiant Starfleet heroes finally work out why they took Picard, but if the Cardassians are planning an attack, where are they going to do it? Geordi looks carefully at the paint-work on Lemec's pickup truck and notices a strange set of scratches - they must have been hiding in the McAllister Nebula! The nearest Federation outpost to that is Minos Korva. The Enterprise burns rubber...
Madred changes tactics. "You are very strong willed, you may go." Winston picks himself up off the floor and slowly moves towards the door. "We will get what we need from the human female." Julia! Has his true love been captured too? He staggers back to Madred's desk and sits down. "Are you choosing to stay with me?" Oh goody...
It's time for a pre-emptive strike. Jellico orders five hundred antimatter mines dispersed throughout the nebula - all in close proximity to the Cardassian ships. Geordi prepares a shuttle for blind flying, but they still need a pilot - and the best pilot is... Riker. Jellico swallows a dose of humble pie, and goes to see him. "I don't like you" says Jellico, "but you're the best pilot". "Well I don't like you either", quips Riker "and my daddy's bigger than yours!" He agrees to fly the mission anyway.
Is there a doctor in the house? Why, because there's about to be a terrible accident - five hundred itinerant mines are going to detonate all around the Cardie war ships. Of course if they choose to run home instead then it might be avoided. Oh, and give back Captain Picard...
Another new tactic. Madred tells Winston that there will be no more questions - the Enterprise is burning in space and the invasion was successful. There is still time to make a choice between misery and comfort. "Tell me how many lights you see." "I... see... four... lights!" Here come the guards to drag him off to a life of slavery and torture...
...except that they aren't, it's Gul Lemec come to take him back to the Enterprise. Picard is cleaned up, and command transfered back to him, much to the relief of everyone. Unfortunately it also means that the last opportunity for an assertive captain of the Enterprise has also slipped by. Bummer.
