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 Picard:
"Captain's Log, Stardate 42477.2. The Enterprise has
been diverted to the Ramatis star system. It seems that
both sides of a bitter planetary conflict have
petitioned Starfleet to transport to their world a
mediator they have mutually selected. Our orders are
transportation only. No interference." |
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 Picard:
"Lieutenant Geordi LaForge."
Geordi: "It is my pleasure to meet you, sir."
Woman: "What is that you're wearing?"
Geordi: "A VISOR. It interprets the
electromagnetic spectrum and then carries the readings
to my brain."
Woman: "And without it, can you see?"
Geordi: "Without it I'm as blind as a stump."
 Woman:
"Then your VISOR serves the same function as my Chorus,
which interprets my thoughts and translates them into
sound."
Geordi: "Yes."
Scholar/Artist: "And you don't resent it?"
Geordi: "The VISOR or being blind?"
Scholar/Artist: "Either."
Geordi: "No, since they're both part of me, and I
like who I am, there's no reason for me to resent either
one." |
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 Woman:
"Be at ease. I commend you both. To come here not only
proves your courage, but also your wisdom. Please, give
this conference a chance."
Scholar/Artist: "I have no magic. You have
been fighting all your lives. You have known only..."
Soldier: "No, no, never, never!"
Riker: "Riva!"
(Phaser fire)
First Leader: "Traitor! No wait, wait!"
Riker: "Away team to Enterprise, beam us up!
Now!"
First Leader: "His words are not mine!
Please! Riva! We need you! We need you!" |
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 Picard:
"Listen to me! You are not alone! Do you understand? We
are all in this together!" |
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 Worf:
"Very interesting. A technique of communication that is
both silent and covert. It could be very useful."
Data: "The use of gestures and hand signals
predates the spoken word in most cultures. The major
exception being the Leyrons of Malcus Nine who actually
developed a written language first." |
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 Data:
"Captain, I have reviewed and stored five distinct
signing languages. Here is an example of the first. This
is blue. This is the blue ocean. This is the blue ocean
at sunset. This is two people walking along the beach by
the blue ocean at sunset. This is two happy people in
love walking along the beach by a blue ocean at sunset.
This is two people..."
Picard: "Enough!" |
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 Picard:
"Riva, Commander Data has learned your sign language.
Talk to us."
Data/Riva: "It was my fault. I am
responsible for their deaths. In my arrogance, I thought
'No one can possibly harm the great Riva.' I am such a
fool."
Picard: "You are not to blame. What happened
appears to have been the work of one desperate man. It
may not reflect the feelings
 of
the others."
Data/Riva: "They were more than my
interpreters. They were also my friends. They were a
part of me. I did not realise how much a part until
now."
Picard: "We have been contact by the factions on
Solais. They want to renew negotiations."
Data/Riva: "I cannot, I will not."
 Troi:
"Don't turn away. You have a chance to make some good
come out of this tragedy. This could be the catalyst
which binds them together."
Data/Riva: "Someone else will have to
speak to them. Not me. Not after what I allowed to
happen. How could I?"
Picard: "But Data understands you. Use him! Let
him explain your words."
Data/Riva: "When Data speaks for me, can
you hear my anguish, my despair? Data is a fine machine,
but he cannot take the place of my Chorus. It took years
to develop a communication that cannot be easily
replaced." |
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 Pulaski:
"It's possible to install optical devices which look
like normal eyes. And would still give you about the
same visual range as the VISOR."
Geordi: "So, you say almost... how much
reduction?"
Pulaski: "Twenty percent."
Geordi: "Hmm."
Pulaski: "There's another option. I could attempt
to regenerate
 your
optic nerve. And with the help of the replicator,
fashion normal eyes. You would see like everyone else."
Geordi: "Wait a minute. I was told that wasn't
possible."
Pulaski: "I've done it twice. In situations
somewhat similar to yours. Geordi, it would eliminate
the constant pain you are under. Why are you
hesitating?"
Geordi: "When I came to see you, it was to talk
about modifying
 this.
And now you're saying it could be possible for me to
have normal vision?"
Pulaski: "Yes."
Geordi: "I don't know. I'd be giving up a lot."
Pulaski: "There's something else you must know.
This is a one-shot. If you decide to change your mind
there's no going back. And there are risks. I can offer
choices not guarantees." |
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 Picard:
"Captain's Log, supplemental. We are monitoring
increased military activity on Solais V. I fear that
without Riva we will be unable to keep the Solari from
destroying themselves." |
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