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PEN PALS > Audio Clips
Below are high quality audio caps from this episode presented in mp3 format. Please let us know if we've missed a favorite quote of yours from this episode and we'll try and add it! Many thanks to Kyle C. Haight for these files!
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 Picard:
"Captain's Log, Stardate 42695.3. We're the first manned vessel to enter the
Selcundi Drema sector. Unmanned probes have recorded unusual levels of
geological activity in all five planetary systems. I am hoping the
Enterprise will find the answer to this enigma." |
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 Troi:
"You don't want the comfort of a pet. You want a companion."
Picard: "Thankyou. I don't want to anthropomorphise anything. It
seems that some creatures have the capacity to fill spaces you never knew
were empty."
Troi: "I had a Betazoid kitten once. My mother and the cat reacted...
badly to one another." | |
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 Riker:
"I'll need your advice and recommendations. As you know, I've been given
the responsibility of overseeing Wesley's education. To further that
goal I would like to put him in charge of the planetary mineral
surveys."
Pulaski: "That is a big job with a lot of responsibility."
Riker: "The game's not big enough if it doesn't scare you a
little."
Geordi: "To do the job, Wesley's going to need a team. It takes
 command
presence to lead. Do you think he's ready for that?"
Troi: "Leadership grows from self-confidence which is also part
of a Starfleet officer's education."
Picard: "All of this is true, but there is an old horse trainer's
adage about putting too much weight on a young back -- we don't want it
to break under the pressure.”
Pulaski: “We seem to be shifting the focus here. Are we talking
 about
a young officer on the fast track to the Academy or are we talking about
a young man that we are guiding through adolescence and into adulthood?”
Troi: “You can't guide someone into adulthood. The experiences
are unique to each person. Whether Wes succeeds or fails, he will learn
from the experience.”
Pulaski: “I agree. I'm just questioning the speed at which we're
 moving.”
Geordi: “You think we're pushing him too hard?”
Pulaski: “I think that's a valid concern.”
Picard: “Tempering is taken to extremes.”
Pulaski: “He's a boy, not a sword.”
Picard: “Who will one day become a man and, to extend the
metaphor, will need a fine edge that won't dull at the first touch of
resistance.” |
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 Worf:
"Is this part of your regular duties?"
Data: "No. It is a personal project. I have reset the sensors to scan
for frequencies outside their usual range."
Worf: "Such as?"
Data: "The dips and peaks of the galaxy's magnetic field, organic
molecules in nebular clouds, energetic cosmic rays."
Worf: "Interesting. Would these scans also detect artificial
 transmissions
as well as naturally occurring signals?"
Data: "Of course."
Worf: "Good."
Data: "Those signals are very faint and difficult to distinguish from
background noise. That is why I am boosting the power."
(Worf trips over Data's equipment)
Data: "I will be removing that equipment to my quarters."
Worf: "Good!" | |
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 Wesley:
"Hi, can I walk with you?"
Troi: "Yes."
Wesley: "I need a little advice."
Riker: "Well it's free."
Wesley: "Walking or advice?"
Riker: "Both." |
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 Picard:
"Captain's Log, Stardate 42696.3. We are entering the second Selcunidi star
system where acting Ensign Crusher will begin his planetary mineral survey,
the results of which may help unlock the geological puzzle." |
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Wesley: "Ensign Davies?"
Davies: "You got him."
Wesley: "Wesley Crusher. I've been put in charge of the
planetary geological surveys, and I'd like you on my team."
Davies: "Sounds great. Who else is on it?"
Wesley: "I have Prixus and Alans and Hildebrant."
Davies: "Ah, It's a shame you didn't talk to me first.
It's just personal opinion, but I like to break up married
teams."
Wesley: "Oh, I hadn't thought of that."
Davies: "Don't worry, they'll probably work out fine. And
if you need any help, just give me a signal and I'll take over
for you. We don't want you to get too beat up on your first
command."
Wesley: "Uh... thanks, but I'm pretty sure I'll be
alright." |
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 Sarjenka:
(Distorted) "Is anybody out there?"
Data: "Yes." |
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 Picard:
"Captain's Log, Stardate 42737.3. It has been six weeks since our entrance
into the Selcundi Drema sector. Each system has revealed the same disturbing
geological upheavals on every planet." |
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 Data:
"Eight weeks ago I received a transmission - a simple four word message: "Is
anybody out there?" I answered it."
Picard: "There is a loneliness inherent in that whisper from the
darkness." Data: "Yes, sir. I am glad you understand, sir."
Picard: "But it didn't end there."
Data: "No, sir. We speak often. It is a young female. Humanoid."
Picard: "Her society is aware that there is interstellar life?"
 Data:
"No, sir."
Picard: "Oops. Just where does she think you're calling from?"
Data: "I have kept that somewhat vague, sir. But Sarjenka - that is
her name - has been quite specific, telling me details about her family and
friends. And, interspersed among these confidences have been some alarming
references."
Picard: "Go on."
 Data:
"Drema Four has been enduring the same geological stresses we have found in
the other systems."
Picard: "Then your friend is in trouble."
Data: "Yes, sir."
Picard: "What are you proposing?"
Data: "If we can determine the cause of these geological
disturbances, we might be able to reverse the process."
 Picard:
"Violate the Prime Directive?"
Data: "I was hoping you might have another option, sir."
Picard: "We don't even know if this catastrophe is preventable. (a
beat) Call a conference in my quarters. All senior staff."
Data: "Yes, sir."
Picard: "And Data, all communication with this life-form must cease." | |
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Riker:
"In your position, it's important to ask
yourself one question. ‘What would Picard do?’”
Wesley: “He'd listen to everyone's
opinion, then make his decision. But he's
Captain Picard.”
Riker: “Doesn't matter. Once Picard's
made his decision, does anyone question it?”
Wesley: “No way.”
Riker: “Why not?”
Wesley: “I'm not sure.”
Data: (over comm.) “Commander Riker,
report to the captain's quarters.”
Riker: “When you figure it out, you'll
understand command.”
Riker: (on comm.) “I’m on my way.” |
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Picard:
"It is no longer a matter of how wrong Data was, or why he did it.
The dilemma exists. We have to discuss the options, and please talk
freely."
Worf: "There are no options. The Prime Directive is not a
matter of degree. It is an absolute."
Pulaski: "I have a problem with that kind of rigidity. It
seems callous and even a little cowardly."
Picard:
"Doctor, I'm sure that is now what the lieutenant meant, but in a
situation like this we have to be cautious. What we do today may
profoundly affect the the future. If we could see every possible
outcome..."
Riker: "We'd be gods, but we're not. If there is a cosmic
plan, is it not the height of hubris to think that we can, or
should, interfere?"
Geordi: "So what are you saying? That the Dremans are fated
to die?"
Riker: "I think that's an option that we should be
considering."
Geordi: "Well, consider it considered, and rejected."
Troi: "If there is a cosmic plan, are we not a part of it?
Our presence at this place at this moment in time could be part of
that fate."
Geordi: "Right, and it could be part of that plan that we
interfere."
Riker:
"Well that eliminates the possibility of "fate.""
Data: "But Commander. The Dremans are not a subject for
philosophical debate, they are a people."
Picard: "So, we make an exception at the deaths of millions."
Pulaski: "Yes."
Picard: "And is it the same situation if it's an epidemic and
not a geological catastrophe?"
Pulaski:
"Absolutely."
Picard: "What about a war? If generations of conflict is
killing millions. Do we interfere? Ah well, Now we're a little less
secure in our moral certitude. And what if it's not just killings.
What if an oppressive government is enslaving millions? You see the
Prime Directive has many different functions, not the least of which
is to protect us. To prevent us from allowing our emotions to
overwhelm
our
judgement."
Pulaski: "My emotions are involved. Data's friend is going to
die. That means something."
Worf: "To Data."
Pulaski: "Does that invalidate the emotion?"
Geordi: "What if the Dremans asked for our help?"
Data: "Yes, Sarjenka's transmission could be viewed as a call
for help."
Picard: "Sophistry."
Pulaski: "I'll buy that excuse. We're all jigging madly on
the head of a pin anyway."
Worf: "She cannot ask for help from someone she does not
know."
Data: "She knows me."
Riker:
"What a perfectly vicious little circle."
Data: "We are going to allow her to die, are we not?"
Picard: "Data, I want you to sever the remaining com link
with Drema Four."
Computer: "Isolating frequency."
Sarjenka: "Data, Data! Where are you? Why won't you answer?
Are you angry with me? Please, please, I'm so afraid! Data, Data,
where are you?"
Picard: "Wait. Oh, Data. Your whisper in the dark has now
become a plea. We cannot turn our backs." |
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 Picard:
"Captain's Log, Stardate 42741.3. We are entering into orbit of Drema IV,
the planet from which Data received the distress signal. Sensors indicate
that the volcanic activity is increasing." |
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 Data:
"Sir, I feel it is important to determine the reason for..."
Riker: "Come on, Data!"
Data: "Captain, your orders were to deliver the message, correct?"
Picard: "Yes."
Data: "So what is the difference between sending the message and
delivering it personally?"
Riker: "A whopping big one, and you know it."
 Data:
"Sir, we have come this far."
Picard: "In for a penny, in for a pound, is that what you're saying,
Mister Data?"
Data: "Yes, sir."
Picard: "Oh hell. Go."
Data: "Sir?"
Picard: "Number One, handle the transporter." |
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 Riker:
"O'Brien, take a nap. You didn't see any of this, you're not involved."
O'Brien: "Right sir, I'll just be standing over here dozing off."
Riker: "Data you've got ten minutes, that's it. But if you see
anybody but Sarjenka..."
Data: "I will signal for immediate beam out."
Picard: (over comm) "Commander Riker to the bridge."
Riker: "Damn!"
O'Brien: "I just woke up, sir."
Riker: "You know what to do?"
O'Brien: "No problem, sir. I'll have him out of there as smooth as
ice." |
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 Data:
"Enterprise, two to beam up. You must come with me."
Sarjenka: "Where are we going? To the stars?" |
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 Picard:
"Where is he?"
Riker: "He'll be here."
Picard: "He has brought a child onto my ship and on my bridge."
Riker: "I'm sure Mister Data has a very good explanation."
Data: "I do, Sir. She was frightened and did not wish to be left
alone..."
Picard: "Mister Data, kindly assume your station." |
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 Sarjenka:
"What are you doing?"
Data: "We are attempting to quiet your planet. If we succeed, there
will be no more quakes, no more volcanoes." |
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 Picard:
"Doctor."
Pulaski: "Yes, Captain."
Picard: "Data and the alien are on their way down. What would be
involved in removing all memory of her communication with Data and her visit
to this ship?
Pulaski: "Assuming that her brain structure is similar to ours the
memories would be stored chemically on the neurons of the cerebral cortex.
They are also time dependent. I would have to scan for age of the chemical
links, and try to find the relevant neurons."
Picard: "Well, do your best." |
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 Sarjenka:
"What is this?"
Pulaski: "That's an Elanin Singer Stone. It sings a different song
for each person."
Sarjenka: "What does it sing for you?"
Data: "It does not sing for me."
Sarjenka: "Why not?"
Data: "Because I am a machine." |
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 Pulaski:
"You did a good thing, Data."
Data: "But are we doing a good thing now?
Pulaski: "This is to protect her as much as us."
Data: "By robbing her of her memories?"
Pulaski: "To remember you and this ship would complicate her future.
She has to be the person she was born to be. And you'll remember." |
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 Riker:
"Sit down."
Wesley: "No thank you sir. It's going to be a long time before
I'm qualified enough to sit there."
Riker: "You did a good job. I'm proud of you."
Wesley: "Thank you, sir."
Wesley: "Does it get any easier?"
Riker: "No." |
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 Data:
“I came to apologise, sir.”
Picard: “No apologies are necessary. You reminded us that there
are obligations that go beyond duty.”
Data: “I appreciate you seeking other options sir. Your decision
could have been unilateral.”
Picard: “One of my officers, one of my friends was troubled. I
had to help. Is Sarjenka safely home?”
Data: “Yes, sir. She will not remember me, sir. But I will
remember her.”
Picard: “Remembrance and regrets. They too are a part of
friendship.
Data: “Yes, sir.”
Picard: “And, understanding that has brought you a step closer to
understanding humanity.” |
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