Tasha Yar quotes from Star Trek: The Next Generation

Tasha Yar

Data. You are fully functional, aren't you?

Tasha Yar

It's been said that "Death is that state where one survives fully in the memory of others; thus it is not an end, but rather a beginning." So, let's not say goodbye; let's just say — Hailing frequencies closed.

They are called mediators and they are needed only in one place each day.

Liator

The punishment zone, an area that's selected for a period of time.

Tasha Yar

It's a completely random selection?

Liator

No one but our mediators know what place or for how long. We're very proud of the wisdom of our ancestors. No person ever knows where or when a zone will be.

And so no one risks death.

Worf

Death?

By breaking any law.

Tasha Yar

Wait, explain this.

Liator

Only one punishment for any crime.

Worf

Anyone who commits any crime in the punishment zone dies?

Tasha Yar

What of justice to Wesley? Does he deserve to die?

Liator

[DELETED LINE] That is a moot issue, unfortunately. The law remains the law, regardless of whose favor it works in. Thus, the question becomes...Where is justice, save in equality?

Jean-Luc Picard

I'm truly sorry, Liator; but I must have justice for my people, too. Transporter Room, energize...Transporter Room, come in!

We can't energize the beam, sir. Everything checks out, but we're getting no results.

God has prevented your escape.

Beverly Crusher

Then your God is unfair. My son had no warning that his act was criminal.

We cannot allow ignorance of the law to become a defense.

Jean-Luc Picard

I don't know how to communicate this, or even if it is possible, but the question of justice has concerned me greatly of late. And I say, to any creature who may be listening, there can be no justice so long as laws are absolute. Life itself is an exercise in exceptions.

William Riker

When has justice ever been as simple as a rule book?

Liator

[DELETED LINE] For us, the effectiveness of justice has always gone hand-in-hand with its simplicity.

[DELETED LINE] Ever since any of us can remember, there have been two basic types...those who live by the law, and those who die by it. Thus, the question becomes, How can there be justice when laws are anything but consistent?

[DELETED LINE] Making one exception, regardless of circumstances, would compel us to make more...and then still more, until the law became -- we believe you have a phrase for it -- until it became "nothing but words on paper". [sneers] Evidently, your idea of a just legal system is one so complicated that nobody can be punished for anything.

After the young couple have removed their clothing...

Tasha Yar

The bride and groom go naked?

William Riker

I'm Commander William Riker of the USS Enterprise.

I am Armus. Why are you here?

William Riker

We mean you no harm. We have injured crewmen in the shuttlecraft, and we need to get to them. May we pass?

You haven't given me a good enough reason.

William Riker

Preserving life. All life is important to us.

Why?

William Riker

We believe everything in the universe has a right to exist.

An interesting notion. Which I do not share! You may leave now, if you wish.

Tasha Yar

We're not going anywhere without our shuttle crew.

I warn you...

Tasha Yar

Enough! We have people who need attention. We won't hurt you, but we must help them.

Guinan

Can I get you something, Tasha?

Tasha Yar

Guinan, I have to know something. What happens to me in the other time line?

Guinan

I don't have alternate biographies of the crew. As I said to the captain, it's just a feeling.

Tasha Yar

But there's something more when you look at me, isn't there? I can see it in your eyes, Guinan. We've known each other too long.

Guinan

We weren't meant to know each other at all! At least...that's what I sense when I look at you. Tasha, you're not supposed to be here.

Tasha Yar

Where am I supposed to be?

Guinan

Dead.

Tasha Yar

Do you know how?

Guinan

No. But I do know it was an empty death. A death without purpose.

Jean-Luc Picard

Come. Yes, Lieutenant?

Tasha Yar

Captain, I request a transfer to the Enterprise-C.

Jean-Luc Picard

For what reason?

Tasha Yar

They need someone at Tactical.

Jean-Luc Picard

We need you here.

Tasha Yar

I'm not supposed to be here, sir.

Jean-Luc Picard

Sit down, Lieutenant. What did she say to you?

Tasha Yar

I don't belong here, sir. I'm supposed to be...dead.

Jean-Luc Picard

She felt it necessary to reveal that to you?

Tasha Yar

I felt it was necessary.

Jean-Luc Picard

I see. You realise that it is very possible the Enterprise-C will fail. We will continue in this time line, in which case your life, hopefully, will continue for a long while.

Tasha Yar

I know how important it is that they don't fail, Captain. That's why I'm requesting this transfer.

Jean-Luc Picard

You don't belong on that ship, Lieutenant.

Tasha Yar

No, Captain Garrett belongs on that ship. But she's dead. And I think there's a certain logic in this request.

Jean-Luc Picard

There's no logic in this at all! Whether they succeed or not, the Enterprise-C will be destroyed!

Tasha Yar

But Captain, at least with someone at Tactical they will have a chance to defend themselves well. It may be a matter of seconds or minutes, but those could be the minutes that change history. Guinan says I died a senseless death in the other time line. I didn't like the sound of that, Captain. I've always known the risks that come with a Starfleet uniform. If I'm to die in one, I'd like my death to count for something.

Tasha Yar

Thank you, sir.