Star Trek: The Next Generation quotes

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.

Jean-Luc Picard

(prior to battle) Attention all hands! As you know, we could outrun the Klingon vessels, but we must protect the Enterprise-C until she re-enters the temporal rift. And we must succeed. Let's make sure that history never forgets the name Enterprise.

Federation Ship Enterprise. Surrender and prepare to be boarded.

Jean-Luc Picard

[grimly] That'll be the day.

Guinan

Geordi, tell me about Tasha.

Data

Doctor? I require your advice as a successful parent.

Well, thank you, Data. I'd like to think I was. Well, please sit down. How's Lal?

Data

Lal is realizing she is not the same as other children.

Is it lonely for her?

Data

She does not feel the emotion of loneliness, but she can observe how isolated she is from the others. She wishes to be more like them. I do not know how to help her. Lal is passing into sentience. It is perhaps the most difficult stage of her development.

When Wesley was growing up, he was an extraordinarily bright boy, but he had a hard time making friends. I think the other children were a little intimidated by him.

Data

That is precisely what happened to Lal in school. How did you help him?

Well, first I went back to my own childhood and remembered how painful it was for me. Because I remember a time when I wasn't very popular either. And when I told that to Wesley, it made him feel a little better. He knew I understood what he was going through.

Data

I have not told Lal how difficult it was for me to assimilate. I did not wish it to discourage her. Perhaps this was an error of judgement.

You didn't have anyone experienced to help you through sentience. She at least has you. Just help her realise that she's not alone, and be there to nurture her when she needs love and attention.

Data

I can give her attention, Doctor. But I am incapable of giving her love. (Data leaves)

Data

Then he is questioning my ability as a parent.

Jean-Luc Picard

In a manner of speaking.

Data

Does the Admiral have children, sir?

Jean-Luc Picard

Yes, I believe he does, Data. Why?

Data

I am forced to wonder how much experience he had as a parent when his first child was born.

Guinan

You see?

What are they doing?

Guinan

It's called flirting.

They seem to be communicating telepathically.

(alarmed) He is biting that female!

I watch them and I can do the things they do but I will never feel the emotions. I'll never know love.

Data

It is a limitation we must learn to accept, Lal.

Then why do you still try to emulate humans? What purpose does it serve except to remind you that you are incomplete?

Data

I have asked myself that many times as I have struggled to be more human - until I realised it is the struggle itself that is most important. We must strive to be more than we are, Lal. It does not matter that we will never reach our ultimate goal. The effort yields its own rewards.

You are wise, Father.

Data

It is the difference between knowledge and experience.

I learned today that humans like to hold hands. It is a symbolic gesture of affection.

Data

Lal is my child. You ask that I volunteer to give her up. I cannot. It would violate every lesson I have learned about human parenting. I have brought a new life into this world, and it is my duty, not Starfleet's, to guide her through these difficult steps to maturity. To support her as she learns. To prepare her to be a contributing member of society. No one can relieve me from that obligation. And I cannot ignore it. I am...her father.

Jean-Luc Picard

There are times, sir, when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders. You acknowledge their sentience, but ignore their personal liberties and freedom. Order a man to turn his child over to the state? Not while I'm his captain.

Troi

Come in.

Troi

Hello, Lal. How are you?

Troi. Admiral. Admiral. An admiral from Starfleet has come to take me away, Troi. I am scared.

I feel it. How is this possible?

Troi

I don't know.

This is what it means to feel. This is what it means to feel.

His hands were moving faster than I could see, trying to stay ahead of each breakdown. He refused to give up. He was remarkable. It just - wasn't meant to be.

I love you, father.

Data

I wish I could feel it with you.

Then I will feel it for both of us.

Thank you for my life.

(high-ranking Klingon) This is not the Federation, Picard. If you defy an order of the High Council, the alliance with the Federation could fall to dust.

Jean-Luc Picard

The alliance with the Federation is not based on lies, K'mpec. Protect your secrets if you must, but you will not sacrifice these men.