07x10 - Inheritance

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Star Trek: The Next Generation". Aired: September 28, 1987 – May 23, 1994.*
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Series is set 78 years after the original series -- in the 24th century.
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07x10 - Inheritance

Post by bunniefuu »

Captain's log, stardate 47410.2.

The Atrean government
has requested assistance

in averting a natural disaster.

Two geologists have come aboard.

One is a human
who has been living on Atrea IV.

The situation has worsened
since my husband and I contacted you.

The molten core of our planet isn't
just cooling, it's begun to solidify.

Our gravitational field is affected.

Seismic activity
has increased by a factor of three.

If the cooling continues
at this rate,

Atrea will become uninhabitable
in 13 months.

We could minimise seismic activity
by creating isobaric fissures.

That would be temporary.

The only permanent solution
is to reliquefy the core.

These pockets in the magma layer,

how close are they to the core?

A few kilometres. Why?

Data, is that close enough
for ferroplasmic infusion?

The procedure will involve
using the ship's phasers

to drill down through the planet's
surface into the pockets

where we would set up
plasma-infusion units.

We'll trigger the units by f*ring
energy bursts through the shafts.

I see.

Injecting plasma
directly into the core

should trigger a chain reaction.

That will reliquefy the magma.

It should stabilise the core
temperature at 93 percent of normal.

If it works, the core
would remain molten for centuries.

If you give your permission,
we could begin immediately.

Very well. But I'd like to update
our geological surveys.

Fine. I'd be very happy to help you.

We've assigned you quarters.
Make yourselves comfortable.

Thank you, Captain.

- Data.
- Yes, Doctor?

- Do you have any idea who I am?
- Dr Juliana Tainer.

You've lost all your early memories.

We thought you would,
but we couldn't be certain.

Have we met?

Data, I was there, right at
the beginning on Omicron Theta.

I helped create you. Now look at you.

- You were a colleague of Dr Soong?
- I most certainly was.

And I was also his wife.

In a way, I suppose you could say
I am your mother.

**I can't believe I'm seeing you
after all these years.

I have no memory of you.

There's a reason for that.

We wiped your processors
after refining your programming.

Why don't you tell me what you
do remember? I'll fill in the gaps.

My memory begins when I was
activated by Starfleet officers

on the Omicron Theta outpost.

After the att*ck
of the Crystalline Entity.

All of the inhabitants of the colony
were k*lled.

However, I discovered that my memory
contained their journals and logs.

We hoped their experiences
would be useful.

After your childhood, we figured you
could use all the help you could get.

- My childhood?
- That's what I called it.

You were like a baby at first.

A 100kg baby, but still...

You had trouble
learning your motor skills,

learning how to process
sensory information.

Noonien was never satisfied.

He kept tinkering, trying
to make you as human as possible.

So, you wiped my memory processors
after this childhood?

Then we deactivated you

and programmed you
with the colonists' logs.

We had planned to reactivate you
but we never got the chance.

The Crystalline Entity att*cked
and we had to leave quickly.

We wanted to take you, but there was
only room for two in the pod.

Doctor, I have scanned
the journals of the colonists.

There is only one Juliana mentioned.

- Her last name was O'Donnell.
- That's me.

There was no mention
that my father married you.

Because of my mother.

She thought Noonien was an eccentric
scientist who was far too old for me.

We decided to marry secretly so
she'd get used to us being together.

We slipped away to Mavala IV
and got married there.

A Klingon and a Corvallan trader
were our witnesses.

It wasn't the wedding I'd hoped for.

But Noonien had a way of making
the oddest things seem romantic.

My father had an unusual way
of looking at things.

How would you know?

I encountered him
in the Terlina system.

That's where we went
after we left the outpost.

- I had no idea that you met him.
- Shortly before his death.

- He's dead?
- Yes.

I had no idea it would hit me
this hard.

We didn't part on the best of terms.

What do you mean?

I realised he loved his work
as much as he loved me.

Maybe more.

There we were, stuck on that planet

in the middle of the jungle
with no one to talk to.

No life.

It just wasn't enough.

That's why I left.

That was all a very long time ago.

The important thing
is that we're here now together.

I do want to get to know you.

This has been
an interesting encounter.

And an altogether unexpected one.

I would like to corroborate
your story before we proceed.

Excuse me, Doctor.

I'm almost finished.
We can start drilling in an hour.

Inform me when you are ready.

What are you doing there?

I am attempting to ascertain
whether Dr Tainer's story is true.

Don't you believe her?

I neither believe nor doubt.

I am simply trying
to verify her assertions.

What have you turned up so far?

The Registrar's Office on Mavala IV
cannot confirm the marriage.

Many documents were lost
when the government was overthrown.

What's that?

I am checking passenger manifests
to see if they went to Mavala IV.

O'Donnell, Juliana.

Soong, Noonien.

They were passengers on a transport

which travelled to Mavala
and returned four days later.

That sure fits with her story.

The fact that they went to Mavala
does not prove they were married.

You know, Data.

It seems you're trying to prove
Dr Tainer wasn't telling the truth.

Not at all.

I am unable to reconcile her story

with the fact
my father never mentioned her.

She did leave him.
Maybe she broke his heart.

Maybe he didn't want
to talk about her.

Let me ask you this. Dr Soong
created an emotion chip for you.

Didn't Lore tell you that chip

contained memories
that Soong wanted you to have?

Yes.

It is possible those are memories
of my childhood and of Mrs Soong.

Think about it.
Why would she want to lie?

Why pretend to be your mother?

I can think of no motive.

I can understand that this might be
disconcerting for you, Data.

It came out of the blue. It doesn't
fit into your logical processors.

- That is true.
- But that's life.

Part of being human is learning
how to deal with the unexpected.

To risk new experiences even when
they don't fit your preconceptions.

I admit I find it difficult
to accept the possibility of a past

about which I know nothing.

But it is also true that I am curious
to learn more about it.

Data?

I would like to get
to know you better, Mother.

I wanted to make you female,
but your father insisted on a son.

We argued endlessly, right up until
we were ready to assemble you.

How did you decide?

Noonien walked in with your head,

and, innocent as you please,
said it was up to me.

He knew what he was doing.
He had made it in his own image.

What could I possibly say?

Deanna Troi,
is that who you're going to visit?

- Yes.
- Your father would be so pleased.

Pleased?

He was worried that
the sexuality program wouldn't work.

You misunderstand.
Counsellor Troi is a therapist.

Goodnight.

We will be in position over the site
in three minutes, 29 seconds.

These scans indicate that the magma
pockets are somewhat unstable.

I'll monitor the density of the rock
and adjust the particle beam.

That should minimise
the seismic stress that we generate.

Data, I reconfigured the phasers
to create a highly focused beam.

Thank you, Geordi.

I'm pleased you've got good manners.

It wasn't easy
to strike the right balance.

At first, you couldn't care less

about social niceties
like please and thank you.

You were downright rude, in fact.

Data? That's hard to picture.

That was nothing to the problems
we encountered...

Never mind.
I don't want to embarrass you.

I am incapable of embarrassment.
Please continue.

The one thing
that we couldn't anticipate

was that you didn't seem to mind
about being naked.

Some colonists objected
to an anatomically correct android

running round with no clothes on.

We asked you to dress,
but you didn't feel it was necessary

because you didn't suffer
from the elements.

We had to write a subroutine
to get you to keep your clothes on.

- Riker to Engineering.
- La Forge here. Go ahead.

We've established an orbit
over the drilling site.

Phaser modifications
are on line, sir.

My calculations indicate the first
blast will be 19 seconds in duration.

Acknowledged.

Someone has checked his calculations,
of course?

No, but Mr Data
knows what he's doing.

Even so, he is a machine.
Someone should check up on him.

I have confidence in Mr Data's
ability to check up on himself.

Mr Worf.

- Phasers locked on target.
- Fire when ready.

We are within two kilometres
of the magma pocket.

Another five seconds should do it.

- We've broken through.
- Terminating the beam.

The pocket seems stable.

I detect no increase
in the stress levels of the magma.

Good work. I don't think
it could have been cleaner.

We have Data to thank for that.
His figures were perfect.

The drilling
has increased the temperature

by almost 300 degrees Celsius.

It will be several hours before
it cools enough for us to enter.

- Data, do you have any plans?
- I do not.

Maybe we should spend
a little time together.

I'd love to see your quarters.

Thank you. I will be playing
this piece at a recital tomorrow.

That was beautiful.

I am told my playing is technically
flawless but never beautiful.

It was, really.

Are you saying this
because you are my mother?

I notice that parents exaggerate
their children's accomplishments.

I suppose there's an amount
of vanity involved,

considering that giving you
a creative aspect was my idea.

Your father
didn't really see the point.

He thought that, without emotions,

there would be no need
for you to express yourself.

Somehow, I had the feeling
that the opposite would be true.

I do not know for certain,

but I believe it is during
my creative endeavours

that I come closest to experiencing
what it must be like to be human.

Well, I'm glad I insisted.

As am I.

Data.

I am very familiar
with that Handel piece.

How would you feel about
my playing the viola part tomorrow?

- I would like that very much.
- I'd have to practise.

- You don't have a viola?
- I could replicate one.

Computer, please replicate one viola.

- Did you paint these?
- Yes.

I am attempting to master
all known styles of painting.

This one is in the style
of the French lmpressionists.

It's very good.

Who's this?

- That is Lal, my daughter.
- Your daughter?

I created her,
using myself as a model.

Where is she now?

The positronic matrix I designed
was unstable.

- She only lived a short time.
- I see.

In a sense,
you were her grandmother.

- Would you like to practise now?
- Yes, of course.

The acoustics in ten-forward
are most favourable.

Yes, very nice.

Data, may I ask you something?

Of course.

Do you think you will ever try
to create an android again?

Perhaps.

I created Lal
because I wished to procreate.

Despite what happened to her,
I still have that wish.

But how do you know
the same thing won't happen?

Creating a stable positron matrix
is very tricky.

Your father lost several prototypes
before Lore.

I was not aware he created others
before my brother.

There were three of them.

They were like children to us.

Losing them was very painful.

When Noonien tried again,
I was against it.

I didn't think we had the right
to bring a life into the world

with so little chance of surviving.

But your father was sure that
he'd figured out what went wrong.

He insisted he could make
a stable matrix, and he did.

But Lore was cruel.

Evil.

Eventually we had no choice.
We had to dismantle him.

Your father decided to build another
android, who didn't have emotions.

I couldn't believe
he would want to try again.

I am that android.

Are you saying
you were against my creation?

Initially I was, but I was wrong,
I know that now.

I've followed
your progress for years.

I'm very proud
of what you've accomplished.

Then why did you never attempt
to contact me?

Because I felt guilty
about something I'd done.

Perhaps if you told me what that was,
it would alleviate the guilt.

I lied.

When I said there was no room
for you in the escape pod.

There was.

I didn't want to bring you with us.

I was afraid if we reactivated you,
you'd turn out like Lore.

I made Noonien leave you behind.

We are within four kilometres.

We're picking up pulses
along the beam.

We must have hit magnesite ore.
I'll adjust the phaser harmonics.

Data, terminate the beam
if this keeps up.

If we do, we will need
another suitable location.

There is no other location.
Just give me a few seconds.

Doctor, it'll take longer
than that to match the...

You did it.

It was just luck
I hit the right frequency.

We're less than two kilometres
away from the target site.

Stand by to terminate the beam.

- We've broken through.
- Now.

I detect no signs of instability.

Commander, set up the infusion unit
in the first magma pocket

and give this one a chance to cool.

- Data, transporter room two.
- Acknowledged.

I have initialised the plasma coils.

I need another minute
to align the diverter.

There are signs of stress
in the surrounding magma.

But the site should remain stable
until we finish the infusion.

Good. We're almost through here.

Data.

Juliana told me what she said
last night.

She's upset. I don't blame you
for being angry.

- I am incapable of anger.
- It's alright, Pran.

I know what I said
was hard for you to hear.

But I hope you understand
my reasons.

I am not certain I do.
Perhaps you could clarify them.

I'll try. What do you want to know?

If I had been your biological
offspring, would you have left me?

Data.

How can I answer that?

Dr Tainer, I get the impression
you are trying to spare my feelings.

I assure you, that is not necessary.

I don't want you to misunderstand
my answer.

No, I wouldn't have left you
if you'd been biological.

Do you place more value on
biological life than artificial life?

Absolutely not.

I cherished every android
your father and I created

as if it were my child, even Lore.

He turned on us
and did dreadful things,

but dismantling him
was very difficult.

I was afraid that if you were like
him, I'd have to dismantle you, too.

And I couldn't bear to do that.

I'm not trying to justify
leaving you behind.

I'm just sorry I did.

I hope you believe me.

I do. Thank you
for making it clear to me.

Bravo.

Why do you want Dr Tainer's records?
Is something wrong with her?

I was hoping you could determine that
from her trace pattern.

Probably I could.

But I don't check
medical status without a good reason.

Doctor. I would ask that you not
require me to be more specific.

I assure you,
I have a good reason for asking.

Alright, Data.

At first glance, I see nothing wrong.

Except for mild hypertension,
normal for a woman her age.

I see.

Maybe you should tell me
what her symptoms are.

She has not complained of discomfort.

Then why do you want
to see her medical records?

Because I believe
she is not who she claims to be.

- Bridge to Data.
- Go ahead, sir.

There's been a cave-in.
Go to transporter room two.

On my way. Excuse me, Doctor.

What happened?

They were running a final check
when part of a wall gave way.

It looks like it has stabilised,
but stress is building up.

The pocket will collapse.

- How long, Geordi?
- Tough to tell. 12 hours at most.

Then we must configure the unit
and inject the plasma.

I'd rather not send anyone down.

If you don't, it may take months
to find another suitable site.

- The core may solidify.
- We have to act now.

Alright. I want you in and out
quickly.

- Acknowledged.
- You're hurt. I'll go.

There will be more seismic activity.
We must hurry.

The shaft has not been obstructed
by seismic activity.

It should be possible
to trigger the unit from orbit.

A fuse is damaged. We have to start
programming all over again.

Priming the energy-transfer matrix.

Reinitialising
the particle-stream buffer.

- Riker to Data. Are you there?
- Go ahead.

We're reading an increase
in seismic stress.

Understood, sir. We will attempt
to expedite our work.

There. Now, we just have to realign
the diverter.

Data, are you alright?

Yes, sir. We will return
to the beam-out point shortly.

That's it. Let's go.

Can we transport
without pattern enhancers?

No, we are too far below the surface.

How are we going to get down there?

There are no handholds in the rock.

- We have to jump.
- No.

- It's too far. I won't make it.
- You will.

Basically,
she's a Soong-type android,

except she's designed to fool you
into thinking she's human.

She has tear ducts, sweat glands,

even veins and capillaries
underneath her skin.

Why does the scanner
read her as human?

Because she has a processor
designed to send out a false signal.

It's part of her ageing program.

Not only does she age in appearance
like Data,

her vital signs change, too.

What I can't figure out
is why she lost consciousness.

As far as I can see, everything
is fine. She should be awake.

Check her positronic matrix.
There may be a cascade anomaly.

You said you knew
she was an android. How?

The first indication
was when we were digging.

I saw her perform complex
calculations without the computer.

That could've meant
she was good at math.

True, but it was enough
to get my attention.

Later, I noticed something odd
about the way she blinked.

The intervals between blinks were
governed by the Fourier system,

the same formula my father used

to give my blinking
the appearance of randomness.

Only you could have noticed that.

- Then the concert in ten-forward.
- What about it?

We had practised the piece.

She played it the same way
during the performance.

Every pitch, every intonation,
was exactly the same.

Only an artificial life form
could have done that.

- Does her husband know?
- I do not believe so.

He is on the surface monitoring
the plasma infusion.

Probably just as well.

Data, come take a look at this.

It appears to be
an information module.

With a holographic interface.

Whoever you are,
you must've found out about Juliana.

That is correct.

I programmed this hologram to answer
any questions you might have.

I am Noonien Soong.

- I created her.
- I am Data.

Data?

I hoped somehow it would be you.

I even created a response program
to answer your questions.

- How are you, boy?
- I am fine.

I'm glad you got the chance
to meet your mother.

You refer to Dr Tainer as my mother.

Yet the complexity of her design
indicates she was created after me.

You're right.

But there was
a real Juliana O'Donnell.

She was my wife.

She helped me create you.

What happened to her?

She was injured...

...when the Crystalline Entity
att*cked.

We made it as far as Terlina III
but...

...she slipped into a coma.

When I realised nothing could be
done for her, I built an android.

I tried to perfect
my synaptic scanning techniques

so that I could transfer
Juliana's memories

into a positronic matrix.

Didn't know if it would work
but I had to try.

I couldn't stand the thought of
losing the only woman I ever loved.

A few days after Juliana d*ed,
I activated the android.

She looked up at me and smiled.

She recognised me. It had worked!

Here was a life, not two minutes old,

and as far as she knew,
I was her husband.

She'd just recovered
from a terrible injury.

It was incredible.

- Then you never told her the truth?
- Why?

There was no reason for her to know.
I wanted her to be happy.

I wanted us to be happy.

We were.

- For a while.
- What happened?

I made a terrible mistake.

I never really let her know
how much I loved her.

So she left me.

The real Juliana would have left,
too, if she'd lived.

If she recovers
and learns she is an android...

She doesn't have to know.

I designed her to shut down in
the event the truth was discovered.

When you put that chip back in,

she will wake up
and remember nothing.

All you have to do is make up
some excuse about what happened.

You do not believe
she should know the truth?

The truth?

The truth is,
in every way that matters...

...she is Juliana Soong.

I programmed her to terminate
after a long life.

Let her live out her days,

and die believing she was human.

Don't rob her of that, son.

Please.

It seems
that I must make a decision.

Whether to tell Dr Tainer
that she is an android

or to withhold that information
from her.

I do not know what to do.

Why was Dr Soong
so adamant that she not be told?

He seemed certain
it would preclude her being happy.

- Data, what do you think?
- I am not certain.

I understand why my father
felt as he did

but his wishes
are not necessarily paramount.

I am more concerned
with what is best for her.

Wouldn't she be better off
knowing the truth?

Dealing with the reality?

I don't think so.

She's believed she's human
all her life.

The truth might be devastating.

There might come some time in
the future when she would find out.

Another accident, perhaps.

Maybe it would be easier
if she learned the truth from you.

I can tell you
that if I were in her place,

I would rather be told by my son
than by some stranger.

I find I am having difficulty
separating what would be best for her

from what would be best for me.

What do you mean?

If she knew she were an android,
we would have something to share.

I would no longer be alone
in the universe.

I know how much
that means to you, Data.

But at the same time, by telling her,

you're robbing her of the one thing
you've wanted all your life.

To be human.

It's a difficult choice.
Do what you think best, Data.

Whatever decision you make,
we will support it.

Data.

What happened? The last thing
I remember was jumping off a cliff.

You were knocked unconscious.

You broke a bone in your arm,
but Dr Crusher repaired it.

Everything is fine.

Captain's log, supplemental.

The infusion into the core
of Atrea IV has been accomplished.

The core should remain molten
for several hundred years.

When will I see you again?

Perhaps I can visit Atrea
on my next leave.

I would like that very much.

Well, I'd better be going.

There is something you should know.

My father told me...

...that he had only one great love
in his life

and that he regretted never
telling her how much he cared.

I am certain
he was referring to you.

That's nice to know.

On Atrea, there is a saying.

"A child born from parents
who love each other

will have nothing but goodness
in his heart."

I guess that explains you.

Take care of yourself, son.

Goodbye, Mother.

Energise.
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