"Chain of Command" Line-by-Line!

Riker (over the comm): Yes, sir. I wasn't aware you wanted to be informed.

 

JELLICO: Thank you. Jellico out. I can see why he's still only a first officer.

 

Picard: Captain, I would just like you to know that Commander Riker...

 

Jellico: I've read your reports, Jean-Luc. I know you think highly of him.

 

PICARD: It's not just my opinion. He's been decorated by Starfleet Command five times. He's been offered his own ship more than once. I think if you just gave him a chance, you'd find him an outstanding officer.

 

Jellico: Jean-Luc, let's be candid for a moment. The Cardassians aren't going to listen to reason, and the Federation isn't going to give in to their demands. And the chances are you won't be coming back from this mission of yours. I want this ship ready for action and I don't have time to give Will Riker or anyone else a chance. And forgive me for being blunt, but the Enterprise is mine now. Well, here's hoping you beat the odds. Good hunting.

 

PICARD: Thank you.

 

JELLICO: Jean-Luc. I believe this is yours.

(Jellico passes of his Shakespeare tome, which Picard pats affectionately)

 

[Shuttlecraft]

WORF: Shuttlecraft Feynman to Enterprise. We have cleared the shuttlebay.

 

Riker: Acknowledged Feynman. Good luck.

 

PICARD: Thank you, Enterprise. Well, now that we're under way, I can tell you about our mission. Starfleet Intelligence believes the Cardassians are developing a metagenic weapon.

 

Riker: Captain, you forgot to close the communications channel. The whole bridge heard that.

Just kidding.

Crusher: Oh, my god.

 

WORF: I am not familiar with metagenics.

 

Crusher: They're genetically engineered viruses that are designed to destroy entire ecosystems. When metagenic toxins are released into a planet's atmosphere, they immediately begin to mutate. They seek out and destroy all forms of DNA they encounter. In a few days, everything is dead.

 

PICARD: In a month, the metagenic agent itself breaks down and dissipates completely, leaving every city, every road, every piece of equipment perfectly intact.

 

Worf: Leaving the planet safe to be conquered. Wouldn't using such a weapon pose as great a risk to the attacker as to the target?

 

BEVERLY: That's why metagenics and other biological weapons were outlawed years ago. Even the Romulans have abided with those agreements.

 

Picard: Starfleet intelligence believes that the Cardassians are developing a new delivery system, one that would protect them from accidental exposure. They believe that the Cardassians are testing a way of launching dormant metagenic material on a subspace carrier wave.

 

BEVERLY: So they could activate the toxins after the launch, thereby preventing any accidental exposure.

 

Picard: Uh huh. And because the subspace wave would appear as background radiation, no one would realize what was happening until it was too late. Now for the past few weeks Theta band subspace emissions have been detected coming from Celtris III. These "emissions" may indicate that a metagenic delivery system is in operation.