WESLEY: How could he get to the shuttlebay and leave the Enterprise without us knowing? That's not possible.
Riker: Take it easy Wes. We’re going to find him. I want to begin a methodical search. Worf set sensors on Maximum scan. Data, use our present location as the center. Plot a search pattern from these co-ordinates to cover the most area in the least time.
Riker: Engage, Mr. Crusher. (6 hours later.) First Officer’s Log, Stardate 42761.3. We have not been able to determine why or how Captain Picard left the Enterprise. We can’t even be certain he’s on the missing shuttle, although that is the assumption on which we are proceeding. For the last 6 hours we’ve been searching without success.
[Bridge] DATA: We have covered the area in a spherical pattern which a vessel without warp drive could traverse in the time allotted.
[Shuttlecraft] (Q is doing his Virgil Hilts impression with a baseball, glove and bulkhead.) Q: Do we stay out here years? Decades? I am ageless, Picard. You are not.
Q: If I return you to your ship, will you agree to give my request a full hearing? [Ten forward] (a seamless transition to an empty room) Q: You're right Picard. This is the proper venue for our discussion. (Guinan pops up from behind the bar.)