''The High Ground'' - Line-by-Line

Riker: No

 

(The waiter comes in)

Alexana: You're Katik Shaw, the waiter from the Lumar Cafe. You witnessed both the explosion and the kidnapping.

 

Katik: I saw nothing.

 

Alexana: We're aware of your ties with the Ansata. For all we know you planted the bomb yourself. Where have they taken her?

 

Katik: I don't know what you're talking about.

 

Riker: I've had enough of this. I want you to take a message back to your people. You tell them the Federation is willing to negotiate for the release of Doctor Crusher.

 

Alexana: Riker!

 

Riker: She's a Starfleet officer. She's my responsibility. Your people have terms. We're willing to listen. We want her back. It's as simple as that. I don't think it's necessary to detain this gentleman any longer.

 

Alexana: Get out. (Katik leaves.) I should have him followed, but we'll try it your way.

 

Riker: Is that what you want?

 

Alexana: What I want is to go home. Back to my own country. To leave behind the roundups, the interrogations, the bodies lying in the street. To be able to walk without bodyguards, and to not have to jump at every unexpected noise. That's what I want, Riker!

 

[Bridge]

Data: A dimensional jump can create subspace pressure modulation, Captain. By setting up a magnetosphere echogram that can monitor each of their movements, we may be able to collect enough data to trace their power source.

 

Picard: Can you estimate the number of jumps it will take?

 

Data: Dimensional shifting is such an unstable procedure, sir, that I cannot say. Sir, I am finding it difficult to understand many aspects of Ansata conduct. Much of their behavioral norm would be defined by my programme as unnecessary and unacceptable.

 

Picard: By my program as well, Data.

 

Data: But if that is so, Captain, why are their methods so often successful? I have been reviewing the history of armed rebellion and it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change.

 

Picard: Yes, it can be, but I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun.

 

Data: Yet there are numerous examples where it was successful. The independence of the Mexican State from Spain, the Irish Unification of 2024, and the Kensey Rebellion.

 

Picard: Yes, I am aware of them.

 

Data: Then would it be accurate to say that terrorism is acceptable when all options for peaceful settlement have been foreclosed?