"Peak Performance" Line-by-Line

The thread begins, Number One...

We've recently concluded our "Yesterday's Enterprise" Line-by-Line thread in record time!

After each completed thread, I'm randomly picking someone who participated to choose the next episode we do. The lucky winner this time around was Unicron! And Unicron has chosen "Peak Performance" (a personal favorite of mine, BTW) as our next line-by-line adventure.

For any unfamiliar with our "game," you are asked to post only a single line (defined as one character speaking without interruption by another character) per message. You can post as often as you like, but someone else must post a line in between your posts.

As before, at the conclusion of this thread, I will pick someone at random from among all the participants to choose the next episode we do.

Enjoy!

(Mods: Might you consider sticky-ing our current LbL thread as you do with the current caption thread?)

[SPECIAL NOTE: Normally I only run one of these threads at a time. However, I've been presented with a special request to initiate a line-by-line thread on the 2009 movie when it's released on DVD and Blu-ray. I think that's reasonable and I don't see why we can't have two 'official' threads going side-by-side this one time. So this Tuesday, November 17th, I'll be starting that one up -- in the Star Trek XI forum -- in addition to this episode.]

 

PICARD (voiceover): Captain's Log, stardate 42923.4. Despite misgivings, I have agreed to Starfleet's request that the Enterprise divert to the Braslota System to take part in a war game exercise. Joining us as observer and mediator is Zakdorn master strategist Sirna Kolrami.

 

^^Finishing:
Picard: Mister Kolrami. Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Welcome aboard.

Kolrami: Captain. I bring greetings from those at Starfleet Command.

 

PICARD: Would you care to be shown to your quarters?

 

Kolrami: I require little rest, Captain. I prefer that we commence with our mission.

 

[Bridge]

WORF: Despite their reputations, this Zakdorn does not appear to be a very formidable warrior.

 

Data: In the game of military brinksmanship, individual physical prowess is less important than the perception of a species as a whole. For over nine millennia, potential foes have regarded the Zakdorns as having the greatest innately strategic minds in the galaxy.

 

WORF: So no one is willing to test that perception in combat...

 

DATA: Exactly.

 

WORF: Then the reputation means nothing.

 

Kolrami: The Braslota system. In orbit around the 2nd planet, is the 80 year old star cruiser, Hathaway. (Speaking softly to Picard) He is still your first choice?

 

^ Note that it's now the Observation Lounge.

PICARD: Commander Riker will captain the Hathaway.

 

Kolrami: You will have 48 hours to ready your vessel before the Enterprise attacks.

 

RIKER: And we'll experience actual battle conditions?

 

Kolrami: Correct. Engineering will disconnect the Enterprise's weapons and link the system with the modified laser-pulse beam. All hits will be recorded electronically. If the computer registers damage, it will act accordingly, shutting down the affected areas for the appropriate repair time. Additional questions? Captain Picard, it is my understanding that you initially resisted Starfleet's request for this simulation.

 

PICARD: Yes.

 

Kolrami: May I know why?

 

Picard: Starfleet is not a military organization. It's purpose is exploration.

 

Kolrami: Then why am I here?

 

Picard: With The Borg threat, I decided that my officers and I needed to hone our tactical skills. In a crisis situation, it is prudent to have several options.