"Chain of Command" Line-by-Line!

[Enterprise1981]

JELLICO: Captain Picard was not acting under my orders.

 

[Admiral Shran]

LEMEC: And if we wish to execute him?

 

[Leandar]

Riker: Under the terms of the Selonis Convention, Captain Picard must...

 

[Admiral Shran]

LEMEC: The Selonis Convention applies to prisoners of war, which means you would have to acknowledge that he was captured during a mission authorised by the Federation. Are you willing to make such an admission?

 

[Alienesse]

JELLICO: No.

 

[LeadHead]

Lemec: Then he will be treated as a terrorist.

 

[Alienesse]

JELLICO: It's not my concern.

 

[LeadHead]

Lemec: There is, of course, an alternative.

 

[Alienesse]

JELLICO: I'm listening.

 

[Ziz]

Lemec: If the Federation agreed to a complete and immediate withdrawal from this sector, then we would be disposed to release Captain Picard and forget about this incident.

 

[LeadHead]

Jellico: I'll have to discuss this with my superiors.

 

[Enterprise1981]

LEMEC: Of course. You have seven hours.
(the Cardassians leave)

 

[LeadHead]

Troi: What are you going to do?

 

[Enterprise1981]

JELLICO: Send a message to Admiral Necheyev. I recommend that she reject Lemec's proposal and deploy additional starships along the border.

 

[LeadHead]

Riker: What about Captain Picard?

Jellico shakes his head. Riker stands.

Riker: I'm not suggesting you trade an entire star system for one man's life, but you've got to acknowledge that these were Federation orders and he is a prisoner of war.

 

[Enterprise1981]

JELLICO: No.

 

[LeadHead]

Riker: He will have the protection of the Seldonis Convention!

 

[Enterprise1981]

JELLICO: That would play right into Gul Lemec's hand. He's just waiting for some sign of weakness on our part before he starts making more demands.

 

[LeadHead]

Riker: I can't believe you're willing to sacrifice Captain Picard's life AS A NEGOTIATING TACTIC!

 

[Enterprise1981]

TROI: Will! Captain, we're all concerned about...