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

Data: We have been unable to detect a signal from her communicator. Either it has been deactivated or she is being held in a shielded location.

 

WORF: Sir, I believe she was the intended target of the abduction.

 

catch up:

Picard: Why her?

Worf: Sir, I believe she was the intended target of the abduction.

Riker: Why would they want to take a Federation hostage? Their fight doesn't involve us.

 

WORF: It does now.

 

The Ansata Cave Hideout:
(Finn enters carrying a plate of food)
Finn: You hungry? You want something to eat? (Dr. Crusher stares straight ahead) It doesn't matter to me. You want to be hungry, be hungry. What's your name? You're a doctor on a Federation starship. I always wondered what it would be like to travel across the galaxy. It's not something I've exactly had time for. This isn't the best way to meet new people, is it? If you need anything, ask for me. My name is Kyril Finn. They know me.

 

[Ready room]

TROI: We have no reason to believe she's been hurt in any way.

 

Picard: In fact, it's more than likely that they will take good care of her, if they want to use her as a bargaining chip.

 

WESLEY: Bargaining chip?

 

Deanna: The innocent often become the pawns in conflicts of this type, Wes.

 

PICARD: You see, the Ansata separatists have been trying for generations to freed themselves from the rule of the eastern continent. If they can get the government just to acknowledge their demands, then kidnapping your mother will have served its purpose. I think that may be what they're after, but it may not. Frankly, Wesley, I don't care. My only concern is to get your mother back. Very shortly, we shall be leaving to have a meeting with the authorities.

 

Wesley: Request permission to be on the away team, sir.

 

PICARD: No. You have an important job to do here. If we are to free your mother, then we have to be able to trace the movements of the terrorists. I want you to work with the team that are investigating this new technology of theirs.

 

Wesley: I understand.

 

PICARD: Report to Mister Data. Dismissed.
(Wesley leaves)

 

Deanna: He needs your strength right now.

 

PICARD: History has shown us that strength may be useless when faced with terrorism.

[Alexana's office]

(The police chief's office is full of wall monitors and such like)
PICARD: And what exactly is Ansata policy with regard to hostages?

 

Alexana: I doubt if they have one. They don't usually take hostages. These are not people we're dealing with here. They're animals. Fanatics who kill without remorse or conscience. Who think nothing of murdering innocent people.

 

PICARD: But they could just as easily have shot her where she stood.

 

Alexana: Don't ask me to explain them. I can't. The atrocities that I've seen... And now they have this new device that makes them even more deadly. How do I combat an enemy who fails to register on any scanner until they're literally standing in front of you, pointing a phaser at your head?

 

RIKER: What can you tell us about this device?