- [Picard is requesting a cloaked vessel from Chancellor Gowron through B'iJik, a junior adjutant]
- B'iJik: How would it benefit the Klingon Empire? I'm sure Gowron will ask.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The only benefit to the Klingon Empire would be our gratitude.
- B'iJik: That is what you want me to tell him?
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes. And please add that, if he is unable to provide us with a ship, then I am sure there are others in the Klingon Empire who would be willing to help me. And then... *they* would have our gratitude.
- B'iJik: [long pause] I see.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Also, please tell Gowron that I am *immensely* gratified that he is prospering so well. A tribute to his skilled leadership.
- [last lines]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I have come on an urgent mission from the Federation. I'm looking for Ambassador Spock.
- Spock: Indeed. You have found him, Captain Picard.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [about Sarek when it appears Spock has defected to the Romulans] The man is dying. And it's my *honor* to tell him that his son may have betrayed the Federation.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Sarek... We're a part of each other. I know that he has caused you pain. But I also know... that you love him.
- Sarek: Tell him, Picard...
- [Sarek struggles to perform the Vulcan salute. Picard assists him, then returns the hand gesture]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Peace and long life.
- Sarek: Live long and... and... Live long and...
- [starts sobbing]
- Sarek: Spock... my son...
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: ...and prosper.
- [Sarek has died]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The tenor of this mission has changed, Mr. Data; at least, it has for me. We were sent to confront Spock about his disappearance, and now I also have to tell him that his father is dead.
- Lt. Commander Data: I do not entirely understand, sir. As a Vulcan, Ambassador Spock would simply see death as the logical result of his father's illness.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's never quite that simple, not even for a Vulcan - certainly not for Spock, who is half-Human. Years spent in conflict. And now the chance to resolve those differences is gone.
- Lt. Commander Data: Considering the exceptionally long lifespan of Vulcans, it does seem odd that Sarek and Spock did not choose to resolve those differences in the time allowed.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Father and son - both proud, both stubborn, more alike than either of them were prepared to admit. A lifetime spent building emotional barriers; they are very difficult to break down. And now the time has come and it's too late... it's a difficult moment. It's a lonely one. It's a moment that Spock is about to face.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45236.4 - As I study the intelligence reports on Ambassador Spock's disappearance, I cannot help but feel a deeper, more personal concern about this mission. For I know this man through his father. It was barely a year ago that I shared a mind meld with the Vulcan Sarek. Now we must meet again, as I attempt to find an explanation for his son's actions.
- Sarek: I never knew what Spock was doing. When he was a boy, he would disappear for days into the mountains. I would ask him where he had gone, what he had done; he'd refuse to tell me. I insisted that he tell me; he would not. I forbade him to go; he ignored me. I punished him; he endured it, silently. But always, he returned to the mountains. One might as well ask the river not to run. But secretly, I admired him, that proud core of him that would not yield.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Mr. Dokachin, we must find this ship, and you're the only one who can help us.
- Klim Dokachin: Who are you?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Deanna Troi, ship's counselor.
- Klim Dokachin: [referring to Riker] He probably figures that we don't get to see a lot of handsome women out this way. And someone like you might get a little more cooperation from me... He's probably right.
- Doctor Beverly Crusher: Your right eye is point 004 higher than your left.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Nobody's perfect, Doctor.
- Lt. Commander Data: These quarters were obviously intended for one crewman, sir. There is but a single sleeping space.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sure the Klingons found it amusing to put us in here together.
- Lt. Commander Data: Since I do not require sleep, I propose you take the... shelf, sir. I am contend to stand.
- [Picard and Data have altered their appearances to look like Romulans]
- Captain K'Vada: [laughs heartily] Don't you two look sweet! Be careful, Android; some Romulan beauty might take a liking to you - lick that paint right off your ears.
- Sarek: I gave Spock the benefit of experience. Of logic. He never listened... Never listened...
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's been suggested that Spock might have defected.
- Commander William T. Riker: How well do you know Spock?
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I only met him once. What I know of him comes from history books, and of course my mind meld with his father.
- Commander William T. Riker: Well, that must cover a lot of ground.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Not as much as you'd imagine. Sarek and Spock... Well... sometimes, fathers and sons.
- Commander William T. Riker: Hm... Understood.
- [the Enterprise has picked up the debris of a space-related object]
- Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: This is gonna be like puttin' together a big jigsaw puzzle when you don't even know what the picture's supposed to be.
- [Picard has arrived on Vulcan to speak with Perrin and Sarek]
- Perrin: Mint tea! It's been years since I've had any. Vulcans have some kind of strange concoction they call 'mint'. You'd never recognize it.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perrin, do you know why I've come to Vulcan? I must talk to you about Spock.
- Perrin: He didn't even say goodbye to his father before he left.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Is it possible he could have been abducted?
- Perrin: No... He wrapped up all of his affairs carefully. He knew he was going.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Do you have any idea why he might have disappeared like this?
- Perrin: Captain, as far as I'm concerned, he disappeared a long time ago.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Would it be inappropriate to ask what happened between you and Spock?
- Perrin: Not between us. Between Spock and his father. They had argued for years. That was family. But when the debates over the Cardassian war began, he attacked Sarek's position publicly. He showed no loyalty to his father.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I was not aware that Sarek was offended by Spock's opposition.
- Perrin: I was offended. I made sure Spock knew it. I'm very protective of my husband. I do not apologize for it.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Does Sarek have any idea why Spock might have left?
- Perrin: I don't know. If you could see Sarek as I do, wasting in bed, whispering to himself. He wants to see his son. He wants to heal any rift that may still remain. Now, it may be too late.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perrin, would you allow me to see Sarek?
- Perrin: If it were anyone else I would never permit it, but you are a part of him and he of you.
- [Captain K'Vada is showing Data and Picard their quarters onboard the Klingon ship]
- Captain K'Vada: It may not be what you're used to on a Starfleet ship.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Quite nice. Thank you.
- Lt. Commander Data: Captain K'Vada, is this the Captain's quarters, or my own?
- Captain K'Vada: Both. We have limited space. We are a military ship, not a pleasure craft.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Of course. This will be fine.
- Captain K'Vada: You'll sleep Klingon style. We do not soften our bodies by putting down a pad.
- [slams hand down on bed]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [happily] Good!
- [also slams hand down on bed]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I prefer it that way.
- Captain K'Vada: You'll take your meals with us but we do not serve Federation food.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ah! I've been looking forward to gagh. Haven't had it for quite a while. Very fresh.
- [the Enterprise is contacting a local starship depot regarding the destroyed Vulcan ship]
- Lt. Worf: I have made contact, Commander.
- Commander William T. Riker: On screen. I'm Commander William Riker from the Federation Starship Enterprise.
- Klim Dokachin: Klim Dokachin, Quartermaster, Surplus Depot Zed One Five.
- Commander William T. Riker: I need some information about a Vulcan ship, the T'Pau. It was sent to you a few years ago.
- Klim Dokachin: Did you arrange an appointment?
- Commander William T. Riker: An appointment? No.
- Klim Dokachin: Then I will be unable to help you. You may communicate with scheduling.
- [transmission ends]
- Commander William T. Riker: Who does he think he is?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: The Quartermaster of the supply yard, with information you need.
- Commander William T. Riker: Right. Mr. Worf, re-establish communication.
- Lt. Worf: Aye, sir.
- Commander William T. Riker: Mister Dokaychin?
- Klim Dokachin: Dokachin. Klim Dokachin.
- Commander William T. Riker: Mister Dokachin, the information I need involves a matter of major importance to the Federation. I'll need access to your logs, your files. My people can do the work.
- Klim Dokachin: I don't allow outsiders into my computer system..
- Commander William T. Riker: All right, one of your people can do the work.
- Klim Dokachin: I wish I had the people to spare. I don't.
- Commander William T. Riker: [becoming indignant] Well, sir, what would you suggest?
- Klim Dokachin: I don't know. Contact me when you reach orbit.
- [transmission ends]
- Commander William T. Riker: I don't believe this.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: He's king of his particular hill, Commander. You'll have to treat him that way.
- Commander William T. Riker: [smiles at Troi] Counsellor, this feels like a perfect job for you.
- [first lines]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [voiceover] Captain's log, stardate 45233.1. Our terraforming mission to Doraf 1 has been cancelled and the Enterprise recalled to Starbase 234. Fleet Admiral Brackett would not discuss the matter on subspace for reasons she said would soon be clear.