Perhaps what we most needed was a kick in our complacency, to prepare us ready for what lies ahead.
There are two kinds of stories we tell our children.
The First Kind:
‘Once upon a time, there was a fuzzy little rabbit named Frizzy-Top who went on a quantum, fun adventure
only to face a big setback,
which he overcame through perseverance
and by being adorable’
This kind of story teaches Empathy.
“Put yourself in Frizzy-Top's shoes”,
in other words.
The Other Kind:
“Oliver Anthony Bird, if you get too close to That Ocean, you'll be sucked into The Sea and drowned!
This kind of story teaches them Fear.
And for the rest of their lives, these two stories compete :
Empathy and Fear.
And so I bring you tonight's play, a work in five acts
About a fuzzy little bunny,
who got too close to The Ocean and
What Happened Next.
Let us begin.
It’s Not Safe Out Here.
It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross — but it's not for The Timid.
Q:
You can't outrun them.
You can't destroy them.
If you damage them, the essence of what they are remains.
They regenerate and keep coming.
Eventually you will weaken, your reserves will be gone.
They are relentless.
WORF:
The Borg ship is firing.
We have lost shields again.
[Engineering]
LAFORGE:
Captain, we've just lost the warp engines.
[Bridge]
Q:
Where's your stubbornness now, Picard, your arrogance?
Do you still profess to be prepared for what awaits you?
WORF:
The Borg ship is re-establishing its tractor beam.
RIKER:
Lock on photon torpedoes.
WORF:
Yes, sir.
DATA:
Without our shields, at this range there is a high degree of probability that a photon detonation could destroy the Enterprise.
RIKER:
Prepare to fire.
(Q swaps places with Data)
Q:
I'll be leaving now.
You thought you could handle it, so handle it.
PICARD:
Q. End this.
Q:
Moi? What makes you think I am either inclined or capable to terminate this encounter?
PICARD:
If we all die, here, now.... you will not be able to gloat.
You wanted to frighten us.
We're frightened.
You wanted to show us that we were inadequate.
For the moment, I grant that.
You wanted me to say
“I need you”
I need you!
(With a snap of Q's fingers, the Enterprise goes whirling through space again)
RIKER:
Position.
WESLEY:
Zero seven zero, mark six three, sir. Back where we started.
(Q swaps places with Riker)
Q :
That was a difficult admission --
Another Man would have been humiliated to say those words.
Another Man would have rather died than
Ask for Help.
PICARD:
I understand what you've done here, Q,
but I think the lesson could have been learned
without the loss of eighteen members of my crew.
Q:
If you can't take a little bloody nose,
maybe you ought to go back home
and crawl under your bed.
It's not safe out here.
It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires
both subtle and gross,
but it's not for the timid.
(Q vanishes and everyone is back in his own seat)
PICARD:
Mister Crusher, set course for the nearest starbase.
WESLEY:
Course laid in for Starbase Eighty Three, sir.
PICARD:
Engage.
[Ten forward]
(Guinan and Picard are playing a version of 3D chess)
GUINAN:
Q set a series of events into motion, bringing contact with the Borg much sooner than it should have come.
Now, perhaps, when you're ready,
it might be possible to establish a relationship with Them --
But for now, for right now,
you're just raw material to them.
Since they are aware of your existence...
PICARD:
....They will be coming.
GUINAN:
You can bet on it.
PICARD:
Maybe Q did The Right Thing for The Wrong Reason.
GUINAN:
How so?
PICARD:
Well, perhaps what we most needed was a kick in our complacency, to prepare us ready for what lies ahead.
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