The Two Species of HyperAdapter : The Cyborg and The Vampire

The Crucial Detail is CONSENT. 

Consent creates A Game, 

not  A Crime.

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.

The Cyborg is a Person 

with Technology 

(of ANY kind, not just machinery), 

grafted onto his or her Being 

"I think one of the things that really separates us from the high primates is that we’re tool builders. I read a study that measured the efficiency of locomotion for various species on the planet. The condor used the least energy to move a kilometer. And, humans came in with a rather unimpressive showing, about a third of the way down the list. It was not too proud a showing for the crown of creation. So, that didn’t look so good. But, then somebody at Scientific American had the insight to test the efficiency of locomotion for a man on a bicycle. And, a man on a bicycle, a human on a bicycle, blew the condor away, completely off the top of the charts.

And that’s what a computer is to me. What a computer is to me is it’s the most remarkable tool that we’ve ever come up with, and it’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.” ~ Steve Jobs

The Vampire is an ex-Person 

Who eats Other People 

and 

Takes Their Stuff.

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.

Q.

There were things that Thor did when 

Something Went Wrong;

The First Thing he did 

was ask himself 

if What Had Happened 

was Loki's fault -- 

 

Maybe Q. did The Right Thing for The Wrong Reasons.

 OR

Maybe Q. did The Wrong Thing  for The Right Reasons

OR

Maybe Q. did The Right Thing for The Right Reasons....

Q: 

They will follow this ship until you exhaust your fuel. 

They will wear down your defences. 

Then, you will be Theirs. 

Admit it, Picard. You're out of your league. 

You should have stayed where you belonged.

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.

Where's your stubbornness now, Picard, your arrogance? 

Do you still profess to be prepared for what awaits you?

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 that I need you. 

I NEED You!

(With a snap of Q's fingers, the Enterprise goes whirling through space again)

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.

[Ten forward]

(Guinan and Picard are playing 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. 

PROFESSIONALISM

Teddy Roosevelt once said: 

“Far and away the best prize that Life has to offer is a chance to Work Hard at Work Worth Doing.”

And I would add that what makes Work worth doing is getting to do it with people that you love.

Leslie Knope

DATA: I believe Guinan does keep a limited supply of non-syntheholic products. Perhaps one of them would be to your liking. 

(Data goes behind the bar and comes out with a bottle) 

SCOTT: What is it? 

DATA: It is (looks at bottle) It is (sniffs contents) It is green. 

(Scott drinks) 

SCOTT: Ah!

[Corridor]

(bottle and glass in hand, Scott walks carefully to the holodeck) 

COMPUTER: Please enter programme. 

SCOTT: The android at the bar said you could show me my old ship. Let me see it. 

COMPUTER: Insufficient data. Please specify parameters. 

SCOTT: The Enterprise. Show me the Bridge of the Enterprise, you chattering piece of 

COMPUTER: There have been five Federation ships with that name. Please specify by registry number. 

SCOTT: NCC One Seven Oh One. No bloody A, B, C, or D. 

COMPUTER: Programme complete. Enter when ready.

[NCC1701 Bridge]

(Complete with sound effect, they did a great job of recreating it for us. The viewscreen has the ubiquitous orange planet on it. Scott goes to his old station and pours a drink.) 

SCOTT: 

Here's to you, lads. 

PICARD: 

I hope I'm not interrupting. I was just coming off duty and I wanted to see how you were doing. 

SCOTT: Not at all, not at all. Have a drink with me, Captain. 

PICARD: Thank you. 

SCOTT: I don't know what it is, exactly, but I would be real careful. It's real 

(Picard knocks it back in one) 

PICARD: Aldebaran whiskey. Who do you think gave it to Guinan? 

SCOTT: Ah. 

PICARD: Constitution class. 

SCOTT: Aye. You're familiar with them? 

PICARD: There's one in the Fleet museum, but then of course, this is your Enterprise? 

SCOTT: I actually served on two. This was the first. She was also the first ship I ever served on as Chief Engineer. You know, I served aboard eleven ships. Freighters, cruisers, starships, but this is the only one I think of. The only one I miss. 

PICARD: 

The first ship I ever served aboard as Captain was called the Stargazer. 

It was an overworked, underpowered vessel, always on the verge of flying apart at the seams. In every measurable sense, my Enterprise is far superior. But there are times when I would give almost anything to command the Stargazer again. 

SCOTT: It's like the first time you fall in love. You don't ever love a woman quite like that again. Well, to the Enterprise and the Stargazer. Old girlfriends we'll never meet again. 

PICARD: What do you think of the Enterprise D? 

SCOTT: She's a beauty, with a good crew. 

PICARD: But? 

SCOTT: But. When I was here, I could tell you the speed that we were traveling by the feel of the deckplates. But on your ship, I feel like I'm just in the way. 

PICARD: Seventy five years is a long time. If you would care to study some technical schematics or 

SCOTT: 

I'm not eighteen. I can't start out like a raw cadet. No, there comes a time when a man finds that he can't fall in love again. He knows that it's time to stop. I don't belong on your ship. I belong on this one. This was my home. This is where I had a purpose. 

But it's not real. It's just a computer generated fantasy. And I'm just an old man who's trying to hide in it. Computer, shut this bloody thing off. 

It's time I acted my age.

How to Talk to Old People

ROBERY BLY: 

[at A Gathering of Men] 

Robert Moore, from Chicago, is a wonderful man. 

He’s beginning to do work with Men. 

He’s got about 11 degrees. 

And I heard him the other day. 

And one of the things he said, 

“Men do not learn except in ritual space.” 

I was astounded at the idea. 

“Men do not learn except in ritual space.” 

And he said, 

“I know from talking to the men who have been there that you set up a ritual space.” 

How you don’t know how you do it, but it’s done. 

And partly it’s done because no women are there, partly it’s done because it’s in The Woods, partly it’s done because older men are there.

Now we take all the older men we have, over 60, we put them all in the front row. 

You can imagine how that helps with ritual space. 

These men that I used to ask to sit in the front here, they had never been honored as an older man in their whole life. 

They couldn’t believe it.

1st MAN AT GATHERING:

Can we do that now?

BLY:

Should we do it? Let’s do it. 

All the men over 55, would you come up here and sit down in the front row? 

[applause] 

Will you come down? 

Come on over here.

[NCC-1701 Bridge]

(Complete with sound effect, they did a great job of recreating it for us. The viewscreen has the ubiquitous orange planet on it. Scott goes to his old station and pours a drink.) 

SCOTT: 

Here's to you, lads. 

PICARD: 

I hope I'm not interrupting. 

I was just coming off duty and I wanted to see how you were doing. 

SCOTT: 

Not at all, not at all. 

Have a drink with me, Captain. 

PICARD: 

Thank you. 

SCOTT: 

I don't know what it is, exactly, but I would be real careful. 

It's real —

(Picard knocks it back in one) 

PICARD: 

Aldebaran whiskey. 

Who do you think gave it to Guinan? 

SCOTT: 

Ah. 

PICARD: 

Constitution class. 

SCOTT: 

Aye. You're familiar with them? 

PICARD: 

There's one in the Fleet museum, but then of course, this is your Enterprise? 

SCOTT: 

I actually served on two. 

This was the first. 

She was also the first ship I ever served on as Chief Engineer. 

You know, I served aboard eleven ships. 

Freighters, cruisers, starships, but this is the only one I think of. 

The only one I miss. 

PICARD: 

The first ship I ever served aboard as Captain was called the Stargazer. 

It was an overworked, underpowered vessel, always on the verge of flying apart at the seams. 

In every measurable sense, my Enterprise is far superior. 

But there are times when I would give almost anything to command the Stargazer again. 

SCOTT: 

It's like the first time you fall in love. 

You don't ever love a woman quite like that again. 

Well, to the Enterprise and the Stargazer. 

Old girlfriends we'll never meet again. 

PICARD: 

What do you think of the Enterprise- D? 

SCOTT: 

She's a beauty, with a good crew. 

PICARD: But? 

SCOTT: 

But. When I was here, I could tell you the speed that we were traveling by the feel of the deckplates. 

But on your ship, I feel like I'm just in the way. 

PICARD: 

Seventy five years is a long time. 

If you would care to study some technical schematics or —

SCOTT: 

I'm not eighteen. 

I can't start out like a raw cadet. 

No, there comes a time when a man finds that he can't fall in love again. 

He knows that it's time to stop. 

I don't belong on your ship. 

I belong on this one. 

This was my home. 

This is where I had a Purpose. 

But it's not real. 

It's just a computer generated fantasy. 

And I'm just an old man who's trying to hide in it. 

Computer, shut this bloody thing off. 

It's time I acted my age.

HUGH : The First Millennial Boy

Hugh interfaced with the others and transferred his sense of individuality to them. 

It nearly destroyed them. 

O Pirates, yes, they rob I

Sold I to the merchant ships

Minutes after they took I

From the bottomless pits

“We’ve actually been deluding ourselves in a lot of ways.

Beyond that, I found we’ve actually been deluding ourselves in the worst way of all by •believing• in The Individual.

• Stay with me on this. •

JANIS IAN :

How do you spell your name again, Caddie?

CADY (Prounounced ‘Kay-Dee’) HERON :

It's ‘Cady’. C-A-D-Y.

JANIS IAN :

— Yeah, I'm gonna call you ‘Caddie’.

[Ten Forward]

LAFORGE: 

You know, it's funny. 

When I first creating this invasive programme I didn't have a problem with it. The more I work with Hugh, the more I -

GUINAN: 

Hugh?

LAFORGE: 

That's what we call him.

GUINAN: 

You named the Borg? 

LAFORGE: 

Well, it was easier to have something to call him.

GUINAN: 

Oh, so now you have a Borg named Hugh.

LAFORGE: 

Right. And he's nothing like what I expected.

GUINAN: How so?

LAFORGE: I don't know. It's like he's just some kid who's far way from home.

GUINAN: Do you know that you're the second person today to refer to that Borg as though it were some sort of lost child.

LAFORGE: Anyway, I'm having second thoughts about what we're doing here. I mean, programming him like some sort of walking bomb. Sending him back to destroy the others.

GUINAN: Let me tell you something. When that kid's big brothers come looking for him, they're not going to stop until they find him. And then they're going to come looking for us, and they will destroy us. And they will not do any of the soul-searching that you are apparently doing right now.

LAFORGE: Then why don't you go and talk to him. It might not be so clear cut then.

GUINAN: Because I wouldn't have anything to say.

LAFORGE: Then why don't you just listen? That is what you do best, isn't it?

[Brig]

GUINAN: You don't look so tough.

BORG: We are Borg.

GUINAN: Aren't you going to tell me you have to assimilate me?

BORG: You wish to be assimilated?

GUINAN: No, but that's what you things do, isn't it?

(a nod) 

GUINAN: Resistance is futile. 

BORG: Resistance is futile.

GUINAN: It isn't. My people resisted when the Borg came to assimilate us. Some of us survived.

BORG: Resistance is not futile? 

GUINAN: No. But thanks to you, there are very few of us left. We're scattered throughout the galaxy. We don't even have a home any more. 

BORG: What you are saying is that you are lonely.

GUINAN: What?

BORG: You have no others. You have no home. We are also lonely.

[Science lab]

BORG: What is Geordi doing?

LAFORGE: I'm studying the components in your prosthesis.

BORG: Why?

LAFORGE: We're trying to learn more about you.

BORG: Why?

LAFORGE: Because you're different than we are. Part of what we do is to learn more about other species.

BORG: We assimilate species. Then we know everything about them.

LAFORGE: Yeah. I know.

BORG: Is that not easier?

LAFORGE: Maybe it is. It's just not what we do.

BORG: Why?

LAFORGE: All right, think of it this way. 

Every time you talk about yourself, you use the word we. 

We want this, we want that. 

You don't even know how to think of yourself as a single individual. 

[ He isn’t. ]

You don't say, 

“I want this”, 

or 

“I am Hugh.”

We are all separate individuals. 

“I am Geordi.”

“I choose what I want to do with my life.”

“I make decisions for myself. For somebody like me, losing that sense of individuality is almost worse than dying.”

BORG: 

When you sleep, there are no other voices in your mind?

LAFORGE: 

No.

[ YES. ]

BORG: 

Are you ever lonely?

LAFORGE: 

Sometimes. But that's why we have friends.

BORG: 

Friends?

LAFORGE: 

Sure. Someone you talk to, who will be with you when you're lonely. 

Someone who makes you feel better.

BORG: 

Like Geordi and Hugh.

Profiles in Mentorship : The Devil You Know

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.

Mate —

GUINAN :

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.

“Through Max I met his mate Stan, a giant, charismatic and adorable man who I instinctively liken to Omar, one of the four Caliphs to succeed The Prophet. 

A bountiful and warm soul with a great strength, yet to be refined. I asked Stan: ‘Is there any way I have helped you that I might be able to use in a book about mentoring to illustrate how the principles work?’ 

He said: ‘Mate. The other day when that bloke knocked me for that money, you said that I should not look at the people of The World as resources there to serve me but at myself as someone who can help others. To accept that everything won’t go my way all the time and when I am disappointed to talk through those feelings before acting on them. 

In a situation like that in The Past I would’ve acted differently, aggressively, and tried to solve the problem through intimidation, which would’ve led to complications because this bloke is part of That World. 

Instead I went round there and politely explained my side of the situation and offered to help find a mutually beneficial solution. 

This is because you have taught me that I am valuable and I do not need to resort to bad behaviour to get what I want, that I am enough and do not need money to prove that I am a Man. 

I no longer unthinkingly get into conflict with my wife because I am stressed about work-related things, without recognizing it. 

The other day she asked me to do the washing up because I’d AGREED to and I just DID it. 

In the past there would’ve been an argument, especially if I was fearful around work. 

This is because you have shown me how to behave towards my wife and given me safe outlets for my feelings.’ 

Hearing this made me feel  Valuable and Useful.

The Gratitude of Others, is a good way to build Self-Esteem. 

If you Regularly Help Others, the tendency to think of yourself as Worthless or Not Good Enough diminishes.”

Excerpt From

Mentors

by Russell Brand

Sponsor Love

RIKER: 

I'm sure Captain Picard would have something meaningful and inspirational to say right now. 

To tell you The Truth, I wish he were here, because I'd like to hear it too. 

I know how difficult this transition has been for all of you. 

I can take over for him, but I could never replace Captain Picard.

Nor would I ever try. 

Whatever the outcome, I'm sure our efforts in the coming battle will justify His Faith In All of Us. 

Dismissed.

[Ready room]

RIKER: (to the empty chair) 

What Would YOU Do?

(doorbell) 

RIKER: 

Come.

GUINAN: 

May I speak to you, Captain?

RIKER: 

Actually, Guinan, I —

GUINAN: 

You know, Picard and I used to talk every now and again, whenever one of us needed to. 

I guess I'm just used to having The Captain's ear. 

(She sits in Picard's chair) 

RIKER: 

What's on your mind?

GUINAN: 

I've heard a lot of people talking down in Ten Forward. 

They expect to be dead in the next day or so. 

They Trust You. 

They like you. 

But they don't believe anyone can Save Them.

RIKER: 

I'm not sure anyone can.

GUINAN: When A Man is convinced he's going to die Tomorrow, he'll probably find a way to make it happen. 

The Only One Who Can Turn is Around is YOU. 

RIKER: I'll do The Best I Can.

GUINAN: 

You're going have to do something you don't WANT to do. 

You HAVE to let go of Picard.

RIKER: 

Maybe you haven't heard. 

I tried to kill him yesterday.

GUINAN: 

You tried to kill Whatever That Is on The Borg ship — Not Picard. 

Picard is still Here with us in This Room. 

If he had died, it would be EASY. 

But he didn't. 

They took him from us a piece at a time. 

Did he ever tell you why we're so close?

RIKER: 

No.

GUINAN: 

Well, then let me just say that —

Our Relationship is 

Beyond Friendship, 

Beyond Family. 

And I WILL let him go. 

And you must do the same. 

There can only be one Captain.

RIKER: 

It's not that simple. 

This was his crew. 

He wrote The Book on this ship. 

GUINAN: 

And The Borg know everything he knows. 

It's time to throw that book away. 

You MUST let him go, Riker. 

It's the only way to beat him. The only way to Save Him. And THAT — 

Is Now Your Chair. 

Captain. 

(Riker sits) 

[Rocket hates People as such, and has developed the abrasive personality to match — but, glancing over, he sees that The God of Thunder evidently really is not up to The Fight that’s coming yet, realises that The Tree isn’t going to be the one to do it....]

Rocket Raccoon :

*sigh*

Okay — Time to Be The Captain....

The Raccon sashays over and prepares to deliver an impromptu Pep Talk to encourage a God.

THOR: 

I can't do this. I can't do this. I shouldn't be here. 

I shouldn't have come.This was a bad idea.

ROCKET: 

Come here. 

[Standing in front of him]

THOR: 

No, no, no. I think I'm having...

I'm having a panic attack. 

I shouldn't be here...this is...this is a bad-

ROCKET : 

Come here. Right here.

[Rocket slaps Thor, HARD -- ]

ROCKET : 

You think you're the only one who lost people?! 

What do you think we're doing here? 

I lost The Only Family I ever had. 

Quill, Groot, Drax, The Chick with The Antenna, all gone. 

Now, I get you miss your Mom. 

But She's GONE. Really Gone. 

And there are Plenty of People, 

who are only kinda gone. 

But you can help them. 

So is it too much to ask that you brush the crumbs outta ya beard, 

make schmoopy talk to Pretty Pants, 

and when she's not lookin', 

suck out the Infinity Stone 

and help me get My Family back?

THOR: 

Okay.

ROCKET : 

Are you crying?

THOR: 

No...Yes!

ROCKET : 

Get it together! You can Do This. 

You can Do This. All right?

THOR: 

Yes, I can.

ROCKET: 

Good.

THOR: 

I can do this. I can do it —

I can't do this.

[Thor runs away]

Good.

It'll make this easier.

Make what easier? 

Where's Cordelia? 

Upstairs asleep.

She still feels weak.

Make what easier? 

We're gonna bring Angelus in alive.

No, we're not.

Thought you said capturing him wasn't an option.

Changed my mind.

Change it back.

We get rid of Angelus, then what? We still have a Beast we don't know how to kill.

We know it's working for something much worse, but we don't know what it is.

We're caught in the middle of a maelstrom and we can't get out without Our Champion.

We're gonna Save Angel.

And I know exactly who we need to help us do it.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

They told me my lawyer was here to see me.

You my lawyer now, Wes? 

Hello, Faith.

How are you? 

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Still Alive.

Never thought I'd live to see YOU paying me a visit.

A lot's happened.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Whatever it is suits you.

I mean, you're looking.... good.

You know what's going on in L.

L.A. ?

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Seen the news, sure.

Never-Ending Night, Rain of Fire —

Team Angel must really have their hands full.

You don't know the half of it.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

But you're here to fill in the blanks for me.

Why? 

We need you.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Well, I hate to wet the paper for you, Wes but I'm kind of unavailable right now.

Maybe you wanna check back in a few decades when my parole comes up.

You need to know 

It's Armageddon-Time again — I dig.

Last thing you need is me in The Mix.

Besides, Angel will come shining through in the end like he always does.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Angel's Gone, Faith.

Angelus is Back.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Step away from the glass.

[CAR ALARM GOES OFF]

You okay? - Five-by-five.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer : 

A kid, Angel's got a kid.

WESLEY: 

Connor.

A teenage kid, born last year.

I told you, he grew up in a hell dimension.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Right.

And, what, Cordelia spent her last summer as? 

A divine being.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Uh-huh.

Can I just ask, what the hell are you people doing? 

Leading complicated lives, obviously.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Unleashing Angelus to help you stop this demon who put the lights out.

That's just - 

The Beast.

The demon who put out the lights, called The Beast.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

Gas to the flame, that's all I'm saying.

I wouldn't worry about the police coming after you.

Not yet.

With everything that's happening an escaped convict won't register on their radar.

FAITH, The Vampire Slayer :

I'm not gonna kill him, Wesley.

Angelus.

Angel's the only one in my life who's never given up on me.

There's no way —

I know —

That's why it had to be you.

I'm just wondering if you're up to it.