Captain's Log, Stardate 43993.5 :
With confirmation of The Borg's
presence in Federation space,
Admiral Hanson has returned to Starbase-324
to discuss strategy with Starfleet Command.
Lieutenant Commander Shelby remains
on board to continue tactical preparations.
[Ready room]
RIKER:
I've also ordered a standing Yellow Alert.
All Federation and allied
outposts have been warned.
Ops will continue to monitor
long range sensors.
I've assigned Data, La Forge and
Mister Crusher to work
with Commander Shelby.
PICARD:
Good. You've covered all the bases.
What's your impression of Shelby?
RIKER:
She knows her stuff.
PICARD:
She has your full confidence?
RIKER:
Well, I think she needs supervision --
She takes the initiative a little
too easily. Sometimes with risks.
PICARD:
Sounds a little like a young
lieutenant commander
I once recruited as a first officer.
RIKER:
Perhaps.
PICARD:
Will, what the hell are
you still doing here?
RIKER: Sir?
PICARD:
You've been offered
the Melbourne.
RIKER:
I've decided not to pursue that commission at this time.
PICARD:
She's a fine ship, Will.
RIKER:
Yes, but she's not the Enterprise.
With all due respect, sir,
you need me. Particularly now.
PICARD:
Indeed? Starfleet needs good Captains,
particularly now. Reconsider your decision.
RIKER:
Are you telling me
to leave, Captain?
PICARD:
....I'm asking you to look at
your career objectively.
Will, you're ready to work without a net.
You're ready to take Command. And, you know,
the Enterprise will go along just fine without you.
[Ten Forward]
RIKER:
What AM I still doing here?
Deanna, I pushed myself hard to get this far.
I sacrificed a lot. I always said
I wanted my own command, and yet
something's holding me back.
Is it wrong for me
to want to stay?
TROI:
What do you think?
RIKER:
Maybe I'm just afraid
of the big chair.
TROI:
I don't think so.
RIKER:
The Captain says Shelby reminds him
of the way I used to be. And he's right.
She comes in here full of drive and ambition.
Impatient, taking risks. I look at her
and I wonder whatever happened
to those things in me?
I liked those things about me.
I've lost something.
TROI:
You mean you're older,
more experienced.
A little more seasoned.
RIKER:
Seasoned -- That's a horrible
thing to say to a man.
TROI:
I don't think you've lost a thing,
and I think you've gained
more than you realise.
You're much more comfortable
with yourself than you used to be.
RIKER:
Maybe that's the problem.
I'm too comfortable here.
TROI:
I'm not sure I know what that means.
You're happy here. Happier than
I've ever known you to be.
So, it comes down
to a simple question :
What Do You Want, Will Riker?
RUBY :
I can't believe this.
I can't believe a single thing
that's happening, and...
it's my birthday.
Ta-Da! :
It's your what now?
RUBY:
Oh, never mind me.
They're going to eat Lulubelle.
What time's dinner?
Ta-Da! :
No, but it's Lulubelle's birthday...
That is such a brilliant name.
I wish I was called Lulubelle.
And is your birthday
on the same day?
RUBY :
Yeah, but it doesn't
mean anything.
It's just a coincidence.
Ta-Da! :
Learn The Language -- That's why
They went after Lulubelle :
Coincidence is what
makes The Baby tasty.
That's how these goblins work --
Chance and Coincidence and Luck.
That's how I spotted you --
You've been having lots
of bad luck, yes?
RUBY:
Well... yes, but that-
that-that started way back.
I mean, Lulu arrived today.
I started having accidents weeks ago.
Ta-Da! :
That was paving The Way.
These goblins are Time-riders.
They can surf the waves of Time.
They spotted the chance of coincidence,
and they went back and
they wove you in.
RUBY:
Wait. So They CAUSED my accidents?
Were they trying to kill me?
Ta-Da! :
No. No, it's more like er...
If you walk through a day
without any bad luck,
that's fine, that day is nothing.
But if you have
lots of accidents,
it STITCHES you IN --
It weaves You
into the day.
You become all complicated
and knotted and vivid.
All of it leading up to
a baby on Christmas Eve.
The same birthday
as yours, with
a bedroom that is
high up in the sky.
All the more convenient
for a goblin ship.
Ha! Oh, it's like
A Tapestry.
It's gorgeous!
RUBY:
How do you know all of this?
Ta-Da! :
I don't. This is a brand new science for me,
and I love it. The Language of Luck.
Cos what is a coincidence but
a form of accident?
Two things bumping together
unexpectedly. Like you and me.
RUBY:
No, but who are you?
Why are you an expert in time-
travelling goblins and...
Ta-Da! :
Oh! Pssh! They are not time
travellers. Excuse me.
Time travellers are
great. Like the best.
Like, wow. This lot just bimble.
RUBY:
So if they're bimbling,
why did they pick on
Davina McCall?
Ta-Da! :
Oh, that was just fun.
(The Doctor has freed himself.)
RUBY:
Wait, how did you do that?
Ta-Da! :
I spent a long, hot summer with
Harry Houdini. Now then...
(The Doctor unties Ruby.)
Ta-Da! :
Right. Let me see. Door.
RUBY:
Hurry up. They're going to eat The Baby.
(He tries the sonic looks-
nothing-like-a-screwdriver.
Let's be honest, it is a tricorder.)
Ta-Da! :
Wrong world.
RUBY:
Why? What is that thing?
Ta-Da! :
Sonic screwdriver. But a screwdriver needs screws.
This lot bind everything with knots. Ah...
RUBY:
Okay, we've got to get out, because
they could be eating The Baby
any second now.
Ta-Da! :
What time were you born?
RUBY:
I don't know. They kind of just
guessed. Two o'clock? 2pm?
Ta-Da! :
Right... So.. Language,
tapestry, coincidence --
That must be the
time for The Feast.
What... what time is it now?
RUBY:
Five to two.
Ta-Da! :
We're circling back to your flat.
The pattern is closing.
We'd better hurry up.
(Ruby kicks at the hatch to the main area.)
RUBY:
Yes! Well, if you gave me a hand!
Ta-Da! :
I am learning the vocabulary of rope!
This stuff is their version
of wires and electricity,
so if we... trip the right switch...
(He pulls at a string, and the door opens.)
RUBY:
What, you can speak rope?
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