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"CODE OF HONOR" PRODUCTION NO.
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Captain Picard must fight for an urgently needed vaccine, and also for the return of Lt Tasha Yar...
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The Enterprise enters orbit of an alien planet, and Captain Picard's log informs us that they are approaching Ligon II, where they hold a vaccine for a deadly disease that's spreading on Starfleet outpost, Styris IV. His job is to open a friendly negotiation for the vaccine and to open treaty negotiations with the Ligonians.
On the Bridge, Commander Riker informs the captain that Lt Yar has informed him that the Ligonians are ready to beam aboard in the Cargo Bay. Captain Picard, Commander Riker and Counselor Troi head for the Turbolift, en-route to Cargo One. In the Turbolift, Picard muses to Riker that this should be an interesting meeting. Riker agrees, as he informs Picard that they are similiar in culture and appearance and Counselor Troi notes that they have different rituals and customs to Earth.
In the Cargo-Bay, the trio enters, and Lt Yar explains to Captain Picard that the Ligonians are using their own transporters, as their custom. Captain Picard asks her if they have their co-ordinates, and once replied, Picard contacts the Ligonians and inform them that they are ready to receive them. Soon, several Ligonian guards beam on board. One of the person rolls out a red carpet for their leader. Split seconds later, their leader beams aboard. Picard approaches their leader and introduces himself to him. The leader introduces himself as Lutan, the leader of the Ligonian planet, and Hagon, his second. Picard also introduces his crewmembers, and Lutan is surprised when Picard announces that Lt Tasha Yar is their security officer.
Soon, he introduces a sample of their vaccine, and Hagon approaches the captain with the container. Yar stops Hagon, and says that it is her duty to inspect all cargo before the captain. When Hagon refuses, Yar gently brushes him aside and takes the container from him. Lutan is visibly impressed. Lutan soon apologizes for the behavior of Hagon, but Troi notes that no apology was given. In fact, in their view, it would weaken them. Yar inspects the container, and upon approval, hands it over to Picard. Picard thanks Lutan for the life-saving vaccine and organizes to entertain the guests before they depart. Lutan greatly accepts. Picard and his crew leave the Cargo Bay. Hagon soon apologizes to Lutan, but Lutan says never mind, as he has a little surprise for Lt Yar.
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In the Observation Lounge, Lutan and his followers enter to accept a gift that Picard is presenting them, in exchange for the vaccine. Data soon enters and presents a statuette of a horse and Picard presents it to Lutan, and informs him that since their culture are similar, he presents a gift from China's Soong Dynasty, around 14th Century. Data corrects him as the 13th. Soon, Lutan announces that if Picard and his crew respect their customs and tradition, the vaccine for their deadly Anchilles Fever will be available for all. Picard and crew clap at Lutan's announcement. Picard graciously accepts their honor and Lutan dismisses the guards, for he has no need of them.
Lutan then asks Picard if he could take a look at one of their infamous Holodecks, since they are not technologically advanced as they are. He is aware of there use for defense training, and Picard mentions that it is used for other purposes as well. When Picard suggests that Riker show them, Lutan counteracts that offer, and instead asks if Lt Yar can show him. Riker isn't upset at Lutan's choice, as he states that Lutan was visibly impressed at Yar for being the security officer. Lutan explains that in their world, the women are merely there to look after their land and wealth, and nothing more, while the men do all the hunting for survival. Troi points out that much of Earth's history is similar to what Lutan just said. Lt Yar soon announces that she would like to participate, as a sign of respect perhaps. She then leads both Lutan and Hagon to the Holodeck.
Lt Yar, Lutan and Hagon enter the Holodeck. After Lt Yar presses something on a small control unit, a shirt appears out of thin air. Soon, Yar orders the computer to begin the Akido program, and an Akido warrior appears from nowhere. Yar soon explains that the Akido warrior isn't real, and that it is merely controlled by the computer and has no soul. Lutan is visibly impressed. Soon, Yar fights the imaginary Akido warrior, and her strength is matched to that of the warrior. Lutan is still impressed, and Hagon displays his distaste. He informs Lutan that an image like this should not be able to project such force, and Lutan orders Hagon to give it a try. Hagon is easily beaten by this invisible warrior. After their little exercise, Yar orders Akido to vanish and it does. She also reiterates the point that she can make two or three warriors at once, but really one is enough. She also explains that the computer learns the opponents strength and weaknesses to devise a way to defeat the defender.
After their little Holodeck visit, Lutan and Hagon are about to depart. Captain Picard and Lt Yar prepare to farewell their guests, whom they have successfully impressed. Soon, Lutan informs Picard that he will give Yar a personal farewell, and grabs hold of her and vanishes in a transporter beam. Picard orders Bridge to go to Red Alert, immediately angered by Lutan's reaction.
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Picard angrily storms onto the Bridge. Riker informs him that their shields are up and photon torpedoes are standing by. He opens a hailing frequency to Lutan, to inform him that he has committed an act of violence and that he will respond. There is no word from Lutan, and Picard orders Riker to launch several torpedoes above their surface, to display the Ligonians of their awesome superiority. But still, there is no response from Lutan. Picard then asks Troi if Lutan will harm Lt Yar, but Troi insists that Lutan will not, as he clearly was taken by both her beauty and position.
Picard then asks Geordi if they can locate her and trace it from the transporter beam-out, but Geordi warns Picard that their transporters are vastly different from theirs, and untraceable. Soon, Data points out that he's been reviewing Ligonian custom, and now that Lutan has committed this act, he will want nothing more than courtesy from Picard as well, in her return. Riker is also worried about Lt Yar's safety.
Later, as the Enterprise is still orbiting Ligon II, Picard records a log entry, stating that he has not yet heard from Lutan, or his demands yet. He is growing overly concerned for his security officer's safety...
Soon, Dr Crusher enters the Bridge, while her son Wesley Crusher remains in the Turbolift. She goes to the Ready-Room to see Captain Picard. Once inside, Dr Crusher informs the captain that the vaccine does not respond to replication. She can inject it fine into a patient, but the vaccine will become ineffective once it's replicated. She pleads with Picard to get more supply of the vaccine, before it becomes too late, but Picard is troubled by this whole incident with Lutan's abduction of Lt Yar. After she relays the information about the vaccine, she drives another point of her visit, that of the young Wesley Crusher. At the mere mention of his name, Picard becomes uncomfortable, but Crusher explains that Wesley has a keen interest in starship operations, and if only Picard will give him a chance. At this, he exits his Ready-Room.
Picard soon approaches Wesley in the Turbolift, and Wesley informs the captain that he hasn't set one foot on the Bridge. Picard then orders Wesley to enter the Bridge and to take the Ops station, next to Geordi. Both Geordi and Wesley are surprised, and Picard grows annoyed when the whole crew has trouble hearing. Just then, Riker, Troi and Data step onto the Bridge, and Riker announces that he will take care of this. Picard stops Riker in his tracks and watches as Wesley takes the Ops station.
After the business with Wesley, Troi informs Picard that they have been doing more research on Ligonian culture. Data reports that the Ligonian culture is similar to that of the Native American Indian culture, in which Lutan considers himself a hero in the eyes of his people after kidnapping Yar. Troi points out that Picard must use extreme caution when asking for the return of Yar. Soon, Riker reports that a communication is coming through from the planet's surface. It is Lutan. Lutan demands that Picard and his crew show their image of themselves, and when Picard can see that this is going nowhere, he cuts communication.
Picard asks Troi on her help, and Troi states that he should ask for the return of Tasha, politely. Picard re-opens communication, and politely asks for the return of Tasha Yar. Lutan accepts this graciously, but he has one more demand. He would like Picard to attend a banquet in their honor and that he must openly ask for the return of Yar, and if he has satisfied their custom, he will return her. Picard now knows that this is getting more and more complicated.
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After Lutan has demanded that Picard beam down to the surface, Troi points out to Riker, formally, that Picard should attend the banquet that is about to be held. Riker objects to this course of action, but when Data points out that it is Ligonian custom to have their captain as host of their planet, Riker must relent. He does, however, warn Picard that if anything happens to him while on the planet, he personally will put Picard on report.
Soon, Picard and Troi beam down to the surface of Ligon II, and is greeted by Lutan, who welcomes Picard to his centerplace. Picard uneasily greets Lutan, who also introduces his First One, Yareena. Picard soon demands to see Lt Yar, but Lutan reassures him that he will see her tonight at their banquet. Picard's tolerance to Lutan has reached an all out breaking point, and Picard demands that he see her now. Yareena points out that Yar has been treated well, and that she will be returned as promised. Soon, a guard roughly escorts Lt Yar to Picard and Troi. Picard asks Tasha if she has been treated alright. Yar says that she has, so far, but it is growing weary every minute.
Back on the Enterprise, Riker reports that he is upgrading the ship's sensors to monitor the captain's movements on the surface, just in case Lutan makes another unexpected move. On the planet, the process for Captain Picard's honor is in progress, and soon Picard pleads with Lutan politely on the return of Lt Yar. Lutan is visibly impressed by Picard's behavior, but states that he cannot part with Lt Yar. Captain Picard may have his vaccine, but not Lt Yar. This is an unexpected twist on Picard's part, and soon Lutan points out that he has chosen Lt Yar as his First One. Upon hearing this, Yareena immediately objects to Lutan's course of action, and immediately orders the right of supersedence, which Hagon announces that it has not been used for two-hundred years. Lutan soon informs Picard that Yar and Yareena will fight to the death, but when Picard rejects, Lutan strongly announces that there will be no vaccine or treaty negotiations. Picard's dilemma is growing worse.
On the planet, Yar prepares for the battle to the death, while Yareena enters to explain to Yar that although Lutan has declared the battle to the death, she will not have him. Yar is adamant that she is fighting for the vaccine, and for the vaccine alone, not for Lutan or anyone. And if she were on their world, she would have refused, but Yareena angrily reminds Yar that she is on their world, and that she must follow their customs.
Soon, Picard and Troi visit Yar before the fight, and they both point out the inherent danger that Yar is facing in this battle. Soon, Troi uses her counseling techniques to see if Yar is really in love with Lutan. When Yar points out that she was surprised that Lutan chose her as his first, Yar sees Troi's tricks. Troi reminds Yar that she wanted to make sure if she knew what she was doing. Yar promises to the captain that she is fighting for the vaccine alone. Picard soon asks her about her health, and Yar judges it excellent.
Back on the Enterprise, Riker has been informed of the threat imposed on Lt Yar and is increasing security on the Enterprise. Dr Crusher soon reports to the Bridge, and Riker reports to her the information he has received from Starbase 535, which shows the growth rate of the bacteria and Crusher informs Riker that they are projecting the plague outbreak in the millions, and the Enterprise must obtain that vaccine. On the planet, Picard has received information about the plague on Styris IV, and informs the two of the outbreak. Picard soon believes that it is time for a chat with Lutan.
Picard joins Lutan and Hagon out in the centerplace. The two are discussing something, and when Picard interrupts, they discontinue. Picard is puzzled by Lutan's behavior and asks why he chose this course of action, when clearly he already has a First One. Lutan explains that women are a great distraction and of immense beauty, especially Lt Yar. Picard then tries to coax Lutan into revealing something, when he states that Lutan is a very powerful and wealthy person, who should not resort to this behavior. Soon, he has struck a nerve. Hagon informs Picard that Lutan may be important, but he is not wealthy as he thinks, but Lutan sharply dismisses Hagon from revealing too much information. Picard has struck something and now knows that Lutan's wealth is not really all that rich as he claimed it to be. Lutan says that he is in love with Yar and nothing can stop them now. Picard then offers Lutan best wishes for the combat to come, whilst accepting a glass of drink.
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On the Enterprise, Data visits Geordi in his quarters, during Geordi's traditional shave. Data wonders why Geordi isn't using an efficient shaver, rather than a deficient shaver, and Geordi explains that shaving is like an art. Data is puzzled by Geordi's remark, and agrees that he has misunderstanding of human behavior. Geordi wonders if Data is puzzled by human behavior, and Data informs him that he has trouble grasping their concept, especially humor.
At the mere mention of humor, Geordi tries to escape, but Data stops in his track, and Data soon tells an old Earth-style joke. After Data finishes telling the joke, Geordi doesn't laugh, which puzzles Data even more. Geordi informs Data that the joke he just told was too old, and he didn't tell it right. Before they can further elaborate human behavior of humor, they get a call from Commander Riker, telling them to report to the Transporter Room for an away mission. Data and Geordi comply.
After Data and Geordi beam down to the captain's location, Picard orders the pair to examine the Ligonian weapons that Lt Yar will be using in her fight to the death with Yareena. Specifically, Picard would like to know the weapons flexibility, durability and deadliness. After Picard gives them the order, Data asks Geordi if this is an example of a human joke. Geordi believes that it isn't, and this is a genuine order. But, the captain counteracts his offer, saying that it is a joke. With the Enterprise's superior technology, they could easily overwhelm the place, and take whatever they want. And although Data may not understand human behavior, he is a Starfleet Officer, and is aware of the Prime Directive that is prohibiting the captain from doing so. The captain then starts to ramble on Starfleet's mission and goals, which everyone is aware, but when he realizes that he is about to ramble on, he catches himself, and excuses himself.
Back on the Enterprise, Riker reports that they have finally fine-tuned their sensors so that they can lock onto their people, but the signal is very weak. He relays this information to Captain Picard, and warns that there are five people moving into their location. On the planet, the five men enter with boxes and Hagon informs Yar that these boxes contain the weapons she will use. She should chose them wisely. Soon, Data and Geordi enter Picard's location and report that the weapons are both flexible, durable and deadly. Geordi reports that some of the weapons even have traces of blood from previous victims, and warn that the weapons are poisonous as well.
Tasha soon picks up a weapon that looks like a mace on a glove, but with spines on them. Geordi warns Tasha not to touch the spines, as the spines are poisonous. Soon, they hear Yareena practising outside, and the party goes out to the window to watch her practise. Picard soon asks Data on the arena that Tasha and Yareena will be using, and Data reports that it measures only four square meter, and that the four beams of energy pole are deadly.
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Later, Data beams back to the ship, and asks the Transporter Chief if he was seen leaving. The Transporter Chief answers no, and soon, both Commander Riker and Dr Crusher greet him. Data soon reports to Riker that the captain has ordered him to inform Riker to beam Yar to safety if she is in serious danger. Dr Crusher has also been informed of the same.
On the planet, the fight is about to start, and Yar asks Picard for his final orders. Picard orders Yar to stay alive. The fight has begun, after Lutan announces that there shall be no interference from the spectators, and is begun after Hagon claps his hands. Both Yar and Yareena take their positions, and soon the fight begins. The pair are evenly matched in both strength and physicality. However, it is Yar that makes the first deadly move, when she latches Yareena's hands onto one of the laser poles, and her gloves go flying out and into the stomach of a spectator. The glove is soon returned, and the spectator dies.
After the glove is returned to Yareena, the fight resumes. The bout continues for a while, and when Hagon sees Yareena in trouble, he calls out to her, "Be careful, Yareena," much to Lutan's chagrin. Soon, it is Lt Yar who makes the deadly move, as she hits Yareena in the back with her weapon. After Yareena collapses from the poison, Yar jumps on top of her and she and Yareena is beamed onto the Enterprise. Yar feels remorseful at what she's done, and pleads with Dr Crusher to save her life.
Back on the planet, Lutan is furious that Picard interfered. Picard reminds Lutan that Yareena died and that he can prove it to him. Picard's won, and he wants Lutan to provide him with the vaccine. When Lutan isn't satisfied, Picard beams him and the others back to the ship, much to the surprise of Lutan. On the Bridge, Captain Picard and party arrive, and Riker immediately informs the captain that he is expected in the Observation Lounge.
Picard, Troi, Lutan, and Hagon move to the Observation Lounge, and Lutan is outraged when he sees Yareena still alive. Yareena is visibly disappointed at Lutan's reaction, and Lutan announces that there shall be no vaccine, or treaty. Picard is angry, and warns Lutan that he will show Yareena's medical record to prove that she did indeed die. Soon, Yareena approaches Lutan and takes off his First necklace, and says that as she fighting, she heard Hagon call out to her. Yareena places the necklace on Hagon and announces that he will be her first. Lutan has been demoted to second. Yar points out that is sad that Lutan gave up his leadership and wife, just for the sake of her. Yareena wants to know if Yar want him, and Yar rejects, saying that there will be complications. Soon, Hagon informs Picard that they do not understand their custom and rituals, and with that, the Ligonian party depart, with Lutan taking his place as second.
Back on the Bridge, Picard and crew is ready to depart for Styris IV. However, there is a slight problem. Wesley is still manning the Ops station, and Riker says that he has done so throughout their dilemma, and Picard relieves the young boy, and says that there will be more opportunities. Soon, Picard orders Riker to set course for Styris IV, and the Enterprise leaves orbit of Ligon II, after receiving the vaccine.
CREDITS:
Directed by RUSS MAYBERRY Written by KATHRYN POWERS & MICHAEL BARON
JESSE LAWRENCE FERGUSON as Lutan KAROLE SELMON as Yareena JAMES LOUIS WATKINS as Hagon
MICHAEL RIDER as Transporter Chief