PICARD: Yes, Lieutenant?
TASHA: Captain, I request a transfer to the Enterprise-C.
PICARD: (surprised) For what reason?
TASHA: They need someone at tactical.
PICARD: We need you here.
TASHA: I’m not supposed to be here, sir.
PICARD: Sit down, Lieutenant. (when she does, he continues) What did she say to you?
TASHA: I don’t belong here, sir. I’m supposed to be dead.
PICARD: (rather aghast) She felt it necessary to reveal that to you?
TASHA: I felt it was necessary.
PICARD: I see. (a beat) You realize that it is very possible the Enterprise-C will fail. We will continue in this time line in which case your life, hopefully, will continue for a long while.
TASHA: I know how important it is that they don’t fail, Captain. That’s why I’m requesting this transfer.
PICARD: You don’t belong on that ship, Lieutenant.
TASHA: No, Captain Garrett belongs on that ship. But she’s dead. And I think there’s a certain logic in this request.
PICARD: There’s no logic in this at all. Whether they succeed or not, the Enterprise-C will be destroyed.
TASHA: But Captain, at least with someone at tactical, they will have a chance to defend themselves well. It may be a matter of seconds or minutes, but those could be the minutes that change history. (another beat) Guinan says I died a senseless death in the other time line. I didn’t like the sound of that, Captain. I’ve always known the risks that come with a Starfleet uniform. If I’m to die in one, I’d like my death to count for something.There is a long look between them, many feelings left unsaid.
PICARD: Lieutenant. Permission granted.
TASHA: (rises, a gracious look on her face) Thank you, sir.3.15 - Yesterday’s Enterprise
DATHON: Kira at Bashi. Temba, his arms wide.
PICARD: My turn? No, I’m not much of a story teller. Besides, you wouldn’t understand. Shaka. when the walls fell. Perhaps that doesn’t matter. You want to hear it anyway.PICARD thinks for a moment, wanting to find the most fitting tale.
PICARD: There’s a story, a very ancient one, from Earth. I’ll try and remember it. Gilgamesh, a king. Gilgamesh, a king, at Uruk. He tormented his subjects. He made them angry. They cried out aloud, “send us a companion for our king. Spare us from his madness.” Enkidu, a wild man from the forest, entered the city. They fought in the temple. They fought in the street. Gilgamesh defeated Enkidu. They became great friends. Gilgamesh and Enkidu at Uruk.
DATHON: (weak, mimicking) At Uruk.PICARD can see that DATHON’s health is failing. PICARD’s voice becomes almost a whisper, softly making the transition to his own way of speaking.
PICARD: (quiet) The new friends went out into the desert together, where the great bull of heaven was killing men by the hundreds. Enkidu caught the bull by the tail. Gilgamesh struck it with his sword.
DATHON: (barely audible, mimicking) Gilgamesh…
PICARD: They were victorious. But Enkidu fell to the ground, struck down by the gods.The Tamarian closes his eyes and PICARD looks at him. DATHON shudders once and is completely still.
PICARD: And Gilgamesh wept bitter tears, saying, “he who was my companion through adventure and hardship, is gone forever.”
5.02 - Darmok
