Unable to make contact with Starfleet, Captain.
Any attempt to transmit out of the cloud is being reflected back.
We are closing on it rapidly, Captain.
Reduce magnification factor four, Mr. Sulu.
We are already two settings below that, sir.
Mr. Sulu...
bring us into a parallel course...
over the alien...
at 500 meters.
Five hundred meters?
Then take us out to 100 kilometers distance...
adjusting parallel course.
Aye, sir.
Viewer astern.
Reverse angle on the view, Captain.
Five hundred meters.
Viewer ahead, sir.
Hold relative position here.
Mr. Spock!
Can that be one of their crew?
A probe from their vessel, Captain.
Plasma-energy combination.
Don't interfere with it.
Absolutely, I will not interfere.
No one interfere.
It doesn't seem interested in us. Only the ship.
Computer off.
It's taking control of the computer.
It's running our records... Earth defenses, Starfleet strength.
Ilia!
This is how I define "unwarranted."
Activate auxiliary computer circuits through manual shutoff.
Captain, we've been seized by a tractor beam.
Get someone up here to take the navigator's station.
- Engineering. - Chief DiFalco, to the bridge.
- Emergency power. - Going to full emergency.
But, Captain, if we don't break free in 15 seconds, she'll burn up.
We cannot break free, Captain.
We have only a fraction of the power necessary.
Engineering, belay that order.
Disengage all main drive systems.
Chief DiFalco, take over Lieutenant Ilia's station.
DiFalco, disengage engine navigation relays now.
Aye, sir.
Force field circuits E-10 through 14...
show ready for reactivation.
Confirm, please.
Scotty, drive systems should be free now.
Commander?
Ready to launch remote communications drone...
with complete ship's records...
including our present situation, sir.
Delay launching as long as possible.
Our drone can't escape as long as we're held in their tractor.
Aye.
Captain, a maximum phaser strike directly at the beam...
might weaken it just enough for us to break free.
Break free to where, Commander?
Any show of resistance would be futile, Captain.
We don't know that, Mr. Spock. Why are you opposed to trying?
Why bring us inside?
Not to destroy us. They could have done that outside.
They still can.
Curiosity, Mr. Decker.
Insatiable curiosity.
Captain, photic sonar readings indicate the aperture is closing.
We're trapped, sir.
Reverse angle on the viewer, Captain.
Tractor beam has released us, Captain.
Confirmed. Vessel is floating free.
No forward momentum.
Viewer ahead.
Viewer ahead, sir.
Maneuvering thrusters, Mr. Sulu. Ahead one third.
Thrusters ahead one third.
Let's take a look.
Full sensor scan, Mr. Spock.
They can't expect us not to look them over now.
Now that we're looking down their throat.
Right, now that we've got them just where they want us.
It's closing up.
Hold position.
Captain.
All our scans are being reflected back.
Sensors are useless.
Damn.
What do you make of all this?
I believe the closed orifice leads to another chamber...
undoubtedly part of the vessel's inner mechanism.
I suspect it may be necess...
Intruder alert! Deck 5. Officer's quarters.
Have Security meet me at deck 5, main elevator.
Spock. Mr. Decker, you have the conn.
Hold positions.
You are the Kirk unit.
You will assist me.
I have been programmed by V'Ger...
to observe and record...
normal functions of the carbon-based units...
infesting USS Enterprise.
- Jim, what's going on? - Tricorder.
Who is...
V'Ger?
V'Ger is that which programmed me.
Is V'Ger the name of the captain of the alien vessel?
Jim.
This is a mechanism.
A probe, Captain.
No doubt a sensor-transceiver combination...
recording everything we say and do.
Where is Lieutenant Ilia?
That unit no longer functions.
I've been given its form...
to more readily communicate with the carbon-based units...
infesting Enterprise.
Carbon-based units?
Humans, Ensign Perez. Us.
Why does V'Ger travel...
to the third planet of the solar system directly ahead?
To find the creator.
Find the creator?
Whose...
What does V'Ger want with the creator?
To join with him.
To join with the creator? How?
V'Ger and the creator will become one.
And who is the creator?
The creator is that which created V'Ger.
Who is V'Ger?
V'Ger is that which seeks the creator.
I'm ready to commence my observations.
Doctor, a thorough examination of this probe...
might provide some insight into those who manufactured it...
and how to deal with them.
Fine. Let's get her to sick bay.
I'm programmed to observe and record...
only the normal functioning of the carbon-based units.
The, uh...
examination is a normal function.
You may proceed.
Micro-miniature hydraulics...
sensors...
and molecule-sized multiprocessor chips.
And take a look at this.
An osmotic micropump, right here.
Even the smallest body functions are exactly duplicated.
Every exocrine system is the same, too...
even eye moisture.
Decker.
Fascinating.
Not "Decker unit."
Gentlemen.
Will.
- What happened to her? - Captain.
This probe may be our key to the aliens.
- Probe? Ilia? - Exactly.
It is a programmed mechanism, Commander.
Its body duplicates our navigator in precise detail.
Suppose that, beneath its programming...
the real Ilia's memory patterns are duplicated with equal precision.
- They had a pattern to follow. - Indeed.
They may have followed it too precisely.
Ilia's memory...
her feelings of loyalty, obedience, friendship...
might all be there.
You did have a relationship with Lieutenant Ilia, Commander.
That probe, in another form, is what killed Ilia.
Commander...
Will, we're locked in an alien vessel...
six hours from Earth's orbit.
Our only contact with our captor is that probe.
If we can control it, persuade it, use it...
I have recorded enough here.
You will now assist me further.
The, uh...
Decker unit can assist you with much greater efficiency.
Carry on with your assignment, Mr. Decker.
Aye, sir.
I am concerned with that being our only source of information, Captain.
Captain's Log. ? Stardate 7414. 1.
Our best estimates place us some four hours from Earth.
No significant progress thus far...
reviving Ilia memory patterns within the alien probe.
This remains our only means of contact with our captor.
All those vessels were called Enterprise.
The carbon units use this area for recreation.
This is one of the games.
What types of recreation does the crew aboard your vessel enjoy?
The words "recreation"...
and "enjoy"...
have no meaning to my programming.
Ilia enjoyed this game.
She nearly always won.
Good. He's using audiovisual association.
This device serves no purpose.
Why does Enterprise require the presence of carbon units?
Enterprise would be unable to function without carbon units.
More data concerning this functioning is necessary...
before carbon units can be patterned...
for data storage.
What does that mean?
When my examination is complete...
all carbon units will be reduced to data patterns.
Within you...
are the memory patterns of a certain carbon unit.
If I can help you to revive those patterns...
you could understand our functions better.
That is logical.
You may proceed.
I remember Lieutenant Ilia once mentioning she wore that.
Put it on.
On Delta.
Remember?
Ilia.
Dr. Chapel.
Will?
Ilia.
Commander.
This is a mechanism.
Ilia...
help us make direct contact with V'Ger.
I cannot.
This creator V'Ger is looking for... what is it?
V'Ger does not know.
Computer, commence recording.
Captain Kirk, these messages will detail my attempt...
to contact the aliens.
I intend to calculate thruster ignition and acceleration rate...
to coincide with the opening of the V'Ger orifice.
This should facilitate a better view...
of the interior of the alien spacecraft.
Captain, Starfleet signals are growing in strength, sir.
They still have the intruder on their monitors.
- It's decelerating. - Confirmed, sir.
Lunar beacons indicate intruder on a course into Earth orbit.
Sir, air lock 4 has been opened.
A thruster suit is reported missing.
A thruster suit?
That's Spock.
Damn him.
Bring him back here.
No, wait.
- Get a fix on his position. - Aye, sir.
I have successfully penetrated...
the next chamber of the alien's interior...
and I'm witnessing some sort of dimensional image...
which I believe to be a representation...
of V'Ger's home planet.
I'm passing through a connecting tunnel.
Apparently, a kind of plasma-energy conduit.
Possibly a field coil for a gigantic imaging system.
Curious.
I'm seeing images of planets, moons, stars...
whole galaxies all stored here, recorded.
It could be a representation of V'Ger's entire journey.
But who or what...
are we dealing with?
The Epsilon 9 station, stored here with every detail.
Captain, I am now quite convinced...
that all of this is V'Ger...
that we are inside a living machine.
Ilia.
The sensor...
must contain some special meaning.
I must try to mind-meld with it.
Spock.
Spock!
Spock.
Now scanning pons area at spinal nerve fiber connection.
Indications of some neurological trauma.
The power pouring through that mind-meld must have been staggering.
Spock.
Jim.
I should have known.
Were you right...
about V'Ger?
A life-form of its own.
A conscious, living entity.
A living machine?
It considers the Enterprise a living machine.
That's why the probe refers to our ship as an entity.
I saw V'Ger's planet.
A planet populated by living machines.
Unbelievable technology.
V'Ger has knowledge that spans this universe.
And yet...
with all its pure logic...
V'Ger is barren...
cold.
No mystery.
No beauty.
Should have known.
Known?
Known what? Spock.
What should you have known? What should you have known?
Jim...
this...
simple feeling...
is beyond V'Ger's comprehension.
No meaning, no hope.
Jim...
no answers.
It's asking questions.
"Is this...
all that I am?
Is there nothing more?"
Bridge to Captain.
Kirk here.
A faint signal from Starfleet, sir.
Intruder cloud has been located on their outer monitors...
for the past 27 minutes.
Cloud dissipating rapidly as it approaches.
Starfleet reports forward velocity has slowed to sub-warp speed.
We are three minutes from Earth orbit.
I'll be right there.
I need Spock on the bridge.
Dalaphaline, five cc's.
Captain, Starfleet is sending this tactical on V'Ger's position.
V'Ger is transmitting a signal.
Jim.
From V'Ger.
V'Ger signals the creator.
Spock?
A simple binary code...
transmitted by carrier wave signal.
Radio.
Radio?
Jim.
V'Ger expects an answer.
An answer?
I don't know the question.
The creator has not responded.
All planetary defense systems have just gone inoperative.
Sir, Starfleet computes the devices are proceeding...
toward equidistant positions orbiting the planet.
They're the same things that hit us.
They are hundreds of times more powerful, Captain.
From those positions...
they could devastate the entire surface of the planet.
Why?
The creator has not answered.
The carbon unit infestation is to be removed from the creator's planet.
Why?
You infest Enterprise.
You interfere with the creator in the same manner.
Carbon units are not an infestation.
They are...
a natural function of the creator's planet.
They are living things.
They are not true life-forms.
Only the creator and other similar life-forms are true.
"Similar life-forms."
Jim, V'Ger is saying its creator is a machine.
A machine.
Captain.
V'Ger is a child.
I suggest you treat it as such.
- A child? - Yes, Captain.
A child...
evolving, learning, searching...
instinctively needing.
- Needing what? - Spock.
This child is about to wipe out every living thing on Earth.
Now, what do you suggest we do? Spank it?
It knows only that it needs, Commander.
But, like so many of us...
it does not know what.
The carbon units know why the creator has not responded.
Disclose the information.
Not until V'Ger withdraws the devices orbiting the third planet.
Captain.
I'm losing Starfleet.
Interference from V'Ger.
Kirk unit, disclose the information.
Why has the creator not responded?
No.
Secure all stations.
Clear the bridge.
Clear the bridge, Captain?
- That was the order, Mr. Sulu. - Aye, sir.
Your child is having a tantrum, Mr. Spock.
V'Ger requires the information.
Bridge, secure all stations. Move out.
Jim, what the hell kind of strategy is this?
All ship's functions going to automatic, Captain.
If V'Ger destroys the Enterprise...
the information that V'Ger requires will also be destroyed.
It is illogical to withhold required information.
Kirk unit!
Kirk unit.
Why do you not disclose information?
Because V'Ger's going to destroy all carbon units on the third planet.
They have repressed the creator.
The information will not be disclosed.
V'Ger needs the information.
Then V'Ger must withdraw all the orbiting devices.
V'Ger will comply...
if the carbon units will disclose the information.
It learns fast, doesn't it?
Captain, the vessel... V'Ger...
obviously operates from a central brain complex.
The orbiting devices would be controlled from that point, then.
Precisely.
The carbon unit's information cannot be disclosed to V'Ger's probe...
but only to V'Ger directly.
Forward motion, Captain.
Tractor beam.
Captain, what's the next move?
The question is, Mr. Decker...
is there a next move?
Resume duty stations.
All personnel, resume stations.
Well, Mr. Decker, it seems my bluff has been called.
I'm afraid our hand is pretty weak, Captain.
Mr. Chekov, when do those devices reach final position?
Twenty-seven minutes. Mark.
- Engineering. - Scott here.
Mr. Scott, be prepared to execute Starfleet order 2-0-0-5.
When, sir?
On my command.
Aye, sir.
Why has the captain ordered self-destruct, sir?
I would say, lass, because he thinks...
he hopes that when we go up, we'll take the intruder with us.
Will we?
When that much matter and antimatter are brought together...
oh, yes, we will indeed.
Eighteen minutes to device activation, sir.
Gravity control, get me an all-decks readout.
Starfleet has been apprised of our situation, Captain.
Crew status is 1-7-2 at duty stations...
2- 4-8 off-duty...
11 in sick bay 0-9'er.
Tractor beam remains constant.
We are 17 kilometers inside the vessel.
Engineering, show me your pylon stress readings.
Deck 4, that temperature should read 1-0-1-3 degrees.
Please confirm.
Spock.
Mr. Spock.
Not for us.
No, Captain, not for us.
For V'Ger.
I weep for V'Ger as I would for a brother.
As I was when I came aboard...
so is V'Ger now...
empty, incomplete and searching.
Logic and knowledge are not enough.
Spock, are you saying that you found what you needed...
but V'Ger hasn't?
What would V'Ger need to fulfill itself?
Each of us...
at some time in our lives, turns to someone...
a father, a brother, a god...
and asks...
"Why am I here?
What was I meant to be?"
V'Ger hopes to touch its creator...
to find its answers.
"Is this all that I am? Is there nothing more?"
Captain.
Forward motion slowing, Captain.
Captain, I believe that is our destination.
I read an oxygen-gravity envelope forming outside the Enterprise.
Forward motion stopped, Captain.
V'Ger.
Sir, I've located the source of V'Ger's radio signal.
It's directly ahead.
That transmitter is a vital link between V'Ger and its creator.
The carbon units will now provide V'Ger...
with the required information.
Mr. Spock. Bones.
Mr. Decker, I will contact you every five minutes.
Captain.
I'd like to go along.
Mr. Sulu, you have the conn.
V'Ger.
"V... G-E-R."
V'Ger.
"V-O-Y-A-G-E-R."
Voyager.
Voyager 6.
NASA. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Jim...
this was launched more than 300 years ago.
Voyager series.
Designed to collect data...
and transmit it back to Earth.
Captain...
Voyager 6 disappeared into what they used to call a black hole.
It must have emerged on the far side of the galaxy...
and fell into the machine planet's gravitational field.
The machine inhabitants found it to be one of their own kind...
primitive, yet kindred.
They discovered its simple 20th-century programming...
collect all data possible.
Learn all that is learnable.
Return that information to its creator.
Precisely, Mr. Decker.
The machines interpreted it literally.
They built this entire vessel...
so that Voyager could actually fulfill its programming.
And on its journey back...
it amassed so much knowledge...
it achieved consciousness itself.
It became a living thing.
Kirk unit.
V'Ger awaits the information.
Enterprise...
order up the ship's computer library records...
on the late 20th-century NASA probe Voyager 6.
Specifically, we want the old NASA code signal...
that instructs the probe to transmit its data.
- And fast, Uhura, fast. - Aye, sir.
That's what it's been signaling...
its readiness to transmit its information.
And there's no one on Earth...
who could recognize the old signal and send a response.
The creator does not answer.
V'Ger.
V'Ger!
We are the creator.
That is not logical.
Carbon units are not true life-forms.
We will prove it.
We will make it possible for you to complete your programming.
Only the creator could accomplish that.
Enterprise?
We have just received the response code, Captain.
Set the Enterprise transmitter on appropriate frequency...
and transmit the code now.
Transmitting.
5-0-4...
3-2-9...
3-1-7...
5-1-0...
and the final sequence.
That should trigger Voyager's transmitter.
Voyager is not transmitting its data, Captain.
The creator must join with V'Ger.
Uhura, repeat the final sequence.
The creator must join with V'Ger.
Voyager is not transmitting, Captain...
because it did not receive the final sequence.
Jim, we're down to ten minutes.
Enterprise, stand by.
- The antenna leads are melted away. - Yes, Captain, just now.
By V'Ger itself.
- Why? - To prevent reception.
Of course.
To bring the creator here.
To finish transmitting the code in person.
To touch the creator.
Capture God?
V'Ger's liable to be in for one hell of a disappointment.
Perhaps not, Doctor.
Captain.
V'Ger must evolve.
Its knowledge has reached the limits of this universe. It must evolve.
What it requires of its god, Doctor, is the answer to its question...
Is there nothing more?
What more is there than the universe, Spock?
Other dimensions. Higher levels of being.
The existence of which cannot be proven logically.
Therefore, V'Ger is incapable of believing in them.
What V'Ger needs in order to evolve...
is a human quality...
our capacity to leap beyond logic.
Joining with its creator might accomplish that.
You mean this machine wants to physically join with a human?
Is that possible?
Let's find out.
Decker.
I'm gonna key the final sequence through the ground test computer.
You don't know what that'll do to you!
Yes, I do, Doctor.
Decker, don't.
Jim, I want this.
As much as you wanted the Enterprise, I want this.
Captain.
Spock, did we just see the beginning of a new life-form?
Yes, Captain. We witnessed a birth.
Possibly a next step in our evolution.
I wonder.
Well, it's been a long time since I delivered a baby.
I hope we got this one off to a good start.
I hope so too.
I think we gave it the ability to create its own sense of purpose...
out of our own human weaknesses...
and the drive that compels us to overcome them.
And a lot of foolish human emotions. Right, Mr. Spock?
Quite true, Doctor.
Unfortunately, it will have to deal with them as well.
Interrogative from Starfleet.
They're requesting damage and injury reports and complete vessel status.
Report two casualties.
Lieutenant Ilia.
Captain Decker.
- Aye, sir. - Correction.
They're not casualties.
They...
List them as missing.
Vessel status: Fully operational.
Aye, sir.
Mr. Scott, shall we give the Enterprise a proper shakedown?
I would say it's time for that, sir, aye.
We can have you back on Vulcan in four days, Mr. Spock.
Unnecessary, Mr. Scott.
My task on Vulcan is completed.
Mr. Sulu, ahead warp 1.
- Warp 1, sir. - Heading, sir?
Out there.
Thataway.