IKER<br>
    With all due respect, sir... I'm<br>
    not a raw cadet. I've lost people<br>
    on missions before.<br>
    (beat)<br>
    Carmen was a good friend. But<br>
    that's not why I'm saying this.</p>
  <p> He moves toward Picard, emphatic.</p>
  <p> RIKER<br>
    If we take the time to try to<br>
    communicate with this thing, we<br>
    may lose our chance to destroy<br>
    it. And I don't think we can risk<br>
    that.</p>
  <p> Picard doesn't answer. Riker holds his eye.</p