"Jean-Luc, you remember," Q replies coyly, delight scrawled across his features. "You needn't have concern for that either, captain. Those who have gone merely used up their usefulness here. I sent them back to their own worlds. Yes, yes, I can do that."

He holds up a hand, wishing to stave off any point the captain may try to make from the admission. It's not as if he won't bring them right back given the changing winds and the condition of the sea; or, to the point, should he fancy it.

"If you are trying to imply I may be up to some mischief again, Mon Capitaine, I must say I am once again wounded," he goes on, clutching his heart. "That is not in the spirit of your holiday, is it?"