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Homeward

Captain's Log, Stardate 47423.9:

We have arrived at Boraal II

in response to an emergency distress call

from Lieutenant Worf's foster brother, Nikolai Rozhenko.

He has been stationed on the planet as a cultural observer.

Analysis, Mr. Data.

The planet's atmosphere is dissipating, sir.

Intense plasmonic reactions are destroying it.

The stratosphere is already breaking down.

There are turbulent radiation storms across much of its surface.

I estimate that the planet will be uninhabitable in less than 38 hours.

The distress call came in only four days ago.

Why would Dr. Rozhenko have waited so long before sending it?

Atmospheric dissipation is a rare and essentially unpredictable event.

When it occurs, it proceeds rapidly.

Dr. Rozhenko may not have had sufficient warning.

What was that?

The dissipation effect is generating plasmonic energy bursts.

Is there any danger to the ship?

I do not believe so.

However, we may experience intermittent system failures and power surges as a result.

Keep an eye on it.

Mr. Worf, any luck?

There is still no response to our hails, sir.

I'm attempting to scan the observation post.

He could be hurt. Maybe he can't respond.

WORF: Sensor interference is significant, but the post appears to be intact.

Their power grid is still functioning.

However, I am reading no life-forms within the structure.

It's not like him to leave the post.

Especially under these circumstances.

Captain, I'm detecting faint power emissions from a system of caverns near the post.

It could be a deflector shield.

They can't be native to the planet.

The Boraalans don't have anything close to that level of technology.

Captain, request permission to lead an away team.

Very well.

But regardless of this planet's immediate situation, we must observe the Prime Directive.

I want to minimize the risk of contact with the inhabitants.

You will go down alone, Mr. Worf, and I want to have you surgically altered so that you could pass as a Boraalan.

Aye, sir.

You're worried about Nikolai, aren't you?

Yes.

Are the two of you close?

We are brothers.

You never talk much about him. What's he like?

Nikolai is older than I and we are not alike.

We had many disagreements when we were growing up.

That's not unusual.

Nikolai has a mind of his own.

He attended Starfleet Academy, but he was unable to follow the rules.

He left after one year.

But he has many fine qualities.

He's brilliant, persuasive... a natural leader.

Sounds intriguing. I look forward to meeting him.

MAN: What are you doing here?

You're not from our village.

Who are you?

Who is this?

My name is Worf.

I am a traveler.

How did you survive the storms?

MAN: I would know that voice anywhere.

Worf, is it really you?

It's good to see you.

You've changed a lot in four years.

Nikolai?

Yes. ( laughing )

Oh, Worf.

This is my brother, Worf. He's come to help us.

Space... the final frontier.

These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.

Its continuing mission--

to explore strange new worlds...

to seek out new life and new civilizations...

to boldly go where no one has gone before.

But if you were able to get here, the storms must have subsided. Please...

Do you think it's safe enough to return to the surface?

Please, I must speak to my brother.

Nikolai, what have you done?

They were dying.

I refused to sit there safe in that observation post and watch it happen.

I set up a deflector shield to screen these caves from the radiation and then I brought them here.

What did you tell them?

They think I'm a Boraalan.

I told them I was from another village far from here.

Well, at least you had that much sense.

When I sent the distress call,

I knew the Enterprise was in this sector, but I wasn't sure you'd be the one to come.

I'm so glad that you're here, Worf.

Nikolai, there is nothing we can do for these people.

You have only postponed their deaths.

I want to discuss that with your captain.

And I am certain he will want to speak with you.

Friends, my brother and I must go back to the surface.

He has provisions and will need help bringing them here.

We will return shortly.

It's too dangerous.

The storms can occur without warning.

If you're caught in one... Don't worry. Worf is a seer.

He understands the nature of the storms.

He'll know when it's safe to travel.

Yes. That is correct.

Our seer died when the storms first came.

We've been without his guidance for many weeks.

Let me go with you.

I know the terrain better than anyone and I can help.

No, Vorin. Worf and I will be safe.

We'll return shortly.

Doctor, you were fully aware that the atmospheric dissipation could not be stopped.

What did you hope to accomplish by assisting these people?

I was trying to give them a future.

What I propose is we create an atmospheric shield on the planet.

We can camouflage the equipment just as was done with my observation post.

No one will ever know it's there.

You can't be serious.

Indeed, I am.

I realize it will only provide atmosphere for a limited area on the surface, but it will be enough to save one village.

I have no intention of compounding what you have done by committing another gross violation of the Prime Directive.

Captain, the Boraalans have a rich and beautiful culture, a deep spiritual life.

They deserve the chance to survive, and isn't that what the Prime Directive was truly intended to do-- to allow cultures to survive and grow naturally?

Not exactly.

The Prime Directive was designed to insure noninterference.

But aren't we interfering either way?

If we take no action, it's a conscious decision to let the Boraalans die.

Exactly.

We have the power to save some of them.

All we have to do is exercise it.

We are sworn to uphold the principle of the Prime Directive.

And until that is changed, there is no further course of action that we can take.

Is that understood?

Some of my... log recorders are still in my observation post.

They contain most of my research.

Since it appears that the only way,

I'm going to preserve the Boraalan culture is in a museum...

I request permission to return to the surface and retrieve them.

I'm afraid that won't be possible.

But you can have full use of the ship's computer to set up a com link and upload your data from here.

If there's nothing further, you're dismissed.

I am sorry, Nikolai.

I wish there were another way.

I am quite familiar with your communications systems.

If you like, I will help you set up your com link.

I'll do it myself.

Captain, atmospheric dissipation has accelerated over the past several hours.

I estimate the planet's atmosphere will be completely gone within three minutes.

Captain, I've completed my data uplink.

With your permission, I would like to integrate my research logs with the ship's library computer.

Of course.

DATA: The mesosphere is gone, sir.

Plasmonic reactions are now beginning to break down the troposphere.

Put it on screen.

What's going on?

It appears the plasmonic reactions are continuing to interfere with our sensors.

I thought you had compensated for that.

I had, sir.

I will attempt to engage additional filtering elements.

Visual reestablished.

This is one of those times... when we must face the ramifications of the Prime Directive and honor those lives which we cannot save.

I find no honor in this whatsoever, Captain.

You will forgive me if I don't stay.

You have the Bridge, Number One.

Helm, take us out of orbit.

Set a course for Starbase 87, warp five.

HELM: Aye, sir.

What happened?

There appears to be an unusual power drain in the EPS distribution net.

RIKER: What's the source? Unknown, sir.

It is difficult to localize.

The power drain is registered on my security grid as well, sir.

It appears to be coming from Deck ten.

All right, Mr. Worf, get a security team on it.

Aye, sir.

Concentrate your scans on the EPS transfer links.

Computer, open Holodeck five.

COMPUTER: Unable to comply.

Holodeck five is in use.

Override. Authorization: Worf-theta-six-one-nine.

COMPUTER: Unable to comply.

Holodeck control systems have been bypassed.

NIKOLAI: Worf, come in.

Nikolai?

What are you doing here?

I have something to show you.

Whatever you do, stay quiet.

Look.

I've done what you refused to do.

I've saved them.

NIKOLAI: I started thinking about this days ago when it became clear the planet was doomed.

I knew if I could gain access to your ship's computer,

I could generate a replica of the caves.

The hard part was transporting the Boraalans into the Holodeck without anybody on the Enterprise noticing.

But I was able to blank out the sensors and make it look like interference from the plasmonic bursts.

And it worked... perfectly.

The Boraalans were transported while they were sleeping.

They never knew anything had happened.

Bridge.

It's a simple plan, really, that's the beauty of it.

Worf, trust me. This is going to work.

Trust you?

You never had any intention of obeying the captain.

I wasn't going to let those people die just because your captain started quoting

Federation dogma to me.

Your duty was to respect the captain's orders and to uphold the Prime Directive.

Duty?

That's all that really matters to you, isn't it?

Well, I refuse to be bound by an abstraction.

The lives of the people of Boraal are far more important to me.

You worry too much, Worf. You always did.

Everything will work out.

You have disgraced yourself.

And you have disgraced me.

And I want nothing more to do with you.

You realize your career is finished.

I know that, Captain, and I would do it all again.

What do you expect us to do now?

You have left us with a colony of Boraalans who think they're still on their own planet.

I didn't beam them up without a plan.

I've given this a lot of thought.

I think we can find a new planet, an M-class world that can be their new home.

A home which would look very different from Boraal.

You can't really believe that they'll be fooled.

That's where the Holodeck comes in.

I'll go back and tell the Boraalans we're going on a journey to a different place where they'll be safe from the storms.

The Holodeck can gradually change the terrain as we travel so that, in the end, the Holodeck simulation will match the conditions on the new planet.

Then we'll simply beam them down.

What if it doesn't work?

What if they become aware that something strange is going on?

Captain, I can't prepare for every contingency, but I assure you, I'm accustomed to thinking on my feet.

I'll deal with the situation as it evolves.

I'm not enthusiastic about this plan, but I don't see that we have another option.

Very well, let's give it a try.

Thank you, Captain.

There are countless M-class planets in Federation space that can support the Boraalans.

We need to narrow the parameters.

It will take approximately 9 1/2 hours to complete the analysis.

Even then, there's no guarantee that we'll find a suitable planet.

That is correct, sir.

Captain, you'd better take a look at this.

What is it? We've got a problem, sir.

I don't think it's going to be possible to keep this Holodeck simulation stable.

PICARD: Why not? LA FORGE: The plasmonic energy bursts from the planet are affecting the ship's systems.

We're having problems with the EPS systems and the power distribution matrix.

And as a result, the Holodeck imaging processor has been severely destabilized.

It's not a question of whether the simulation will break down, it's a question of when.

There's no way around it? Not while it's running.

In order to fix it, I'd have to shut down all of the Holodecks and re-initialize the entire system.

That will take hours.

We'll just have to hope the simulation holds long enough.

Very well, let's try it.

Mr. La Forge, I want you to monitor the situation very carefully and keep an open com link with the Holodeck so as to be apprised of any problems. Aye, sir.

Captain, I'll return to the Holodeck as soon as my surgical alterations are completed and I'll prepare the Boraalans for their journey.

Considering the situation you have put us in,

I don't think it's wise to leave you alone with those people.

Mr. Worf will accompany you.

Sir, perhaps someone else would be a better choice.

Counselor Troi is familiar with...

Mr. Worf, the Boraalans already know you.

There's no need to introduce them to anyone new.

Aye, sir.

Keep a close eye on your brother.

I don't want him making this situation worse than it is.

My friends, we have returned.

We have food.

This is difficult to say, but you have a right to hear it.

By the time Worf and I had reached the surface, the village was gone.

The storms have destroyed everything.

There is nothing left for us to return to.

We can't survive in here.

Our supplies won't last forever.

That's why we must leave.

There is a place far from here where there are no storms.

It will be a difficult journey, but, in the end, we will have a new home.

I know a way through the caves.

We will travel safely until we return to the surface.

Where is this new land?

As we said, it is far from here.

It will not be like the home you knew.

Even the stars may be different.

Why would they be different?

And how do you know we'll be safe there?

My brother is a seer.

If he says we'll be safe, you must trust that we will be safe.

( woman screams )

What's wrong? Look!

Do not worry. It is an omen.

What does it mean?

It is the sign... of La Forge.

It is a message to travelers.

It is said when these lines appear and disappear in a pool of water, the road ahead will be filled with good fortune.

Hang in there, Worf.

Give me just a second... there.

That should do it.

You see? Our journey is already blessed.

The road ahead is long.

Let us have a meal together, then we'll make preparations to leave.

Worf, very good work.

Apparently, we don't make such a bad team after all.

We are not a team.

I am here because Captain Picard ordered me here.

Worf, don't we both share the same goal?

Aren't we both trying to make this plan work?

Only because you forced us into it.

I'm not ashamed of what I did.

I'm not sorry I saved their lives.

You have not changed.

You still expect people to solve the problems you create.

I'm not here to work out the issues of our childhood.

I'm here to save a people, who I care about, and if that upsets you, then so be it.

DATA: These are the two planets which best match our search criteria.

Draygo IV features an unusually large temperate zone.

However, it is within three light-years of Cardassian space.

There are constant border disputes in that sector.

The alternative is Vacca VI.

It is located in the Cabral sector.

That's pretty isolated.

It offers a less hospitable climate than the Boraalans are accustomed to.

However, it would still appear to be the better choice.

Do you disagree, Doctor?

No, Data, you're right.

It's just that the enormity of what we're doing is overwhelming.

We are deciding the future of a species.

It is a formidable responsibility.

There are so many questions we don't have answers to.

What if the climate is so different that it affects them in a way that we can't anticipate?

How do we even know they'll be able to survive?

And if they do, how would their society evolve and what impact will it have on the Vaccan system?

We have no idea what this decision will mean to their future.

Doctor, I do not believe we can offer any guarantees.

We can simply make the best choice we have at the moment.

All right, Data.

Vacca VI it is.

Data to Bridge. Picard here.

We have located a new home for the Boraalans, sir.

It is Vacca VI in the Cabral sector.

We can reach that in 42 hours at maximum warp, sir. Very well.

Helm, set course for Vacca VI. HELM: Aye, sir.

( laughing )

What is this?

Our chronicle.

The history of our village?

Doesn't your village keep a chronicle?

Not in this manner.

Then how do you teach your children their history-- who their ancestors were, where they come from?

We tell each other stories... make up songs.

Stories change with each person who tells them... but this-- this will always be the same.

Our chronicle has been maintained for 17 generations.

I was only able to save the last six.

This shows the destruction of our village.

This is you and Nikolai leading us to safety.

We must leave.

Gather your belongings.

One of the scrolls is gone.

I must have dropped it in the passageway.

I'll go find it.

We must stay together.

You will have to leave it behind.

Worf, the chronicle is the life of our village.

Without that past, our future means nothing.

I must find it.

Go. And return quickly.

Seer.

I am an old man.

Would you help me with my gear?

Of course.

That is Tarrana, my daughter.

I am fortunate she was old enough to survive the storms.

She is a fine girl.

Oh, she is a beautiful girl.

She has not been promised to anyone.

If I do not reach our new home,

I would like her to become your wife.

You will reach your new home.

I promise.

( buzzing )

Can I help you?

( buzz of conversation )

Are you okay? Do you need some help?

It's okay.

Take it easy.

All right, everybody, back off. Back off.

I know things must look very strange to you, but everything's going to be all right.

No one's going to hurt you.

We're friends of Nikolai and Worf.

Don't be afraid.

Nikolai? Yes.

He's my friend, and that means you are, too.

I promise. I won't hurt you.

Please... help me.

Where am I?

I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do.

His neurophysiology is very unusual.

I can't wipe his memory.

I see. How is he?

As well as can be expected.

I've given him a mild sedative and Troi's been speaking with him and he seems much calmer.

Does he understand the situation? I think so.

Contact Mr. Worf.

Make sure that he knows what's going on.

TROI: Here he is now.

This is Captain Picard.

Vorin, isn't it?

Why did you bring us here?

Your planet was dying.

It could no longer support life.

We took you away from it.

But... we never left the caves.

We have the ability to create the illusion of other places, like the caves on your planet.

You've actually spent the last two days here on this starship, not on Boraal.

Then our home... is gone.

Yes.

PICARD: Vorin, listen to me.

We can visit many other worlds.

We can take you to one where you can build a new life.

A new life?

A chance for your culture, your people to survive and grow.

How can we grow when everything that made us who we are is gone?

Dobara, you go on ahead.

I will carry your pack.

Go and join the others.

Thank you, seer.

It will be dark soon-- a few hours.

Would you ask Mr. La Forge to create a suitable campsite for us a few kilometers from here?

What's wrong?

Vorin has left the Holodeck.

How did he get out? I do not know.

But Dr. Crusher cannot erase his memory.

What will they do with him?

They've explained the situation to him.

He must make his own decisions. Wait.

Are you saying that if Vorin wants to come back in here, they'll let him?

That is right. He is not a prisoner.

But if he comes back here and tells the others what he has seen on the Enterprise, everything we have done will be for nothing.

Then you should have considered that before you beamed them on board.

But you never think of the consequences of your acts.

If you mean by that that I'm willing to do something while others hesitate, that's true.

Everywhere you go, you create chaos.

How many times did our parents lie awake at night wondering what kind of trouble you were in?

Oh, if only I could have been like you--

Worf, the perfect son!

I was not perfect, but I was not wild and disobedient.

Of course not, you were too busy doing your duty.

I would rather be accused of that than making our mother weep.

But I see it is clear, you have no intention of changing.

I see no reason to discuss it further.

Commander, the Holodeck malfunctions are increasing.

I'm running every stabilization routine I know.

WORF: How much longer until we reach the new planet?

We'll be there in less than eight hours.

You're just going to have to hold things together a little while longer.

WORF: Someone is coming.

May I speak with you?

Yes, of course.

I don't know what Nikolai said to you, but please... forgive him?

It is an old argument.

I've never seen him like this.

He's usually so... confident, so sure of himself.

But now he seems... different.

Do you know why?

No. No, I do not.

Ever since Vorin was lost, people have been afraid-- worried that we won't reach our new home.

We need Nikolai's strength now more than ever.

When the storms first came to our village, many of us were ready to die, but Nikolai refused to let us.

He gathered us together and led us into caves.

He saved us.

He is a brave and compassionate man and I love him.

Please... go to him.

Make things right between you.

I want us to be a family.

Us?

Yes.

I want you to consider yourself my brother.

After all...

...you're going to be the uncle of my child.

We are in synchronous orbit over the beam-down site, sir.

Good.

Mr. La Forge, how much longer before we can transport the Boraalans?

LA FORGE: A few more hours, Captain, but we've got some problems here.

I don't think the Holodeck's going to last that long.

We've had materialization errors and resolution failures all over the place.

And it's getting worse.

The simulation could fall apart any minute.

We'll have the Transporter Room standing by, but we may have to transport the Boraalans whether you're ready or not.

Please keep Mr. Worf apprised.

LA FORGE: Aye, sir.

You have the Bridge, Number One.

We still have one more problem to worry about.

( door chimes )

( door chimes )

Yes.

We have arrived at the planet that I told you about.

Have you made a decision?

I believe I would like to go back to my people.

I see.

What do you intend to tell them?

I don't know.

If you tell them the truth, what will happen?

Will they believe you?

( laughing )

I'm not sure.

It is a fantastic story.

Perhaps they will think that you have had an hallucination or that you're insane.

I don't think I would like to live the rest of my life knowing what I know and being regarded as a madman.

On the other hand, they may believe your fantastic story.

They will learn about... alien worlds, starships.

That would be disastrous.

It would destroy everything they believed in.

I can't tell them the truth... but I don't think I can live with a secret.

Then stay here.

Make a future for yourself with us.

I need some time.

Please.

How could you have mated with a Boraalan?

What were you thinking?!

I don't owe you an explanation.

This is a matter between Dobara and myself.

As usual, you are only thinking of yourself.

And as usual, you are here to point out the error of my ways.

You have treated Dobara with dishonor. I have not!

I love her and we are going to raise our child together. That is not possible!

I cannot allow you to remain here.

You will have to kill me first!

( loud crackling )

What does it mean? The storms have returned.

We'll all be killed. No, you won't.

Worf has the power to end the storms once and for all.

Yes, but everyone must take shelter in the tents.

The tents won't protect us. Worf will protect you. You must trust him.

Hurry, hurry. Get to your tents now.

Commander, it might be helpful if you could produce a storm-- wind, lightning and thunder.

I'll see what I can do.

NIKOLAI: Get in! Get in!

The storm is getting worse!

Stay inside.

Worf and I will take care of you.

Commander, energize.

The storms will not return.

As I said he would, my brother Worf has saved us all.

Captain's Log, Stardate 47427.2:

The Boraalans have safely reached the site

of what will eventually become their new village.

None of them suspects they ever left their planet.

However, our success has come at a high price.

I think it was some form of ritual suicide.

He said that he had nowhere to go.

He would have died even if we hadn't interfered.

But he wouldn't have died alone... and afraid.

Are you saying you're sorry we saved the Boraalans? No, of course not.

Our plan for them worked out well.

( sighs )

But I wish that Vorin could have bridged the gap between our two cultures.

I would have liked the chance to have known him better.

What?

Go inside.

Nikolai, don't. Please.

I told you you would have to kill me to get me away from here.

I do not want to fight you, Nikolai.

Things were never easy between us, were they?

No.

It's my fault.

If I had been more like you, we wouldn't have had so many problems.

No.

If you had been more like me, these people would not be here now.

You gave them a chance at a new life.

And I intend to share that life with them.

The village will need a new chronicle.

Someone has to begin it.

My child will need a father.

My place is here.

I'm finally taking responsibility.

You were never good at drawing.

How will you keep a chronicle?

I learn quickly.

Then perhaps there is hope.

Could I take this with me?

Hmm... it's yours.

I will have to explain all of this to mother and father.

They won't understand.

They may.

I will tell them... that you are happy.