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Journey's End

Captain's Log, Stardate 47751.2.

The Enterprise has arrived at Starbase 310

for a meeting with Fleet Admiral Necheyev.

This visit has also given us the opportunity

to pick up a member of the family.

Here you are-- your very own quarters.

And they're as far away from mine as possible so you don't even have to see me if you don't want to.

Mom, you know that's not why I asked for my own quarters this time.

You don't have to explain.

There comes a time in a young man's life when he doesn't want to stay with his poor, senile mother.

I understand. I'll come visit you in the old doctor's home every Sunday.

( door chimes )

Come in.

So... is there a runaway cadet in here?

If so, we may have to call security.

Welcome back, Wes.

Thanks.

So, how's life at the academy?

It's great.

It's great, but it's good to have a break.

DATA: I was, of course, not serious about calling security.

It was a joke.

I got it, Data.

So, you just going to lounge around while we all have work to do around here?

I'm sure I can find some time to help you, sir.

No, Wes. Enjoy your vacation.

I'm sure you've earned it.

Thanks.

Well, I think we'd better let you settle in.

Yeah, that's a good idea. Say, Wes, don't, uh... don't sleep your whole vacation away, all right?

Good-bye, Wes.

Oh... it's good to have you home, son.

Thanks, Mom.

Really.

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.

Admiral Necheyev has just beamed aboard.

She's being escorted right here. Good.

Earl Grey tea, watercress sandwiches and Bularian canapés?

Are you up for a promotion?

I am trying to establish a new relationship with the admiral.

There has been a certain amount of tension between us in the past.

"Tension" is hardly the word I'd use.

Well, I am trying to get things off on a better note this time.

I want her to feel at ease, I want her to feel that she's welcome onboard the Enterprise.

Is there any reason she shouldn't feel welcome here?

We don't have to like her, Will, but we have to follow her orders, and maintaining this atmosphere of confrontation serves no purpose.

Admiral Necheyev, welcome onboard the Enterprise.

Thank you, Captain.

You may leave, Commander Riker.

Thank you, Admiral. Captain.

May I offer you some refreshments, Admiral?

I'll come right to the point, Captain.

There's a situation that's developed on the Cardassian border that...

Are those Bularian canapés?

Oh, as a matter of fact, they are.

I... spoke with your aide, Commander Wrightwell, and he said that you were particularly fond of them.

That was very thoughtful, Captain.

Thank you.

Please.

You were saying about the Cardassians...

Yes. The Federation has just completed a very long and drawn-out series of negotiations regarding the final status of our border with the Cardassians.

These will be the official boundaries.

I see.

You'll notice a demilitarized zone has also been created along the border.

Neither side will be permitted to place military outposts, conduct fleet exercises, or station warships anywhere in the demilitarized area.

This border places several Federation colonies in Cardassian territory and some Cardassian colonies in ours.

This agreement is far from perfect.

Neither side got everything they wanted but every side got something, and as someone once said,

"Diplomacy is the art of the possible."

Those colonies finding themselves on the wrong side of the border will have to be moved.

Well, the colonists are not going to be happy about that.

Some of them have been there for decades.

It won't be easy, but it's a reasonable price to pay for peace.

Your mission will be to evacuate the colony on Dorvan V.

Dorvan V?

Isn't that where the group of North American Indians settled?

Yes, they've been there for about 20 years.

They've established a village in a small valley on the southern continent.

Is something wrong?

Admiral, centuries ago, these North American Indians were forcibly displaced from their ancestral lands.

These settlers on Dorvan V originally left Earth more than 200 years ago in order to preserve their cultural identity.

I am aware of that, Captain.

You see, Admiral, there are some very disturbing historical parallels here.

Once more, they are being asked to leave their homes because of a... a political decision that has been taken by a distant government.

An Indian representative was included in the deliberations of the Federation council.

His objections were noted, discussed, but ultimately rejected.

Captain, the Indians on Dorvan are a nomadic group that have settled there only 20 years ago and, at that time, they were warned that the planet was hotly disputed by the Cardassians.

The bottom line is, they never should have gone there in the first place.

Granted, but to go to them now, after 20 years, and ask them to leave what is now their home...

I made that same argument with the Federation council but it took three years to negotiate this treaty.

Some concessions had to be made, and this was one of them.

What if these Indians refuse to be evacuated?

Then your orders will be to remove them by whatever means are necessary.

I understand your moral objections, Captain.

If you wish, I can find someone else to command the Enterprise for this mission.

That will not be necessary, Admiral.

I don't envy you this task, but I do believe it is for the greater good.

I understand.

And, Captain... thank you for... making me feel welcome.

You will always be welcome aboard this ship, Admiral.

Thanks, Ensign. Mm-hmm.

Hey, Wes, there you are. Come here for a second.

I've got something I want to show you.

Come on, come on. You got to take a look at this.

Now, remember how we always used to talk about improving quantum efficiency by creating a new plasma-dyne relay?

Well... take a look... at this.

WES: You've only got one microfusion interrelay in there?

Your converter interface will never hold up.

Hey, I ran these diagnostics myself.

This little baby will withstand over 500 cochranes of warp field stress.

I don't think so. You better put a second phase inverter in there.

Look at your subprocessor matrix. It needs an overhaul.

Well, that may be your opinion, Cadet, but I stand by my work.

Read the latest paper from Dr. Vassbinder.

He has brilliant new theories on warp-propulsion interrelays.

He'd say all this stuff is obsolete.

( sighing )

I don't know what's gotten into you, Wes.

Look, do you want my help or not?

With this kind of an attitude, absolutely not.

You're dismissed.

( disgusted sigh )

Captain's Log, supplemental.

The Enterprise has arrived at Dorvan V

and I have spoken to the leader of the tribal council.

He has agreed to meet with us this afternoon to discuss the situation.

Anthwara, there's very little I can do.

The decision about this planet was made at the very highest level of Starfleet.

Do you know how long we have searched for a home?

Almost 200 years. Then we found this world.

Can you blame us for not wanting to give it up?

I understand, and I respect your people's long journey, but I believe that I can help you to find a new home.

TROI: As you can see, there are three other planets in this sector that have environmental conditions similar to those here on Dorvan V.

They're all uninhabited and could be colonized immediately.

And if none of these worlds meets with your approval, then we will find you other choices.

You do not understand, Captain.

The choice of this planet was not only because of environmental conditions.

There were other more... intangible concerns as well.

When I came here 20 years ago...

I was welcomed by the mountains, the rivers, the sky.

Anthwara, he's laughing at you.

He thinks you're talking about old superstition and nonsense.

This is not true.

I have the deepest respect for your beliefs and the meaning that they hold for your people.

Then you can respect the fact that this planet holds a deep spiritual significance for us.

It has taken us two centuries to find this place.

We do not want to spend another 200 years searching for what we already have.

Captain, I suggest we adjourn-- allow us all time to think about what's been said.

Agreed.

We will reconvene tomorrow.

And in the meantime, I would like to invite you all to join us this evening on the Enterprise.

Thank you. We look forward to it.

Ever since you've come onboard, you've been moody, sullen, and rude.

What's going on?

Nothing. I just want to be left alone.

That incident in engineering was inexcusable.

That is my business.

I don't need you telling me how to behave.

I shouldn't have to.

You're a fourth-year Starfleet cadet.

You should have a certain level of maturity.

Maybe I am sick of following rules and regulations.

Maybe I'm sick of living up to everyone else's expectations.

Did you ever think of that?

( door opens, closes )

I have been fascinated, looking into the history and traditions of your people, and I was very interested to learn that your Grandfather Katowa was the man who first led the group of Indians from Earth initially, more than 200 years ago.

Hmm. There was a great deal of opposition.

Even my own father was against it.

But when Katowa made his decision, it was final.

My father never said another word.

It's never easy to leave one's home... the safe and the familiar.

But there are times when... the greater good demands that certain... sacrifices are made.

I'm sure that was something that your grandfather understood.

So does his grandson.

There are also times... when a people sacrificed too much...

...when a people must hold on to what we have, even against overwhelming opposition.

What do you know about your family, Captain?

Um, well, a great deal, actually.

My father was a strong believer in passing on the traditions and history of a family.

I would like to know more about your family.

We have strong ties to our ancestors.

We believe their actions guide us... even now.

Knowing more about your family might help me to better understand you.

Besides, it is always good to understand one's adversary in any negotiation.

I hope that by the end of this matter, you will no longer look on me as an adversary.

My family. Well, um... our roots in Western Europe go back to the time of Charlemagne.

There is a record of a nobleman...

Sorry I'm late.

We'll talk about it later.

MAN: Wesley Crusher?

Yes?

I am Lakanta.

It's nice to meet you.

Can I get you a drink or something?

I have known... that you were coming to us for the past two years.

Two years ago...

I went into the habak and began a vision quest, and while I was there, I saw many things, talked to many animals, many spirits... and I saw you.

I don't think I understand.

I know why you came to us, Wesley-- to find the answers that you seek.

I just don't know what to do, Jean-Luc.

It's as if somebody took my son away and left this stranger in his place.

But in a sense, that's exactly what happened.

When Wesley left the Enterprise three years ago, he was a boy, and now he has returned a young man.

And that can't be easy for a mother or a son.

But it's gone beyond just the two of us.

Yes, I heard about the incident with Geordi.

Have you heard what happened in the academy?

I called Admiral Brand today.

She said his grades are dropping, that he's becoming remote and defensive.

If he's not careful, he's going to wash out next term.

Maybe... maybe you should talk to him, Jean-Luc.

Maybe it's the kind of thing that a boy-- a man-- needs to discuss with another man.

I don't think he wants either of us to talk to him right now.

But he needs our help.

But, Beverly, he's got to want that help.

If he doesn't, then any efforts on our part could only push him further away.

He's-- he's got to... work this out for himself.

How long have you been watching me?

Since you beamed down.

Well, I'm here.

What should I do?

I don't know.

I thought you said you were going to help me find some answers.

Answers to your questions.

Tell me about this habak.

You said you had some kind of vision there?

The habak is holy to us.

We hold our rituals and our ceremonies there.

It's sacred to us.

What's sacred to you, Wesley?

I don't know.

I mean, I think a lot of things are important.

I have a lot of respect for things, but I don't really consider anything sacred.

Look around us.

What do you think is sacred to us here?

Maybe the necklace you're wearing?

The designs on the walls?

Everything is sacred to us.

The buildings, the food, the sky, the dirt beneath your feet and you.

Whether you believe in your spirit or not, we believe in it.

You are a sacred person here, Wesley.

I think that's the first time anyone's used

that particular word to describe me.

So, if you are sacred, then you must treat yourself with respect.

To do otherwise is to desecrate something that is holy.

Is that what you think I've been doing?

Only you can decide that.

I guess I haven't had a lot of respect for myself lately.

Then perhaps it's time for your own vision quest to begin.

Anthwara, I deeply regret that we have not been able to reach an agreement.

But-- and I must be blunt-- I cannot take no for an answer.

This planet will be handed over to the Cardassian government in accordance with the terms of the border agreement.

I'm very sorry, but you will have to leave.

And if we do not?

Then I will be forced... to remove you by whatever means are necessary.

We know you will not take us from this land, Captain.

I may regret it, but I am not able...

When you first came to us, we did not know why you were sent by the Federation, but we knew there must be a good reason.

To us, nothing that happens is truly random.

So, we searched for the true reason you were sent, and we did not find it until last night.

Are you familiar with the Pueblo Revolt of 1680?

I am.

Several Indian tribes rose up to overthrow their Spanish overlords and drove them out of what is now called New Mexico.

Ten years later, the Spanish returned to reconquer the area.

They were brutal. I would use the word... "savage."

They killed hundreds of our people.

Thousands more were maimed.

The name of one of the soldiers was Javier Maribona...

Picard... your ancestor.

I'm not aware of this incident or of the man you named...

...and this happened more than 700 years ago.

I do not see what bearing it can have...

That is why you have come to us-- to erase a stain of blood worn by your family for 23 generations.

( door opens )

( dog barking )

Mr. Worf, what is going on?

We have unwelcome visitors, sir.

I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.

I am Gul Evek.

What are all these people still doing here?

The evacuation should be well underway by now.

May I have a word with you... alone?

( sighing )

As you wish.

Wait here.

It was my understanding that there would be no Cardassian presence here for another six weeks.

Your arrival here may have upset some very delicate negotiations.

Negotiations? The status of this planet has been settled. What are you negotiating?

I will be very happy to explain that to you, but for now, I must ask you and your men to leave immediately.

Captain, we have been sent here to perform a preliminary survey of all the buildings and equipment being left behind.

I have no intention of leaving until our mission is complete.

Very well.

Complete your mission, but remember, this is Federation territory, Gul Evek, and until that changes, these people are under my jurisdiction and I will protect them.

Is that a threat?

It's a fact.

Bear that in mind while you conduct your "survey."

This is the habak, the focal point of our lives.

Strangers are not welcome here.

When I asked to come here, you said that it would be...

You're not a stranger. I told you.

I've seen you here before.

What are those figures?

They are Mansara-- dolls that represent the different spirits that have come to this place.

That one looks like a Klingon.

Yes. Our culture is rooted in the past, but it's not limited to the past.

The spirits of the Klingon, the Vulcan, and the Ferengi come to us just as the bear and the coyote, the parrot.

There's no difference.

What should I do?

Start the fire.

And then sit and wait.

What am I waiting for?

This is your journey, Wesley.

I can open the door, but only you can go through it.

Admiral, the Indian council is adamant.

They refuse to leave Dorvan V.

Is there any indication the tribal council will change their position in the near future?

No, sir.

Then I see no other choice.

Admiral, I have every reason to believe that they will resist any attempt to remove them.

I strongly urge you to request an emergency session of the Federation council.

The issue of Dorvan V must be reopened.

Captain, I made that request two days ago.

The answer was no.

I'm sorry, but you have your orders.

Starfleet out.

So much for your reprieve from Starfleet.

( sighs )

Anthwara believes... that I am responsible for the crimes of one of my ancestors against his people.

Do you believe that?

No, of course not. I respect his belief, but I do not see how it can have any bearing on this mission.

But even so, I can't help wondering... if a dark chapter in my family's history is about to be repeated.

If those people take up arms against us, then I cannot foresee the consequences.

Mr. Worf, will you come in here a moment?

Aye, sir.

Mr. Worf, will you begin preparations to remove the inhabitants from Dorvan V?

Aye, sir.

Wesley.

Dad?

You've reached the end, Wesley.

The end of what?

This journey-- one you started a long time ago... when I left you and your mother.

You mean when you died.

You set out on a journey that wasn't your own.

Now it's time to find a path that is truly yours.

Don't follow me any further.

I don't understand.

Yes, you do.

It's just hard for you to accept.

Good-bye, Wesley, and good luck.

Dad, wait!

( gasps )

Mr. Crusher.

Are you all right?

Yeah, Worf, I'm fine.

Lay out a confinement beam trace along the southeastern side of the village, but be discreet.

We do not wish to alarm these people.

Yes, sir.

Worf? What are you doing?

We are laying out transporter coordinates for a security perimeter.

It may be necessary to remove these people by force.

Worf... we can't do this.

These people deserve better than to be removed from their homes.

I understand, but now is not the time.

Do you know what they're trying to do?

They're preparing to beam you away and take you to their ship.

You're not going to let them do that, are you?

No.

No, we won't.

Leave now.

Yeah!

Inexcusable.

You defied the orders of the ranking officer on the scene.

You put the lives of the entire away team in jeopardy, and you made an already tense situation worse.

Your actions reflect very badly on this ship and on that uniform.

Now, I want an explanation, Mr. Crusher, and I want it now.

What you're doing down there is wrong.

These people are not some random group of colonists.

They're a unique culture with a history that predates the Federation and Starfleet.

That does not alter the fact that my orders are to...

I know Admiral Necheyev gave you an order, and she was given an order from the Federation council, but it's still wrong.

That decision is not yours to make, Cadet.

I don't know what has got into you lately, and frankly, right now, I don't care.

But I will tell you this-- while you wear that uniform, you will obey every order you are given and you will conform to Starfleet regulations and rules of conduct.

Is that clear?

Yes, sir, it is, but I won't be wearing this uniform any longer.

I'm resigning from the academy.

( badge drops )

( door opens, closes )

Riker to Captain.

Go ahead, Number One.

Gul Evek wants to meet with you to discuss the situation on the surface.

Let him come aboard.

I'll see him in here.

Aye, sir.

Why are you doing this?

I told you.

Starfleet isn't for me.

Look, I may not be able to stop you from throwing away your entire life, but you are going to stand here and explain it to me first.

You owe me that much.

I saw Dad today. He told me not to follow him.

You what?

I was participating in an Indian ritual and I had a vision.

Dad came to me and told me not to follow him.

He said I had to find my own path.

Is that what this is all about?

A vision told you to leave the academy, and now you're packing your bags?

No. No, it's more than that.

I've known I needed to do this for a long time.

I just haven't been able to admit it to myself.

But you always said that being at the academy was the best thing that ever happened to you.

I know. For a while, it was.

But as time went on and graduation got closer,

I... I started feeling really depressed.

I thought maybe it was the workload or the stress of being away from home, but it didn't go away.

It just got worse.

( sighing )

Why didn't you ever say anything?

I didn't want to disappoint you or Captain Picard or my friends.

You guys were all so proud of me.

I'd be proud of you no matter what you were doing, Wesley.

I love you.

I know, Mom.

I guess the truth is that I was afraid of disappointing myself.

I never questioned the fact that I would be in Starfleet, but when Dad said not to follow him, it just made so much sense.

Everything is so clear now.

Maybe it is partly my fault.

We didn't realize the kind of pressure we were putting on you to be exactly what we expected you to be.

Oh, I don't blame you at all.

This is my decision. It always has been.

You know that... alien... from Tau Ceti-- the one who could control warp fields with his mind?

The traveler.

He told Captain Picard a long time ago that you were very special, like Mozart... and that you were destined for something quite different from the rest of us.

Maybe this is the first step.

I love you.

I love you, too, Mom.

You shouldn't be here, Wesley.

Why?

Get down there!

Bring them over here.

Why have you taken these men prisoner?

This is not their world. They have no right to be here.

The terms of the treaty gives them the right to survey this planet.

We don't recognize that treaty.

( indistinct shouting )

Worf to Picard.

An armed group of Indians has taken two Cardassian prisoners.

The situation is extremely volatile.

Request instructions.

Stand by, Mr. Worf.

Have your ship lock on to your people and beam them out of there before something happens.

My people? What about these Indians of yours?

They've taken hostages!

This is our planet, Captain.

We will not be chased away by some unruly crowd.

Gul Evek to the Vetar.

This is Glinn Telak aboard the Vetar. Go ahead.

Two of our men on the surface have been taken prisoner.

Prepare to send an armed squad of troopers to rescue them and to occupy the village.

Gul Evek, those people are Federation citizens and I am sworn to protect them.

If your troops attack that village, my security forces will respond.

I hope you realize the consequences of Federation officers firing on Cardassian troops.

Oh, yes, I do. That is why we must stop this now before it's too late.

I cannot allow you to hold these men as prisoners.

You have no authority here.

( grunting )

No!

What happened?

Did you do this?

( chuckles )

I didn't do anything; you did.

I did?

You pulled yourself out of their time.

You took the first step, Wesley.

My first step to where?

To another plane of existence... another way of thinking.

I don't understand.

You found a new beginning for yourself-- the first step on a journey that few humans will ever take.

Who are you?

The traveler.

I've waited a long time for this moment, Wesley.

So, all those things I saw in the habak-- my father and the things he said to me-- that was your doing?

I merely opened the door for you.

What you experienced came from your own mind-- your own... spirit, if you wish.

I hoped that you would open your mind to new possibilities, and you did.

You pulled yourself out of time, don't you see?

You've evolved to a new level.

You're ready to explore places where thought and energy combine in ways you can't even imagine.

And I will be your guide... if you like.

What about them?

I can't just leave them like this.

They must find their own destinies, Wesley.

It's not our place to... interfere.

But-- Have faith in their abilities to solve their problems on their own.

( yelling )

The Cardassian ship is powering its weapons and its transporters.

This is the Vetar to Gul Evek. Our troops are under attack.

They're requesting immediate assistance.

What are your orders?

Evek, the last war caused massive destruction and cost millions of lives.

Don't send our two peoples down that same path again-- not like this.

Now the future lies in your hands, right now.

Give us one last chance for peace.

Gul Evek, what are your orders?

Can we open fire?

Evek to the Vetar.

Lock on our troops on the surface... and beam them aboard.

But, sir, they've been fired upon!

Those are my orders! Carry them out.

Yes, sir.

Beam up the away team immediately.

Aye, sir.

I lost two of three sons in the war, Captain.

I don't want to lose the last one.

Anthwara, I want to be absolutely sure that you understand the implications of this agreement.

By giving up your status as Federation citizens, any future request you or your people make to Starfleet will go unanswered.

You will be on your own... and under Cardassian jurisdiction.

I understand, Captain, and we are prepared to take that risk.

Will the Cardassian government honor your agreement here?

I believe I can convince them that this is an equitable solution.

I cannot speak for every Cardassian you may encounter, but if you leave us alone, I suspect that we will do the same.

Will this be acceptable to the Starfleet command?

It will not be easy, but with Admiral Necheyev's support,

I think they will go along with it in the end.

Then, if there's nothing else, I will return to my ship.

I have a rather lengthy report to write.

Captain. Anthwara.

I was right, Captain.

You did not take us from our land, and you have wiped clean a very old stain of blood.

( door opens, closes )

Captain's Log, Stardate 47755.3.

The Enterprise is preparing to leave Dorvan V,

but former Cadet Wesley Crusher will be staying behind.

Where will you go?

The traveler said that my studies would begin with these people.

He said that they're aware of many things.

I can learn a lot from them.

That's just what I need-- more studying.

Somehow, I think you'll manage.

Me, too.

Well, good luck, Mr...

Good luck, Wesley.

Thank you... for a lot of things.

Oh...

Now, you be sure and dress warmly on those other planes of existence.

I will.

Bye, Mom.

Good-bye.

PICARD: Energize.