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First Born

As time passes, a boy inevitably becomes a man, but what is not inevitable is that a man become a warrior.

A warrior must be forged, like a sword, tempered by... by... tempered by experience.

The path of the warrior begins with--

( giggling ) Alexander?

No! Wait!

( child giggling )

Sorry.

I didn't mean to hit you.

What is the meaning of this?

I'm sorry.

We made fullerenes in chemistry class today and filled them with water.

I asked you to meet me here after school.

I have been waiting for you.

I forgot.

You forgot because you allowed yourself to be distracted by foolishness.

I'm sorry.

( sighs )

There is something very important

I want to discuss with you.

It concerns your future.

Sit.

As time passes, a boy inevitably becomes a man, but what is not inevitable is that a man becomes a sword.

What?

No, I meant... warrior.

The path of a warrior begins with the First Rite of Ascension.

Is that when they hit you with painstiks?

No. No, that is the Second Rite.

Oh. You are approaching the Age of Ascension.

It is time for you to prepare for the ceremony.

What do I have to do?

Well, your fighting skills will be tested, and your knowledge of the teachings of Kahless.

It will be challenging, but I will help you prepare.

These are the kor'tova candles.

They represent the fire that burns within the heart of a warrior.

When you light yours, you will be declaring your intention to become a warrior.

Go ahead.

What if I don't want to?

If you do not participate in the rite before the age of 13 years, you will never be able to become a true Klingon warrior.

Well, I don't care about that.

You may not care about it now, but someday you might.

Well, Mother always said that-- that I didn't have to do any of this Klingon stuff if I didn't want to.

It is your decision, but--

Okay, then.

I'm not going to do it.

Alexander.

You just said it was up to me.

I don't want to be a warrior.

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.

As a result, we won't be able to rendezvous with the Kearsarge for another four days.

Will we be holding position here until it arrives?

Yes, and as it would seem that we're in for a relatively quiet time,

I shall use this opportunity to visit the Hatarian system.

There are some ancient ruins that are just being excavated.

The delay will also make it possible for stellar dynamics to complete their study of the Vodrey Nebula.

I'll let them know that they can have more access to the lateral sensor grid.

We could use this time to recalibrate the weapons targeting system.

Mr. Worf?

Yes, um...

I will begin the procedure immediately.

Very good. Dismissed.

Lieutenant?

Could I have a word with you for a moment?

I noticed several times during the briefing that you appeared to be a bit distracted.

I apologize.

In the future, I will make sure my personal affairs do not interfere with my duties.

Is everything all right?

I'm having problems with Alexander.

He has made it clear he does not wish to participate in the First Rite of Ascension.

Oh, I see.

I tried to tell him that it is an important part of a young Klingon's life, but... he does not understand.

But he's had so little opportunity to spend time with Klingons.

You know, the Festival of Kot'baval is tomorrow.

If he could take part in that,

I'm sure he would more fully appreciate what a rich cultural heritage he comes from.

There is the Klingon outpost on Maranga IV.

I'm sure they'll be celebrating the festival.

Yes... but the outpost is on the other side of the Vodrey Nebula.

It would take three days by shuttle to get there.

Oh, the Enterprise could be there in a fraction of the time, and still back in time for the rendezvous.

Captain, I could not ask you--

Mr. Worf, stellar dynamics would like nothing better than a trip around the nebula.

Thank you, sir.

KLINGON MALES: ♪ Huya! ♪

♪ Eu-uh ha', eu-uh ha'! ♪

♪ Ha'! ♪

♪ Nika tai kai te-blah ♪

♪ Ni'tokor o-ta-ke ta kor ♪

♪ Euh! Yah ki-tach cha'! ♪

( speaking Klingon )

♪ ...Ke'te ha' ♪

♪ Ke euh kai ka chu' ♪

♪ Yah ke'te cha' ♪

♪ Yah! ♪

( crowd exclaiming )

♪ Ke le qapla' tah! ♪

♪ Ragateth bat'leth! Eh! ♪

♪ Yake euh hiya keeu ♪

♪ Che yu ♪

♪ Euh! Ha'! Ha'! ♪

♪ Ha'! ♪

( grunts )

♪ Ragateth bat'leth... ♪

Who's that?

It is the tyrant Molor.

He was so strong, no one could stand against him.

♪ Nok'tar be'got hosh'ar te'not ♪

What's he saying?

He is asking if anyone else will have the courage to stand up to Molor.

♪ Hosh'ar te'not ♪

♪ Kate qapla' plakmara ♪

♪ Ki'rok Molor ♪

♪ Ki'rok ♪

♪ Ni'kotor bak'to ♪

♪ Ba'jak tu'mo ♪

( grunting )

♪ O'tak tu'ro! ♪

( grunting fiercely )

( groaning )

( booing and hissing )

♪ Nok'tar be'got ♪

♪ Hosh'ar te'not? ♪

( grunts )

( indistinct voices )

( scattered applause )

♪ Ki'rok, Molor! Ki'rok! ♪

What is this?

( grunting )

( grunting and groaning )

Jik'ta!

You wounded me!

( cheers and applause )

You fought well.

What happens now?

There is only one man who can stand against Molor.

♪ Nik'tol Kahless... ♪

It's Kahless!

Kahless would rather die than live under Molor's tyranny.

♪ Molor gik'tal! ♪

Ni'lot Kahless!

( distant music and laughter )

Father!

Where have you been?

We were watching the fire dancers.

We? K'nor and Bar'el.

They live here on the outpost.

I need some money.

What for?

Well, a man over there says he has

Molor's head in a box-- the real Molor.

That is impossible.

The real Molor died centuries ago.

I know-- it's mummified.

He offered to show us for 50 darseks.

He is trying to take your money.

Please, Father, he's waiting.

No, it is too late.

We should go home. But I--

Alexander, that is enough.

Come, it is time to go.

I have to say good-bye to my friends.

You can see your friends again tomorrow.

We're coming back?

If you want to.

( speaking Klingon )

Ah!

Run, Alexander!

( grunting and groaning )

Ni'tokor bak'to!

K'pla, Worf.

You were too much for them.

I have seen you before.

Who are you?

A friend.

You are K'mtar.

Your brother sent me here to protect you.

He is gin'tak to the House of Mogh.

Gin'tak?

An adviser so trusted, he has become part of the family.

Do you have any idea who was behind the attack?

It is a Klingon matter.

It is not your concern.

One of my officers was almost killed.

That makes it my concern.

Recently, rumors began to circulate on the homeworld that an assassination attempt was going to be made on the family of Mogh.

Kurn sent me here to make sure nothing happened to Worf.

Why didn't you warn him before the attack was made?

I tried to contact him over subspace.

I was told he was not aboard.

I decided to beam directly to the surface.

And why didn't you let us know about it?

Forgive me for being blunt, Commander, but when it comes to protecting the House to which I have pledged my life...

I trust no one.

I have full confidence in the officers with whom I serve.

One of the attackers dropped this dagger.

The design represents the house of Duras.

We have other evidence that indicate the Duras sisters, Lursa and B'etor were behind the attack.

What do you think they were after?

Kurn's seat on the council, of course.

We cannot allow their attack on our house to go unanswered.

First, we must find them.

At one point, they were on Deep Space 9 trying to sell bilitrium explosives.

That was months ago.

No one knows where they went from there.

Maybe we can find them.

We've arranged for quarters on the ship if you'd like to stay.

I would.

Worf and I have much to discuss.

I will send Kurn a message telling him what happened, but he will not receive it for days.

He's gone to the Hitora colony--

Why did you treat Commander Riker so disrespectfully?

You were rude!

I may have been rude by human standards.

I meant no disrespect.

What is the matter, Worf?

Have you been living so long among humans that you have forgotten how Klingons behave?

I have not forgotten. I am merely stating that their ways are different than ours.

I trust you have made your son aware of that fact, as well.

Yes, of course I have.

Good.

Because someday, Alexander may be called upon to lead the House of Mogh.

Kurn has no male heir.

He wants to make sure that Alexander is preparing himself.

Does my brother doubt my ability to raise my son as a Klingon?

No.

But you are alone among humans.

It cannot be easy to keep our ways.

No.

It has not been easy.

How are his fighting skills?

Can he handle a bat'leth?

He is learning.

He could be better.

He must.

He is nearing the Age of Ascension.

Actually, Alexander has not yet committed himself to undergoing the rite.

What?

I have tried to explain to him how important it is, but... he will not listen to me.

Perhaps together, you and I, we can find a way to spark the boy's interest in his heritage.

I would be grateful for any help you could offer.

Tomorrow, then.

Tomorrow.

May I say good night to the boy?

Yes, of course.

Is this your mother?

Yeah.

She died when I was little.

You miss her a great deal, don't you?

It must be hard for you being the only Klingon your age aboard this ship.

Sometimes.

Have you ever been to the homeworld?

No.

I think you would like it there.

At your uncle's house, there is a lake you can swim in that is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom.

ALEXANDER: Really?

Mm-hmm. You have cousins there.

They want to meet you.

I don't know.

I understand.

You're afraid.

You don't know whether the homeworld is safe.

Yeah.

And what happened today on the planet is frightening.

You're still troubled.

I thought they were going to kill my father.

You must have wanted to help us fight them off.

I didn't know what to do.

Someday, if you work hard, you will become a warrior-- a Klingon warrior.

And you will always feel safe because you will know how to defend yourself.

And I'll tell you something else.

If anyone ever tries to hurt your father again, you will be able to fight at his side and make sure nothing happens to him.

What do you think of that?

Good night, Alexander.

Dream well.

Good night, K'mtar.

Any luck?

Starfleet records contain no mention of the Duras sisters after their departure from Deep Space 9.

Did I not tell you as much?

Have you been able to contact Deep Space 9?

I am being patched through right now, sir.

On screen.

Quark, I see you remember me.

How could I forget the only man ever to win triple-down dabo at one of my tables?

And how can I forget that you didn't have enough latinum to cover my winnings?

I thought I explained that my brother misplaced the key to the safe.

Besides, those vouchers I gave you were every bit as good as latinum.

You can spend latinum almost anywhere.

Those vouchers are only good at your bar.

Is, um... that what this is about?

You're on your way and you're calling to reserve a holosuite program?

Actually, I was hoping you could help me with something else.

What would that be?

I'm looking for some Klingon friends of mine-- the Duras sisters, Lursa and B'etor.

Yes! Lursa and B'etor.

Big talk, small tips.

Do you know where I can find them?

Well, I did hear a rumor, actually.

What kind of rumor?

Oh, I don't know.

I'm sure it was told me in confidence.

And how much would your confidence cost?

How many vouchers do you have again?

I have enough for 12 bars of latinum.

I'd be glad to return them.

I believe the rumor was that the sisters were trying to buy some secondhand mining equipment.

What for? They learned of a magnesite deposit on the Kalla system.

It belongs to the Pakleds, but those fools don't even know it's there.

Your, uh, friends are trying to get at it.

All right.

I'll send those vouchers to you.

Oh, don't bother.

I voided them while we've been talking.

So long, Quark.

How long would it take us to get to the Kalla system?

Approximately 16 hours, sir.

Could not he have been lying?

Why would he?

I'd just be knocking on his door again in a few days, and I wouldn't be in as good a mood.

Uh-huh.

Congratulations, Commander.

I did not think it would be possible to find the sisters.

Take us out of orbit.

ENSIGN: Aye, sir.

I took the liberty of creating a holodeck program.

What kind of program?

I'll show you.

Computer, run program K'mtar alpha one.

Program initiated. Enter when ready.

Why did you want to recreate this?

You said you wished you had been able to help your father fight, but you did not know how.

You have probably fought that battle over and over again in your mind.

Yes.

Let's see what happens now.

Computer, give me two Klingon warriors!

How can I fight someone that big?

Size is not the most important thing.

Skill, cunning, powers of observation are the most important weapons.

Ni'tokor bak'to!

( grunting and groaning )

Freeze program.

Look what this ko'tal is doing, hmm.

You see his leg?

That will give you a clue as to what his next move will be.

All his weight is on his right foot.

Yes, he is going to have to shift it to regain his balance.

Stand ready!

Computer, resume program.

( grunting and groaning )

Po'tajg! Po'tajg!

Finish him.

( growling )

K'MTAR: Freeze program!

You should have killed him when you had the chance.

Why did you not?

I-- I don't know.

Look at him!

He did not care that you showed him mercy!

He was going to kill you!

K'mtar, that is enough.

If this was real, he'd be dead by now.

Alexander!

We are approaching Kalla III.

Set a standard orbit.

Any evidence of a mining expedition?

A shaft has been cut through the outer crust.

There is evidence of machinery, but it does not appear to be in use.

Life signs?

It is difficult to say.

The magnesite is interfering with bio-readings.

Assemble an away team.

Who are you?

Gorta. I'm Gorta.

What are you doing on this planet?

I crashed here.

DATA: Then you are denying involvement in illegal mining activities?

GORTA: Mining?

So, that's what all this equipment is here for.

We are looking for two Klingon women.

Sisters.

Lursa? B'etor?

Do you know where they are?

Actually, we were hoping that you did.

M-Maybe I do.

Would you be willing to share your information with us?

My personal code of conduct prohibits sharing.

But I'd consider a trade.

Does your personal code of conduct tell you that when you're stranded on a planet with no way off you shouldn't try to cut deals?

You have a point.

We could certainly provide passage off this planet in exchange for information.

Could you perhaps fail to tell the Pakleds that we were mining their ore?

LA FORGE: Don't push your luck.

But if you get us the Duras sisters,

I'll see what I can do.

Ahh.

The Duras sisters.

Oh, they are magnificent, aren't they?

Where are they now?

Selling the ore, I imagine.

They took everything-- the ore, the ship.

And where have they gone?

We were going to sell the ore to a Yridian trader.

We were supposed to meet him in the Ufandi system.

Gather your belongings.

It is time to leave.

( clanking )

Like I said, they took everything.

Worf...

I am sorry about what happened.

I should not have gotten so angry.

It's just that I am... worried about Alexander.

As am I.

Kurn told me that his mother actively discouraged him exploring his Klingon heritage.

When he first came to live with me, he knew nothing of our ways.

He often reminds me of the things his mother said to him.

And I try not to disregard her wishes.

I want the boy to honor his mother.

Mm. Someday, I'm sure, he will appreciate you and be grateful for all that you have done for him.

But still, compared to other boys his age, his fighting skills are years behind.

Yes, I know.

He does not put in the time it takes to learn the skills. Mm.

I thought that you might consider sending him to the training academy at Ogat.

Your brother is an influential man.

I'm sure he could see to it that Alexander was admitted.

Ogat...

I am only thinking of what is best for the boy.

There he would learn our ways.

He would live like a Klingon.

I would like him to learn our ways.

No.

This is his home.

How...

How can you expect him to lead our family when all he knows is life aboard a Federation starship?

He is my son.

He belongs with me.

The boy is more human than Klingon.

If he stays here, he will never be a warrior.

He will never be able to defend our family against its enemies!

Enough! Enough!

Enough! The decision is mine!

Not necessarily.

I would be well within my rights to invoke ya'nora kor.

You would question my fitness to raise my own son?

For the good of our house, yes, Worf.

I beg of you, please stop thinking of yourself.

It is Alexander we should be considering.

Look into your heart... and do what is best for him.

Kahless was determined to teach his brother a lesson because he had told a lie.

But Morath refused to fight him and instead ran away.

Kahless pursued him across the valleys, over the mountains, and down to the edge of the sea.

And there, at the shore, they fought for 12--

12 days, 12 nights. I know.

I've heard this story before.

Hmm.

Alexander, it is important to tell these stories even though we already know them.

Well, why was Kahless so mad about the lie his brother told?

It made him look like a coward.

If Kahless would have just explained what happened, maybe they wouldn't have had to fight about it.

You're missing the point.

Why was it so wrong for Morath to run away?

Maybe he didn't want to fight his brother because he didn't want to have to kill him.

He ran because he was a coward.

But how do you know that's why--

No, no, no, no. No more questions.

These are our stories.

It is important for a warrior to learn how to interpret them properly.

I'm trying to.

No, your head is filled with foolish human notions about how things are.

You are Klingon!

It is time you began to act like one.

I am part human, too.

Listen to me, Alexander.

When a human looks at you, he does not see himself.

He sees a Klingon.

It doesn't matter what I look like.

It does.

You are different than everyone else aboard this ship.

That's not true!

It is.

The only way that you will ever feel as if you truly belong is to leave here and go and live with your own kind.

I know a Klingon school you could go to.

Oh, you would be welcome there.

They would teach you to be a warrior-- prepare you for the Rite of Ascension.

I don't know if I want to do that.

After you were there for a while, you would find that you wouldn't want to do anything else.

I don't want to leave the Enterprise.

Alexander, you must!

Everything depends upon it!

I thought you were different.

I thought you understood me, but you don't!

You're just like my father.

All you care about is me becoming a warrior.

Just leave me alone!

RIKER: First Officer's Log, Stardate 47779.4.

We've entered the Ufandi system

where we believe the Duras sisters

might have come to sell the ore they mined on Kalla III.

I am detecting a vessel holding position near the third planet.

It is a Yridian freighter.

Put it on screen.

RIKER: Scan for magnesite in its hold.

The resonance signature indicates that there is magnesite ore present.

Then we're too late.

The sisters have already been here.

Somehow, I doubt the Yridians are going to be forthcoming about where they might have gone.

DATA: Sir... readings indicate that there are only 500 kilograms of ore in the Yridian hold.

There should be over 10,000 kilograms.

That's odd. Hail them.

I'm Commander William Riker from the Federation starship Enterprise.

I am Yog.

Why are we speaking?

Our sensors indicate that you are carrying magnesite ore.

Magnesite. Yes.

Where did you get it?

From a... Corvallan.

For a good price.

Where is this Corvallan now?

I'm under orders to acquire some magnesite.

Well, he is gone.

Where? Who is to know?

Would you be interested in selling me the ore that you're carrying?

No.

I have a buyer.

You haven't heard my offer.

Half a gram of Anjoran biomimetic gel.

Hmm. Done.

Once we verify the purity of your ore, we'll beam over the gel.

You're up to something.

Have the transporter room beam the ore to these coordinates.

DATA: Sir?

That would place the ore directly off the ship's starboard bow.

I know.

Transport complete.

RIKER: Lock the phasers on the ore and fire.

Firing.

A Klingon Bird-of-Prey.

Put a tractor beam on it.

How did you know?

The Yridians had only part of the shipment in their hold.

I realized that we had arrived before they had completed the transfer.

The Klingon ship is hailing us.

On screen.

Release our vessel at once!

I don't think so.

B'ETOR: We've done nothing wrong.

We were engaging in a simple business transaction.

We know you're dealing in stolen ore... but I want to talk about the assassination attempt on Lieutenant Worf.

What assassination attempt?

This is the first I've heard of it.

Too bad it didn't succeed!

(sisters laughing)

We have evidence that you're behind it.

That is outrageous!

What is this evidence?

Beam over. We'll show you.

We'll be there... shortly.

This was dropped by one of the assassins.

It bears the crest of your house.

Ge'ko... kaf'la.

Someone must have given it to the assassins to implicate us. ( scoffs )

Why would someone do that?

B'ETOR: In order to tarnish our good name.

You cannot tarnish a rusted blade.

( hissing ) Ji'ko to'val!

Gir'nak tovo'sor!

RIKER: Mr. Worf!

You said there was other evidence that they were involved?

Yes. On the homeworld.

We'll set a course. I want this thing cleared up.

I will send a message to Kurn.

He may wish to return to the homeworld, as well.

B'ETOR: Bet'ala nog'tor.

Impossible!

What is it?

These markings represent the members of our house.

This symbol represents our father, myself, my sister... and this... represents... her son.

I was not aware you had a son.

I do not.

But I am with child.

She found out only a few days ago, and told no one but me.

How can this marking be here?

Where did this come from?

I will speak with K'mtar.

( grunts )

Father... stop! I am your son.

I am Alexander.

What are you saying?

I am your son, Alexander.

I have come to this time from 40 years in the future.

P'tak. Tell me the truth or I will kill you.

Look at me.

When we first met, you said I looked familiar.

I could have seen you on the homeworld.

No! Look closely.

I am your son.

If you are Alexander, you will remember your mother's last words before she died.

I was three years old.

She was dying when we found her.

She barely managed to whisper my name, and then she took my hand and placed it in yours.

Then she died, and then you howled in rage... and said, "Look upon her.

"Look upon death and always remember." and I always have.

( coughing )

How have you done this-- come to this time?

I met a man in the Cambra system.

He gave me a chance to change the past.

He had the ability to send me here to this time.

And you came here in order to end your own life?

I was hoping that I would not have to... that I could change things, that I could change myself.

But I could not.

And now, everything is going to turn out like it did before.

I cannot let that happen.

But why? What is going to happen that is so terrible?

You will be killed, because I was too naive, too weak to be able to protect you.

I do not believe that.

I was there.

I saw you murdered! I was to blame!

You must not blame yourself.

You don't understand.

I did not become a warrior.

I was a... a diplomat, a peacemaker.

When it came my time to lead our family,

I thought that I could single-handedly end the fighting between the great houses.

I publicly announced that the House of Mogh would be the first to end the feuding, that there would be no more retribution, no more revenge.

You tried to warn me.

You tried to tell me that I should not show weakness, but I thought you were a foolish old man.

I told you you were a relic from an earlier time, and that a new era of peace was at hand.

But you were right.

My enemies saw my weakness and moved against me.

And unless I stop it right now, that boy will see his father killed on the floor of the great council chamber.

Ah, that is why you wanted to take Alexander away-- to turn him into a warrior.

I staged the assassination attempt to try and frighten him, to make him realize that he must follow the ways of the warrior.

If I had listened to you-- if I had become the warrior that you had wanted me to be-- you would not have died in my arms.

No.

Who knows what the future will be now that you have disrupted time?

I may die tomorrow, or I may outlive you.

But when I die,

I would like an honorable death.

And the only way that is possible is for you to accept yourself as you are and stay true to what you believe.

The cause of peace is a just cause.

The struggle must continue.

It is a futile struggle.

I cannot change things.

You have already changed things more than you realize.

The boy I was has not changed.

But I have.

You have given me a glimpse into my son's future, and I know now that he has his own destiny.

And I believe it will be a great one.

I love you, Father.

And I you, Alexander.

I have been waiting.

Where is K'mtar?

He had to leave.

He was called away.

He never said good-bye.

He asked me to say good-bye for him.

He also wanted me to tell you, no matter what happens, no matter what you decide to do with your life, he will always care for you a great deal.

When will I see him again?

It may be a long time.

Well, we should start practice.

Alexander... there will be plenty of time for training.