1 00:00:12,770 --> 00:00:16,180 Commander, away team reporting in. Lt Worf standing by. 2 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:19,280 This is Riker. Go ahead, Lieutenant. 3 00:00:19,380 --> 00:00:22,980 The archaeologists have identified these markings. 4 00:00:23,150 --> 00:00:27,720 This planet was once home to a race known as the Koinonians. 5 00:00:27,890 --> 00:00:29,860 What do we know, Data? 6 00:00:30,020 --> 00:00:32,030 The Koinonians were a culture 7 00:00:32,190 --> 00:00:35,430 which became embroiled in a war that lasted generations. 8 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,270 Our evidence indicates they destroyed themselves. 9 00:00:38,430 --> 00:00:40,400 We have completed our survey 10 00:00:40,570 --> 00:00:43,000 and will proceed to the chamber. 11 00:00:43,100 --> 00:00:44,940 Affirmative. Enterprise out. 12 00:00:46,110 --> 00:00:48,340 Destroyed themselves, Data? 13 00:00:48,510 --> 00:00:50,080 According to records, 14 00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:52,450 this will be the first opportunity... 15 00:00:52,610 --> 00:00:55,180 Captain... Beam them up quickly! 16 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:59,720 Captain. Emergency beam-up. Enterprise. Severe injuries. 17 00:00:59,890 --> 00:01:03,220 Transporter room. Beam them straight to sickbay! 18 00:01:03,390 --> 00:01:05,190 Dr Crusher, incoming wounded! 19 00:01:16,670 --> 00:01:19,070 Away team is on board, Captain. 20 00:01:24,180 --> 00:01:26,150 One dead on arrival. 21 00:01:54,310 --> 00:01:57,140 Space, the final frontier. 22 00:01:58,810 --> 00:02:01,850 These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. 23 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:07,150 Its continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds... 24 00:02:08,490 --> 00:02:12,030 ...to seek out new life and new civilisations... 25 00:02:12,930 --> 00:02:16,760 ...to boldly go where no one has gone before. 26 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,960 Captain's log, stardate 43198.7. The Enterprise remains in orbit 27 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:26,300 while we investigate the tragedy which has struck the away team. 28 00:03:26,470 --> 00:03:28,840 Lt Marla Aster, ship's archaeologist, 29 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:31,740 has been killed on a routine mission. 30 00:03:32,540 --> 00:03:34,240 Whatever the explanation, 31 00:03:34,410 --> 00:03:37,450 it will not bring back a valued officer. 32 00:03:40,350 --> 00:03:42,920 Lieutenant? 33 00:03:44,250 --> 00:03:47,890 We had completed our investigation of the third tunnel. 34 00:03:48,060 --> 00:03:52,460 Our scans indicated no weapons or traps of any kind. 35 00:03:52,630 --> 00:03:55,930 Lt Aster was three meters behind me. 36 00:03:56,930 --> 00:03:58,800 An explosive device went off. 37 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:03,470 There was no warning. 38 00:04:04,610 --> 00:04:08,110 Lt Aster bore the full brunt of the detonation. 39 00:04:16,750 --> 00:04:20,450 Lt Aster is survived by a son, Jeremy. 40 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:22,990 12 years old. 41 00:04:23,790 --> 00:04:25,630 He's aboard the Enterprise, sir. 42 00:04:26,460 --> 00:04:29,330 - And his father? - He's also deceased. 43 00:04:30,300 --> 00:04:34,370 His only living relatives are an aunt and uncle on Earth. 44 00:04:40,810 --> 00:04:45,850 - Where is he now? - In class. The teacher expects us. 45 00:04:49,380 --> 00:04:50,550 Captain. 46 00:04:52,420 --> 00:04:55,860 I must accompany you. I commanded the away team. 47 00:04:56,020 --> 00:05:00,090 I appreciate your offer, Lieutenant. This is my responsibility. 48 00:05:07,940 --> 00:05:12,910 Picard to bridge. La Forge will lead another away team. 49 00:05:13,070 --> 00:05:15,440 - I want to know what happened. - Yes, Captain. 50 00:05:15,580 --> 00:05:19,410 I will be with Counselor Troi and young Jeremy Aster. 51 00:05:19,580 --> 00:05:21,980 I understand. Riker out. 52 00:05:33,430 --> 00:05:38,430 - He had to do this for me. - Do you know Jeremy well? 53 00:05:39,670 --> 00:05:42,240 But I know what this will be like for him. 54 00:05:42,940 --> 00:05:45,140 That's part of life in Starfleet. 55 00:05:46,140 --> 00:05:50,710 I know. They prepare us for anything, but still... 56 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:52,610 I know. 57 00:05:55,180 --> 00:05:58,320 How do you get used to it? Telling them. 58 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:01,990 You hope you never do. 59 00:06:37,260 --> 00:06:41,400 I sense the weight of this duty on you, Captain. 60 00:06:44,870 --> 00:06:46,600 I really wonder... 61 00:06:49,370 --> 00:06:50,870 Halt. 62 00:06:57,750 --> 00:07:01,780 I've always believed that carrying children on a starship... 63 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:06,020 ...is a very questionable policy. 64 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:12,960 Serving on a starship means accepting certain risks... 65 00:07:14,330 --> 00:07:15,830 ...certain dangers. 66 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,100 Did Jeremy Aster make that choice? 67 00:07:22,500 --> 00:07:26,140 Death and loss are an integral part of life everywhere. 68 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,940 Leaving him on Earth would not protect him. 69 00:07:30,110 --> 00:07:34,320 But the Earth won't be ordered to the Neutral Zone. 70 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,520 My command sent his mother to her death. 71 00:07:38,690 --> 00:07:41,390 She understood her mission and my duty. 72 00:07:44,060 --> 00:07:45,490 Will he? 73 00:07:45,660 --> 00:07:48,660 In time... and with help. 74 00:07:51,070 --> 00:07:52,730 Wesley Crusher does. 75 00:07:55,570 --> 00:07:57,000 He does. 76 00:07:57,670 --> 00:07:59,670 And so will Jeremy. 77 00:08:05,710 --> 00:08:07,380 Resume. 78 00:08:17,930 --> 00:08:22,730 Jeremy, I have some bad news. There has been an accident. 79 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:28,800 Your mother... has died. 80 00:08:37,680 --> 00:08:39,250 How, sir? 81 00:08:39,410 --> 00:08:42,380 An explosive device at the mission site. 82 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:45,320 She died instantly. 83 00:08:45,950 --> 00:08:47,720 I understand. 84 00:08:48,890 --> 00:08:53,030 Jeremy, I know your mother loved you very much. 85 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:01,300 I am told... that your father is also dead. 86 00:09:01,870 --> 00:09:03,800 Yes, sir. 87 00:09:03,970 --> 00:09:07,480 He died five years ago from a Rushton infection. 88 00:09:12,510 --> 00:09:14,520 I'm all alone now, sir. 89 00:09:17,180 --> 00:09:22,190 Jeremy, on the Starship Enterprise, no one is alone. 90 00:09:25,630 --> 00:09:27,360 No one. 91 00:09:43,210 --> 00:09:45,880 Excuse me, sir. Am I intruding? 92 00:09:47,210 --> 00:09:48,950 No, sit down. 93 00:09:54,290 --> 00:09:56,760 How well did you know Lt Aster? 94 00:09:58,490 --> 00:10:00,260 We spent some time together. 95 00:10:02,630 --> 00:10:04,600 Not very well. 96 00:10:07,130 --> 00:10:09,470 - How well did you know her? - Why do you ask? 97 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:14,140 - Well, you asked me. - But why ask the question? 98 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,210 Since her death, I have been asked several times 99 00:10:18,380 --> 00:10:20,450 how well I knew Lt Aster. 100 00:10:21,050 --> 00:10:25,190 And I heard you ask Wesley how well he knew Jeremy. 101 00:10:26,220 --> 00:10:28,520 Does the question of familiarity 102 00:10:28,660 --> 00:10:30,520 have some bearing on death? 103 00:10:33,860 --> 00:10:36,230 Do you remember when Tasha died? 104 00:10:39,500 --> 00:10:43,100 I do not sense the same feelings of absence 105 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:45,070 as with Lt Yar. 106 00:10:45,210 --> 00:10:47,510 Although I cannot say precisely why. 107 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:51,280 - Just human nature. - Human nature, sir? 108 00:10:51,910 --> 00:10:55,750 We feel a loss more intensely when it's a friend. 109 00:10:57,290 --> 00:11:00,220 But should not the feelings run as deep, 110 00:11:00,390 --> 00:11:02,260 regardless of who has died? 111 00:11:05,260 --> 00:11:06,660 Maybe they should. 112 00:11:06,830 --> 00:11:11,630 Maybe if we felt any loss as keenly as for one close to us, 113 00:11:13,230 --> 00:11:15,600 human history would be less bloody. 114 00:11:15,940 --> 00:11:19,110 - La Forge to Riker. - You're back. 115 00:11:19,270 --> 00:11:21,940 Yes, sir. We've brought back a souvenir. 116 00:11:24,610 --> 00:11:29,080 There are five more, all identical to the one that killed Lt Aster. 117 00:11:29,620 --> 00:11:32,020 They employ a subspace proximity detonator. 118 00:11:32,190 --> 00:11:34,360 A tricorder would never detect it. 119 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,290 How long would they have been there? 120 00:11:37,460 --> 00:11:40,460 It comes from the time of the Koinonian Wars, sir. 121 00:11:40,630 --> 00:11:44,130 - Did you find them all, Geordi? - Yeah, but... 122 00:11:44,970 --> 00:11:48,540 Well, it seemed like they were left to be found. 123 00:11:48,700 --> 00:11:52,170 Left by whom? There are no indications of life. 124 00:11:52,340 --> 00:11:54,240 I don't know, Captain. 125 00:11:54,410 --> 00:11:58,250 But they were recently pulled out of the ground and defused. 126 00:12:01,850 --> 00:12:03,920 I have made my report. 127 00:12:05,090 --> 00:12:09,220 I'm more interested in how you feel about what happened. 128 00:12:11,060 --> 00:12:13,060 I sense great anger. 129 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,630 I cannot seek revenge against an enemy 130 00:12:17,770 --> 00:12:19,970 who's turned to dust centuries ago. 131 00:12:21,470 --> 00:12:23,700 Her death was senseless! 132 00:12:24,270 --> 00:12:26,940 The last victim of a forgotten war! 133 00:12:30,650 --> 00:12:32,310 Go on. 134 00:12:34,050 --> 00:12:36,080 There's nothing more to be said. 135 00:12:40,390 --> 00:12:44,460 A person died under your command. It may happen again. 136 00:12:44,630 --> 00:12:49,200 If you can't learn to release the anger and guilt, to talk... 137 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:51,170 A leader must stand alone. 138 00:12:51,970 --> 00:12:55,870 - As Capt Picard does. - Capt Picard talks to me. 139 00:13:04,850 --> 00:13:06,180 Then... 140 00:13:06,350 --> 00:13:11,390 may I seek counsel on my plan to make R'uustai with the boy? 141 00:13:11,890 --> 00:13:15,120 - The Bonding? - It is my right. 142 00:13:16,390 --> 00:13:21,260 It's very generous, Worf, but... he's not a Klingon child. 143 00:13:21,430 --> 00:13:23,700 He has different sensibilities. 144 00:13:23,860 --> 00:13:28,340 He is an orphan. I am an orphan. He will understand. 145 00:13:29,570 --> 00:13:32,770 Right now there isn't much he can understand. 146 00:13:33,740 --> 00:13:36,210 He is holding all his feelings inside. 147 00:13:38,510 --> 00:13:44,120 Children often feel they must be true to the memory of a lost parent. 148 00:13:44,350 --> 00:13:46,420 If you offer affection too soon, 149 00:13:46,590 --> 00:13:49,520 they can feel guilty returning that affection, 150 00:13:49,690 --> 00:13:52,190 as if they're betraying the love of the parent. 151 00:13:53,460 --> 00:13:55,960 I only wish to honor his mother. 152 00:13:56,160 --> 00:14:01,000 I know and I understand this means a great deal to you. 153 00:14:02,740 --> 00:14:04,810 But you must be prepared. 154 00:14:05,970 --> 00:14:10,680 He's very angry, too, but his anger is deep inside him. 155 00:14:10,850 --> 00:14:13,910 When he touches it, it will strike out in many directions, 156 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:15,850 including yours. 157 00:14:16,750 --> 00:14:18,950 Be with him. 158 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:21,990 Talk to him, but don't rush this. 159 00:14:23,690 --> 00:14:25,690 When he's ready, we'll know. 160 00:14:35,740 --> 00:14:40,540 Capt Patches, an alien ship! What shall we do? 161 00:14:40,710 --> 00:14:42,840 Oh, no! We've been hit! We're going down. 162 00:14:44,550 --> 00:14:47,850 That was great! Get a shot of Mom. 163 00:14:48,020 --> 00:14:51,820 What are you doing? I'll turn your lens to shards! 164 00:14:51,990 --> 00:14:55,420 Go away! Go away! Over there! 165 00:14:59,260 --> 00:15:00,600 Patches! 166 00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:04,930 Capt Patches is landing on the sofa! 167 00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:07,230 Oh, no! He's gonna crash! 168 00:15:19,610 --> 00:15:24,450 Jeremy Aster? I'm Lt Worf. May I enter? 169 00:15:26,420 --> 00:15:28,390 You were in command. 170 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:32,230 Yes. I was with Lt Aster... 171 00:15:33,490 --> 00:15:35,500 ...your mother, when she died. 172 00:15:38,670 --> 00:15:42,340 - You're a Klingon, aren't you? - Yes. 173 00:15:45,370 --> 00:15:47,640 We studied about Klingons in school. 174 00:15:49,780 --> 00:15:54,850 - What did they teach you? - You used to be our enemies. 175 00:15:55,380 --> 00:16:00,550 Did they teach you that we hope to die in the line of duty? 176 00:16:05,730 --> 00:16:10,700 In my tradition, we do not grieve the loss of the body. 177 00:16:11,870 --> 00:16:15,540 We celebrate the releasing of the spirit. 178 00:16:16,070 --> 00:16:19,240 I understand death. They teach us all about it. 179 00:16:20,070 --> 00:16:22,510 Jeremy Aster, 180 00:16:23,010 --> 00:16:28,080 we both understand. But we must bring meaning into your mother's death. 181 00:16:33,420 --> 00:16:36,190 Perhaps we can do it together. 182 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:45,930 Come. 183 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:50,440 Counselor, how's the boy? 184 00:16:50,610 --> 00:16:53,170 - He's being very brave. - Good. 185 00:16:53,670 --> 00:16:56,840 No, he has to get past brave. 186 00:16:57,010 --> 00:17:00,780 He's very angry and he has to express that anger 187 00:17:00,950 --> 00:17:03,850 before he can say goodbye to his mother. 188 00:17:05,750 --> 00:17:07,620 How can we help? 189 00:17:07,790 --> 00:17:10,690 Well, I've asked Beverly to get Wesley 190 00:17:10,860 --> 00:17:13,690 to talk to Jeremy about his father's death. 191 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:18,170 The one unusual element is Worf. 192 00:17:19,870 --> 00:17:23,240 In many ways, he is suffering as badly as the boy. 193 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,540 He wishes to involve Jeremy in a Klingon ceremony 194 00:17:26,710 --> 00:17:28,980 called R'uustai, the Bonding. 195 00:17:31,150 --> 00:17:34,520 I know of that. Perhaps it would help them. 196 00:17:35,020 --> 00:17:39,390 I don't think Jeremy's ready for Worf now. Perhaps later. 197 00:17:39,550 --> 00:17:42,160 It will have to be handled delicately. 198 00:17:42,320 --> 00:17:47,500 As you always do. I break the unpleasant news 199 00:17:47,660 --> 00:17:51,330 and there my responsibility ends. But you... 200 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:55,340 You have to stay with them through the grieving process. 201 00:17:56,370 --> 00:18:00,240 We deal with our pain in many different ways. 202 00:18:01,140 --> 00:18:03,950 Over the years, I've discovered it's in joy 203 00:18:04,110 --> 00:18:07,050 that the uniqueness of each individual is revealed. 204 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:11,290 If I can help a person back to joy... 205 00:18:12,090 --> 00:18:14,890 ...well, my role has its rewards. 206 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,960 Captain, we're picking up energy on the planet's surface. 207 00:18:25,900 --> 00:18:27,470 Location? 208 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:32,110 Two kilometers north of the away team's beam-down point. 209 00:18:33,170 --> 00:18:34,710 Full scan. 210 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:38,680 - Inconclusive, Captain. - Sir, 211 00:18:38,850 --> 00:18:42,350 I'm sensing a presence on the planet. 212 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:44,320 - Very vague. - Life form? 213 00:18:44,450 --> 00:18:48,720 I can't be sure. The emotions of the crew are so strong now, 214 00:18:48,890 --> 00:18:51,290 it's difficult to filter them out. 215 00:18:51,890 --> 00:18:54,160 Data, scan analysis on main viewer. 216 00:19:04,670 --> 00:19:05,840 Hi. 217 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:08,110 Hi. 218 00:19:09,780 --> 00:19:11,380 Troi stopped by. 219 00:19:11,550 --> 00:19:14,850 She was wondering if you'd talk to Jeremy Aster. 220 00:19:17,350 --> 00:19:18,290 Me? 221 00:19:21,860 --> 00:19:24,530 - What for? - About your dad. 222 00:19:27,530 --> 00:19:29,060 What will I tell him? 223 00:19:29,230 --> 00:19:33,130 It would help to talk to someone who's been through this. 224 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:39,770 We had each other. He doesn't have anyone right now. 225 00:19:40,270 --> 00:19:44,850 He might be more comfortable with someone who's not so much older. 226 00:19:44,980 --> 00:19:47,750 OK, I'll think about it. 227 00:19:49,580 --> 00:19:50,750 OK. 228 00:20:09,340 --> 00:20:13,170 - Do you think about him, Mom? - Your father? 229 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:17,380 Sure I do. 230 00:20:18,210 --> 00:20:19,810 Sometimes... 231 00:20:20,410 --> 00:20:25,490 ...I can't even remember what his face looks like. It scares me. 232 00:20:29,220 --> 00:20:31,990 It happens to all of us, Wes. 233 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:35,530 Sometimes... 234 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:39,530 ...I can't get his face out of my mind. 235 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:42,600 Today... 236 00:20:42,770 --> 00:20:44,740 Today it's like 237 00:20:44,910 --> 00:20:48,440 I can see it all as if it were yesterday. 238 00:20:49,940 --> 00:20:54,580 I can remember the way Dad looked when he hugged me goodbye, 239 00:20:54,750 --> 00:20:58,150 Capt Picard's eyes when he came to tell us... 240 00:21:05,890 --> 00:21:08,130 Data, run comparison of known phenomena. 241 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:12,670 The pattern has no match in Federation records. 242 00:21:12,830 --> 00:21:15,640 - Is it alive? - A possibility. 243 00:21:15,770 --> 00:21:17,410 Captain. 244 00:21:17,570 --> 00:21:21,610 I'm getting an unusual magnetic-flux reading from the pods. 245 00:21:22,940 --> 00:21:24,580 My God... 246 00:21:24,750 --> 00:21:26,350 Wait a minute. 247 00:21:26,510 --> 00:21:29,550 You've got ten seconds more, Mom. No peeking. 248 00:21:30,350 --> 00:21:35,190 Come on, Patches, in here. OK, Mom, we're ready! 249 00:21:35,360 --> 00:21:38,560 Jeremy? I'm getting closer! 250 00:21:39,730 --> 00:21:43,200 Jeremy? I'm gonna find you! 251 00:21:43,900 --> 00:21:45,970 You must be in here somewhere. 252 00:21:51,010 --> 00:21:52,310 Mom?! 253 00:22:02,180 --> 00:22:04,390 All systems are functioning normally. 254 00:22:04,550 --> 00:22:08,020 Still, there's this fluctuation in the containment field. 255 00:22:08,190 --> 00:22:12,630 - Can't account for it. - Is this related to the planet? 256 00:22:12,790 --> 00:22:16,030 There is a beam of particles emanating from it. 257 00:22:16,530 --> 00:22:18,770 But I cannot pinpoint the location. 258 00:22:18,930 --> 00:22:22,470 Captain, there's a presence on the Enterprise. 259 00:22:24,370 --> 00:22:27,780 - An alien presence? - No intruder on the sensors. 260 00:22:28,740 --> 00:22:30,610 There is a presence. 261 00:22:33,450 --> 00:22:36,650 Security, all decks yellow alert. Possible intruder. 262 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:53,800 - They said you were dead. - There was a mistake. 263 00:22:54,700 --> 00:22:56,100 It's OK. 264 00:23:02,140 --> 00:23:05,010 But there was an explosion. You were hurt. 265 00:23:05,610 --> 00:23:07,620 I'm fine. 266 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:11,150 You mustn't think any more about this. 267 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:15,020 The important thing is I'll never leave you again. 268 00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:22,030 I think somebody needs a hug. 269 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:44,790 We have to go now. 270 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:48,590 - Where? - To the planet. 271 00:23:51,660 --> 00:23:56,460 - That's where we're going to live. - Not on the Enterprise? 272 00:23:56,630 --> 00:23:58,270 No. 273 00:23:58,430 --> 00:24:02,270 We're gonna live in a home, just like on Earth. 274 00:24:04,170 --> 00:24:08,580 You'll see. I promise. 275 00:24:18,250 --> 00:24:19,790 Lt Worf! 276 00:24:19,950 --> 00:24:23,120 It was a mistake. She didn't die. She's alive! 277 00:24:23,290 --> 00:24:25,860 - Jeremy, come here! - Lt Worf. 278 00:24:26,030 --> 00:24:29,000 It's alright. I'm here for the boy. 279 00:24:31,170 --> 00:24:34,300 - Lt Worf to Capt Picard. - Go ahead. 280 00:24:34,470 --> 00:24:37,200 Lt Aster is in her quarters. 281 00:24:38,710 --> 00:24:41,680 - Repeat, Worf. - Lt Aster is here. 282 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:44,880 In her quarters with the boy. 283 00:24:45,050 --> 00:24:49,250 Do not provoke her or interfere in any way. Picard out. 284 00:24:51,050 --> 00:24:53,220 Number One, have Security move in that way 285 00:24:53,390 --> 00:24:56,090 but tell them to keep their distance. 286 00:24:56,220 --> 00:24:57,930 You have the bridge. 287 00:24:58,860 --> 00:25:00,430 Counselor. 288 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:09,770 Don't worry. I'm going to take care of Jeremy, make him happy. 289 00:25:10,970 --> 00:25:13,910 - It's time to go. - Where are you taking the child? 290 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:17,410 - To the planet. - Come, Jeremy. 291 00:25:26,320 --> 00:25:29,020 Worf to Picard. They're leaving their quarters. 292 00:25:31,290 --> 00:25:34,330 Captain, we're headed for transporter room three. 293 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:37,000 We're on our way. 294 00:25:42,670 --> 00:25:46,340 Chief O'Brien, Jeremy and I are going to the surface. 295 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:59,950 - Who are you? - I'm Marla Aster. 296 00:26:00,390 --> 00:26:04,430 - It's my mother. She's alive. - What do you want? 297 00:26:04,930 --> 00:26:09,930 - To take my child to the planet. - I cannot permit that. 298 00:26:10,100 --> 00:26:12,870 I'm here to care for him. 299 00:26:13,030 --> 00:26:16,340 He needs me. Why do you resist? 300 00:26:16,500 --> 00:26:20,510 Because I don't know who or what you are. 301 00:26:21,110 --> 00:26:22,880 Can't you see, Captain? 302 00:26:23,380 --> 00:26:26,580 She appears to be your mother but she is not. 303 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:31,350 - What? - You're confusing him. 304 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:33,890 Hey! Wait! Stop! No! 305 00:26:34,460 --> 00:26:36,890 No! Stop! Mom! 306 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:44,470 Mom? Wait a minute. Let go of me. She was right there. 307 00:26:49,740 --> 00:26:54,840 - What did you do to her? - That was not your mother. 308 00:26:55,580 --> 00:26:57,810 You saw her. She was here. 309 00:26:58,780 --> 00:27:00,350 Your mother's dead. 310 00:27:02,020 --> 00:27:04,690 But I touched her. She was real. 311 00:27:06,020 --> 00:27:11,430 Why would your real mother take you to a planet of dust and rocks? 312 00:27:28,740 --> 00:27:33,050 It's my house. It's my house on Earth. 313 00:27:33,880 --> 00:27:37,650 Exactly the way it was. Remember, Jeremy? 314 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:43,260 - How did you do it? - Does it matter? 315 00:27:43,420 --> 00:27:45,760 Yes, it matters. 316 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:52,630 I am trying to understand your resistance. 317 00:27:53,470 --> 00:27:56,900 You spoke of rocks and dust on the planet. 318 00:27:57,070 --> 00:27:59,910 I decided to show you what awaits us. 319 00:28:00,370 --> 00:28:02,940 Why would you create this fantasy? 320 00:28:04,780 --> 00:28:06,380 It's his home. 321 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:10,050 It makes you happy, doesn't it? 322 00:28:10,220 --> 00:28:12,420 But it's not real. 323 00:28:12,590 --> 00:28:14,120 Isn't it? 324 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:18,560 Jeremy, isn't that really Patches? 325 00:28:30,710 --> 00:28:33,770 He knows me. It's him. 326 00:28:36,540 --> 00:28:40,380 - It's real. It's all real. - No, it's not. 327 00:28:41,280 --> 00:28:44,350 Could your real mother just make this appear? 328 00:28:45,820 --> 00:28:49,620 You must not stay here. Come with me. 329 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:03,870 I can't. 330 00:29:09,010 --> 00:29:10,750 Is the boy in danger? 331 00:29:10,910 --> 00:29:15,120 I don't think so. She seems to want to help him. 332 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:17,020 By easing his pain. 333 00:29:17,180 --> 00:29:20,020 She's very confused by our resistance, Captain. 334 00:29:21,020 --> 00:29:24,560 Troi, would it be wise to remove Jeremy from his cabin? 335 00:29:25,390 --> 00:29:29,230 He doesn't want to leave. I would not recommend using force. 336 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:33,330 She offers him everything. All we offer is his mother's death. 337 00:29:33,500 --> 00:29:35,070 What would you choose? 338 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:39,170 If somebody offered to give you back your mother, father, husband, 339 00:29:39,340 --> 00:29:41,780 would any of us say no so easily? 340 00:29:41,940 --> 00:29:44,680 Counselor, stay with them in Jeremy's quarters. 341 00:29:45,180 --> 00:29:47,850 We'll try to end this from here. 342 00:29:47,980 --> 00:29:49,280 Understood. 343 00:29:52,090 --> 00:29:55,960 Data, can you determine that the energy source 344 00:29:56,120 --> 00:29:58,130 is powering this creation? 345 00:29:59,260 --> 00:30:02,430 The beam from the planet is tapping into us. 346 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:05,130 I'd say they're running her off our energy. 347 00:30:05,300 --> 00:30:07,640 So there are limits to her power. 348 00:30:07,800 --> 00:30:10,570 She needs the transporter to get him back. 349 00:30:10,740 --> 00:30:13,210 How do we cut the puppet's strings? 350 00:30:13,370 --> 00:30:16,510 Match the shield's harmonics to our containment fields. 351 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:18,250 That should sever the beam. 352 00:30:18,510 --> 00:30:21,020 - Proceed. - Deanna, stand by. 353 00:30:21,580 --> 00:30:23,150 Standing by. 354 00:30:25,820 --> 00:30:30,260 Jeremy, it's time for this to end. 355 00:30:31,730 --> 00:30:34,600 It's not real, and it's over now. 356 00:30:35,700 --> 00:30:38,930 Jeremy, I'm not going to leave you ever again. 357 00:30:39,430 --> 00:30:42,140 I won't trick you or lie. 358 00:30:43,540 --> 00:30:45,640 We'll be happy together... 359 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:51,280 No... 360 00:31:12,930 --> 00:31:15,070 Antimatter pods reading nominal. 361 00:31:15,570 --> 00:31:18,040 The shield has severed the beam, sir. 362 00:31:20,940 --> 00:31:22,180 Captain. 363 00:31:22,610 --> 00:31:24,010 The energy field... 364 00:31:28,680 --> 00:31:31,020 Mr Crusher, take us out. 365 00:31:43,330 --> 00:31:46,230 Alien intruder, transporter room three! Security alert! 366 00:31:48,570 --> 00:31:52,910 - Security to transporter room three! - Cmdr La Forge, Mr Worf, with me. 367 00:31:53,070 --> 00:31:54,710 Number One, you have the bridge. 368 00:32:20,740 --> 00:32:22,970 Come, Jeremy. 369 00:32:23,140 --> 00:32:26,440 We will not let them separate us again. 370 00:32:27,010 --> 00:32:28,680 We're going home. 371 00:32:41,290 --> 00:32:45,030 Captain, she's trying to take Jeremy off the ship. 372 00:32:45,190 --> 00:32:46,760 Acknowledged. 373 00:32:46,930 --> 00:32:49,960 Engineering, La Forge. Shut down power to transporters. 374 00:32:50,130 --> 00:32:53,600 - I'm on my way. - Aye-aye, sir. 375 00:32:53,770 --> 00:32:56,200 Lt Worf, to transporter room three. 376 00:32:59,140 --> 00:33:02,510 Bridge, seal off deck eight, corridors A and B. 377 00:33:03,140 --> 00:33:04,850 Engaging force fields, Captain. 378 00:33:05,010 --> 00:33:06,580 Transporters down. 379 00:33:22,660 --> 00:33:26,070 Energy force has left transporter room three. Security alert! 380 00:33:27,270 --> 00:33:30,240 La Forge, it may try to reinstate transporters. 381 00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:31,770 Understood. 382 00:33:58,330 --> 00:34:02,100 Bridge, release security force field 8B. 383 00:34:07,170 --> 00:34:08,780 Hello, Jeremy. 384 00:34:11,510 --> 00:34:14,180 How are you? Are you frightened? 385 00:34:15,180 --> 00:34:16,150 No. 386 00:34:18,650 --> 00:34:21,660 - Well, a little, sir. - Of course. 387 00:34:22,520 --> 00:34:25,360 These are frightening things that are happening. 388 00:34:25,530 --> 00:34:27,960 But we won't let anyone harm you. 389 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:31,500 Counselor, take the boy to my quarters. 390 00:34:32,330 --> 00:34:33,400 No! 391 00:34:46,110 --> 00:34:49,580 It's looking over everything, Commander, going to school. 392 00:34:52,850 --> 00:34:55,290 Let's hope it doesn't blow us up 393 00:34:55,460 --> 00:34:58,630 while figuring out how to blow us up. 394 00:35:05,470 --> 00:35:07,570 Power's back in transporter room three. 395 00:35:08,070 --> 00:35:11,610 Bypassing the manual override, shutting it down. 396 00:35:13,440 --> 00:35:15,040 Transporter is down again. 397 00:35:15,210 --> 00:35:18,380 - Keep it down. - Understood, Commander. 398 00:35:25,290 --> 00:35:30,360 It is only a matter of time before we can power the transporters. 399 00:35:30,930 --> 00:35:33,830 We? For whom else do you speak? 400 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:43,200 The accident on the surface was caused 401 00:35:43,370 --> 00:35:47,010 by a remnant of an ancient and tragic era. 402 00:35:48,310 --> 00:35:50,980 Two species once shared this world. 403 00:35:51,810 --> 00:35:55,050 One of energy and one of matter. 404 00:35:56,520 --> 00:35:59,050 The physical beings you call Koinonians 405 00:35:59,190 --> 00:36:02,760 destroyed themselves in unending, bitter wars. 406 00:36:03,190 --> 00:36:05,060 The surviving life forms 407 00:36:05,230 --> 00:36:07,500 will not tolerate any further suffering 408 00:36:07,660 --> 00:36:10,330 as a result of that dishonorable past. 409 00:36:11,400 --> 00:36:14,570 So... they have made this possible. 410 00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:17,200 They have made me possible. 411 00:36:18,070 --> 00:36:20,070 I appreciate your motives. 412 00:36:21,740 --> 00:36:24,750 But... his mother is dead. 413 00:36:25,580 --> 00:36:29,480 - He must live with that. - I will be every bit his mother! 414 00:36:29,650 --> 00:36:31,390 But not his mother! 415 00:36:37,730 --> 00:36:41,130 - Picard to Lt Worf. - Go ahead, Captain. 416 00:36:41,930 --> 00:36:45,670 Will you escort Ensign Crusher to the Aster quarters? 417 00:36:45,830 --> 00:36:47,800 - Yes, sir. - Picard out. 418 00:36:47,970 --> 00:36:50,270 Your philosophy is curious, Captain. 419 00:36:51,310 --> 00:36:53,810 What is so noble about sorrow? 420 00:36:54,340 --> 00:36:59,410 I can provide him an existence where he will feel no anguish. 421 00:37:01,020 --> 00:37:06,050 It is at the heart of our nature to feel pain... and joy. 422 00:37:06,850 --> 00:37:11,690 It is an essential part of what makes us what we are. 423 00:37:13,460 --> 00:37:17,300 He is alone now in your world. A child! 424 00:37:18,130 --> 00:37:19,500 Alone. 425 00:37:20,470 --> 00:37:23,540 How can you know he won't be happier with me? 426 00:37:23,670 --> 00:37:27,210 For a brief moment in time, he surely would be. 427 00:37:28,080 --> 00:37:30,210 Any of us in his place would be. 428 00:37:31,750 --> 00:37:34,150 What would Jeremy do for friends? 429 00:37:35,150 --> 00:37:37,180 He will have friends. 430 00:37:37,690 --> 00:37:41,260 And will you provide for his education, his health, 431 00:37:41,420 --> 00:37:43,260 his growth, 432 00:37:43,420 --> 00:37:45,860 a career, a wife? 433 00:37:48,560 --> 00:37:51,930 Yes, it's quite an undertaking you're proposing, isn't it? 434 00:37:53,870 --> 00:37:56,800 It is our duty to make him happy. 435 00:37:56,970 --> 00:38:00,410 Do you honestly believe he would be happy in... 436 00:38:00,940 --> 00:38:05,250 ...this total fiction which you wish to create? 437 00:38:06,280 --> 00:38:08,820 What reason would he have to live? 438 00:38:08,980 --> 00:38:14,760 What you offer him is a memory, something to cherish, not to live in. 439 00:38:15,620 --> 00:38:19,630 It is part of our life cycle that we accept the death of those we love. 440 00:38:20,700 --> 00:38:25,130 Jeremy must come to terms with his grief, not cover it. 441 00:38:25,770 --> 00:38:30,370 You see, we are mortal. Our time in this universe is finite. 442 00:38:30,970 --> 00:38:35,180 That is one of the truths that all humans must learn. 443 00:38:41,550 --> 00:38:44,020 Acting Ensign Crusher, reporting as ordered. 444 00:38:44,190 --> 00:38:47,920 Come in, Wesley. Please stay, Lieutenant. 445 00:38:54,600 --> 00:38:59,430 Wesley's father died on a Starfleet mission... 446 00:39:00,740 --> 00:39:02,570 ...when he was younger than you are. 447 00:39:04,910 --> 00:39:06,840 Wes, your mother told me 448 00:39:07,010 --> 00:39:12,010 you were finding it difficult to talk to Jeremy. Why is that? 449 00:39:12,680 --> 00:39:14,450 I don't know. 450 00:39:16,050 --> 00:39:18,550 I don't want to think about it. 451 00:39:18,720 --> 00:39:22,090 All this has reminded me so much of that day. 452 00:39:22,660 --> 00:39:27,060 The day I told you your father had been killed. As I recall, 453 00:39:27,230 --> 00:39:28,960 you took it very well. 454 00:39:30,160 --> 00:39:34,170 My parents had told me about Starfleet missions. 455 00:39:34,340 --> 00:39:37,270 - I knew what could happen. - You were prepared? 456 00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:39,910 No. I wasn't prepared at all. 457 00:39:40,680 --> 00:39:45,610 How can anyone be prepared to hear that a parent is never coming home? 458 00:39:46,810 --> 00:39:50,420 I tried to be what everyone expected of me. 459 00:39:50,580 --> 00:39:52,590 Brave and mature. 460 00:39:53,690 --> 00:39:57,120 Wesley, are you saying that you didn't want anybody 461 00:39:57,290 --> 00:39:59,390 to see what you were feeling? 462 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:03,560 What were you feeling? 463 00:40:04,400 --> 00:40:07,400 Like... somebody had kicked me in the head. 464 00:40:08,400 --> 00:40:10,400 Somebody? 465 00:40:11,070 --> 00:40:15,510 Go on. You've wanted to tell him for a long time. 466 00:40:17,550 --> 00:40:20,410 I was angry... at you! 467 00:40:22,020 --> 00:40:24,720 Why were you angry at me, Wesley? 468 00:40:26,520 --> 00:40:30,690 Were you angry because I told you your father was dead? 469 00:40:31,330 --> 00:40:33,630 - No. - Then why? 470 00:40:35,130 --> 00:40:37,630 Because you led the mission. 471 00:40:38,300 --> 00:40:41,040 You came home and my father didn't. 472 00:40:44,270 --> 00:40:49,310 - How long were you angry, Wes? - For a long time. 473 00:40:50,480 --> 00:40:52,480 But not any more, sir. 474 00:40:53,910 --> 00:40:55,820 Not even a little. 475 00:40:58,420 --> 00:41:04,090 So, Jeremy, you must be very angry at Lieutenant Worf. 476 00:41:05,290 --> 00:41:09,600 He was in charge of your mother's mission just like Capt Picard, 477 00:41:09,760 --> 00:41:14,340 when Wesley's father was killed. Isn't that right? 478 00:41:15,370 --> 00:41:19,640 Worf came back. Your mother didn't. 479 00:41:21,280 --> 00:41:26,610 Why? Why weren't you the one who died? Why did it have to be her? 480 00:41:27,110 --> 00:41:30,790 He can't answer that. None of us can. 481 00:41:32,390 --> 00:41:35,390 Lt Worf also lost his parents. 482 00:41:35,990 --> 00:41:43,400 They were killed when I was six. When I was alone, humans helped me. 483 00:41:45,100 --> 00:41:46,700 Let me help you. 484 00:41:47,400 --> 00:41:51,610 The Marla Aster I knew and honored is not in this room. 485 00:41:52,340 --> 00:41:54,840 Nor does she await you on the planet. 486 00:41:55,580 --> 00:41:58,380 She now only lives here... 487 00:41:59,580 --> 00:42:01,180 ...and here. 488 00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:12,290 Join me in the R'uustai, the Bonding. 489 00:42:12,930 --> 00:42:16,460 You will become part of my family for all time. 490 00:42:17,500 --> 00:42:19,230 We will be brothers. 491 00:44:04,940 --> 00:44:06,710 What does that mean? 492 00:44:09,110 --> 00:44:11,780 It honors the memory of our mothers. 493 00:44:12,280 --> 00:44:15,950 We have bonded and our families are stronger.