EmJae

Engineering

The Traveler has fainted.  Wesley and Daneel are on their knees, holding each other together.  We see inside the mind of The Traveler once more.

The Traveler and a Kaanor (male bodied) are on a mountain on Ruach.

Traveler: Khalik, I can’t believe you’re here.

Khalik: I am with you always.

Traveler: How long has it been?

Khalik: 100 years, my love.

Traveler: I’ve missed you.

Khalik: I’ve missed you, too.  There’s something I have to tell you.

Traveler: What is it? Khalik: We have a child.

Traveler: But I thought our species were too different? Khalik: We are just alike enough.

Traveler: (overcome with emotion) Can I see them?

Khalik: (smiling broadly) Come with me.

They fly to Joy’s cave.

Traveler: Why is everyone unconscious?!

Khalik: Not everyone.  (He gestures to Joy, who is winding their hands in a specific way.  They go to Kai, who is suddenly small.  They hold him in their arms like a baby and kiss him.  Riker and Olivia stir.)

Traveler: They’re a healer? Khalik: (nodding) Yes. Traveler: (completely transfixed) What is their name?

Khalik: Joy.  Our first child. Traveler: Our…first?

Khalik: (a tear slipping down his cheek) I didn’t mean to say that.

Traveler: Khalik, what’s wrong? Khalik: It was a horrible accident, my love. Traveler: (firmly) Show me.  (Khalik, trembling, puts Traveler’s hand on his face.)

We see flashes of Riker’s story, ending with Jean-Luc and Faith’s death.  Khalik and Traveler hold each other, crying.

Khalik: Please tell me there’s something you can do.

Traveler: I don’t know if I can.  But I think I know someone.

Back to the Ohana in “Engineering”

Data: It is done!  (pressing buttons) Moving Enterprise away from the suns, warp 9.  Computer, reestablish environmental controls as soon as possible.  (beeps, whirls.  Data takes the turbolift to Sick Bay.  He sees Beverly in a pool of her own sweat, unconscious.  She stirs as Data comes near her.

Bev: I’ll take care of everyone here.  Go to Engineering!

In Engineering, Wesley, Daneel, and Traveler are unconscious. Data scans the three of them. 

Data: Computer, flood Engineering with oxygen now! (Data begins chest compressions on Daneel, kissing them every so often.  Daneel stirs after a few rounds of CPR.  Data kisses them again, and moves on to Wesley.  Daneel crawls over to the Traveler, who has blood coming out of his nose and mouth.)  

Khalik and the Traveler approach Joy, who is still holding Kai.  

Khalik: Hello, Joy. Joy: Who are you?  How did you get to my cave? Traveler: We are your parents, Joy. Joy: I thought I was Kaanori; that I just came to be one day. Khalik: You’re our child, Joy.  You are part Kaanori, but your healing powers come-- Traveler: From me.

Joy: William is my father. Khalik: In a way, yes.  But we are your parents--you came from us. Joy: Why did you come here now?

Traveler: Yes, why did we come today? Khalik: Joy made a mistake a few months ago.  You asked then if there was a way for you to fix it. Joy: That was one of my spirits--they are separate from me. Khalik: Only a little. Joy: Is it my responsibility to fix their mistake? Joy (the spirit, appearing from nowhere): You might be the only one who can. Joy (host): What did you do, my child? Joy (spirit): I killed Brutus. Joy (host): You couldn’t have done that on your own. Joy (spirit): I suppose not.  But he is dead, and I had a part in it. Joy (host): Are you sorry? Joy (spirit): Yes, Joy.  I truly am. Joy (host): Then follow me.  Your freedom awaits you.

Khalik: Joy!  If you do that, you can’t go back. Joy (host): A sacrifice has to be made--no one can just be brought back. Khalik: I have a better idea.

Joy (host), Khalik, and the Traveler appear before the Admirals.

Khalik: There, sitting before you, are the people who tortured us for “scientific discovery.” Joy (host): You want me to sacrifice them? Traveler: They would do it to you without a second thought. Joy (host): My spirit didn’t give it a second thought when they killed Brutus, the last of his race. Khalik: This is different. Joy (host): Is it? 

Joy stands strong, singing confidently.

First trees. Then air. Then birds. Then other people. But one day when I was sitting quiet and feeling alone, it came to me: I am a part of everything Everything is a part of me Nothing is separate at all From the rising of the suns To where the rain falls Nothing is separate at all If I cut a tree, My arm would bleed I am just like you, You are just like me. You laugh I cry We run all around the house Friend, we know what this is When it happens, no one can miss it. [paraphrase of The Color Purple] (Ok, here’s what just happened.  The Admirals are stunned by Joy’s voice.  They kneel at Joy’s feet.  Joy (spirit) kneels next to them.  Brutus comes back in the shadows; he is angry.  When he hears Joy’s song, he is soothed. He looks in a mirror, and Q appears.  Q comes closer and closer to the mirror.  He climbs out of the mirror, then out of the shadows.  He is whole again, but he has Kaanori features.  The Admirals and Joy (spirit) see Q, and they willingly go to the shadows, where they are swallowed up.

Khalik: You made them see. Joy: When they died, an energy became available.

Q: Thank you for putting that energy into bringing me back. Traveler: I felt that healing, too.  But there is still more healing left to do.

Joy: That is for Kai.  He is better now. Traveler: No, there’s still more.

Joy: My spirit finally discovered what their purpose was. And, Riker, she had a message for you.

Riker: What was it? Joy: (smiling) Je suis a toi. (Riker is now holding Jean-Luc.)

Riker: (nearly dropping Jean-Luc, puts him down) Jean-Luc…my son? Khalik: Our youngest. Traveler: Jean-Luc. (getting on his level)  I did hope I would get to meet you.

Jean-Luc: (timidly) It is my pleasure to meet you. Riker: Your child? Traveler: My child.  The child of myself and Khalik.  Joy’s brother.  (standing with Riker, hugging him) Thank you for taking care of him.

Riker: Didn’t I kill him?  And wait.  (looking around) Why is Q a Kaanor? Joy:  I am a healer.  I can take the energy from death and transform it into life.  But, strangely, only Kaanori life.  Since Q is beyond form, I brought him back as a Kaanor.  He will learn to heal, like me.  And like Jean-Luc. Riker: That brings me to my second point. Khalik: Jean-Luc.  When the Admirals and Joy’s spirit died, Joy chose to use that energy for the most good. Joy: I brought back my little brother--another healer.  This universe needs healing, and I can’t do it on my own.

Q: This is going to take some explaining to the crew. Traveler: About that… Q: Yes?

Back in Engineering, Wesley is dying.  Bev is struggling to replicate an artificial heart for him.  

Bev: Computer, replicate Heart model d/Ican14J. (Her voice is strong, but her hands are shaking.  She holds the heart in her hands and drops it due to the shaking.  Data catches it.)Data: Doctor, sit down.  Captain?! (KJ comes and forces Bev to leave the area and sit.  KJ goes into Bev’s office and comes out with a hypospray.  Bev furrows her brow.) 

KJ: It will not do you any good to be conscious for this. (KJ gives Bev the shot, and Bev collapses in KJ’s arms, fast asleep.)

A snap.  Q, Joy, Jean-Luc, Riker, Kai, and Olivia are all standing in Sick Bay.  Patrick, seeing Q again, faints. KJ springs into action, easing Patrick to a biobed.  

Joy: (to Data) What can I do to help? Data: Hold this. (Data hands them the heart. Joy takes one hand off of the heart and puts it on Wesley’s forehead.  A melody begins.  Data works quickly, cutting efficiently and replacing the heart. Joy’s head falls back, and the melody grows louder and louder.  Finally, at its loudest, Wesley’s incision is healed with no scar.

Q: Joy!  Are you okay? Joy: (their head popping back up) Yes, I am okay.  So is Wesley.

Wesley: (waking up) Data?

Data: Daneel!  He’s awake! Daneel: We thought we lost you.

Data: I am grateful we were successful with your surgery.

Wesley: Surgery?

Data: You have an artificial heart now.

(KJ gives Bev a hypospray.  Bev wakes with a jolt.)

Bev: Data! Data: Doctor? (He moves to the side.  She sees Wesley.)

Bev: WESLEY!

Wesley: Mom!  I think I’m okay now? Data: Yes.  He is safe, Doctor.  (Bev sinks down and lays her head on Wesley’s chest.)

Q: Joy? Joy: Yes? Q: You said you can only bring Kaanori life--how do you heal?

Joy: My healing is separate from my ability to bring life.  I was born with an extra lobe of lung, which is what produces my healing melodies.  That healing melody cannot heal mortal wounds, but it can heal the maladies of any race.  

Q: What about your ability to give life?

Joy: I can only take the energy of a life given freely.  I take the energy within me, and thus my genetic makeup is passed on to the recipient. Khalik: Since this ability is given by the Kaanor side, only the Kaanori side is given.

Data: Are the mighty nine restored back to power?

Q snaps. Intendant Kira Nerys appears.

Intendant: We would like to resign from our former positions.

Olivia: Your resignations are accepted.  Would you like to receive professional counseling from our career coordinator? Intendant: Career Coordinator?

Olivia: Yes, she is a member of the council.

Intendant: Brutus does not know this person. Olivia: Her name is Lilo.

Intendant: (raising one eyebrow) We will meet with Lilo.

Q goes to check on Patrick, who is coming to on the biobed.

Patrick: I can’t believe it.  I watched you die.

Q: I can’t believe it myself. Patrick: I missed you, you know. Q: I missed you, too.

Patrick: Can I ask you--

Q: About the afterlife?  It won’t be the same as it will be for you.  It’s different for everyone.

Patrick: Not what I was going to say.

Q: Oh.  I’m sorry. Patrick: I forgive you.  

Q: What were you going to say?

Patrick: Can I ask you to be my boyfriend?

Q: Gender is a weird construct and it doesn’t really (Patrick rolls his eyes.) Yes, I’m your boyfriend.

A3: We are the last Douwd.  A1: We found out about your incident at Mintaka III, and the rest-- Patrick: Is very fucking important.

A2: They were willing participants in valuable research! Patrick: You tortured an entire race for 100 years! A3: We forced their evolution a little too quickly. Riker: A LITTLE?! Patrick: There is no reason that would be good enough, but why? A1: The Husnak were planning an attack. Picard: As I recall, you massacred them all. A2: I did not erase them from all of time.  There was a group of them in one timeline that survived, and they developed a technology that was impervious to our control.  So, we had to make a race that was stronger than ourselves to help. A3: We built the strongest race in the history of all the universes. They have a lifespan of thousands of years.

Bev: What about Joy? A1: (stuttering a bit) The experiments didn’t give us joy, Doctor. A2: She’s talking about Joy--the Kaanor.  We didn’t create them.  One day they were just…there.

A3: Trust me, they surprised us as much as they surprised you. Joy: (appearing out of nowhere) We shall find out soon.  (Even though they’re blind, they get eye-level with A1.) How do we defuse the bombs? A1: (laughing) Wouldn’t you like to know? Joy: That would be why I asked. Do not make me force it out of you. A2: What--you’re going to kill us?  I think you all know that’s impossible. Joy: Believe it or not, there is something worse.

A3: (raising an eyebrow) I think you’re bluffing.

Joy: (without flinching, rips a large portion of A1’s hair out in one swift motion) I am not.

A1: (screams, clearly in pain) Tell them. A3: Wait!  What do we get if we tell you?  Do we get to go free? Joy: (looking around) Allow us to discuss. (Riker puts a forcefield around them and fills it with stinging insects.)

Bev: This is about to go too far. Picard: The safety controls are on--they won’t be harmed. Bev: (addressing Riker) How did they get you back on your feet so quickly? Picard: He’s a hologram.  Bev: Oh.  (to Joy) And I assume you are as well? Joy: Are you familiar with the phrase, “Astral Projection?”

KJ: (whimpering slightly) Please move on. Joy: What do they get if they help us? Worf: Not a damn thing. Joy: Okay, what do we tell them they get for helping us? Bev: I mean, we’re not actually going to kill them, right? Joy: Not exactly. Bev: Torture? Joy: No.

Data: I have an idea. Patrick: Is it a good idea? Data: Potentially. Joy: Fine.  

They nod to Riker, who lifts the forcefield.  The bugs disappear, and the 3 Admirals, all forming welts, are screaming/crying.  Riker taps another button or two, and their welts disappear.  They gradually realize they’re okay.

Data: If you help us, we will help you find an uninhabited planet to live on--a place where you will never hurt anyone ever again, but where no one will ever hurt you again, either.

A1: I’m in favor of this plan. (A2 and A3 nod, breathless.)

Patrick: Then it is time for you to leave this place.  Computer, replicate Engineering, and share control to holodeck four. (Computer beeps.  Riker disappears.  Engineering forms around them.  The Admirals are appropriately shocked.) Doctor, you are needed in Sick Bay. 

Bev: (already walking) On my way.

Picard: I am needed on the bridge.  Patrick, report to Sick Bay.  The rest of you, stay here.  You three (the Admirals) dictate what needs to be done to Mr. Data.  He will fill in all the connections.  Worf, Kathryn, DeAnna.  These three do not make any errant moves.

Worf, KJ, DeAnna: Aye, sir.

Picard: I’ll be on the Bridge.

Engineering (the real one) 

Wesley: We’re almost there.

Traveler: Good.  The warp drive system needs time to recharge.  

Wesley: (waiting a beat) Here.  This is it.

Traveler: We have arrived at Ruach.  It’s been a long time since I was last here.

Wesley: When was the last time you were here?

Traveler: (smiling sadly) Long before you were born, son. 

Picard: (over communicator) Bridge to Engineering.

Wesley: Here, sir. Picard: (over combadge) Get us as close as we can get to those suns.

We are in a strange place--a before time.  The Traveler is here, and so is a Kaanor.  The lights are hazy, and things get blurrier and blurrier as we spend more time here.  The Traveler grabs the Kaanor’s hand.  The Kaanor squeezes his hand, and pulls him in.  We see what we’re pretty sure is a kiss, and then they are only lumpy shadows.  We zoom out, and we come out of The Traveler’s eye.

Traveler: Khalik…

Daneel: What?  Traveler: I apologize.  (looking at the panel) The system is beginning its recharge cycle.

Daneel: We are as close as we can get to these suns, Captain.  The temperature will begin its adverse affects in 37 minutes. 

Picard: (over the com system) Mr. Data, please act quickly.

Holodeck Engineering

All the Admirals have a hand on Data’s back.  Data is inputting everything as quickly as he can.

Sick Bay

Patrick is tending to Riker, who is still unconscious.

Bev grabs Kai's hands.  They lean away from each other, as if stretching their backs.  They both breathe deeply and lift one foot in the air.  Kai can barely lift his foot off the ground.  A sickly, slightly green light comes from Kai’s chest.  It glows a little brighter, but it is weak. It eventually encircles Kai and Bev, but it is flickering.  Kai collapses.  Joy comes from Bev’s office and tends to Kai.

Bev: The Amnah Alhaya went wrong. Joy: It was not due to you.  Kai is suffering.  I have to help.

Bev: (picks Kai up and carries him to a bed)  What can I do to help? Joy: I do not know. (They begin to sing in a lower register.  Kai stirs, and sees Joy for the first time.)Kai: (pained) Joy.  You came. Joy: How do you know my name? Kai: (realizing they are a spirit, not the host, wearily) We met long ago.  Your host…they’re the only one who can heal me now. Joy: You are near them, are you not? Kai: Tell me where to find them. Joy: You will find the sun at the place where it sets.  Warmth and light and cold and darkness all coexist.

Bev: What can I do to help, Joy? Joy: (it’s clear the wheels are turning) Bring me to Riker. (Bev escorts them over to Riker and Patrick.  Patrick steps back, even though it’s clear he does not want to leave Riker’s side.) Riker, arise.  (They levitate as Riker comes to and stands.) What do we do when we are lost?

Riker: We seek an audience with the council.  They are there to help. Joy: Go, Earnest.  Seek an audience with the council.  Tell them what I have told you.  They will hear you.

Riker: (fearfully) Without Faith, how will I hope to approach? Joy: (gently) Faith is always with you, even if it does not seem so.  

Riker walks to Kai and picks him up.  Joy smiles and disappears.  Patrick walks Riker and Kai to the nearest transporter room and beams them to Ruach.  They appear outside the council building.  Riker takes a deep breath, then, with tears in his eyes, enters with Kai.  The building is dark.  For brevity’s sake, this entire interaction is sung.

Riker: (Timidly, unsure if anyone is there) May I address the council as a whole?

Olivia: (a pregnant pause, then through tears) Earnest.  Be comforted, friend.  We--I am here to help.

Riker: You recognize me? Olivia: (sadly, gently) You are not Kaanori, but I would know my best friend’s partner anywhere. Riker: I am sorry for my deception. Olivia: I know you well enough to know you meant no harm.  Why have you brought us another Kaanor?

Riker: (adjusting Kai so his face is shown) This is Kai. Olivia: (shocked, standing) Kai?!

Riker: He needs healing--he needs Joy’s help. Olivia: (suspiciously) Joy?  The host?

Kai: (voice breaking, weakly) You will find the sun at the place where it sets.  Warmth and light and cold and darkness all coexist.

Olivia wastes no time.  She brings Riker and Kai up to the roof, where Brutus’ futuristic flying cop car still sits.  She drives headlong into the sunset of the biggest sun.  The car goes faster and faster, and Riker looks nervous.  Finally, she enters a small, dark cave.  She hops out of the car and busies herself gathering some sticks.  She cuts a handful of her own hair off and places it on top of the sticks.  Bundling them all carefully, she scrapes the mixture along the wall.  The mixture catches fire, and the walls glow red, as if emitting heat.

Joy enters from deep inside the cave.  They’re shocked to see Kai.

Joy: Kai?! (addressing Riker) Lay him down near the fire. (Riker places Kai down gently.)

Joy sings.  A bright light emanates from their chest, and it encircles Olivia, Riker, Kai, Joy, and the fire.  Kai floats as Joy’s melodies overlap.  Individual lights emerge from the main light in different colors.  They swirl around Kai, healing body and mending clothes.  On the last note, the light is too bright for the camera. 

Back on the Ohana, Data continues to input code on the panels, which are beginning to spark.  

Bridge

Picard: (breathing heavily) How much longer can we withstand the temperature, Lieutenant?

Daneel: (sweat pouring down their face) Fatal exposure in 7 minutes.

Picard: (on combadge) Mr. Data, can you do it in 7 minutes?

Data: I am working as quickly as I can.

Picard: Please make haste, Mr. Data.

“Engineering”

DeAnna: I’m sensing you are afraid, Admiral.

A3: Afraid?  Certainly not.

A2: Why lie to her? A1: We’re not lying!

A2: We are afraid.

DeAnna: Why is that? A2: Until now, no one has ever held us accountable for our actions. A1: We are afraid the Kaanori will kill us. DeAnna: I thought you were immortal? A3: Until we created the Kaanori, that was true.  They grew too strong.

DeAnna: I wanted to provide you with words of comfort, but even after knowing only two Kaanori, I know you will be punished.  And I don’t think you deserve comfort.

Worf: There is comfort in knowing the struggle will soon come to an end.

KJ: These are not warriors, Worf.  They are cowards, hiding behind their own power.  They deserve their punishment.

Worf: P’tahks.  There is honor in dying in battle.  There is no honor in any of your work.

KJ, Wesley, Data, and Daneel.  Daneel is the most unokay we have ever seen.  They are non-verbal, sitting still, and tracing lines in the grout of the tile in their cell.

Wesley: (holding Daneel, worried)  Is there any news, Data?  Maybe from Kai? Data: Of the people who could have news, Kai is the most likely.  Unfortunately, I have not heard from him.  Daneel? (They do not respond.) Is there anything I can do to help you? (Daneel turns to Wesley, pained.) Wesley: They haven’t gotten to talk to their parents in a month.  They don’t know if they are okay.  And they are afraid that stealing a ship for a good cause will keep them from furthering their career.  And if their career ends, they will have to return to Bajor to care for their parents who, again, they do not know if they are ok--

KJ: (from the corner, sitting in lotus pose) Daneel.  Glasses: Yes, Captain. KJ: Breathe. Wesley: (turning to Daneel, looking them in the eyes)  Can you let me have some of that?  (Daneel furiously shakes their head.)

KJ: Can you do that? 

Wesley: (locking eyes with Daneel)  I can bear your pain.  Let it come to me for a while.

We hear a breath release come from the glasses.  Wesley gasps and sinks to the floor.  KJ scoots to him and holds his hand.  Daneel has a tear in their eye.

Daneel: Wesley!  KJ: (with her hand up to stop them from crowding him) Daneel.  Keep breathing. Daneel: But Wesley is--

KJ: He (with disbelief) seems to have absorbed your pain for now.  Breathe. Daneel: I have to help him--he can’t handle it for both of us. Data: He took it so you could rest. (Wesley nods.) In, two, three, four, out, two, three, four (breathing with them. Eventually Daneel lays down to rest.)KJ: If this were a different circumstance, I would enjoy studying the connection between the two of them.  Data? (KJ gestures for him to come closer.  She and Data walk out of earshot.) Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve never seen Starfleet Command imprison people and command them as personal servants in my studies of Starfleet history. Data: What are you suggesting, Captain? KJ: Has Starfleet Command been infiltrated before?  I think I remember one instance, but with minimal food and water, my brain isn’t recalling properly. Data: Cross-Referencing.  They were at one point possessed by parasitic aliens.  It did not appear that there was much of a plan once the parasites had infested the top members of Starfleet.

KJ: Wait, was that the worm thing? (Data nods. KJ shivers a little to shake it off.)  I have friends at Starfleet Command.  What about Admiral Paris?  We’ve been here a month--surely he would have come to visit or come to our aid by now.  And another thing--less than five guards?  And all we’ve seen of those in charge are three nameless Admirals. Data: Their names do not appear in my facial recognition services.  They have no profiles. KJ: Why didn’t you say something before? Data: There has not been adequate time or privacy to mention it.  I have been conducting level one diagnostics of that program to make sure I have not missed anything.  Those three Admirals are not members of Starfleet.  I do not think they are humanoid. KJ: Do you think their appearances are projections? Data: I would have to get closer to them to discern that, but I do not believe so. KJ: We need to communicate with our crew.  I know you are strong enough to break out of here.  What can I help you do?

(Kai bursts into the room where they’re being held.  He touches all four of them gently.)

Kai: (telepathically) Follow me, and hurry.

(KJ helps Wesley while Data helps Daneel.  They hurry.  On the way to where they’re going, Kai stops next to a door where a panel is showing some text.)

Kai: (telepathically) We cannot go this way.  Back to your cell.  KJ: (telepathically) Not that I don’t appreciate your help, Kai, but what the hell is going on? Kai: (telepathically) There is no time to explain, Kathryn.  Follow me, now.

(Kai takes all of them through weaving hallways, in circles, and finally to a door they do not recognize. Kai opens the door to Picard and DeAnna.  He shoves the crew in the room quickly.  He holds his hands up as if in a “stay” motion.  He brings a finger to his lips, then runs in the other direction.  DeAnna wordlessly lays Wesley down and holds him.)

Kai practically flies down several flights of stairs.  They get grimier and darker the further down he goes.  Finally, he comes to a door covered in traps (think Saw, not Home Alone).  Inside, we see Worf covered in chains.  He is wrapped so tightly that he can’t move from side to side.  He can, however, roll, which is what he’s currently being forced to do by some holographic Klingons with pain sticks.  He is going slowly, and whenever he pauses to catch his breath, the lights in the chamber dim.

Outside the door, Kai speaks softly.

Kai: When I try to open it, my hands become covered in a sticky, greasy substance.  Patrick: (telepathically) Look to your right.  What does the writing say?

Kai: It’s a keypad.  It has 7 spaces above it.  Two places for numbers are there for the first, second, fifth, sixth, and seventh.  

Patrick: (telepathically) and the other two? Kai: Only one number goes in the third and fourth spaces.

Patrick: (telepathically) To your left--is that a green planet with one moon? Kai: Yes.

Patrick: (telepathically) The code is 20-18-1-9-20-15-18. (123 ABC cipher for traitor)

Kai: (inputs the code.  The door pops open.) How did you know that?

Patrick: (telepathically) They wanted to torture him.  They wanted everyone to know and acknowledge that he was a traitor. 

Kai enters.  He turns to his right, and there is the arch.  Kai taps away at a panel.

Kai: Computer, end program! (the Klingons vanish.  Worf’s chains clatter as he drops to the ground.) Stay still and do not wail, brave warrior.  I have come to rescue you.  (Kai quickly unspools Worf’s chains.  Patrick interrupts.) 

Patrick: (telepathically) If you can beam him here, I can do that while you help the others. Kai: (telepathically, continuing to free Worf) They will know something is going on, and we are not yet ready to fight.  Go to your companions.  That will save me a step.

Patrick springs up and puts on a cloak.  He walks with his face covered.  He taps at a panel and walks away.  Eventually, after a couple more repeats of him tapping on a panel and continuing to walk away, he arrives at the room with everyone else.  He puts a finger to his lips, and he removes his cloak.  Picard hugs him, and they silently wait for others.  Patrick goes to Wesley and sits him up.  Patrick uses ASL to sign to Wesley and Daneel.

Patrick: (signing) We need the help of the Traveler.

Daneel and Wesley: (signing) We understand.

Bev is still finishing up Riker’s surgery.  Bev is trying to put Riker’s brain back together.  The lobes have swollen--they don’t fit together correctly anymore.  This is the part where I remind you that I’m not a science-y human and do not know what would need to be done to fix this.  So, she is doing something that looks official and like it might work, but I couldn’t begin to tell you what that is. (All I know about surgery is from Grey’s Anatomy and MASH, so…)

Bev: (under her breath) You are going to make it, Will.  You are going to make it.

A1: (over a speaker) Are you still working on that?  We have all we need.  Just let the subject die.  No one will cry over them.

Bev: (forcefully, with a tear going down her cheek) Wrong!  I will.

(Kai finally untangles Worf’s chains.)

Kai: We have a little time.  (Worf catches his breath.) Why did they think you were a traitor? Worf: The Klingon Empire has blamed my father for an attack on my people.  Even though it has been proven that he was innocent, the Empire has not cleared his name.  I refuse to disown my father, so I am considered a traitor. Kai: But you didn’t do anything. Worf: Klingon children bear the weight of their fathers’ decisions.  Mogh’s dishonor is on me, and it will pass to my son.

Kai: (helping him up) I am not a healer or a linguist like Joy, but I have studied a small amount of Klingon history and culture.  You have survived torture and dishonor.  You have significant trauma, and fighting trauma is a long campaign against an enemy who never tires, whose forces swell to twice their size whenever you look away.  Battle against a foe of such magnitude, who occupies your very mind…every second you survive is a triumph against all odds.  There is no more honorable combat.  You are a true son of Kahless for fighting your shame and continuing to exist. (https://www.reddit.com/r/CuratedTumblr/comments/pf0hza/truths_from_the_klingon_therapist/#lightbox)

Worf: (straightening up) Thank you, Kai.  It is an honor to join you in combat.

(Kai and Worf make it back to the room with the remainder of the crew.)

Patrick: We don’t have much time before they figure out that we’ve made it back together.  I really hoped we’d have Beverly and Will with us. Kai: I’m still working on that, but I have to time it exactly right.  I managed to swipe an emergency medkit from the hallway. (He produces it.  Wesley, still in pain, looks up at Kai.)

Kai: I am not a healer, but I have studied a few spells.  I will do all I can to help you.  (Kai places his hands on Wesley’s chest and closes his eyes.  He mumbles a long stretch of discordant whispers, and Wesley takes a deep breath. Kai, breathing heavily) What I have done is temporary. (Wesley nods.) Take the medkit and do what you can. (Wesley immediately gets up and walks around giving everyone what hyposprays he can.)  Patrick: Worf, I need you as close to your best as you can be if this is going to work. (He nods.)  Data, are you injured? Data: No.

Patrick: Good.  Kathryn? KJ: Also uninjured, sir.

Patrick: Alright.  Here’s the plan.

Bev’s breathing finally regulates--Riker is safe.  She turns to get another thing to close, and all of the sudden, she and Riker are in the room with everyone else.

Patrick: Do we all understand the plan? Bev: (looking around) I think I might have missed a few steps.

KJ: (shocked) Bev!  (She goes to her side, kisses her, and holds her.)

Patrick: As much as I love the enthusiasm, we do NOT have a time for a reunion right now.  Doctor, you and Commander Riker stay here.  Kai will come get you when it’s time.

Kai: (he doesn’t look well) About that…(Bev rushes over.  Kai puts a hand up.) I will be okay; I only need to rest.  Doctor Crusher can take my place in the plan.  Hurry--no time to lose.  Doctor, do you know how to perform the Amnah Alhaya?

Bev: Of course. Kai: Be ready to do it when you return.

A1, A2, and A3 are in the observation room, and they see Bev and Riker disappear.

A1: Tell me you saw that. A2: Yes, of course we did.

A3: (tapping combadge) Security, find Dr. Beverly Crusher.  She has escaped.

Kai: (over combadge) Understood.

Picard, KJ, Data, and Worf put on security cloaks.  Patrick motions for them to follow him.  Bev tags along with no disguise.  We pass a napping lieutenant, and approach the 3 Admirals in the observation lounge.  Bev crouches down and scans them through the wall.  Her tricorder spits out a vial.  She looks up, gives the vial to Data, and stands.

Worf: (doing his best to disguise his voice) We have found her.  

Data shoves her in the room with them and throws the vial in before closing the door.  The vial bursts, and they all scream.  They’re all knocked out.  After a moment, Worf opens the door again.  Picard, Data, and Worf each take an Admiral.  KJ shoots Bev with a hypospray, and after coming to, they each help Picard and Worf with their respective Admirals.

Bev: (to Worf) I never thought I’d say this, but the Klingon Weaponized Tricorder was a great success. (Worf grins.)

Daneel, DeAnna, and Wesley sneak onto the Ohana and into Engineering.  DeAnna stands guard by the entrance with a phaser.  Daneel and Wesley try to make a warp bubble, and before too long, the Traveler appears.

Traveler: (smiling) I never thought I’d see the two of you together at the same time.  Let’s get to work.

DeAnna sees the rest of the crew rushing on, and she joins them.Wesley: Computer, put a level 10 forcefield around Engineering.  No one except myself, Daneel, and the Traveler are allowed in.

Bev shoots each of the Admirals (each tied up tight) with a hypospray to wake them.  Riker has his phaser pointed to a flashy panel that looks very important.  Worf and KJ have their phasers on A1, Data and DeAnna at A2, and Picard at 3.  Once Bev wakes them up, she dons a phaser and points it at A3.  While the Admirals are still dazed,

Riker: (yelling) Start talking, you bastards. A1: Or what?

Riker: I’ll destroy this entire station and make it look like you did it.

A2: I’d like to see you try. A3: (angrily to A1 and A2) What did I tell you before?  Do NOT underestimate William T. Riker.  (turning to Riker) What do you want to know?

Riker: Let’s start with who the fuck are you.

A3: Who or what? Riker: Both.

Bev and Picard, after a long day of work, sit together for a meal.

Bev: I cannot believe how many times a day those Admirals eat.

Picard: There’s no way that’s healthy. Bev: Believe me, it’s not.

Picard: (looking around, quietly) Have you thought about just poisoning them? Bev: Jean-Luc! Picard: Six months, Beverly.  We’ve only been here a month.  They’re the only people we’ve seen.  You haven’t even seen your wife.  You have no idea where she is.  Kai told me that something was wrong with Patrick, and they’ve imprisoned him.  God only knows what they’ve done to Riker. Bev: I don’t understand.  What could the Kaanor be involved in to make these Admirals

have such a visceral reaction to us visiting them? Picard: I don’t know, but we have to escape.

Bev: I agree, but I just don’t know how.

Patrick is in his cell.  He looks terrible--emaciated, clothing torn, sweaty.  He stands.

Patrick: Kai?  (panting) Is it you?  I have to know more.  Have you talked to Joy?  I know they’re at Medical--surely it wouldn’t be too hard for you to contact them. I wish there was something I could do.  Do you think they’ll let me go when the 6 months are up?  (realizing) Of course not.  They wouldn’t let me go after they held me against my will.  (He sinks to the ground.) It’s useless.  Unless you set me free, Kai, I’ll…die here. Kai: (hurrying) Come, Patrick.  It is time for us to meet once again.

Riker in a similar cell in a similar state.

Riker: What do you want from me? A1: (from a speaker) What do you know about the origin of the Kaanor? Riker: No one on the host planet knows.  They’ve only been around for about 100 years. A2: (also from the speaker) How did they evolve so quickly? Riker: Did you not hear me?  No one knows--not the council, not the people I knew well, no one. A3: (from the speaker as well) We know you know their history.  Tell us what you know! Riker: What I know?  I know I lost my son.  I know I lost Faith.  I know I’ll be seeing their faces in my nightmares for the rest of my life.  I know Brutus was evil.  I know that there was nothing I could do to stop him from murdering my family.  What I don’t know is why you keep assuming that I know more!  You keep asking me day in and day out.  How I’ve survived with no food,  I guess that’s another thing I don’t know.

Patrick and Kai rush to the room from before, and we're back on the planet. Kai is clearly not okay.

Patrick: What’s going on, Kai?

Kai: I have a semblance of a plan of how to get you all out of here.  Patrick: Really?  How?! Kai: It’s very complicated, and I will try to explain.  I’ve discovered a few new powers that have developed.  (Patrick motions for him to say more.)  I can now share my vision with you.  I’m not sure exactly how it works, but we can use it to stay in communication while I complete a task without you.  Patrick: That’s very helpful.  You said there were more? Kai: (trembling a little) I need to try something first. (Kai runs away, far out of sight.  Patrick sits down.  Patrick blinks, and he is transported to Kai, who looks exhausted.)Patrick: What just happened? Kai: (panting) Not only can I teleport, I can bring you to me.  Patrick: (helping Kai sit down to rest) Clearly, it requires an immense amount of effort. Kai: (sitting down) Talk to me about something else. Patrick: We heard about your suns going Nova. What are you going to do?

Kai: (hopelessly) Do?  We can’t DO anything about it.

Patrick: Surely there’s something we can do.

Kai: (incredulously) What do you think we could do?

Patrick: We just have to shut off the we-

Kai: (interrupting)  The weapon didn’t do this.  THEY did it. 

Patrick: No, the Q did.  Brutus did-  

Kai: (in tears) No.  The original boh-GED built the weapon.  They gave it to Brutus, who, like a fool, claimed to have made it.  They always knew it would kill our suns and us. (a beat) No one could know about the experiments.

Patrick: (??) How do we-- Kai: I am not a scientist, Patrick.  I only know what our scientists said.

Patrick: Isn’t it too late?  Riker said--

Kai: Riker overheard incorrectly.  Our scientists have said 5 months at best. You think its just a coincidence they decided on a 6 month sentence?

Patrick: (trying to start again) Do you know how to save your worlds?

Kai: (sarcastically, angrily) To keep our worlds from burning to death once all seven suns explode and then turn into black holes?  No, Patrick, I don’t--(stopping himself) I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to snap at you.

Patrick: You have every reason to snap. (a beat.  An idea) Could you help me get a message to Wesley?

Kai: What do you want to say to him? Patrick: Talk to me about your plan first.  I think together, we can make this happen.

Back to Riker in his cell.

A1: We have ways of seeing what you know. Riker: What? A2: It’s a simple procedure.  Even your doctor could do it.

Riker: Beverly would never. A3: If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.  You can live without a frontal lobe. Riker: If you can call that living. A3: (Bursting into the room, grabbing Riker) I’ve had it with this questioning.  (Riker is very weak and cannot fight back well.  A3 knocks Riker out easily.) Get the doctor! 

Bev, prepped for a surgery in the weird fez.

Bev: Who is this? A2: No need for you to know the subject’s identity.  Bev: Then what am I doing--what’s the procedure?

A1: The screen will give you the step by step instructions.  (Bev sees a stray hair.  She picks it up.  We see a flashback of that scene from The Host where she makes out with Riker as Odan.  We come back to the present.  She knows.  She begins scanning him covertly.) Bev: This person is malnourished.  They need fluids to be able to survive the surgery. A3: Survival is unnecessary. Bev: (incredulously) Have you heard of the Hippocratic Oath?  I swore to do no harm.

A3: (leaning in closely) Your survival is also unnecessary.  Keep that in mind. (A1, A2, and A3 exit.)

Bev: (leaning over Riker quickly, whispering) You are safe with me.  I will keep you alive. (She makes quick work of the instructions, keeping an eye on Riker’s vitals at all times.) 

A1, A2, and A3 in a room.  There is a screen with Riker’s story from his experiences with the host planet playing.  

A3: (impatiently) We know all this.

A2: You have to wait.  We know he knows something.  We just have to find out what. A1: The whole reason we started this ruse in the first place was because we wanted him to disappear. A3: And you see how well that worked out.

A2: His mission was supposed to be peaceful. A1: It looks like it was. A3: That planet is where we sent the Kaanor to die. A2: No one would ever have to know about our little indiscretions.

A1: What’s that!?

On the screen, we see Riker and the council talking.  

Riker: May I address the council as a whole? Olivia: Be comforted, friend.  We are here to help. Riker: This is a difficult question to ask. Olivia: Then, please, ask it. Riker: (hesitating slightly) What is our history? Olivia: We are the children of the originals.  One day, the originals disappeared.  We were left to fend for ourselves.  So, those of us who had been around the longest came together to form the council.  Riker: You all are the oldest of the hosts? Olivia: There was one before us.  Their name is Joy. Riker: And where is this Joy? Olivia: They are in a safe place.  Those who need deep healing go to them. Riker: They are like Jean-Luc? Olivia: Yes, Joy was the first of our kind, and the only healer. Riker: Except for Jean-Luc?  Olivia: Yes, except for him.

Riker: How did Joy become a healer? Olivia: Certain things can be learned, but they were born with their abilities.

Riker:  Why aren’t they in the capital city? Olivia: While I am unaware of any enemies we have made, if someone were to come attack us, we would have to keep Joy safe above all.  If they were gone, none of us would last long. Riker: My progenitors did not teach me this. Olivia: Not all choose to.  Thank you for coming to us to ask.  We are here to help.

Riker: And what of the originals?  What do you remember of your time with them? Olivia: We asked them where we came from many times. (Riker lifts his head expectantly.) They were…in pain.  They tried to explain, but they always said that they would tell us another day.  We were young, and we didn’t think much of it.  Upon reflection, I think something happened to them. Riker: Like what? Olivia: Something traumatic--they would teach us about cooking but never touched knives.  They would teach us about farming but never about shovels.  About vaccinations, but never needles.  Of climbing, but not of ropes.

Riker: Do you think someone hurt them? Olivia: All I know is that this planet we use now was not the planet the originals came from.  I am not an expert on trauma.  Do you have any more questions? Riker: None at this time, Olivia.  (Bowing low) Thank you. Olivia: May you travel well, Earnest.

A1: He wasn’t lying. A2: It appears not. A3: Should we let him go, since he doesn’t know anything? A2: We will see if the doctor completes the surgery with no adverse effects.

I was at church almost as much as I was at home. I did my homework there; I ate meals there; I worked one of my first jobs there.

When I was 12, I joined the youth group. My friends left me. I still had baby teeth when my Sunday School class, who had decided I was gay, gang sodomized/raped me with a box of tampons. When I asked them why, they said this was for when praying the gay away didn't work.

I put it out of my head. They were trying to save my soul, right?

A few months later, the leadership team (older people from the youth group) beat the shit out of me in the garden my mom and I started years before as a mother-daughter project. When I asked them why, they said they cared, and they didn't want me to go to hell for being gay. They HAD to beat it out of me.

I cleaned myself off and put it out of my head. This literally meant that they cared enough to keep me from eternal damnation. I was worth saving, right?

No one talked to me. I stopped talking at church. I was kicked out of every group except for my dad's choir. I only sang--I wouldn't speak unless I was with my dad. Every once in a while, I would muster up the courage to say something, but then my entire body would tense up. I didn't deserve to be there. Something was wrong with me.

I had accepted Christ. I read my Bible every single morning. I prayed for God to change my circumstances or change me. The Jesus they were talking about didn't seem like the one I read about in the scriptures, but that didn't necessarily mean that I was right about that.

I was truly, truly alone.

Through all of this, I was a teenager who LOVED VeggieTales. So, at the end of the day, even though I was alone, I had Bob to give me a good talking to; I had Larry to keep me laughing. I had Jimmy and Jerry and Jean-Claude and Philipe and Junior and Archibald and Scooter and Madame Blueberry and the Scallions to keep me going (and yes, all the rest, too). When I had a question about scripture, I brought it to Grampa George. When I was having a bad day, I'd go talk to Laura and Annie. When I needed a hero, LarryBoy was always there for me.

At 14, I was an on-and-off member of the Praise Team. We sang contemporary Christian music by Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Casting Crowns, etc. I listened to it and sang it constantly. I did that kind of singing nonstop for different churches until I was 24.

My background in Dad's choir was mostly Hymn arrangements and Gaither Vocal Band. I sang a LOT of that as well. When I got to college, I was hired to do that at churches as well as the Contemporary thing.

Finally, at 24, I discovered that I was NOT past my church trauma--in fact, I was just remembering most of it. I changed denominations to get back to a more traditional service.

I've worked hard in therapy on my church trauma, and church is still hard for me. I keep going, and I continue to heal in new ways every day.

In my head, I still had the community of Veggies. Even though I also had people, the Veggies were always there to keep me grounded in what my faith was really about.

Today, on my way to church, God told me to play some Christian music in my car. As a rule, I don't listen to that in my car unless I'm working on something specific. I kept trying to find something that wasn't going to trigger me.

I stumbled across this:

This album is every bit as silly as you think it is.

Every single one of these songs is really triggering for me. They make me feel like I don't belong, even though it's been years since I experienced that. My heart rate skyrockets, and I can't breathe.

Not today.

Because today, Bob and Larry were there to remind me that God can redeem anything. The silly voices in my head/on this CD reminded me that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God. Not barbed wire, or a mean dog, or a really bad haircut. Not people who hurt me beyond what I'm ready to talk about here. Not my dad's death. Not PTSD. Not anxiety. Not OCD. Not Prozac. Nothing.

Why?

The scene unfolds as we hear the 3 admirals pass their judgment. Each character is seen in the receiving seat except Riker.

Starfleet Command

Admiral 3: You don't suppose we could just tell them the truth? A1: And risk losing almost a 100 years worth of work? I think not. A2: Then it's settled. We tell them nothing. A3: And we just LET Janeway bring him back home to Alaska? A1: We don't have much of a choice. A2: How do we know he remembers? He was not in good shape when we last saw him. A3: If you only learn one thing, learn this: do NOT underestimate William T Riker.

Back on the Ohana, Worf and DeAnna in Ten-Forward with drinks

Worf: I am very glad he is better. DeAnna: Me, too. (pausing) Thank you for understanding how much he needs me. Worf: You need him, too, DeAnna. And so do I. I wouldn't be your husband without him. DeAnna: Again, thank you. I didn't want Will to ever come between us. (Worf does the Klingon equivalent of blushing) What is it? Worf: Do you remember that one night all those years ago? DeAnna: The one with Will? Of course, I do. (She chuckles, too.) What about it? Worf: I just thought it was funny that you didn't want Will to come between us...until he did. (DeAnna and Worf laugh uncontrollably. Once it's died down.) Do you think he remembers? DeAnna: That it happened or the arrangement we made? Worf: Either. DeAnna: (being serious for a moment) I'm really not sure. His mind was in such a state of disarray that I don't know which memories are intact. He remembered me on some level, but everyone else? Everything else? I have no idea. Worf: (seeing that she is still distressed) When the time is right, we can talk to him--help him remember. (Worf takes DeAnna's hand and squeezes it)

Bridge

KJ: Daneel, hail the shipyard. Communicate our unconditional surrender. Wesley: Surrender?! We didn't do anything wrong! Daneel: Wesley, we stole a ship-- Wesley: It wasn't being used! Daneel: rescued a political refugee-- Wesley: One of our own who specifically asked for help! Patrick: And someone committed genocide. Joy: (there is an awkward silence where everyone turns and looks at Joy. They finally speak.) It was not my intention, but the offense still stands, and I deserve to be held accountable for my actions. Patrick: We all broke some rules--now we have to answer for it. Picard: Agreed.

Hailing noise

Voice: Dock the ship at Docking Bay 7. (They do.) Prepare to be boarded.

Everyone on the ship comes along peacefully except Bev, who refuses to leave her patient.

Bev: He just had a massive mental breakdown. If he wakes up without someone he knows there to explain where he is and why, he's going to turn violent. Enforcer 1: (upset, but nodding) You can stay with him until he wakes up. Then we separate you. (Bev nods. The Enforcer, his face covered, helps her move Riker to a stretcher, covers him with a weighted blanket, and they head out together.)

Patrick and Picard are in one cell, and Bev and Riker are in another. Everyone else is in a cell by themselves. An Enforcer tries to take Little Guy away from Joy.

Joy: He is a service animal--it's against the law to take him from me. Enforcer 2: You are in serious trouble. When you break the law in Starfleet, your right to a service animal is suspended. DeAnna (from her cell): No it isn't! Enforcer 2: As if you would know. DeAnna: I DO know. I was on the research team for the legislative board that made that law. Give. Him. Back. Enforcer 1: (angrily) Lieutenant, that is enough. (gently, to Joy and DeAnna) We have to take him for now to make sure he has been scanned. While I'm sure he doesn't, he could have something smuggled in inside him. Once he is scanned to ensure he is safe, he will be returned to you. Enforcer 2: (incredulously) Major, you would have her have this canine to soothe her (mocking) emotional distress? DeAnna: First of all, Joy's pronouns are they/them. Joy: Thank you, DeAnna. I will handle this. Secondly, I am blind. He is a seeing-eye dog. I know those aren't very popular on Earth anymore, but he makes sure I do not confuse the bed for the bathroom. Enforcer 1: Lieutenant, you are relieved of duty. (Enforcer 2 begins to exit) Lieutenant! (Enforcer 2 turns) They're right, by the way. (Enforcer 2 angrily stomps away.)

DeAnna: Thank you, Major. Joy: Yes, thank you. Enforcer 1: (his head low, face still covered) Biquv told me about you, Counselor Troi. And yours (Bev) is the first face I remember seeing after the surgery. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, but anyone who starts a program to rehabilitate a species that has hurt Starfleet as much as the Borg has deserves it even more. And if all of you are here with them, you deserve respect as well. Worf (from his cell): You have shown great honor, fellow warrior. (Enforcer 1 bows to Worf and leaves.) KJ: Everyone, we knew the risk when we went to get him. We remain strong. We tell the truth. We make sure Will Riker is safe. Picard: Well said, Number One.

Riker sits bolt upright on his stretcher, panting heavily. Bev comes to his side, checking his vitals. Riker grabs her hand.

Riker: Beverly, thank God. Where the hell are we? Bev: What's the last thing you remember? Riker: (quietly, he knows he's not supposed to reveal this information) I had just been briefed on a long-term undercover mission. Jellico had just left on the Excalibur, and then... Bev: What about Faith? Riker: Faith in what? Bev: And Jean-Luc? Riker: What about the Captain? (loudly) What the HELL is going on here?! Bev: (grabbing his hand, quietly) Keep your voice down! Riker: (getting dizzy) Wait (We see his mind flash to Faith in a pleasant scene, immediately followed by her death scene. Jean-Luc's naming ceremony, Jean-Luc's death. The both of them together and happy, their deaths. Riker screams. Bev puts her hand over his mouth.) NOOOOOOOO! Bev: (pushes him up onto the stretcher, hissing) Will! If you don't keep your voice down, you and I will have to be separated. Do you want to be alone?! Riker: (weakly, sobbing) No. Bev: (taking her hand off of his mouth) Then close your eyes. Riker: I'm afraid, Beverly. Bev: (a tear slipping down her cheek) Me, too, Will. Now close your eyes. I'm right here. (she holds his hand as he pretends to be asleep)

Enforcer 1 returns, his face still covered. He slowly walks down the hallway, and stops at Joy's cell. He opens the door, and gives Little Guy back.

Joy: Thank you, Major. Enforcer 1: You may call me Kai. Joy: Thank you, Major Kai. Kai: (a smile in his voice) Little Guy did just fine. Now, Joy, I need you both to come with me. Joy: All right, Little Guy. Lead my way. (in their head) Will you stay with me in here, DeAnna? DeAnna: (also in her head) Of course. Keep me updated, Joy. Joy: (still in their head) I promise.

Once the door closes, Riker opens his eyes.

Riker: (in between deep, cleansing breaths) So, where are we? Bev: What's the last thing you remember? Riker: You all rescued me. How did you know where I was? Bev: Captain Picard told us. Without hesitation, we hopped on the first ship we saw and came to rescue you. Unfortunately, there just wasn't time to officially request it. Riker: You stole a ship?! Bev: And we may or may not have participated in genocide. Riker: (stuttering) G-g-genocide? (He faints.)

Picard stands up in his cell.

Picard: Kathryn, do you really think we should cooperate? KJ: What's our other option? Hostility? Because that ALWAYS goes well. Picard: For all we know, Starfleet left Will alone to die out there. They didn't send anyone to check on him. They listed him as DEAD, Kathryn. Patrick: I agree, Captain. I smell a conspiracy. KJ: I do, too. But we'll never get to the bottom of whatever it is if we don't at least pretend to cooperate.

Kai opens the door again and enters, his face still covered. He stops at Picard and Patrick's door.

Kai: Which of you is which? Patrick: I am Patrick. He is Jean-Luc. Which of us do you need? Kai: (clearly he is trying to make this less politically incorrect, but he gives up) It's easiest to just bring both of you at once. Patrick and Picard: We understand.

(Picard and Kathryn share a look as he exits.) A new scene. Dark room, Joy sitting in a chair.

A1: State your name, species, and rank. Joy: My name is Joy; I am Kaanori. I am not a member of Starfleet. A2: Joy, tell us about yourself. Joy: What do you want to know? A3: Let's get right to the point, shall we, gentleman? Are you a spirit or a host? Joy: A spirit. A3: How do you know Will Riker? Joy: I don't, really. I was born, and he was near me. I went to help him, and he said the best thing I could do for him was to retrieve his friends. Then I was on Earth. A3: What do you know about Starfleet's involvement with the Kaanor? Joy: I was under the impression that Riker was the first ambassador to the spirits or the hosts. Is this not true? A3: (surprised they don't know anything) What happened when you returned with his friends? Joy: I was drawn to a field, where I fought and killed my world's protector. Riker was there, and his friends rescued him. A2: You murdered someone? Joy: The person in question murdered my father because he believed himself to be superior to all spirits. I killed him. I did not know what species he was. I know that there should be punishment for my actions. Arrest me if you will--I will cooperate fully. A3: (...) Was this protector the last of his species? Joy: In a manner of speaking--yes. Do you not know about what happened? A3: (trying to cover) We do know what happened. We want you to put it in your own words. A2: (catching on) It is a Starfleet tradition when someone is convicted. Joy: (convinced, nods) I killed a Q. The Q, rather. I take full responsibility. A1: (giving it all away) You killed the entire Q Continuum? Joy: (crying) Yes. I only meant to kill Brutus, but instead, I have wiped out an entire species. A3: (looking daggers into A1) Joy, allow us to confer privately.

(Admirals 1, 2, and 3 walk out. A3 grabs A1 by the collar.)

A3: What is the matter with you?! A2: We wanted them to tell us what they knew! A1: Are we going to ignore that they are a being powerful enough to end a Q?! This Kaanor is more powerful than our flagship! A2: Why does that matter? A1: If we punish this Kaanor for genocide, who's to say that they can't just break out? And who are they going to go for once they do? A3: (letting A1 go) You make a good point. A2: They still committed genocide! That's a hell of a crime. They said themself that they knew they deserved to be punished. A1: This is not a stupid person. They're going to figure out what we've done. We cannot afford to let them know anything else. A2: You're right. We can't let them go. A3: No, we HAVE to let them go. If they are arrested, the crew is going to attack the station and find out anyway. If we don't let them know that anything is going on, they have no reason to poke around. A2: So what do we do? Send them to the Academy for basic training? A1: (realizing) That's a brilliant idea. (A2 and A3 look skeptically) We know they're already interested in doing that. What if we just say that that is their "punishment"?

Back in the room

Another day, another character that was very well described multiple times and yet I still saw something else in my head.

Cambria. Cambria was supposed to be this giant weird worm thing that was the beginning of all organic life. They were filled with green goo and brought the sallow so people could exist underwater. But yall...

I don't even know if I can explain why this is what I see in my head, but here it is on a sticky note at my work so Cambria can stare into my soul.

LIKE

YALL

IT'S THE EYES FROM EVIL PATRICK STAR AND THE BODY OF A WEIRD STAR

DURING THE BATTLE SCENE IN MY HEAD THERE WERE JUST EXTRA APPENDAGES EVERYWHERE WITH THAT FAAAAAACE

MY GOD

Right where we left off.

Bev: (taking Joy aside) I have a few questions. Joy: Of course. Bev: How did Faith die? Do you know? Joy: Kaanor hosts are very sensitive to sound. It is part of the reason they do not travel off-world--loud sounds can be fatal. Bev: So when the alarm went off, Joy: They were in terrible pain. The instinct, even though loud sounds are fatal, is still to scream. Bev: Is it like a self-destruct button? Joy: Not quite. Sound sensitivity is a genetic trait, but screaming is innate. It is the same desire that all creatures have--when there is trouble we cannot handle on our own, we alert others so that help is able to come. Bev: It's like a feedback loop--trouble comes, they scream. Help doesn't come, so they scream louder, which creates more trouble, so they scream even more. Joy: I have only heard of these tales. To have someone see their family perish because of this? The only thing that can heal him is the passage of time. Bev: Would it not be better for him to forget? Joy: The memories of happiness are stronger than the pain of tragedy and the sting of death. The more time that passes, the stronger the memories become.

Joy leaves as Worf and DeAnna enter. Joy inhales deeply and bows.

Joy: It is an honor to be in the presence of so great a warrior. Worf: (bowing) The honor is mine. To end the one who ended my father is still my life's work. Joy: May you achieve all you seek.

Before Joy can exit, DeAnna hands them Little Guy's leash. Joy holds her hand tightly, and a light illuminates her hand for a moment. DeAnna kisses Joy's hand, and Joy exits. DeAnna, with tears in her eyes, looks to Bev.

Bev: He's exhausted. DeAnna: I don't care. KJ: (coming from behind a divider) You're exhausted, too, DeAnna. Worf: Captain. How is Commander Riker? KJ: (defensively) As my wife just said, he's exhausted. DeAnna: (sobbing) I have to see him. (She runs past them to where Riker is. KJ runs after her.) KJ: He is NOT ready for visitors! Bev: Keep an eye on them, will you? (Worf nods and follows her.) Worf: Captain, please let her be with Commander Riker. They are connected. KJ: Beverly said he's exhausted and DeAnna immediately blew past her! Bev: Let her be, Kathryn. (angrily, once KJ comes to Bev) Kathryn O'Dell Janeway, you will not talk to DeAnna or Worf in that manner. KJ: (confused) I was defending you. Bev: (angrily) I do not need defending, especially not from my best friends. KJ: Bev- Bev: Dismissed. (She walks away with tears in her eyes.)

KJ watches her walk away, befuddled. She follows everyone else back to Riker's side. Picard is still sitting on the bed with Riker in his lap. He wipes Riker's tears. DeAnna is holding Riker's hand, clearly communicating with him telepathically. Picard stands, allowing Bev to scan him and give him a hypospray. Worf removes Riker's shoes and socks and puts them on another biobed. He waves the fumes into the air.

Worf: nI'be'puq, muSHa'ghachlIj tlhaQ nIv puS. 'ej qIbmaj luSovmoHtaHvIS, lalDan tuq. (close to his face) bangwI' DaSovpu'bej. (Translation: While your family is in Sto-vo-kor, may the smell of you comfort them. May they know how they are grieved. May they know how you loved them.)

DeAnna: (telepathically) Imzadi. I'm here. Riker: (telepathically) Faith? DeAnna: (telepathically) No, Imzadi. I wish I could have met her. Riker: (telepathically) Faith. She's gone. DeAnna: (telepathically) It's me, Imzadi. Faith may be gone, but I'm here. (Riker's hand squeezes DeAnna's hand--part of him knows she's there. The hypospray takes effect, and Riker finally closes his eyes. Bev pulls up a chair and sits with him, stroking his hair as he sleeps. Picard sits cross-legged with Riker's head in his lap, just staring.)

KJ: (coming onto the bridge, prickly) Data, you're relieved. Data: Thank you, Captain. How is Commander Riker? KJ: (matter of factly) He is sleeping. Data: May I go to see him? KJ: (more prickly) You may join the rest of the crew at his bedside. Data: Is something wrong, Kathryn? KJ: (snapping) Of course not. Data: (He can read her just enough to know that he shouldn't ask again.) Have a good evening, Captain.

KJ sits alone on the bridge. She's clearly upset.

Back in Sick Bay, Wesley and Data have joined the bedside crew.

Data: Please let us know if there is anything you need for us to do, Doctor. Wesley: Or if you need us to get out of your way. Bev: I couldn't kick you out if I wanted to. Worf: I still can't believe Starfleet let us think he was dead all this time. DeAnna: I should have known. He is my Imzadi--we are connected at the soul. Bev: There are plenty of people who live on without their soulmates, DeAnna. DeAnna: Maybe those who are fully human. Bev: Hey. If you had gone through the same thing, he'd be right where you are. Worf: He is one of my closest friends. Starfleet's behavior is without honor. Picard: I will raise hell at Starfleet Command when we return. Wesley: He looked out for me while you (Bev) were gone at Starfleet Medical for a year. He made sure I was safe so many times that I lost count. He's the closest thing I've had to a father since Dad died. The fact that he's here again--I'm still in the state where I am happy. I can't be mad at Starfleet yet. He's--here again.

(They sit in silence for a while. Data eventually stands, walks over to a panel, and taps a few keys. Liszt's "Un Sospiro" plays. Patrick enters, hears the song, and is transported away, back to his original reality.)

(Riker and Patrick are in bed with one of those ridiculous shiny blankets. Patrick is absolutely knocked out. Riker is tossing and turning. Patrick stirs.)

Patrick: Will? What's wrong? Riker: I can't sleep. Patrick: My aunt Adele's reci- Riker: I know. I already tried it. Patrick: (sitting up, concerned) Aunt Adele's recipe works every time. Something's going on. Riker: Jean-Luc, I have a decision to make. Patrick: Between me and DeAnna? Riker: Yes. You've helped me so much. I'm a strong, bisexual, polyamorous man who knows his own power. Patrick: But? Riker: But nothing. Being with you has been like nothing I've ever felt before. Patrick: But? Riker: You're absolutely the most wonderful man I know. Patrick: But? Riker: (sadly) DeAnna. Patrick: DeAnna is a very special woman, Will. Riker: I feel like I'm choosing a side. Patrick: You're choosing a person. Riker: If I'm attracted to her, I'm straight. If I'm attracted to you, I'm gay. If I'm attracted to you both, I'm bisexual. Patrick: There are other terms you can use if they make you feel more comfortable, but bisexual is accurate. Riker: If I choose her, then I give up being bisexual. And our relationship becomes invalid. Patrick: Will. Calm down. Your sexuality is not attached to your partner. What we had was...is special. It's not invalid, no matter what you choose to do or who you choose to love. Riker: How can I retain my queerness without cheating on DeAnna? Patrick: (chuckling) Trust me, Will. You are more than gay enough to retain your queerness. Plus, (more seriously) DeAnna may not be polyamorous, but I'm sure that if you talked to her about it, she might be open to something. Riker: I don't want her to feel like she's not enough for me. Patrick: She is more than enough, and she knows that. Riker: And you. I can't imagine losing you. Patrick: William Thomas Riker. You know quite well that I am never far from you. Riker: I don't want to sound like a child, bu-- Patrick: I promise you. I will never be further than a breath away when you need me.

(They hug. Patrick comes back to this reality, quietly crying. He enters the room, and everyone sees him. They silently back away as Patrick takes the hand DeAnna was holding.)

Patrick: Voir? Je t'ai promis. Je n'en suis qu'à un souffle. (Translation: See? I promised you. I am only a breath away. The Liszt continues to play quietly.)

(Daneel enters the bridge.)

Daneel: Captain, I've come to relieve you. KJ: Understood. (a beat) Daneel, may I ask you a question? Daneel: Of course. KJ: Does Data understand your relationship with Wesley? Daneel: What do you mean? KJ: You and Wesley are...soulmates. Right? Daneel: Sort of. KJ: Is there a better, more accurate term? Daneel: Not really. I suppose "soulmates" works. Data understands that Wesley is very important to me, and I don't think he would ever stand in my way or make me choose between them if Wesley ever needed me. KJ: If Wesley ever questioned your abilities as a strategist, would Data defend you? Daneel: Wesley would never insult me, but I guess so. KJ: Would you be mad at Data for defending you in that situation? Daneel: No--but you're becoming awfully specific. What's the matter? KJ: Beverly snapped at me. I was just trying to back her up. DeAnna just couldn't-- Daneel: Wait, you went against DeAnna? KJ: And Worf, for the record. (Daneel looks at her, mouth agape.) ...what's wrong with that? Daneel: Partners do not get to contradict best friends. KJ: What do you mean? She's my wife! Daneel: That's not the point. Beverly and DeAnna (from what Wesley tells me) have been through hell and back. Worf, too! Beverly has brought him back from the dead--you do realize that, right? KJ: That doesn't matter--no one in my life that comes before my wife. Daneel: That may be true for you. You don't strike me as the "best friend" type of person. KJ: What does that mean? Daneel: Do you have a best friend? KJ: Yes--I married her. Daneel: Other than her. KJ: Okay. She was standing right next to me when I got married. Daneel: What's your history with her? KJ: We've known each other all our lives. Once we were old enough, we dated. She broke up with me to focus on herself when she transitioned, and then we dated again. We both decided it was best that we break up when I went to the Academy, but we've been there for each other through everything. She came when I graduated from the Academy, when I was made a Lieutenant, a Commander, and a Captain. She...knows every part of me, and I know every part of her. Daneel: So, what if she had asked you to stay when you were made aware of Commander Riker's situation? KJ: I would have considered it, even though it wasn't what needed to be done. Daneel: What if, before you even got to think about it, Beverly told Lady Fierbolg that she was being selfish? KJ: (dawning on her) I would have defended Fierbolg, too. I have to apologize. (KJ enters the turbolift and heads for Sick Bay)

Sick Bay. DeAnna has passed out from exhaustion, so Worf is putting her on another biobed. KJ enters. She and Bev lock eyes and meet in Bev's office.

KJ: (simultaneously) I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier. Bev: (simultaneously) I'm sorry I snapped at you. (a beat while they observe that that was cute) DeAnna and I have been through hell and back. I brought Worf back from the dead. I am Alexander's godmother. I love you, but KJ: She's your best friend, and I had no right to call her out like that. Bev: (shocked, but beginning to smile) Thank you for understanding. KJ: Daneel helped me put some things in perspective. (a beat) When we return to Earth, do you want to tell me about you and DeAnna and Worf? Bev: When the time is right, I'll tell you. That can most certainly be during our extended honeymoon when we get back to Earth. (she winks) KJ: (they share a laugh, a beat) Well, I'll let you go so you can sit with him. Bev: (holding out her hand) Why don't you come join us? (KJ takes Bev's hand and follows her in.)

Patrick, Worf, Data, Picard, and Wesley look up as KJ enters. They make room for her. KJ sits at Riker's bedside and holds his hand.

KJ: Hey, Riker. Before you left, you told me to take care of her. I asked you if you meant the Enterprise or Beverly. I've really tried to take care of both. (tearily) Luckily, I had a good deal of help. (realizing what she is really saying, looking around at Worf, DeAnna, Picard, Data, Wesley, and Patrick) She is not just mine to care for.

Starfleet Command: Several admirals gather around a small table.

TAZ Graduation

In a similar vein as my last post, I've been listening to Graduation for a 2nd time.

I looked up fan art for the Fierbolg.

He's got skin. And ears. And hands.

His accent doesn't match my image for him.

And yet

He's

Eduardo from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.

And this GIF is how I feel he greeted Fitz and Argo every morning, regardless of canon.

Stay tuned for the rest of these--I've got a lot of 'em.

Upon a 2nd listen to TAZ Ethersea, I realized that I never looked at fan art for it. Therefore, I looked it up and...

folx

Why was my image of Zoox just the blue sour patch kid

Like

this looks nothing like sentient coral

but all the other breinar looked like coral in my head

so when SPOILER

Phineas Cawl was like, "Zoox, you've never been with Einar"

I wasn't even a little bit surprised.

Right where we left off, the scene freezes. Ian appears.

Ian: Are you sure this is what you want to do, my child? Joy: Did I just kill God? Ian: (chucking in spite of everything) No, you didn't. You killed someone who killed a part of you. Joy: I can't do anything to stop it, can I? Ian: You are a healer, Joy. Joy: But can I heal this?! (They gesture to Q's half-body.) Ian: I don't know. Can you?

(Joy, very unsure of themself, closes their eyes. They begin to levitate, speaking slowly) Joy: This I have, mine own grief. This I know, Time's a thief. This I regret, thine death unplanned. This I give, now I stand. (They float back down onto the ground, standing. The goo floats up to them. It is puzzled.) Goo: (Q's voice) What are you attempting, little one? Joy: Take back thy form, it is thine own. Forgive me, Q, together (struggling) I've sewn? Goo: You want to put me back together through slightly fancy rhyming words? Joy: (opening one eye, whispering) Q, this takes a lot of concentration! Goo: (whispering) Sorry! Joy: Heal thy body, heal thy soul. Heal thy heart, make thee whole. Goo: I'm pretty sure that's line from a Terran Judeo-Christian hymn. Joy: I've lost it now. Why must you make it so difficult? Ian, may I have another chance? Ian: Maybe one day. For now, Q, it is time to go.

The scene unfreezes. Q's body dissolves into goo, and Patrick cries. Joy lifts him, and they walk back to the ship. Once they've arrived, Picard and KJ call for Joy. They are not happy.

KJ: Start talking, Joy. We need to know about your species, your father--everything. Joy: The Kaanor are a species that exist in two parts: the spirit and the host. The host produces as many spirits as are needed, and the spirits go where they are needed most once they are born on the planet. Many years ago, two spirits cohabitated and had a baby--me. I grew up normally and happily. One day, my father didn't come home. My mother and I searched for him, and we found his body: beaten, bloodied, and bruised. I tried to heal him, but he died. I remember bits and pieces of the time after he died, but within a year, I was assimilated. Picard: To clarify, the spirit you were at that time was assimilated? Joy: Yes. The Joy you originally met, Captain Janeway, was very old. They wanted to find Brutus and avenge their father, but they died before they could. The host sent me to finish what they started. The host equipped me with catlike reflexes so that I could end Brutus swiftly, which is why I pinned you to the ground. I am sorry about that, by the way. (Picard does not seem placated by this apology.) KJ: If your mission was to kill Brutus, why did you come to us saying that Riker needed to be rescued? Joy: Kaanor spirits are bound by a code: wherever one is hurting, we will go and help. When I was born, Riker was near--I heard his cries. I went, and he asked me to bring you--his friends. Then I was on Earth. Before I could tell Beverly about him, you (Picard) and Patrick came to reveal that information. Picard: It just so happened that your purpose in life coincided well with rescuing our fallen comrade. Joy: Yes. KJ: We will have more questions for you soon. Picard: Stay here--we need to talk to you and Will. (combadge) Picard to Riker. Riker: Riker here. Picard: Report to the Ready Room. Bev: You'll have to come to him, Jean-Luc. He needs rest. Picard: Fine. Clear everyone else out of sick bay. Bev: ...You do know there's no one else here, right? Picard: We'll be there in a moment.

Sick Bay. Bev gives them their privacy.

KJ: Will, I think I speak for everyone when I ask: what the actual fuck happened to you? Riker: Not long after I was given my own command, Admiral Jellico came to see me. He took over my ship, and Starfleet sent me, undercover, to the Kaanori system. Not long after, I received word that the ship was lost. Jellico was lost in that tragedy, not me. Command wanted to send me further undercover. Picard: What do you mean? Riker: Originally, I was undercover on the spirit home world. They sent me to the host planet. That's where I lived until Brutus came along. He could see something was different with me, but he couldn't tell what it was. Picard: What did he do? Riker: Every party I attended, every religious gathering, every day while I was working, he was watching me. Picard: He was there in the flesh watching? Riker: Yes. Now that we know he was a Q, that makes more sense. I thought it odd that he would be there instead of...well...everywhere else. Picard: Did he ever speak to you? Riker: Sometimes. He was aloof, but I did eventually approach him and introduce myself. Picard: What did you say?

The scene changes. Riker is in his Kaanori makeup at a gathering. Brutus makes his way over. Riker: Hello, my name is Earnest. Picard (VO): What did he say? Riker (VO): He kind of mumbled. Brutus: Brutus, security (shambles away) Riker (VO): was all he would say. Riker: Faith (a female-bodied Kaanor turns, she has a nametag)--Is something wrong with Brutus? Faith: Brutus is a bit strange, but he is wonderful at his job. When he meets someone new, he is always a little out of touch. Once he gets used to you, he will become more approachable. Riker: Thank you, Faith. Luckily, I do not take long to get to know. Earnest, he/him. (He takes her hand, spins her around, and they laugh.) Riker (VO): Around a year into my stay on the host planet, I realized that Brutus was occasionally missing from his persistent watch over me. It was a relief, so I didn't think anything of it. Riker: Faith! It's time to go! Faith: I'm com-(tripping noise) Riker: Faith! Are you alright? Faith: (rubbing her foot) Yes. What is this? (she holds up a strange device that appears to be broken) Riker (VO): Whatever it was was broken, with wires coming out of it. Riker: I don't know. Maybe the council will? Faith: Maybe so. We shall bring it with us.

Riker (VO): We were planning to move in together, so we had to go to the council to obtain their blessing.

Council Member 1: Earnest and Faith! How good it is to see you. Riker: And you as well! We would like to address the council as a whole. Council Member 1: Be comforted, friend. We are here to help. Faith: We have come to obtain your blessing for cohabitation. Council Member 2: There are others on this council that would grant your petition immediately. However, I have questions. Riker: Please, ask them. Council Member 2: Earnest, what is your purpose here? Faith: That is a question one would ask a Spirit, not a ho- Council Member 2: I asked a question of Earnest. Riker: (a tense silence) My purpose is to find peace. Council Member 2: Where is your home, Earnest? Riker: Right here, in the capital city. I am confused; why are you asking? Council Member 2: No, not currently. Where did you come from before the capital city? Riker: Why do you want to know? It has no bearing on my current state. Council Member 2: Where did you come from, that peace was so far from you? Riker: I came from the northernmost part of the world. Fighting for food, for land ownership, for the right to exist--that's all we did there. Finally, I realized that not only was the outside cold, my soul was cold, too. I journeyed until I found the capital city--it was then that my life truly began. Riker (VO): I'm from Alaska. It isn't that far of a stretch. Council Member 2: Your life began when you came here? Riker: And I met Faith. (He pulls her close and looks deeply into her eyes.) My reason for being. Council Member 2: You love her? Riker: Yes, more than I've ever loved anyone. Council Member 2: Then I see no reason why you should not have the council's blessing--and the blessing of Faith's best friend. Faith: (smiling widely) Come now, Olivia! That's enough. (Riker and Faith kiss, and the council applauds them.) Riker: We do have one more question to ask. What is this? We found it in my home this morning, and we thought someone here might know. Council Member 3: Where did you find this? Riker: On the floor in my bedroom. Council Member 3: This is one of Brutus' secret recording devices. Riker: Is he spying on me? Council Member 3: As the Minister for Defense, I have not asked him to do so. I shall speak with him, reassure him that you and Faith are not a threat, and have him remove all devices from your home. While he is working, please visit the market in celebration of your union. This voucher should be enough for the delivery of a few simple items. Olivia: Consider it a gift from the council. A very happy union day, to you, Faith. (Faith gestures to Riker.) And to you, Earnest.

Riker and Faith survey a market and begin building their home together.

Riker (VO): We didn't think about it after that--after all, the Minister Alec said they would take care of it. Faith and I began building a life together. Soon, we adopted a child. Picard (VO): A spirit? Riker (VO): No. Somehow, there was a child. Bev (VO): A Kaanori-Human hybrid? Riker (VO): No--one day, he was just there.

A little Kaanor boy, about 10 years old, approaches Riker and Faith's house and calls out at the door.

Little Boy: (singing) Here I am; I call to you. Will you make me home, like you? Please help! Faith: (opening the door, speaking) Be comforted, friend. I am here to help. Little Boy: I am not sure. I am...lost? Faith: (calling for Riker) Earnest, there is a lost child at the door. (to the Little Boy, singing softly) Come with me, don't be afraid, my darling. (Riker appears and follows Faith and the Little Boy.) Little Boy: (singing) Where are we going? Riker: (singing softly) When we are lost, we seek an audience with the council. They are there to help.

Riker, Faith, and the Little Boy approach the council.

Council Member 1: Earnest and Faith! How good it is to see you. Riker: And you as well! We would like to address the council as a whole. Council Member 1: Be comforted, friend. We are here to help. Riker: (on Little Boy's level, singing softly) Tell them what is wrong. Little Boy: (shyly stepping forward) I am...lost. Council Member 1: Where are you from, young one? Little Boy: I have no memory. I am here, but there is no before. Council Member 1: What is your name? Little Boy: (light bursting forth from his chest--a melody erupts) I am only here. I have no name. Faith: (on his level) Little one, what is this light you bring? (saying nothing, the Little Boy approaches Faith and takes her hand. A small cut on her arm heals instantly. Faith notices.) You are a healer! Alec (Minister for Defense): That little one is a Kaanor and a healer at that. Healers are rare. Council Member 4: We must find someone to care for him. Faith: May we be blessed with him? Olivia: Take him home. We will search for his progenitors. If none are found, we will convene with you again. May you travel well, Earnest. Riker: We thank the council for meeting on such short notice. (Faith and Riker bow and each take one of the Little Boy's hands.)

Riker (VO): We went to our home, and the home, as if it was alive and listening, had grown another room for him. We began to teach him what we knew. Picard (VO): And this is not how Kaanor hosts reproduce? Joy (VO): Kaanor hosts do not reproduce as hosts. They only produce spirits. However, spirits reproduce similarly to other humanoids. Hosts take turns being born into children. They also have the ability to birth fully grown spirits like me. Picard (VO): And is there any way for a spirit to visit the hosts? Riker (VO): No. I was only able to get to the host planet because Starfleet picked me up and took me there. While the spirits and the hosts are aware of other races and planets, neither have any real interest in space travel, even within their own system.

The scene changes, and Riker, Faith, and the Little Boy are before the council again. Author's Note: To save myself a little time, all of the following dialogue is sung. As the scene unfolds, a dim light on Brutus, who is standing guard in a corner, gradually increases and illuminates him.

Council Member 1: Earnest and Faith! How good it is to see you. Riker: And you as well! We would like to address the council as a whole. Council Member 1: Be comforted, friend. We are here to help. Little Boy: I have chosen a name for myself. Olivia: What is your name, Little One? Little Boy: I am Jean-Luc, the bringer of the light. All: You are Jean-Luc, the bringer of the light! Riker: (teary-eyed) Jean-Luc, will you be our son? Jean-Luc: I am your son, Earnest. Faith: You are our son, Jean-Luc. Riker: Together, we shall forge ahead in this world. I shall guide you; I shall love you. (looking deep into his eyes, tenderly, as if Picard can hear him) Jean-Luc, I shall always be with you.

The singing stops. The scene changes, and we are back in Sick Bay, where Riker is beside himself with tears. Picard motions for Joy and then sits on the bed next to Riker. Joy sits on the other side of Riker.

Picard: Did you name him? Did you tell him about me? (Riker, still sobbing, shakes his head.) Riker: (broken) Somehow, he just knew. Joy: You are safe, Will. Riker: (crying harder) I know I am safe. Joy: Right now, you are who matters. Riker: (angry crying) No. Jean-Luc--my son. (He breaks again. Without him telling us, the story continues.)

(Faith and Jean-Luc are walking in a park. Jean-Luc sees a songbird on the ground.) Jean-Luc: What's wrong, little bird? (It's dying. It tweets weakly. Jean-Luc's light surrounds him, and his melody bursts forth again) Live again! (In as much as a bird CAN smile, it smiles and flies away.) Faith: (smiling) You amaze me every time you do that.

Brutus is sneaking around behind them, following them. Faith and Jean-Luc do not see him, and they continue on their way. They visit the council building, waiting outside for Olivia. Brutus comes out of hiding and walks into the council building. He catches Olivia before she leaves for the day.

Brutus: Olivia, may I speak with you? Olivia: Yes, Brutus. What is on your mind? Brutus: What can you tell me of Earnest? I have been watching him for many years, and I know there is something off about him. Olivia: He is my best friend's partner. I do not think something is wrong with him. Brutus: He seemed to just appear out of nowhere one day. Olivia: He traveled here from the northern continent seeking peace. We granted him passage into the capital city because he needed help, and that is what we do. Has he done something wrong? Brutus: Well, no, but-- Olivia: Then you must cease your stalking. He is just a host living with his family. Leave him alone. Good day.

Olivia nods to Brutus and exits the council building. Brutus is angry, angrier than we have seen him. He marches directly up the stairs, where he enters a futuristic flying cop car and takes off toward Riker's house. He lands on the roof, enters through a window, and sprays Riker's pillow with a chemical. He places a sensor on the wall. He climbs back out the window, flies the cop car back to the council building, and lies in wait.

Olivia, Faith, and Jean-Luc leave the council building and return to Riker and Faith's house. Riker joins them, and they all have a meal together. They retire to the living room, and Jean-Luc pipes up with a question.

Jean-Luc: Father, what happens when someone dies? Faith: Isn't it time for you to go to bed, dear? Riker: No, I think it is time he learned. Faith: (aside) Earnest, I'm not ready to have this conversation. Riker: (aside) There is no shame in telling him. (to Jean-Luc) We don't know, son. Olivia: If I may, Earnest? (Riker nods.) Kaanor hosts have an extremely long lifespan, thousands of years. While there are old tales of hosts drifting off peacefully, no one has died on the planet in a thousand years. If death does exist for us, Earnest is right--no one truly knows what happens to us. We don't know if our spirits die, too, or if they live on without us. Faith: What we're saying, Jean-Luc, is that you have no need to worry about death for a long, long time. The four of us are under 100 years old--we have centuries left to live. Jean-Luc: Am I a Kaanor host? I don't have any spirits yet. Faith: We don't really know that, either. We don't know where you came from, but your biological workup seems to suggest that you could be a Kaanor host. Olivia: There are certain hosts that are considered healers, and your healing light resembles theirs. Jean-Luc: So, you think that I am a healer? Riker: We know you are, Jean-Luc. And a damn good one at that. (he pats Jean-Luc on the back and winks, smiling.) Now, I think it's time for you to go to bed. Jean-Luc: Goodnight, Father. Goodnight, Mother. Goodnight, Olivia.

A bit later, after everyone has gone to bed, Riker stirs. Thinking he might be sick, he gets up to get a glass of water from the kitchen. Jean-Luc is also in the kitchen. Riker smiles at him and grabs a glass from the cabinet. An alarm goes off, making all kinds of racket. Jean-Luc screams. Faith runs to the kitchen, sees Riker, and screams. They both seem in physical pain as a reaction to the alarm and their own screams. They melt onto the floor as the alarm grows louder and louder. They eventually stop moving, dead on the floor. Riker goes to help them, catching a glimpse of himself on a reflective surface: His antenna has fallen off. He screams.

We return to Sick Bay, where Riker is sobbing again. Joy, the healing light surrounding them, touches Riker's face.

All except Joy, Riker, and DeAnna pick up their phasers and fire on a different traitor.

Joy: Set phasers to kill!

They do so. After several sustained blasts, the traitors begin to phase and glitch out of existence. Once they are all gone, a white-hot light blinds the entire party. They all fall back, and what I can best describe as a puddle of goo approaches them.

Joy: (sitting up) Wha--? Goo: (many voices whispering as one) What have you done? Joy: I have betrayed the betrayers of time. I have avenged my father. Goo: The boh-GED as you knew them were history's traitors, but they weren't just traitors.

The Goo goes up into the sky and becomes The Mighty Nine. They spin around in the sky, and as they do, they transform. Ja'Rod-a caring, kind father; Rula-a fair judge; Intendant Kira-a generous lover; the rest show a softer side of themselves.

Joy: They still committed unspeakable atrocities. The Mighty Nine: No one acts alone. Joy: But, my father-- Brutus: Was just a spirit. Joy: No one is just anything. The Mighty Nine: Our point exactly.

The rest of the crew wakes. KJ walks up to Joy.

KJ: Joy, we're behind you. We'd do it again in a heartbeat. You got justice for your father. Joy: What I got was revenge, not justice. KJ: These people murdered your people in cold blood just because they thought they were a lower form of life. Joy: But they're people. KJ: (getting Joy to face her) Everyone is deeply flawed. That is not a sign of weakness. That is life. (addressing The Mighty Nine) They took a life to repay a life taken. That balances out. The Mighty Nine: (addressing Joy) Did you come here to kill Brutus? Joy: No. When we arrived, he was here, and it--just happened. KJ: Someone fired on our ship! They brought it down, onto the planet. Who shot us down? The Mighty Nine: We did. Wesley: What kind of weapon is that?! The Mighty Nine: It is fueled by our suns. Wesley: Is that why your suns are going supernova? The Mighty Nine: Yes. We realized too late. Joy: Will you please start over from the beginning? I want to understand.

The Goo comes back together as Goo and then, it forms into Joy's father.

Goo: Many years ago, Brutus, made to protect this world--this system by force, began killing spirits. He believed them to be inferior to the Kaanor hosts. Joy, your father was one of the many Brutus killed. (The Goo forms into Brutus again.) Brutus was a mighty, powerful being. Too powerful according to some. KJ: What about the others? Goo: There were no others. (Brutus becomes smaller, and the rest of the mighty nine are formed off of him.) Brutus divided himself into nine to watch over the nine planets in this system. The Kaanor developed a weapon using the power of their seven suns, and Brutus took advantage of that to bring you down here. Riker: (weakly) Starfleet sent me on a top secret, peaceful, undercover informational mission. Everyone had to think I was dead. Once my antenna fell off, Brutus was alerted. I was able to outrun him and send a message to the Captain, but then he found me and beat me senseless. Goo: He wanted to run a test on all of you. When you found Riker, Brutus wanted to see if there would be any negotiation. He didn't know about you, Joy. Joy: Then I killed him. And I got everyone else to kill the others. Q: (appearing out of nowhere, with frailty) and you have now become the first being in the history of all the universes to kill a Q. Picard: Brutus was a Q?! Q: There was only he and I. He was a part of me. Now there is no Q continuum. There is only me. Picard: No one to keep you in line?! Q: (sitting down on the ground) Yes. (slowly) I am alone. (to Patrick) I told you not to come! Patrick: I couldn't have known this was going to happen. Q: (screaming) DON'T YOU SEE?! I AM NOT WHOLE! (He turns to his side, and we see that he is literally half of himself--viscera and other things are hanging out of him. Riker vomits.) Patrick: (very freaked out) Beverly, isn't there anything you can do? Bev: (shocked, scanning) His physiology is too different from our own--I can't heal him. Patrick: Can you live like this? Q: No. I'm dying. And I'm afraid.

Picard, Riker, DeAnna, Beverly, KJ, Data, Daneel, and Wesley politely rise and walk back toward the ship. Patrick and Joy sit on either side of Q.