Star Trek: The Next Generation s06e23 Episode Script
Rightful Heir
-Good morning, Commander.
|- Data.
- Interesting night?|- I found it extremely interesting.
The lateral sensor arrays|ran three spectral analyses on the Alawanir Nebula|on three frequencies.
- I'm sorry I missed it.
|- I will send you the report.
We are still on course|for the Gariman Sector.
Our speed is warp six.
|ETA, 1300 hours.
Sickbay reported one minor injury|in exobiology at 0420 hours.
Very well.
Isn't Lt Worf scheduled|to replace Ensign Torigan? Yes, sir.
I was not informed|of any change to the roster.
He's never late.
Riker to Lt Worf.
Computer, locate Lt Worf.
Lt Worf is in his quarters.
Something's wrong.
|Mr Data, you have the bridge.
Security team, deck seven,|section 25 Baker.
Aye, sir.
Computer, override|security lock on this door.
Authorisation, Riker Alpha six zero.
Worf, what the hell are you doing? Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages|of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission,|to explore strange new worlds, .
.
to seek out new life|and new civilisations, .
.
to boldly go|where no one has gone before.
Enter! Captain.
On your feet, Lieutenant.
Sir.
Mr Worf, your personal affairs|are your concern until they interfere with this ship.
|You have crossed that line.
As Captain,|I want to know what is going on.
- It is difficult to explain.
|- Try.
Ever since I returned from the|Carraya System, I have felt empty.
Is this to do with the Klingons|you rescued from Carraya lV? They were young.
|They knew nothing of their heritage.
While I was there,|I tried to teach them about their people, their culture.
I told them our ancient stories, instructed them in our customs,|explained our beliefs.
Then I told them about Kahless, how he had united our people|long ago, how he gave us strength and honour and how he promised to return|one day and lead us again.
Is that what you're doing here?|Trying to recapture those feelings? Yes.
I was trying to summon|a vision of Kahless.
Better to use the holodeck|than setting fire to your quarters.
Using the holodeck|would not be appropriate.
Everything had to be real|if Kahless were to appear.
But all this is for nothing.
He did not come to me.
I gave Toq and the others|a belief in Sto-Vo-Kor, the life beyond this life|where Kahless awaits us.
When I saw the power of their|beliefs, I began to question my own.
And I found it wanting.
Have you lost your faith|in Sto- Vo-Kor? To lose something,|one must first possess it.
I am not sure|I ever had a true belief.
But it should not have interfered|with my duties.
- My behaviour was|- Inexcusable.
And understandable.
It may be that what you are looking|for cannot be found here.
Perhaps you need to immerse yourself|in Klingon beliefs in order to discover|if they can hold any truth for you.
Is there something you could do,|somewhere you could go, to explore your faith more fully? Boreth.
The followers of Kahless|await his return there.
To Klingons,|there is no more sacred place.
Boreth is only 12 days|from here by shuttle.
As of this moment,|you are on leave.
Thank you, sir.
But when you set foot|on this ship again, I expect you to perform your duties|like a Starfleet officer.
Yes, sir.
And, Mr Worf? I hope you find|what you're looking for.
Thank you, sir.
Kahless.
I see Kahless.
He is standing before me,|with a sword.
He wants something.
Me.
He wants me.
He wants me to go with him.
It is a powerful vision, Divok.
Kahless wants you to join him|in Sto- Vo-Kor.
You are only 19, yet your place|among the honoured dead is secure.
Take him back to his chamber.
|Let him sleep.
You're leaving us? It has been ten days, Koroth.
I have had no visions.
|I have received no insight.
There is nothing here for me.
What is|the Story of the Promise, Worf? When Kahless had united our people|and gave them the laws of honour, he saw that his work was done.
One night, he gathered his belongings|and said goodbye.
The people wept.
|They did not want him to go.
Then Kahless said,|"You are Klingons.
" "You need no one but yourselves.
" "I will go now to Sto-Vo-Kor,|but I promise one day I will return.
" Then Kahless pointed|to a star in the sky and said, "Look for me there,|on that point of light.
" So, here we are, on a world|circling that distant point of light.
It has been 15 centuries|since he made that promise, and still we wait.
What are ten days in the life|of one Klingon compared to that? Is the son of Mogh|really so easily discouraged? You came to us seeking answers, but this is a place of questions.
Open your heart to Kahless.
Ask him your questions.
Let him speak to you with your mind|unclouded by doubt or hesitation.
Only then can you find|what you are looking for.
If you cannot do that, then perhaps you should return|to your starship.
I see Kahless.
You are real.
I am Kahless.
And I have returned.
What are you doing? - Who are you?|- It is Kahless.
I have returned.
You doubt me.
Who here knows the story|of how this sword was forged? No one knows.
It is not written|in the sacred texts.
I went into the mountains, all the way|to the volcano at Kri'stak.
There I cut off a lock of my hair and thrust it into the molten rock|that poured from the summit.
The hair began to burn.
Then I plunged it|into the Lake of Lusor, and twisted it into this sword.
And after I used it to kill Molor,|I gave it a name.
Bat'leth.
The sword of honour.
You know! The story of the sword|is known only to the high clerics.
It was never written down,|so that if he returned, we could be sure it was Kahless.
I have returned because there is|a great need in my people.
They fight amongst themselves|in petty wars that corrupt the glory|of the Klingon spirit.
They have lost their way.
But it is not too late.
I have returned|and I will lead my people again.
Kahless.
Kahless.
What is it you are doing? I was getting my tricorder.
Tricorder? Is it a weapon? No.
It is a tool.
- I intended to use it|- To see if I was real.
Proceed.
Use your tricorder.
Well? You are Klingon.
What else could I be? There are many possibilities.
|A shapeshifter.
- A holographic projection.
|- You are a sceptic, Worf.
I like that.
- How do you know my name?|- We have met before.
I appeared to you in a vision|in the caves of No'Mat.
You were just a child then.
I told you|that you would do something that no Klingon had ever done before.
You still do not believe it is me,|do you, Worf? I want to believe.
That is a beginning.
Gowron is the leader of the Council|and the defence force.
- If he opposes you|- Do not worry.
We are on the threshold of a new era.
Klingons from all over the Empire|will flock to my banner.
Yet something still weighs heavy|on the brow of the son of Mogh.
Are you contemplating|yet another question for me? After three days, I wonder|if you know how to do anything else.
Questions are the beginning of|wisdom, the mark of a true warrior.
Do not forget that a leader need not|answer questions of those he leads.
It is enough that he says|to do a thing and they will do it.
If he says to run, they run.
|If he says to fight, they fight.
If he says to die, they die.
If the commander is worthy of trust.
What is wrong? Is there only anger and bloodlust|in your souls? Is that all that is left|in the Klingon heart? We do not fight|merely to spill blood, but to enrich the spirit.
Look at us.
Two warriors locked|in battle, fighting for honour.
How can you not sing|for all to hear? We are Klingons! Yes.
Let it out.
|Let the joy in your heart be heard.
We are Klingons! We are Klingons.
We are Klingons.
Captain's log, stardate 46852.
2.
The Enterprise|is to proceed to Boreth to take aboard|a very unusual guest.
Did you take|any other tricorder readings, an anatomical profile|or a neurophysiology scan? No.
It's going to be difficult|to eliminate possibilities now.
He may be a coalescent being|taking Klingon form, or a bioreplicant or a Klingon|who has been surgically altered.
There is another possibility.
He could be the real Kahless.
|He may have returned as he promised.
The appearance of Kahless|is consistent with the sacred texts.
Worf, no offence, but I have trouble believing the man|on deck eight is supernatural.
I did not say that he is.
I merely think that we should not|reject the possibility.
Look, we have no reason|to rule out anything.
We are not ordered to investigate|the origins of our guest, nor to tell anyone what to believe.
We are simply to transport him|to the Homeworld.
And while he's here with us, he will be treated|as an honoured guest.
Lieutenant? May I ask a question? In the absence of empirical data, how will you determine if he is real? It is not an empirical matter.
|It is a matter of faith.
Faith? Then you do believe|Kahless has supernatural attributes? As an android, I am unable to accept|that which cannot be proven.
I would appreciate|hearing your insights.
Perhaps some other time, Commander.
I do not believe I can provide|much insight at this moment.
- Welcome aboard, Gowron.
|- Where is he, Picard? I assume|you are referring to Kahless.
I am referring to the filthy pahtk|who is using his name.
Well, the person in question|is in his quarters at the moment.
What have you learned? What medical analysis have you made?|Any theories about his origin? - We haven't done any analysis.
|- What fools work for you? The impostor has been aboard|for a day.
If you wanted tests,|you should have sent a ship.
And have him spread his lies|through a ship of Klingons? Never.
If he really is an impostor,|don't worry.
Kahless has been dead|for 1,000 years.
But the idea of Kahless is alive.
|Have you ever fought an idea? It has no weapon to destroy,|no body to kill.
The idea of Kahless's return|must be stopped here or it will travel|through the Empire like a wave, and leave nothing|but destruction behind.
So Gowron has come on board|to test your claim.
Gowron knows|that his days are over.
He comes crawling aboard|with some test.
- We don't have to prove anything.
|- What test? He has a knife, a knife that is stained|with the blood of Kahless.
Gowron has the Knife of Kirom? No one should remove it|from the sacred vault.
Gowron does not care|what is sacred.
He wants to run a genetic analysis|on the blood and on you.
That should tell us|if there is a match.
If you agree, I will ensure|that it is conducted impartially.
Perhaps it is time|to settle the doubts of those who still do not believe.
I will allow this test.
There, that should do it.
Computer, run a genetic comparison|on this blood sample and the tissue belonging to Kahless.
The genetic patterns are identical.
But how? How can this be? It is true.
Kahless has returned.
I am sorry.
Our replicator|does not do justice to warnog.
It's been so long since|I have tasted any food or drink.
There are many things|I have forgotten.
Kahless.
May I ask you about death|and Sto- Vo-Kor? Tell me, what awaits us|beyond this life? I do not have those answers.
I am merely a traveller who has journeyed back and forth|between this world and the next.
While I am in this form,|I know only about this world.
And there is much work|for me to do in this world.
And you will be part of it, Worf.
Me? It was your purity of heart that|summoned me back from Sto- Vo-Kor.
Koroth has told me|about the respect you've earned in the Federation and the Empire.
I want you at my side|as we restore honour to our people.
Let me tell you about|this new empire we will forge.
- It will be glorious!|- It will be war! No.
You are not a fool.
Do you really think that every|Klingon will grovel before this man, just because Koroth|says he is Kahless? He is Kahless.
Your own test proved it.
I will not hand over the Empire|to Koroth because of one test.
- This is not Koroth.
|- Of course it is! Open your eyes.
Koroth and the other guardians|have always opposed me.
This is nothing more than a ploy|to seize power.
Even now, there are warriors on my|own ship who want to see Kahless.
There are others who believe|he is an impostor.
The divisions are already forming.
But it does not have to be this way.
We could join together and welcome|Kahless as a united people.
Don't you see? This is exactly|why they want you to join them.
Because your brother|sits on the Council, and your voice carries weight|in the Empire.
They want you|to influence others to follow them.
Worf.
We fought together once,|side by side, to keep the Empire|from being torn apart.
Will you stand by|and let these impostors destroy all that we fought|so hard to protect? Renounce him, Worf.
Stand with me|and we can hold the Empire together.
You do not understand.
|Kahless is our future.
Only with his help can we revive|the pure warriors within ourselves.
Listen to him, Gowron.
|Open your heart.
Hear his words.
He will restore your faith|as he has restored mine.
Give him a chance|to lift your spirit and cleanse your heart|before you take up arms.
Koroth.
I see that not all fools die young.
Kahless.
Kahless, may I present Gowron,|leader of the High Council? Kahless.
Long ago, a storm was heading|toward the city of Quin'lat.
The people sought protection|within the walls.
All except one man|who remained outside.
I went and asked what he was doing.
"I am not afraid," he said.
"I will not hide my face|behind stone and mortar.
" "I will stand before the wind|and make it respect me.
" I honoured his choice|and went inside.
The next day, the storm came|and the man was killed.
The wind does not respect a fool.
Do not stand before the wind,|Gowron.
What was his name? What? If you were really there, you should be able to tell us the|name of the man outside the walls.
Describe him to us.
What was he wearing? How tall was he? - What colour were his eyes?|- I do not remember.
It was long ago|and in another lifetime.
What matters is, I have returned to|restore faith and hope to my people, to lead them back|to the way of honour, and the glory that once was theirs|and can be again.
- Is that what you oppose, Gowron?|- I oppose you.
I say you are not Kahless.
And I will not bend my knee to you as long as I can draw breath|or pick up a blade.
- No.
|- Koroth.
A good try, Gowron.
But not enough.
You have no joy, Gowron.
Is your heart so full of suspicion that you've forgotten|what it means to be Klingon? Kahless.
|The greatest warrior of them all! Everything will be alright.
We will say that Gowron used|a dishonourable tactic.
- He cheated.
|- That is a lie! We do not need to hear from you.
|You brought them together! I am Kahless,|the strongest, bravest warrior.
Do not think about what happened.
|You must think of the future.
There is no future here.
|No glorious new era for our people.
Gowron was right.
You did not know the name of the man|who faced the storm.
You do not know|what real warnog tastes like.
And you certainly|are not the greatest warrior.
Whoever you are, you are not Kahless.
You have said enough.
Get out! You are using the name of Kahless|for some twisted game.
For that alone, you should die.
If you do not tell me what you have|done, I will kill you right here! The problems with your memory are the result|of the way you returned.
What do you mean? We, the guardians, have been|awaiting your return for centuries, but we did not have the technology|to bring you back.
Until now.
We used an organic sample of|the first Kahless to give you life.
The first Kahless? A clone.
He is a clone.
What is a clone? A being created in a laboratory by using genetic material|from another being.
- You are a copy.
A fraud!|- You are not just a copy.
We gave you more|than the body of Kahless.
We found a way to imprint information|in your neurosynaptic patterns.
We gave you memories,|not any memories.
We gave you the experiences of|Kahless, as written in sacred texts.
So, I did not do any of the things|that I remember.
I was never in the city of Quin'lat.
I never went|to the Kri'stat volcano.
You were not awakened|until we transported you into the cave|and you appeared to Worf.
Before then, you were in a laboratory|where we accelerated growth, corrected any genetic anomalies, gave you the wisdom and memories They grew you in a test tube|like some kind of fungus.
And programmed you like a machine.
- You are twisting the truth.
|- You talk to me of truth? You who brought to life this lie|and called it Kahless.
It is not a lie.
|Genetically, he is Kahless.
And he is needed by our people.
You know that corruption and|dishonour are destroying the Empire.
- They need him.
|- They do not need a false god.
How do you know|this is not the prophecy? Who is to say|that what we did was wrong? I am.
|I will not let this fraud continue.
Worf.
You cannot tell Gowron.
Do not give me orders.
Alright.
But consider this.
If you tell Gowron what we have|told you, it will destroy him.
And with him, the last chance|to restore hope to our people.
It's your choice.
They have been sitting here|for three hours, 17 minutes.
They refuse to return|with the rest of Gowron's men.
They insisted upon waiting here|until they see Kahless again.
Their faith is unaffected|by his inability to defeat Gowron.
They still believe.
Then they are fools.
Does that mean|you no longer believe it is Kahless? - Yes.
|- I am curious.
Do you still think|the real Kahless will return? Or has this experience|only deepened your spiritual crisis? - I do not know.
|- I understand your dilemma.
I once had what could be considered|a crisis of the spirit.
You? Yes.
The Starfleet officers|who activated me on Omicron Theta told me I was an android, nothing|more than a machine with human form.
However, I realised|that if I were simply a machine, I could never be anything else.
I could never grow|beyond my programming.
I found that difficult to accept.
So I chose to believe|that I was a person.
That I was more than a collection|of circuits and subprocessors.
It is a belief which I still hold.
How did you come to your decision? I made a leap of faith.
The man who appeared to me|on Boreth is not Kahless.
He is a clone.
- A clone?|- Yes.
Did you really think you could|get away with this fraud? You and this abomination|will be put to death.
It does not matter, Gowron.
You will not be able|to stand against him.
What? He's not real.
|You just said so.
I said he was not Kahless.
But in the minds of our people,|he can be just as powerful.
Even now, two members|of your own crew are sitting on our holodeck|waiting for him.
- I do not care what they think.
|- They are not alone.
Like many of our people, they need|something to believe in, like I did.
Something larger than themselves,|that will give their lives meaning.
They need Kahless.
- When they find out the truth|- It does not matter.
Despite the facts,|they will still believe.
They will make a leap of faith.
There will be others like them.
|Not everyone.
But enough to plunge the Empire|into civil war if you oppose them.
What are you saying?|I should hand over the Empire? No.
That would be unwise, as well.
Then what are you proposing, Worf? You were right about one thing,|Koroth.
Our people are becoming|decadent and corrupt.
They need moral leadership.
Kahless can be that leader,|as emperor.
There hasn't been|an emperor in three centuries.
The political power|will remain with the High Council.
Kahless would be a figurehead, but he will have the ability|to rally the people, to lead by example,|to guide them in spiritual matters.
The title is meaningless|without power to back it up.
Real power|comes from within the heart.
You would have the power|to mould the Klingon heart.
You could return them to honour according to the teachings of Kahless|which are within you.
It would be a great challenge, if you have courage to accept it.
And what will we tell the people|about their emperor? That he appeared|in a cave or a laboratory? We will tell them the truth.
All of the truth.
But we will tell them that even if|he is not the real Kahless, he is the rightful heir to Kahless.
And if I refuse to go along? My brother, those who support him,|and I will fight you.
And the Empire|will fall back into civil war.
- What do you say about this?|- What I say is unimportant.
It is acceptable.
Join with me, Gowron.
Let us usher in|this new era together.
Kahless.
- Farewell, Worf.
|- Goodbye.
What's wrong? You should be proud|of what you've accomplished.
I went to Boreth to find my faith.
For a time, I thought I had.
But my heart is empty again.
I do not know what to believe.
You doubt the real Kahless|will return one day? You doubt that he is still waiting|for you in Sto-Vo-Kor? Kahless left us, all of us,|a powerful legacy.
A way of thinking and acting|that makes us Klingon.
If his words hold wisdom|and his philosophy is honourable, what does it matter if he returns? What is important|is that we follow his teachings.
Perhaps the words|are more important than the man.
Qapla', son of Mogh.
Qapla', Kahless.
|- Data.
- Interesting night?|- I found it extremely interesting.
The lateral sensor arrays|ran three spectral analyses on the Alawanir Nebula|on three frequencies.
- I'm sorry I missed it.
|- I will send you the report.
We are still on course|for the Gariman Sector.
Our speed is warp six.
|ETA, 1300 hours.
Sickbay reported one minor injury|in exobiology at 0420 hours.
Very well.
Isn't Lt Worf scheduled|to replace Ensign Torigan? Yes, sir.
I was not informed|of any change to the roster.
He's never late.
Riker to Lt Worf.
Computer, locate Lt Worf.
Lt Worf is in his quarters.
Something's wrong.
|Mr Data, you have the bridge.
Security team, deck seven,|section 25 Baker.
Aye, sir.
Computer, override|security lock on this door.
Authorisation, Riker Alpha six zero.
Worf, what the hell are you doing? Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages|of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission,|to explore strange new worlds, .
.
to seek out new life|and new civilisations, .
.
to boldly go|where no one has gone before.
Enter! Captain.
On your feet, Lieutenant.
Sir.
Mr Worf, your personal affairs|are your concern until they interfere with this ship.
|You have crossed that line.
As Captain,|I want to know what is going on.
- It is difficult to explain.
|- Try.
Ever since I returned from the|Carraya System, I have felt empty.
Is this to do with the Klingons|you rescued from Carraya lV? They were young.
|They knew nothing of their heritage.
While I was there,|I tried to teach them about their people, their culture.
I told them our ancient stories, instructed them in our customs,|explained our beliefs.
Then I told them about Kahless, how he had united our people|long ago, how he gave us strength and honour and how he promised to return|one day and lead us again.
Is that what you're doing here?|Trying to recapture those feelings? Yes.
I was trying to summon|a vision of Kahless.
Better to use the holodeck|than setting fire to your quarters.
Using the holodeck|would not be appropriate.
Everything had to be real|if Kahless were to appear.
But all this is for nothing.
He did not come to me.
I gave Toq and the others|a belief in Sto-Vo-Kor, the life beyond this life|where Kahless awaits us.
When I saw the power of their|beliefs, I began to question my own.
And I found it wanting.
Have you lost your faith|in Sto- Vo-Kor? To lose something,|one must first possess it.
I am not sure|I ever had a true belief.
But it should not have interfered|with my duties.
- My behaviour was|- Inexcusable.
And understandable.
It may be that what you are looking|for cannot be found here.
Perhaps you need to immerse yourself|in Klingon beliefs in order to discover|if they can hold any truth for you.
Is there something you could do,|somewhere you could go, to explore your faith more fully? Boreth.
The followers of Kahless|await his return there.
To Klingons,|there is no more sacred place.
Boreth is only 12 days|from here by shuttle.
As of this moment,|you are on leave.
Thank you, sir.
But when you set foot|on this ship again, I expect you to perform your duties|like a Starfleet officer.
Yes, sir.
And, Mr Worf? I hope you find|what you're looking for.
Thank you, sir.
Kahless.
I see Kahless.
He is standing before me,|with a sword.
He wants something.
Me.
He wants me.
He wants me to go with him.
It is a powerful vision, Divok.
Kahless wants you to join him|in Sto- Vo-Kor.
You are only 19, yet your place|among the honoured dead is secure.
Take him back to his chamber.
|Let him sleep.
You're leaving us? It has been ten days, Koroth.
I have had no visions.
|I have received no insight.
There is nothing here for me.
What is|the Story of the Promise, Worf? When Kahless had united our people|and gave them the laws of honour, he saw that his work was done.
One night, he gathered his belongings|and said goodbye.
The people wept.
|They did not want him to go.
Then Kahless said,|"You are Klingons.
" "You need no one but yourselves.
" "I will go now to Sto-Vo-Kor,|but I promise one day I will return.
" Then Kahless pointed|to a star in the sky and said, "Look for me there,|on that point of light.
" So, here we are, on a world|circling that distant point of light.
It has been 15 centuries|since he made that promise, and still we wait.
What are ten days in the life|of one Klingon compared to that? Is the son of Mogh|really so easily discouraged? You came to us seeking answers, but this is a place of questions.
Open your heart to Kahless.
Ask him your questions.
Let him speak to you with your mind|unclouded by doubt or hesitation.
Only then can you find|what you are looking for.
If you cannot do that, then perhaps you should return|to your starship.
I see Kahless.
You are real.
I am Kahless.
And I have returned.
What are you doing? - Who are you?|- It is Kahless.
I have returned.
You doubt me.
Who here knows the story|of how this sword was forged? No one knows.
It is not written|in the sacred texts.
I went into the mountains, all the way|to the volcano at Kri'stak.
There I cut off a lock of my hair and thrust it into the molten rock|that poured from the summit.
The hair began to burn.
Then I plunged it|into the Lake of Lusor, and twisted it into this sword.
And after I used it to kill Molor,|I gave it a name.
Bat'leth.
The sword of honour.
You know! The story of the sword|is known only to the high clerics.
It was never written down,|so that if he returned, we could be sure it was Kahless.
I have returned because there is|a great need in my people.
They fight amongst themselves|in petty wars that corrupt the glory|of the Klingon spirit.
They have lost their way.
But it is not too late.
I have returned|and I will lead my people again.
Kahless.
Kahless.
What is it you are doing? I was getting my tricorder.
Tricorder? Is it a weapon? No.
It is a tool.
- I intended to use it|- To see if I was real.
Proceed.
Use your tricorder.
Well? You are Klingon.
What else could I be? There are many possibilities.
|A shapeshifter.
- A holographic projection.
|- You are a sceptic, Worf.
I like that.
- How do you know my name?|- We have met before.
I appeared to you in a vision|in the caves of No'Mat.
You were just a child then.
I told you|that you would do something that no Klingon had ever done before.
You still do not believe it is me,|do you, Worf? I want to believe.
That is a beginning.
Gowron is the leader of the Council|and the defence force.
- If he opposes you|- Do not worry.
We are on the threshold of a new era.
Klingons from all over the Empire|will flock to my banner.
Yet something still weighs heavy|on the brow of the son of Mogh.
Are you contemplating|yet another question for me? After three days, I wonder|if you know how to do anything else.
Questions are the beginning of|wisdom, the mark of a true warrior.
Do not forget that a leader need not|answer questions of those he leads.
It is enough that he says|to do a thing and they will do it.
If he says to run, they run.
|If he says to fight, they fight.
If he says to die, they die.
If the commander is worthy of trust.
What is wrong? Is there only anger and bloodlust|in your souls? Is that all that is left|in the Klingon heart? We do not fight|merely to spill blood, but to enrich the spirit.
Look at us.
Two warriors locked|in battle, fighting for honour.
How can you not sing|for all to hear? We are Klingons! Yes.
Let it out.
|Let the joy in your heart be heard.
We are Klingons! We are Klingons.
We are Klingons.
Captain's log, stardate 46852.
2.
The Enterprise|is to proceed to Boreth to take aboard|a very unusual guest.
Did you take|any other tricorder readings, an anatomical profile|or a neurophysiology scan? No.
It's going to be difficult|to eliminate possibilities now.
He may be a coalescent being|taking Klingon form, or a bioreplicant or a Klingon|who has been surgically altered.
There is another possibility.
He could be the real Kahless.
|He may have returned as he promised.
The appearance of Kahless|is consistent with the sacred texts.
Worf, no offence, but I have trouble believing the man|on deck eight is supernatural.
I did not say that he is.
I merely think that we should not|reject the possibility.
Look, we have no reason|to rule out anything.
We are not ordered to investigate|the origins of our guest, nor to tell anyone what to believe.
We are simply to transport him|to the Homeworld.
And while he's here with us, he will be treated|as an honoured guest.
Lieutenant? May I ask a question? In the absence of empirical data, how will you determine if he is real? It is not an empirical matter.
|It is a matter of faith.
Faith? Then you do believe|Kahless has supernatural attributes? As an android, I am unable to accept|that which cannot be proven.
I would appreciate|hearing your insights.
Perhaps some other time, Commander.
I do not believe I can provide|much insight at this moment.
- Welcome aboard, Gowron.
|- Where is he, Picard? I assume|you are referring to Kahless.
I am referring to the filthy pahtk|who is using his name.
Well, the person in question|is in his quarters at the moment.
What have you learned? What medical analysis have you made?|Any theories about his origin? - We haven't done any analysis.
|- What fools work for you? The impostor has been aboard|for a day.
If you wanted tests,|you should have sent a ship.
And have him spread his lies|through a ship of Klingons? Never.
If he really is an impostor,|don't worry.
Kahless has been dead|for 1,000 years.
But the idea of Kahless is alive.
|Have you ever fought an idea? It has no weapon to destroy,|no body to kill.
The idea of Kahless's return|must be stopped here or it will travel|through the Empire like a wave, and leave nothing|but destruction behind.
So Gowron has come on board|to test your claim.
Gowron knows|that his days are over.
He comes crawling aboard|with some test.
- We don't have to prove anything.
|- What test? He has a knife, a knife that is stained|with the blood of Kahless.
Gowron has the Knife of Kirom? No one should remove it|from the sacred vault.
Gowron does not care|what is sacred.
He wants to run a genetic analysis|on the blood and on you.
That should tell us|if there is a match.
If you agree, I will ensure|that it is conducted impartially.
Perhaps it is time|to settle the doubts of those who still do not believe.
I will allow this test.
There, that should do it.
Computer, run a genetic comparison|on this blood sample and the tissue belonging to Kahless.
The genetic patterns are identical.
But how? How can this be? It is true.
Kahless has returned.
I am sorry.
Our replicator|does not do justice to warnog.
It's been so long since|I have tasted any food or drink.
There are many things|I have forgotten.
Kahless.
May I ask you about death|and Sto- Vo-Kor? Tell me, what awaits us|beyond this life? I do not have those answers.
I am merely a traveller who has journeyed back and forth|between this world and the next.
While I am in this form,|I know only about this world.
And there is much work|for me to do in this world.
And you will be part of it, Worf.
Me? It was your purity of heart that|summoned me back from Sto- Vo-Kor.
Koroth has told me|about the respect you've earned in the Federation and the Empire.
I want you at my side|as we restore honour to our people.
Let me tell you about|this new empire we will forge.
- It will be glorious!|- It will be war! No.
You are not a fool.
Do you really think that every|Klingon will grovel before this man, just because Koroth|says he is Kahless? He is Kahless.
Your own test proved it.
I will not hand over the Empire|to Koroth because of one test.
- This is not Koroth.
|- Of course it is! Open your eyes.
Koroth and the other guardians|have always opposed me.
This is nothing more than a ploy|to seize power.
Even now, there are warriors on my|own ship who want to see Kahless.
There are others who believe|he is an impostor.
The divisions are already forming.
But it does not have to be this way.
We could join together and welcome|Kahless as a united people.
Don't you see? This is exactly|why they want you to join them.
Because your brother|sits on the Council, and your voice carries weight|in the Empire.
They want you|to influence others to follow them.
Worf.
We fought together once,|side by side, to keep the Empire|from being torn apart.
Will you stand by|and let these impostors destroy all that we fought|so hard to protect? Renounce him, Worf.
Stand with me|and we can hold the Empire together.
You do not understand.
|Kahless is our future.
Only with his help can we revive|the pure warriors within ourselves.
Listen to him, Gowron.
|Open your heart.
Hear his words.
He will restore your faith|as he has restored mine.
Give him a chance|to lift your spirit and cleanse your heart|before you take up arms.
Koroth.
I see that not all fools die young.
Kahless.
Kahless, may I present Gowron,|leader of the High Council? Kahless.
Long ago, a storm was heading|toward the city of Quin'lat.
The people sought protection|within the walls.
All except one man|who remained outside.
I went and asked what he was doing.
"I am not afraid," he said.
"I will not hide my face|behind stone and mortar.
" "I will stand before the wind|and make it respect me.
" I honoured his choice|and went inside.
The next day, the storm came|and the man was killed.
The wind does not respect a fool.
Do not stand before the wind,|Gowron.
What was his name? What? If you were really there, you should be able to tell us the|name of the man outside the walls.
Describe him to us.
What was he wearing? How tall was he? - What colour were his eyes?|- I do not remember.
It was long ago|and in another lifetime.
What matters is, I have returned to|restore faith and hope to my people, to lead them back|to the way of honour, and the glory that once was theirs|and can be again.
- Is that what you oppose, Gowron?|- I oppose you.
I say you are not Kahless.
And I will not bend my knee to you as long as I can draw breath|or pick up a blade.
- No.
|- Koroth.
A good try, Gowron.
But not enough.
You have no joy, Gowron.
Is your heart so full of suspicion that you've forgotten|what it means to be Klingon? Kahless.
|The greatest warrior of them all! Everything will be alright.
We will say that Gowron used|a dishonourable tactic.
- He cheated.
|- That is a lie! We do not need to hear from you.
|You brought them together! I am Kahless,|the strongest, bravest warrior.
Do not think about what happened.
|You must think of the future.
There is no future here.
|No glorious new era for our people.
Gowron was right.
You did not know the name of the man|who faced the storm.
You do not know|what real warnog tastes like.
And you certainly|are not the greatest warrior.
Whoever you are, you are not Kahless.
You have said enough.
Get out! You are using the name of Kahless|for some twisted game.
For that alone, you should die.
If you do not tell me what you have|done, I will kill you right here! The problems with your memory are the result|of the way you returned.
What do you mean? We, the guardians, have been|awaiting your return for centuries, but we did not have the technology|to bring you back.
Until now.
We used an organic sample of|the first Kahless to give you life.
The first Kahless? A clone.
He is a clone.
What is a clone? A being created in a laboratory by using genetic material|from another being.
- You are a copy.
A fraud!|- You are not just a copy.
We gave you more|than the body of Kahless.
We found a way to imprint information|in your neurosynaptic patterns.
We gave you memories,|not any memories.
We gave you the experiences of|Kahless, as written in sacred texts.
So, I did not do any of the things|that I remember.
I was never in the city of Quin'lat.
I never went|to the Kri'stat volcano.
You were not awakened|until we transported you into the cave|and you appeared to Worf.
Before then, you were in a laboratory|where we accelerated growth, corrected any genetic anomalies, gave you the wisdom and memories They grew you in a test tube|like some kind of fungus.
And programmed you like a machine.
- You are twisting the truth.
|- You talk to me of truth? You who brought to life this lie|and called it Kahless.
It is not a lie.
|Genetically, he is Kahless.
And he is needed by our people.
You know that corruption and|dishonour are destroying the Empire.
- They need him.
|- They do not need a false god.
How do you know|this is not the prophecy? Who is to say|that what we did was wrong? I am.
|I will not let this fraud continue.
Worf.
You cannot tell Gowron.
Do not give me orders.
Alright.
But consider this.
If you tell Gowron what we have|told you, it will destroy him.
And with him, the last chance|to restore hope to our people.
It's your choice.
They have been sitting here|for three hours, 17 minutes.
They refuse to return|with the rest of Gowron's men.
They insisted upon waiting here|until they see Kahless again.
Their faith is unaffected|by his inability to defeat Gowron.
They still believe.
Then they are fools.
Does that mean|you no longer believe it is Kahless? - Yes.
|- I am curious.
Do you still think|the real Kahless will return? Or has this experience|only deepened your spiritual crisis? - I do not know.
|- I understand your dilemma.
I once had what could be considered|a crisis of the spirit.
You? Yes.
The Starfleet officers|who activated me on Omicron Theta told me I was an android, nothing|more than a machine with human form.
However, I realised|that if I were simply a machine, I could never be anything else.
I could never grow|beyond my programming.
I found that difficult to accept.
So I chose to believe|that I was a person.
That I was more than a collection|of circuits and subprocessors.
It is a belief which I still hold.
How did you come to your decision? I made a leap of faith.
The man who appeared to me|on Boreth is not Kahless.
He is a clone.
- A clone?|- Yes.
Did you really think you could|get away with this fraud? You and this abomination|will be put to death.
It does not matter, Gowron.
You will not be able|to stand against him.
What? He's not real.
|You just said so.
I said he was not Kahless.
But in the minds of our people,|he can be just as powerful.
Even now, two members|of your own crew are sitting on our holodeck|waiting for him.
- I do not care what they think.
|- They are not alone.
Like many of our people, they need|something to believe in, like I did.
Something larger than themselves,|that will give their lives meaning.
They need Kahless.
- When they find out the truth|- It does not matter.
Despite the facts,|they will still believe.
They will make a leap of faith.
There will be others like them.
|Not everyone.
But enough to plunge the Empire|into civil war if you oppose them.
What are you saying?|I should hand over the Empire? No.
That would be unwise, as well.
Then what are you proposing, Worf? You were right about one thing,|Koroth.
Our people are becoming|decadent and corrupt.
They need moral leadership.
Kahless can be that leader,|as emperor.
There hasn't been|an emperor in three centuries.
The political power|will remain with the High Council.
Kahless would be a figurehead, but he will have the ability|to rally the people, to lead by example,|to guide them in spiritual matters.
The title is meaningless|without power to back it up.
Real power|comes from within the heart.
You would have the power|to mould the Klingon heart.
You could return them to honour according to the teachings of Kahless|which are within you.
It would be a great challenge, if you have courage to accept it.
And what will we tell the people|about their emperor? That he appeared|in a cave or a laboratory? We will tell them the truth.
All of the truth.
But we will tell them that even if|he is not the real Kahless, he is the rightful heir to Kahless.
And if I refuse to go along? My brother, those who support him,|and I will fight you.
And the Empire|will fall back into civil war.
- What do you say about this?|- What I say is unimportant.
It is acceptable.
Join with me, Gowron.
Let us usher in|this new era together.
Kahless.
- Farewell, Worf.
|- Goodbye.
What's wrong? You should be proud|of what you've accomplished.
I went to Boreth to find my faith.
For a time, I thought I had.
But my heart is empty again.
I do not know what to believe.
You doubt the real Kahless|will return one day? You doubt that he is still waiting|for you in Sto-Vo-Kor? Kahless left us, all of us,|a powerful legacy.
A way of thinking and acting|that makes us Klingon.
If his words hold wisdom|and his philosophy is honourable, what does it matter if he returns? What is important|is that we follow his teachings.
Perhaps the words|are more important than the man.
Qapla', son of Mogh.
Qapla', Kahless.