Captain's Log, Stardate 44995.3.
We are en route to the Klingon Homeworld
where I will participate in the installation ceremony
of Gowron, the next designated leader of the High Council.
This visit should also provide an opportunity
for one of my officers to correct a grave injustice.
( grunting )
( door chimes )
Enter.
Am I intruding?
No, sir.
My apologies, Captain. I can be back in uniform...
No, that won't be necessary, Mr. Worf.
I'm not here as your Captain.
I'm here as the man who stood with you
before the High Council.
Your cha'DIch.
We will arrive at your homeworld in less than a day.
It is not time yet.
That doesn't sound like the man who came to me a year ago
fiercely determined to return home
to clear his father's name or die trying.
Isn't it time
to confront the Council
to regain your family name
let the truth be known?
I have been told
that patience
is sometimes a more effective weapon than the sword.
Patience is a human virtue--
one that I am glad to see you've taken to heart.
But doesn't this situation require a more...
Klingon response?
Your discommendation
is a facade to protect less honorable men.
It is a lie.
Lies must be challenged.
I have grown weary
of bearing this dishonor.
RIKER: Riker to Picard.
Go ahead, Number One.
We've been intercepted by the Klingon vessel Bortas.
They claim to be our escort.
No escort was scheduled.
The Bortas is standing by, sir.
On screen.
Gowron!
This is an unexpected pleasure.
I must speak with you, Picard.
We will have to move quickly if we are to be successful.
Successful?
Yes.
In preventing a Klingon civil war.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission--
to explore strange new worlds
to seek out new life and new civilizations
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
[Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES]
The family of Duras is massing support.
They have many allies on the Council.
Duras died in disgrace.
By Klingon tradition
his family should share that disgrace.
Their corruption has poisoned the Empire.
Honor will soon have no meaning.
And who speaks for his family now?
Lursa and B'Etor, the sisters of Duras.
And they would claim the leadership of the Council?
Women may not serve on the Council.
Then how...?
I don't know.
But they are plotting something.
They have secured the loyalty
of at least three fleet commanders.
Lursa and B'Etor are feared
and fear is power.
I do not see what I can do to assist.
You were first chosen as Arbiter of Succession
because no Klingon could be trusted.
You accepted this duty
and you must see it through to the end.
You must ensure my installation.
That is beyond my purview.
You will not support me?
I will not step outside
the traditional role of the Arbiter.
And if they attempt to block my installation?
Then I can only assure you
that I will deal with any challenge
according to Klingon law.
I fear
that will not be enough.
Mr. Worf, would you escort our guest
to the transporter room?
Begin monitoring Romulan activity
along the Neutral Zone, Mr. Data.
Have the outpost stations
send us their tactical reports.
Aye, sir.
The Duras family
are preparing to move against Gowron.
Backed by Romulans?
I don't know.
But there is too much history
between the Duras and the Romulans
to discount the possibility.
Dismissed.
I would speak with you.
I do not hear the words of traitors.
I am not a traitor.
You admitted your guilt before the Council.
I accepted discommendation to protect the Empire.
Protect it?
How?
It was Duras' father who betrayed our people
to the Romulans at Khitomer, not mine.
Duras?
There is proof of this?
There is.
Why would you accept dishonor to protect Duras?
His family
was too powerful.
To expose him would have split the Empire.
Instead, the Council chose to blame my father.
The Council knew?
I believe you to be a man of honor, Gowron.
I ask you.
Restore my family name.
Worf...
you killed Duras.
I consider that no small favor
but what you ask is impossible.
But after your installation...
The grasp of Duras
reaches out from the grave.
Much of the Council is still loyal to his family.
I must have the Council's support to survive.
I cannot expose their treachery.
You chose to accept this disgrace
for the good of the Empire.
Now you must live with your decision
like a Klingon.
( phaser firing )
( door opening )
Guinan?
It was a little quiet down at Ten-Forward
so I thought I'd get off a little target practice.
Do you mind if I join you?
You? Practice?
I like to keep my eye sharp.
I practice at level 14.
Hmm.
Guess I could come down to that level
for a while.
Begin program.
You know, I had a bet with the Captain
that I could make you laugh
before you became Lieutenant Commander.
Not a good bet today.
I've seen you laugh.
I like it.
Klingons do not laugh.
( warbling beep )
( groans )
Oh, yes, they do.
Absolutely, they do.
You don't, but I've heard Klingon belly laughs
that would curl your hair.
( warbling beep )
( disgusted grunt )
Your son laughs; he's Klingon.
He is a child and part human.
That's right
and you're not.
You're a full Klingon, except you don't laugh.
I do not laugh because I do not feel like laughing.
Other Klingons feel like laughing.
What does that say about you?
Perhaps it says that I do not feel like other Klingons.
( warbling beep )
COMPUTER: Program complete.
Good game.
Don't feel bad.
I was doing this long before you were born.
So, how is he?
Your son.
He is having difficulty
adjusting to life on Earth.
Oh. I can see where it might be hard for the little guy.
Living with humans, being Klingon--
could be very confusing.
It will not be easy for him.
No, it won't
but at some point, he's going to want to know
what it's like to really be a Klingon.
Just as you're learning now.
( door chimes )
Come.
Captain, I request a leave of absence.
Mr. Worf, request granted.
Thank you, sir.
Lieutenant.
Qapla'!
And good luck.
Lieutenant Worf, Personal Log, Stardate 44996.1.
I have located the Klingon ship
on which my brother, Kurn, serves as Captain
and have arranged to meet him.
It has been too long, my brother.
Too long.
And we have much to discuss.
I have asked Gowron to restore our family honor.
He has refused.
Gowron will not live
to see the day he leads the Council.
What do you mean?
He stands alone, surrounded by his enemies.
Lursa and B'Etor would have him killed
and if they don't, I will.
You will?
Gowron is weak.
The family of Duras
must never be allowed to rule the Council.
Our leaders have failed us.
They no longer deserve our loyalty.
It is time
to sweep away the old Council
and put a new one in its place.
How can this be done?
I already have the support of four squadron commanders
in key strategic sectors.
When the time comes, they will follow me.
Join us, Worf
and we will usher in a new era and regain our family name.
No.
What?!
Gowron has completed the Rite of Succession.
It is our duty to support him.
Gowron spits in your face
when you ask him to give back what is rightfully ours
and you would support him.
We cannot regain honor by acting dishonorably.
I will not support Gowron.
I am the elder brother, Kurn.
I speak for our family.
We will back Gowron.
But not now.
Not yet.
We will wait
until he feels the grasp of his enemies
around his throat.
Then we will offer him our support.
And the price will be
the restoration of our family name.
It will be difficult
to convince my allies to back Gowron.
But I will try.
I must go to the Mempa sector
to meet with the other squadron commanders.
Contact me when you have gained their support.
Then I will be ready for Gowron.
Captain's Log, Stardate 44996.8.
My role as Arbiter of Succession
has again brought me
to the Great Hall of the Klingon High Council.
naDev ghos!
Have you reached a decision
regarding the succession of power?
Qaja plu d'itch jung!
La woq yon ghir Klas qimha!
Gowron.
Doj hon.
( murmuring voices )
Gowron, son of M'Rel, hakt'em.
The Arbiter confirms
that you have completed the Rite of Succession.
Your enemies have been destroyed.
You stand alone.
Do you wish to claim leadership of the Council?
I wish it.
Are there no other challengers?
MAN: There is one.
( gasping )
I will challenge him.
( murmuring voices )
An arrogant child.
Who are you?
I am Toral, son of Duras.
Duras had no son.
WOMAN: But he did, Gowron.
So, this is your doing, Lursa.
We wish to address the Council.
Lursa, B'Etor, come forward.
Members of the High Council
it is a day of great rejoicing
for the family of Duras and the Klingon Empire.
We have discovered that our brother
did, indeed, have a son and heir.
This is outrageous.
Duras had no mate.
Where did you find him, Lursa?
In a harlot's bedchamber?
I will personally cut your tongue out, yIntagh!
Impudent wretch.
A simple genetic scan will prove
his bloodline is valid.
The illegitimate son of Duras cannot rule the High Council.
The Arbiter will consider his validity.
Len'mat.
Our allies on the Council
backed Toral's claim.
It's in Picard's hands now.
Excellent.
Everything is proceeding as scheduled.
Why not just kill Picard?
Fool! Do we want the Federation as our enemy?
No.
WOMAN: At least not yet
but when the time is right
we will deal with the Federation
and Captain Picard.
I have met with the other squadron commanders here.
Three will join us, one will not.
That gives us enough strength to control seven key sectors.
Do you know the strength of our enemies?
They have at least seven squadrons
but most of the fleet has not decided which banner to follow.
Well, Gowron is nearly out of options.
Soon he will have no choice.
I will return soon to the homeworld.
We shall meet then.
Do you also require the original logs
recorded during the attack, Lieutenant?
Everything we have on the Khitomer massacre.
We can provide you
with our analysis of the communications
between the Khitomer outpost and the Romulan ships.
However, for a complete record
you will have to contact Starbase 24.
Mr. Worf?
Have you canceled your leave?
No, sir.
Lieutenant, would you join me in my ready room?
Mr. Worf
you're using our files on the Khitomer massacre
as evidence against Duras' father.
Yes, sir.
Do you not see an inherent conflict of interest here?
Sir, those Federation records will help me prove
my father was falsely accused of treason.
You are using your position
as a Starfleet officer
to affect political change on your planet.
There could not be a worse compromise
of our fundamental principles.
Do not tie my hands now.
I must be able to prove my father's innocence.
Those Federation records can do that.
Mr. Worf...
( sighs )
Here I am, lecturing you on a conflict of interest
while I'm desperately trying to avoid one of my own.
Do you think I wish to allow the Duras family
to solidify their hold on the Council?
Do you think I cannot see
for myself the implications
for the Federation?
Good Lord, Duras tried to have me killed.
( sighs )
All of my instincts, my training
my very being as a Starfleet officer
are at odds with my responsibility
as Arbiter of the Klingon High Council.
We walk the same tightrope
between two worlds, you and I.
We must try our very best
to keep those two worlds separate...
or we shall certainly fall.
Yes, sir.
I will make the Khitomer massacre files
available to anyone who wants them--
to the High Council
to the Duras family, to you
anyone.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. Worf
this is as far as I will go.
Riker to Picard.
Yes, Number One?
There's a message coming in for you from the surface.
It's coded personal.
Send it through.
Captain.
Welcome.
Please, come in.
Be seated.
Something to drink, Captain?
Tea?
Earl Grey, perhaps?
Thank you.
You come alone
and unarmed.
Nothing will be served by killing the Arbiter
before his decision.
Nevertheless
a brave act, Captain.
B'Etor.
Your invitation was unexpected.
We should have extended it much sooner.
We don't want you to judge us
by your experience with our brother.
B'ETOR: Duras was a fool.
He deserved to die.
Forget him.
We have.
We do not wish to be your enemy.
Quite the opposite.
That pleases me.
Have you...
have you made your decision regarding Toral's challenge?
I'm pursuing it with due vigilance.
Allow me to heat up your tea.
Toral has the bloodline to lead the Empire
into the next century.
He has the support of the people.
Then it remains to see if he has the support of law.
B'ETOR: But he must.
Surely, you can see that.
I'll tell you what I see.
If I find Toral's challenge valid
the two of you will very quickly gain control of the Council
and Gowron will be found dead
shortly thereafter.
If I reject Toral's claim
you will accuse me of serving Federation interests
and it will serve as a rallying cry
to declare war and overthrow Gowron.
You see very clearly, Captain
but one thing is missing.
If you rule against us
and we are victorious in a war against Gowron...
Which we would be.
...it will mean the end
of the Alliance with the Federation.
And we would hate to see that happen as much as you would.
This is not a threat, Captain.
Just an unfortunate truth.
So, why be our enemy
when you can be our friend?
You have manipulated the circumstances
with the skill of a Romulan.
My decision will be announced
at high sun tomorrow.
Excellent tea.
Good day, ladies.
( murmuring voices )
K'TAL: What is your decision?
K'Tal, this Council knows the law of heredity well.
G'now juk Hol pajhard.
A son shall share in the honors or crimes of his father.
Toral is Duras' son.
That has been established by genetic scan.
But with due respect to the traditions and laws
of this High Council
there is no basis for accepting
a petition for leadership from a boy
who has fought no battles
shed no blood for his people
nor earned honor for himself.
One day, perhaps, he shall
but not now.
Duras is dead.
His claim to the leadership died with him.
Gowron shall lead the Council.
The Arbiter has ruled.
There are no more challenges.
Does the Federation dictate
Klingon destiny, or do we?
Follow me, and I will show you honor.
Follow him
and you reject all Klingon law.
Can you not see what you are doing?
Are you blind to what they represent?
Then go.
Your blood will paint the way to the future.
Your message said it was urgent.
What do you want?
Your forces are weak, Gowron.
You need help to fight the family of Duras.
From one dishonored Klingon?
I offer you four Klingon squadrons.
Why would they follow you, a Starfleet officer?
They are pledged to support my brother, Kurn.
Kurn is your brother?
Yes.
His true bloodlines were hidden to protect him.
Kurn will follow me?
He has opposed me in the past.
I am the elder brother.
He will do as I say.
What is it you want in return?
You know my price.
The return of your honor
for the support of four squadrons.
No.
That will not be enough.
The Duras family controls most of the fleet.
We must have Federation help.
They will not intervene.
Perhaps not yet
but Starfleet Command will listen to Picard
and Picard...
listens to you.
I can ask nothing more of him in this matter.
What?
My duty as a Starfleet officer...
You come to me
and demand the restoration of your family honor
and now...
you hide behind human excuses.
What are you, Worf?
Do you tremble and quake with fear
at the approach of combat
hoping to talk your way out of a fight, like a human?
Or do you hear the cry of the warrior
calling you to battle
calling you to glory, like a Klingon?
( explosion )
( speaks Klingon )
Status!
Aft shields down.
Warp coils damaged.
Red Alert.
A second ship is joining the attack on the Bortas.
( alarms blare )
It's begun.
Send an emergency signal
to any loyal ships!
Impulse engines not responding!
( yells )
Engage emergency override.
Override engaged.
Disruptors still not responding.
The Bortas has lost her port shields, sir.
It is unlikely they will withstand
another hit in that quarter.
Their primary life support has failed, sir.
The Bortas has put out a general distress call.
Ensign Reel
plot a course to take us safely away from the combat area.
Half impulse.
Captain, the Bortas is Gowron's ship.
If he's the legitimate leader of the Empire
shouldn't we help him?
If we go to the aid of the Bortas
we'll be dragging the Federation into a Klingon civil war.
What about Worf?
Ensign...
engage.
Port shields are still down.
Disruptors on line.
Lock on target.
No. Don't you see?
Their sensors will detect
the weapons lock.
If they think we're helpless, they will try to board the ship.
I can aim and fire disruptors manually
when they drop their shields.
GhoS.
35,000 kellicams.
20,000 kellicams.
Now within transporter range.
SuH.
They're dropping their shields.
BaH!
Firing on second target.
( crewman speaking Klingon )
They were able to raise the shields in time.
Minor damage only.
Disruptors off-line.
All power to shields!
Shields failing.
Incoming message.
On viewer!
This is Captain Kurn of the Hegh'ta.
We come to defend the Empire
and to follow the banner of Gowron.
You have done well, Captain Kurn.
Lursa and B'Etor have moved
more quickly than I anticipated.
We shall not underestimate them again.
Meet us at the Great Hall.
Advise the Enterprise
that their delegation is welcome to attend...
my installation as leader.
Captain's Log, Stardate 44998.3.
With new-found support
Gowron has chosen to proceed with the installation ceremony.
The Enterprise has returned
so that I may perform my final duty as Arbiter of Succession.
Receive now the loyalty of the Council
and of the Empire.
ALL: Qapla'!
naDev ghos.
You both fought as warriors.
You have proven your hearts are Klingon.
I return your family honor.
I give you back
that which was wrongfully taken from you.
Let your name be spoken once again.
You are Worf
son of Mogh.
The Duras family is gathering a large force
near Beta Thoridar.
As per the terms of the Treaty of Alliance
I now formally request your assistance
in fighting these enemies of the Empire.
These enemies are Klingon.
By right and tradition, I am the sole leader.
All who oppose me
are traitors.
I understand your position, but I'm sure you're aware
that the Federation cannot interfere
in, what is, by definition, an internal Klingon affair.
You arbitrated the Rite of Succession.
You are already involved.
My duties in that regard are finished.
Captain, we must intervene.
The Duras family is corrupt and hungry for power
with no sense of honor or loyalty.
They represent a grave threat
to the security of the Federation.
Captain...
you and I know that they have conspired
with Romulans in the past.
If they should be victors in this war
they would surely form a new Klingon/Romulan alliance.
And that would represent a fundamental shift of power
in this quadrant.
Starfleet must support Gowron.
It is in the interests
of both the Federation and the Empire.
I beg you.
Support us in our cause.
Mr. Worf, I don't have to lecture you
on the principle of noninterference.
And as Starfleet officers, we have all sworn an oath
to uphold that principle, whatever our personal feelings.
I'm sorry.
I must refuse your request.
Mr. Worf!
I'm afraid I must recall you to duty.
The Enterprise will be leaving this sector immediately.
Captain, I respectfully request that I be allowed
to take an extended leave of absence.
Mr. Worf, your responsibilities
as a Starfleet officer are incompatible
with remaining on board a Klingon ship
during a time of war.
Captain...
I order you to return to duty at once.
Then I resign my commission
as a Starfleet officer.
I will await you aboard the Bortas.
( door opens, closes )
( door chimes )
Enter.
Am I intruding?
No, sir.
I understand you will be serving
on board the Bortas.
As Weapons Officer.
Your tactical knowledge and experience
will serve them well.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. Worf, are you certain that this is the right decision?
I was rescued from Khitomer by humans.
Raised and loved by human parents.
I have spent most of my life around humans--
fought beside them.
But I was born a Klingon.
My heart is of that world.
I...
do hear the cry of the warrior.
I belong with my people.
Being the only Klingon ever to serve in Starfleet
gave you a singular distinction, but...
I felt that what was unique about you was your humanity--
compassion, generosity, fairness.
You took the best qualities of humanity
and made them part of you.
The result was a man
who I was proud to call one of my officers.
I'll have your belongings transported
to the Bortas.
Thank you, sir.
Attention on deck.
Permission to leave the ship, sir?
Permission granted.
Qapla'.
Good-bye.
Dismissed.
Picard has rejected Gowron's plea for help.
The Enterprise has left orbit.
Coward!
He didn't have the courage to face us.
The Federation...
WOMAN: Celebrate later, Toral.
We should not discount Jean-Luc Picard yet.
He is human
and humans have a way of showing up
when you least expect them.
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