Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994): Season 4, Episode 7 - Reunion - full transcript

PICARD:
Captain's log, stardate 44246.3.

We're investigating
radiation anomalies

reported in the Gamma Arigulon
system by the starship LaSalle.

Preliminary readings
are inconclusive.

- Mr. Data?
DATA: No changes, commander.

I can detect no abnormalities
in the star's radiant energy.

Prepare two class-one probes.

- Probes ready, captain.
- Initiate launch sequence.

[MACHINE BEEPING]

Captain,
Klingon attack cruiser decloaking.

- Bearing 0-1-0, mark 2-3-7.
PICARD: Belay that order, Mr. Data.



Did Starfleet mention
any Klingon ships in this sector?

On screen.

[MACHINE BEEPING]

WORF:
We are being hailed.

RIKER: All stop, Mr. Crusher.
- Aye, sir, all stop.

Open a channel.

Hello, Captain Picard.

Ambassador K'Ehleyr.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

It's good to see you again, captain.
Lieutenant Worf.

PICARD: How may we be of assistance,
ambassador?

There is an urgent matter
we must discuss, captain.

Permission to come aboard?

PICARD:
Granted.



Lieutenant, please receive our guest.

Captain.

I must request permission
to send another officer.

May I know your reason?

My dishonor among Klingons
may offend Ambassador K'Ehleyr.

Lieutenant, you are a member
of this crew,

and you will not go into hiding
whenever a Klingon vessel uncloaks.

I withdraw my request, sir.

I just received coordinates, sir.

Ready to transport two
from the Klingon vessel.

- Two?
- Yes, sir.

Energize.

PICARD:
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.

[CHILDREN CHATTERING]

I hope he'll be all right.

Alexander hasn't had much contact
with other children.

Not even a bite on the cheek
for old time's sake?

Perhaps you are not aware
of my dishonor.

- I have accepted discommendation.
- I've heard.

So now what? I have to perform
some ridiculous ritual to talk to you?

You may not respect our traditions,

but I do!

Sorry.
I just thought you might want to talk.

A few minutes ago, you looked
like someone with a question to ask.

Must I ask the question?

Yes. You must.

What should I tell Alexander?
That he has no father?

The Klingon Empire
is at a critical juncture.

We may be facing civil war.

- War over what?
K'EHLEYR: The usual excuses.

Tradition, duty, honor.

The word excuses
implied ulterior motives for a conflict.

I won't bore you
with the intricacies of Klingon politics.

Basically, two factions
are trying to seize power.

Do you believe there is a threat
to the Federation in this struggle?

Klingon wars
seldom remain confined to the Empire.

Sooner or later they'll drag in
the neighboring star systems.

Then the Tholians, the Ferengi.

The Federation won't be able
to stay out of it for long.

This has been coming
for some time.

Only K'mpec, the head of the council,
has been able to maintain the peace.

- Now something has changed that.
K'EHLEYR: Correct.

K'mpec is dying.

He is aboard the cruiser.

He has come specifically
to meet with you, captain.

Alone.

K'MPEC:
It's about time you arrived, Picard.

Sit.

[GRUNTS]

I need your help.

The Enterprise medical facility
can do anything to help--

Too late.

For some months,

I have been poisoned
with small doses of Veridium 6.

The wine.

There is no cure.

[CHUCKLES]

What do you want of me?

After I die, you will act in my name,

to arbitrate the struggle for power.

I will?

No one on the council
can be trusted,

And I have my reasons
for wanting an outsider.

K'mpec,
you cannot possibly be serious.

A Federation officer
has no business--

Nonsense.

You are an accomplished mediator.

This is no different
than any other dispute

requiring your services.

On the contrary,
I think this is very different.

And I must respectfully decline.

If you refuse the dying request
of the Klingon Supreme Commander,

it will be an insult by the Federation
to all Klingons.

Besides, I've already sent the order

to the leaders
of the opposing two factions.

They're on their way.

You had no right to involve me
without my permission.

If I'd asked, you would have said no.

This is not just a case
of simple mediation.

You are asking me to choose
the next leader of the Klingon Empire.

No.

By tradition,

the two strongest challengers
fight for the right of succession.

As mediator, only you can designate
those challengers.

But you have just said
there are only two challengers arriving.

What is the point?

I want you to discover
which one of them has killed me.

Gowron or Duras.

Yes, Duras.

I thought you would find that
interesting.

Interesting?

You could say that,
since he tried to have me killed,

and conspired to strip Worf
of his good name.

And I approved.

All for the glory of the Empire. Heh.

That should be my epitaph.

Find the assassin.

The Klingon who kills
without showing his face

has no honor.

He must not lead the Empire.

Such a man
would be capable of anything.

Even war with the Federation.

Very well. I accept.

PICARD:
Captain's log, supplemental.

K'mpec, who ruled the Klingon Empire
longer than anyone in history, is dead.

We await the arrival
of Duras and Gowron,

rivals for the leadership
of the High Council.

[CHATTERING]

[GROWLS]

BOY 1: Hey!
BOY 2: Don't do that.

GIRL 1:
That's not the way you play.

GIRL 2: Hey.
BOY 3: Why did you do that?

GIRL 3: Now we start all over again.
BOY 4: Aw, man.

There is no honor
in attacking the weak.

I would have won.

No. You must earn victory.

- Where are the other Klingons?
- There are no others on board.

Why?

The Federation
and the Klingon Empire

were enemies for many years.

No other Klingons
have asked to serve in Starfleet.

Why?

A warrior does not ask
SO many questions.

I don't want to be a warrior.

K'EHLEYR:
Hello! Unh.

- Well, you're back early.
- He made me leave.

Maybe you should go to your room
and play.

Is he under arrest?

- He knows nothing of our ways.
- Our ways?

You mean Klingon ways, don't you?

He is Klingon!

He is also my son,
and I am half human.

He will find his own ways.

Why the sudden concern?

You won't even acknowledge
that he's yours.

- Why did you not tell me?
- And what would you have done?

That's right.

You would have insisted
that we take the oath,

just as tradition would demand.

You should not have kept this
from me.

Well...

Now you know.

I cannot acknowledge
my relationship to the boy.

- It would only harm him.
- Because you were dishonored?

As my son,
he would also bear my disgrace.

As would his children.

Why did you accept discommendation
from the High Council?

My father was accused of collaborating
with the Romulans at Khitomer.

I know, and I also know
that you challenged it.

Yes, at first.
Ultimately, I withdrew my challenge.

But why, Worf?
I can't believe you'd just give up.

What really happened?

RIKER [OVER COM]. Lieutenant Worf,
Ambassador K'Ehleyr,

report to the Bridge.

On our way, commander.

Klingon vessels Vorn and Buruk
holding stations at 13 kilometers, sir.

Open a channel, Mr. Data.

Channel is open, sir.
Vorn responding to hail.

On screen.

Let's get this over with, Picard.

In good time, Duras.

Even in death,
K'mpec makes foolish decisions.

You should not be involved
in this, human.

The Sonchi ceremony
will take place in one hour

aboard K'mpec's vessel.

One hour! What is the delay?

There is no delay.
It is the time I have chosen.

Exactly one hour, Picard.
Do not be late.

Keep that pahtak
away from the ceremony, Picard!

He has no place on a Klingon ship.

PICARD:
Picard out.

Contact Gowron's ship.

Tell him to meet us aboard
K'mpec's vessel.

Ambassador, meet me
in Transporter Room 6 in one hour.

We will begin the ceremony
a little late. Mr. Worf.

Mr. Worf, the next few days
will be difficult for you.

You have made it clear that I am
to perform my regular duties, sir.

I want you to know
that I am aware of your discomfort.

Thank you, sir.

Ambassador K'Ehleyr
will be preparing me

for my role in the rite of succession.

Permission to speak freely, sir?

Granted.

Duras must not be allowed
to lead the council.

He has a legal claim, Mr. Worf.

- Your personal feelings towards him--
- It is not personal, sir.

His father betrayed my people
to the Romulans.

Duras is a traitor.

Klingon tradition may hold the son
responsible for his father's sin.

I cannot.
Treason was his father's crime.

Duras' crime
was to lay that blame on your father.

I will not forget that.

But you should not forget

that you chose to accept
the consequences of that lie.

To preserve the Empire.

The issue now
is whether or not he killed K'mpec.

Sir?

He was murdered.

Poisoned.

A Klingon would not use poison.

His murder would have no honor.

K'mpec believed
that it was either Duras or Gowron.

Well, I know little of Gowron.

Only that he is an outsider
who has often challenged the council.

But Duras...

I know him.

His heart is not Klingon.

That's Gowron.

I hope this will be brief.

It will be just long enough to prove
that K'mpec is dead.

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

Sonchi.

Now,
complete the rite of succession.

It's obvious
who the two challengers are.

We will proceed
according to the traditions

and the precedents set down
in Klingon law.

What do you know of Klingon law?

Human.

We will reconvene
on board the Enterprise.

- Where--?
- No, finish it here!

Now!

[DOOR OPENS]

I have not received your report
on the explosion.

Two Klingons killed.
A few minor injuries.

Were you concerned about me?

As head of security,
it is my duty to be concerned.

Is that it?
Just official concern for my well-being?

You know my feelings.

Maybe I've forgotten.

You were right.

I would have insisted
we take the oath.

But not just because of tradition.

I thought about telling you.
Wanted to tell you.

But I wasn't ready.

When I left, you said
you'd never be complete without me.

It took some time,

but I came to realize
that I need you too.

You're a part of me, Worf.

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

No, I can't allow you
to suffer my humiliation.

There would be no suffering.

I don't care what other Klingons
think of you.

But what of the boy?

He may want to live
in the Empire someday.

He would be an outcast.
Another traitor from a family of traitors.

Family of traitors,
I don't believe that for a minute.

Respect my wishes in this matter.

I cannot take the oath with you.

Nor can I claim your son.

If you cannot be his father,

at least be his friend.

We haven't completed
our analysis of the bomb debris,

and Dr. Crusher
is still studying the remains

of the men killed in the explosion,
we need more time.

Duras and Gowron will be here
in a few minutes.

I don't think
you can delay this meeting again.

Is there any way of stretching out
the formalities once they arrive?

In the modern rite of succession,
only a brief proclamation

that two challengers
have been chosen is necessary.

You said modern rite.

How was the ritual performed
in the past?

The old forms dictated that
the challengers perform the ja‘chuq.

It's a long, involved ceremony
in which the challengers

list the battles they've won,
the prizes they've taken.

The idea being to prove
their worthiness to lead the council.

Can the old form still be used?

It's up to you.
You can use whatever form you want.

Thank you.

Captain, what do you know
about Worf's discommendation?

My interest is personal.

I understand that you were there,

that you stood by him
before the council.

I'd like to know what happened.

I'm sorry. I can't discuss it.

Council must have a leader now!

Complete the rite
so I can kill this ha'Dlbah.

You will die slowly, Duras.

You have already proved
you haven't the courage to face me.

Perhaps you should plant
another bomb.

[GOWRON YELLS
THEN MAN GRUNTS]

[DUMAS GRUNTS
THEN PICARD YELLS IN KLINGON]

Sit down.

- We will begin the ja'chuq.
- What?

This woman has been giving you
bad advice, Picard.

The ja'chuq is obsolete.

It is my choice
to respect the ancient rituals.

Each of you
will have to prove your worthiness

to lead the High Council.

That will take hours.

Or days,
depending on your cooperation.

ALEXANDER: What is this?
WORF: A bat'leth.

It belonged to my father.

It has been in our family
for ten generations.

Let me hold it.

No, no, no, no.

Do not think of it as a weapon.

Make it part of your hand.

Part of your arm.

Make it part of you.

[MACHINE BEEPING]

K'EHLEYR:
The next meeting is in three hours.

I would speak with you alone,
ambassador.

I'm honored.

Picard is prolonging the ja‘chuq.
Why?

He has sufficient reason
to proceed carefully.

He relies on you
for his knowledge of Klingon law.

Yes.

Then he values your advice.

- You could quicken the pace.
- Possibly, why should 1?

Your position is unique.

Have you never wondered about
serving the Klingon Empire?

I serve in my own way.

As a Federation ambassador.

A few rewards, but little glory.

What do you want?

What do you want?
Command of a ship?

A seat on the council?

There are many opportunities
for you in the Empire.

Opportunities that will present
themselves only if you come to power.

You talk like a Ferengi.

K'mpec was also stubborn.
He too refused to listen.

Now, he's gone.

You need not make
the same mistake.

K'mpec was old and weak. I am not.

[CHUCKLES]

We've completed our analysis
of the bomb debris, commander.

The explosive
was a triceron derivative.

And the entire device

couldn't have been more
than three cubic millimeters in size.

It could have been hidden
anywhere in that room.

There's one more thing.

The bomb
had a molecular-decay detonator.

Only one race uses that device, sir.

The Romulans.

How could the Romulans plant a bomb
on board a Klingon attack cruiser?

It would be impossible.

Not if the Romulans had help
from one of the Klingons.

Klingons and Romulans
working together?

They've been blood enemies
for 75 years.

Perhaps Duras or Gowron
wishes to improve that relationship.

A new Klingon alliance
with the Romulans?

If true,

it would represent a fundamental shift
of power in the quadrant.

Indeed. It would put the Federation
in a very difficult position.

Duras, or Gowron?

Gowron came to me alone.
Wanted me to speed up the ja'chuq.

Offered me a seat on the council
if I'd help him.

Well, that doesn't suggest
a Romulan connection.

He also implied I'd end up like K'mpec
if I didn't cooperate.

Captain, I disagree.
It must be Duras.

Why?

We have had prior dealings with Duras
that show him to be untrustworthy.

Can you be more specific?

No.

Mr. Worf,
we have a conspiracy on our hands

that could be a direct threat
to the security of the Federation.

Yes, sir.

As chief security officer,
I want you to accompany me

to the next proceeding.

Captain, they will be incensed.
My presence will be disruptive.

Yes. It will.

Computer, list stardates
of the last Enterprise mission

to the Klingon home planet.

COMPUTERIZED VOICE:
Stardates 43685 through 43689.

How many ship's logs
during that period?

COMPUTERIZED VOICE: Forty-three
officer's logs. Ten personal logs.

Is there a personal log
for Lieutenant Worf?

COMPUTERIZED VOICE:
Affirmative. Access is restricted.

Eliminate all personal logs.

List the remaining 43
in chronological order.

We'll just take them one at a time.

[SPEAKING IN KLINGON]

Both your claims have been
properly made and recorded.

We are ready
for the final phase of the ja'chuq.

There will be a recess
while I review your petitions.

I'm sure you're as concerned
as I am

about the explosion
aboard K'mpec's vessel.

I assume that you are both
continuing your investigations?

Investigations are complete.

They revealed nothing
of any importance.

Now that's very surprising.

Our analysis turned up
some startling results.

Will you join us, lieutenant?

DURAS: What is this?
- He has no place here, Picard!

I will not sit at the same table
with that!

It is my prerogative
to investigate anything

that may be relevant
to the rite of succession.

Lieutenant Worf
is my chief security officer.

- His presence is required.
- We will not proceed!

If you wish to withdraw
from the ja'chuq,

that is your option.

Proceed, Mr. Worf.

What did your investigations reveal
about the explosion?

It was a bomb.

And was your analysis
just as insightful?

It was a common explosive.

WORF: What type?
- Triceron.

- What about the detonator?
DURAS: This is pointless!

Findings were inconclusive.

Fortunately, our investigation
was more thorough.

The bomb used
a molecular-decay detonator.

What?

A Romulan device.

I will return to my ship
to confirm these conclusions myself.

As will I.

Mr. Worf, please be sure
to send a complete record

of our findings to both vessels
and to the High Council.

- Aye, sir.
PICARD: That will be all.

Computer, interlock with
the Klingon Imperial information net.

COMPUTERIZED VOICE:
Interlock established.

Federation Ambassador K'Ehleyr

requesting diplomatic access
to High Council records.

Security code pah doQ cha.

COMPUTERIZED VOICE:
Proceed.

Computer, display summary
of the most recent High Council inquiry

regarding Khitomer massacre.

COMPUTERIZED VOICE:
Access denied.

Restricted materials,
du-ko-cha clearance only.

By whose order?

COMPUTERIZED VOICE:
Council member Duras.

Access biographical files.
Subject's name, Counselor Duras.

Advise my counselors on the Vorn
to convene.

- There is much to discuss.
MAN 1: Look.

What is this?

MAN 1: Priority message to you
from the home planet.

It seems Ambassador K'Ehleyr is
looking into things she should not be.

- Distract the guard for me.
MAN 1: Yes, sir.

MAN 2:
Sir! Excuse me, sir.

You cannot leave your quarters
without an escort.

[DOOR CHIMES]

Come.

I have been informed of your attempt
to access restricted council records.

I've been investigating
what happened at Khitomer.

Not at all an easy task,

considering that most of the records
are sealed.

- Worf's father was a traitor.
- No.

The evidence was altered
to make it appear that way.

I found it interesting to read
that your father was also at Khitomer,

and you are the one
who sealed the records.

You dare insult my father's name?

Don't play the wounded Klingon
for me, Duras.

You don't do it very well.

What happened
in that council chamber?

How did you get Worf
to take the blame for you?

Do not pursue this matter further.

The son betrays his people
to the Romulans.

Just as his father did, Duras.

One of the Klingons who died
in the explosion was with Duras.

The other was with Gowron.

I've been examining the bodies

trying to get a clue
as to where the bomb was hidden.

There's always a pattern
in the lacerations and tissue damage.

It would normally give
a clear indication

as to the direction,
distance, force of impact.

Normally?

In this case, the pattern
was virtually impossible to detect.

I couldn't understand it
until I looked at the dynascans.

This wound is different
from all of the others.

It was made from the inside out.

The bomb was implanted
in one of their forearms.

It is considered an honorable way
for a Klingon to die.

A suicide
that takes an enemy with it.

Which one of them was it?

Duras' man.

When we have more time,
I will take you to the holodeck

and demonstrate in more detail.

Medical emergency!
Deck 8, room 142!

Gowron?

No.

Duras.

Alexander.

[KEHLEYR SIGHS]

K'Ehleyr! K'Ehleyr!

[SCREAMS]

You have never seen death.

Then look.

And always remember.

Stay with the doctor.

Worf, when did you...?

CRUSHER: Multiple stab wounds
to the chest and abdomen.

Too much trauma
to the internal organs.

There wasn't time enough
to take her into stasis.

- Where's Worf?
- I don't know.

He disappeared just after I arrived.

Riker to Lieutenant Worf.

Computer, locate Lieutenant Worf.

COMPUTERIZED VOICE: Lieutenant
Worf is not aboard the Enterprise.

Where is he?

COMPUTERIZED VOICE:
Lieutenant Worf transported

to the Klingon ship Vorn

at 1730 hours.

On my way.

Duras.

[CROWD MURMURING]

What is that doing here?

He has claimed
the right of vengeance.

You have no rights here, traitor.

K'Ehleyr was my mate.

[CROWD MURMURING]

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

If Lieutenant Worf resists, sir?

He's coming back with us
one way or another.

Set phasers on maximum stun.

[GRUNTING]

I'm the only one, Worf.

The only one
who can prove your innocence.

- Kill me and you are a traitor forever.
- Then that is how it shall be!

[GRUNTING]

RIKER:
Worf!

Mr. Worf.

Your service aboard the Enterprise
has been exemplary.

Until now.

Sir, I have acted within the boundaries
of Klingon law and tradition.

The High Council
would seem to agree.

They consider the matter closed.

I don't.

Mr. Worf, the Enterprise crew

currently includes
representatives from 13 planets.

They each have their individual beliefs
and values and I respect them all.

But they have all chosen
to serve Starfleet.

If anyone cannot perform
his or her duty

because of the demands
of their society, they should resign.

Do you wish to resign?

No, sir.

I hoped you would not throw away
a promising career.

I understand your loss.

We all admired K'Ehleyr.

A reprimand will appear
on your record.

Dismissed.

Mr. Worf.

Isn't it time for the truth about
your father's innocence to be told?

After all,
you only accepted this dishonor

to protect the name of Duras
and hold the Empire together.

Now that he has died in disgrace,
what is gained by further silence?

Each member
of the Klingon High Council

has shared in that lie.

And they will not be so willing
to admit their own dishonor.

But, the day will come
when my brother and I

will convince them
to speak the truth.

My parents...

My human parents,
will meet us at Starbase 73.

They will care for you.

Why can't I stay with you?

You deserve a home, a family.

They can provide that.

I cannot.

I miss her too.

Are you my father?

Yes.

I am your father.