CHOSEN REALM


It's identical to the other two. Even the smallest features are exactly the same.
Like they came off an assembly line.
Love to see the factory that made these.
Well, that's the last sensor sweep.
It should give T'Pol plenty to chew on for a while.
Power fluctuations.
I think we're getting the hang of this.
We're coming up on the outer edge of the cloaking barrier.
They're emerging.
Heading back to the ship.
Visual.
I want to know what kind of armaments they're carrying.
We may have found what we're looking for.
This new data should help us map the anomalies more accurately.
I should also be able to calculate the exact number of Spheres in the Expanse.
- Any new theories on their purpose? - Not yet.
Bridge to Captain Archer.
Archer here.
We've picked up a vessel approaching at impulse. They're transmitting a distress signal.
They're trapped in a cluster of anomalies.
They've taken engine damage.
Let's see them.
- 23 bio-signs. - Hail them.
This is Captain Jonathan Archer of the starship Enterprise.
Can we assist you?
Enterprise, we've suffered heavy damage. Our engines are inoperative.
Our life support system is failing.
Please assist us.
- What kind of weapons do they have? - Minimal.
Can you get us through the anomalies?
I believe I can plot a safe course.
Full impulse.
Their life support system's failed.
Take full security precautions.
Make sure none of them are armed.
- How are they? - I'm unable to perform detailed bio-scans.
- Why? - They have an aversion to any kind of invasive medical care...
for religious reasons.
However, I have managed to ascertain that aside from some minor injuries,
and one slight case of malnutrition, they appear to be fine.
They're no strangers to anomalies.
That looks like an old scar.
I found similar injuries on four others.
Apparently, they've been in the vicinity of the Sphere for several months.
Which one's the captain?
He prefers the term Pri'Nam, a religious designation.
I'm Captain Archer. Welcome aboard.
My name is D'Jamat.
I can't express how grateful we are. You saved our lives.
I understand you've been in this region for quite some time.
Yes. We're on a pilgrimage to the 12th Sphere.
It's taken us a year to make the journey.
Your ship's in pretty rough shape. My engineer's taking a look at it.
Well, it's an old vessel, but sturdy.
Unfortunately, we are better at prayer than we are at space travel.
Maybe there's some information about the Spheres we can share.
If you're feeling up to it,...
I'd like you to have dinner with me and my Science Officer tonight.
I'd be honored to accept your hospitality, Captain.
Our homeworld is called Triannon.
It's six-point-three light years from here, in the Muratas Star Cluster.
- Have you heard of it? - It doesn't ring a bell.
We're new to the Expanse.
The Expanse? You mean the Chosen Realm.
I think we're talking about the same thing.
We're here to learn everything we can about a species you may have run into, the Xindi.
I'm not familiar with them.
We place very little emphasis on meeting other life-forms.
Space travel, for us, is merely a means to bring us closer to the Spheres.
- You've studied them for some time? - We're not here to study the Spheres.
We're here to venerate them.
We believe that it is through prayer and meditation that the Makers become manifest.
- The Makers? - The creator of the Spheres.
I've felt their presence here.
You're referring to spatial anomalies.
The Makers' breath.
It reshapes reality.
Allows ordinary men a glimpse of the divine.
That breath nearly destroyed your ship.
Well, we became careless. It's easy to do when you're in the presence of a Sphere.
They're certainly impressive.
We've found three of them so far.
Oh, you're fortunate to have such a fast ship.
I regret that I'll die having seen only one of the many thousands of Spheres.
Actually, we've determined that there are 59 Spheres in the Expanse.
I think your estimates are a bit low.
That's doubtful.
With the Makers, there is no doubt.
Doubt is the basis of all scientific progress.
Scientific progress has led many people astray.
Perhaps this is a subject we should discuss some other time.
I agree, Captain.
You'll be glad to know my engineer believes that he can repair the damage to your vessel.
He thinks it shouldn't take more than a couple of days.
That is good news.
I certainly hope that...
we'll have the opportunity to repay your kindness.
May I help you?
I'd like to speak with you.
What is it?
Are you feeling ill?
I wanted to ask you about a certain procedure.
I'm sorry. It's very difficult for me to talk about.
Why don't you, uh, have a seat?
I was about to make some Janaran tea.
- Would you like some? - Yes, thank you.
- Is everyone in place? - Yes.
They're just waiting for your signal.
You sound hesitant.
I'm sorry, Pri'Nam,...
but are you certain this is the right thing to do?
Do you think this ship just came to us by coincidence?
This encounter was clearly ordained by the Makers.
But these people risked their lives to save us.
They desecrated a Sphere.
What we are about to do is not just for our salvation, but for theirs as well.
I know it can be difficult. We've been away from home for a long time.
But we have been given the means to end the bloodshed once and for all.
Don't lose your faith now, Yarrick.
Never, Pri'Nam.
They believe that God-like beings they call the Makers...
created the Spheres a thousand years ago.
We have determined that the Spheres are nearly a thousand years old.
Well, they also believe that...
the Makers are using the Spheres to reshape the Expanse, ...
creating a paradise for when they return.
Mythology often has a basis in fact.
Come in.
- Am I disturbing you? - Not at all.
Excuse me.
I said before that I hoped to be able to repay your kindness.
- That isn't necessary. - It's already underway.
Captain Archer, you, your crew, ...
this vessel are all about to embark on a glorious mission.
At this moment, a number of my people have taken positions around your vessel.
Their bodies have been equipped with powerful, organic explosives.
With a single command I can order any one of them to sacrifice their lives.
There's been an explosion on C Deck. We've got a hull breach.
- Seal off the area, get security teams... - Stop.
Two of my men are positioned next to your warp reactor.
Unless you turn this ship over to me, I'll destroy it.
He has severe burns.
The other two are suffering from the effects of rapid decompression.
They need immediate medical attention.
My orders are to escort everyone...
- to their quarters. - I will not leave without treating these people.
Watch him.
They say they'll destroy Enterprise. I have to believe them.
I can't believe you're going along with this.
Remember what's at stake, why we're out here.
Right now, we don't have a choice. Don't take any action against them.
- Is that clear? - Aye, Captain.
This isn't over.
Make yourself at home.
You've made the right decision.
I promise you, your people won't be harmed.
You just murdered one of my people.
I had to erase any doubts you might have about our resolve.
What do you want with my ship?
When I'm satisfied the situation is secure, I'll answer your questions.
I also lost a crewman in that explosion, Captain.
I'll say a prayer for them both.
Save your breath.
Were you given the coordinates for Triannon?
Set a course, your highest warp factor.
Prepare to fire two of your torpedoes.
Target my ship's reactor.
You heard me.
Release the docking clamps.
I promised you an explanation.
I owe you that.
- Where are you taking this ship? - To my home world.
We'll be there in three days.
For the last century,
a violent group of heretics have tried to undermine our way of life.
With your ship, I can deliver a final, decisive attack.
I can end this conflict forever.
A war.
That was the "glorious mission" you were talking about?
I'm trying to save my people.
Why do I have the feeling these "heretics" would say the same thing?
They might very well...
but it doesn't change what they are...
enemies of the truth.
- Your truth. - There's only one.
How many people do you intend to kill with my ship?
Your species is obsessed with numbers...
a characteristic of your misguided belief...
that the secrets of the universe can be revealed through science.
This may sound barbaric to you, but it doesn't matter how many heretics die.
When the Makers return, only the faithful will survive.
Non-believers will be swept away.
Not only Triannons, but every race within the Chosen Realm.
Doctrines like that make it ...
real easy to wipe out everyone who doesn't agree with you.
You're wrong. It's not easy.
If it were, I wouldn't be dreading what I have to do next.
I've been reviewing your records.
You've committed terrible acts of desecration.
Not only have you flown within the cloaking barrier...
of three Spheres, you've landed on one, and entered another.
For crimes of this magnitude, ...
my faith obligates me to destroy your ship ...
and put your crew to death. However ...
I cannot ignore the fact
that you put yourselves at risk to save us...
and that I like you, Captain.
I believe you're an honorable man.
So, I am going against what my faith dictates.
I'm going to temper the punishment.
As commander of this ship, you may choose one member of your crew to give up their life.
- You're out of your mind. - If you won't choose, I'll choose for you.
I take no pleasure in this, Captain, believe me.
I need time to think about this.
You have six hours.
I urge you to use this time to search within yourself, ...
and put these lies out of your mind.
All of this "data" that you've collected...
must be erased from existence.
Six hours, Captain.
An update on the repairs to your ship.
D'Jamat felt you should be kept apprised.
That's very considerate of him.
Wait a minute.
- Your name's Yarrick, isn't it? - It is.
I understand your wife paid a visit to Sick Bay.
She had a long talk with my doctor.
She's pregnant.
Yes.
I guess you also know that she wants to end the pregnancy.
That's between her and me.
My doctor got the impression that...
she doesn't exactly agree with D'Jamat's interpretation of your faith.
As a matter of fact, ...
Phlox said she's grown to hate everything about it.
- That's not true. -He also got the impression
that you're not happy with the way things are going, either.
D'Jamat is my spiritual leader. I will follow him to my death.
From what I've seen, I'm pretty sure you're going to have that opportunity.
You went to their doctor!
You put us at risk. He told his captain.
- Does D'Jamat know? - I don't think so.
Did you have the procedure?
No. But the doctor said he needed time to review our physiology.
He's under guard now.
- It's too late. - It's just as well.
Have you changed your mind?
I'm not certain it's the right thing to do.
I won't watch my son or daughter fight in D'Jamat's war.
We have this ship now. We'll end the war once and for all.
You don't believe that any more than I do.
Enter.
I'm glad you've come.
I was just looking at your captain's logs.
I had no idea we were such kindred spirits.
What makes you think that?
I know why you're here in the...
Expanse.
It turns out we're both fighting to save our people.
I'm trying to stop my world from being destroyed.
You're trying to wipe out everyone who doesn't share your beliefs.
Our situations aren't as different as you think.
- I draw the line at murdering innocent people. - And not torture?
In your log, there is an incident with a prisoner...
an interrogation that made use of an airlock.
I needed information critical to my mission.
- He wasn't hurt. - I sympathize with you, Captain.
I've had to make hard choices as well.
When I was young, I fought with the Holy Regiments.
I was commanding a mission.
We had infiltrated a village known to be a heretic stronghold.
We were instructed to stay concealed and...
relay intelligence about enemy movements.
But one of the villagers discovered us.
It was a small boy, no more than six years old.
We knew if we let him go, he would alert the village...
and if we tried to hold him...
he might give us away.
There was only one action to take.
So, I took it.
You're proud of that.
In the service of the Makers...
all actions are blessed ones.
There are no Makers...
at least not how you perceive them.
The Spheres are machines, built for a reason you and I don't understand.
I was once like you.
But then, I felt the breath.
I prayed for you, Captain.
I'd hoped that the Makers would open your eyes to the truth.
But it seems that they've turned away.
You had a choice to make.
I've made it.
And which crew member have you selected?
I've chosen myself.
You wanted to kill someone.
Kill me.
I urge you to reconsider.
I won't make someone else pay for something that happened under my command.
But what about your mission?
When I'm through with your ship, your crew will need their captain.
T'Pol's a fine commander.
We are more alike than you think, Captain.
I would make the same choice.
I respect your decision.
Then maybe you'll grant a request.
- What is it? - My people have certain customs regarding death.
There's a device on board.
We use it to dispose of hazardous materials...
but on rare occasions, when the situation arises,...
we've also used it for executions.
It's considered humane.
Where is this device?
The molecules have been disassembled.
Quick and painless.
I can't change your mind?
No more than I can change yours.
Very well. Proceed.
- Captain... - Ask Phlox to keep an eye on Porthos.
Take care of Enterprise.
This won't end here.
You have my sympathies.
You should inform your crew.
They deserve to know.
You've been quiet.
I'm just thinking about what's ahead, Pri'Nam.
I know you too well.
Tell me what's wrong.
We've just begun this mission, and already three people are dead.
And that bothers you.
Shouldn't it?
- These people are not our enemy. - They are non-believers.
That makes them our enemy.
Why?
- Do you believe the Makers speak through me? - Yes.
Then when you question me, you question the Makers...
and there's a word for that...
"heresy".
Yarrick...
when you begin to sympathize with the enemy, ...
you risk becoming the enemy.
Can I help you?
I know.
Medical scans are against your beliefs.
I don't think the Makers will mind.
Enter.
Lyaal is missing. He's not at his station.
Lyaal...
Lyaal?
We'll use the ship's internal sensors to find him.
I need to locate one of my men.
- We're dropping out of warp. - Main power is being disrupted.
From where?
I can't identify the location.
I'm telling you, I didn't do anything.
Ask your flunky over here.
He's been looking over my shoulder the whole time.
It's true. He never left my sight.
This did not happen by accident.
Pri'Nam, there's something wrong with the EPS manifolds on Deck D, section J-15.
Yarrick.
Go with him.
It's on the left.
You passed it.
You don't want to do that.
You can't win. They'll destroy the ship.
Not if you help me.
No.
You know this is wrong...
everything he's doing.
We can put a stop to it, all of it.
- I won't betray my faith. - Your faith betrayed you.
Is this really what the Makers' want:...
to kill people by the thousands in their name?
Is that the faith you were raised in?
- No. - Then do what's right.
If you don't help me,...
you'll be condemning your wife and child to death,...
because that's how this is going to end.
As long as people like...
D'Jamat dictate what's true and what isn't...
...all you'll ever have is war.
- Have you located Lyaal? - Internal sensors aren't functioning.
Systems are down all over the ship.
- What is it? - There's a convoy of ships approaching.
Let me see them.
These people you're fighting...
what makes them heretics?
We believe the Makers created the Chosen Realm in nine days.
They believe it took ten.
For that, you've been at war for over a century?
Found it.
What is it?
The environmental controls need to be rerouted to Sickbay...
that can only be done from the Bridge, I'm going to show you how to do it.
- Why? - Dr. Phlox has synthesized an airborne agent.
It neutralizes one of the enzymes used in the organic explosives, renders it inert.
They're hailing us.
Surrender now.
- I have four ships. - If you had ten ships, you wouldn't survive against this vessel.
Run your scans. You'll see that I'm telling the truth.
Surrender, and you'll be treated fairly.
You consider us heretics.
We know what you do to them, D'Jamat.
Target the lead vessel.
- Do what I say! - No.
Prepare to fire torpedoes.
One of the ships has lost engines.
Target their main reactor.
Don't worry, it's harmless.
Unless it's agitated.
Captain.
We have to get to the armory. We're retaking the ship.
We need the MACOs.
Pri'Nam, It's begun.
What's the status of the engines?
We've located the problem. It's under repair.
The warp reactor should be functioning in a few hours.
- They're retreating. - Stay with them.
Do what I say!
Bring us within firing distance.
Prepare to lock weapons.
Careful! There's no antidote for the venom!
There'll be an extra helping of snow beetles for you tonight, young lady.
Their engines are at maximum.
- We're still gaining. - Good.
We'll eliminate them one by one.
Hold your fire!
Don't move.
They're coming into range.
Lock weapons.
They're sending a transmission.
- They want to surrender. - Continue firing.
Weapons aren't functioning.
Archer to the Bridge.
We have rerouted command functions to Engineering.
I've taken the weapons offline.
Find him.
We've also neutralized your organic explosives.
You're lying.
Go ahead. Try to blow yourself up.
I'll wait.
Stand down before anyone else gets hurt.
- You know I won't do that. - Pri'Nam...
they're coming about.
They're firing again, Captain!
I suggest you bring your weapons back on-line!
Are you willing to sacrifice the lives of your crew?!
Captain, it's Reed.
We have the Bridge.
This would be a lot easier if I had weapons back.
Stand by.
Hail them.
This is Captain Archer.
D'Jamat is not longer in control of this vessel.
Please respond.
We've retaken the ship.
I'm in command again.
- And why should I believe you? - I'm powering down my weapons.
See for yourself.
They're moving off.
We just entered orbit around Triannon.
Let's go.
You've done a terrible thing, Captain.
You've interfered with something that was ordained.
After centuries of fighting, ...
I was going to bring an end to the war. We would have had peace.
Peace...
One of my crewman is dead, six others are wounded,...
- my ship is damaged... - None of that is important!
All that matters is the sacred truth.
You want truth?
I'll show you some truth.
From what we've been able to learn, this happened eight months ago.
Both sides have been decimated.
There are no major cities left.
Millions...
are dead.
Your faith was going to bring peace?
Here it is.


Předcházející epizoda

Seznam epizod

Následující epizoda