01x04 - Vox in Excelso

[bunniefuu]

♪

♪

NAHLA:
Chancellor's address.

Stardate 868943.8.

We're three days into
our first official space flight,

circling the Val Nebula.

I'm struck by its beauty.

I'm struck by its very existence.

The incalculable number of atoms

that had to converge
in this tiny patch

of a seemingly infinite universe.

This nebula was once a star.

It could not have evolved
into this present

without every moment
of its past.

It makes me think
of all of you, my cadets.

The paths each of you has taken,

all your life experiences,

the decisions
you've made that have led you

to be right here, right now.

As you go off to class today,
ask yourselves:

how will you keep evolving?

How will we all,

as our journey continues?

THE DOCTOR:
"With the first link,

"the chain is forged.

"The first speech censured,

"the first thought forbidden,

us all, irrevocably."

Who said that?

Come on, you little zygotes.
Who reads?

Ah, Cadet Lythe.

Judge Aaron Satie.

One of the finest minds
of the 24th century,

and in whose honor we hold

the Academy's debate competition.

Speech and debate is not
for the chickenshit.

Um, excuse me?

Are you allowed
to talk like that?

Like what? Cadet Holloway,

know that I have existed longer
than your entire lineage.

I have earned the right

to speak as I see fit.
One day, you too

may earn that same privilege.

- [groans softly]
- But, alas,

that day is not today.

Now, as I was saying

before being
pointlessly interrupted...

Yo, you okay?

I... do not like public speaking.

I know you're
the only shy Klingon in history,

but you've got some game, right?

Klingons do not do "game."

We do complex
and violent mating rituals

that end in bloodshed.

And poetry.

That was a lot more information
than I was expecting.

You may be interested
to know that debate

is one of the oldest arts.

Not just on Earth,

- but throughout the galaxy...
- Debate's...

Some of us can handle it
on the b*ttlefield, you know?

Cadet Reymi.

I tend to pop in now and then.

On the USS Voyager, long before

you were even a twinkle
in your father's pants,

I won the right to be myself

through argument.

I debated myself into existence.

The power of speech and debate

brought Betazed back into
the Federation.

If you and I were to stand up

and take our positions
at these two podiums,

I could prove you don't exist.

What? Sorry?

That's your opening argument?

Warm-up drill.

Everyone up.

Come on, one straight line
down the middle.

Now, let's see who among you
has done your preparation

on Starfleet debate regulations,

or who among you
will humiliate themselves

in full view of their peers.

[sighs]

Resolve: Sentient existence

should return to a pre-warp time.

Every species enjoyed
the more harmonious,

peaceful era...

Amateurs motivate arguments
with feelings, not facts.

Any research on
the Sigma Draconis system

and its pre-spaceflight culture
proves that the pre-warp era

was continually in conflict.

- [buzzer sounds]
- Mir, advance.

Resolve: The w*r College
should move its campus

to Earth's moon.

If one regards the w*r College

as a possible
defensive branch of Starfleet--

The w*r College is indeed a college,

not a branch of the military.

The strategic benefits
of a divided defense

are immeasurable.

Therefore, it falls under
Regulation XVII, Subsection 343,

Paragraph 234,

which requires all lunar campuses

to maintain level 5 or higher

on the Fuller-Sawyer scale
for lunar stability.

- [buzzer sounds]
- Mir, advance.

Hi, Caleb. [laughs]

- [buzzer sounds]
- Mir, advance.

- [buzzer sounds]
- Mir.

- [buzzer sounding]
- Mir.

Mir.

Against all reason and expectation.

[heartbeat thumping]

THE DOCTOR: Cadet Kraag,
your prompt, please.

Cadet Kraag?

- [heart beating faster]
- Cadet?

[echoing]:
Are you all right?

Do you need to sit down?

Cadet Kraag?

♪

CALEB [echoing]:
Hey, you okay?

THE DOCTOR:
All right, let's take a break.

[buzzer sounds]

CALEB: Dude, what the hell
happened in there?

JAY-DEN:
How bad was it?

CALEB:
Uh, on a scale of what to what?

JAY-DEN:
I have difficulties

expressing my point of view at times.

CALEB: You have the advantage.
You're a Klingon.

Let me tell you something.
Before you even open your mouth,

people are intimidated by you.

What if a Holo-Guard catches us?

Last time I checked,
it's not a crime

to reprogram a DoT to bring us lunch.

Did you truly memorize all
of those laws and regulations,

or were you making them up?

In prison, you have
to learn stuff to survive.

Arguing's just another
form of combat for me.

Klingons...
Klingons love combat.

That is not the issue.

The issue is that arguing,
standing up for what I believe,

makes sweat flood down my face.

Here, eat your feelings.

I swear, it doesn't even taste
like replicator food.

- There.
- [sniffs] Mm-mm.

See?

Mm-mm.

- What are you doing?
- No pepperoni.

The pepperoni's the whole point.

I will not eat anything

that did not die in a fair fight.

It doesn't even come from a real pig.

Are you hoarding food
under your bed again?

I'm not taking questions
at this time, unfortunately.

I saved a surprise for you, though.

I gave the replicators

the recipe for "SuvwI' tlhIq."

That's real Klingon food, right?

Entrails stew?

That is warrior stew.

Only those who have served their House
in battle can taste it.

My fathers and mother
taught me better than that.

You grew up with three parents?

A triad House.

I once shared a garbage
freighter with a Klingon.

Stowaways.

She told me the story,

how Kahless united the Houses

and conquered Qo'noS

from the tyrant Molor.
How they ate

entrails stew
to taste their victory,

and how Kahless's warriors
laid their weapons at his feet

- to honor him.
- My parents

used to sing us to sleep
with that myth.

It gave us comfort
in the refugee camps.

Qo'noS would've been cool to see.

[PADD chimes]

Chancellor Ake requires my presence.

NAHLA:
Cadet Kraag, we wanted you

to hear it from us

before the news breaks publicly.

A Klingon ship,

carrying about eight Houses

to a refugee camp on Taurus VII

suffered catastrophic mechanical failure.

It's unconfirmed,
but we've reason to believe

your family was on board.

♪

[distorted laughter]

Are they dead?

NAHLA:
We don't know yet.

Logistics are complicated.

There was a time before the Burn

when the Federation
and the Klingons were allies.

Today they refuse--

Everything.

Even if it means their extinction.

REPORTER: A horrific tragedy
unfolding in real time

as the Klingon
refugee crisis worsens.

Today, an unregistered
heavy cargo carrier

with members of the eight remaining

Klingon Houses on board

suffered a catastrophic
mechanical failure

and crashed on its way
to a refugee center.

REPORTER 2: After the Burn
caused dilithium reactors

on Qo'noS and other worlds
to explode,

billions perished.

Now, one of the most
powerful races

sits on the brink of extinction.

NAHLA:
Cadet Kraag.

Jay-Den...

We'll do everything we can
to get you answers.

That might not be easy

as the news spreads.

You're the only Klingon cadet
Starfleet has,

so if you'd like
to take some time off--

No, Chancellor.

Am I dismissed?

I would not like
to be late to class.

If you want to speak with a counselor,

The Doctor is more than happy--

I said goodbye to my family
a long time ago.

With your permission...

Of course.

[doors whoosh open]

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

THAR: We must
leave the birds, Jay-Den.

We cannot be late for dinner again.

Do not forget
your binoculars this time.

JAY-DEN:
Brother, wait.

You were supposed to be
teaching me to hunt today.

THAR:
That is what I told them.

But that is not you, Jay-Den.

Yours is a different path.

[bell ringing]

L'VANNA:
House Kraag,

dinner is nearly ready.

I found the herbs to add
to your entrails stew, Thar.

Ah, warrior's stew. Yes.

L'VANNA:
Jay-Den,

you will have the stew, too,

one day, my son.

DREKOL: Beware
of Klingons bearing gifts!

Thar, rise and approach your father.

I made this HurwI' for you,

the way our ancestors have been
making weapons for centuries.

- Klingon in its marrow.
- Yes.

[laughs]

DREKOL: I will make one
for you, as well, Jay-Den.

Once you honor the hunt
and become a warrior

like your brother.

[clears throat]

I do not want a weapon.

What did you say, boy?

I will tell you one last time,
herbs and healing

have their place,

but they will not serve you
if you are dead.

JAY-DEN:
Thar, brother.

My brother.

Why couldn't they see me...

...as you saw me?

Yes, my brother.

You knew my heart

even before I did.

You led me to it.

[speaking Klingon]

THAR: Brother, come.

I found you something
quite rare at the trading post.

[laughing]

But you must promise
not to tell mother and fathers.

A Starfleet transmitter.

That is forbidden alien technology.

I heard Starfleet
is a place for explorers,

scientists, healers.

Fathers and I are going to
the trading post again tomorrow.

I can get you
some more Starfleet tech.

Your mind is hungry, Jay-Den.

We should feed it.

[trilling]

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Leading diplomatic missions,

providing medical aid.

If you're looking for us,
we're looking for you

at Starfleet Academy.

After 120 years,

we are recruiting again.

Your destiny, little brother,
it is not here.

It is out there in the stars.

REPORTER:
The rest of the Klingon empire

became uninhabitable.

Now, one of
the most powerful races

sits on the brink of...

Pause.

Jay-Den.

I'm so sorry.

If there's, like,

anything we can do to help, or... to...

maybe...

Our "Aaron Satie" debate
event is this week.

Competitors will argue for
and against a resolution.

After affirmative
and negative statements,

there will be a round
of cross-examinations,

then final summations.
A battle...

of words.

Now, I'd like to hear
ideas for our central topic.

Anyone?

The new government on Betazed,

the geopolitical
impact of the Emerald Chain?

Yes, Cadet?

Doctor, it seems irresponsible
to focus elsewhere

with what's just happened
with the Klingons.

CADET:
Everyone knows they lost Qo'noS

because they blew it up themselves.

No one needs your embarrassing
conspiracy theories.

That Klingon incursion into Hectaron?

That "enslavement"?
Total fiction.

That's enough, Cadet Mir.

Read a book, moron.

I do not need you to defend me.

THE DOCTOR:
Cadets,

the Klingon diaspora

is not an appropriate topic
for this debate.

JAY-DEN:
Why not?

It is the one thing

everyone is already speaking about.

Dude, don't do this to yourself.
Okay?

It is either going to happen
in here or out there.

I would rather it happen in here.

I cannot allow the reality
of the current situation

to influence this event.

Avoiding reality

does not make it disappear, Doctor.

Very well.

Any dissenters?

We are resolved.

Review the facts of
the Klingon diaspora,

then choose your positions.

Cadets, I admonish you,

your preparation
had better be faultless.

There's been a tragedy.

Don't compound it with ignorance.

VANCE: I have no news
on Jay-Den Kraag's

family yet. I wish I did.

NAHLA:
I know that look.

Whatever this is, I'm gonna hate it.

I think the opposite.
Take a look.

Command has identified
an uninhabited planet

within Federation space:
Faan Alpha.

Its geothermal energy
matches that of Qo'noS.

A new home, potentially?

Did you bring this to the Klingons?

Oh, yes.

They made it clear
that they would rather die

than take Starfleet charity.

But there's one,

their oldest warlord,

Obel Wochak.

You knew him when
he was a young diplomat.

He's known to be open to outsiders

as long as it benefits his people.

I thought maybe you'd...

maybe you'd give it a go,
given your history.

My history?

It happened decades
before you were born, Charlie.

How do you even know about it?

Well, your personnel files.

I've been reading them
for the last seven years.

Longer than w*r and Peace,

- and so much more...
- Dramatic?

...insane.

The plot twists.

Do it for your cadet, Nahla.

At the very least, Obel can help
locate Jay-Den's family.

If there is a Klingon

who can see the benefit
of Faan Alpha, it's him.

Yeah.

No one can know about this meeting,

or he would risk
dishonor from his own

and never come.

GENESIS: Why is he doing this?
The last thing

Jay-Den needs is to be on stage,
battling against his friends.

Hey.

We were just strategizing.

I'll be arguing the affirmative,

that the Federation should
offer the Klingons asylum.

You wanna partner up?

I'm sure The Doctor would approve it,

given everything.

Who else is working as a team?

No one.

But... special circumstances.

Just an offer.

You do not think
I can do this myself.

CALEB:
What? No.

Jay-Den, no, that's not what
I'm saying. I'm saying that--

I do not need to partner with you,

or anyone else.

Jay-Den, Mir is an a*s,

but he's the best debater
we've got.

Master. Master debater. [grunts]

- Sorry.
- I do not care

who I debate against.

And I am on the negative.

Any plan for Klingon survival
should be left to the Klingons.

Wait, wait, wait. Negative?

What, you don't think
the Federation's protection

- would help your people?
- There is no protection.

Not from loss.

There never can be.

♪

JAY-DEN: Thar,
remember when mother taught us

about the nightbirds.

That was before...

[shouting]

...you flew away.

Help! He's been hurt!

[shouting]

- L'VANNA: What happened?
- DREKOL: He tried

to trade for Starfleet technology.

Some kind of regenerator.

The trader stabbed him.

L'VANNA:
Thar, your blood is black.

[laughs]
The dagger was poisoned, Mother.

You should see the trader.

[shouting]

L'VANNA:
We need to stop the bleeding.

Is it still there?

The dermal regenerator,
is it still at the market?

It can save him.

The tools of the Federation
are not for us!

THAR:
Jay-Den!

Listen to me, brother.

[groans]

No matter what happens...

[panting]

...you are enough

of ev-- everything.

Warrior.

Healer.

Jay-Den,

trust yourself.

Trust.

Trust the stars.

♪

[roaring]

[thunder crashes]

[soft music playing]

I smell vintage bloodwine.

One might think

you're trying
to get on my good side.

Oh, I'm pretty sure I never left.

You managed to get here
under the radar.

You had doubts?

Nope.

[laughs]

It is good to see you.

Time has had a light touch,

even for a Lanthanite.

Says the Klingon who's seen a century.

[chuckles]

Catch up properly
or straight to business?

Business.

Catching up properly...

can only complicate.

That's Faan Alpha.

Virtually identical to Qo'noS
in temperature.

Topography--

Volcanic emission. Nahla...

Only one species I know
could build a home there.

Faan Alpha is a charity

the Houses would never accept.

You know who we are.

- Who I am.
- Yes.

I'm trying to save you.

Arrogant.

Always.

And there it is.

Mm.

I came here knowing this wouldn't work,

but there are few ways for us
to spend time together that...

do not frighten you, Nahla.

I haven't changed.

But I have.

The warrior I knew
would have done anything

to ensure the future of his people.

I would have dishonored
my people to spare them.

Now...

we have nothing left but our traditions.

Is there...

room to expand tradition?

No more of your word games.

We haven't been drinking long enough.

No games.

I know the Houses
consider you their leader.

So many of them
have already taken refuge

in Faan Alpha's sector,

in Federation space.

Let us grant them, all of you,
asylum on Faan Alpha.

Qo'noS was not granted.

You know this.

Accepting the charity of the Federation
is an impossibility.

Our Houses will only
unite over conquest.

Conquest, Nahla.

Conquest won't save you
from extinction.

[sighs]

And it'll only orphan my cadet.

A Klingon?

- In the Academy?
- Yes.

And if his family is still alive,

you're their only chance
to stay that way.

JAY-DEN:
Honorable assembly,

I am here to refute--

My opponent has argued that the Klingon--

That the Klingon empire--

You could try losing the notes,
memorizing your arguments.

I know, it's extra work,

but it ends up being kind of liberating.

I did not ask for pointers.

But you need them.

You do not determine what I need.

A day ago, you were pouring
with sweat in public.

Is this because
I offered to partner up?

You were not offering partnership,

you were offering to speak for me.

No. Look,

neither of us
are like anyone else here.

We both grew up with nothing,

came here with nothing.

Neither of us
has anywhere else to go.

But our sacrifices are not the same.

Yeah, I know. I know.

But we have a kind of orphan...

fraternity thing going on, don't we?

We do not.

We are not brothers.

Is that why it's so important
for you to challenge me?

Hmm?

Are you trying to teach me a lesson?

This is not about you.

But if you happen to learn that lesson

in defeat,
it will be an added benefit.

I would love to make
this nightmare about my people,

but I don't have any people, okay?
So you need--

Correct.

You do not have people.

You regurgitate facts
about everything and everyone.

The Klingons, the Orions, the Federation,

but you have no understanding

of what any of that means.

[Obel speaking Klingon]

[Nahla speaking Klingon]

Aah!

[both laughing]

Oh!

That was a glorious night!

- [laughs]
- The cops came.

[both laughing]

And then,

I woke up and you
weren't there anymore.

You made it clear

this wasn't in the cards for you.

You made it clear
you'd never leave your ship.

Hmm.

Tell your cadet
I'll look into his House,

see if they survived.

Is that all?

A century later,
and you're still surprised

when you don't get what you want.

You always insisted on making
everything a fight.

I am Klingon.

The fight is where I live.

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
...we're looking for you.

[laughs]

Time to fly your own path.

♪

I made this HurwI' for you.

You will complete the hunt
and make your first k*ll.

You will take your place
in the House

and come back a true warrior,

like him.

Have you considered my request, Father?

I could learn valuable skills
at Starfleet Academy.

Skills I could have used to heal him.

Federation technology would
not have saved your brother.

This is an insult to our family.

This has no place in our House.

You are Klingon!

This trinket?

[clanging]

Starfleet has not bled for you.

Has not put its dreams,
its future into you!

[hawk crying]

The Veqlargh toQ.

A bird of prey.

It is a sign.

Now is your time, son. Now!

♪

Strike now.
Prove you are a warrior.

Strike! Strike!

Honor your brother.

♪

I am.

I am honoring him.

[grunting, yells]

- [hawk cries]
- [yelling]

- [yelling]
- No, Father, stop!

[yelling]

[metal clattering]

[growls]

THAR:
These weapons are not for you.

[grunting]

[grunting softly]

No, no. No, no, no.

No, no. No! No!

[door chimes]

[sighs]

Go away.

[doors whoosh open]

[chuckles softly]

Look, I'm just here to ask a favor.

Whatever you said to Caleb

has got him stomping
around our room now.

He's, like, super pissy with me.

So I'm gonna ask you,

hit me.

What?

Come on.

No, you are insane.

You can pretend you're punching
Caleb in the face.

- I do not want to punch--
- We all want

to punch Caleb in the face.

Even Caleb wants
to punch himself in the face.

It's a... it's a core tenet
of his personality.

Jay-Den.

What are you so scared of? Huh?

Just show me what you got.

- Come on. Hit me.
- [sighs]

Show me. Come on.

I am not hitting you.

It would be like squashing an insect.

[breathing heavily]

That felt good.

Didn't it?

You know what they teach young fighters

on Khionia when fear takes hold?

Hmm?

Lhyene.

Battle breathing.

Plant your feet.

Trust me.

[inhales deeply]

[exhales]

Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh pè cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh pè cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.

- Ah pè K pè...
- Ah... pè... K pè...

BOTH:
Ulh pè cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh pè cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh pè cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh pè cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.

Ah pè K pè Ulh pè cha.

- It's your voice.
- Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.

- Ah pè K pè Ulh p cha.
- It's yours.

Use it.

Honorable assembly.

Yes.

- My opponent has argued...
- Mm-hmm.

- ...that the Klingon...
- Yes.

...the-- that the Klingon Empire...

Come on. Come on.

- Come on.
- [grunts]

♪

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Gather round

and take your seats,
little zygotes.

It's time to welcome
your judge for today's debate,

- The Doctor.
- [applause]

- Yes! Whoo!
- [cheering]

Welcome, all,

to Starfleet Academy's first
Aaron Satie debate competition

in over a century.

[cheering, applause]

Yes!

[cheering]

Competitors will challenge
each other on a pre-chosen topic

about the Klingon diaspora.

Please be aware that facts

and evidence presented in affirmative

and rebuttal speeches
must be accurate and expressed

- in a respectful manner.
- You look very bad.

Thanks, Lura.

Disinformation and offensive

- language or behavior...
- LURA: Are you hungover?

Nope.

THE DOCTOR: I'd also like
to remind our audience...

I take it things went badly
with Obel Wochak.

- Yep.
- And now,

without further ado,

may the most impressive
performance become part

of Starfleet history.

- [hiccups]
- [applause]

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Cadet Lythe for the affirmative.

Cadet Reymi for the negative.

GENESIS: The Federation has
a moral obligation to provide

security for Klingon Houses.

The Federation has a moral obligation

to the rest of the galaxy
to rebuild itself,

with limited post-Burn resources,

unless you're suggesting
severe galactic rationing.

An existential crisis outweighs
a little belt-tightening.

[buzzer sounds]

- Cadet Reymi.
- [cheering, applause]

WaH-ThA-Kaaaa!

SAM:
I affirm that the Federation

should moderate armistice negotiations

between the Klingons
and their former subjects.

I counter
that the Organian Peace Treaty

between the Klingons and the Federation,

- it didn't last.
- Inaccurate.

It was superseded
by the Khitomer Accords.

- [buzzer sounds]
- Cadet Series Acclimation Mil.

[stammers]
Sam.

- [squealing]
- [applause]

[grunts]

Cadets Mir and Kraag.

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Cadet Mir for the affirmative.

Cadet Kraag for the negative.

[high-pitched ringing]

CALEB: I'm here
to affirm the resolution...

that the Federation must provide

and indeed enforce asylum
for the Klingons.

My criterion is Federation law.

According to Starfleet Command
General Orders and Regulations,

Book 7,

Section 2386,

Paragraph 3434...

- [heartbeat thumping]
- [breathing deeply]

[Caleb continues indistinctly]

...a core responsibility
of its personnel is

to provide aid to any sentient
being in need of assistance.

Unless it violates
the Prime Directive. Which...

Which, in this case, it does not.

[heart beating rapidly]

[inhales]

[exhales slowly]

[heartbeat slows]

Book 12...

[clears throat]

...Code 2398,

Subsection 89.

"If engaged in diplomatic relations

"with species that are not allies,

"Starfleet officers need not contradict

- alien morality."
- There's legal precedent

that amends Code 2398.

Stardate 2314.

The USS Origin saves
the Lynd species from extinction

via relocation.

JAY-DEN:
Nonconsensual relocation.

As 2398 does not qualify as--

It does when a known race
is in mortal danger.

Stardate 2289,

Coth v. Farah.

Stardate 2930.8,

Vulcan v. Kah concedes

that mortal danger is a matter
of subjective perception.

How many Klingons are left

- in the quadrants, Jay-Den?
- Enough

to know that each Klingon matters.

Cadets, refrain from personal comments.

First warning.

Cadet Kraag, your rebuttal.

My criterion

is the Klingons,

in and of themselves.

In the context of this debate,

the Federation and their laws
are irrelevant.

To argue otherwise

is to deny Klingons their right
to define themselves.

Is that not an existential right?

Without self-definition,

are Klingons Klingons?

And does the Federation
require other great peoples

to cease to be

in order to redefine itself
after the Burn?

It is not the Federation's advantage

or place to tell the Klingons
who they are.

Or yours.

Ever.

THE DOCTOR:
Cadet Kraag,

- second warning.
- Your argument implies

that all Klingons must feel the same.

It demands
Klingons exist as Klingons.

Klingons need to exist. Period.

And we do. As ourselves.

CALEB: I know a Klingon
who has rejected

the isolationism you say
defines all Klingons

and now enjoys
Federation-provided food,

safety, and resources--

- As a Klingon.
- THE DOCTOR: Cadets,

return to your podiums

- immediately.
- You refuse to belong

- to anything, yet you would...
- Final warning.

...define it for those
who are willing to die for it.

Isn't that why you left
your family?

- Because they were willing--
- You have no idea

- what family means.
- And you stabbed your family

- in the back!
- Enough!

Both of you, out.

You are done.

♪

[door chimes]

Enter.

Cadet Master.

I apologize for my behavior
at the debate.

- I do not know what--
- Stop.

At ease, Cadet.

I come from a Jem'Hadar-Klingon family.

Freed Jem'Hadar lineage
on my father's side,

Klingon on my mother's.

My Klingon grandparents...

renounced their House

to ride in conquest
by the side of the Jem'Hadar.

So I've seen my fair share
of brotherly fights.

Hmm, they usually end in broken bones.

This one was quite tame,
if you ask me.

Caleb is not my brother.

I've never had the privilege

of being a mentor to a fellow Klingon.

I do not want to...

"...eff it up,"
as Commander Reno says.

But I regret not trusting
my own instincts

and speaking to you,

not as your Starfleet instructor

but as your Klingon elder.

I would have helped you see
the Klingon you are,

as all elders should.

But I do not know what Klingon I am.

Or what Starfleet officer.

I dishonored both worlds.

The last day with my House,

my father and I went hunting together.

It was my family's rite of passage.

- [hawk cries]
- You become a warrior

after your first k*ll.

I-I could not do it.

I caused my father

such anger,

he missed the k*ll shot...

[muffled yell]

[hawk cries]

[yelling]

...and abandoned the hunt.

He left me.

They all left.

[muffled]:
Mother and Fathers.

Come back!

Come back!

There are only a few things
I know to be true.

One of them is

Klingons do not miss out of anger.

I do not understand.

A hunt is a battle.

Rage...

makes our kills more satisfying.

Unless...

...we find an opponent

who humbles us.

I believe your father honored the hunt

the only way he knew how--

by recognizing your victory...

[muffled yelling]

...and setting you free

- so that you could fly.
- [hawk cries]

[singing in Klingon]

Your father missed his shot

to let you go.

♪

[singing continues in Klingon]

He saw you for who you are.

♪

A Klingon warrior...

...whose passion for death...

...is surpassed
only by his passion for life.

Now you must see yourself

as he did.

And as your brother did.

A warrior not with weapons

but words.

How does any of this matter

if there's no hope for any of us?

There is a planet.

A new Qo'noS.

The Federation wants
to gift it to our people.

But I do not have to tell you
how that offer...

landed.

Get me back on that debate stage.

♪

I am a Klingon warrior.

I learned that here.

That is not a simple thing to say.

My opponent has offered
some valid points

as to why the Federation
should compel

the Klingons to accept asylum.

It is the Federation after all.

But the Federation
stops being the Federation

if it insists Klingons
stop being Klingons.

These are not mutually exclusive.

Both exist in me.

I exist as both,

on my own terms.

Now it is time
we meet Klingons on theirs.

Our culture was born in myth.

My father made us memorize
the story of Kahless,

who gave us our laws of honor

and our home of Qo'noS.

Warriors everywhere
laid their weapons at his feet.

My brother,

he understood the full expanse

of the myth of Kahless.

He always did.

I did not.

I could not.

Until now.

Battle exists in as many forms
as there are warriors,

as long as it is fought
in service of our people.

Battle is the language we use
to honor each other.

It is the way
we first became one.

The Federation would do better
to humble themselves

and learn to hear our language
as it is spoken.

Therefore, I suggest a Klingon solution

to a Klingon problem.

♪

FEMALE VOICE: Cadet Kraag
has arrived, Captain Ake.

NAHLA:
Welcome to the bridge,

Cadet Kraag.

Captain,

what if I'm wrong

and I have convinced everyone
to take advice

from a cadet
with no battle experience?

The Federation thinks
it's worth the risk.

No matter how this ends,

you brought us here.

That means everything.

Come with me.

Lieutenant Dandrid,

get us out of warp.

Aye, Captain.

NAHLA: Comms, stand by
to hail General Wochak.

It's time to meet an old foe.

May the Klingon gods help us.

Why have you called me here, Nahla?

VANCE:
General Wochak,

Klingon ships have taken
refuge in this sector.

They have trespassed

Federation space and have threatened

the security of our planet,
Faan Alpha.

The Federation has no choice
but to declare any Klingon ship

an enemy vessel.

I see.

Do you dare to declare w*r
on all Klingon Houses?

Fight with me, Obel.

DANDRID: Our Starfleet vessels
are arriving now.

- CAPTAIN: USS Capricorn.
- CAPTAIN 2: USS Crimson.

- CAPTAIN 3: USS Horizon.
- CAPTAIN 4: USS Lexington.

CAPTAIN 5: And USS Riker.
We are in position

and ready for your command,
Captain Ake.

DANDRID: The Klingon fleet
is warping in now.

♪

Let's go to Red Alert.

Lieutenant Ya, tell our folks

to put on a good show,
but make sure they miss wide.

- Aye.
- [alarm blares]

DANDRID: Captain,
incoming fire from the Klingons.

Qapla'!

NAHLA:
Status report?

YA: Shields holding at 95%, Captain.

No structural damage.

NAHLA: All Starfleet vessels, hold fire.

Repeat, hold fire.

It's time to stand down.

We seize this planet
as spoils of w*r.

♪

VANCE:
On behalf of the Federation,

we offer you complete surrender.

Faan Alpha is now Klingon.

Your ships have showed ours mercy.

For that, there are no casualties.

On both sides, it seems.

Good fight.

My pleasure.

Come here, boy.

I have a special gift for you.

Permission to beam it aboard?

I honor you, Jay-Den Kraag

with a weapon of a true Klingon warrior.

One more thing.

We located your parents.

JAY-DEN:
They survived?

OBEL:
Yes. They are safe now.

And the Klingon Houses
have a new home

thanks to you.

♪

[slurping]

So, how's the famous warrior stew?

[burps] Spicy.

[chuckles]

- How did you even know?
- I had some help

from a Khionian who stopped
being a d*ck for a day.

[scoffs]

It was a gift from my brother Thar.

I am sorry.

You two are alike.

I did not think both of you
could live in-in my heart.

I believed I had to let him go.

I've never been good at letting go.

You asked me why I hoard Earth food.

My mom promised me
we'd try it together someday.

She's-- I don't know.

She's with me...

all the time.

The memories of her just...

hit me,

and I have to drown them out somehow.

So I start sh*t.

And I can be an as*h*le sometimes.

I'm sorry, too.

Maybe the trick is not
to let go of the past,

but to let the present in.

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
After 120 years,

we are recruiting again.

At Starfleet Academy,

it's time to fly your own path.

Leading diplomatic missions,
providing medical aid.

If you're looking for us,
we're looking for you,

at Starfleet Academy.