what you have done
by committing another violation
of the Prime Directive.
Captain, the Boraalans
have a rich and beautiful culture,
a deep spiritual life.
They deserve the chance to survive.
Isn't that what the Prime Directive
was intended to do,
to allow cultures
to survive and grow?
Not exactly. The Prime Directive was
designed to ensure non-interference.
But aren't we interfering either way?
If we take no action,
it's a decision to let them die.
Exactly. We have the power
to save some of them.
All we have to do is exercise it.
We are sworn to uphold the principle
of the Prime Directive.
Until that is changed, there is no
further action. Is that understood?
Some of my log recorders
are still in my observation post.
They contain most of my research.
Since the only way I can preserve
Boraalan culture is in a museum...
...I request permission
to return to the surface.
I'm afraid that won't be possible.
But you can use the computer
to set up a commlink
and upload your data from here.
If there's nothing further,
you're dismissed.
I'm sorry, Nikolai.
I wish there were another way.
I am quite familiar
with your communication systems.
If you like, I will help you
set up your commlink.
I'll do it myself.
Captain, atmospheric dissipation
has accelerated over several hours.
I estimate the atmosphere will be
completely gone within three minutes.
Captain,
I've completed my data uplink.
With your permission, I'd like to
integrate my log with the computer.
- Of course.
- The mesosphere has gone, sir.
Plasmonic reactions are beginning
to break down the troposphere.
Put it on screen.
What's going on?
The plasmonic reactions
are interfering with our sensors.
- Didn't you compensate for that?
- I had, sir.
I will attempt
to engage filtering elements.
Visual re-established.
This is one of those times
when we must face the ramifications
of the Prime Directive
and honour those lives
which we cannot save.
I find no honour in this whatsoever,
Captain.
You will forgive me if I don't stay.
You have the bridge, Number One.
Helm, take us out of orbit.
Set a course for Starbase 87.
Warp five.
Aye, sir.
What happened?
There appears to be a power drain
in the EPS distribution net.
- What's the source?
- Unknown, sir.
It is difficult to localise.
The power drain is on my
security grid, coming from deck ten.
Alright, Mr Worf,
get a Security team on it.
Aye, sir.
Concentrate your scans
on the EPS transfer links.
Computer, open holodeck five.
Unable to comply.
Holodeck five is in use.
Override. Authorisation, Worf,
Theta 619.
Unable to comply. Holodeck control
systems have been bypassed.
Worf. Come in.
Nikolai? What are you doing here?
I have something to show you.
Whatever you do, stay quiet.
Look.
I've done what you refused to do.
I've saved them.
I started thinking about this
when it became clear
the planet was doomed.
I knew if I accessed the computer,
I could generate a replica
of the caves.
The hard part
was transporting the Boraalans
without anybody
on the Enterprise noticing.
I blanked out the sensors
and made it look like interference.
It worked perfectly.
The Boraalans were transported
while sleeping.
They never knew anything.
Bridge.
It's a simple plan.
That's the beauty. Trust me.
- This is going to work.
- Trust you?
You never had any intention
of obeying the Captain.
I wouldn't let those people die
because your captain
quoted Federation dogma to me.
Your duty was to respect his orders,
and to uphold the Prime Directive.
Duty. That's all
that really matters to you.
I refuse to be bound by abstractions.
The lives of the people of Boraal
are far more important to me.
You worry too much. You always did.
Everything will work out.
You have disgraced yourself.
And you have disgraced me.
I want nothing more to do with you.
- Your career is finished.
- I know. I would do it all again.
What do you expect us to do