01x09 - What Ships Are For

[bunniefuu]

KIRK (VO): Captain's log, stardate . .
Admiral McGuinness...

has ordered us to respond to a
distress call from Hyalinus,

an inhabited asteroid with a
limited warp-capable society.

Admiral, isn't the Yorktown near
the Banneker Belt?

She was scheduled to patrol
near that system,

but Command rerouted
her to Aldebaran...

along with the Republic...
to investigate the loss of the Hood.

- They find anything?
- Never got the chance.

Both ships suffered baffle plate
ruptures shortly after they arrived.

Both ships?

Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

They'll have to be rebuilt.

The crews'll need to be treated
for radiation exposure.

Funny... We've got a student here at
Starfleet Medical who insists we try a new

bexarotene-G treatment she heard about
from an old mentor of hers.

Well, not THAT old.

How is Ms. Chapel's doctorate
coming along?

She's one of our best and brightest.

But be careful. She just
might take your job one day.

[LAUGHS] I might just let her have it.

Admiral, did the Hyalini specify
the nature of their crisis?

Something of global proportions.

Diplomacy is of utmost
importance, but so is caution.

They've refused outside contact
for centuries.

We know almost nothing about them.

So, you want us to speak softly
and keep a big stick handy.

And Jim... Take good care of that ship
and her outstanding crew, you hear?

With everything I've got, admiral.

What the devil was he wearing?

No idea. But you'll never get me
in one of those things.

Oh, it's not so bad.
Drab, boring color palette...

I think it would complement Mr. Spock
quite well, don't you think?

What is it, Bones?

She's in my spot.

I'm sorry! I...

It's all right, counselor.
There's always plenty of room

on the bridge for one more
to keep Spock in line.

Whatever this is about,
it's gotta be pretty

serious for a hermit race
to ask for outside help.

- "Hermit race," doctor?
- That's right, Spock. Hermit race.

Don't tell me there's a term that
computer brain of yours doesn't know.

I am merely surprised at your use of an
abstruse and antiquated colloquialism.

The more obvious and accurate word
is clearly "xenophobic."

Tomato, tomahto.

- I fail to see how pronouncing...
- Call it off, gentlemen.

We've got work to do.

Coordinates locked, Scotty?

SCOTT: Can you believe they
only use text transmissions?

I'm still waitin' for an open
transporter window!

"Transporter window"?

Aye! In their orbital defense system.

Without a window, matter-energy beams
to the surface are automatically scrambled.

"Scrambled"? As in "turned into
a pile of mush"?

Aye. Their global defense grid is
downright impractical.

It's a miracle they can
see the stars at night

with all the w*apon-barges
they've got flyin' about!

And can you imagine the
maintenance, lads?

Gee, I hope they're friendly.

They would be well-served to hope the
same of you, doctor.

Ah! There's the green light!

Energize.

Please.

KIRK (VO):
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 man has gone before.

- Fascinating.
- Are you seeing what I'm seeing?

Or, more accurately, what we are
NOT seeing.

Could our eyes have been
affected during transport?

Readings are normal, Jim.

But I'm not ruling out that damn thing
putting us back together wrong.

GALISTI: Greetings! Welcome,
my friends, to Hyalinus.

We are honored by your visit
to our world.

I am Galisti... leader
of the Inner Council.

And this is Thaius, our newly-appointed
ambassador to the Federation.

You see! I told you they'd be
Hyanoid bipeds.

I must admit, I was expecting
a tentacle or two. [LAUGHTER]

And you must be the commander of
that magnificent ship orbiting above.

James Kirk. Captain of the
United Starship Enterprise.

This is my chief surgeon,
Dr. Leonard McCoy.

A pleasure to meet you both.

And my first officer, Commander Spock.

You're different from the others!

Are you an Earth female?

Madam, my appearance differs from
the others because I am Vulcan.

If our human females
looked like THAT, we'd go extinct!

Oh! Please forgive my foolishness.
I apologize if I've caused any offense.

Madam, since I do not believe differences
in gender render one inferior to the other,

...not only would it be illogical for
me to find offense in your comment,

...but to do so itself would
represent a grievous insult to YOU.

What an improbable contradiction!

Kindness and gallantry revealed by pure,
calculated reason. Remarkable!

And I... too caught
up with the excitement

of the moment to notice
anything but your ears.

How often we look, but forget to see.

Oh, Galisti. You might
be wise to replace

your ambassador
to the Federation immediately.

Don't be so hard on yourself,
my dear. They ARE still here.

I hope I do not offend by asking, but do
all Hyalini politicians get along so well?

Sadly, no. But Galisti and I have
the advantage of being very old friends.

Who one day realized that
we had fallen in love.

What a fortunate man I am... to be
able to call my "friend" my "wife."

Council leader, I must ask. Has your world
always looked... like this?

- Like what?
- Well...

It is as it has always been.

Gentlemen.

As the first outsiders ever to be
invited to our world, your presence...

...should be a momentous occasion for my
people. But alas, it is a regrettable one.

Regrettable because this is not when
our isolation was meant to end...

nor HOW it was to end.

Hundreds of years ago, the people
of Hyalinus united in a single purpose...

...to one day become worthy to join
the community of stars.

THAIUS: To us, that meant seeking out
the best in each other and ourselves.

Laying down arms against each other...
erasing our borders...

and refusing to be defined by
distinctions like "us" and "them."

A sublime hope:
The Hope of the Hyalini.

But alas, fate has intervened. And so today
the hand of my people is not one that is

held up proudly to the stars,
but merely is a hand held OUT.

Please, come. The Inner Council
is waiting.

Spock, can you explain our vision?

In fact, I can. An unusual form of
radiation emitted by their sun...

...unlike anything I've encountered.

It impairs the function of cone
cells in humanoid eyes.

- Cone cells allow us to see color.
- Correct, doctor.

- Makes sense, Jim.
- Good work, Spock. Continue scanning.

The Inner Council is the uppermost
tier of the United Parliament,

representing all regions on Hyalinus.
Its five members are chosen by...

They just got here, and already
you're torturing them with civics!

Oh, dear...

This woman is the meanest, toughest teacher
there is. I have the scars to prove it.

Sekara started out as my most obstinate
student... and soon became my finest.

She now interns for the Inner Council.

And she likes to credit her teaching as
the root of all my achievements.

KIRK: What a great privilege
for your first guests

...to be greeted by such an
intelligent and beautiful woman.

You had no right, Galisti!

You had no right to bring them here!
You've destroyed us all!

Do you hear me?!
You've destroyed your entire race!

We will be destroyed only if
we refuse to accept help!

She may be right, Tomiat.

Shame, Thaius! A true believer would
rather die than see the Hope corrupted!

Will he live?

Tomiat is unharmed, I assure you.

He is merely unconscious,
and shall awaken shortly.

I apologize. You should never have
witnessed that.

Show them.

It's the first symptom. The disease
progresses rapidly. Sekara will...

I will not live beyond the year.

This is why you sent the distress call.

We are on a path to extinction.

From disease... and soon starvation.

Our crops have stopped growing.

- May I?
- It's not contagious. That much we know.

We don't know what it is... only
what it is NOT.

It's not the result of any known poison.
It's not a virus...

...and it's not a bacterium, spore, or
parasitic organism.

I've been doing research on the
disease as part of my medical training.

I'm... I was going to be a
physician.

Bones?

It's definitely related to
the radiation that Spock detected,

but I can't confirm a prognosis
without running more tests.

And for that, we need to be in sickbay.

Sickbay? On your vessel?

Is that a problem?

GALISTI: We would prefer that she
stay here. Our medical facilities...

If she returns to the ship with us,
she'll be shielded from the radiation.

Will she see color?

- Unknown, captain.
- If she does...

the results could be traumatic.

McCOY: Besides... If your medical
facilities were sufficient,

you'd already know what was
k*lling your people.

Take good care of her.
She is precious to us.

You have my word.

With your permission,

I'd like Mr. Spock to remain
behind and continue gathering information.

Of course. I will keep the transporter
window open until his departure.

- They love you very much.
- We are like family.

Dr. McCoy...

Sekara. When you arrive on board our ship,
your eyes may work differently.

It may frighten you, but I promise
you'll be safe. Do you understand?

KIRK:
Are you all right, Sekara?

Do you see anything... strange?

No. Everything looks...

Wha.... What...

What is that?!

I'm Chief Engineer Scott, lass!

Captain!

- It's all right! It's called "color."
- Just try to stay calm.

I... I don't... I...

Is it alive?

Look at me! Look at me. Keep your eyes on
me. I know it's strange and frightening...

...but you're completely safe.

I promised, didn't I?

[SOBS]

So the cause of the illness and the
monochromatic vision are one and the same?

Took a millenium or so for the
star's radiotoxins to reach

levels high enough to induce acute
radiation syndrome.

I've started Sekara's treatment...
but it's too soon to tell.

How is she otherwise?

She's a million questions a minute.
[LAUGHTER] "Color" this and "color" that!

I might have to sedate her just so
I can get some peace and quiet.

Sekara is likely the first resident of
Hyalinus to see color in over a millenium.

Even with their limited space travel,
their shielding technology does not

filter out the solar radiation
responsible for suppressing color vision.

As for its effects on the population,
the illness will reoccur unless further

exposure to the solar radiation
can be prevented.

The spectral signature
of the Hyalinus sun can

be altered using
a modified stellar probe.

After that, we'll need to
decontaminate the asteroid.

I recommend scanning their
ecosystem... starting with the plants.

Determine how deeply the
radiation's permeated their food chain.

Mr. Sulu... You and Mr. Spock
head back down to the surface.

Take charge of the scans.

I understand you have a
knack for botany.

Oh yes sir! I should introduce you
to my carnivorous weeper, Gertrude.

She's a beaut!

I'll also need to repair the cellular
damage the radiotoxins have caused.

If Sekara's treatment works,
I'll be able to synthesize

enough medicine for the
entire population.

Captain, there is a new development.

While on Hyalinus, I captured
several images with my tricorder.

SPOCK: This is how the Hyalini
appear to each other.

Unlike eyes, however, the
tricorder does not rely on cone cells.

The native inhabitants of this world all
share the same genotype for pigmentation.

However...

Are you saying Sekara is not
from Hyalinus?

She is an alien.

Furthermore, a global bioscan indicates
. percent of the population are as well.

Maybe it's a rare genetic
anomaly, Spock?

No, doctor. This is but one of
numerous disparities.

They share a common ancestor with
the Hyalini, but these individuals

are unquestionably a race not
currently native to Hyalinus.

Kirk to bridge.

Uhura here.

Lieutenant, search the belt
for any indication

of another inhabited asteroid.
Anything our sensors may have missed.

We'll have to run a full sweep...
including non-subspace carrier waves.

- How long?
- Could be days. Maybe more.

Palmer's an expert at countering
solar interference.

I'll have her modify the sensors.
Create a targeted scan.

Thank you. Get on it.

SPOCK:
Captain, a word. Counselor?

I have found Dr. McKennah's
insight to be... beneficial.

Sekara appears to trust the captain.

Do you believe it would be wise to
confront her about her origins?

Not yet. We don't know who she is...
or what she knows.

And she might not even know herself.

Well... a civilization like the
Hyalini... bent on self-imposed

moral isolation... would never allow
aliens to live on their world.

Unless they don't know there ARE
aliens living on their world.

KIRK (VO):
Captain's log, supplemental.

After two days of treatment,
Dr. McCoy reports

that Sekara has responded
exceptionally well.

But our search for
her people's origin continues.

Hoping to find some clues to the mystery,

I've engaged Sekara in several
conversations about her past...

learning only that she was born
on Hyalinus, and orphaned at an early age.

[DOOR CHIME] Come.

I, um... I wanted you to know where to find
me in case you desired to talk again.

Yes. Dr. McCoy said he moved
you to guest quarters.

Better than being trapped in sickbay.

Well... better for HIM, I'm certain.
I had many questions.

Would you like to come in?

Oh, no. I mean yes... but no if
you're busy. But as for wanting to... yes.

But of course no if you don't also,

but... but if you do then yes I...
I would very a lot.

Please come in.

You must think I'm ridiculous.

I like ridiculous.
I like it "very a lot."

[LAUGHTER] How have you
been enjoying color?

Oh, color! Color is incredible! At first,
I couldn't make sense of it. But now...

it astounds me!

There are so many of them!
I'm learning their names.

That is called "green." And the door
is "blue." And... and this is "yellow."

"Red."

"Red."

Once we repair your sun, everyone
on Hyalinus will see color.

The initial shock may cause a
great deal of chaos.

We'll work with your people
to prepare them so they won't be afraid.

And I can help! I want to share my
experiences with everyone.

But there's still so
much I don't understand.

Like... what is it for? What
is the purpose of color?

Well... color provides variety.
Vibrance. Beauty.

It arouses the senses...
stirs the emotions.

Like poetry for the eyes.

- Purple.
- Hm?

The color of your hair.

[INTERCOM WHISTLES]

SMITH: Captain Kirk to the bridge!
Captain Kirk to the bridge.

I'll be back.
You're welcome to stay.

Purple.

She found them, sir.

Radio signals coming
from an asteroid in the inner belt.

Do you know anything
about it? Population?

- Not yet. I'm working on it, sir.
- Captain, proximity alert!

SMITH: Confirmed.

I'm reading two small shuttlepods
approaching Hyalinus at half impulse.

On screen.

Trajectory suggests they're from
the other asteroid.

Scans indicate wessels don't
have any "big sticks," sir.

- What was that, lieutenant?
- Uh... they are unarmed.

They barely look space-worthy!

Captain, I read six humanoid
life forms... in EACH.

Six in each? At half impulse? My God!
How long have they been...?

Captain, Hyalinus' automated platforms have
activated. They're charging weapons!

Red alert.

Uhura, hail the Hyalini.

One of the weapons platforms is
targeting the shuttlepods, captain.

Lieutenant?

No response from the council, sir.

Charge phaser banks.
Lock onto that platform.

Platform f*ring!

Phasers locked.

Fire.

Defense platform destroyed.

SMITH: The shuttlepods are turning around.
They're retreating, sir.

Cancel red alert.
Uhura, get me Hyalinus.

They're hailing US, captain.

They demand an explanation
for the destruction of their platform.

THEY demand...?!

I'll meet with them in an hour.

In the meantime, get me information
on that other asteroid.

Smith, you've got the conn.

Why did your people try
to destroy two unarmed shuttles

carrying twelve passengers?

They are Abicians.
For decades, they've been trying to

sneak onto Hyalinus to escape the
consequences of their own savagery.

They lie and conceal their identities
so that they can benefit from the

peace and prosperity that we've
worked to achieve.

One which they have NOT
earned themselves.

Is it a crime to want to live
peacefully, Sekara?

Are they criminals?
Or are they refugees?

They are INVADERS.

Who att*ck in tiny, unarmed ships.

We are not heartless, captain. They have
given us reason to fear them.

I find that hard to believe.

How can you stand in judgment of me...

of my people... for something
that you know NOTHING about?!

My parents were m*rder*d by Abicians!

I'm sorry.

It's all too easy to criticize
the policies of another...

...until you lose someone
those policies could have saved.

Please tell me, Sekara. I want
to understand. I need to understand.

Their world is in turmoil.

Territories perpetually at w*r.
Technological innovation fueled solely

by the desire to build better,
more lethal weapons.

They have squandered
their natural resources

and polluted their world
in the process.

And your parents?

My parents were part of a diplomatic
envoy sent to help.

To show the Abicians
a better way to live.

Their ship returned
to Hyalinus on auto-pilot...

and all eighteen people
on board were k*lled.

I was ten years old.
[SOBS]

I can't imagine.

Those people who k*lled your
parents are barbarians...

...but that doesn't mean they
ALL are, does it?

You assume that they think like
us, captain. They do not.

They do not respect our laws.
They do not value knowledge or honesty...

...and they do not question their
conscience before turning to v*olence.

Have you ever met an Abician?

No. We've managed to keep them off
our world, thankfully.

You're wrong.
There are many on Hyalinus.

"Many"? That's impossible.

Hundreds of thousands.

They look like the Hyalini...
unless you see color.

Your hair, your skin...

YOU are Abician.
Your parents were Abician.

She is no stranger.
You're still you!

N... no! No!

If you don't trust what you see,
trust what I see!

The woman in that mirror is brilliant!

She's curious, honest, kind...

...beautiful inside and out.
Look. Look at her.

She's you, Sekara! And you are the
opposite of what you believe...

of what you've been told...
Abicians are.

Captain. Hyalinus has the most amazing
plant life, sir. Look!

I've never seen a flower
with anthers like this one before.

- You can't actually SEE the anthers...
- Not now, Sulu.

There's been an incident. They'll fill
you in on the ship. Both of you.

- I apologize, sir.
- It's all right. What have you found?

Well, according to Mr. Sulu's readings,

the Hyalini food chain has
been affected at almost every level.

But there is no permanent mutation.

Exactly. Once we're through here, future
generations should grow healthy and normal.

Good work. Prepare a
decontamination sweep.

- Aye, sir.
- And Sulu...

...You forgot something.

KIRK: If we modify your star, you'll
see your world in a whole new way.

And... based on what we've just witnessed
...I'm not sure you're ready for it.

Must we justify our actions to you?
Are we obliged to meet some

arbitrary moral standard set by
Starfleet in order to receive your help?

No. But k*lling defenseless
people seems to contradict

the moral standard
you've set for yourselves.

Captain, we didn't k*ll them.

Perhaps we... we just wanted to give
them an incentive to turn back.

And what if they hadn't?

Those twelve Abicians
are but a fraction

of the unrelenting hoard
assaulting our world every day.

"Assaulting"?

They're willing to DIE for the chance
to live where they can be safe and free!

Why not help them instead of
sh**ting at them?

Because granting entrance
to some is an invitation for all.

They would overrun our world.

Captain, we have limited resources.
We're struggling to feed our own people.

I appreciate your dilemma, madam. And I'm
not suggesting that you open your borders

to just anyone... especially those
who pose a legitimate thr*at.

But your defense system is excessive.

You are not qualified to make that
judgment, captain.

Abicians are vulgar, selfish, and
violent. They are a scourge...

...and we've gone to great lengths to
keep them off our world.

What if they were already here?

But they're NOT here.

But what if they were?
How would you know?

There was a time... decades ago... when
we suspected the Abicians had come...

...because there was a dramatic
rise in violent crime.

But, once we activated
our defense grid,

the crime rate receded.
That is a FACT, captain. Not opinion.

Which only proves that SOME
Abicians are criminals.

You can't condemn
the many for the crimes of the few!

I don't "condemn." The Abicians
are free to live wherever they please...

...as long as it's on their own world.

But if they come here,
I will do what is necessary

to keep my people safe. Just as YOU would
if it were your crew or your family.

Safety and compassion are not mutually
exclusive. Conscience requires balance.

That's fundamental to the
philosophy of the Federation!

Captain.

What is Starfleet's
"General Order Number One"?

The non-interference directive.
The ethical principle that prohibits

members of Starfleet from interfering with

the natural development of
pre-warp civilizations.

And does it apply even if you know
your interference would be beneficial?

Yes.

Yes. And have there been cases in which
upholding this "ethical principle" resulted

in the death of an entire population...
even though you could have saved them?

Yes, but...

So for you, this abstract
idea is more important

than a planet full
of living, breathing people.

And you stand here before me, lecturing
me about "compassion." About "balance."

You condemn the many for the
crimes of NONE.

Who do you think you are?

KIRK (VO): Captain's log, supplemental.

The stellar probe will be
ready to launch shortly,

and Mr. Spock and Sulu are preparing
their decontamination sweep of Hyalinus.

The Inner Council is overjoyed to
hear of our success.

Yet I find myself unable to
share in that joy.

Captain, are you angry because you
think the Hyalini are wrong?

Or because they might be right about the
thr*at the Abicians pose?

The thr*at THEY pose? Doctor, when
we launch that probe,

the Hyalini will see in full,
revealing color.

What'll happen to the Abicians
once they can be identified?

Do you really believe they're
capable of harming Abicians

who've lived among them for years?

They don't have to be. All they have to do
is round them up and send them back...

...and wash their hands of what
happens next. THAT'S why I'm angry.

Sir, you've been in situations
like this before.

But I wonder if this time
it's not more... personal.

I don't think you're angry.
I think you're afraid.

Afraid for Sekara.

You care for her. Perhaps more deeply
than you want to admit.

With all their piety, they've no problem
turning their backs on

desperate people with
nowhere else to go.

They take help, but they
refuse to give it.

Begs the question of whether they
deserve our aid at all.

So, is it justice for us to
deny THEM aid?

To turn OUR backs on desperate
people with nowhere else to go?

Nowhere else to go...

Thank you, doctor.

Damn. I'm good.

And here we have engineering.
This is where Mr. Scott lives.

I dunnah spend all my time here.
There's also the transporter room.

Sekara asked me to show her around.

Is this the device that will fix
our star?

Aye. It's the only solar probe I've got,
so we're leaving nothing to chance.

How'd ya like to see the warp engines?

No... I can show her, commander.
You've got work to do.

I've always got time for a
lovely lass, lieutenant.

Yes... the engines are this way!

Young lady, that's a very
dangerous tool.

I know. Stay back! I'll fire!

If something were
to happen to that probe,

it would take a great deal
of time to get another.

SEKARA ON COMM: Yes. It will. SCOTT ON
COMM: Your people cannae afford to wait!

Sekara! Why destroy something that
will save your world?

Because of what will happen next!

People will turn on each other,
afraid of what they don't understand.

They won't see friends and neighbors.

They'll see the brutes and thieves
they've heard about.

They'll see Abicians.

We need more time!

Help us find another way
to fix our sun.

One that won't change how we see...
or who we are...

There is no other way.

Destroying the probe will only delay
the inevitable. [SOBS]

And could you really go back to a
world without color?

I feel so powerless!

So terrified of the people I will
return home to.

Their eyes will change,

but their hearts may not.

You're not powerless.

You're the one person with the
power to change the hearts of your leaders.

Galisti and Thaius love you very much.

Sekara... you're living proof that the
Abicians aren't a race of savages.

That they, too, have the same hopes
and dreams of becoming more.

Friends, the Hyalini offer their
heartfelt gratitude.

Today is the beginning of a bright
new future for all of my people. We...

- Some.
- I beg your pardon?

Today is the beginning of a bright
new future for SOME of your people.

For others, it may be the
beginning of the end.

There are Abicians among you.
Many of them.

If we repair your sun, you'll see
for yourself.

You would have us doubt our resolve.

Is the captain trying to hold
our salvation hostage?

Refusing to launch the stellar probe

until you've had the final word?
Is that your plan?

No... but it's a pretty good one.
I think I'll borrow it.

I wonder if you realize the
peace... prosperity...

...the unity of your people is
truly extraordinary.

You've accomplished in a few short
centuries what took our people millenia.

Indeed, council leader. Such is the
fact with many worlds we encounter.

Your people were unified...
transformed by the hope that, one day,

they would be worthy enough to
join the community of the stars.

KIRK:
The Hope of the Hyalini.

How will your people know when
they've achieved worthiness?

What does it mean to be "worthy"?

Well, that's the problem.
There is no ONE answer.

An undefined finish line means
you never have to finish!

Your people will never have to leave the
safety... the comfort... of what they know.

There's an old saying: "A
ship in the harbor is safe.

But that's not what ships are for."

The greatest fear of all is the fear of the
unknown. Will you let that fear define you?

Hide behind weapons and barriers?
Vilify strangers?

The very people that your Hope
calls upon you to strive to embrace?

Do you serve the Hope? Or have you
twisted it to serve YOU?

There comes a moment
in the life of every world

when its people must choose
whom they wish to become.

This is your moment.

NOW will you launch the probe?

We launched the probe
twenty minutes ago.

If it was successful, the effects
should become apparent any moment now.

Our world is about to change forever.

But my love for you will
never, ever, ever change.

Oh, my dearest.

Oh! Oh... it's magnificent!

Long have I wanted to tell you.

But the thought of you forsaking
me was too much to bear.

This has all been a lie!

No! Oh, no. It's not a lie. I'm still me!

My love for you is not a lie! I'm
still the same person! [SOBS]

No! NO!
[SOBS]

This changes nothing!

Even with new vision,
do you still not see?

Captain, commence the
decontamination sweep of Hyalinus!

About that... I'm afraid
we won't have the time.

The Enterprise has been called
away to urgent business on Daran Five.

You would let us all die?

As it turns out, our scans
indicate that the Abicians have the

decontamination technology
that you require.

And why would they help us?

Because you have something they need.
We fixed your sun...

...and they have the ability to sweep the
residual effects of the radiation

from both worlds. But their people
need medicine just like yours do.

I took the liberty of synthesizing
double the amount.

There's enough here to
cure both worlds... Abicius and Hyalinus.

Has it ever occurred to you
that their civilization

could be suffering
the same fate as yours?

Given the Abicians'
proximity to your sun,

they experienced
the radiation's ill effects

generations before Hyalinus.
Illness, food shortage...

It is no wonder their world has
fallen into chaos and w*r.

They are what you would become.

Please!

Don't make us beg help from THEM!

There is no "them" any more, my dear.

Only "us."