03x08 - For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky

[bunniefuu]

- Do we have maximum magnification, lieutenant?
- Yes, sir.

- m*ssile spread, Mr. Spock?
- Very archaic type, captain. Sublight speed.

Aye, and chemically fuelled to boot,
sir.

- Anything on communication, lieutenant Uhura?
- No, sir, all bands clear.

- Course of the m*ssile, Mr. Spock?
- It would appear that the Enterprise is the target, captain.

Prepare Phaser Banks 1 and 2,
Mr. Sulu.

Aye, sir.

Mr. Chekov, get a fix
on the m*ssile's point of origin.

Aye, captain.

Phasers 1 and 2
locked in and ready, sir.

Fire phasers.

Mr. Chekov, alter course
to the m*ssile's point of origin.

- Aye, sir.
- Warp Factor 3, Mr. Sulu.

Warp Factor 3, sir.

I am a nurse first, Dr. McCoy, and a
member of the crew of the Enterprise, second.

You're excused.
You may return to your quarters.

No, I'm sorry, doctor. I've called
the captain and I'll wait until he comes.

- What's the emergency?
- I said you were excused, nurse.

Please, Christine. I promise you
I'll give the captain a full report.

That was quite a scene.

I've just completed the standard physical
examinations for the entire crew.

- Excellent. What's the emergency?
- The crew is fit.

I found nothing unusual,
with one exception.

- Serious?
- Terminal.

- What is it?
- Xenopolycythemia. It has no cure.

- Who?
- He has one year to live at the most.

- Who is it?
- The ship's chief medical officer.

- You?
- I'll be most effective on the job in the time left..

..if you'll keep this to yourself.

Space, the final frontier.

These are the voyages
of the starship Enterprise.

Its five-year mission:
To explore strange new worlds,

to seek out new life
and new civilisations,

to boldly go where no man
has gone before.

Captain's log, stardate 5476.3.

I have just had the sad duty
of informing Starfleet

about Dr. McCoy's condition

and have requested
an immediate replacement.

- Mr. Spock.
- Yes, captain?

Confirm Chekov's coordinates
for the m*ssile's point of origin.

Correct, captain. We are approaching
those coordinates.

And that object on the screen?

An asteroid, 200 miles in diameter.

Could the enemy vessel
be hiding behind the asteroid?

Negative, captain. We've had
that area on scanners constantly.

Then the asteroid
is the m*ssile's point of origin?

Correct, captain.

Full sensor probe, Mr. Spock.

Typical asteroid chemically,
but it is not orbiting.

It is pursuing an independent
course through this solar system.

How could that be?

Unless it's powered. A spaceship?

It is under power, captain. And
correcting for all gravitational stresses.

- Source of power?
- Atomic, very archaic.

Leaving a trail of debris
and hard radiation.

Mr. Chekov, plot the course

- of the asteroid vessel.
- Aye, sir.

Asteroid has an outer shell,
which is hollow.

It surrounds
an independent inner core,

which has a breathable atmosphere.

Sensors read no life forms.

Then it must be
on a*t*matic controls.

Then the passengers, or builders,
are dead.

Course of asteroid,
I mean, spaceship, 241, mark 17.

- Interesting.
- Yes.

The course Ensign Chekov
just gave for the asteroid

would put it on a collision course
with Daran V.

- Daran V? Inhabited.
- Correct.

Population approximately 3 billion,
724 million, if memory serves me correctly.

Estimated time of impact, 396 days.

Mr. Sulu, Match Enterprise
speed with that of the asteroid vessel.

Mr. Spock and I
are transporting aboard.

- Mr. Scott, you have the Conn.
- Aye, sir.

A lot can happen in a year.
Please give yourself every minute.

Dr. McCoy,
Mr. Spock and I will handle this.

Without me, Jim?
You'd never find your way back.

Well...

- I think it would be wiser if...
- I'd like to go. I'm fine, captain.

All right, doctor.
If that's what you want.

You'd swear
you were on the surface of a planet.

One fails to see the logic
in making a ship look like a planet.

Wouldn't know this was a spaceship.
Kirk to Enterprise.

Enterprise, Scott here.

Transported without incident.
Kirk out.

No apparent opening.

You've found no intelligent life forms,
Mr. Spock, but surely...

The asteroid ship
is over 10,000 years old, doctor.

Still no sign of life forms, captain.

These are weapons?

Of a sort.
Weapons, communication devices.

Let me go to my friend.

- You all right?
- I think so.

I am Natira,
the high priestess of the people.

Welcome to the world of Yonada.

I can't say I think much
of your welcome.

Take them.

You will kneel.

She called this "the world."

These people don't know
they're on a spaceship.

They've been in flight 10,000 years.
Maybe they don't realise it.

Oh, Oracle of the people,
most perfect and wise.

Strangers have come to our world.

They bear instruments
we do not understand.

Who are you?

I am Captain Kirk
of the starship Enterprise.

This is my medical officer, Dr. McCoy.
My first officer, Mr. Spock.

For what reason
do you visit this world?

We've come in friendship.

Then learn what it means
to be our enemy

before you learn what it means
to be our friend.

Spock.

Dr. McCoy.

Bones.

Bones?

The doctor must have received
an excessively large electrical shock.

No, that's not it.

Nothing else could have caused this,
captain.

At least,
nothing that has happened here.

You're right, Spock.

The shock was serious because
of McCoy's weakened condition.

May I ask precisely
what is troubling the doctor?

I don't think he would have told you
himself,

but I think you should know now.

It's xenopolycythemia.

Yes. I know of it, captain.

Then you know
that nothing can be done.

Bones, how is it?

I'm all right.

- Are you all right, Mr. Spock?
- Very well, doctor.

The captain and I
seem to have suffered no ill effects.

That Oracle really got to me.

I must be especially
susceptible to its magic spells.

Spock knows.

Well, we better
get to the control room.

- Are you in any condition to get up?
- Don't worry, I can make it, Jim.

Captain, informing these people
they're on a ship

may be in violation of the
Prime Directive of Starfleet Command.

No, the people of Yonada
may be changed by the knowledge,

but it's better
than exterminating them.

- Logical, captain.
- And the 3 billion on Daran V.

Also logical, captain.

Gentlemen,
I believe we have a visitor.

For strength.

Many of us have felt
the power of our Oracle.

This has been of benefit.

Tastes like an ancient herb
derivative.

- You are not of Yonada.
- No, we're from outside your world.

Where is outside?

Up there.

Outside, up there, everywhere.

So they say, also.

Many years ago,

I climbed the mountains,
even though it is forbidden.

Why is it forbidden?

I am not sure.

But things are not as they teach us.

For the world is hollow,

and I have touched the sky.

What is it, Bones?

There's something under the skin.

He's dead.

"For the world is hollow
and I have touched the sky."

He said it was forbidden
to climb the mountains.

Yes, of course it is.

Because if you did,
you'd touch the sky

and find out that you were living
on a big ball.

Not a planet, but a spaceship. And
that knowledge seems to be forbidden.

What happened?

We don't know. He just suddenly
screamed in pain and d*ed.

Fetch the guard.

Forgive him, for he was an old man.

And old men are sometimes foolish.

But it is written that those
of the people who sin or speak evil

shall be punished.

He served well for many years.

Take him away gently.

You do not seem well.
It is distressing to me.

Oh, no, I'm quite all right, thank you.

It is the will of the Oracle that you now
be treated as honoured guests.

- You seem to be the special favourite.
- Indeed, doctor.

The young lady did show a marked
preference for your company.

Well, now, nobody can blame her
for that, can they?

Personally, I find the lady's taste
questionable.

But she obviously prefers you
and you obviously don't seem to mind.

If you could arrange
to be alone with the young lady,

Spock and I would be left alone
to find the power controls of this world.

It is time to refresh yourselves.

Thank you, Mr. Spock.

To our good friends of Yonada.

- We are very interested in your world.
- That pleases us.

Good, then you wouldn't mind
if we looked around?

Not at all.
The people know of you now.

Are you well enough to go about?

Perhaps not.

Then why not remain here?
Rest, we will talk.

You are very kind.

You are free to go about
and meet our people.

Thank you.

And thank you
for taking care of Dr. McCoy.

Not at all. We shall make him well.

Mr. Spock.

No, thank you.

Leave us.

I'm curious. How did the Oracle
punish the old man?

I cannot tell you now.

There is some way the Oracle
knows what you say, isn't there?

What we say, what we think.

The Oracle knows the minds
and the hearts of all the people.

I did not know
you would be hurt so badly.

It's all right.

I suppose we had to learn
the power of the Oracle.

McCoy, there is something I must say.
Since the moment l...

It is not in the manner of the people
to hide their feelings.

Honesty is usually wise.

Is there a woman for you?

No, there isn't.

Does McCoy find me attractive?

Oh, yes. Yes, I do.

I hope you men of space,
of other worlds,

hold truth as dear as we do.

We do.

I wish you to stay here, on Yonada,
as my mate.

But we're strangers to each other.

But is not that the nature
of men and women?

That the pleasure
is in the learning of each other?

Yes.

Let the thought rest in your heart,
McCoy.

Incredible as it may seem,

these people have no idea
they're living on a spaceship.

I wonder how many generations
have lived out their lives,

and been buried here,

without ever knowing
that their world is hollow?

The people, in the fullness of time,

will reach a new world.

Rich, green, lovely to the eyes,

and of a goodness that will fill the
hearts of the people with tears of joy.

You can share that world with me,

rule it by my side.

How long will it take you
to reach this new world?

Soon.
The Oracle will only say "soon."

If you only knew how I needed
some kind of future, Natira.

You have lived a lonely life?

Yes, very lonely.

No more, McCoy.

There will be no more loneliness
for you.

- There's something I need to tell you.
- There is nothing you need to say.

- But there is.
- Then tell me.

If the telling is such a need.

I have an illness
for which there is no cure.

I have one year to live.

Until I saw you,
there was nothing in my heart.

It sustained my life,
but nothing more.

Now it sings.

I could be happy
to have that feeling for a day

a week, a month,

a year.

Whatever the creators
hold in store for us.

Captain, the Oracle room.

The problem: To get in.

I believe that I can...

The writing is definitely Fabrini,
captain. I recognise it.

Fabrini. Didn't the Fabrini sun go nova
and destroy its planets?

Yes. Toward the end,
the Fabrini people lived underground

as these people do
to protect themselves.

Some of them must have been
put aboard this ship.

And sent to another planet.

And these are their descendants.

Now.

The Oracle doesn't
seem to know we're here.

- I wonder what alerted it the first time.
- Captain.

If I remember correctly,
the Oracle's reprehensible conduct

was initiated when Natira knelt
on that platform.

I think you're right.
Continue investigating.

The clue to the location
of the control room

must be around here somewhere.

Nothing here which would indicate
this is anything but a planet.

There's no question,

but that the creators
would have been considered gods.

This plaque is a representation
of a star and its solar system.

Eight planets, captain.

That is the number
in the Fabrina solar system.

There's no doubt these people
are descendants of the Fabrini.

None. And no doubt
that they've been in flight

on this asteroid ship
for 10,000 years.

Speak.

- It is I, Natira.
- Yes, Natira.

It is written that only the high priestess
of the people may select her mate.

It is so written.

The strangers among us,
the three visitors,

there is one called McCoy.

I wish him to remain here,

as my mate.

Does he agree to this?

I have asked him.
He has not yet given me his answer.

He must become one of the people,
worship the creators,

and agree to the insertion
of the Instrument of Obedience.

He will be told what must be done.

If he agrees to all things,
it is permitted.

Teach him our laws carefully
so he commits no sacrilege,

no offence against the people
or the creators.

It will be done, oh, most wise.

Who are the intruders?

Two of the strangers,
Kirk and Spock.

- McCoy is not with them?
- No.

Kirk and Spock
have committed sacrilege.

- You know what must be done.
- I know.

When the Oracle releases them,
take them.

Fools. You think we are children?

You think you can do as you please,

commit whatever offence
amuses you?

What are you going to do
to my friends?

They entered the Oracle room.

- And the punishment is death?
- Yes.

I can make no other decision. We gave
them our trust, they betrayed us.

- They acted out of ignorance, Natira.
- They said they came in friendship.

- Please, let them return to the ship.
- I cannot.

For me?

I've made my decision.

I'm staying here, on Yonada.

Natira.

What they did,
they did because they felt they had to.

Please, let them return to the ship.
You won't regret it.

How do you think I'd feel

if I stayed here with a chance
to be happy for the first time in my life,

but knowing my friends had d*ed?

Yes.

So be it. This I will do for McCoy.

For our happiness and future.

- You're returning with us?
- No, I'm not.

Bones, this isn't a planet,
it's a spaceship,

on a collision course with Daran V.

I'm on a kind of a collision course
myself, Jim.

Dr. McCoy,
I order you to return with us.

And I refuse.

Bones, if we can't correct the course
of this ship,

we'll have to blast it out of space.

I intend to stay on this ship
with these people, whatever happens.

Your decision is most illogical,
doctor.

Is it, Mr. Spock? Is it really?

Natira's asked me to stay
and I'm staying.

- As her husband?
- Yes.

Is that too much to ask, Jim?

- Kirk to Enterprise.
- Scott here, captain.

We're beaming over.
Lock in on our signal.

Aye, captain.

And transport Mr. Spock
and myself immediately.

But, captain,
what about Dr. McCoy?

He's staying, Scotty. Kirk out.

To become one of the people
of Yonada,

the Instrument of Obedience
must be made part of your flesh.

Do you now give your consent?

- I do.
- Proceed.

Say now
because once done, it is done.

Let it be done.

You are now one with my people.

May I give you the love you want,

and make the time you have
beautiful.

We are now of one mind.

One heart.

One life.

It is done, oh, most wise.

Our living link with the creators.

Teach him, then, what he must know
as one of the people.

This is the Book of the People,

to be opened and read when we reach
the new world of the promise.

It was given by the creators.

Do the people know the contents
of their book?

Only that it tells of our world here

and why soon one day
we must leave it for the new world.

Has the reason that the people must
leave here been revealed to you?

No, it has not.

- Don't you long to know its secrets?
- No.

It is enough for me

to know that we shall understand
all when we reach our home.

Captain's log, stardate 5476.4.

We are on a parallel course
with Yonada.

It is still on a collision course
with Daran V.

Our failure to correct its course,

and the critical nature
of Dr. McCoy's illness,

made the extraordinary event of contact with Starfleet Command
imperative.

Captain Kirk,
I sympathise with your wish to stay.

But I hope you recognise
the necessity

that you continue your mission
at once.

- That is the problem, sir.
- Perhaps I haven't made myself clear.

Let me restate it.

You have been relieved
of all responsibility

for the asteroid ship Yonada.

Starfleet Command
will take care of the situation.

I believe it is time to move on.

Yes, those are the orders.

Captain Kirk.
Bridge to Captain Kirk.

Kirk here.

An urgent call from Dr. McCoy, sir.

- Put him on.
- Jim?

Yes, Bones.

We may be able to get these people
back on course.

You've located the controls?

No, but I've seen the book

that contains all the knowledge
of the creators.

And if you...

If you can get to it...

Spock...

- Dig out the information.
- Where is it?

Bones, are you all right?
Bones, answer me!

Bones, what is it?

Bones, what is it?

McCoy, what's happening?

What's happening, McCoy?

You are K*llers of your friend.

- I will have you put to death.
- Help him.

Until you are dead,
he will think of you and disobey.

- I will see you die!
- Spock, take care of McCoy.

He is not part of our people.

You've released him
from his vow of obedience.

We have freed him
from the cruelty of your Oracle.

Bones.

Bones.

You said something about a book.
Where is it?

They must not know.

The Oracle room.

You will never see the book.
It is sacrilege.

Guards! Guards! Guards!

Now listen to me.
You must listen to what I have to say.

Give me one moment
to speak to you.

One moment. Natira.

If you don't believe what I'm about
to tell you, you can call the guards.

We'll accept
any punishment you decree.

What do you wish to say?

You must believe that
what I'm about to tell you is the truth.

Your truth. Of your world.

Yes, my world
and your world of Yonada.

You do not obey the law
of the creators.

How can you understand my world?

I understand.

I understand, Natira.

Ten thousand years ago,
a sun was dying, and with it, its world.

It's the world you see on the plaque
in the room of the Oracle.

That is the world
of which Yonada is a part.

No.

It is the world of your ancestors,
your creators.

It no longer exists.

You are mad.

No, I'm not. Listen to me!
Hear me out.

When your ancestors
discovered that their world was dying,

they built a great ship
and chose their best people.

They wished for their race to survive.
They sent the ship out into space.

You wish me to believe
that Yonada is a ship?

Yes.

But we have a sun. It did not die.
And at night I see the stars.

No.

You are living inside a hollow ball.

Your ancestors created it
to take you on a journey.

To a promised new planet.

Why should the truth wait
for you to come to Yonada?

Because a flaw developed in
the controls, and unless we correct it,

Yonada will k*ll millions of people
and destroy a world it doesn't even know.

Why should the truth
be kept from us?

Why should the creators
keep us in darkness?

No. No.

You do not speak the truth.

I believe only the Oracle. I believe...

Let us remove
the Instrument of Obedience,

the way we did for McCoy.

Natira.

Do you think she understood me?

She evidently understood something.
There are no guards to detain us.

You have listened to the words
of the non-believers.

Yes, I have listened.

That was the first transgression.
You felt the pain of warning?

- Yes, I did.
- Why did you listen further?

- They said they spoke the truth.
- Their truth.

- Is truth not truth for all?
- The truth of Yonada is your truth.

There can be no other for you.
Repent your disobedience.

I must know the truth of the world.

Your friends
have told me of your world.

They spoke the truth.

I believe you.

I believe.
The creators kept us in darkness.

There's nothing I can do.

I believe with you, husband.

- Is she all right?
- She will be. I'll stay here with her.

The book is in the monolith.

It is sacrilege to the temple.

We do this for the survival
of the people of Yonada.

You are not believers.
You are forbidden to gaze at the book.

We mean no desecration
to the faith of Yonada.

We must consult the book
to help you.

It is blasphemy. You are forbidden.
The punishment is death.

Temperature 111 degrees
and rising.

- McCoy, how do you open this thing?
- Temperature 115 degrees.

Press the three lower planets
on the left-hand side simultaneously.

120 degrees.

Here. The plan must be in there.

- Is it indexed?
- Yes, it is.

Hurry, Spock.

It refers to the altar.

Apply pressure to the centre
until it opens.

- Get her out of the heat.
- I've neutralised the heating elements.

We'll be all right here, now, Jim.

The Oracle can no longer punish us.

- Your friends have prevented it?
- Yes.

And will they send this ship,

again to the land
the creators intended?

Yes.

That is good.

Active and functional.
Not too different from the Enterprise.

There seems to be a weakness
in one of the eight tubes.

- Enough to turn it off course?
- Yes.

Let me check that engine.

A very simple problem,
easy to correct.

Then come.

- No.
- Don't be afraid.

I do not fear
the punishment of disobedience.

- Well, then come, we must hurry to join...
- No, I cannot go with you.

It is not fear.

I understand the great purpose
of the creators.

I shall honour it.

You intend to stay here, on Yonada?

I shall stay willingly,
and because that is what I must do.

Then I won't leave you.

Will McCoy stay here to die?

No, McCoy will not let go of life
in the fullness of years.

Now, more than ever,
I wish to search through the universe.

To find a cure for myself
and all others like me.

And I want you to be with me.

This is my universe.

You came here with a great mission.

To save my people.

Shall I abandon them?

Perhaps one day, if it is permitted,

you will find Yonada again.

I believe we can attempt
the course correction, captain.

Good.

Going back to marked headings.

Guidance controls taking over.

I believe we can allow the ship
to go back to its a*t*matic control.

Steadying on course marked in red.

Captain.

Intelligence files.

Their banks contain
the total knowledge of the Fabrini,

ready for the people to consult
when they arrive at their destination.

And they seem to have amassed
a great deal of medical knowledge.

Excellent, doctor. The white corpuscle
count is back to normal.

Your haemoglobin count
is back to normal, doctor,

which indicates that the flow of oxygen
to each cell of your body

is back up
to its abundantly energetic level.

Thank you, Mr. Spock, for bringing
back the knowledge of the Fabrini.

Dr. McCoy, the Fabrini descendants
are scheduled to debark

on their promised planet
in approximately 390 days.

I think that we could manage
to be in that vicinity at that time.

If you wanted to thank the Fabrini
personally.