"I'll have to talk to the captain again. We're headed towards the planet but somehow I don't think he's gonna do anything." Two days ago we picked up a distress signal. It wasn't from the planet's surface. It was from a ship in high orbit above it. They claimed that a huge asteroid was on its way to the system and it was on a collision course with the planet. Well, our calculations confirmed it to be accurate. In a few months there will be just a huge field of floating debris in place of a beautiful – and inhabited – planet. The crew requested our help. The captain responded and promised to see what we can do. I just know he will only shake his head sadly and order us to resume course. Prime Directive! * * * "Captain, we can't just leave the entire population to die!" "I'm afraid we have to, Ensign. There's nothing we can do about it." "Yes there is! We can destroy that asteroid. Sir', it's still far enough from the system. We can blow it up to pieces and then just vaporize them one by one with our phasers!" "I'm not talking about the technical side of the problem. I'm talking about moral implications of such an action. The Prime Directive…" "With all due respect, sir! The Prime Directive can't possibly apply here. The alien crew told us the planet's inhabitants are their direct ancestors. It's not like they're completely unaware of the universe out here! They know that part of their society lives among the stars now." "That's true. However, it's not all that simple. The Prime Directive doesn't allow us to interfere with the natural development of any culture…" * * * And he went on like that for the next half an hour. I could have just as easily read the whole General Order text or have it read out by the computer. The man doesn't understand anything! * * * "Who are you?" "What do you mean 'from the future'? What future?" "Ahh… hmm… twenty ninth century is a long time ahead of us. Why would anyone from there… I mean then, be interested in what we're doing today?" "So, you have traveled all this time back to convince me that we should just sit here and do nothing while the entire population is being wiped out of existence?" "Okay, but we're here and now. How can we be sure what's going to become of them in the next couple of decades, save half a millennium?" "I see… well, destroying the Borg isn't necessarily such a bad thing. Are you sure they'd attack us afterwards? The whole galaxy?" * * * "What new orders? Why?! Captain! We can't be saving them! You've said it yourself! The Prime Directive…" "I'd be happy to discuss my orders with you, Ensign, but right now is not a good time. Fire torpedoes, full spread!" "Captain, don't!!!" * * * "Well? What is it, Ensign? You seem to have changed your mind quite radically. Now, before I throw you to the brig for insubordination, I'd like to hear your reasons. Indulge me." "Sir, I had this conversation with a man from the future…" "From the future, you say? Interesting. When did it happen?" "Just an hour ago, Captain. He appeared in my quarters and started explaining why we should let them be. I mean, let them die." "Yes?" "Well, he said that a few hundred years from now, they will develop technology that will allow them to beat the Borg. He said they will become so driven by that victory they will not stop until they take the whole galaxy. Federation will cease to exist." "That is indeed very interesting. Now, perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me what this man looked like? Was he human? Was he wearing a uniform that might be considered, even remotely, as something Starfleet would be using in… what was that, five hundred years?" "I don't know, sir." "Think about it. During your tactical training you've seen images from the future. The real members of Starfleet time ship. Was he anything like them?" "Well, he wasn't human. In fact, I don't think I'd ever seen his race before. And his clothes didn't look like any kind of uniform at all. Then again, in five hundred years…" "Yes, Ensign. A lot can happen in five hundred years. Undoubtedly. But, not what he told you. Look at this display, please. Does it look familiar?" "Why, yes, sir! That's exactly…" "Is this the man you've been talking to?" "I'm not sure, Captain. But he's certainly the same species. Even his clothes are similar." "Very well. You see, Ensign, this is an example image we got from our friends on that ship. It's a picture of one of their enemies. They are adamant to destroy the whole system. In fact, we've been able to determine that they had altered this asteroid's course so that it would hit the planet. Originally, it would have passed by in sufficient distance, at best causing some light tremors on the surface. So, as you can see, we have learned it wasn't a natural disaster after all. And, since the aliens actually asked us for help, the Prime Directive really doesn't apply." "Are you saying, sir.." "What I'm saying is that you have been manipulated. Not only you, by the way. The holograms of a person allegedly from the twenty ninth century have been played throughout the ship." "Holograms!" "Yes. However, only you reacted so… passionately. Other officers contented themselves by delivering reports to their superiors. Report to the brig now, Ensign. Three weeks for insubordination and failure to report properly."
