Nikolai Rozhenko Nikolai Sergeyevich Rozhenko was a Human scientist in the 24th century . Nikolai was the only biological child of Sergey and Helena Rozhenko . In 2347 , he became the foster brother of a Klingon child , named Worf . The two went on to consider themselves brother s well into their adulthood despite their conflicting personalities . Together the Rozhenko family was raised on the farm world of Gault , before eventually returning to Earth . Nikolai would accompany his father and brother on camping trips into the Ural Mountains . He was afraid of the howling of the wolves . ( ) Known for being somewhat of a loose cannon , Nikolai and his brother had many disagreements as they were growing up , even if they acknowledged and respected each other ' s strengths ; Worf in particular noted that Nikolai was a strong - willed man and a natural leader . Nikolai attended Starfleet Academy but dropped out after one year because the rules were too stringent . ( ) Rozhenko and Worf visited in 2366 . Years later , Doctor Rozhenko was assigned to the cultural observation post on the planet Boraal II and was the only observer present by 2370 . He broke the Prime Directive by becoming much more involved with the Boraalan s than necessary , although he was able to conceal his true origins from them . He conceived a child with a Boraalan female , Dobara , and became very protective of the Boraalans in her village . It was at that time that Boraal II fell victim to a rapid atmospheric dissipation . Major storms hit the planet for several day s , and , before the atmosphere was finally destroyed , led Dobara and the villagers into a cave to seek refuge after transmitting a distress call . Knowing the was in the sector , he created a holodeck program of the caves , planning to beam them off the planet directly into the program . Pleading with Captain Picard to save the small group of Boraalans , he felt it would be irrational to let the culture die when they could help ; not known at the time was the fact that Dobara was pregnant with his child , which served as a further motivation . Picard disagreed and did not permit the Boraalans to be brought aboard . Shortly thereafter , the " Enterprise " - D witnessed the complete destruction of all life on Boraal II . However , Rozhenko used the systems interference from the atmospheric dissipation to transport the Boraalans anyway . Picard was infuriated at Rozhenko ' s gross violation of the Prime Directive , and Worf confronted him for yet again not thinking through the consequences of his action . However , with the action forced on them , Picard decided to find a new home for the Boraalans . He assigned Dr . Beverly Crusher and Lieutenant Commander Data to the task of finding a new planet for the group . They chose the isolated world of Vacca VI . While Rozhenko and Lieutenant Worf guided the Boraalans out of the simulated caves and to a simulated surface , Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge was able to gradually adjust the scenery to more resemble Vacca VI . Once the transformation was complete and the " Enterprise " - D reached Vacca VI , the Boraalans were transported to the surface , where they began to establish a new village . Rozhenko stayed behind with the Boraalans . All but one of the Boraalans were unaware of the move . ( ) Background information . Nikolai Rozhenko was played by actor Paul Sorvino . Although the existence of Worf ' s adoptive brother was first established in " Heart of Glory , " his name was never given until " Homeward . " Prior to this , author Peter David used the name " Simon " for the character in the " " book " Worf ' s First Adventure " . Nikolai ' s full name is in accordance with Russian naming conventions , since Russian tradition usually has a person bearing his / her father ' s first name as a . Sorvino ' s costume from this episode was later sold off on the It ' s A Wrap ! sale and auction on eBay .