Believers (TOS episode)

Believers is the 17th episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds SNW Season 1.
==Plot==
An alien couple comes to Dr. Steven Carlson with their terminally ill son. The child could be cured by a simple operation, but the parents' religion specifically forbids it.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER 
The Enterprise is towing a damaged cargo vessel. 
CAPT. BRANSON'S (voice over): Captain's Log Stardate 6589.2, The Enterprise is heading towards Starbase Six after receiving a distress call from a damaged vessel with two passengers and their son who is badly ill
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
a young alien boy (Onteen race) named Shon is being monitored by Dr. Carlson and Nurse Chapel while his parents, M'Ola and Tharg, watch over him. 
DR. CARLSON: Blood pressure? 
Nurse Chapel scans him. 
NURSE CHAPEL: 140/80 Doctor. 
DR. CARLSON: Give him 5ccs of inapprovline. 
Nurse Chapel injects Shon with the meds. 
NURSE CHAPEL: He's responding well but he has a congestive blockage in his upper air passages. 
DR. CARLSON: It should be treatable don't worry you're going to be just fine and grow up to be big and strong, and one day join Starfleet. 
M'OLA: Please don't speak that way. No one knows what is written until the waters surround him. 
Doctor Carlson looks at Nurse Chapel then at the parents. 
DR. CARLSON: I'm never wrong about these things keep the treatment going and we'll figure out what we can do. 
NURSE CHAPEL (nods): Yes, Doctor. 
Doctor Carlson goes to his office. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY, DOCTOR CARLSON'S OFFICE
Doctor Carlson enters his office and sits behind his desk as M'ola and Tharg enter. 
M'OLA: Dr. Carlson. My husband would like to speak with you candidly. May he do so? 
DR. CARLSON: Sure. 
THARG: The doctors on our world say there's no treatment for his watery breathing. They say that the boy is weak and he will die. He's our only son, Dr. Carlson. He is the last chance for our family's honor to fly on the winds of history. 
DR. CARLSON: You must love him very much. 
THARG (half-smiles): On my world, it would be a sign of weakness......for me to acknowledge feelings to a stranger. But he has brought such joy and happiness into our lives. 
M'OLA: Can you save him? 
DR. CARLSON: Shon's condition is very serious, but it is treatable. His upper air passages have a congestive blockage. It's common in species with internal air bladders. 
The parents gets worried. 
DR. CARLSON: We've seen this before. Usually it happens as a result of an infection or a reaction to an injury. It's a normal response. Usually it clears up by itself, but...Sometimes the mass hardens, or grows. It's not a weakness it could happen to anyone a simple operation can correct the condition. 
M'OLA: Operation? 
THARG: You mean surgery? 
DR. CARLSON: Its a simple operation he won't feel a thing and there won't be a scar. 
THARG: Get Shon. We will find no help here thank you. Sorry to have taken your time. 
Steven is a bit confused as he walks over to the parents. 
DR. CARLSON: Wait, wait. Look, it's a simple procedure. He'll be stronger than ever. 
THARG: You don't understand Food animals are cut open. They don't have a soul, so it's all right. But the chosen of God may not be punctured. 
DR. CARLSON: There won't be any scars and the blockage won't heal by itself. If Shon doesn't have this surgery, he'll die, very painfully. 
THARG: No one wants that. That's immaterial. You must not cut into the child. Now I know what is written. 
Doctor Carlson is worried. 
(END OF TEASER, FADE OUT)
=====
Theme Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZqTpbTsY70
======
CAPTAIN'S OATH:
CAPT. BRANSON'S (voice over): 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 civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before
======
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
BASED ON STAR TREK CREATED BY: GENE RODDENBERRY
=======
A shot of the secondary hull of the Enterprise
JARVIS DAVIDSON 
 AS
CAPT. JOHN BRANSON
The Enterprise flies by an asteroid
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
LTCMDR. ZHASA IVANOVA
The Enterprise flies by Mars 
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LT. JACK MASON
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LTCMDR. STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
USS Enterprise is flying next to a comet
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LT. KARA CARLSON
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DR. STEVEN CARLSON
The Enterprise flies under a Pioneer-Class vessel
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
LTJG. SMITH
The Enterprise flies by a planet as the sunsets 
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LTJG. T'LAR
The Enterprise flies by Earth and her warp nacelles power up and she leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
(EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES)
The Enterprise is docked at Starbase Six as the damaged Onteen vessel is being worked on by worker bees.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
At one of the medical console screens Doctor Carlson shows the parents how the operation will work.
DR. CARLSON: So you see, removing the blockage is easy. The fluid-transfer system will regain integrity immediately. After that, it's a simple matter to reinflate the internal air sac. He'll need to rest, but he's young and strong. His recovery should be easy. It's a very simple procedure.
Both Doctor Carlson and Nurse Chapel look at the parents.
M'OLA: We understand all too well that is why we won't allow it.
THARG: Our veterinarians perform this surgery on distressed food animals.
DR. CARLSON (frustrated): So you'll let him die? What kind of god do you worship?
THARG (frustrated): We can't discuss this any longer this is useless!
They start to leave but Doctor Carlson stops them.
DR. CARLSON: Wait, wait, wait. I think there might be another way. It will take longer, be far more uncomfortable.
M'OLA: The discomfort isn't the issue!
NURSE CHAPEL: Then what is?
THARG: We're the Children of Time. We can't break our pact......like you can't cease to descend from egg-sucking mammals!
M'ola comes between Steven and her husband.
M'OLA: Doctor Carlson my husband intended no disrespect.
DR. CARLSON: Of course. I think we can try something here that......might give Shon's natural defenses a chance to break up the blockage. If we use a combination of emollients and micro-beams......to provide a physical access for his internal fluids......we might help the body
clear itself.
The parents are amazed.
DR. CARLSON: I'm not promising that this procedure will work as well. 
NURSE CHAPEL: It may not work at all. But you won't find a doctor with a better idea. And you will lose valuable time if you go looking.
M'OLA: Can we discuss this alone please?
DR. CARLSON (nods): Sure.
They go to chat about this alone as he turns to Christine.
DR. CARLSON: What are you doing?
NURSE CHAPEL: I'd ask you the same thing Doc.
DR. CARLSON: Never insult a patient's beliefs. Work with them. Give them a reason to be on your side.
Christine crosses her arms.
NURSE CHAPEL: By lying to them?
DR. CARLSON: I wasn't lying.
NURSE CHAPEL: Mineral oil and micro-beams won't dislodge that mass. It's rooted! That kid is going under the knife or into the freezer!
DR. CARLSON: Sometimes you heal the family before the patient. This isn't some silly superstition to them. They're not gonna just let it go. If we insist, they'll put him
on the first cruiser out of here. He won't survive the first jump. I am trying to find a way to save him!
NURSE CHAPEL: They're terrified! They're not ready to cut to the chase.
DR. CARLSON: So we do a little of this and that.
NURSE CHAPEL: Torturing the patient with remedies that don't work.
DR. CARLSON: Until they let us do what we should have done in the first place. I don't like it either, but we don't get a vote.
They walk back to the pair.
M'OLA: Our son won't survive the trip will he?
DR. CARLSON: No he won't this is the best think we can offer.
Tharg nods.
M'OLA: Save our son please.
Both Carlson and Chapel gets to work.
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
An establishing shot of the USS Excalibur in dry-dock.
INT-USS EXCALIBUR MAIN BRIDGE
Engineers are working at the consoles of the Excalibur as Captain Branson and Captain Mason are walking through the command center.
CAPT. MASON: We've tied these stations directly in the primary EPS junction.
CAPT. BRANSON: I hope you don't mind if I steal some of these improvements.
CAPT. MASON: I won't say anything if you do me a small favor. My senior officer candidates. I'd like to get your opinion. You've served with a few of them. 
(He hands over a data chip. Branson refers to the Captain's chair.) 
CAPT. BRANSON: You might want to talk to someone about installing a lumbar support. You're going to spend a lot of hours in that chair.
CAPT. MASON: I'll speak with an engineer about it.
John walks over to the tactical console.
CAPT. MASON: We've improved the deflectors by twelve percent. We'll be able to hang in a firefight a little longer. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Ventral and dorsal torpedo launchers, pulsed phaser cannons. 
CAPT. MASON: Upgrades you recommended. What is it?
John turns to him.
CAPT. BRANSON: I had an argument once with Captain Jefferies. He was one of the designers of the Constitution-Class. 
CAPT. MASON: I'm aware of that.
CAPT. BRANSON: I told him I didn't want to be in command of a warship trying to make first contact with new species. Jefferies was right. We needed those weapons, and a hell of a lot more. 
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
Shon is laying in the bio-beds.
DR. CARLSON: Is there anything that I can get you the ship has educational and
entertainment channels you can...
M'OLA: No. We have seen some of that material. Those channels demonstrate false belief systems. We don't want him to see inappropriate information. He can study the Scrolls
if he gets bored.
DR. CARLSON: Scrolls I've heard of your species had scrolls that can calm the mind.
THRAG (nods): In particular, the Parable of the 7th Declination in the Scroll of Herrel......where Herrel makes his final vow of commitment to family honor. I've always found that to be a most inspiring lesson.
Doctor Carlson thinks.
DR. CARLSON: I've got something for you here look.
He has a strange looking thing.
SHON (amazed): What is it?
DR. CARLSON: Well, this......is a gloppit egg. Now, the gloppit is a very rare creature from the planet... .
NURSE CHAPEL: Planet Placebo.
DR. CARLSON: The egg has to be held just like this. And petted just like this. And talked to softly. Just like this. Since I'll be too busy treating you to care for it......you're gonna have
to do that for me. Okay?
Shon looks at his parents.
SHON: It is all right, isn't it? Please? Monnya? Dottya?
M'OLA: Its not dangerous is it?
DR. CARLSON: It is completely harmless my wife scanned it backwards and forwards with her science skills if she says its safe then its safe.
M'OLA: Sure sweetie.
THRAG: But not of sacred things. Those are for us.
SHON (smiles): Yes, Dottya. Thank you.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MESS HALL
Both Christine and Steven are on break in the mess hall.
CHRISTINE: A Gloppit eggs?
STEVEN: He needs a friend.
CHRISTINE: So you gave him a glowing piece of industrial goo.
STEVEN: I gave him something to believe in.
CHRISTINE: What's wrong Steven?
STEVEN: You don't disapprove of superstition, if it's yours.
CHRISTINE: What does that mean?
STEVEN: They worship the Great Egg.
CHRISTINE: Come on Steven Your god is medicine, and you can do no wrong. What's the difference?
STEVEN (sighs): I produce measurable results. What's your point?
CHRISTINE: Did you see their eyes? They're terrified. You didn't solve anything, you postponed it.
STEVEN: I gave them a chance to think, to reconsider.
CHRISTINE: You're so sure they'll change their minds?
STEVEN: Alright, look If you can find a better way, go ahead. Prove me wrong. You won't find anything. I'll bet a steak dinner on that.
CHRISTINE: You're on.
They shake on it.
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Same shot of the base and the Enterprise and Excalibur.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
The senior staff are around the table near John's desk.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: As you can see here the bulk of the Klingon forces have ramped up their patrol routes along their side of the border.
CAPT. BRANSON: Commodore Austin has decided to dispatch the USS Hercules and USS Athena to this side of the border.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: According to Commander Archer the Excalibur is a few weeks away from being ready to relaunch.
Doctor Carlson is distracted as Captain Branson looks over at him.
CAPT. BRANSON: Doctor?
Steven's mind is still occupied.
CAPT. BRANSON: Steven.
Doctor Carlson snaps out of it.
DR. CARLSON: I'm sorry sir medical will be ready as soon as my patient is well.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: How is Shon?
DR. CARLSON (sighs): Boy's gonna die. Parents won't let me operate. What do I do?
ENS. CARLSON: You'll find something Steven.
CAPT. BRANSON: I wish there was a way that we could help but the Prime Directive is in effect here.
DR. CARLSON: You could order me to save the boy that won't break the Prime Directive, Kirk ordered McCoy to save the Romulan Ambassador during the conference at Babel.
CAPT. BRANSON: Resolve this another way.
DR. CARLSON: You don't care if he dies?
CAPT. BRANSON: That's not the issue. If it were, we wouldn't be talking. But it's not the only issue.
Doctor Carlson gets up.
DR. CARLSON: But this isn't going to go away. Neither will I.
He leaves the room as everyone is surprised by how determined he is not to let the boy die in his sickbay.
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Same shot.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
Shon's condition continues to deteriorate.
NURSE CHAPEL: The non-invasive procedure isn't working Doctor.
DR. CARLSON: Give me 10ccs of a mild sedative to ease his pain.
NURSE CHAPEL (nods): Got it.
Chapel injects the boy with the pain meds.
SHON (breathes heavily): I'm afraid. Maybe this gloppit egg will have to hatch without me.
DR. CARLSON: No, no, no. See? It's still glowing. That means you're doing a good job. You just keep holding it, just like that. Okay?
He takes the parents out of earshot.
THRAG: Your treatment isn't working. He's getting weaker. We might have got him to Thailateen.
DR. CARLSON: He never would have survived. He was too weak.
THRAG: Because we trusted you, our son will die.
DR. CARLSON: No. He will die because you won't trust me. You wanted me to save him. Well, let me save him, please. He needs that surgery, or he will choke to death on his own fluids.
THRAG: There are more important things. Without his spirit, he wouldn't be alive.
Doctor Carlson paces about getting a bit frustrated.
DR. CARLSON: He is your son, damn it. Do yourself a favor. No, do him a favor. Stop deluding yourselves. All right, no more superstition. We have the safety of the patient precedent. You force me to ask for suspension of your parental authority.
M'ola and Thrag look at each other as M'ola looks at him.
M'OLA: What do you mean?
DR. CARLSON: I'll do what I have to in order to save your son. I will perform that surgery without your permission.
THRAG (frustrated): NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT YOU MUSTN'T DO THAT!
DR. CARLSON: I'm sorry but I have to think what's best for Shon.
THRAG: So do we.
They leave sickbay.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Both Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova are listening to M'ola and Thrag's issue with Doctor Carlson.
CAPT. BRANSON: I wish you had an ambassador. It would simplify my problem. I would ask for guidance.
M'OLA: She would tell you the same thing. Please don't let Dr. Carlson operate.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Its not that simple when Steven has his mind made up its tough to get him to change it.
CAPT. BRANSON: And since you've got no Ambassador between the Onteen and the Federation, I have to represent you and I have to think of the child's life.
THRAG: He is not your responsibility.
CAPT. BRANSON: Unfortunately, he is. Dr. Carlson has made an official request. And I have to rule on it. Thank you for explaining your side of it. I'll make my decision within 24 hours.
The parents leave the ready room as Commander Ivanova looks at him.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: You're going to grant Steven permission to operate on Shon?
Captain Branson leans back in the chair.
CAPT. BRANSON (sighs): I'm not sure Z its tough right now but my training tells me to obey the Prime Directive but this is also as medical issue so I don't know what to do Branson to bridge get me Commodore Austin.
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Same shot.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY, DOCTOR CARLSON'S OFFICE
Steven is looking over Shon's medical information.
DR. MCCOY: Stuck on something?
Doctor Carlson turns to see his old mentor Doctor Leonard McCoy.
(END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT)
===Act 3===
FADE IN
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
NURSE CHAPEL: Its good to see you again Doctor McCoy.
DR. MCCOY: Same here Christine you've done well for yourself now it seems that you've got an issue here.
DR. CARLSON: Yes we do its a young Onteen boy with a blockage in his airway.
DR. MCCOY: Did you operate?
DR. CARLSON: There's a bit of an issue with that the parents are against operating due to their religion against medical operations both me and Christine assured them that there would be no scars.
NURSE CHAPEL: Steven lied to them about an invasive medical work but its not working he's getting worse and these parents are so uptight about the spirit will be destroyed and the body will be a shell.
Doctor McCoy looks at the medical screen.
DR. MCCOY (sighs): This is a tough medical issue but we took an oath to do no harm and save lives.
They agree with him.
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Same shot of Starbase Six and the other Federation vessels.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
LTJG. T'LAR: Main sensors should be back on-line in a few hours Captain.
John is lost in his own thoughts as T'Lar turns to him.
LTJG. T'LAR: Captain?
CAPT. BRANSON: Hm, oh yes thank you T'Lar.
John walks over to the command chair as Commander Ivanova turns to him.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: You seem distracted John.
He turns to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can't stop thinking about this whole medical debate I've spoken to Commodore Austin about the situation, and he's passed it onto me saying that it falls to me.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: You're a father its got to be even tougher.
CAPT. BRANSON (sighs): Yeah.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
Captain Branson enters sickbay and walks over to Shon's bio-bed.
CAPT. BRANSON (smiles): Hello, Shon I'm John Branson Commander of the USS Enterprise, what do you think of my ship?
SHON: I've not seen much of it just sickbay.
John sits next to the bio-bed.
CAPT. BRANSON: What's this?
SHON: It's a gloppit egg. Dr. Carlson gave it to me.
CAPT. BRANSON: A gloppit egg? Actually, it's only a piece of......industrial goo. But, please, don't tell Dr. Carlson I said so. He still believes it's an egg. Shon, I have to ask you a very difficult question.
SHON: I know you've been thinking about it I do wanna live? Yes. Very much. But I don't want the operation. I don't wanna lose my spirit.
CAPT. BRANSON: I had an operation once. A very serious operation, but I'm fine now.
SHON: But you are not one of the chosen. You are not born of the Egg.
CAPT. BRANSON (smiles): No I'm not tell me about the Egg.
CUT TO:
'INT-USS ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Both Captain Branson and Doctor Carlson are in the room.
CAPT. BRANSON: Smart kid reminds me of both Tina and Sarah.
DR. CARLSON: Are you going to give the order?
CAPT. BRANSON: Steven I understand your position here but the Prime Directive comes into question here.
DR. CARLSON: Those parents are willing to see their son die because of their religion. You can't expect me to do nothing. May God save us from false religion.
CAPT. BRANSON (crosses arms): I'm ordering you not to preform the operation.
DR. CARLSON: Is that your final order sir?
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes.
NURSE CHAPEL (com voice): Chapel to Carlson
DR. CARLSON (to com): Carlson here go ahead.
NURSE CHAPEL (com voice): Shon's life-signs are dropping
DR. CARLSON (to com): I'm on my way.
Doctor Carlson leaves as John wrestles with his choice.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
M'ola and Thrag are with Shon.
THRAG: When the egg hatched and you first crept out......you were such a tiny morsel of life. I could hold you in my cradled hands. I was so proud of you then. As proud as I was of the day that you were born. Today, I'm even prouder Because you're meeting your destiny, like the true Child of the Egg.
M'OLA: We love you so much.
THRAG: I promise you......we will sing many songs for you......so that your journey will be fast and peaceful. And when you get to the other side, my son......you must sing for us. You must be our beacon home.
Doctor Carlson, Doctor McCoy and Nurse Chapel are watching this as they can't believe they're being forced to sit by and let a young boy die, as the parents walk over to them.
THRAG: He needs rest.
DR. CARLSON: Very well.
THRAG: I am glad you didn't get your way. I am grateful for the commander's wisdom. This is better.
DR. CARLSON: Sorry I can't agree with you. The child deserves a chance at life.
THRAG (half-smiles, nods): Yes, but without a spirit, it isn't life at all. You know that.
DR. CARLSON: I-I'll call if there's any change in his condition.
The parents leave sickbay.
NURSE CHAPEL: You two are going to do it aren't you?
DR. CARLSON: They have their beliefs and I have mine.
NURSE CHAPEL: I took an oath and so did you Steven.
DR. CARLSON: If I stand by and do nothing...
NURSE CHAPEL: Captain Branson will have you thrown off the ship Steven.
DR. CARLSON: I've already packed my bags.
DR. MCCOY: We're doing this that boy is gonna die in an hour if we don't operate. And no one, not you, not Captain Branson......not those poor, deluded parents, will stop us.
NURSE CHAPEL: You two are going to need an assistant.
And they begin with Dr. Carlson saying a prayer of his own before they start. 
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
A Federation cargo transport flies by the Enterprise.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
DR. CARLSON: Its working.
DR. MCCOY: Pressure?
NURSE CHAPEL: We're equalized to his internal bladder. He won't have any trouble.
DR. CARLSON: Alright, let's get started.
DR. MCCOY: Take it one step at a time Steven.
They treat his blockage.
NURSE CHAPEL: He's responding well to treatment you did it.
DR. CARLSON (sighs): Thank you god and please preserve this boys spirit call the parents.
Doctor McCoy pats his shoulder.
DR. MCCOY: You did it Steven I'm proud of you.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY DOCTOR CARLSON'S OFFICE
Steven looks over the medical report on Shon's condition as he's drinking a cup of Vulcan tea.
LEONARD: How can you drink that stuff?
He looks over at McCoy.
STEVEN: My wife suggested it to me says it helps the soul Shon's resting right now.
The doors opened and both Thrag and M'ola enter and Steven can tell that something is wrong, both him and Leonard walk out of the officer.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
THRAG: In the name of the Egg, you did it. You did it anyway.
DR. CARLSON: I did what was right and as a father I wouldn't want to watch my daughter die!
SHON: It's me! I don't feel any different. Listen, I'll sing songs for you.
THRAG: AWAY DEMON!
SHON: No, please its me.
M'OLA: What unholiness spawned you?
THRAG: NO!
NURSE CHAPEL: He is your son still!
M'OLA: What have you done!
SHON: No please don't leave me please don't.
They leave as Doctor Carlson comforts a distraught Shon.
DR. CARLSON: It's all right. It's okay.
SHON (upset): In the name of the Egg and the nest in which it resides.
DR. CARLSON: Its alright.
Both McCoy and Chapel are with them.
(END OF ACT THREE, FADE OUT)
===Act 4===
FADE IN
INT-USS ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Doctor Carlson is standing at attention.
CAPT. BRANSON: I gave you an order. You disobeyed it. I should ask for your resignation.
DR. CARLSON: Its yours John.
CAPT. BRANSON: Don't tempt me Steven who asked you to play god!
Doctor Carlson turns to him.
DR. CARLSON: Every patient who comes in that door. People want doctors to be gods. They want us to make it better. They come to me when their prayers aren't enough. If I take the responsibility, I claim the authority too. I did good. And we both know it, and no one is gonna take that away.
Captain Branson remains firm.
CAPT. BRANSON: Steven the Prime Directive was in effect and you disobeyed it and my orders.
DR. CARLSON: In a medical situation the Prime Directive doesn't apply.
Then the com activates.
NURSE CHAPEL (com voice): Captain Branson and Doctor Carlson report to sickbay
They leave the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
The doors opened and both Captain Branson and Doctor Carlson see a solemn Shon standing by his parents.
M'OLA: My husband asked me to tell you......he knows what you did, you did out of compassion. You meant no harm. And if it were in his power to forgive you, he would. I am not allowed to forgive either. But if I could, I would.
She shows them a robe.
CAPT. BRANSON: What is it?
M'OLA: My husband has brought the lamuda. The traveling robe for great journeys. We will take the boy now.
DR. CARLSON: He needs to rest.
M'OLA (nods): He will.
SHON: Goodbye Doctor Carlson.
They leave sickbay.
DR. CARLSON: I'm waiting for an apology.
CAPT. BRANSON: If I were you I'd check the temperature in hell first.
John leaves.
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
The Enterprise is getting prep to depart from Starbase Six.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY/DOCTOR CARLSON'S OFFICE
Steven is doing his log entry.
DR. CARLSON (to com): Vital signs stabilizing. All indications point to a speedy recovery. End report.
He ends the entry as Nurse Chapel walks over to him.
CHRISTINE: I owe you a steak dinner.
STEVEN (confused): Why?
CHRISTINE: You won the bet remember?
STEVEN: Oh yeah sorry its been a long day.
CHRISTINE: I finished the research on their people, as we discussed. It's all here. The Great Egg, the Great Journey, the Great Song. There's a lamuda. Traveling robe.
She hands him a PADD with the information on the Onteen species.
DR. CARLSON (shocked): Oh my god.
He rushes out of his office and sickbay.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK FIVE CORRIDOR
Doctor Carlson is rushing to guest quarters.
DR. CARLSON: MOVE! MOVE!
He enters his code and the doors opened.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE GUEST QUARTERS
Doctor Carlson enters but is too late as he sees Shon's body on the bed as his parents are at his bedside.
DR. CARLSON (distraught): Oh, my God. You did it. You did it.
M'ola turns to him.
M'OLA: Do not grieve. This was not our son. This was only a shell. There was nothing to do but end the pain of the shell.
Doctor Carlson breaks down in tears. 
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise is at high warp.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MESS HALL
Doctor Carlson is at the bar drinking a bottle of Andorian ale as Captain Branson walks over to him.
STEVEN: You can have my resignation if you want.
JOHN: I've decided not to ask for it this time.
Steven drinks the ale.
STEVEN: You were right the Prime Directive was in effect.
JOHN: You wouldn't of obeyed it Steven you are a chief medical officer.
STEVEN: I'll know better next time.
JOHN: Would the child have died if you hadn't operated?
Steven turns to him.
STEVEN: Yes he would of died if I didn't operate on him the mass was rooted it was blocking his airway.
John pours himself a glass of Andorian ale.
JOHN: To Shon may he find peace.
STEVEN: To Shon.
They drink the ale.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise continues on its course as somber music is playing.
(END OF ACT FOUR, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS)
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Lieutenant Commander Zhasa Ivanova
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Williams
*Blake Waymire as Lieutenant Junior Grade Tyson Mitchell
*Sadie Brickhouse as Lieutenant Junior Grade Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Kara Carlson
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Lar
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Security Officer Joshua Holiday
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Angela Martine
*TBA as Ensign Dana Christina
*TBA as Lieutenant Samuel Kirk
*TBA as Ensign Elias Sheridan
*TBA as M'Ola
*TBA as Tharg
*TBA as Shon
===Special Guest Stars===
*TBA as Doctor Leonard McCoy
*Josh Irwin as Commodore Joseph Austin
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===
*A Doctor Steven Carlson focus episode.
*First time mentioning the Hippocratic Oath.
*First appearance for Doctor McCoy since his retirement.