Brey stared at Picard in disbelief.

"A Projector?"

Picard nodded. "That's right. It's the only way to reopen the doorway. How do we find one?"

"I don't think you realise what you are asking," replied Brey. "Self projection has not been practiced by my people for thousands of years. I doubt whether anyone would even know how."

Still reeling from Vash's death, Picard struggled to keep himself together. Riker and Deana were silent but he knew they were there for him, if needed. Molly sat next to him, her arm linked in his, which brought some reassurance as he endeavoured to remain controlled.

"Brey," he said. "If your people are going to survive, we have try everything. No matter how absurd."

"Assuming you're right, which I doubt," said Brey. "If there are Projectors in the remnant of my people then how do you propose we find them?"

Molly cleared her throat. "Would a Projector know what they were?"

Brey looked surprised and thought for a moment. "According to ancient writings, yes."

"Then it's simple," she said. "Get the Captain of each Starfleet ship to make a public appeal." She shrugged. "Worth a try."

"I'll contact the other captains," said Riker, getting to his feet. He was about to leave but stopped and turned back to Brey. "I was just thinking. Maybe this would be better recieved if it came from an Othallian; you, Brey. These are your people, none of us inderstands whats at stake better than you. We can link up the coms so you can speak to everyone from right here on the Titan."

Brey looked at them, not speaking. Then he appeared to relax.

"Very well," he said.

Over the next few minutes, the inter-ship conference was set up and Brey was led into Riker's ready room. Seating him in front of a monitor, everyone stood near the door, out of the way.

Picard tapped the public address icon and looked at Brey.

"Ready?" Brey nodded. "This is Jean Luc Picard on board the Titan. All Othallians please pay attention to the following announcement." He smiled at Brey. "Over to you."

"This is Brey," he said. "I have a message that there is cause for hope. Our Federation friends have devised a way to help us. For the plan to work, I am appealing for a Projector to come forward and make themselves known. Eventhough, this may seem an impossibilty, ancient script tells us that there are those among us who can step across space without the need of a matrix and they would instinctively know who they are. So, to save our race, I am pleading with you, as a fellow Othallian, please come forward immediately. We need you."

The link ended.

"Well done," said Molly.

Brey smiled, nervously. "I'm not sure how quickly..."

"Incoming message from the Tiberius," announced the computer.

"Open a channel," said Riker.

"Channel open."

"This is Captain William Riker on the USS Titan."

An Othallian female appeared on the momitor. "Where is Brey? I would speak with Brey."

Picard gestured for Brey to stand in view of the monitor.

"I am Brey," he said.

"I am Nupal," she replied.

"What have you to say to me?"

"At the beginning, our people's special gift brought light to a dawning galaxy. My family's line can be traced back to Catek. All my family have been blessed with Projection and everyone of the served the great Triathian civilisation with passion. Now I have come to offer my help, Brey."

"Thank you, Nupal and may the blessings of Catek be upon you." He turned to Picard. "We need to gather my people in one area. Is there anywhere big enough?"

Picard shook his head. "I don't know."

"The amphitheatre in the Boconn reception," said Riker.

Picard remembered the amphitheatre was used to host planetary conferences and could hold ten thousand people.

"Not big enough, Will," he said. "We need to gather the remaining twenty five thousand Othallians in one place."

"Wait a minute," said Deana. "Boconn has a bio-dome that could accommodate that many people."

Picard looked at Riker. "She's right."

"I'll arrange it now," said Riker.

The Boconn bio-dome was situated on the perimeter of the station. The Federation Science Division had constructed it to preserve and cultivate diverse varieties of vegetable and plant life. There were species from all over the Federation.

Though he had visited a few times before, Picard still felt a little overwhelmed by the sub tropical environment. Almost as soon as he arrived, he had began to sweat profusely, as had the others. The only one who looked comfortable was Brey, who didn't appear to be bothered by the oppressive atmosphere in the slightest.

They had transported into a large open valley of lush grass from several different planets. The bands of colour as far as the eye could see was breathtaking. Standing together, Picard, Brey, Riker, Deana, Sebi and Molly surveyed the scene.

"Amazing," said Molly. "It's so big, I had no idea."

"Apparently, it took almost five years to build," said Riker. He clicked his com badge. "Riker to all Federation ships, begin transport immediately to this location."

Brey turned to Nupal. "I suggest to get ready."

She nodded and then adopted an almost prayerful pose. Closing her eyes and breathing deeply.

The Othallians began to appear, as each ship coordinated their transporters. The valley was filling up quickly. It took an hour to transport everyone. Then all attention was back on Nupal, who continued her preparations. Picard noticed that all the Othallians adopted a similar pose but with their hands extended towards Nupal.

Then, without opening her eyes, Nupal spoke. "Since the first breath, this has been our way. I stand here but also everywhere and there is but one step between them all."

A spacial rift opened in front of Nupal, and began to get bigger, spreading upward and then outward above the Othallians. As the doorway expanded, Picard could see inside and what he saw made his legs grow weak beneath him. Beyond its shimmering border lay an ocean of stars and galaxies. Each one seemed close enough to reach out and touch. Any journey seemed easy and he realised that this was how Translation worked.

As he and the others watched, the planet's seemed to dance across the void and then more became visible.

"Other universes," whispered Deana, who was holding the side of her head. She looked at Picard. "I can hear them calling."

"Who?"

"The Skrahl," answered Nupal, who's shining face turned to face him. "They have found it, Jean Luc Picard."

"Found what?"

"Look," said Brey, and waved his hand in front of the portal. Like bejewelled crack in the darkness, another opening appeared and beyond it a system of planets. "The Skrahl have found us a home. In that universe we can become one and live in peace." The crowd exalted, every hand, every eye raised, yearning to be rejoined and be home.

Brey turned to them. "Thank you, my Federation friends. We must go now."

Nupal turned to look at Picard. "For you, I have a gift." Stretching out her hand, she touched him on the forehead. "Your journey is not over."

Picard felt a surge of power flow into his body. It was overwhelming but passed almost instantly.

"Thank you," said Picard, not really understanding what had just happened. "I hope that it maybe possible to meet you and your people again, some day. You have so much to teach us. In the meantime, as the Vulcans say, live long and prosper."

"We will," said Brey. "Thanks to you."

Without another word, he faced his people and, taking Nupal by the hand, seemed to take a single step into the void. Immediately, the portal contracted rapidly, swallowing the Othallians until none remained. The portal closed and everything was still.

The five of them who remained, for a moment, didn't move. There was a sense of awe at what they had just witnessed.

"That was incredible," said Molly, finally.

"It certainly was," agreed Riker. "Infinite pathways spread out before us. Do you think we could have Translated with them?"

Picard shrugged. "Who knows? And Will, we may never find out but I would have loved to try."

"We did stop an extinction from happening," said Sebi.

"And now these people have a new life," said Deana.

Picard nodded. "Yes they do." He looked down, a little disappointed, into the now deserted valley below then back at his friends. "Shall we go?"