Notes:

• Alan Altshuld previously played Pomet, a hijacker, in TNG's "Starship Mine" and Yranac, a Yridian, in TNG's "Gambit, Part I".

• Michael Ensign previously played Krola, the minister of internal security, in the TNG episode "First Contact", and the Vulcan Ambassador Lojal in DS9's "The Forsaken".

• Rob LaBelle previously played the Talaxian prisoner in "Faces".

• Captain's Log, Stardate 50074.3: "We have detected evidence that a wormhole recently appeared, and then disappeared in a nearby solar system. We are on our way there to investigate."

• It's been at least six months since the wormhole appeared here.

• A modulated energy discharge consistent with recent use of a replicator was found on the second planet, which is odd, since the planet has a Bronze Age-level of development.

• Captain's Log, Stardate 50074.5: "Based on information provided by the probe, we have replicated local attire for Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Paris. They have gone to the surface to investigate."

• The Song of the Sages:

  Oh those many years ago,
  The people's hearts were sad and low.
  Then the Sages to the city came.
  They came upon a burning flame,
  Just as the Seesa said they would,
  They lifted T'Kar's blinding hood.

  The first verse is free; the second will cost three frangs.

  The song continues:

  The Sages in the sky did dwell,
  Upon white clouds that held them well.
  Until the sentry rang the bell,
  The Holy Sages never fell.
  But when the ringing called them here
  From the sky, they did appear.

  There are many more verses, then the last verse is:

  And there amid the Eartern lights,
  Three new stars appeared that night.
  And with the ringing of the bell,
  The Sages knew where they must dwell.
  The Holy Pilgrim led them back
  High into the sky of black.
  And riding on the wings of fire,
  The holy men rose higher and higher.

• The Sages Say:
  1. You can tell a great deal about a man from his shoes. (Merchant)
  2. Time's an asset. (...and you shouldn't waste your assets walking everywhere you go.) (Merchant)
  3. Your goods are now my goods. (Merchant)
  4. Greed is eternal. (Arridor, Kol, and crowd)
  5. A wise man can hear profit in the wind. (Arridor, Kol, and crowd)
  6. Exploitation begins at home. (Arridor, crowd, and Sandalmaker)
  7. #95: Expand or die. (Kafar)
  8. #299: Whenever you exploit someone, it never hurts to thanks them. That way, it's easier to exploit them the next time. (Grand Proxy Neelix)
  9. Unwritten: When no appropriate Rule applies, make one up. (Arridor)
     One instantiation: When the messenger comes to appropriate your profits, kill the messenger. (Arridor)

• Nobody visits the temple without displaying at least one ear.

• Captain's Log, Supplemental: "I've been asked to join Lieutenant Torres and Ensign Kim in the science lab to hear what they've termed as 'very exciting news'."

• The sandalmaker has his wife, his mother, five kids, and a new baby to take care of.

• Captain's Log, Supplemental: "The away team has returned with some very disturbing observations about the situation on the planet."

• See also: The Rules of Acquisition.

Arridor and Kol ("Star Trek: The Next Generation") exploit an innocent society.

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