Neelix: Good morning.
Janeway: Morning.
Neelix: Requisition reports for the week.
Janeway: Thanks.
Neelix: What can you tell me about the Great Wall of China?
Janeway: Pardon?
Neelix: The Great Wall of China, on Earth. Who built it?
Janeway: The Chinese.
Neelix: What for?
Janeway: Why does anybody build a wall? To keep people out.
Janeway: Deck one.
Neelix: In fact it was the first Q'in emperor who connected the walls built by a previous dynasty. He did it to prevent an invasion by nomads to the north. How big is it?
Janeway: I have a feeling you're going to tell me.
Neelix: Twenty four hundred kilometers long, median width three point eight meters. Before the twenty second century, it was one of the only manmade objects that could be seen from Earth's orbit with the naked eye.
Janeway: Very impressive, Neelix. I had no idea you knew so much about my homeworld.
Janeway: Status?
Chakotay: We're on a course for the class Y cluster. We should be there in about three days.
Janeway: Gives us some time to relax. Carry on. Why this sudden interest in the Great Wall?
Neelix: I've been studying Earth landmarks.
Neelix: Mister Paris and I have been exchanging a little cross-cultural trivia. He's become quite an expert on Talaxian geography.
Janeway: All right, here's one for you. What can you tell me about the Millennium Gate?
Neelix: The Millennium Gate. Constructed in the 21st century in the United States of America. It was another one of the objects that could be seen from orbit. Er, three point two kilometers at the base, one kilometer in height, surface covered with highly reflective solar panels. A self-contained ecozystem.
Janeway: It became a model for the first colony on Mars. Did you know that one of my ancestors built it?
Neelix: Really?
Janeway: Not with a hammer and nails, but with words and a lot of courage. Shannon O'Donnel, one of the first woman astronauts. She was the driving force behind the project.
Neelix: That's something to be proud of.
Janeway: We were always told stories about her at family gatherings. The first of a long line of Janeway explorers.
Neelix: Tell me more. I want something to stump Mister Paris with.
Janeway: Where to begin?
Neelix: The Millennium Gate. How did she get involved with that?
Janeway: Well, at that time, she was still in the space program, but she'd also become something of an entrepreneur. I believe she was asked to join the project by the governor of Indiana. He wanted her expertise on recyclic life support systems. The way my aunt Martha, tells it they flew her in on a private aircraft.
Shannon: Five am, December 27th, 2000. I'm in the great state of Indiana, I think. I saw the world's largest ball of string this morning, and the world's largest beefsteak tomato this afternoon. It was the size of a Volkswagen. The string, not the tomato. At least Christmas is over. Oh, no.
Shannon: Excuse me. I think I made a wrong turn. Is there a Millennium Gate around here?
Passerby: You're looking at it.
Shannon: The sign said gas, food, lodging. I need all three.
Passerby: You won't find any of that here. Get back on the Interstate and go to exit nine.
Shannon: I don't think I'm gong to make it.
Passerby: Good luck.
Shannon: Tell me, are people a little friendlier off exit nine?
Shannon: Oh, no.
Shannon: You stopped.
Driver: You didn't. Got a pen?
Shannon: I, I just didn't see you. I'm sorry. Are you okay?
Driver: Insurance?
Shannon: Not really.
Driver: Not really?
Shannon: It ran out.
Driver: It's not too bad. Two hundred bucks ought to cover it.
Shannon: Two hundred bucks?
Driver: Let me guess. The money ran out, too.
Shannon: Hi.
Jason: Hi
Shannon: The sign said open?
Henry: Yes, that's right. Till six o'clock. Can we be of assistance?
Shannon: It's cold outside, and I wondered if I could wait here.
Henry: For what?
Shannon: For the tow truck. My car broke down. I'm trying to get to Florida.
Jason: She doesn't look like a corporate hit man.
Shannon: I assure you I'm not. At least not anymore.
Henry: Well, in any case, she's unarmed and chilled to the bone. I think we can handle her. Zeus himself watched over travelers. We should follow his example. Make yourself at home.
Shannon: Thank you.
Henry: Where's your car?
Shannon: Down the street, next to the coffee shop. What used to be the coffee shop. It looks like this whole town is closed down.
Henry: It is.
Shannon: Except for you, huh?
Jason: This ship will never sink. Right, Dad?
Henry: Decaf. Not exactly the nectar of the gods.
Shannon: It'll do. Thank you.
Shannon: What's this about, if I may ask?
Henry: Preserving the past.
Jason: I'm Jason, by the way.
Shannon: Shannon O'Donnel.
Henry: I'm Henry. Henry Janeway.
Shannon: Hi. So, you're trying to get them to stop building this Millennium whatever-it-is?
Jason: The Millennium Gate. The world's first self-sustaining civic environment.
Henry: That's what the propaganda calls it. It's nothing but hype. It's actually a glorified shopping mall. They've talked all of my neighbors into selling their businesses. Only one thing stands in their way.
Shannon: You're the last holdout?
Henry: This time, Rome withstands the barbarians.
Shannon: I may be able to help you, if you'd be willing to hire me.
Jason: Believe me, you don't want to be licking stamps for the next two days.
Shannon: We could do all this on a computer.
Jason: Yeah, but my dad doesn't believe in computers. We don't even have one.
Shannon: Well, I do. We can e-mail every computer within a hundred miles. It'll just take a few hours. It's easy.
Henry: I'm not hiring anybody right now. Besides, you're going to Florida.
Shannon: Maybe the tow truck is waiting. Thanks for the coffee.
Henry: You're welcome.
Shannon: I wouldn't ask you for a lot. Just enough to fix the car. I really, I kind of need a job right now.
Jason: Dad?
Henry: I suppose we could use some help.
Shannon: You do believe in electricity, don't you?
Shannon: So, who are these barbarians, anyway?
Henry: A company down in Texas
Shannon: Why come here?
Henry: The City Fathers made it easy for them. Free building permits, deferred taxs, new roads, so the invaders, they return the favor. They have offered us twenty percent above the market price for our properties. You know what the catch is? We've all got to sell.
Shannon: Everybody must love you.
Henry: People I knew when I was growing up, family, friends, it seems like they've all just turned against me. If this were Roman times, they'd feed me to the lions.
Shannon: To the good old days.
Henry: You know, I was born in the wrong millennium.
Shannon: I'll stick with the modern age.
Henry: The classical age. Greatest literature mankind ever produced.
Shannon: No antibiotics.
Henry: Families who'd take care of one another.
Shannon: No cars.
Henry: Air you can breathe.
Shannon: No telephones.
Henry: What a pleasure.
Shannon: Shorter life spans.
Henry: Lives that were worth living.
Shannon: No cold beer.
Henry: There you got me. Speaking of the modern age, Do you have any plans for the Millennium Eve?
Shannon: No different than last year's Millennium Eve. I plan to be asleep.
Henry: Life of the party.
Shannon: Oh, don't tell me you've bought into all that hype again?
Henry: Oh, maybe just a little.
Shannon: Last year, when 2000 arrived? Everyone was convinced it was the dawn of a new era. But when the world didn't end and the flying saucers didn't land and the Y2K bug didn't turn off a single light bulb, you'd think everybody would have realized it was a number on a calendar. But, oh, no, they had to listen to all those hucksters who told them the real millennium was 2001. So this New Year's Eve will be as boring as last year.
Henry: Come to think about it, I have sold an awful lot of doomsday books.
Shannon: See what I mean?
Henry: So, what's in Florida?
Shannon: I have a cousin down there. I'll stay with her for a while until I can get back on my feet.
Henry: If you don't mind my asking, did you lose your job?
Shannon: I'm in a transitional period.
Henry: From what to what.
Shannon: From what I was doing to what I'm going to do. Your son tells me that your bookstore's belonged in your family for generations. That you've never done anything else.
Henry: Yes, that's right.
Shannon: You know, I'm just the opposite. I love to see places I've never been, try new things. I'm kind of an explorer.
Henry: Really? Hmm. That station wagon of yours doesn't exactly look like a sailing ship.
Shannon: It's a rocket ship.
Henry: My mistake.
Moss: We have every intention of breaking ground on Monday. Day one of the next millennium. The people of this town have given us their full cooperation.
Henry: That's not true!
Moss: If you'll let me finish, Mister Janeway. With the exception of Mister Janeway here.
Collins: Mister Janeway, would you like to comment?
Henry: Yes. Yes, I would. You, you just can't, you can't bulldoze this town away. This, this is our heritage. This is our past.
Moss: We're trying to give Portage Creek a future. Can't you see that?
Henry: Yeah, yeah, your, your future. Your future, not ours.
Collins: Mister Moss, we've heard you're considering moving the project to one of your alternate sites. Can you shed any light on that rumor?
Moss: I'm afraid that's more than a rumor. If we can't work out an arrangement in Portage Creek, we'll have no choice but to select another location.
Collins: What city?
Moss: No comment.
Collins: Is it true that Canton, Ohio has been chosen for the alternate
Moss: Thank you for your time.
Collins: Thank you, Mister Moss.
Henry: Well, that's that. All we have to do is stand firm till New Year's.
Jason: Easy for you to say. I have to go to school with their kids.
Henry: Your school is one of the first places they're going to tear down.
Jason: They said they'd build a new one, a better one.
Henry: Whose side are you on? I'm sorry. We're all in this together. Come on. Let's head back to civilization.
Henry: Where shall we dine tonight? Ah, how does Paris sound?
Shannon: It's Friday night. Can we get a reservation?
Henry: Well, I think I can arrange it. I know the maitre d.
Shannon: Too bad I don't speak French.
Henry: Well, we'll keep it to ourselves. There. To new friends.
Shannon: And a gracious host.
Henry: Bon appetit.
Shannon: I wouldn't mind visiting Paris one day.
Henry: Yes, it'd be nice.
Shannon: You haven't been?
Henry: I haven't been outside Indiana. These are my traveling companions. They'll take me anywhere, anytime.
Shannon: It's not such a bad idea to experience the real thing every now and then.
Henry: I prefer my books.
Shannon: Maybe you just never had the right guide.
Henry: Is that an offer? I could make a similar argument. Not such a bad idea to settle down every now and then.
Shannon: Is that an offer? You're a peculiar man, Mister Janeway. Cloistered away with all your books, shutting out the world.
Henry: Any more peculiar than exploring the Midwest in an ailing station wagon?
Shannon: Only slightly. Any word on my car?
Henry: It's got a brand new oil pan.
Shannon: You forgot to tell me that.
Henry: Well, we were busy today. It's parked behind the garage whenever you're ready.
Shannon: First thing in the morning.
Henry: Not so fast. Jason told me you promised to show him a few tricks on the computer.
Shannon: I could use another day of rest.
Henry: Great. Jason'll be pleased. And when you're done with him, perhaps we'll take a stroll along the Boulevard St. Germain.
Shannon: You're making it difficult to say goodbye.
Henry: Maybe that's the idea.
Seven: You wished to see me, Captain?
Janeway: I need your help with this. The Millennium Gate.
Seven: Impressive.
Janeway: It was built by one of my ancestors over three hundred years ago. I've been digging through the historical database, but a lot of the information from that era has been lost or damaged. I thought you might be able to help me reconstruct some of it.
Seven: Is this relevant to our present mission?
Janeway: It's relevant to me.
Seven: This ancestor of yours is fifteen generations removed. You only possess a small fraction of her genetic material. Insignificant.
Janeway: This isn't about chromosomes, Seven. It's about character.
Seven: Explain.
Janeway: Shannon O'Donnel inspired me when I was a girl. She had a, an influence on my imagination, on my goals.
Seven: I never realized genealogy could have such an impact.
Janeway: I wouldn't have become a Starfleet Captain if it wasn't for her.
Neelix: The temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
Paris: That's four.
Neelix: The Colossus at Rhodes.
Paris: No. In chronological order.
Neelix: Right. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The Colossus at Rhodes.
Paris: That leaves just one more.
Neelix: The seventh wonder of the ancient world is
Paris: Can't remember?
Neelix: Oh, it's right on the tip of my tongue. It's. Forget it, I give up.
Paris: Ha! I got you. It's the er.
Neelix: Can't remember?
Seven: The Lighthouse of Alexandria built by Ptolemy the Second in 280 BC.
Paris: Behold the wonder of the modern world. Borg photographic memory. We'll call this one a draw.
Neelix: Brushing up on Earth's history?
Seven: Captain Janeway requested that I research one of her ancestors.
Neelix: Shannon O'Donnel.
Seven: You've heard of her.
Neelix: Who hasn't? You mind if I lend a hand?
Seven: If you wish.
Neelix: Sven 'Buttercup' Hanson.
Seven: He was one of my progenitors. A twenty second century prize-fighter. The Captain encouraged me to investigate my genealogy as well.
Neelix: Well, your ancestors can tell you a lot about yourself.
Seven: Somehow, I doubt 'Buttercup' has much relevance to me.
Neelix: The connection could be deeper than you think. Sven. Seven.
Seven: A coincidence.
Neelix: The point is, there's some of him in you. Just as there'll be some of you in your descendants.
Seven: If I choose to procreate.
Neelix: I wouldn't dismiss it so lightly. Someday you may enjoy a little Seven of Nine point five running around. Or not. Or not.
Seven: My research has failed. I have found no references to this individual.
Neelix: Well, genealogy's a lot like fishing. You've got to cast a wide net. Computer, expand record search for subject Shannon O'Donnel to include non-Federation databases. Er, personal archives and photographic indexes, as well.
Computer: Reference found.
Neelix: Well, take a look at this. Shannon Janeway.
Janeway: Where in the world did you find this?
Neelix: A Ferengi database.
Janeway: Ferengi?
Neelix: Eleven years ago, one of their historians collected massive amounts of data about the origin of space travel in the Federation. He wanted to market it as a nostalgic gift item.
Janeway: I would have been his first customer.
Neelix: It's a handsome family, Captain.
Janeway: These must be her sons and daughters. Grandchildren. Great-grandchildren.
Seven: I've also discovered journalistic accounts in the historical archives. Mostly articles concerning resistance to the Millennium Gate.
Janeway: The whole town was against her. Download this image for me, will you, Neelix? I'm going to frame it.
Neelix: Yes, Captain.
Collins: The citizens of Canton, Ohio greeted Millennium Gate representatives with a small parade today. Canton is one of three alternate sites now being considered by Gate officials. Vowing not to bow to pressure, Henry Janeway, owner of Portage Creek's Alexandria Books, says he has no intention of closing down. Marci Collins, Channel Three News.
Moss: Next stop, Mars. I used to be in media relations with NASA. As I recall, your class came up with that slogan. Do you mind? It's a shame you didn't make the cut.
Shannon: Not good enough, I guess.
Moss: Do you still keep in touch with any of the others?
Shannon: No.
Moss: I do. In fact, I made a few calls last night. Remember Lieutenant McMillan?
Shannon: How's she doing.
Moss: Co-pilot on the joint mission with the Europeans scheduled for 03. Four months on the space station.
Shannon: Not bad for a girl with claustrophobia.
Moss: She got over it. Sorry to hear about your last job. All this downsizing in aerospace. Engineers aren't given the respect they deserve.
Shannon: Who told you I lost my job?
Moss: I made a few calls. You don't have to live like this. Borrowing money, sleeping in your car.
Shannon: You've got no business checking up on me.
Moss: Actually, I do. We run a history on all our candidates.
Shannon: Are you trying to make me some kind of an offer?
Moss: We know you've been working closely with Henry Janeway. He'll listen to you.
Shannon: Oh. You want me to talk to him, get him to change his mind.
Moss: If you can.
Shannon: And in return?
Moss: We'd give you a job. Make you a consulting engineer on the project. You certainly have the credentials. Well?
Shannon: I'll think about it.
Moss: Think quickly. We can't wait another thousand years.
Control: Roger that, and go ahead.
Armstrong: That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
Jason: Morning.
Shannon: Morning.
Jason: I didn't think you'd mind. You've got some really great games on this.
Shannon: Don't worry about it. Have you tried Matrix of Doom?
Jason: Oh, yeah. I got vaporized on level six.
Shannon: Try launching a flare before entering the steel fortress.
Jason: Cool. Coffee?
Shannon: Please. Where is your father?
Jason: Bloomington. All the suppliers in town are boycotting us, so he went up there to place some orders.
Shannon: He left you in charge?
Jason: Alexandria Books, may I help you?
Shannon: Sounds like you've got it down.
Jason: I pay the bills too. Dad's not very good at accounting. You have any kids?
Shannon: No.
Jason: Not a priority?
Shannon: I wouldn't say that. I just never got around to it. If you don't mind me asking, where's your mom?
Jason: She died.
Shannon: Oh, I'm sorry.
Jason: I was really young. I don't remember her much. Dad says none of the great heroes grew up in a nuclear family. Hercules, Achilles, Odysseus. They all grew up with single parents.
Shannon: You're in good company. You like working here, Jason?
Jason: It's okay.
Shannon: You know, I get the feeling you don't share your father's enthusiasm about preserving the past.
Jason: I don't know. The Millennium Gate could be pretty cool.
Shannon: Did you ever see the first landing on the moon? One small step for man.
Jason: They showed it in science class one time.
Shannon: I saw it on TV when I was eleven years old. The whole world watched it.
Jason: Must have been great.
Shannon: Oh, it way. So, do you have any heroes?
Jason: We are not living in a heroic age, that's what my dad says.
Shannon: Come on, there's got to be somebody.
Jason: Dad. I mean, he's a pain sometimes, but he's pretty cool. Alexandria Books, may I help you? That's all right. First call in three days and it's a wrong number.
Henry: Glorious Hector, son of Priam, slips past the Greek front lines bringing much-needed supplies to the embattled city of Troy.
Jason: Hey, Dad you're famous.
Shannon: Local business owner topples Gate.
Henry: Let it fall. Any customers this morning?
Jason: No one here but us galliforms.
Shannon: That's chickens for the non-scientists in the crowd.
Henry: You two are dangerous together. Portage Creek will thank us one day. You don't sacrifice history for a shopping mall.
Shannon: It's a little more than that, Henry.
Henry: I beg your pardon?
Shannon: I said, it's not just a mall.
Henry: Have you read the promotional literature? Over six hundred retail spaces available. Franchise potential.
Shannon: There's a commercial dimension to the project, but that's not its only function.
Henry: What's your point?
Shannon: I've learned a few details about the Millennium Gate. It's a self-sustaining city, an experimental biosphere. It's never been done before.
Henry: What's wrong with the biosphere we're living in now?
Shannon: Nothing.
Henry: Exactly.
Shannon: But this project will help scientists learn more about our environment. Possibly even recreate it on other worlds.
Henry: Other worlds? Don't we have enough problems on the one we're on?
Shannon: Yeah. Which is why I'd like to get the hell off it one day.
Henry: I think you're taking this exploring a little too far.
Shannon: And you're so afraid of change you can barely walk out that front door. The Millennium Gate has a lot of potential, Henry. You just can't see it. All you can see are these books. You're living in the past.
Henry: Sounds like you've been sleeping with the enemy.
Shannon: Having a beer, anyway.
Henry: Moss.
Shannon: He offered me a job.
Henry: Doing what?
Shannon: Consulting engineer.
Henry: On the Millennium Gate?
Shannon: I said I'd think about it.
Henry: And he said, get Janeway to sign on the dotted line and you're hired?
Shannon: That's one way of looking at it.
Henry: And when I say no, then what? You're going to go with them, right? To Canton, Ohio, or the Third Circle of Hell, or wherever it is they decide to build this damn thing.
Shannon: I can't keep living out of my car.
Henry: You don't have to. Stay here.
Shannon: No.
Henry: Why not?
Shannon: Because I can't.
Henry: That's not a reason.
Shannon: Because I don't want to! You've been really nice to me, Henry, but I can't get stuck here.
Henry: Stuck? Like me?
Shannon: I didn't say that. You can live however you want to.
Henry: And so can you.
Jason: What's going on?
Henry: We're helping our guest resume her journey.
Jason: But I thought you were staying here for a while.
Shannon: Something came up.
Henry: We can manage by ourselves. I guess saying goodbye isn't that difficult after all.
Henry: Jason. Jason, where you going?
Jason: Aunt Pat's. Happy New Year.
Henry: Jason? Jason!
Kim: It was around 2210. My uncle Jack was on a deep space mission to Beta Capricus.
Paris: That's when deep space meant the next star over.
Kim: And that was when they still had to go into stasis. So, Jack put his crew under as soon as they left orbit, and piloted the ship by himself for six months.
Neelix: No contact with anybody along the way?
Kim: There wasn't anybody along the way. Not back then. The transmitter wasn't even subspace. It took weeks to get a message back to Earth.
Seven: I would prefer stasis.
Paris: Me too. That long alone, I'd probably go a little batty.
Kim: So, six months to Beta Capricus and when they finally arrive, there's nothing there.
Neelix: No planets?
Kim: No. No star, no nothing. It turns out Beta Capricus was just an EM echo of a distant galaxy.
Seven: What was his course of action?
Kim: What else could he do? He turned the ship around and headed home.
Janeway: And the crew?
Kim: He figured there was no reason to bother them. There's nothing to see, nothing to do. So six months later he gets back to Earth, brings everybody out of stasis, and they wake up wondering why they haven't left orbit.
Janeway: Come in.
Emh: Oh. I didn't realize you were in a briefing.
Janeway: Not at all. We're talking about our family histories.
Emh: Oh. This can wait. May I join you?
Janeway: Please.
Emh: I, too, come from a distinguished line.
Paris: His cousin's an electric shaver.
Emh: Hardly. My program was compiled from the most advanced holo-matrices in the Federation. My cousin was a prize-winning chess program.
Seven: Ensign Paris, you have yet to elaborate on your family origins.
Paris: Well, they were a pretty ordinary bunch, salt of the earth type people. Farmers, mostly. Some planetary colonists. Ah, but there was one. He was a pilot. He flew the first orbital glider over the lower Martian plateau.
Neelix: Mars? Your ancestor must have known the Captain's.
Janeway: She did work on all the early Mars projects. Looks like we go way back, Mister Paris.
Paris: What was her name?
Janeway: Shannon O'Donnel.
Paris: O'Donnel. I don't think so.
Janeway: What do you mean?
Paris: Well, I know all the Mars projects from the 1970s on. Unmanned, manned, who's who. There were no O'Donnels in any of them.
Janeway: Come in.
Chakotay: Ship's status report.
Janeway: Let me guess. The holographic engineer is having problems with her program. Neelix, the Cardassian cook, is low on supplies. Seven of Twelve is regenerating and Captain Chakotay is doing just fine. Just wondering how they'll piece together our lives a few hundred years from now.
Chakotay: Depends on how big the pieces are.
Janeway: A PADD here, a
Janeway: Captain's log there, maybe a couple of holodeck programs. It won't be as much to go on as we might think. I've gone through dozens of histories written about twenty first century Earth, all of them biased in one way or another. The Vulcans describe First Contact with a savagely illogical race. Ferengi talk about Wall Street as if it were holy ground. The Bolians express dismay at the low quality of human plumbing. And human historians? Exact same story. Every culture saw it a different way. So I go back to the raw material. Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, census surveys, voter registration forms, housing records, medical, employment, court records. It's all fragmented and incomplete.
Chakotay: So, did she exist?
Janeway: Her name was Shannon O'Donnel. She did train to be an astronaut, but she didn't finish. She was an engineer, but never worked on the Mars missions.
Chakotay: Did she work on the Millennium Gate?
Janeway: Only as a consultant.
Chakotay: What about all the opposition you spoke of? You said she fought to get the project underway.
Janeway: There was no opposition. In fact, the Millennium Gate was greeted with open arms by the local population. Except for one man.
Chakotay: Henry Janeway.
Janeway: She married him, and changed her name. But she certainly never changed history.
Chakotay: Don't be too hard on her. She may not have known she was supposed to live up to your expectations.
Janeway: Oh, I'll get over it. The question is, when we get back to Earth, how will I break the news to Aunt Martha?
Collins: With less than three hours to go, Henry Janeway still refuses to cooperate with Millennium Gate representatives. I'll return with live updates as midnight approaches. Marci Collins, Channel Three News.
Moss: I don't suppose there's any chance he'll change his mind?
Shannon: By midnight? Doubtful.
Moss: Then it looks like we'll have to scrub the launch, at least where Portage Creek is concerned. It's a shame how one ignorant man can stand in the way of progress.
Shannon: It's not that simple.
Moss: Henry's a very likable guy, but he's playing for the wrong team. He's looking back. This town needs people who look towards the future.
Shannon: Well, while you're looking forward, I'll be driving to Florida.
Moss: Wait a minute. I'm not about to turn a fellow explorer out into the cold.
Shannon: I didn't hold up my end of the bargain.
Moss: If we didn't think you had something to add to this project, we never would have made the offer in the first place. Henry Janeway's pigheadedness doesn't change that. We could still use your help, just not here.
Moss: My associate in Canton. I'll tell him you're on the way. He'll find a place for you.
Jason: Shannon!
Shannon: What's the matter?
Jason: It's Dad.
Moss: See you in Ohio?
Jason: He won't leave the shop. There's all these people outside. The police are there.
Shannon: Your father can take care of himself.
Jason: Please, won't you talk to him? He'll listen to you.
Shannon: No, he doesn't, Jason.
Jason: Where are you going? And what's this about I'll see you in Ohio?
Shannon: Ohio. Florida.
Jason: What's wrong with this place?
Shannon: It didn't work out.
Jason: I thought you liked us.
Shannon: I do.
Jason: Then why are you leaving?
Shannon: I'm sorry.
Shannon: December 31st, 2000. Eleven fifteen pm. I've got ninety five miles of Interstate before I have to decide whether I head east or south, but those ninety five miles won't be uneventful. My guidebook tells me I'm not too far from Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, recreated entirely in corn.
Shannon: The last few days have been memorable, to say the least. I met Henry Janeway. Interesting man. Liked to talk. Unfortunately, he doesn't listen to anybody but himself. He gave me a place to stay, though. And we had dinner. In Paris, no less. He has a son. Good kid. Bright, like his father.
Moss: I personally don't regret a single day I've spent in this lovely town, and I want to thank you all for your encouragement and support.
Collins: Would you consider extending your deadline?
Shannon: Excuse me. I'm sorry.
Policeman: No further.
Moss: I'm afraid that's not possible. We'd like to express our deepest regrets to the town of Portage Creek and on behalf of. Excuse me.
Collins: Get this.
Moss: Let her through.
Henry: We're closed.
Shannon: It's me!
Henry: I said, we're closed.
Shannon: That's not what the sign says. Damn it, Henry, it's cold out here.
Henry: Who's with you?
Shannon: Nobody but us galliforms.
Henry: Thought you'd be in Ohio by now. Car break down again? What the hell are you doing?
Shannon: Get your things. We're leaving.
Henry: I'm not going anywhere.
Shannon: Do I have to drag you out the front door?
Henry: You can try.
Shannon: Henry.
Henry: I won't leave.
Shannon: It's over.
Henry: Then I'll have to ask you to leave.
Shannon: Half the town is out there. You're on the news. Maybe you'll go down in history. You have made your point.
Henry: Obviously, I haven't, because if I had you wouldn't be asking me to sign my life away.
Shannon: Maybe if you'd looked up from your books once in a while you'd see what's in front of you.
Henry: Oh, please, no more speeches about the future.
Shannon: As long as I don't have to hear you pontificate about the past.
Henry: It's a deal. Glad we had this chat. Goodbye.
Shannon: It's almost midnight, Henry.
Henry: Exactly. I've won.
Shannon: What have you won? The right to hide behind these shelves for the rest of your life?
Henry: It's worked so far.
Shannon: Well, it isn't working for your son, or this town, or me.
Henry: Look, I know you've got a job to do.
Shannon: Oh, this isn't about the job.
Henry: Then why are you here?
Shannon: It was the cookies.
Henry: Cookies?
Shannon: I was on the Interstate. I stopped for gas, and I bought a bag of chocolate chip cookies in a convenience store. It's a little ritual of mine. Whenever I get back on the highway, I like to treat myself.
Henry: I see. Well, er, what does this have to do with anything?
Shannon: They didn't taste good, Henry. It wasn't the same. I just kept thinking about you, and how I wish you'd been there.
Henry: Actually, I prefer oatmeal cookies. I'm allergic to chocolate.
Shannon: Oh, you don't know what you're missing. It's been a long time, but I'm starting to feel like maybe I found a place where I'd like to stick around for a while, with you and Jason.
Henry: And we'd like to have you.
Shannon: But I can't work in a bookstore for the rest of my life. I've been given a second chance, Henry, and I can't lose that. I'm stuck in the future, you're stuck in the past. But maybe we could get unstuck in the present.
Henry: I, I don't see how with, without sacrificing my
Shannon: You know, Mister Moss offered me a job in Canton, even though I failed to keep up my end of the bargain. I guess he felt sorry for me. But I'm prepared to turn him down if you want me to stay with you.
Henry: I suppose I could re-open my shop in that monstrosity you want to build.
Shannon: Well, I'll have a few connections. I could probably get you a nice remote location, so nobody would bother you.
Henry: Not much profit in that. You sure you won't drive away again?
Shannon: No, But if I do, we'll make the trip together.
Henry: What time is it?
Shannon: A minute to midnight.
Henry: Then we're not too late.
Neelix: Neelix to Captain Janeway.
Janeway: Yes?
Neelix: Captain, would you mind coming to the mess hall?
Janeway: Is there a problem?
Neelix: No, no emergency. But I need to speak with you. A personal matter.
Janeway: Give me a minute.
Neelix: Happy Ancestor's Eve!
All: Happy Ancestor's Eve, Captain.
Janeway: What's all this?
Neelix: It's April 22, Ancestor's Eve. It's a holiday first established, er, well, er, today, actually. With the Captain's permission.
Janeway: Neelix.
Chakotay: I think he's onto something, Captain. An evening of reflection in honor of those who came before.
Kim: Here, here, Uncle Jack would approve.
Torres: It got me out from under a warp conduit. I'm all for it.
Janeway: I appreciate what you're trying to do, but
Paris: Neelix, the gift.
Janeway: What gift?
Neelix: Shannon O'Donnel Janeway, circa 2050. We did a little more research. This photograph was taken in a small park near Portage Creek, thirty eight years after the dedication of the Millennium Gate. I thought it would look nice in your ready room, on the shelf next to your desk.
Janeway: Thank you, But I'm not so sure she has a place there any more.
Seven: You are mistaken, Captain.
Janeway: Oh?
Seven: Her life captured your imagination. Historical details are irrelevant.
Tuvok: I concur with that analysis.
Chakotay: If it weren't for Shannon O'Donnel, you never would have joined Starfleet.
Janeway: Yeah, and I would have never have got you all stuck here in the Delta Quadrant.
Torres: It gave us all time to get to know each other.
Emh: Time for a family portrait of our own. Everyone, gather around the Captain, please. Face the camera. Smile.
Janeway: To family.
All: To family.
Emh: Another one for posterity.
Janeway: No, no.
Paris: I think we should get out of here.
Janeway: Enough is enough.
Shannon: Knock it off, Kieran. That's an order.


Patterson: You're late.
Janeway: Sorry, sir.
Patterson: What's the threshold of the H-two molecule?
Janeway: Fourteen point seven electron volts.
Patterson: Third brightest star in Orion?
Janeway: Viewed from where?
Patterson: Earth.
Janeway: Gamma Orionis, or Bellatrix, if you prefer the original Arabic name.
Patterson: Not bad. Now, give me a hug, Katie, that's an order.
Janeway: I wasn't expecting a pop quiz.
Patterson: Just wanted to make sure all those pips haven't made you forget you're a scientist first.
Janeway: How could they? I still have nightmares about your fractal calculus final.
Patterson: There's still some work to be done, but once the sawdust clears, I think you'll be impressed. Voyager may not be as big as a Galaxy class ship but she's quick and smart, like her Captain.
Janeway: Seven hundred thousand metric tons, fifteen decks, and computer systems augmented with bio-neural circuitry, top cruising speed warp nine point nine seven five.
Patterson: Deck one.
Janeway: Of course, I expect to get that up another notch or two.
Patterson: Sounds like you already know your ship pretty well.
Janeway: I've been buried in Voyager's schematics for the past three months. I could walk the corridors blindfolded.
Patterson: You might not want to shut your eyes just yet.
Patterson: Captain on the bridge.
Janeway: As you were. It's bigger than I expected.
Patterson: Schematics never fully prepare you for the real thing.
Patterson: Try it on. Don't get too comfortable, I have more to show you.
Patterson: Your home away from home.
Janeway: Coffee?
Patterson: Ah, no thanks.
Janeway: Coffee, black. Any word from Tuvok?
Patterson: Not yet.
Janeway: Shouldn't he have made contact by now?
Patterson: We know he's aboard Chakotay's ship. He's probably decided not to risk exposure until he has to.
Janeway: Catching up with him in the Badlands is going to be tricky, even in a ship as quick and smart as Voyager. I've heard about a pilot who might make the job easier.
Patterson: Who's that?
Janeway: Tom Paris.
Patterson: Admiral Paris's son? Correct me if I'm wrong, but he's serving a sentence for
Janeway: He's made some mistakes. But everybody deserves a second chance.
Patterson: I'll look into it.
Janeway: If it's not too late, I'd like to recalibrate the navigational sensors. I think I can enhance the range.
Patterson: Your coffee's not even cold, you're already making changes.
Janeway: Excuse us, Ensign. I like a ship that knows where it's going.
Patterson: I assure you, Voyager has the best sensors in the fleet.
Janeway: There's always room for improvement.
Patterson: I assume you've read
Janeway: I have. A few changes
Seven: The bridge is clear. No sign of the weapon.
Ducane: Continue scanning.
Seven: Acknowledged.
Patterson: Your briefing room.
Janeway: Starfleet's most up to date vessel and they still can't design a comfortable place to hold a meeting. What do you think, Ensign?
Seven: Captain?
Janeway: What's your opinion of this room?
Seven: It is an efficient design.
Janeway: Well, there you have it, Admiral. It's efficient. I must be wrong. Carry on.
Patterson: We've added a new system we're thinking of installling throughout the fleet.
Janeway: The Emergency Medical Hologram. I'm up to date. Computer, activate EMH.
Emh: Please state the nature of the medical emergency.
Patterson: It's programmed with over four million surgical procedures.
Emh: Five million, and the medical knowledge of over three thousand cultures.
Janeway: Impressive.
Emh: Did you call me to chitchat or is there an actual emergency?
Janeway: Its personality could use some work.
Emh: I'm designed to practice medicine as efficiently as possible. Small talk only compromises my performance.
Patterson: Thank you, Doctor. Computer, deactivate EMH.
Carey: Hello.
Seven: Sir.
Carey: Lieutenant Carey. I don't think we've met.
Seven: Jameson, Anna, Service number eight six zero seven nine zero.
Carey: I'm not security. I'm just trying to get to know all the new faces around here. What are you working on?
Seven: I am attempting to realign the EPS manifolds.
Carey: Do you need a hand?
Seven: No.
Carey: Well, maybe I'll see you in the mess hall later.
Seven: Unlikely.
Carey: Hmm?
Seven: I am not a member of Voyager's crew. I'm on assignment here at Utopia Planitia.
Carey: Too bad. Well, next time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll drop by and say hello.
Janeway: I wish Starfleet would give me more than three weeks. With a little more time we could really explore the Badlands.
Patterson: You haven't changed a bit.
Patterson: Main Engineering. Class nine warp drive, tricyclic input manifold. You'll be the first to test it in deep space.
Seven: I've localized the temporal distortions. Deck four, section thirty nine.
Seven: I've found the weapon.
Ducane: Begin the procedure.
Janeway: Problem?
Carey: One of the EPS relays just went offline.
Janeway: Voyager's first malfunction.
Carey: I'm sorry, Captain. I tested those systems this morning.
Janeway: As you were, Lieutenant. I've been looking forward to getting my hands dirty.
Seven: The weapon is out of phase. You've sent me to the wrong time frame.
Ducane: At least we know where the weapon was placed. Now we have to determine when.
Janeway: This hatch is locked from the inside.
Patterson: This isn't a secure area. None of these hatches should be sealed.
Janeway: I'm reading some kind of chronoton flux.
Patterson: Chronotons?
Janeway: It's coming from inside this Jefferies tube.
Patterson: Patterson to Security. Seal off deck four.
Seven: I've been detected. I must leave.
Braxton: There's too much interference from the weapon. Recalibrate your temporal transport beacon.
Seven: Understood.
Janeway: We can access section thirty nine through here.
Braxton: Scramble the locking mechanism before they get in. Hurry, they're approaching your coordinates. You'll need to reset the command controls.
Ducane: Stand by. We're trying to get you out of there.
Braxton: It's time. Pull her out.
Ducane: There's too much interference. If I transport her now we'll damage her bionetic implants.
Braxton: If we don't, Captain Janeway's going to find her and it'll contaminate the timeline.
Ducane: Sir.
Braxton: Now.
Crewman: Temporal transport in progress.
Janeway: Question, Admiral. What causes a chronoton flux of point zero zero three?
Patterson: I don't know.
Janeway: Neither do I, but whoever or whatever it was, it's gone now.
Crewman: The subject is approaching the temporal threshold.
Ducane: I told you this was going to happen. She's dead.
Braxton: Any luck reviving her?
Ducane: No, sir.
Braxton: We'll have to recruit her again.
Ducane: Sir, a fourth jump? She could suffer neural damage, even temporal psychosis.
Braxton: Unless we repair the timeline, she's going to die. We're giving her another chance to save her crew and herself. We'll go back and retrieve Seven of Nine a microsecond before the explosion. That way no one will notice she's gone. Tempus fugit, Lieutenant.
Ducane: Raise shields. Time frame, stardate 52861.274. Delta Quadrant. Spatial coordinates eighty seven theta by two seventy one. Target, USS Voyager.
Emh: Follow the light. To the left, right, and up, and down. Hmm.
Seven: I ran a complete self-diagnostic.
Emh: Hmm hmm?
Seven: At first I thought my ocular implants were malfunctioning. However, after consulting the Starfleet Medical database, I realize it is a flaw in my human physiology.
Emh: Specifically?
Seven: I'm experiencing dizziness, double vision. After considering all potential environmental and genetic factors, I've concluded I'm suffering from Albright-Salzman syndrome.
Emh: A rare neurological condition that hasn't affected a single human being for over two centuries. Unlikely.
Seven: Human physiology is imperfect, susceptible to a variety of disorders.
Emh: True, but in this instance, we can safely say that you are suffering from a mild case of sensory aphasia. A minor disruption to your neuro-receptors. Neither rare, nor life-threatening.
Seven: Apparently I was in need of a second opinion.
Emh: That's the danger of self-diagnosis. Patients always assume the worst. This should clear it up. How do things look now?
Seven: Normal.
Crewwoman: Doctor, please report to Sickbay.
Emh: On my way. Next time your human physiology fails you, don't consult the database. Just call me.
Seven: You are the database.
Emh: With two legs and a splendid bedside manner.
Seven: A curious exercise.
Paris: Yeah. Ping-Pong. You should try it, it's a great test of hand-eye coordination.
Seven: I don't require testing.
Emh: Yeah, so the Doc tells me. A visual acuity index of ninety nine point six. You know, you'd be great at this game. Why don't you be my partner in the doubles tournament tonight? Chapman was supposed to play, but he's come down with a nasty case of space sickness.
Seven: I'm busy.
Paris: Oh, too bad. Well, I guess I'll have to tell B'Elanna that you thought you couldn't beat her.
Seven: You're attempting to appeal to my vanity.
Paris: Is it working?
Seven: I will consider your request.
Paris: It's yes or no, Seven. The tournament's tonight.
Seven: Yes.
Paris: Great. Meet me in the mess hall at nineteen hundred hours. We'll get in a little practice first.
Emh: Captain, you don't look well. Come in, please.
Janeway: I'm sure it's nothing serious.
Emh: Symptoms?
Janeway: Nausea, dizziness.
Emh: It looks like a simple case of space sickness. The third one I've treated today.
Janeway: That's odd. We haven't run into any turbulence.
Emh: It's possible the inertial dampers are out of alignment.
Janeway: Even so, I've been on some pretty rough rides. It's never affected me like this
Emh: It happens to everyone. Twenty milligrams of inaprovaline should restore your space legs.
Janeway: I'll check the dampers. Double check your bio-readings. See if there's another explanation.
Paris: Yes!
Neelix: Point, server.
Paris: It's all in the wrist.
Torres: Score?
Neelix: Nineteen eighteen.
Paris: Say goodnight, Harry.
Kim: What do you call that shot?
Seven: I'm reading temporal distortions.
Janeway: Report.
Torres: The temporal distortions are fracturing space-time throughout the ship.
Janeway: Cause?
Tuvok: Unknown. They appear to be emanating from deck four, section thirty nine.
Torres: We've already erected forcefields but they're not having much effect. If we can't find a way to stop them, they'll tear the ship apart.
Janeway: How much time do we have?
Tuvok: Two hours at most.
Janeway: Go to deck four and find out what we're dealing with. Let's see if we can find a way to enhance the forcefields.
Emh: An injection a day keeps space sickness away. You try to be funny after treating thirty seven cases of nausea.
Janeway: Janeway to Sickbay.
Emh: Go ahead.
Janeway: We've found the source of our epidemic. Temporal distortions.
Emh: I was beginning to suspect some kind of anomaly. I've designed a treatment that seems to be inhibiting the symptoms.
Janeway: Keep me posted.
Emh: Aye, Captain.
Neelix: Neelix to the Doctor. I've got a medical emergency in the Mess hall. Ensign Mannus is violently ill.
Emh: On my way. Take over here.
Neelix: Doctor, shall I whip you up a photonic snack?
Emh: Where's the medical emergency?
Neelix: I hope you're not referring to this pot roast.
Emh: You called me a few minutes ago. You said Ensign Mannus was ill.
Neelix: I did?
Emh: Yes.
Neelix: Ensign Mannus is right over there. He came in an hour ago and he looks perfectly normal.
Emh: Acute space sickness.
Neelix: Good thing you were here.
Emh: I wouldn't have been, if you hadn't. Temporal distortions.
Neelix: Doctor?
Emh: This is all starting to make sense. In Sickbay, it's fifteen hundred hours forty three minutes, but in the mess hall, it's fifteen thirty six.
Neelix: Seven minutes earlier.
Emh: I did get a call from you. You just haven't made it yet.
Janeway: Coffee, black. Come in. Before you say anything, let me remind you what happens to bearers of bad news.
Chakotay: Don't kill the messenger.
Janeway: Go ahead, fire.
Chakotay: It looks like these space-time fractures are growing stronger. We're detecting temporal paradoxes throughout the ship.
Janeway: Paradoxes?
Chakotay: Internal chronometers show it's oh six hundred on deck nine and oh six hundred five on deck thirteen. Time's passing more quickly in some parts of the ship and slowing down in others.
Janeway: Maybe that explains why this coffee tastes like it's three days old.
Chakotay: The same thing's been happening in the mess hall. Food replicated less than an hour ago is already spoiled.
Janeway: I've been working on a way to enhance our containment fields, to keep the fractures from spreading,
Chakotay: I'll get a team on it right away. In the meantime, we should evacuate the affected areas.
Janeway: See to it.
Chakotay: There's one other problem.
Chakotay: Turbolifts two and three are offline so we've been using the Jefferies tube.
Chakotay: Captain?
Janeway: There's a temporal distortion intersecting this room. It's expanding.
Chakotay: Time to test your new containment fields.
Torres: This is where they're coming from. I still can't tell what's causing them.
Torres: What is it?
Seven: A piece of technology. It's emitting temporal distortions.
Torres: Why can't I see it?
Seven: My ocular implant can detect irregularities in space-time.
Torres: Torres to bridge. We've found the problem.
Torres: There's some kind of device in junction beta twenty eight.
Janeway: Beam it off the ship
Tuvok: I can't get a lock.
Kim: The distortions are beginning to demolecularise the hull. Hull breach, ventral section fourteen.
Kim: Captain, I'm picking up a strange reading on deck four.
Janeway: What kind of reading?
Kim: It's a chronoton flux, point zero zero three.
Chakotay: More distortions?
Kim: I don't think so.
Janeway: Dry dock.
Kim: Ma'am?
Janeway: The first time I saw these readings was five years ago. Voyager was still in dry dock. Same readings, same location.
Kim: What caused them?
Janeway: I never found out.
Chakotay: We're losing structural integrity.
Tuvok: Multiple breaches, all decks. Emergency systems are failing.
Chakotay: The distortions are ripping us apart. We have to abandon ship.
Janeway: All hands, this is the Captain. Proceed to the escape pods and abandon ship. Repeat, abandon ship.
Janeway: Program the pods for a heading of one seven eight mark four. We'll rendezvous in orbit of an M class planet at those coordinates. Repeat. All hands proceed to the escape pods and abandon ship.
Seven: Identify yourselves.
Ducane: No time.
Braxton: Welcome back.
Seven: Why have you brought me here?
Braxton: For some reason, I always think you'll remember. I'm Captain Braxton. This is Lieutenant Ducane. You're aboard the Federation Timeship Relativity.
Seven: I'm no longer in the twenty fourth century?
Braxton: No. For you, it's almost five hundred years later. We've brought you here to help us solve a mystery. Someone, we don't know who, has planted a weapon aboard Voyager. It's designed to fracture space-time within a radius of one hundred and fifty meters.
Seven: Why do you need me?
Ducane: Your ocular implant. It can detect disruptions in space-time better than our sensors.
Braxton: You're more familiar with Voyager and her crew, less likely to arouse suspicion. So far, you've been quite useful.
Seven: So far?
Braxton: We've recruited you twice before for this mission. Take a look. A force three temporal disrupter. Your previous attempts to disable it have been unsuccessful.
Ducane: We're trying to catch the saboteur before he places the weapon on Voyager.
Seven: Do you have a suspect?
Ducane: Not yet.
Seven: Do you know when the device was placed?
Ducane: Not precisely, but we've narrowed the window to a period two years before you joined the crew, when the ship was under attack.
Seven: Species three two nine, the Kazon.
Ducane: Our database indicates Voyager was boarded twice during that period.
Seven: The Kazon are an inferior species. They don't possess the technology to create such a complex weapon.
Ducane: We believe the saboteur infiltrated this time frame because Voyager's shields were down. It was the perfect opportunity to evade the detection.
Seven: If I fail, you will recruit me again.
Braxton: If necessary. This'll be the third time you're going to be removed from your time frame. If we do it a fourth, there could be certain side effects.
Seven: Side effects?
Ducane: You might experience sensory aphasia. It affects the cerebral cortex and can lead to temporal psychosis.
Braxton: But in your case we're hoping third time's a charm, eh?
Seven: I'll do my best.
Braxton: Bring her up to date on our protocols.
Ducane: Aye, sir.
Braxton: When you're finished here, meet me in holomatrix one. I've prepared a simulation.
Ducane: Let's see how much you've assimilated. The Dali paradox.
Seven: Also known as the Melting Clock Effect. It refers to a temporal fissure which slows the passage of time to a gradual halt.
Ducane: The Pogo Paradox.
Seven: A causality loop in which interference to prevent an event actually triggers the same event.
Ducane: Excellent. Can you give me an example?
Seven: The Borg once traveled back in time to stop Zefram Cochrane from breaking the warp barrier. They succeeded, but that in turn led the starship Enterprise to intervene. They assisted Cochrane with the flight the Borg was trying to prevent. Causal loop complete.
Ducane: So, in a way, the Federation owes its existence to the Borg.
Seven: You're welcome. The Seven of Nine paradox.
Ducane: I beg your pardon?
Seven: How we do know that my presence on Voyager will not alter the timeline?
Ducane: You know, you've asked me this every time.
Seven: What's been your response?
Ducane: That uncertainty is part of the equation. We don't know what's going to happen.
Seven: I don't enjoy uncertainty.
Ducane: Neither do I. But I trust Captain Braxton's instincts, just as you trust Captain Janeway's.
Braxton: This is a simulation of junction forty nine on Voyager's fourth deck. Thanks to you, we've learned that the temporal disrupter was, and will be, concealed here. I gave up trying to keep my tenses straight years ago.
Seven: How will I disarm it?
Braxton: You've already tried, unsuccessfully. The weapon's out of phase. You'll have to find the saboteur before he plants it. This will detect any chronoton flux other than your own, and I'm authorizing you to use whatever force may be necessary.
Seven: Understood.
Braxton: One more thing. Watch out for the Janeway Factor.
Seven: I am not familiar with that protocol.
Braxton: Your Captain has a knack for sticking her nose where it doesn't belong, especially when it comes to time travel.
Seven: Captain Janeway is quite resourceful. Has it occurred to you that she may be helpful?
Braxton: Helpful? That woman has been responsible for three major temporal incursions.
Seven: No doubt creating numerous paradoxes.
Braxton: And who do you think had to repair the damage? Me. She's reckless. She has no regard for the integrity of the timeline. I asked for her help once. She refused and I ended up stranded in the late twentieth century. Have you ever been to that time frame?
Seven: No.
Braxton: Well, I don't recommend it. After three decades with those post-industrial barbarians I had to go through extensive rehabilitation before I could return to duty. Avoid contact with Janeway. That's an order.
Seven: Yes, sir.
Ducane: This will occlude your Borg implants. Ready?
Seven: Yes.
Braxton: We have a saying in our line of work. There's no time like the past.
Ducane: Raise shields. Time frame, stardate 49123.5621. Delta quadrant. Spatial coordinates, twenty one alpha prime by nine three six zeta. Target, USS Voyager.
Chakotay: All hands to battle stations. We're under attack. Repeat, all hands to battle stations.
Janeway: Return fire.
Paris: Dropping spatial charges.
Janeway: Evasive maneuvers.
Tuvok: Shields down to twenty percent.
Chakotay: Another Kazon ship is approaching.
Janeway: Janeway to Engineering. We need warp engines.
Torres: I can't give them to you. Not until I've repaired the containment generator.
Janeway: Time?
Torres: I'll need ten minutes at least.
Kim: Captain, I'm picking up a strange reading on deck four.
Janeway: What kind of reading?
Kim: It's a chronoton flux, point zero zero three.
Chakotay: Any idea what's causing it?
Kim: Not yet.
Tuvok: It could be random interference from Kazon weapons fire.
Janeway: I don't think so. I've seen these readings before.
Seven: There's no sign of the weapon.
Braxton: Any uninvited guests?
Seven: Not yet.
Tuvok: The lead vessel's been disabled. The others are regrouping.
Chakotay: B'Elanna, status.
Torres: Warp drive's online, but the containment field's still unstable. Warp two is the best I can give you.
Chakotay: I'll take it. Engage.
Paris: They're not pursuing.
Janeway: Dry dock.
Kim: Ma'am?
Janeway: The first time I saw these readings was over two years ago when Voyager was in dry dock. Same readings, same location.
Kim: What caused them?
Janeway: I never found out. The signal vanished before we could isolate it. Erect a level ten forcefield around that section.
Chakotay: Is this really the time to be chasing sensor ghosts?
Janeway: Something tells me this is more than a coincidence. Seal off deck four. Tuvok, you're with me.
Seven: They've erected forcefields around my location. I may have been detected. How shall I proceed? Lieutenant, respond.
Braxton: What's wrong?
Ducane: The forcefields are blocking our transmissions.
Braxton: Compensate. Seven of Nine, report.
Seven: Relativity, are you there?
Ducane: It's no use, sir. She can't hear us.
Janeway: I don't believe we've been introduced, Ensign.
Seven: Lower the forcefield.
Janeway: I stand corrected. We have met. Utopia
Janeway: Planitia, the briefing room. You told me it
Janeway: Was efficient.
Braxton: Janeway.
Seven: You've
Seven: Mistaken me for someone else.
Janeway: Oh, I don't think so.
Janeway: So, here you are, two years later
Janeway: On the other side of the galaxy. Imagine that.
Seven: You're preventing me from completing a vital mission.
Janeway: Who are you, and what are you doing on my ship?
Braxton: Don't say anything
Ducane: She can't hear you, sir.
Seven: My designation is irrelevant, But I assure you I have no hostile
Seven: Intentions.
Janeway: Somehow, I don't find that very comforting. Are you working with the Kazon?
Seven: No, I am not.
Tuvok: I'm detecting biomechanical implants. They have a Borg signature.
Janeway: Janeway to the bridge. Scan the vicinity for Borg ships.
Chakotay: Did you say Borg?
Janeway: Do it.
Seven: You will find none.
Janeway: Then how did you get here?
Seven: I'm no longer Borg.
Janeway: Then who are you?
Seven: I can't answer your questions.
Braxton: Good.
Janeway: Why not?
Seven: It would be a violation of the Temporal Prime Directive.
Janeway: You're from another time?
Seven: Yes.
Braxton: No.
Janeway: Who sent you?
Seven: I can't tell you that. I would be risking damage to the timeline.
Janeway: I don't care if history itself comes unraveled, I want to know
Janeway: Why you're on my ship.
Tuvok: What's that?
Seven: You must release me.
Tuvok: Why?
Seven: Voyager is in grave danger.
Janeway: So we've noticed.
Seven: Not from the Kazon. From an act of sabotage. I've been sent here to stop it. The intruder has already boarded the ship. Please, your lives depend on it.
Janeway: You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's happening.
Seven: My name is Seven of Nine. I'm a member of your crew. Rather, I will be a member of your crew.
Seven: I've traveled back in time to try to prevent a disaster that will destroy Voyager.
Braxton: Get her out of there.
Ducane: I'm trying.
Janeway: Let's see if I've got this straight. You're a Borg drone attempting to prevent a disaster that won't occur for another three years?
Seven: Three years six months and two days.
Janeway: Does this make any sense to you?
Tuvok: Like most time paradoxes, it's implausible, but not necessarily illogical.
Seven: Captain, when you take me from the Borg you are going to tell me that part of being human is learning to trust. Trust me now.
Janeway: Lower the forcefield.
Seven: Seven of Nine to Braxton. Respond.
Braxton: Stay where you are. We're pulling you out.
Seven: That would be unwise. I am pursuing the saboteur
Seven: With Captain Janeway's assistance.
Ducane: Tempus fugit.
Braxton: Proceed.
Seven: Yes, sir. The intruder is in junction fifty two beta.
Janeway: Take the starboard hatch.
Tuvok: Aye, Captain.
Seven: Captain Braxton. Lower the temporal disruptor.
Braxton: It's armed. I'll activate it. Lower your weapons.
Braxton: Janeway.
Janeway: Have we met?
Braxton: Too many times, but you wouldn't remember. They haven't occurred yet.
Braxton: Seven of Nine, report.
Seven: I have located the saboteur.
Braxton: Who is it?
Seven: It's you,
Seven: Captain Braxton.
Braxton: Me?
Braxton: More accurately, a future you.
Future Braxton: Now let me complete our mission.
Braxton: Our mission? I don't know what you're talking about.
Future Braxton: Listen
Braxton: very carefully. The circumstances of your life are going to change in the next few years. You'll be sent into rehabilitation again, forced to retire, and it's all because of Voyager.
Seven: Captain, I believe your future self is suffering from temporal psychosis.
Braxton: Well of course I am, you pedantic drone. The only way for me, for us, to recover is to obliterate Voyager from the timeline. That way, none of the events that caused this illness will have occurred.
Janeway: What events?
Braxton: Thirty years of exile on twentieth century Earth. The temporal inversion in the Takara sector. Three violations that I had to repair.
Braxton: Can you get a lock on him?
Ducane: Negative. He's activated a dispersal node. I should say, you've activated a dispersal node.
Braxton: Don't be absurd. I have no wish to sabotage Voyager.
Ducane: Not yet.
Braxton: Remodulate the transporters. Find a way to cut through the interference. I gave you an order, Lieutenant.
Ducane: I'm sorry, sir. I'm taking command of this vessel, and I'm relieving you of duty for crimes you're going to commit.
Braxton: I haven't done anything.
Ducane: Seven of Nine
Ducane: Apprehend Braxton.
Braxton: No.
Seven: Relativity, he's escaped.
Ducane: I'm tracking him. He's traveled to another time frame, two years earlier.
Seven: Transport me to those coordinates.
Ducane: That would be your fourth jump.
Seven: I am aware of the risks.
Ducane: Stand by.
Seven: Thank you for your assistance.
Patterson: There's still some work to be done but, er, once the sawdust clears I think you'll be impressed. Voyager may not be as big as a Galaxy class ship but she's quick
Seven: Take cover!
Janeway: Security, report to deck four, section twelve. Erect forcefields around all access points. Is this part of the tour?
Seven: I've lost him.
Ducane: He's still on Voyager
Ducane: But he's gone five years ahead.
Seven: Initiate transport.
Paris: Yes!
Neelix: Point, server.
Paris: It's all in the wrist.
Torres: Score?
Neelix: Nineteen eighteen.
Paris: Who are you?
Paris: Bridge, intruder alert, deck two.
Seven: Explain.
Future Seven: No time. You must apprehend him. He's trying to destroy Voyager.
Ducane: Seven of Nine, status.
Future Seven: I am incapacitated. It's sensory aphasia.
Ducane: Stand by.
Ducane: I'm pulling you out.
Seven: Stop him. Your future depends on it.
Ducane: Braxton?
Seven: I disabled his tricorder. He's trapped there. Seven of Nine is pursuing him. She is efficient. She will succeed.
Ducane: Let's hope so, because we've run out of options.
Braxton: You again!
Janeway: I don't believe we've met, Ensign. No, I'm wrong, we have met. Captain Braxton.
Braxton: Not anymore. I've lost my rank thanks to you.
Future Seven: Seven of Nine to Seven of Nine. What's your status?
Seven: We've apprehended Braxton. How shall we proceed?
Future Seven: Stand by.
Braxton: Long time no see.
Janeway: Are you all right, Seven?
Seven: I believe we've just prevented Voyager's destruction.
Janeway: Would you care to explain how you
Janeway: The Timeship Relativity.
Seven: We need your help.
Ducane: This Seven of Nine stopped Braxton, but she created several temporal incursions along the way. She instigated a phaser fight at Utopia Planitia. She was seen by you and Lieutenant Tuvok two years before she joined your crew. And she interacted with her past self in front of fifteen crew members at a Ping-Pong tournament approximately six minutes ago. Your time frame, of course.
Janeway: Of course.
Ducane: Needless to say, we need to clean up the timeline. Someone must go back to the beginning and prevent the chain of events from occurring in the first place.
Seven: I can't make another jump without damaging myself.
Janeway: I get the feeling I'm about to be drafted.
Ducane: In exchange for leniency, Captain Braxton informed us of the precise moment he boarded Voyager to plant the weapon. We'll be sending you to stop him. Tell her.
Braxton: Deck four, section thirty eight. I'll stumble over a wounded crewmember. That will be your chance to capture me.
Ducane: Don't miss it, or we'll have to do this all over again.
Janeway: Wait a minute, let me get this straight. I'm going back in time to stop Braxton. But you already have him.
Ducane: And there's a third one in our brig. I arrested him earlier today. But, don't worry. They'll all be reintegrated in time for the trial.
Janeway: And Seven?
Ducane: Oh, I assure you, when all this is over there'll be just one Seven of Nine.
Janeway: All right. Let's get started before my headache gets any worse.
Torres: Captain, a Kazon torpedo just blew out the containment generator. Do you want me to reroute emergency power or take the warp core offline?
Janeway: Use your best judgment.
Torres: I thought you were on your way to the bridge.
Janeway: I have to take care of something first. Now get moving, Lieutenant. PAST
Janeway: Send damage control teams to decks nine through fourteen. Seal the breaches if you can. I'll be on the Bridge. Keep me informed.
Crewwoman: Yes, ma'am.
Braxton: Oh!
Janeway: Come here often?
Ducane: Incursion factor point zero zero three six. It's better than I expected.
Janeway: Glad we could lend a hand. When do we go home?
Ducane: You'll both be returned to your time frame. You'll be reintegrated with the other Seven of Nine. Since none of your time jumps were to your foreseeable future, only the past, I see no reason to resequence your memory engrams. But remember the Temporal Prime Directive. Discuss your experiences with no one.
Janeway: Understood.
Ducane: Oh, Captain. Braxton was right about one thing. Voyager shows up on our sensors far too often. Try to avoid time travel.
Janeway: See you in the twenty fourth century.
Seven: I look forward to it, or should I say, backward?
Janeway: Don't get started.