Torres: It's extraordinary.
Tuvok: I must remind you that it is also a potential security risk.
Torres: It's losing power. I'd like to move it to Engineering to see if I can repair it before it drains completely.
Tuvok: I suggest we allow the power to drain. We should take the opportunity to examine it while it is idle. Then we can decide if it is wise to repair it.
Torres: Captain, this thing has a completely unfamiliar power source. Once it stops working it's very possible I won't be able to get it going again, and we'll have lost an opportunity to study a new technology.
Janeway: This is a ship of exploration, Mister Tuvok.
Torres: The power's surging. If we can't find a way to stabilize it, we're going to lose it.
Kim: What about an interface with an EPS power conduit?
Torres: Well, the energy signatures are incompatible, but it might buy us some time. Okay, let's give it a try. Two second burst, five percent maximum output. On my mark. Now. We're losing it.
Kim: Maybe we're overloading it's systems.
Torres: Let's try a longer burst at lower power.
Kim: Got it. Five seconds at three percent, on your mark.
Torres: Now. I think it's working. EPS flow is holding steady. EM field leakage is minimal.
Kim: We'll have to watch the pressure on the connectors.
Torres: Let's try to keep it below eighty five percent.
Kim: Flux capacitance is spiking intermittently, but I don't think that's a problem.
Torres: Let's reinforce the power conduit coupling just to be on the safe side.
Torres: It's suffered a lot of damage, but I think the EPS charge will keep it running for at least eighteen hours.
Kim: It's not a cyborg. It's completely robotic. No organic components of any kind.
Torres: This looks like some kind of programming center.
Kim: But I'm not detecting any pathways for transmitting information.
Torres: It's got arms, legs, we saw it move it's head. It's clearly designed to perform motor functions. So where did those commands come from?
Kim: Maybe it needs to interface with a outside source.
Torres: Speaking of sources, this energy module seems to be what powers the entire mechanism. It isn't designed to run on EPS energy, it runs on some kind of super-conducting plasma. If we keep charging it, we may end up destroying it.
Torres: It's trying to communicate.
Kim: We don't know that. It may just be some kind of recording.
3947: One one one one one. Pralor Pralor. One one. Pralor Pralor Pralor Pralor.
Torres: What are you trying to say? What's Pralor? If you can hear me, try to move, try to move your arm.
Kim: B'Elanna, we don't even know if it can see you, much less understand a word you're saying.
Torres: We've got to figure out a way to fix it.
Kim: We've been trying for hours. We need a break. The EPS charge should hold till morning.
Torres: You go ahead. I could use some time alone to think.
Kim: If you're staying, I'm staying.
Torres: Get some rest, Harry.
Kim: You may think you're tougher than everybody else, B'Elanna Torres, but I can go without sleep just as long as you can.
Torres: Don't make me laugh, Starfleet. And don't make me pull rank on you either.
Kim: If you insist. But let me know if you come up with anything, Lieutenant. Chief Engineers log, supplemental. I've tried thirteen different methods of reinitializing the robot's power source and I'm still having no luck, so I've decided to go to the mess hall to recharge my own declining energy reserves.
Torres: Neelix, I need another pot of coffee.
Neelix: Even though breakfast isn't officially served for another hour and a half, I'd be happy to pour you a glass of Traggle nectar. I will even fix you my special Jibalian seven spice omelet.
Torres: Just coffee.
Neelix: I'm sorry, B'Elanna, but two pots of Landras blend is the absolute limit.
Torres: You're cutting me off? Oh, I guess you're right. It was starting to taste almost palatable.
Neelix: Still no idea how to revive our mechanized guest.
Torres: All I've been able to do is postpone the inevitable. The constant power depletion is like a bleeding artery, and I haven't got a tourniquet.
Neelix: I remember when I was trying to perfect the recipe for my Jibalian omelet. I tried everything, a little more spith basil, a little less prishic, but I couldn't get it right. Finally I fell asleep from exhaustion right there at the counter. And then, in a dream, it came to me. I was using six spices, but the omelet needed seven.
Torres: Let me guess. Leola root.
Neelix: Nimian sea salt, actually.
Torres: Salt?
Neelix: Yes, salt, the most common spice in the galaxy. But I was too tired, so I couldn't see it.
Torres: That is a very interesting story, Neelix. Now how about some more coffee.
Neelix: To bed. I said, to bed.
Torres: I'm going. I'm going.
Torres: Anybody home? What's that? You think I should go to bed too? Well, I guess I'm outnumbered.
Torres: Computer, activate Emergency Medical Holographic Program.
Emh: Please state the nature. If there has been a change in the official dress code I certainly wish someone would have informed me.
Torres: This is what I sleep in. I didn't have time to change.
Emh: I see. May I assume your haste is an indication that you have a medical problem of some kind.
Torres: An engineering problem actually, but I thought you might have some insight.
Emh: Hmm. I shouldn't have to remind you, I'm a doctor
Torres: Not an engineer, right, but this isn't a typical engineering problem. I've been working on trying to repair a robot.
Emh: Ah yes, the mechanical man. Kes told me about it. Fascinating.
Torres: He's about to die.
Emh: Die?
Torres: Die, stop functioning, whatever, unless I can figure out a way to sustain his main energy source.
Emh: What kind of energy source are we talking about?
Torres: It's some sort of chromo-dynamic module powered by a tripolymer plasma, but the plasma is contaminated. It's decaying.
Emh: Hmm. Like diseased blood.
Torres: Right. It can't retain enough energy to keep the module running.
Emh: Have you considered a transfusion?
Torres: You mean replacing the plasma itself? Well, that was one of my first ideas, but where do I get my hands on a polymer plasma composed of elements I didn't even know existed twenty four hours ago?
Emh: Aren't Voyager's engines powered by warp plasma?
Torres: It's, it's a very different substance. Too highly charged. It would burn out the robot's systems in seconds. It would be like trying to give a Bolian a blood transfusion from a Vulcan.
Emh: Which ordinarily would kill the unfortunate Bolian, but there have been instances when artificial blood was unavailable and existing blood cells were genetically altered for inter-species transfusions.
Torres: It's a good idea, but warp plasma radiates at too high a frequency to alter electrochemically. Unless.
Emh: Go on.
Torres: I could modify a series of anodyne relays, attach them directly to the robots power module. They could act as a sort of regulator to make the warp plasma compatible with the robot's energy matrix.
Emh: That's exactly what I was going to suggest.
Torres: That's the last of the relays.
Kim: Plasma injector is sealed.
Janeway: This is your show, Lieutenant. Whenever you're ready.
Torres: Activating the relays. All right, Harry, start the infusion. Twenty percent nominal flow.
Kim: Initiating plasma flow.
Torres: Energy levels are up fourteen percent.
Janeway: The relays are holding.
Torres: Harry, give it a little more juice.
Kim: Got it. I'm taking it to thirty percent. Thirty five percent.
Torres: Wait, the energy levels are rising too fast. We're going to burn out it's systems.
Kim: But it needs more plasma.
Janeway: What about increasing the capacitance of the relays?
Torres: Let's give it a try. It's stabilizing. Hold the flow right there. Let's see what happens. The plasma is circulating. The programming center is activated. I think we may have done it.
3947: Please identify yourself.
Torres: I'm Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres of the Federation Starship Voyager.
3947: I'm automated unit 3947. Thank you for reactivating me, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres. Chief Engineer's log, supplemental. the robot's power module is continuing to function normally using plasma from our warp engines. Repairing it's systems has taught me more about robotics than I ever could have learnt at Starfleet Academy.
Torres: I think we're past the critical stage.
3947: I concur. According to my self-diagnostic systems Automated Personnel Unit 3947 is currently functioning at sixty eight percent of peak operating capabilities.
Torres: Automated Personnel Unit 3947 is an extremely well designed machine.
3947: Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres is an extremely proficient humanoid.
Torres: So how did you end up floating in space so badly damaged?
3947: I was operating an asteroid mining pod. It exploded.
Torres: Do you know what caused the explosion?
3947: I am unable to access that information. My memory cells are not yet operating at optimal efficiency.
Torres: Do you remember where you come from?
3947: I am stationed aboard a Pralor vessel.
Torres: Well, we'll do our best to find your ship and return you to your people.
3947: Thank you.
Torres: I'm hoping that the memory loss is only temporary. Once the new plasma has the chance to fully integrate into your systems, I think you'll be pretty close to optimal.
3947: New plasma?
Torres: Yes, I adapted your module to accept our warp plasma as an energy source.
3947: You repaired my power module. Are you a Builder?
Torres: A builder? Well, I guess you could say that. I'm an engineer. I'm responsible for repairing and maintaining all the systems on the ship.
3947: Only the Builders were capable of constructing or repairing power modules.
Torres: The Builders are the people who created you?
3947: Yes.
Torres: And they're humanoids like me?
3947: Yes, like Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres. You could create a new power module.
Torres: You don't need a new module. The one I just fixed will work fine now.
3947: The new power module would not be for me. It would be a prototype for the construction of additional automated units.
Torres: Can't the Builders make additional units?
3947: The Builders no longer exist.
Torres: Apparently thousands of them were built as service modules, but the race who created them, these Builders, were killed off decades ago in a war.
Janeway: Leaving the automated units to fend for themselves.
Torres: Now they're wearing out, breaking down. They've learnt to make repairs to themselves, some pretty complex, but the construction of a power module, the device that sustains them, is beyond their grasp. It's an incredible challenge, Captain, but with enough time to study their systems, I might be able to do it.
Janeway: I don't doubt your abilities, B'Elanna, but helping them reproduce is a clear violation of the Prime Directive.
Torres: They've expressed a desire to procreate. That's basic to any life form.
Janeway: I'm not saying they don't have the same rights as any organic species. That's not the issue here.
Torres: Are you sure? Suppose they were organic but they had become sterile, and we had a treatment that would enable them to start reproducing again. Would you withhold that treatment?
Janeway: Maybe. I'd have to know more about the circumstances. But we're not talking about treating a disorder here, are we?
Torres: What's the difference?
Janeway: Unlike a species whose become sterile, the robots never had the ability to reproduce. What you're talking about is giving them new abilities, which is the equivalent of altering their genetic structure.
Torres: To correct a flaw.
Janeway: You can't call it a flaw. This is the way they were designed.
Torres: I'm trying to save them from extinction.
Janeway: Unfortunately extinction is often the natural end of evolution.
Torres: So you're just willing to let their entire society die off.
Janeway: We don't know that's going to happen. If they're adaptable, as you say, and capable of educating themselves, they might very well learn to build a power module themselves some day.
Torres: Some day could be too late. There are only a few hundred of them left.
Janeway: I feel for the robot's plight, but what you are proposing is exactly the kind of tampering the Prime Directive prohibits. We know almost nothing about these creatures or the race that built them. What would be the consequences of increasing their population, both to their own civilization and others in this quadrant? Who are we to swoop in, play God and then continue on our way without the slightest consideration of the long term effects of our actions?
Torres: Captain!
Janeway: B'Elanna, I share your scientific curiosity and I admire your compassion, but the answer is no.
3947: I do not concur with your Captain's decision.
Torres: She's following our Prime Directive.
3947: Define Prime Directive.
Torres: It forbids us to interfere in the natural development of other cultures.
3947: The automated units were not created naturally. We were built. You can help us build more.
Torres: Captain Janeway doesn't think that's a good idea.
3947: But Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres does.
Torres: Maybe. I don't know. I'd like to try, but I can't.
3947: Without your help, we will not survive. I thought Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres was a Builder.
Torres: So did I. We've located your ship. We should be in communications range in about an hour.
3947: Thank you.
Paris: The alien vessel is entering visual range, Captain.
Janeway: Yellow alert. Slow to one quarter impulse. Put them on screen, Ensign Kim.
Kim: Aye, Captain.
Janeway: Magnify.
Tuvok: We're being scanned, Captain.
Janeway: That's all right. Let them take a look. Open a channel.
6263: Pralor Automated Personnel Unit 6263 requests you identify yourselves.
Janeway: I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager.
6263: What are your intentions, Captain Kathryn Janeway?
Janeway: We rescued one of your crewmembers, unit 3947, and we'd like to return him to your ship.
6263: We'll prepare to receive the unit. Thank you for your assistance.
Paris: Very polite, these automated units.
Torres: Captain Janeway gave me permission to give you some extra warp plasma, in case the plasma we infused into your system starts to degrade.
3947: Thank you.
Torres: And you'll have to remodulate the anodyne relays periodically.
3947: You are repeating instructions you have already given me, B'Elanna.
Torres: I'm just making sure. Well, I guess this is goodbye.
Torres: What are you doing?
Kim: Captain, I'm detecting a chromo-dynamic energy discharge in Transporter room two.
Janeway: Bridge to Transporter room two. Janeway to Torres.
Chakotay: Captain, someone's initiating a transport. It's Torres and the robot.
Janeway: Override.
Kim: I can't block it. The patterns are already in the buffer. They're gone, Captain.
Janeway: Transport her back now, Mister Kim.
Kim: I can't get a lock on her.
Tuvok: They have erected some kind of subspace defense field around their vessel. Our targeting scanners cannot penetrate it.
Janeway: Hail them.
Kim: They're not responding.
Janeway: Open a channel on wideband subspace.
Kim: Channel open.
Janeway: This is Captain Janeway. Your abduction of our crewmember is a clear act of aggression. If you do not return her immediately, we will be forced to retaliate. Confirm that they've received the transmission, Mister Kim.
Kim: They heard us all right. They're just not answering.
Janeway: Mister Tuvok, power the forward phaser banks.
Torres: What the hell is going on here?
3947: This is where you will assist in the creation of the prototype.
Torres: I told you I can't help you. Now return me to my ship.
3947: That is not possible.
Torres: Torres to Voyager.
3947: Your communication device has been deactivated. I do not wish to injure you, B'Elanna.
Torres: I helped you. I reactivated you. Why are you doing this?
3947: We require additional automated units to prevent our extinction.
Torres: Captain Janeway won't let you get away with this.
3947: It would be inadvisable for your Captain to provoke us.
Kim: Still no response, Captain.
Janeway: Mister Tuvok, any luck penetrating their defense field?
Tuvok: Negative.
Janeway: Commander, is there any sign that they're preparing to attack?
Chakotay: Their shielding is making it difficult to get clear readings. I can't even tell you what their weapons capabilities are.
Janeway: Mister Tuvok, I don't want you to hit their ship, but I do want you to open a hole in their shielding wide enough to transport through.
Tuvok: Understood.
Janeway: Mister Kim, match the targeting scanners to the coordinates of the phaser fire, and stand by to beam B'Elanna back.
Tuvok: Phasers calibrated.
Janeway: Fire.
Tuvok: Their field strength is down to eighty percent.
Janeway: That's progress. Fire again.
Paris: Initiating evasive pattern omega six.
Chakotay: They're firing some kind of quantum resonance charges, Captain.
Tuvok: Our aft shields are down to fifty three percent and dropping.
Kim: Re-routing power to aft shields.
Tuvok: Down to twenty four percent.
Paris: Switching evasive pattern to theta one.
Janeway: Lieutenant Tuvok, load torpedo bays one through four and stand by to fire on my order.
3947: Your Captain has made a tactical error by attacking us. Our weapons systems are substantially superior to yours. Your shields are failing, your weapons pose no threat to us.
Tuvok: Aft shields have been penetrated.
Chakotay: We've got to get out of here.
Janeway: Agreed. We'll try to come back for B'Elanna later. Do it, Mister Paris. Warp three.
Paris: Propulsion systems are offline. We're dead in the water.
Tuvok: Hull breach on deck six.
Kim: Initiating emergency containment field.
Tuvok: Environmental control systems are failing. Oxygen levels on decks three through seven have dropped to critical.
Kim: We've lost artificial gravity on deck eight.
Chakotay: Injury reports from all decks.
Torres: You've got to stop this.
3947: Your ship opened fire. We are programmed to defend ourselves.
Torres: They're helpless. Can't you see that?
3947: Our enemies must be destroyed.
Torres: We are not your enemies.
3947: You are not my enemy, B'Elanna, but your Captain is, and your crew follows her commands.
Torres: Captain Janeway backed me when I wanted to reactivate you, over the objections of her Chief Security officer. You wouldn't even be here if it weren't for her. All right, if that's what it will take to stop this, I'll do it. I'll build your damned prototype!
Chakotay: We're losing life support, Captain.
Tuvok: The robots have powered down their weapon systems.
Kim: They're hailing us, Captain.
Janeway: On screen.
Torres: Captain, is everybody okay?
Janeway: We'll be all right. What about you?
Torres: I've agreed to help them build their prototype.
Janeway: Lieutenant.
Torres: I know how you feel about this, Captain, I don't like it either. But if I don't do it, they'll destroy Voyager. What choice do I have?
3947: These are all the materials necessary to construct a prototype unit. You will be provided with whatever additional tools and equipment you require. You may access our database and schematic information from this computer terminal, but it will not allow you to interface with any critical systems. While you are on board, you will have no contact with your ship, nor will you leave this room. I will remain here to supervise your work. You may proceed.
Torres: Proceed. Right. But the question is, where do I proceed from? Let me ask you this. Have any of you ever tried to build a prototype.
3947: We have tried, and failed.
Torres: What was the problem?
3947: I am unable to explain the failure. We duplicated a power module to exact specifications on several occasions, but in all instances the energy output of the new module was insufficient to operate a unit.
Torres: And you're sure you reproduced the module exactly?
3947: This is a schematic of a power module from a terminated unit. This one is from a failed prototype. They are identical. There is no reason why one should function while the does not.
6263: Unit 3947, what can you report?
Torres: Well, let's see. We've been working for about five minutes so I guess we don't have a lot of progress to report.
6263: Our sensors indicate that the humanoid vessel will require approximately one hundred and forty hours to repair. It is necessary for you to complete work on the prototype before that time.
Torres: Why? We don't seem to be any match for you.
6263: Our tactical subprocessors indicate a seventy nine percent likelihood that rescue will be attempted when sufficient repairs are completed. At optimal efficiency your engines are more powerful than ours.
3947: It is also possible that these humanoids will not make decisions based on tactical probabilities. Their cognitive process is unpredictable.
6263: We will remain on full tactical alert. The humanoid may purposefully attempt to delay completion of the prototype hoping she will be rescued.
Torres: I don't know if a promise means anything to you people but it does to us. I gave you my word that I'd do my best, and I will.
3947: According to my observations, the humanoid is operating at optimal efficiency.
Torres: Thank you. But I have to tell you there are no guarantees here. Building a prototype from scratch is a lot different than repairing a broken power module. I don't even know if it's possible.
6263: If you fail, you and your people will die.
3947: B'Elanna Torres, 6263 is a Designated Command Unit. He is merely following his programming.
Torres: I don't need to be threatened. I told you I'd do my best.
3947: I believe you, but unit 6263 does not. He does not know Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres as I do.
Torres: Let me see one of those terminated power modules.
Kim: We've managed to repair the hull breach but we have no power on decks three through seven.
Tuvok: Aft shields are still completely non-functional.
Kim: And last but not least, the dilithium matrix is destabilized, so we can't get the warp engines running.
Chakotay: We're talking about at least another six days of repairs.
Janeway: We're not sticking around that long. I want a plan to get B'Elanna off that ship before she has a chance to finish building the prototype.
Tuvok: In that case I suggest we make warp drive our priority. Any rescue attempt will no doubt necessitate a rapid departure.
Janeway: Agreed. Mister Kim, can you give me an estimate on repairing the dilithium matrix?
Kim: How does seventy two hours sound?
Janeway: Like twenty four hours too long. Dismissed.
Torres: Hand me the sub-micron scanner. Phase coil resonator. Well, I think I know why your other prototypes failed, but I'm not sure I know what to do about it yet.
3947: Explain.
Torres: The automated units are modular. Your parts are identical, interchangeable, right?
3947: That is correct.
Torres: So if you lose an arm you can replace it with another one, and over the years you've learnt to make new arms because they're all the same and your programming is sophisticated enough to allow you to reproduce what you see. But each power module has a slightly different energy signature, so even if you copy this guy's module exactly it wouldn't work in any other unit. As far as I can tell, every automated unit has a power module with a unique energy code.
3947: Can you reprogram the energy codes to make the modules interchangeable?
Torres: I don't think so.
3947: You have failed. I will inform 6263.
Torres: Hey, do all you automated units give up the minute you hit a bump in the road?
3947: You have an alternative idea?
Torres: What we've got to do is design a standardized module with a uniform energy code that can power any unit.
3947: According to my observations, there is now sufficient reason for greater optimism.
Torres: You took the words right out of my mouth.
Tuvok: Due to the complexity of their defense field and our severe power shortage, it is unlikely that we can modify the transporters to beam Lieutenant Torres out.
Chakotay: But if we can maneuver inside the field
Kim: Our transporters could get the job done.
Janeway: Is that a viable option?
Paris: For a shuttlecraft, it may be.
Janeway: They were able to knock out Voyager's shields in a matter of minutes. A shuttle would be even more vulnerable.
Tuvok: It would be advisable to create a diversion of some sort to take their attention away from the shuttle.
Chakotay: Attack them again?
Janeway: I don't want to risk that a second time.
Paris: I don't need a diversion. Just give me a chance, I'll get her out of there.
Chakotay: You don't mind if the rest of us give you a little help, do you, Paris? I'd hate to lose another shuttle.
Paris: Your concern for my welfare is heartwarming.
Janeway: In another twelve hours our warp engines will be back online. I'd like to come up with a diversion before then. Okay, gentlemen?
Torres: So far so good. I'm not getting any feedback from the motor circuits. Are you going to be the obstetrician of this unit, 3947?
3947: Please rephrase the question.
Torres: If this works, will you be in charge of assembling the new units?
3947: I am programmed as a ship's maintenance unit. I have no knowledge of design, nor do any of the other automated personnel.
Torres: Sounds like you just volunteered for new duty. I hope you're watching closely.
3947: I am observing your work. However I do not possess your improvisational capabilities.
Torres: Well, once we have the prototype, all you'd have to do is copy it. Tell me something, thirty nine. Can I call you thirty nine?
3947: I am automated unit 3947.
Torres: Fine. 3947. Did you wake up on a bench like this one? How long have you been alive?
3947: I have been in service one million three hundred and fourteen thousand eight hundred and seven hours and thirty three minutes. I was activated by a Builder from the Pralor homeworld.
Torres: Tell me something more about these Builders. Were they anything like us?
3947: I have insufficient knowledge of your culture to provide an adequate response. Will you provide additional information?
Torres: Well. I asked about your culture, only fair you should ask about mine.
3947: Does your culture include artificial lifeforms?
Torres: As a matter of fact, it does.
3947: Are they similar to the automated personnel units aboard this ship?
Torres: Well, they come different shapes, and sizes. Some have limbs, some don't. Most don't have your cognitive abilities.
3947: Are they your servants?
Torres: I guess, you could say that the robots we use are servants in a manner of speaking. But they aren't sentient like you. In fact, we have only one sentient artificial life form in our society, and he is treated the same as any human.
3947: The same? He is equal to a Builder?
Torres: That's right. He works on a ship just like you or I. He wears the same uniform I do.
3947: What is his designated number?
Torres: He has a name like the rest of us. Data.
3947: Data. I would like to be acquainted with this Data.
Torres: Ah, looks like this standardized power module is working pretty well so far.
3947: You will succeed, B'Elanna Torres.
Torres: Don't send me flowers yet. I've still got to see whether it will power an actual unit.
3947: I believe it will.
Chakotay: We're making progress on the dilithium matrix. It should be stable enough to reinitialize the warp core in about six hours.
Janeway: Good. What about our diversion. Any suggestions?
Chakotay: When we were in the Maquis, B'Elanna once linked a holo-emitter to a deflector array and projected an image of another ship into space.
Janeway: I like it. But do we have enough power?
Chakotay: We will by the time the warp core's online. I already have Kim working on the holodeck to
Tuvok: Tuvok to Captain Janeway.
Janeway: Go ahead.
Tuvok: I am picking up an unidentified alien ship on long range sensors. It's heading for our co-ordinates.
Janeway: We're on our way.
Torres: Well, it fits. Cross your fingers. So far so good. Let's hope it can interface with the unit.
3947: It does not function correctly.
Torres: It does not function correctly yet. Your builders should have programmed you with a little more patience. I'm going to try adjusting the flux capacitance.
0001: Prototype unit 0001 is ready to accept programming.
Torres: We did it. We actually did it!
3947: You did it, B'Elanna Torres. I knew this task would not exceed your operating capabilities.
0001: Prototype unit 0001 is ready to accept programming.
3947: What are you doing?
Torres: I am congratulating you. You're a father!
Kim: No sign of organic life aboard that ship either.
Tuvok: They appear to be manned by automated units virtually identical to those operating the first ship.
Janeway: Is it possible that we've stumbled into the middle of some kind of robotic war?
Chakotay: We've got to get Torres back now.
Janeway: Agreed. But first I want to show both those ships this isn't our fight. Ease us back on maneuvering thrusters, Mister Paris, nice and steady.
Kim: The second ship is hailing us.
Janeway: On screen.
122: Cravic Automated Commander 122 requests you identify yourself.
Janeway: My name is Kathryn Janeway, Captain of the Federation Starship Voyager.
122: Withdraw from this area immediately.
Janeway: I'm afraid I can't do that. One of my crewmembers is being held hostage aboard the Pralor vessel. I won't leave without her.
122: Remain at your present coordinates and do not attempt to intervene, or you will be fired on.
Tuvok: Captain, this new ship could be
Janeway: The diversion we've been looking for. Mister Kim, what's the status of our warp engines?
Kim: We're still an hour away at best.
Janeway: We may not have an hour. Get down to Engineering. Be ready to give me as much power as you can the minute we get Torres back.
Kim: Aye, Captain.
Janeway: If those two ships keep each other busy we may not need warp to get away. Mister Paris, report to the shuttle bay.
Paris: Yes, ma'am.
Janeway: Chakotay, you have the con.
Torres: Who are they?
3947: Automated Personnel Units of the Cravic homeworld.
Torres: Robots from another world?
3947: That is correct.
Torres: Why are they attacking you?
3947: They were programmed to do so by their Builders.
0001: Prototype unit 0001 is ready to accept programming.
Torres: The Cravic Builders, the Pralor Builders, were they enemies?
3947: That is correct.
Torres: Look, maybe Captain Janeway can contact the Cravic leaders and convince them to stop the fighting, then
3947: That is not possible.
Torres: Why not?
3947: The Cravic are also extinct.
Paris: I'm approaching the perimeter of the defense field.
Tuvok: Acknowledged.
Tuvok: Rotate your shield harmonics until they are synchronized with the frequency of the field.
Paris: Shields synchronized. I'm going in. Then again, maybe not.
Chakotay: It didn't work. He bounced right off the field.
Tuvok: Mister Paris, reset your heading for coordinates one zero five
Tuvok: Mark four zero.
Paris: Er, if I understand you, Tuvok, that would take me into a direct line of fire with the Cravic ship.
Tuvok: Precisely. The concentration of fire is opening a rift in the Pralor defense field.
Paris: Which I just might be able to sneak through if I can dodge a disrupter blast or two. Changing heading.
Torres: If both sides were annihilated then why continue your war?
3947: All Automated Personnel Units were programmed to achieve victory.
0001: Prototype unit 0001 is ready to accept programming.
3947: The Cravic ship has penetrated our defense shield.
Torres: Has anyone in all these years ever tried to stop this war?
3947: The Pralor and the Cravic called a truce.
Torres: Wait a minute. If both sides called a truce, then why didn't they stop you from fighting?
3947: They attempted to do so.
Torres: And?
3947: We terminated the builders.
Paris: Paris to Voyager. I'm approaching the entry
Paris: Point.
Tuvok: Acknowledged. Showing a rift in the defense
Tuvok: Field off your starboard bow.
Paris: I'm on it.
3947: When it was anticipated that the war would end, the Builders no longer required our services and they intended to terminate us. In doing so, they became the enemy. We are programmed to destroy the enemy. It is necessary for our survival. Now that you have constructed a prototype, we will soon outnumber the Cravic units. We will achieve victory.
3947: This is unit 3947. Fire units report to reconstruction bay number one.
Torres: The individual energy codes. Is that why the builders added them? To prevent the procreation of these units? My god, what have I done?
0001: Prototype unit 0001 is ready to accept programming.
3947: You have terminated the prototype.
Torres: Yes, I have.
3947: You will build another.
Torres: Never.
3947: Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, I told 6263 you were not our enemy.
Torres: I never wanted to be your enemy. I'm sorry.
Paris: Shuttle to Voyager. I've got her but she's injured. Tell the Doctor to stand by.
Paris: Beam her out as soon as I clear the defense field.
Janeway: Acknowledged, Mister Paris.
Tuvok: The ships are continuing to exchange fire, Captain. They are ignoring the shuttle.
Janeway: Bridge to Engineering. Standby warp engines. We'll engage the moment Mister Paris gets back.
Kim: Aye, Captain.
Kes: One pot of Landras blend, compliments of the chef.
Torres: Mmm. I never thought Neelix's coffee could taste so good.
Kes: I'll tell him you said so.
Torres: I don't know what to say.
Janeway: As far as I'm concerned, you did what you thought was necessary to ensure the safety of this crew.
Torres: Thank you.
Janeway: It must have been difficult.
Torres: Difficult?
Janeway: To destroy what you created.
Torres: It was necessary.
Janeway: I read your report. It was no small achievement, B'Elanna. You gave that unit life.
Torres: You should have seen it, Captain. It was incredible. I installled that module, and the prototype looked up at me and asked me for programming.
Janeway: As I said, it must have been difficult.
Torres: It was necessary.


Chakotay: Captain!
Janeway: Report.
Kim: It looks like the Kazon have retreated, Captain.
Chakotay: We must have hurt them.
Paris: Not as bad as they hurt us. All engines are offline.
Tuvok: Captain, shields are down as are all weapons arrays.
Chakotay: We'd better hope they don't come back. We're sitting ducks.
Janeway: Janeway to Engineering, what's your status?
Torres: We're in bad shape Captain. We had to shut down the warp engines to avoid a breach. The impulse engines are gone too. I think I can give you thrusters but I've got a lot of casualties down here I've got to tend to first.
Jonas: Lieutenant! It's Kurt Bendera, he's hurt pretty bad.
Torres: No!
Jonas: His console exploded, caught him right in the face.
Torres: We've got to get him to Sickbay right away. Torres to Sickbay.
Emh: I hope this is urgent, Lieutenant. We have our hands full at the moment.
Torres: I'm setting up an emergency transport. One of my people is severely burned.
Emh: Very well, we'll do what we can.
Kim: More damage reports coming in, Captain. There's a hull breach on deck four, forcefields in place, repair crews on the way.
Chakotay: We've had casualties on all decks, no fatalities so far.
Paris: Captain, request permission to give Torres a hand in Engineering. Maybe I can help get propulsion up and running.
Janeway: Good idea. Go ahead.
Tuvok: Captain, my readings indicate the navigational deflector has sustained massive damage. It will be necessary to repair it before we can achieve more than thruster power.
Janeway: Get repair crews on it. Mister Kim, I want a complete analysis of all the damage we've sustained.
Kim: Yes ma'am.
Emh: He's not responding. Seventy five milligrams of inpedrazine. That might help stimulate his cardiac functions, but he's sustained so much injury it may be too late.
Kes: It had no effect.
Emh: Cortical stimulator. I'm sorry, he was too badly injured.
Torres: He saved my life once, near the Cardassian border.
Janeway: Come in.
Chakotay: Crewman Bendera's dead. The Doctor couldn't do anything.
Janeway: I'm sorry, Chakotay. I know you were friends. Will you arrange a memorial service?
Chakotay: I'll get right on it.
Janeway: Was there something else?
Chakotay: Yes. Like it or not, it seems we're in a situation where the rules have changed. And maybe, if we're going to survive out here, we have to start changing too.
Janeway: What do you mean?
Chakotay: When we first started our trip home, you made a conscious decision to treat Voyager as a Starfleet ship with a Starfleet crew following Starfleet rules.
Janeway: That's right.
Chakotay: Starfleet works well in the Alpha quadrant, but out here, maybe we should be thinking more like the Maquis. The Maquis had to survive on their own. We were up against insurmountable odds. We had to create our own opportunities for success, because nobody was willing to help us. Sound like anybody you know?
Janeway: If you're suggesting we abandon our principles just because we're out of hailing range?
Chakotay: Captain, this was the fourth attack in two weeks. We've lost three crew members to the Kazon, a dozen more have sustained serious injuries. The ship has taken so much damage we'll be lucky to get warp drive online again. And we can count on the fact that the Kazon will be back. I don't think we can afford to keep doing business as usual.
Chakotay: A lot of us can say we're alive today because of Kurt Bendera. There was never a better man to have at your side, never anyone more willing to take on the tough jobs. The first time I met him was in a mining community on Telfas Prime. Some of the miners objected to my sense of humor and decided they should break a few of my bones. There were four of them and one of me, and I was taking a beating. Suddenly this man I'd never seen before came out of nowhere and evened things up. We stood back to back, and pretty soon the others decided my sense of humor wasn't so bad after all. I thanked the man. He just grinned and said, I like a good fight. He was my friend from that moment on, and he kept fighting the good fight right up to the end. I'll miss him. Ensign.
Hogan: Captain, can I ask you something?
Janeway: Of course.
Hogan: Now that the Kazon have stepped up their attacks, a lot of people think that we're not going to make it out of here alive. I'd like to know what you have to say about that.
Janeway: Is there anything you have to say about that? I assure you, you can speak freely.
Hogan: I'd give them what they want. Give them the replicators and the transporters and whatever else it is they're after.
Janeway: I'm sure you realize that would be a violation of the Prime
Hogan: I know all about the Prime Directive, but you know what? The Federation is seventy thousand light years away. What does it matter what these people do to each other with our technology.
Janeway: I appreciate your concerns, crewman, but let me make it absolutely clear. I'll destroy this ship before I turn any part of it over to the Kazon. So that's how the Maquis would do it, hmm?
Janeway: It's all right, Commander, I know Hogan's upset. He and Bendera were close.
Chakotay: But that's not why he thinks we should give the Kazon what they want.
Janeway: I think I've made my position clear on that.
Chakotay: You have, but a lot of the crew feel they haven't had the chance to voice their opinions.
Janeway: This isn't a democracy, Chakotay. I can't run this ship by consensus.
Chakotay: A lot of the Maquis feel the Federation abandoned them years ago. You may be willing to die for Federation principles, but they're not.
Janeway: I can't believe you'd support that man's position.
Chakotay: I don't. But isn't there something in between your position and his?
Janeway: Deck three.
Chakotay: All I'm saying, Captain, is that maybe there's a little room for flexibility in interpreting Starfleet's protocols. Frankly I'm not sure they were ever intended for situations like this.
Janeway: I haven't seen any evidence that they've let us down.
Chakotay: Maybe this situation with the Kazon is the first example. Maybe we have to examine Starfleet's principles with a cold eye and ask ourselves if they're really applicable here.
Janeway: Computer, hold turbolift. Commander, if you have a specific suggestion, please feel free to make it.
Chakotay: Make a deal, an alliance.
Janeway: With the Kazon?
Chakotay: With one of their factions, or two. If we had the Ogla and the Relora as our allies, the others would be afraid to touch us.
Janeway: Nothing we've been through with the Kazon would lead me to believe they're trustworthy. I can't imagine making a deal with them.
Chakotay: With all due respect, maybe that's because your imagination is limited by Starfleet protocols. As Captain, you're responsible for making decisions in the best interest of your crew, and I think you have to ask yourself if you're doing that.
Tuvok: Come in. Captain, this is unexpected.
Janeway: I've been in your quarters before.
Tuvok: Indeed, but so rarely that I can remember each instance. Vulcan spice tea, hot. And it was always at a time when you were particularly troubled.
Janeway: Right as usual. Thank you. Commander Chakotay has proposed that we make an alliance with one of the Kazon factions. We wouldn't give them weapons or technology, but we would pledge to support and defend them if they're attacked.
Tuvok: I am sure that made you uncomfortable.
Janeway: How can I consider it? I can't just walk away from the precepts Starfleet has laid our for us. You don't deal with outlaws. You don't involve yourself in the political machinations of other cultures. It goes against everything I believe, everything I trained for, everything experience has taught me.
Tuvok: Quite right.
Janeway: Do I hear a however coming?
Tuvok: You are perceptive, Captain. I believe Commander Chakotay's suggestion does have merit.
Janeway: Help me understand that.
Tuvok: When I was a young man, a great visionary named Spock recommended an alliance between the Federation and the Klingon empire. This produced a major dispute. The Klingons, after all, were outlaws, employing violence and brutality in order to build their empire. I myself spoke out against such a coalition. But the alliance was forged and it brought a stability to the quadrant that had not been there for two hundred years. Spock's suggestion, so controversial at first, proved to be the cornerstone of peace.
Janeway: There are some differences here. By allying ourselves to one faction, we'd be giving that faction more power than the others. That would clearly affect the internal politics of all the Kazon.
Tuvok: I understand your concern, but remember, it would only be a temporary arrangement since we are on our way out of this quadrant. In the meantime, it might bring stability to the region and security for us.
Janeway: Once we're gone they'll probably go back to their in-fighting.
Tuvok: Perhaps. But even temporary stability can bring an appreciation for peace. This flower is a rare hybrid. As far as I know it exists nowhere else in the galaxy. I created it by grafting a cutting from a South American orchid onto a Vulcan favinit plant. I doubted the graft would take, and indeed the plant was sickly at first. However, after a few weeks both plants adapted to their new condition and in fact became stronger than either had been alone.
Janeway: Consequently, after much consideration, I've decided to seek an alliance with one of the Kazon factions.
Kim: Captain, you can't be serious. This goes against everything
Janeway: Ensign, I'll be glad to discuss my reasoning with you at a more appropriate time. However, this meeting is not to debate the decision but to decide how to pursue it.
Neelix: Captain, if I may?
Janeway: Yes, Mister Neelix.
Neelix: We're not far from a planet known as Sobras, where there's a Kazon settlement inhabited by a faction known as the Pommar. I have an acquaintance there, someone who owes me some favors. Some rather large favors, actually. Perhaps I could meet with him and sound him out.
Tuvok: Is he authorized to speak for his Maje?
Neelix: Not exactly, but he does have the Maje's ear. This would be strictly informal, but it might give us a reading on the possibility without the risk of actual confrontation.
Janeway: Good idea. Proceed, Mister Neelix.
Kim: Why don't we just contact Seska and form an alliance with her?
Torres: Actually that's a good idea.
Chakotay: You've got to be kidding!
Torres: Not at all. Seska has been trying to forge an alliance among the Kazon. She would jump at the chance to get our support.
Paris: She's right. If we went through Seska at least we could ally ourselves with the Nistrim.
Chakotay: I think it's a bad idea.
Janeway: You can't have it both ways Commander. If you want to get in the mud with the Kazon you can't start complaining that you might get dirty.
Chakotay: Fine. I'll talk with Seska.
Janeway: No, you've been through too much with her. Mister Neelix, prepare to take your shuttle to Sobras. In the meantime, I'll make contact with Seska. Dismissed.
Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 49337.4. After sending a subspace message to Seska and the Nistrim Maje Culluh, we have received a quick response.
Culluh: Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay, I must say we were surprised to hear from you.
Janeway: Are you willing to meet with us?
Culluh: You've made an interesting proposal. I've discussed it with Seska and she assures me that you would not make this gesture unless you were sincere. I will talk with you.
Janeway: I suggest we rendezvous. We'll transmit coordinates to you.
Seska: If you don't mind, Captain, we'd prefer to choose the coordinates.
Janeway: Fine. Transmit them to us.
Culluh: We'll meet in approximately twenty hours. I must say, Captain, I look forward to this opportunity.
Neelix: Hello my friends. Please, don't let me interrupt. I was hoping to find my good friend Jal Tersa here. Has he been in tonight?
Neelix: Thank you. Tersa, my friend!
Tersa: It could be dangerous, sneaking up on a man like that.
Neelix: I'd never dream of sneaking up on you, but you were so engrossed in whatever it is you're doing.
Tersa: A puzzle. What brings you here, Talaxian?
Neelix: I'm good at puzzles, perhaps I can help?
Tersa: The dancer showed it to me. By moving only two rods this dodecahedron can become an icosahedron. She said she'd spend the night with the man who could solve it.
Neelix: Oh, a splendid motivation, to be sure. I might just be able to make your night a memorable one.
Tersa: You know how to solve this?
Neelix: I might, if you'll hear me out first. My fortunes have changed since we last met, Tersa. I've become a person of some influence aboard a starship known as Voyager.
Tersa: You must think us very isolated. Everyone knows that. It's probably the only reason you were allowed in here. Especially after last time.
Neelix: A simple misunderstanding. Tersa, I know you have the ear of your First Maje, as I do with our Captain. We could be quite useful to both of them.
Tersa: Go on.
Neelix: My Captain is interested in talking to your Maje, to discuss a possible alliance. Do you think he'd have any interest in such a meeting?
Tersa: An alliance? Between the Kazon Pommar and the Federations?
Neelix: An interesting thought, isn't it?
Guard: You're coming with us.
Neelix: Tersa! Explain to them we're friends!
Tersa: I have no idea who this person is. Some lunatic who sat down and started babbling.
Neelix: I guess you'll be spending the night alone.
Culluh: You've made a good choice. The Nistrim will be a potent ally.
Janeway: We want to make sure the Nistrim will also be an honorable ally. That you'll adhere to the conditions we establish. You can let all the Kazon factions know that Voyager has formed a coalition with you and will be an ally to any Nistrim ship or outpost we encounter. In addition, we're prepared to provide emergency supplies when needed. Food, medicine, clothing.
Tuvok: What we will not provide is any of our technology or weaponry.
Culluh: Understood. Just one other detail. An exchange of crewmembers.
Janeway: An exchange?
Culluh: Yes. I'm sure you'll agree that our alliance should represent a genuine partnership.
Tuvok: Perhaps you should define that.
Culluh: It's obvious. Federation crew on my ship, Nistrim crew on yours.
Seska: Maje, I think that's a detail we could work out later.
Janeway: I can assure you that I would never agree to that.
Culluh: It seems a natural extension of your own proposal.
Seska: We don't have to decide everything right now.
Culluh: I will determine what we decide, and when.
Seska: Yes, Maje.
Culluh: I won't have a woman dictate terms to me.
Janeway: Culluh, I found the idea of an alliance with you distasteful. I was willing to explore the possibility, but now I see my instincts were dead on.
Culluh: Talk to her. Tell her to be reasonable.
Janeway: This meeting is over.
Neelix: Once your Maje learns I'm being imprisoned he'll be outraged!
Guard: Hurry up.
Neelix: He won't look kindly on anyone who's made such a egregius error. What are you charging me with? How long will I be held?
Guard: Go.
Neelix: Well, I assume you'll at least let me confer with counsel. I have the ability to reward handsomely anyone who shows me a bit of understanding. Is that a baby?
Neelix: My name is Neelix. I'm Talaxian.
Mabus: I'm Mabus. My friends and I are Trabe. They hurt you.
Neelix: I wasn't walking quickly enough for them.
Mabus: Let's get the bleeding stopped, then I'll clean it.
Neelix: Why are they holding you?
Mabus: They seem to be detaining anyone who isn't Kazon. Several of our group have been taken for questioning, but so far none of them have come back.
Neelix: How long have you been here?
Mabus: Five days. They attacked us in space. Twenty of our group died. We've lost nine more since they put us in prison, including most of the governing council. I'm the only one left.
Neelix: The Kazon won't be satisfied until you've all been annihilated.
Mabus: If we've learned anything, it's how to survive. Did you notice how many guards they have posted at the entrance to the prison?
Neelix: Only two. I guess they assume this place is so secure that they don't need anymore. Why do you ask?
Mabus: We don't plan to sit here while they kill us one by one. We were able to get a message through to another Trabe vessel before we were boarded. Help is on the way. Can we count on you?
Janeway: Captain's log, supplemental. We're on our way to rendezvous with Mister Neelix. I can only hope that he had more luck with the Kazon than we did.
Paris: Captain, we're approaching the coordinates.
Janeway: All stop.
Kim: I don't see any trace of him.
Tuvok: Long range sensors indicate no sign of Mister Neelix's shuttle within a radius of two light years.
Paris: The Kazon have him.
Tuvok: We cannot jump to conclusions. He may simply have been delayed.
Janeway: We'll hold position here for two hours. If he hasn't shown up by then, we'll go to Sobras.
Hogan: Lieutenant, could you fill us in a little? Well, there are all kinds of rumors flying around about what's going on with the Kazon.
Torres: Nothing's going on yet. The Captain's talk with Seska fell apart pretty quickly.
Hogan: Nothings going to come of all this. B'Elanna, you were Seska's friend. Couldn't you get word to her, try to work things out?
Torres: No, I couldn't.
Hogan: I don't understand how.
Torres: Hogan, its gone too far. Seska isn't the person we thought she was. I don't trust her any more.
Hogan: Even if it means us getting home in one piece? Or do you agree with our Captain that holding on to our technology is worth dying for.
Torres: Who are you to be second guessing Captain Janeway? The hardest thing you have to think worry is keeping that dilithium chamber filled. She os doing the best she can to get us home and if you don't like the way she's doing it, I really don't want to hear about it. Is that clear?
Hogan: Perfectly.
Mabus: Some of the children are too weak to run. We'll have to carry them. We can use another pair of strong arms.
Neelix: You can count on me.
Mabus: I can't promise we'll get out of here alive, but if we stay here we'll die anyway.
Neelix: I'd rather go out fighting, myself.
Mabus: That one might be a problem. He's the kind who'll start shooting at the first sign of trouble.
Neelix: I'll keep an eye on him.
Mabus: This may be it. Be ready. Stay back.
Mabus: Get back against the walls.
Mabus: Now! Let's go! Let's go! Come on! Come on, everyone! Let's go. Come on, out. Let's go. Come on. Nice work, my friends. Let's go.
Janeway: All right, that's it. We're going after him. Mister Paris, set a course for Sobras, full impulse.
Paris: Aye, Captain.
Janeway: Tuvok, arm the phaser banks and load the forward torpedo bays. We don't know what the Kazon have in store for us.
Kim: Shields at full power.
Chakotay: Yellow alert, all hands at the ready.
Kim: Captain.
Janeway: What is it?
Kim: Ships. Kazon ships on long range sensors, closing fast.
Tuvok: Confirmed, Captain.
Janeway: On screen.
Tuvok: It appears to be an armada, and the weapons are powered.
Chakotay: Red alert!
Janeway: Power all weapons systems and stand ready. Mister Kim, hail the lead ship.
Kim: They're hailing us, Captain. I'll put it on screen.
Neelix: Hello, Captain. I'd like you to meet my good friend Mabus. We've just escaped from the Kazon Pommar.
Chakotay: What are you doing on a Kazon ship?
Neelix: They're Trabe vessels, actually. Everything the Kazon have, they stole from the Trabe. Mabus will tell you all about it over a sumptuous dinner. The food hasn't been very good where we've been.
Janeway: I look forward to it.
Mabus: I was eight years old when it started. I wasn't even particularly aware of the Kazon. They lived in restricted areas that children weren't allowed to go near. I didn't know they lived in poverty and filth. I didn't know they were persecuted by the Trabe police. I was told they were violent and dangerous, and had to be kept isolated so they wouldn't get loose and kill us. Which is exactly what they did, but we brought it on ourselves. The Trabe treated them like animals, fenced them in, encouraged them to fight amongst themselves so they wouldn't turn on us, and sat by while they turned into a violent, angry army. When they finally realized we were their true enemy, we didn't stand a chance. I was luckier than most. A friend's father grabbed me and took me with his family to one of the starships that managed to escape. I can still remember it happened so fast. One minute I was a happy child playing in a field, the next an orphan exiled in space.
Janeway: It strikes me that in many ways we're in the same predicament. Separated from the lives we knew, searching for a home.
Mabus: A goal you may well achieve, Captain, but the Kazon have refused to allow us to find a new homeworld. Every time we try to settle somewhere, they attack and drive us away. We're scattered, like nomads, with no home and little hope.
Chakotay: It happened over thirty years ago and the Kazon are still trying to punish you?
Mabus: Remarkable, isn't it? Most of the Trabe who persecuted the Kazon are either dead or old men by now. Most of us were children when the uprising occurred, and our children are innocent, but the Kazon's desire for revenge is as strong as ever.
Rettick: How can you transmit to us without your crew knowing it?
Jonas: Well, that's for me to worry about. Let's just say I'm very familiar with communications protocols. Now, will you let me talk to Seska?
Rettick: Not without some proof you can be trusted.
Jonas: She and I knew each other for a long time. She knows that I can be trusted. Just let me talk to her.
Rettick: I'll convey your message. Contact me tomorrow and I'll let you know if she's willing to talk to you.
Neelix: Before the uprising, the Trabe were known as a highly evolved species. They produced scholars and artists who were widely admired and their technology was among the finest in the quadrant. No one really knew about the Kazon and how they were being treated.
Janeway: Why not? Holding another culture in virtual slavery isn't the kind of thing that could go unnoticed.
Neelix: You have to understand. The Trabe were rich and powerful. They manipulated information about the conditions on their planet. And no one wanted to risk offending them, and losing opportunities for trade.
Chakotay: It seems to me that they've learned their lesson. Mabus and his people have freely acknowledged that they were responsible for what happened to them.
Tuvok: Still, I do not see that it is a particularly good idea to form an alliance with the blood enemies of the Kazon. We risk uniting all the factions against us.
Janeway: The only thing the Kazon agree on now is that we are their common enemy. It's hard to imagine it getting much worse.
Chakotay: The Trabe have a lot of ships and a lot of weapons in that convoy. I think this alliance would be better than none at all.
Janeway: I'd rather not be in the position of making an alliance at all, but that may be a luxury we simply don't have. My gut tells me we don't have any friends among the Kazon. As for the Trabe, I believe that people have a capacity to change. It's always been Starfleet's policy to deal with new species on a basis of openness and trust until proven otherwise.
Mabus: Captain, I'm glad to see you. I want to thank you for the use of your medical facilities. We have very few doctors.
Emh: Everyone seems to be in generally good condition. Malnutrition is the most common problem, but it's easily alleviated with bio-nutrient supplements.
Janeway: Thank you, Doctor. How much longer do you need?
Emh: I'd say less than an hour.
Janeway: Will you walk with me?
Mabus: Of course.
Janeway: I've been thinking about our conversation at dinner, about the things we share, and it seems to me we could be of mutual benefit to each other.
Mabus: Go on.
Janeway: What would you say to the possibility of our joining forces. My starship and your convoy.
Mabus: It clearly would be a stronger force if we did that.
Janeway: We could travel together for as long as it's advantageous to both of us. Maybe we'll find our way out of Kazon territory and you could settle on a new home world.
Mabus: It's a reasonable idea Captain. I have no objection. But it would only benefit your group and mine. There are other Trabe who wouldn't enjoy the same protection. I wonder if you might consider a somewhat more bold plan.
Janeway: Tell me.
Mabus: Together, the Voyager and the Trabe would be a force to be reckoned with. Suppose we took advantage of that and asked the representatives of all the Kazon factions to join us at the bargaining table.
Janeway: In order to achieve what?
Mabus: Peace. Together we would represent a stabilizing force in this corner of the quadrant. Bring the factions together, convince them that an end to violence would be in everyone's best interest. Think about it. I believe it could work.
Culluh: It's a message from Voyager. They've formed an alliance with the Trabe!
Seska: The Trabe?
Culluh: They're calling for a conference of all first Majes. How could this have happened?
Seska: It happened because you let Voyager slip away right into the hands of the Trabe, by insisting on that ridiculous exchange of crews!
Culluh: I could not let the negotiations be dictated by that woman!
Seska: That's becoming a tired refrain, Culluh. One day that attitude will be your undoing.
Culluh: Watch your tongue.
Seska: Or what? I'm carrying your child. I don't think you'd do anything to jeopardize him. We can still turn this to our advantage. We have a crewman on Voyager who's willing to provide information to us. There's long term potential in that arrangement. We mustn't lose sight of it.
Culluh: You're not suggesting we go to this conference? That we come running like a Calogan dog when the Federations call?
Seska: Could you risk being the only Maje who doesn't attend? Of course you'll go, and listen. Nothing should be negotiated there, not at the point of a Federation weapon. But you can learn a great deal. Assess the mood of the other Majes, find out the strength of the Trabe convoy.
Culluh: You may be right.
Seska: You can come out of this a hero. You can use this conference to unite the factions, eradicate the Trabe once and for all, and take Voyager as a trophy.
Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 49342.5. Neelix has returned from Sobras where he learned a disturbing piece of information that may require us to rethink our plans.
Neelix: He was a Takrit, a band of mercenaries that operates in this system,
Tuvok: What was he doing when the Kazon Pommar arrested him?
Neelix: My contact on the planet said that he was making a sketch of the conference site, and believe me the Takrid are not known for their art.
Chakotay: Who sent him?
Neelix: That's as much information as I got.
Janeway: So someone wants to sabotage this conference.
Chakotay: One of the Majes.
Neelix: Why miss a chance to wipe out your rivals while they're together in one room?
Tuvok: If that is true, then one of them will undoubtedly try to leave before the meeting is finished.
Chakotay: Captain, I think you should consider not going to the conference.
Janeway: No. If I can help bring stability to this quadrant, I'm not going to walk away because of a rumor.
Neelix: A rumor that must be taken seriously nonetheless.
Janeway: Agreed. Commander, monitor all the Kazon vessels carefully, and look out for any suspicious ship movement near the surface. Keep us on a constant transporter lock so we can beam out at the first hint of trouble. Tuvok, Neelix, you're with me.
Tersa: I gave a great deal of thought to the shape of the table. I finally decided on a triangle. Your group will sit on one side, the Majes will occupy the other two. Does that seem appropriate?
Neelix: Have you heard anything more about the matter we discussed?
Tersa: Don't talk about that here. It could mean my head. Does the table shape seem acceptable?
Neelix: Tersa, this time I am here with a powerful starship. You'd better be telling me everything you know.
Tersa: I am, I swear. I want to thank you for making it possible to have the conference here on Sobras. My Maje has rewarded me handsomely for the prestige it affords him. If there is any further way I can be of service, please let me know.
Neelix: He hasn't heard anything more, but he's frightened. He must believe something's going to happen.
Tersa: The First Majes of the Kazon Order. Minnis of the Pommar. Surat of the Mostral. Loran of the Hobii. Valek of the Oglamar. And Culluh of the Nistrim.
Culluh: Captain. We seem destined to encounter each other.
Janeway: This is Mabus, a governor of the Trabe.
Mabus: Maje Culluh. I'm gratified to be meeting you like this. I hope we'll be able to come to terms.
Culluh: I never thought I'd see the day when any of us would sit at a table with the Trabe.
Mabus: Times change, Maje.
Culluh: Perhaps.
Janeway: Shall we?
Tersa: Our gracious host Jal Minnis has provided food and drink to make our discussions more pleasant.
Janeway: We appreciate your coming. We hope this will lead to a new climate of peace.
Culluh: Peace? With the Trabe? Forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical.
Janeway: I understand. After decades of antagonism you're bound to be suspicious. But surely everyone here is tired of constant violence.
Surat: Aren't you really trying to get us to relax our guard so the Trabe can conquer us again?
Mabus: How can we do that? We're scattered and disparate. All we ask for is a chance to find a new homeworld and settle peacefully.
Culluh: Excuse me.
Culluh: Captain Janeway, I'm curious as to the nature of this alliance you've struck with the Trabe. Especially since you refused my offer of a similar pact.
Janeway: I found the goals of the Trabe to be compatible with our own. I represent an organization which is devoted to peaceful co-existence among people. The Trabe want nothing more than that.
Rettick: The Trabe have always wanted peace for themselves, but we paid the price. They lived in luxury and we lived in squalor and misery.
Culluh: What I fear, Captain, is that this union you've made with the Trabe is an effort to force us to capitulate. If so, we assure you, it is doomed to failure.
Janeway: I won't pretend that our alliance wasn't an attempt to make a show of strength. Separately, we and the Trabe are vulnerable. Together, we are stronger.
Surat: Are you threatening us, Captain?
Janeway: It is important that you understand our determination, but it's not a threat, it's an offer. A negotiated peace among all of us would provide a greater stability in this quadrant. How could that do anything but benefit us all?
Culluh: I can't speak for all of you, but I for one don't think we can trust this proposal. A woman and a Trabe. How can we listen to them? I find you nothing but a hypocrite, Captain, allying yourselves to the greatest villains this quadrant has ever known. If this is where your revered Federation values have taken you, I want no part of it.
Mabus: Gentlemen. Allow me to confer with my Federation colleagues. Please, have some refreshments and let us continue in a few moments. Captain, would you please join me?
Mabus: Captain, I really need to talk to you now!
Janeway: Get down!
Culluh: What is this, Captain?
Janeway: It's a trap! Take cover!
Janeway: Voyager, red alert!
Chakotay: We're on it.
Mabus: You've ruined what would have been the greatest step towards peace in decades.
Neelix: Peace? A massacre?
Mabus: I could have decimated the Kazon leadership. It would have taken them years to recover.
Janeway: You planned this whole thing and used our good will to make sure you were successful.
Mabus: You don't know the Kazon. There's no dealing with them. Violence is all they understand.
Janeway: Or perhaps it's all you understand.
Mabus: You're naive, Captain. It's clear you have no understanding of the harsh realities of this part of space. What I tried to do was done as much for you as it was for us.
Janeway: I'm not grateful, and I want you off my ship. Chief, beam our former guest back to his vessel.
Mabus: Captain, don't do this. You're going to need us.
Janeway: I don't think so.
Mabus: The Kazon will be determined to seek revenge. How can this one ship hope to survive?
Janeway: Not by making deals with executioners. Energize.
Tuvok: I would suggest we depart before the Kazon have a chance to return to their ships.
Janeway: Janeway to Paris. Get us out of here.
Paris: Aye, Captain.
Janeway: There's no question we're more vulnerable now than ever. We have to take every measure to make sure we're prepared for an attack. I want continual diagnostics on all ship's systems.
Tuvok: I will schedule additional battle drills for all hands.
Janeway: Mister Neelix, what about our food supplies?
Neelix: We're in good shape, Captain. We shouldn't have to stop anywhere for several weeks.
Janeway: Good. Lieutenant, what's the condition of our propulsion systems?
Torres: We have a reasonable supply of anti-matter. Barring any major problems, we should have maximum performance of both warp and impulse engines.
Janeway: There's just one more thing I want to say. I hope there's a lesson for all of us in this. Although some of the species we've encountered here have been peaceful, others seem governed only by their own self-interests. This appears to be a region of space that doesn't have many rules. But I believe we can learn something from the events that have unfolded. In a part of space where there are few rules, it's more important than ever that we hold fast to our own. In a region where shifting allegiances are commonplace we have to have something stable to rely on. And we do. The principles and ideals of the Federation. As far as I'm concerned, those are the best allies we could have.


Paris: Warp five. Warp six. Warp seven. I've reached critical velocity.
Torres: Okay. Everything looks good on this end. Fire up the new engines.
Paris: Acknowledged. Engaging transwarp drive in four, three, two. Transwarp online. Warp nine point two, nine point three. My vector's drifting.
Kim: Try to stabilize your field symmetry.
Paris: Got it. Warp nine point six, nine point seven. I'm reading a fracture in the port nacelle pylon.
Torres: Full power to structural integrity.
Paris: Warp nine point nine, nine point nine five. I'm approaching the threshold, but the nacelle isn't holding!
Kim: Tie in auxiliary power!
Paris: It's no use. I'm breaking up! I'm breaking
Torres: You're dead.
Torres: It's the pylon again. Every time we get close to crossing the threshold, the subspace torque rips a nacelle off the shuttle.
Kim: What about a duranium alloy? We could try using it to reinforce
Torres: No, I've thought about that already. It's too brittle.
Neelix: More coffee? Ah, you look like a happy bunch.
Kim: We've hit a wall.
Neelix: Oh. Well, maybe I can help.
Paris: Great. Do you know anything about quantum warp theory or multi-spectral subspace engine design?
Neelix: No. But I'm a quick study. What are we working on?
Torres: Do you have anything to eat?
Neelix: Sure. There's some Kalavian biscuits, somewhere in the kitchen.
Torres: I guess I'll go find them myself. Fill him in.
Kim: Neelix, it would take too long to
Neelix: What are you saying? I'm not smart enough? I'll have you know I did two years as an engineer's assistant aboard a Trabalian freighter. I'm well-versed in warp theory.
Paris: Okay, okay. We'll tell you. We're trying to break the maximum warp barrier.
Kim: Nothing in the universe can go warp ten. It's a theoretical impossibility. In principle, if you were ever to reach warp ten, you'd be traveling at infinite velocity.
Neelix: Infinite velocity. Got it. So that means very fast.
Paris: It means that you would occupy every point in the universe simultaneously. In theory, you could go any place in the wink of an eye. Time and distance would have no meaning.
Kim: If Voyager achieved warp ten, we could be home in as long as it takes to push a button.
Neelix: Wow! And you're working on this?
Paris: We discovered a new form of dilithium in the asteroid field we surveyed last month. It remains stable at a much higher warp frequency.
Kim: The problem is, every time we simulate crossing the transwarp threshold, the nacelles get torn off the ship.
Neelix: I remember there was a time when I lost a warp nacelle going through a dark matter nebula.
Paris: This is a very different problem.
Neelix: I realize that. I'm just using it as an example. As the ship went through the nebula, it sent out a dark matter bow wave. Eventually so much pressure built up, it tore the nacelle from its housing. Now, maybe the same thing is happening to you.
Kim: No, the simulations don't indicate any kind of subspace stress on the nacelles.
Paris: Wait a minute. What about the shuttle itself?
Kim: What do you mean?
Paris: Maybe we've been looking in the wrong place. What if the nacelles aren't being torn from the ship? What if the ship is being torn from the nacelles?
Kim: The hull of the shuttle is made of tritanium alloy. At the speeds we're talking about, that alloy could depolarize.
Paris: And create a velocity differential. The fuselage would be traveling at a faster rate of speed than the nacelles.
Kim: That means we just have to set up a depolarization matrix around the fuselage.
Paris: That's it! Neelix, you're a genius.
Neelix: I have no idea what they just said.
Paris: Warp nine point nine two. The pylons are secure. Everything looks good. Nine point nine seven, eight, nine. Warp ten!
Torres: You've crossed the threshold. You've done it. And there's been no damage to the nacelles.
Janeway: When you came to me a month ago and said you had a way to cross the transwarp threshold, I thought it was more of a fantasy than a theory. Congratulations to all of you.
Torres: So we can try a manned test flight?
Janeway: What's your flight plan?
Paris: I'll bring the shuttle up to speed. The second I cross the threshold, I'll cut the engines, drop out of warp and come about.
Kim: After that, we'll analyze the shuttle's sensor logs. Once we know it's safe to travel at transwarp, we'll try a more extended flight.
Chakotay: To be honest, it's almost frightening. Up till now, it's all been theory. I never thought it would actually happen. Are we ready for it?
Janeway: In the last couple of centuries, we've always managed to use new technologies wisely. I'm confident this time won't be any different. Besides, there's no way to put the genie back in the bottle. All we can do now is keep moving forward, carefully. Well, good luck, Mister Paris. If this works, you'll be joining an elite group of pilots. Orville Wright, Neil Armstrong, Zefram Cochrane and Tom Paris.
Paris: I kind of like the way that sounds.
Janeway: I thought you might.
Paris: Come in. Oh, Captain. I, er
Janeway: At ease, Mister Paris. I know it's late.
Paris: Can I get you anything?
Janeway: No, thank you.
Paris: Now, why do I get the feeling this isn't just a social call?
Janeway: I've just spoken to the Doctor, and it's his opinion that we let Ensign Kim make the test flight.
Paris: May I ask why?
Janeway: He checked over your biometric readings from the shuttle simulations. He says you have a slight enzymatic imbalance in your cerebellum.
Paris: So?
Janeway: I know it doesn't sound like much, but he can't predict what'll happen when you cross the threshold. He believes there's a small chance that you could suffer a brain hemorrhage under the subspace stress.
Paris: How big a chance?
Janeway: Two percent.
Paris: Two percent? I'll take that chance.
Janeway: There's no reason to. Ensign Kim is capable of piloting the shuttle for this mission.
Paris: Yeah, he's capable. That's not the point.
Janeway: What is the point, Mister Paris?
Paris: Well, it's hard to explain, but this is my flight.
Janeway: Your flight?
Paris: When I was a boy, my father used to tell me that I was special, that one day I'd do something significant. My teachers at school, all the kids, everyone used to say, Tom Paris is going to do something important when he grows up. Obviously, that didn't happen.
Janeway: This isn't about personal redemption. We're talking about medical risk. Your life could be in danger, and we need you.
Paris: Captain, this is the first time in ten years I feel I have a life to risk.
Janeway: You're sure about this?
Paris: Captain, I've never been so sure about anything. Please. Please let me make the flight.
Janeway: Good luck, Lieutenant.
Torres: Torres to Bridge. The pre-launch sequence is complete
Torres: Captain.
Janeway: Acknowledged. Ensign Kim, depressurize the shuttle bay and open the space doors.
Kim: Aye, Captain.
Janeway: Bridge to Shuttlecraft Cochrane. You're cleared for launch.
Paris: Aye, Captain.
Paris: See you at warp ten.
Paris: Cochrane to Voyager. All systems are nominal. I'm increasing speed.
Janeway: We'll keep up with you as long as we can.
Paris: Warp seven
Paris: Warp eight.
Torres: How's his dilithium matrix holding up?
Paris: Warp nine.
Jonas: There's a slight variance in the warp field, but nothing to worry about.
Torres: Okay. Torres to shuttlecraft Cochrane. You're clear for transwarp velocity.
Paris: Acknowledged. Engaging transwarp drive in four, three, two
Paris: Warp nine point seven, nine point eight, nine point nine.
Tuvok: He's exceeding our maximum velocity. I am switching to long range sensors.
Paris: Warp nine point nine five.
Tuvok: He is approaching the threshold.
Paris: Engine output at maximum. Velocity, warp ten.
Kim: Yes!
Paris: Transwarp engines are stable. So are the nacelle pylons. I'm going to
Janeway: Lieutenant, can you hear me?
Kim: Captain, he just disappeared off sensors.
Chakotay: Increase sensor gain to maximum.
Kim: Nothing. I can't find him. He's gone.
Kim: I've done three full sensor sweeps. No sign of the shuttle within five parsecs.
Janeway: Tuvok, could the shuttle have been destroyed?
Tuvok: I don't believe so. Sensors indicate that he did cross the warp threshold.
Kim: If that's true, then he could be anywhere in the universe.
Janeway: We'll just have to keep searching our small corner. Run a multispectral sweep. I want to see if
Tuvok: Captain, there's a quantum surge off the port bow. Something is coming out of subspace.
Janeway: Janeway to Paris.
Kim: He's alive, but his life signs are weak.
Janeway: Bridge to Transporter room two. Beam Mister Paris directly to Sickbay. Commander, bring the shuttle aboard. I'll be in Sickbay.
Chakotay: Aye, Captain.
Emh: His life signs are normal. A few elevated serotonin readings in the hypothalamus. From what I can tell, he's just asleep.
Janeway: Can you wake him?
Emh: I don't see why not.
Emh: Wake up, Lieutenant!
Janeway: Are you all right, Tom?
Paris: I'm back.
Janeway: We tracked you until you crossed the threshold, then you disappeared from our sensors. Do you remember what happened?
Paris: Oh, yeah. I was, I was staring at the velocity indicator. It said warp ten. And then, as I watched it, I suddenly realized that I was watching myself as well. I could see the outside of the shuttle, I could see Voyager, I could see inside Voyager. I could see inside this room. For a moment, I was everywhere. I mean, everywhere, Captain. With the Kazon, back home, with the Klingons, other galaxies. It was all there. I don't know how else to explain it. It was like. Well, no, it wasn't like anything.
Emh: Well, I'm glad you had a good time.
Janeway: How did you get back to Voyager?
Paris: I saw that you were looking for me, so I took the new engines offline and ended up back where I started. But, oh, it's starting to slip away. It all was so vivid, and now
Torres: Tom!
Paris: Oh, I'm fine. How's the shuttle?
Torres: You brought it back without a scratch. The on-board sensors confirm that you did it. You made it to warp ten.
Janeway: Congratulations, Mister Paris. You've just made the history books.
Paris: We should download the shuttle's sensor logs, analyze the telemetry they picked up during the flight before we make another attempt.
Emh: You're not going anywhere. At least not for a few hours. I have some tests I'd like to run on Your Majesty before I release you back into the realm of ordinary humans.
Paris: You may proceed.
Janeway: We'll download the logs. I'll let you know what we find.
Janeway: Janeway to Kim. We're ready.
Kim: Acknowledged. I'm downloading the logs into the Engineering computer core.
Torres: This data describes literally every cubic centimeter in this sector. It's over five billion gigaquads of information.
Janeway: It would appear that the theory of infinite velocity is correct. It may be possible to occupy every point in the universe simultaneously.
Torres: Then it's just a matter of navigation. If we could figure out how to come out of transwarp at a specific point, this could get us home.
Janeway: It could do more than that. It could change the very nature of our existence. Think of it. There would be nothing beyond our reach. This telemetry is giving us an invaluable record of this sector. We can use it to make a star chart. Transfer the shuttle logs to Stellar Cartography for analysis.
Torres: Right.
Neelix: This is a new blend. I'm calling it Paris Delight. It's in honor of you.
Paris: What? Oh! Oh, thanks. That's very flattering.
Neelix: I can tell.
Torres: Well, you might as well get used to it. You're a hero now.
Paris: I wish I could say it was nothing. Oh. Oh, I wish Neelix would name something after me that tasted a little better.
Torres: Smells okay.
Paris: No, trust me. You're taking your life into your hands. So, I think the next step is to try to duplicate the first shuttle flight, verify our results.
Torres: I agree. We have to confirm that none of this was a fluke.
Paris: But I do think that we should increase the shuttle's memory core by at least
Torres: What? What's wrong?
Paris: I don't think that coffee is settling too well.
Torres: Do you want to go back to Sickbay?
Paris: No! No, I've seen enough of the Doctor for one day. Ow! On second thought, maybe I should
Torres: Torres to Transporter room two. Medical emergency. Beam Lieutenant Paris directly to Sickbay.
Crewman: I can't lock onto him. His pattern keeps changing.
Torres: Torres to Sickbay. We need a medical team in the mess hall right away. Hang on, Tom.
Emh: Hmm. It looks like he's having an allergic reaction. What did he ingest?
Torres: Just a cup of Neelix's coffee.
Emh: It's a miracle he's still alive. This is strange.
Torres: What is?
Emh: He's definitely having an allergic reaction. To the water in the coffee.
Torres: He's allergic to water?
Emh: I don't know how this is possible, but it appears that his entire biochemistry is changing. His electrolytes are breaking down, interstitial fluids are congealing.
Emh: The alveoli in his lungs are mutating. He's no longer processing oxygen.
Torres: What should we do?
Emh: Stand back. Computer, erect an isolation field around the surgical bay. Computer, remove all the air from within the forcefield and replace it with eighty percent nitrogen and twenty percent acidichloride. He can breath, for now.
Torres: What's happening to him?
Emh: I have no idea, but I assume it had something to do with his experience on the shuttle.
Emh: His cellular membranes are deteriorating. He's dying. I need to know more about what happened on that shuttle, and I need to know it now. Radiation levels, unexplained anomalies, anything.
Paris: You're losing me, aren't you? I'm going to die.
Emh: You're too stubborn to die, Mister Paris. I want to try high saturation radiometric therapy. It might slow down his cellular mutation.
Paris: Here lies Thomas Eugene Paris, beloved mutant.
Emh: A fitting epitaph, but I don't intend to let you use it just yet.
Kes: Radiometric emitters are charged and ready.
Emh: Begin with forty five rads per second.
Paris: Great. Now it'll read, beloved radioactive mutant.
Emh: No effect. Increase the dosage to eighty five rads per second. I'm going to try inhibiting the cell mitosis with a biosuppresser field.
Paris: Big funeral with lots of pretty girls all crying. Except Torres. Torres doesn't cry. Did you ever notice that? I don't trust people who don't cry. Of course, my father, he'd say crying is a sign of weakness. I never believed that. Do you cry?
Emh: It's not in my program.
Paris: Shame. You know, it's funny. What I remember most about being a kid are the times I spent in my room crying. I liked my room, though. It was quiet in there. People would leave me alone. I'd keep the door locked, read, play games. I lost my virginity in that room. Seventeen. Parents were away for the weekend.
Emh: I'll note that in your medical file.
Paris: Ow!
Emh: His lymphatic system is collapsing. Increase dosage to ninety eight rads per second.
Paris: Pepperoni! God, I'd love a pepperoni pizza with Kavarian olives right now. I'm starving!
Emh: His life signs are critical. Maximum dosage.
Paris: Kiss me.
Emh: What?
Paris: Not you. Her.
Emh: She can't breathe the atmosphere in here.
Paris: Consider it a last request.
Kes: I'm sorry, Tom. If we let down the forcefield, you'll suffocate.
Paris: Oh, what's the difference? I'm dying anyway. Do me a favor. When I'm gone, call Starfleet Headquarters and tell Dad that I did it. Tell him
Emh: Prepare to activate the neural stimulator.
Kes: Ready.
Emh: Now! Again. Again! No neural activity.
Kes: We can try to revive him.
Emh: His cell membranes have degraded. There's nothing more we can do. Computer, remove the acidichloride gas from the isolation field and deactivate the field. It will be necessary for us to perform an autopsy on the Lieutenant's body in the morning. Until then, I suggest you get some rest.
Emh: You're alive!
Paris: What's happening?
Emh: All of your internal organs are functioning again. In fact, you seem to have an extra one.
Paris: What?
Emh: You have two hearts.
Jonas: I have thirty seconds before Security picks up this transmission. I'm sending you all current information on the warp ten shuttle flight.
Rettick: Warp ten? That's impossible.
Jonas: Not anymore. Lieutenant Paris crossed the threshold this morning.
Rettick: He survived?
Jonas: In a matter of speaking. It's all in the file. This should prove my worth to you, Rettick.
Rettick: We'll see.
Emh: He's body is going through some sort of mutation. His DNA is rewriting itself. To what end, I don't know.
Janeway: Does this have anything to do with the enzymatic imbalance you found?
Emh: No.
Janeway: Can you stop it?
Emh: So far, nothing has worked. The mutations are unlike anything in Starfleet medical records. His internal organs are being rearranged. Some have atrophied and been absorbed into his body, and there are at least three others that have appeared and have no identifiable function at all.
Janeway: What about his brain?
Emh: There are neuroelectrical transmutations at work. His synaptic patterns are changing almost every second. But he does still recognize me, the ship. He knows who he is.
Janeway: Can I talk to him?
Emh: Of course. But I feel I should caution you that while he still is Tom Paris, he's becoming something else as well. His personality is erratic, unpredictable. There are moments of lucidity interspersed with almost deranged behavior.
Janeway: I'll keep it in mind.
Paris: Pretty disgusting, huh?
Janeway: You've looked better. How do you feel?
Paris: Like a lab experiment gone wrong.
Janeway: Well, we're trying to put that experiment right. The Doctor's working on a way to restore your DNA to its original
Paris: Why?
Janeway: Excuse me?
Paris: Why? What I'm becoming will probably be better than who I was.
Janeway: Lieutenant, you know that's not true.
Paris: Oh, yes, it is. Admit it. Part of you will be glad to see me gone. I'm the Maquis traitor who sits on your Bridge and insults your uniform, remember?
Janeway: We're all concerned about you, Tom. We're here to help you.
Paris: No, you're not. You're trying to take this away from me.
Janeway: Take what away from you?
Paris: What I'm becoming. How do you know this isn't good for me? How do you know this isn't the best thing that's ever happened to me?
Janeway: That's a possibility. And then again, it could kill you. We need to find out what's going on.
Paris: You're lying. Just like him. Just like everyone around here. Always lying. Always telling me that I'm doing a good job, that you're glad I'm on this ship. But none of that's true. Why can't you just say it? You're jealous that I broke the transwarp barrier, and now you're hoping I'll die!
Janeway: You're right, Doctor. I don't think there's anything I can do here.
Paris: Wait, Captain. I'm sorry. Please come back. I know you're doing what you can. It's just, I'm scared. I didn't mean to lash out at you.
Janeway: What you're going through would scare any of us, but you have to hang on, Tom. We're doing everything we can to help you.
Paris: I know you are. And I know you'll fail!
Paris: You know, I used to look up to you. But now you seem so small, so insignificant. You don't even know what, what, what
Kes: Doctor, the rate of genetic mutation has accelerated by twelve percent.
Emh: I want you to run a nucleogenic scan to determine how much of his original DNA is left intact. In the meantime, I'm going to see about treating him with
Paris: Doctor!
Emh: What is it now, Mister Paris?
Paris: I need to talk.
Emh: So I've noticed. Is it urgent? I'm rather busy right now.
Paris: Urgent. Yes, urgent. Let me out of here.
Emh: I'm afraid that's not possible.
Paris: Please. I can't stay here. I have to get off this ship.
Kes: Leave Voyager? Why?
Paris: I understand. It's all so clear now.
Emh: What do you understand?
Paris: The present, the past, they're both in the future. The future is in the past.
Emh: I beg your pardon?
Paris: Listen to me! I am more. I'm everything. Let me go.
Kes: Go where, Tom?
Paris: I can't! Please. Please!
Emh: Something tells me we'd better hurry.
Emh: I believe the answer lies in forcing his DNA to revert to its original coding. Once that occurs, his body should return to its former state.
Chakotay: How do we do that?
Emh: We destroy all of the new DNA in his body. His cells will have to use the original coding as a blueprint. But the only way to destroy the mutant DNA is with highly focused antiproton radiation.
Torres: Antiprotons? The only place on this ship which generates antiprotons is the warp core.
Emh: Exactly. I'd like to place Mister Paris in an isotopic restraint and then infuse it with controlled antiproton bursts. A tricky venture, but I see no other alternative.
Torres: We'll have to take the warp core offline, then I'll need about three hours to set up an interface.
Emh: In three hours, there won't be anything left of Mister Paris to save. We have to make the attempt within an hour, at the most.
Janeway: Get moving.
Emh: What's your status, Lieutenant?
Torres: The interface is charged and ready.
Emh: Infuse him with a two second antiproton burst.
Torres: Take the warp engines offline. Bleed off point zero five seven AMUs of antiproton radiation. Shunt it through the interface.
Jonas: Transfer underway.
Kes: Doctor, the mutated DNA in his liver cells has begun to deteriorate, but the original coding isn't taking over.
Emh: I don't understand. This should be working. We'll have to increase the duration of the bursts. Lieutenant, prepare a five second burst. Also, you'll need to begin depolarizing the
Torres: Oh, my God.
Emh: Lieutenant?
Torres: Call Security!
Emh: Lieutenant! What's happening?
Crewman: I got him! I got him! Over there! Shut it all down!
Tuvok: This is a Level three Security Alert. All hands report to duty stations.
Janeway: Janeway to Bridge. Report.
Chakotay: Paris broke out of confinement in Engineering.
Chakotay: He used a phaser on the port plasma conduit. We have power failures all over the ship.
Janeway: Where is he now?
Chakotay: We're having trouble tracking him. We can't get power to the internal sensors. Tuvok has security teams searching deck by deck.
Janeway: I'm on my way to the Bridge.
Kim: Phaser discharge on deck six.
Chakotay: Localize it.
Kim: I'm still having trouble with internal sensors. It came from somewhere between sections twenty one and twenty seven alpha.
Chakotay: Tuvok doesn't have any security in that area. Chakotay to Tuvok. We think Paris may be on deck six. Deploy security to sections twenty one through twenty seven alpha.
Kim: Commander, someone's depressurizing shuttlebay two.
Chakotay: What?
Kim: There's a launch in progress.
Chakotay: Tractor beam.
Kim: It's offline.
Tuvok: Tuvok to Bridge. We found the Captain's phaser on deck six, but there's no sign of her.
Chakotay: Maintain a sensor lock on that shuttle.
Kim: I've got main power back.
Chakotay: Engage warp engines. Follow them.
Crewwoman: Aye, Commander.
Kim: They're approaching warp nine point nine.
Chakotay: Increase speed to match.
Computer: Warning. Nearing maximum warp velocity. Structural collapse is imminent.
Chakotay: Are we in tractor range?
Kim: No, and they're still accelerating. Warp nine point nine seven.
Computer: Warning. At present speed, structural failure in forty five seconds.
Chakotay: Reduce sped to warp nine point five. Keep a sensor lock on them as long as you can.
Kim: I've lost them, Commander. They've gone to transwarp. First Officer's log, stardate 49373.4. It's taken us three days to locate the shuttle. It appears to have dropped out of transwarp in an uninhabited star system.
Emh: I've re-examined the data on Mister Paris' transformation, and I think I understand what's happening to him. The mutations we observed are natural.
Chakotay: Natural?
Emh: The changes in his DNA are consistent with the evolutionary development of the human genotype observed over the past four million years. Increased brain capacity, the loss of vestigial organs.
Tuvok: Are you saying Lieutenant Paris is evolving?
Emh: That's my theory. The only difference between natural evolution and what happened to Mister Paris is that his changes took place over a twenty four hour period. Somehow, traveling at infinite velocity accelerated the natural human evolutionary process by millions of years. It's possible that Mister Paris represents a future stage in human development, although I can't say it's very attractive.
Chakotay: What do we do about it?
Emh: I think my antiproton approach was correct. However, I'll need to intensify the treatment to restore his original DNA.
Kim: Bridge to Chakotay.
Chakotay: Go ahead.
Kim: I think I've found the shuttlecraft, Commander. It's on the fourth planet, in one of the jungles near the equator.
Chakotay: Acknowledged. Tuvok, have a security team meet us in Transporter room three.
Chakotay: There are traces of human DNA. It's them. But I have to admit, I'm not sure which one is the Captain.
Tuvok: The female, obviously.
Chakotay: I don't know how I'm going to enter this into the log.
Tuvok: I look forward to reading it. First Officer's log, supplemental. We've transported the Captain and Mister Paris back to Sickbay. As for their offspring, I've decided to leave them in their new habitat.
Emh: I've eradicated all traces of the mutant DNA from your system and restored your original genome. Congratulations. You're human again.
Janeway: Thank you, Doctor.
Emh: Captain, it'll take some time for your genetic codes to stabilize. I'd like you to remain in Sickbay for the next three days, just to be safe.
Janeway: Excuse me.
Paris: Captain, er
Janeway: I've thought about having children, but I must say I never considered having them with you.
Paris: Captain, I'm sorry. I, I don't know what to say, except I don't remember very much about, er, you know
Janeway: What makes you think it was your idea? Sometimes it's the female of the species that initiates mating. But apology accepted, nonetheless. You may be interested to know I'm putting you in for a commendation. Regardless of the outcome, you did make the first transwarp flight.
Paris: Thank you, Captain.
Janeway: Is there something wrong, Lieutenant?
Paris: I don't know. I guess this whole experience has left me feeling a little overwhelmed. Flying at warp ten, evolving into a new life form, mating, having alien offspring.
Janeway: You've broken more than one record, that's for sure.
Paris: Breaking the threshold. It was incredible. But somehow it doesn't mean as much as I thought it would.
Janeway: Oh?
Paris: I guess I went into this looking for a quick fix. I thought making history would change things. Not just my service record, my reputation.
Janeway: If I'm not mistaken, you've changed quite a few minds on this ship. You've earned a lot of people's respect and admiration.
Paris: Yeah. But I'm starting to realize that it's not other people's opinions I should be worried about. It's mine. It seems, Captain, that I still have a few barriers to break. I just hope they're not theoretical impossibilities.
Janeway: Somehow, I don't think they will be.