Chakotay: Beautiful, isn't it?
Seven: A sensor analysis would have provided the necessary information.
Chakotay: Just admiring the view.
Seven: The conference begins in less than an hour.
Chakotay: There's always time for Warp Field Dynamics, but you don't see natural beauty like this every day.
Chakotay: What was that?
Seven: Some kind of energy barrier directly below us. It spans thousands of square kilometers.
Chakotay: Why didn't our sensors detect it?
Seven: Uncertain. It has an unusual tetrion signature. Species three one two used a similar technology. There's a power surge coming from the barrier.
Chakotay: Shields at full.
Seven: They're creating some kind of feedback. We've lost impulse engines.
Chakotay: Go to warp.
Seven: The warp core is offline.
Chakotay: Warp engines don't just shut down when you scrape an energy barrier.
Seven: It's affecting all our systems.
Computer: Warning. Structural failure in thirty seconds.
Chakotay: We'll have to beam to the surface.
Seven: We can't transport through the barrier. Transfer auxiliary power to the weapons array.
Chakotay: What are you trying to do?
Seven: If I can realign our phasers to the correct frequency, I may be able to open a rift.
Chakotay: Big enough to get a shuttle through, I hope?
Computer: Warning. Structural failure in ten seconds, nine, eight.
Seven: Phasers reconfigured.
Seven: The barrier's closed again.
Seven: I should examine you.
Chakotay: I don't think it's serious.
Seven: You have a hairline fracture.
Chakotay: We've got bigger problems. I'll be fine.
Seven: I'm detecting shuttle debris scattered over several square kilometers.
Chakotay: Some of it might still be functional.
Seven: If we can find the right components, we may be able to construct a beacon. Send a distress signal.
Chakotay: Through the barrier?
Seven: Maybe.
Chakotay: If we hurry we might still make that conference. Well, if we have to be stranded somewhere, we couldn't ask for a nicer place.
Seven: We wouldn't be stranded at all if you hadn't insisted on admiring the view.
Authority Officer: Guest Vessel 74656, this is Ledos Port Control. Shut down your engines.
Paris: This is Lieutenant Tom Paris. Is there a problem?
Port Authority Officer: You were observed committing piloting violation two five six.
Paris: I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with your regulations. It won't happen again.
Port Authority Officer: You'll be informed of the penalty.
Paris: What kind of penalty?
Port Authority Officer: That's not my decision. Your docking permit says you're assigned to the starship Voyager?
Paris: That's right.
Port Authority Officer: Your commanding officer will be notified of your infraction.
Paris: Piloting lessons?
Janeway: Apparently, the standard penalty for your infraction is a three day course in flight safety, followed by a test.
Paris: Well, did you explain we wouldn't be here that long?
Janeway: Actually, while you were completing your mission, Seven was invited to a four day conference.
Paris: Here on Ledos?
Janeway: I decided to give the entire crew shore leave. It'll give you plenty of time to brush up on your piloting skills.
Paris: I don't need lessons.
Janeway: Apparently the authorities disagree.
Paris: But Captain
Janeway: You may not have known the Ledosians' rules, but you know ours. Comply with local law. Understood?
Paris: Yes, ma'am.
Seven: The relays are fused. It's useless.
Chakotay: Looks like we're not the only ones here.
Seven: Indigenous wildlife, perhaps.
Chakotay: I'm reading residual lifesigns. They're humanoid.
Seven: Ledosian?
Chakotay: No. But they share the same genetic traits. Whoever they are, they may be able to help us.
Seven: Unless they're hostile.
Chakotay: Why don't we give them the benefit of the doubt. The lifesigns lead in that direction.
Seven: I suggest you rest your leg while I investigate.
Chakotay: It's better is we stick together, at least until we know whether they're hostile.
Chakotay: I'm guessing they're pre-warp.
Seven: Obviously they can't help us.
Chakotay: No, I don't suppose they can. But they're fascinating, aren't they? I never expected to run into people like these on such a technologically advanced planet.
Seven: This isn't an anthropological mission, Commander.
Chakotay: You're right. We should keep searching for debris. Argh!
Seven: You're developing an infection. You should rest.
Chakotay: I'll have to stay here and try to keep out of sight.
Seven: I'll contact you if I find anything useful.
Chakotay: I guess I don't have to tell you to avoid interacting with these people.
Seven: Seven of Nine to Chakotay.
Seven: Seven of Nine to Chakotay.
Seven: Commander, respond. I've found something. Seven of Nine to Chakotay.
Seven: Step away from him.
Chakotay: It's all right, Seven. They're friendly. They're treating my wound.
Seven: You said we were supposed to avoid interaction.
Chakotay: They found me. There was nothing I could do.
Seven: You should have tried to contact me.
Chakotay: I didn't want to expose them to our technology.
Seven: You hid your comm. badge?
Chakotay: Actually, your call scared them. They broke it.
Seven: I suggest we leave before they break anything else.
Chakotay: Look, they're friendly, and I am hurt.
Seven: What are you suggesting?
Chakotay: We may as well stay the night.
Seven: Commander.
Chakotay: It's good shelter. And my leg feels better since they put this dressing on. I'm going to get some rest. I suggest you do the same.
Kim: Chell says we shouldn't miss the Flame Gardens.
Neelix: I hear the arboretum is beautiful, too.
Torres: We can do both.
Kim: Tom. You joining us? Oh, that's right, you have to go to pilot school.
Torres: I hear the course takes days.
Paris: Yeah, for most people. But I did a little research. If the instructor agrees, you can skip the lessons and go right to the test. So I will be seeing you in a couple of hours.
Neelix: You have to admire his optimism.
Operator: Just a moment, sir.
Kleg: I am Mister Kleg, the flying instructor. Are you Lieutenant Paris?
Kim: He is.
Paris: It's an honor to meet you, sir. May I show you to the Delta Flyer?
Kleg: Why?
Paris: So you can explain what I did wrong, and then administer the test.
Kleg: It sounds to me like you need lessons in patience as well.
Torres: Oh, Tom is very patient, sir.
Neelix: Never impulsive.
Kim: Take all the time you need. He'll enjoy the extra attention.
Kleg: Well, I'm please to hear it. We'll start with a review of safety procedures. Do you have a visual display system I can access?
Paris: I think I can find one.
Torres: Have fun.
Kim: Energize.
Paris: So how long will this review take?
Kleg: Oh, typically about four hours. But there's no rush.
Paris: Of course not.
Chakotay: River.
Chakotay: River.
Chakotay: Mountain.
Chakotay: Mountain.
Chakotay: Where are we?
Chakotay: This?
Chakotay: You want to trade? Well, I suppose it won't hurt.
Chakotay: I'll take that as a thank you.
Seven: Did you make a favorable exchange?
Chakotay: I didn't want to insult their customs. Any luck?
Seven: I may have found a way of communicating.
Chakotay: Me too. I've learned to say thank you.
Seven: I was referring to communication with Voyager. It may be possible to construct a beacon by connecting these components to the shuttle's deflector.
Chakotay: Did you find it?
Seven: I detected it six kilometers from here. I believe it's intact.
Chakotay: I'm not sure I'm up to that long a trip.
Seven: I'll go.
Chakotay: I've started mapping the area. Here's the river we passed. This is where we beamed down. And we're here now.
Seven: Then the deflector should be approximately here.
Chakotay: Six kilometers is a long way. Maybe one of them could guide you.
Seven: I'm still trying to limit our contact with these people.
Chakotay: The sooner you get to the deflector, the sooner we can get out of here. They know the terrain. Maybe they can get you there faster.
Seven: And watch me construct a tetrion-based signaling device.
Chakotay: All right, but be careful. Seven. This is how they say goodbye.
Chakotay: Thank you.
Chakotay: Hello.
Seven: Identify yourself.
Seven: An exothermic reaction.
Seven: I'm not hungry.
Kleg: Inadequate system integration. Visibility impaired by lateral sensor array. Insufficient console accessibility.
Paris: You know, I couldn't agree more. Those are some of the defects that led to my so-called pilot error.
Kleg: Polarity thrusters? Oh, they've been known to cause accidental acceleration.
Paris: Exactly my point. Why should I be held responsible for the ship's design flaws?
Kleg: According to the maintenance records, you were this vessel's chief designer. I make it a point of professional pride to research every case I'm assigned to. Are you familiar with that term, Lieutenant? Professional pride?
Paris: Yes, sir. In fact, that is why I'm so eager to get underway. I want to prove to you that I'm a good pilot.
Kleg: There are protocols, Mister Paris. System by system diagnostics, pre-flight simulations.
Paris: You must have other students who need your attention. It wouldn't be fair to
Kleg: Don't worry, Lieutenant. I'm planning to spend as much time with you as you need.
Seven: Good morning.
Seven: I'm trying to go here.
Seven: Can you show me?
Seven: Yes. I thought it was this way.
Seven: Yes, it's quite an impressive view. Now we really have to
Chakotay: My friend, she hasn't come back. I need to find her.
Chakotay: She looks like this. Where?
Chakotay: Where'd you get this?
Chakotay: My friend. Where?
Seven: Don't touch that! Please.
Janeway: Problem?
Tuvok: Commander Chakotay failed to report in at the scheduled time. We tried hailing, but there was no response.
Kim: We contacted the conference coordinator. He said Seven and Chakotay never showed up.
Janeway: Anything on sensors?
Kim: We've located a hull signature over the southern subcontinent, but it's only a wing.
Janeway: Nothing else? No lifesigns?
Kim: No, ma'am.
Janeway: That's awfully low for something to be in orbit.
Tuvok: It's not in orbit. It's resting on an energy barrier.
Kim: We think the shuttle may have collided with it.
Janeway: Why didn't they see it?
Tuvok: Standard scans didn't reveal its presence. We were only able to detect it with our Borg sensors.
Janeway: If all you found was a wing, maybe the rest of the shuttle made it through the barrier.
Tuvok: Logic suggests that possibility. Unfortunately, the barrier's deflecting all our scans. There's no way to know if the shuttle or its occupants are on the other side.
Janeway: Hail the Ledosian ambassador.
Ambassador: We'd have warned your Commander, but his flight plan didn't go anywhere near that area.
Janeway: He must have altered his route for some reason.
Ambassador: And collided with the barrier. I'm sorry.
Janeway: We're not assuming they're dead.
Tuvok: We believe they may have found a way through.
Ambassador: That's very unlikely.
Janeway: They're resourceful people. Can you tell us anything about the barrier?
Ambassador: It shields the territory of an indigenous society, the Ventu.
Janeway: Then the area's habitable. If you lowered the barrier, we could scan for our people's lifesigns.
Ambassador: I'm afraid we can't do that.
Janeway: Why not?
Ambassador: It was erected by aliens hundreds of years ago. They haven't been back. The technology is a mystery to us.
Tuvok: Why did these aliens build the barrier?
Ambassador: To protect the Ventu.
Janeway: From whom?
Ambassador: Us. Our ancestors fought them, polluted their habitat. I'm afraid we weren't very enlightened back then.
Janeway: Earth went through its dark periods too, Ambassador. Would you have any objections if we tried to lower the barrier, just to scan for our people?
Ambassador: I told you, it's not possible.
Tuvok: Perhaps if you gave us information about the barrier's power source?
Ambassador: The generator is inside. There's no way to access it. Even if your people did survive, I'm afraid there's no way to get them out.
Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 54827.7. Although the Ledosians are skeptical, they're allowing us to try to locate our people. Meanwhile, we've begun to analyze the shuttle fragment.
Torres: The burn patterns suggest a tetrion flux.
Tuvok: We found a reference to similar technology in Seven's Borg database.
Janeway: You think the Borg erected it?
Tuvok: No, but it may have been constructed by people they later assimilated. Species three one two.
Janeway: If Seven were here, she might be able to figure out a way to get through it.
Torres: Maybe she already did. Some of the damage to the wing was caused by feedback from the shuttle's phasers.
Janeway: Seven and Chakotay might have used them to penetrate the barrier for some reason.
Tuvok: If I can determine the appropriate frequency, I may be able to do the same thing. But there is risk involved.
Janeway: What sort of risk?
Torres: It looks like the feedback from the barrier is what destroyed the shuttle. If we're not careful the same thing could happen to Voyager.
Seven: May I see those?
Chakotay: Seven, is everything all right?
Seven: I need your tricorder.
Chakotay: Nice to see you, too.
Seven: I lost mine. There's a strong magnetic field here that's preventing me from generating a deflector beam. But the field drops off approximately four point eight kilometers in that direction.
Chakotay: Can you transmit the signal from there?
Seven: Not through the barrier, but I may be able to neutralize it by generating a dampening field with our deflector.
Chakotay: Even if you're right, this must weight five hundred kilos. How would we move it?
Seven: Some of them could help us.
Chakotay: We shouldn't involve them.
Seven: Do I detect a change in attitude, Commander?
Chakotay: Your concern was justified. They've been gathering debris from the shuttle, using it to imitate us. I don't want them helping.
Seven: What's the alternative? Staying here? Allowing them to find all of the debris? If we neutralize the barrier, Voyager can transport us and our technology off the surface.
Chakotay: Is there a possibility that this dampening field could disrupt the barrier permanently?
Seven: Unlikely. Once the deflector is deactivated the barrier should reinitialize.
Chakotay: Let's hope you're right.
Kleg: So you can execute a turn at less than three hundred kph. Well done, Lieutenant.
Paris: Thanks. You know, I don't want to seem impatient again, but is there any way you'd let me take that test now?
Kleg: I thought I'd made myself clear about that. All my students complete the entire course.
Paris: I understand, sir, but two of my friends are missing, and I'd like to help find them.
Kleg: Well, that's an admirable sentiment. But if I give you special treatment it wouldn't be fair to the others who have to take this course. Besides, why stop now? You're getting very close to becoming an adequate pilot.
Seven: Here, Commander.
Seven: Not so close.
Kim: Phasers are starting to overload.
Janeway: Can we divert any more power to the shields?
Tuvok: The shields are amplifying the feedback.
Torres: The barrier's interfering with every system we activate.
Janeway: Cease fire. I'm open to suggestions.
Tuvok: We may be able to reconfigure a photon torpedo to detonate at the appropriate frequency.
Janeway: What about feedback?
Tuvok: A torpedo shouldn't create any. Theoretically.
Janeway: Do it.
Seven: They're too close.
Chakotay: Back, behind the rise. Stay back.
Kim: The energy barrier's coming down.
Janeway: I thought you were still reconfiguring the torpedo.
Tuvok: I am. It's being deactivated from the inside.
Janeway: Harry, scan for lifesigns.
Kim: Aye, Captain.
Seven: Take it off!
Kim: I'm only reading one comm. badge. It's Seven's.
Janeway: Open a channel. Janeway to Seven.
Janeway: Are you and Chakotay all right?
Seven: Yes, Captain.
Janeway: Stand by for transport.
Seven: Lock on to Commander Chakotay. I need more time.
Janeway: Is there a problem?
Seven: Someone's been injured. She requires medical attention.
Janeway: Do you need the Doctor?
Seven: I believe I can treat her. A medkit would be useful.
Janeway: Acknowledged. Captain's log, supplemental. Seven has remained on the surface to tend to the injured Ventu girl, while Chakotay is being treated in Sickbay.
Emh: The poultice healed the fracture and the infection. I'm impressed.
Chakotay: They're impressive people. I just hope we haven't traumatized them.
Janeway: You did what you had to do to get out of there.
Chakotay: Still, I think we transport all the shuttle debris back to Voyager as soon as possible.
Janeway: Agreed.
Seven: Would you like some breakfast? I'm not hungry either.
Seven: I admire your curiosity, but you should be more careful. It's time for me to leave.
Seven: Back to my home.
Seven: That's very kind, but I have no use for it. I supposed I should respect your customs. Thank you.
Barus: These botanical specimens indicate a high level of serum nitrates.
Barus: Catalog those foliates.
Seven: Explain your presence here.
Barus: Oh. You must be from Voyager.
Seven: Who are you?
Barus: My name is Barus. I'm the expedition leader.
Seven: What kind of expedition are you leading?
Barus: We're conducting scans to evaluate the potential of this habitat.
Seven: Potential for what?
Barus: Anthropological research, resource development. We've been waiting years for this.
Seven: What about the people who live here?
Barus: We'll help them, of course.
Seven: How?
Barus: With medicine, infrastructure, education. Whoever lowered this barrier did the Ventu a great favor.
Chakotay: That barrier has to go back up.
Seven: Isn't it possible the Ledosians will improve the lives of the Ventu?
Chakotay: Improve them? How?
Seven: They're intelligent people. Exposure to education and technology may give them better opportunities.
Chakotay: Can you honestly say that you know what's better for them?
Seven: No, I can't.
Janeway: Then what do you think we should do?
Seven: I'm uncertain.
Janeway: It's not like you to be on the fence.
Seven: When Commander Chakotay and I first encountered the Ventu, I found them primitive, of little interest to me. But as I spent time with them, I came to realize that they're a resourceful, self-reliant people. Their isolation may limit their potential, but if that isolation ends, so will a unique way of life.
Ambassador: We appreciate your help in opening this territory to exploration, Captain. It's an unprecedented opportunity.
Janeway: A short-lived opportunity, I'm afraid.
Ambassador: I don't understand.
Janeway: After I transport our deflector back to Voyager, the energy barrier will go back up.
Tuvok: Naturally, you'll want to get your people out, so they won't be trapped inside as ours were.
Ambassador: You have no right to limit our access to our own territory.
Janeway: I'm not trying to do that, but we have a strict policy about leaving our technology in the hands of other cultures. It often has damaging consequences.
Ambassador: I don't think you realize how important this is. It's not only the resources that interest us. The Ventu are our evolutionary ancestors. Our living history.
Janeway: I understand this is disappointing for you, but I'm afraid I have no choice.
Ambassador: In the spirit of cooperation, I hope you'll reconsider.
Janeway: We're eager to resume course. Would an hour be enough time to evacuate your people?
Ambassador: I'll make the arrangements.(Later -_
Kim: We've transported all the remaining debris to the Cargo Bay.
Seven: I have a lock on the deflector assembly.
Janeway: What is it?
Tuvok: There's a Ledosian vessel on an intercept course. It's charging weapons.
Janeway: Shields!
Tuvok: Direct hit to the transporters. They're offline.
Janeway: Get a weapons lock and hail them.
Kim: They're hailing us.
Ambassador: Captain Janeway.
Janeway: What's going on?
Ambassador: Our government has decided not to let you restore the barrier.
Janeway: And that justifies an unprovoked attack?
Ambassador: We only targeted your transporters to avoid harming your crew. I hope you'll show the same restraint.
Janeway: I don't find weapons fire of any kind restrained.
Ambassador: If you want to avoid further conflict, I suggest you leave.
Janeway: Take us out of orbit.
Chakotay: What about the deflector?
Janeway: Is Tom still in the Flyer?
Kim: Yes, ma'am.
Janeway: Hail him.
Kleg: Excellent, Mister Paris. Now, come about slowly.
Janeway: Janeway to Paris. Respond.
Kleg: Captain, I'd appreciate it if you didn't interrupt my student during his examination.
Janeway: I'm sorry
Janeway: But something's come up.
Paris: What is it, Captain?
Janeway: Tom, I'm sending you some encrypted orders.
Paris: Yes, ma'am.
Kleg: This is highly irregular.
Kleg: You're going much too fast.
Paris: Yes, sir. I'm in a bit of a hurry.
Kleg: If you have any desire to pass this test, you will reduce your speed immediately.
Paris: I wish I could do that, sir. I really do.
Kleg: What was that?
Paris: Paris to Voyager.
Paris: I'm under attack.
Janeway: Give him some help, Mister Tuvok.
Barus: What have you done?
Paris: We had to get you out of there before we close the barrier.
Barus: You can't do that.
Paris: Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Paris to Voyager. I've got them.
Chakotay: Find the deflector.
Paris: I'm getting a lock on it now.
Paris: My transporters are offline.
Janeway: You'd better get out of there, Tom.
Paris: Not yet.
Paris: I've got an idea.
Kleg: I am sorry to inform you, Mister Paris, but you have failed this examination. You will no longer be allowed to operate a vessel within Ledosian space.
Paris: Something tells me that's not going to be a problem.
Chakotay: This is a beautiful blanket.
Seven: Take it if you'd like. I don't need it.
Chakotay: If environmental systems ever go down, you might get cold. You know, I
Seven: I'd like to
Chakotay: You first.
Seven: Please, continue.
Chakotay: In all the excitement, I never apologized.
Seven: For what?
Chakotay: Causing you to miss that conference.
Seven: As a matter of fact, I wanted to thank you for that.
Chakotay: I thought you were angry.
Seven: I was, but you were right. Warp Mechanics can be studied any time. The Ventu, on the other hand.
Chakotay: Something's still bothering you?
Seven: I'm concerned for their well-being.
Chakotay: They know how to take care of themselves.
Seven: That's not what I mean. Members of the Ledosian expedition had the opportunity to scan my deflector modifications. In time, they may find a way to duplicate our technology and remove the barrier themselves.
Chakotay: I supposed it's possible.
Seven: If I'd never made those modifications
Chakotay: We might still be stranded there. I don't know about you, but I'm glad to be back on Voyager.
Seven: As am I.


Torres: Now, these are delicious.
Kim: Leave some for the rest of us.
Torres: Hey, I'm eating for two.
Paris: Great party, Neelix.
Neelix: Everybody seems to be enjoying it.
Paris: Yeah, except the Doc.
Neelix: Those are for eating, not scanning.
Emh: What exactly are they?
Neelix: Cheese pirogues. Zefram Cochrane's favorite.
Emh: They have absolutely no nutritional value.
Neelix: This is a party, Doctor. Sometimes you have to forget about nutrition.
Emh: You could include a vitamin supplement when you replicate them.
Neelix: Replicate? I made them myself.
Janeway: You two have outdone yourselves. I've never seen First Contact Day celebrated quite like this. When I was your age, all it meant was a day off from school.
Naomi: Neelix and I thought we should make it more fun.
Janeway: Well, you certainly succeeded.
Naomi: When is Commander Tuvok making his presentation?
Neelix: Well, now's as good a time as any. Captain?
Neelix: May I have everyone's attention, please? In honor of the three hundred and fifteenth anniversary of his ancestors' arrival on Earth, I've asked Mister Tuvok to recite the first words spoken to humans by a Vulcan. Commander.
Tuvok: Is this really necessary?
Neelix: You promised.
Tuvok: Very well. Live long and prosper.
Neelix: And now, for some more of Zefram Cochrane's favorite music. Hey, come on, Mister Vulcan.
Tuvok: Vulcans do not dance.
Neelix: But it's tradition.
Tuvok: There is no tradition, Mister Neelix. This ceremony is entirely your invention.
Janeway: This is an official ship function, Commander. Don't make me order you to dance.
Chakotay: Sorry to interrupt, but I've got some interesting news. Neelix, you might want to hear this. Long range sensors have detected several hundred lifesigns approximately four point nine light years away. They're Talaxian.
Neelix: Are we there yet?
Janeway: Not exactly. The lifesigns appear to be coming from inside that asteroid field.
Neelix: From a ship?
Tuvok: We are not detecting any vessels.
Neelix: No response from hails?
Kim: Not yet.
Neelix: I hope they're all right.
Chakotay: There's a lot of interference. Maybe they haven't received our transmissions.
Neelix: Can we move in any closer?
Paris: Voyager's too big to maneuver safely in there. We could take the Flyer.
Neelix: It wouldn't have hurt you to do a few steps.
Tuvok: I am trying to concentrate on the shields, Mister Neelix.
Neelix: I think you were just afraid.
Tuvok: That's absurd.
Neelix: It's understandable. There were a lot of people watching.
Tuvok: Vulcans don't experience fear.
Neelix: I'm going to make it my personal mission to get you to dance at least once before we reach Earth.
Tuvok: Then I suggest you find a more productive hobby.
Paris: If you two don't stop it, I'm going to come back there and separate you.
Tuvok: I've localized the lifesigns, bearing one zero eight mark twenty six. They appear to be inside a large asteroid.
Neelix: Inside?
Neelix: What was that?
Tuvok: A thermalyte explosive, thirty point six kilometers to port. I'm detecting another projectile heading directly toward us. Evasive maneuvers.
Tuvok: We've lost shields.
Paris: Main propulsion is offline. We're going to have to make an emergency landing.
Neelix: Where?
Paris: The Talaxians' asteroid is the closest.
Tuvok: The surface is covered with craters, ice fields.
Paris: We don't have a choice. Hold on.
Janeway: Problem?
Seven: We've lost contact with the away team. I also detected some unusual energy discharges in the asteroid field.
Janeway: What kind of discharges?
Seven: It's difficult to tell because of the interference, but they appear to be thermalytic explosions. I believe several of them were in close proximity to the Flyer.
Janeway: Source?
Seven: Unknown.
Janeway: We'll need to send a rescue team. Work with B'Elanna. Try to modify the shields on one of the shuttles to withstand these explosions.
Dexa: Stay still. Don't worry, it's not serious.
Neelix: Am I inside the asteroid?
Dexa: Yes. This is my home.
Neelix: Where are my friends?
Dexa: If you mean the aliens who were on the ship with you, they're safe.
Neelix: I'd like to see them.
Dexa: You need to rest. What were you doing in the asteroid field?
Neelix: Looking for you. Well, not you specifically. But my ship detected Talaxians. I haven't come across any in years, so. I'm sorry, I'm Neelix.
Dexa: Dexa. I had an uncle named Neelix. Are there other Talaxians on your ship?
Neelix: I'm the only one.
Dexa: Why are you living with aliens?
Neelix: They're my friends. Did you receive our hails?
Dexa: Yes.
Neelix: Why didn't you respond?
Dexa: We avoid contact with outsiders.
Neelix: We were attacked. There were explosions. Did you?
Dexa: No. We're not violent.
Neelix: Who fired at us?
Dexa: No one fired at you. There are miners who use explosive charges to break apart the asteroids so they can collect minerals from the debris.
Neelix: I wish we'd known.
Dexa: Why were you carrying weapons?
Neelix: It's standard procedure for an away mission. Hello. What's your name?
Brax: Brax. What's yours?
Dexa: I told you not to come in here.
Brax: I just want to see him.
Dexa: You're supposed to be helping Oxilon.
Brax: He doesn't look dangerous to me.
Neelix: I think you have the wrong idea about us.
Dexa: I'm not supposed to be talking to you at all.
Neelix: I'm feeling better. I'd like to see my friends now.
Neelix: What are you doing?
Dexa: I've been told not to let you leave.
Janeway: Harry?
Kim: Still no response to hails.
Janeway: Janeway to the shuttlebay.
Seven: Go ahead, Captain.
Janeway: What's the status of the shield modifications?
Seven: Lieutenant Torres and I will be finished in a few minutes.
Janeway: Good. Take an away team and find them.
Kim: Captain, there's a ship approaching from astern. We're being hailed.
Janeway: On screen.
Nocona: Identify yourselves.
Janeway: I'm Captain Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager.
Nocona: Commander Nocona. This is our asteroid field.
Janeway: We weren't aware of that.
Nocona: Now you are.
Janeway: We lost one of our shuttles inside the field. We're preparing to send a rescue team.
Nocona: All the resources belong to us.
Janeway: We're not interested in the resources. We were only trying to make contact with the Talaxians.
Nocona: What's your interest in them?
Janeway: One of my crewmen is from Talax. He was eager to meet some of his people.
Nocona: You should have requested permission before sending in a shuttle. We have a mining operation in progress.
Chakotay: Does that explain the explosions we detected?
Nocona: Mining charges.
Janeway: We'd appreciate it if you'd stop using them until we can get our people out.
Nocona: I'm sorry. We're on a strict deadline. But I'll conduct a search for your crew. If they need help, we'll provide it.
Janeway: That's kind of you, but we're prepared to go in and get them ourselves.
Nocona: I cannot guarantee your safety if you enter the asteroid field. Stay here. We'll contact you when we find your people.
Neelix: I don't think you're supposed to be here.
Brax: This is my home. You can't tell me what to do.
Neelix: No, of course not. I just don't want you to get in trouble. Is that a model ship? What's it called? How about The Two-Tailed Talchok? The Fur Fly? The ship I come from is called Voyager.
Brax: Is it big?
Neelix: And fast.
Brax: Can I see it?
Neelix: I think it would be a little difficult to take you there while I'm stuck here. But if your mother would let me out
Brax: That's her.
Neelix: You better hide.
Brax: You won't tell her I'm here?
Neelix: No, of course not.
Dexa: Neelix, this is Oxilon, our council regent.
Neelix: I wish I could say it was nice to meet you, but this wasn't exactly the welcome I was expecting.
Oxilon: You're free to go now.
Neelix: What about my friends?
Oxilon: We've determined they aren't hostile. They've been treated for their injuries and asked to leave.
Dexa: They're aboard your shuttle making repairs. I'll take you there.
Neelix: Well, now that everything has been cleared up, maybe we could talk, get to know each other a little.
Oxilon: If you like.
Neelix: My friends, too?
Oxilon: I'm sorry.
Neelix: Why not?
Oxilon: We've learned from experience to keep to ourselves.
Neelix: Well, if they're not welcome, I'm not staying either.
Oxilon: That's your choice.
Dexa: I know Oxilon seems overly cautious, but we're not used to having visitors.
Neelix: How many of you live here?
Dexa: Close to five hundred. All of our homes are connected to the central cabin by tunnels and lifts. They allow us to easily move from one section of the asteroid to another.
Neelix: It must have taken years to build all of this.
Dexa: Almost five. It still isn't finished.
Neelix: Where did the technology come from?
Dexa: We arrived here with a caravan of six ships. We disassembled all but one of them and modified their components. We converted torpedo launchers to blast away rock and excavate these tunnels. These conduits run into the asteroid's core. We use geothermal energy to melt the ice that covers most of the outer surface. It provides us with oxygen and water.
Neelix: Who'd have imagined all of this inside an asteroid? Your son seems like a wonderful boy.
Dexa: How would you know? You only met him for a few seconds.
Neelix: True, but I'm a quick judge of character.
Dexa: He came to see you while I was out, didn't he?
Neelix: You can't blame him for being curious.
Dexa: Hmm. He's a lot like his father. No fear.
Neelix: I'd like to meet your husband.
Dexa: He's dead.
Neelix: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
Dexa: It's all right. You didn't know.
Paris: Neelix. Are you all right?
Neelix: I'm fine. Dexa, this is Lieutenant Paris, and Commander Tuvok.
Paris: Thanks for bringing him back. We were getting worried.
Neelix: It was nice to meet you.
Neelix: So, what can I do to help?
Paris: You can give me a hand with this plasma manifold. How did it go?
Neelix: Well, er, they didn't exactly send out a welcoming committee, but I'm sure they had their reasons. I guess my expectations were a little high.
Tuvok: I regret that you didn't have a more fulfillling experience.
Neelix: That's nice of you to say, Commander, but it wasn't a complete waste of time. I got to meet some of my people again, even if it was a short visit. Who knows, it's probably the last time I'll ever see another Talaxian.
Paris: Good work. Now we need to run a systems
Computer: Intruder alert.
Paris: At least we know internal sensors are working.
Neelix: Brax.
Tuvok: You know him?
Neelix: We're old friends.
Brax: You said you'd take me to see Voyager.
Neelix: I don't think your mother would approve.
Brax: You won't tell her I was here, will you?
Neelix: Here? I, I have no idea what you're talking about. I'll be right back.
Oxilon: Three days isn't nearly enough time for us to dismantle all our equipment.
Nocona: Then you should have begun the first time we asked. We can't wait any longer. Demolition of the asteroid is going to start whether you're here or not.
Dexa: You'd kill us?
Nocona: We don't want to hurt anyone, but our patience has run out.
Oxilon: We've only got one ship. There won't be enough room for any of our belongings.
Nocona: It's not our fault you took apart your other vessels.
Dexa: You can't do this.
Oxilon: Dex, don't provoke him.
Dexa: Where are we supposed to go?
Nocona: I'm sure you'll find a home somewhere.
Dexa: This is our home. You have no right to make us go.
Brax: Leave her alone!
Nocona: Bring him here!
Neelix: Don't touch him!
Miner: Are you going to stop me?
Neelix: You've said what you've come to say. Now I suggest you leave.
Nocona: You have three days to evacuate.
Dexa: You can see now why we're suspicious of outsiders,
Oxilon: Thank you for protecting the boy, but I'm afraid your actions might make things worse.
Dexa: How could they get any worse?
Oxilon: Fighting back has never done anything but cause us more trouble.
Dexa: And what has running away ever done for us?
Oxilon: It's kept us alive.
Dexa: Maybe it's time we stayed and defended ourselves. Will you help us?
Neelix: I agree with Oxilon. Fighting isn't the answer. But I'll try to help.
Dexa: How?
Neelix: Well, we could talk to my captain. Maybe she can negotiate with the miners, get them to agree to let you stay.
Oxilon: Your captain would be willing to do that?
Neelix: The best thing would be for you to come to Voyager. Talk to her yourself.
Brax: I want to go too.
Dexa: Shush, Brax.
Neelix: Why don't you both come? I've seen your home. I'd like you to see mine.
Neelix: Commander Chakotay, I'd like you to meet Dexa And Brax.
Chakotay: Welcome to the bridge.
Neelix: And this is Ensign Kim.
Brax: What's this?
Neelix: This is an Engineering station, and over there is Tactical, and down there is the helm. And this is the Captain's chair.
Brax: Which station is yours?
Neelix: Well, actually, I don't have a specific, er, I'm more of a
Kim: Neelix does too many things to have just one station. He's our Ambassador, morale officer
Chakotay: Trade negotiator. Without a doubt, he's the most versatile member of our crew.
Seven: As you can see, our sensors are extremely precise. We can scan for life signs light years away.
Neelix: That's how we found you.
Seven: I have something else that may interest you.
Brax: What is it?
Dexa: Talax. You can scan that far away?
Seven: No, this image is from our database.
Dexa: It's as beautiful as I remember.
Neelix: There's the Godo mountain range.
Dexa: And the Axiana Lakes. That was always one of my favorite places.
Neelix: Mine too.
Brax: Why don't we just go back to Talax? We could live there.
Dexa: It's still controlled by the Haakonians. They don't treat Talaxians very well. That's why we left.
Brax: Maybe Neelix could go with us, and we could fight them. Take the planet back.
Neelix: If tomorrow's negotiations go well, you won't have to go anywhere.
Neelix: Next stop, Engineering.
Brax: The warp core.
Naomi: Neelix.
Neelix: Naomi! I'm sorry, I forgot all about our Kadis-kot game.
Naomi: That's all right. I know you're busy. I just wanted to meet your friends.
Neelix: Of course. Dexa, Brax, this is my goddaughter, Naomi.
Naomi: Hey.
Dexa: You live on a beautiful ship.
Naomi: Thanks. Maybe Brax would like to go to the holodeck.
Neelix: That's a great idea.
Naomi: Lieutenant Paris has a new program. Invaders from the Ninth Dimension.
Neelix: Sounds scary.
Naomi: Very.
Brax: What's a holodeck?
Naomi: Neelix is right. Might be too scary for you.
Brax: I'm not afraid. Can I?
Dexa: You're lucky to have found these people. They obviously think a great deal of you.
Neelix: The feeling's mutual.
Neelix: To the Axiana Lakes.
Dexa: It really is delicious.
Neelix: I've been saving it for fifteen years. I wasn't sure I'd ever open it, but tonight seemed like the right occasion. Would you like some more taga cake?
Dexa: A little, please. I haven't had this in years.
Neelix: I'm glad you like it. It's a family recipe.
Dexa: You're a good cook. I haven't seen Brax this happy since his father was alive.
Neelix: How did he? I'm sorry. You probably don't want to talk about it.
Dexa: I don't mind. We'd settled on a planet call Phanos. There was a lot of unoccupied territory, but the government restricted us to a very small area.
Neelix: Why?
Dexa: They said it was a quarantine to protect the population from alien diseases. But it was just an excuse. We were outsiders. They didn't want us mixing with their people. It wasn't long before we realized we didn't have enough land to grow what we needed to feed ourselves. Oxilon said we'd just have to conserve our resources. But my husband was tired of being told what to do, so he started farming outside the restricted zone.
Neelix: They didn't like that.
Dexa: A security patrol confronted him. He told them he had to provide for his family, that he wasn't afraid of them. There was a fight. He was killed.
Neelix: I'm sorry.
Dexa: After that, we came here. We thought we'd finally found a place where no one would bother us.
Neelix: Maybe this time it'll be different.
Dexa: Maybe. But even if it isn't, thank you for trying.
Neelix: I should get a good night's sleep if I'm going to be my best at the negotiations tomorrow.
Dexa: Neelix? It's been a wonderful day.
Janeway: Isn't there enough to mine here, without destroying their home?
Nocona: Their home contains more than thirty percent of the field's ore. Without that asteroid, the operation isn't worth the expense.
Neelix: Would you be open to some kind of compensation?
Nocona: All we want are the minerals.
Oxilon: And you'd kill us to get them.
Neelix: Wait. The Talaxians have found a way to produce a lot of geothermal energy. Maybe they could share it with you.
Nocona: What do you mean, share?
Neelix: You could convert it into fuel to power your ships.
Nocona: The energy they generate isn't compatible with our technology.
Janeway: We'd be willing to help you make the modifications.
Nocona: We have quotas to meet. We don't have time for that.
Janeway: Commander, the future of more than five hundred people is at stake here.
Naomi: And once, there was a transporter accident. Neelix and Commander Tuvok got combined to make a completely different person.
Brax: Really?
Naomi: You don't think I could make up a story like that, do you?
Brax: Hello, Neelix.
Naomi: Do you want to play Kadis-kot?
Neelix: Maybe later.
Dexa: I knew it wouldn't work.
Neelix: We did get them to make a small concession. They've extended the deadline. You'll have enough time to dismantle your equipment.
Dexa: Thanks, but there's too much to take with us.
Neelix: Captain Janeway has agreed to ferry all of you and your supplies to the nearest M class planet.
Dexa: Come on, Brax. We're going home.
Brax: Why?
Dexa: We have to pack. Come on.
Brax: You said you were going to help us.
Dexa: Brax.
Tuvok: You wanted to see me.
Neelix: I've detected five warp capable species within two light years of the planet where we're taking the Talaxians. I'm worried they might be vulnerable to attack.
Tuvok: They would be vulnerable anywhere.
Neelix: I thought maybe you could help me devise some defense strategies for their new home.
Tuvok: Frankly, Mister Neelix, they don't seem inclined to defend themselves.
Neelix: No, I suppose not.
Tuvok: But if they were going to make a stand, their emotional attachment to their present home might be an asset.
Neelix: Are you saying they should stay?
Tuvok: I'm speaking hypothetically.
Neelix: Hypothetically, if they wanted to defend the asteroid, how would they do it?
Tuvok: To begin with they would need to establish some kind of perimeter.
Neelix: You mean shields?
Tuvok: Yes. The miners are monitoring the asteroid. If they detected the Talaxians erecting a shield, they would attempt to stop them.
Neelix: I suppose so.
Tuvok: Your people would need competent leadership to defend against a pre-emptive attack.
Neelix: If you had the captain's permission, would you be willing to provide that leadership?
Tuvok: Certainly not. It would be a violation of the Prime Directive. And even if it weren't, I don't believe that I am the person most qualified to assume that role.
Neelix: You mean me?
Tuvok: I am merely speaking hypothetically.
Neelix: I couldn't lead those people, Mister Tuvok. I'm not a fighter. I'm just a cook who sometimes imagines himself to be a diplomat.
Tuvok: On the contrary, Mister Neelix. You are much more than that. You are perhaps the most resourceful individual I have ever known.
Neelix: I always thought you just tolerated me.
Tuvok: You do have some annoying habits. However, during your time on Voyager you've developed many valuable skills. Skills that would serve you well if you ever decided to assume a leadership role.
Neelix: You really think so?
Tuvok: Let me be clear. I'm not urging you to do anything. I'm simply telling you that I believe that you are more than capable.
Janeway: Going somewhere, Mister Neelix?
Neelix: Just to see my friends.
Janeway: Chakotay tells me you're using your own ship. Why not have Tom take you in the Flyer?
Neelix: I didn't want to bother anyone.
Janeway: You wouldn't be planning anything foolish, would you?
Neelix: Whatever I do, I promise it won't involve Voyager.
Janeway: That wasn't my question.
Neelix: I know you have Prime Directive issues. But I'm not officially part of your crew, so I don't have the same constraints.
Janeway: You're as much a part of this crew as anyone else.
Neelix: Are you ordering me not to go?
Janeway: That depends on what you're going to do.
Neelix: It's up to the Talaxians.
Janeway: Safe journey, Mister Neelix.
Neelix: I know from personal experience that you have forcefield emitters. We could use them to establish a shield grid. We'd need to deploy a series of them on the asteroid's surface, along bisecting diameters. Sixteen emitters should be enough to form a grid.
Oxilon: Even if you're right, it'd take weeks to dig that many tunnels to the surface.
Neelix: Commander Tuvok suggested that we could modify the emitters so they could be fired from torpedo tubes on your ship and planted in the surface.
Oxilon: As soon as the miners realized what we were doing, they'd attack.
Neelix: I could provide cover from my ship. But you're right, we'd have to work quickly.
Dexa: We could route power to the emitters directly from the core. They'd have a permanent energy supply.
Neelix: Good idea.
Oxilon: If we do what you're suggesting, people are going to be hurt.
Neelix: This is your home. The miners have no right to force you out.
Oxilon: I agree. But fighting?
Neelix: I don't like it either but at some point you have to stand up for yourselves. How do you know there won't be someone else to terrorize you the next place you go?
Dexa: You know he's right.
Neelix: No one has worked harder to build this place than you. Isn't it worth defending?
Neelix: Wait for my comm. call. As soon as the last emitter's in place, start routing power to the grid.
Dexa: Understood.
Neelix: You're scared, aren't you?
Dexa: You?
Neelix: Terrified.
Dexa: Be careful.
Neelix: I will.
Oxilon: Oxilon to Neelix. The emitters are loaded. We're ready.
Neelix: I'll see you soon.
Neelix: Two more and we're done.
Oxilon: Acknowledged.
Oxilon: We're moving into position for the next one.
Neelix: The miners' ship is on an intercept course. Evasive maneuvers.
Oxilon: They're targeting our shields.
Neelix: I'll deal with them.
Neelix: Just focus on your job. All right, Mister Vulcan, let's see if you were right about me.
Dexa: Neelix, you have to hurry.
Neelix: Just one more emitter
Neelix: And you can activate the shield.
Neelix: Neelix to Oxilon.
Neelix: My weapons are offline.
Oxilon: We're not in position yet.
Neelix: You have to get there. They're going to launch another charge.
Dexa: Neelix, what are you doing?
Neelix: Don't worry about me.
Neelix: Just get ready to bring the grid online.
Janeway: Delta Flyer to Neelix. Are you all right?
Neelix: Fine, Captain. But you shouldn't be here.
Neelix: You're violating the Prime Directive.
Janeway: We're just helping a friend in distress.
Dexa: Dexa to Neelix. The shield's holding.
Dexa: You did it.
Neelix: We did it.
Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 54868.6. Commander Nocona seems to have given up his attempts to penetrate the Talaxians' shield. Voyager's ready to get underway, but we're giving Mister Neelix time to say a difficult goodbye to his new friends.
Oxilon: We're grateful for everything you've done.
Neelix: I'm just happy things worked out, and I'm glad that I could spend some time here with all of you. I'd better go.
Brax: Stay here.
Dexa: He can't, Brax. He has responsibilities on Voyager.
Neelix: I promise I'll stay in touch as long as I can.
Naomi: Come in.
Neelix: Hi.
Naomi: Neelix.
Neelix: What are you working on?
Naomi: A report on proto-humanoid cultures, for Commander Chakotay's paleontology class.
Neelix: Need some help?
Naomi: I'm almost finished.
Neelix: Do you have time for a game of Kadis-kot?
Naomi: I have to get up early.
Neelix: I guess you'd better get to sleep then. Do you want me to tuck you in? Tell you a bedtime story?
Naomi: You haven't done that in years.
Neelix: Just think of all the stories you've missed.
Naomi: Thanks, Neelix, but I can put myself to bed. I'm not a little girl anymore.
Janeway: I didn't think anyone else stayed up this late.
Neelix: I wouldn't want you to have coffee all by yourself.
Janeway: Have a seat.
Neelix: I've been thinking about something. It's a little hard to put into words, and I haven't really made a decision yet. And of course I would never ignore my responsibilities on Voyager.
Janeway: Of course not.
Neelix: I take them very seriously.
Janeway: I know you do. I've been thinking about something, too. Maybe you could help me.
Neelix: I'd be happy to.
Janeway: It's an idea I'd need to talk to Starfleet Command about.
Neelix: It must be important.
Janeway: It is. Now that we've established two way communication with Earth, it seems to me Starfleet could use a permanent ambassador in the Delta Quadrant. This ambassador would have to stay in frequent contact with Voyager.
Neelix: Certainly.
Janeway: It would be difficult for me to run this ship without you, Neelix. But that might be a sacrifice I'd be willing to make for the greater good of Starfleet. Of course, the assignment would be entirely voluntary. You wouldn't be interested, would you?
Janeway: Goodbye. And good luck, Ambassador.
Tuvok: Mister Neelix.
Tuvok: Live long, and prosper.


Emh: Questa o quella per me pari sono a quant'altre d'intorno mi vedo, del mio core l'impero non cedo meglio ad una che ad altre belta. La costoro avvenenza e qual dono di che ilfato ne infiora la vita. S'oggi questa mi torna gradita, forse un'altra, forse un'altra.
Emh: Captain. Computer, pause music. I didn't wake you, did I?
Janeway: That's all right, Doctor. Fifteen minutes of sleep is really all I need. Coffee, black. Maybe you should pay a little more attention to flying and a little less to singing.
Emh: As a hologram, I can handle a variety of tasks at once. In addition to piloting the Flyer, I'm writing a paper on the physiological stresses of long duration space flight, and taking holo-images of this Mutara class nebula.
Janeway: With a hologram on board, who needs a crew?
Emh: I'd never admit this to anyone else, but there was a time when I would have given anything to be flesh and blood. But I've come to realize that being a hologram is far superior.
Janeway: Really?
Emh: No offense. I'll always enjoy the company of organics. In fact, I'm delighted you were able to attend this medical symposium with me. It's been a pleasure spending time with you. Actually, I was hoping we might do this sort of thing more often.
Emh: Hmm. We're passing through a subspace eddy.
Janeway: It could be the wake of another ship.
Emh: No, there's nothing on sensors. It's probably just the gravimetric shear from the nebula.
Janeway: Maybe I should take the controls.
Emh: Sit down and relax, Captain. You've got a hologram at the helm.
Torres: The plasma surges have to be coming from one of these relays. Try realigning the deuterium manifolds.
Paris: Paris to Torres.
Torres: Go ahead.
Paris: Can you pull yourself away from engineering for a few minutes? I've got a shuttle down here with faulty deflector array.
Torres: I'm a little busy right now.
Paris: It's kind of urgent.
Torres: What's this?
Paris: Well, I thought you'd enjoy a romantic lunch under the glow of a red giant.
Torres: Oh, you replicated potato salad.
Paris: With extra paprika, just the way you like it.
Torres: This is so sweet. But I can't.
Paris: Sure you can. I've already cleared it with Chakotay.
Torres: I told the captain I'd have the dilithium matrix recalibrated before she got back.
Paris: You know, this might be our last chance to be alone for the next eighteen years.
Torres: I will make some time before the baby comes, I promise. Oh, I've got to get back.
Kim: Report.
Ayala: There's some kind of pulse being directed at our transceiver array. It's coming from the Delta Flyer.
Kim: Hail them.
Ayala: No response.
Kim: Looks like they've encoded the pulse with a comm. signal.
Kim: Captain.
Janeway: Sorry about the image, Ensign. Our comm. system's been damaged. The only way I could send you a signal was through the main deflector.
Kim: Are you and the Doctor all right?
Janeway: We're fine. Tell Commander Chakotay to meet me in my ready room as soon as we've docked. Janeway out.
Chakotay: Harry tells me the Flyer took some damage.
Janeway: That's an understatement. We almost didn't make it back in one piece. They're called the R'Kaal. Their technology is decades ahead of ours. Transphasic warp drive, multi-spectral cloaking systems. They could destroy this ship before our sensors knew they were there.
Chakotay: They sound like people we should avoid.
Janeway: I wish that were possible. They control thousands of parsecs from here to the edge of the Beta Quadrant. They're ecological extremists. They believe conventional warp engines damage subspace, so they've outlawed warp travel through their territory.
Chakotay: Then we should reverse course and find a way around.
Janeway: That's the problem. We've already been in their space for three weeks without knowing it.
Chakotay: You'd think they'd mark their borders a little more clearly.
Janeway: As punishment, their law demands that our ship be dismantled.
Chakotay: Obviously we're not going to let that happen.
Janeway: I spent three hours explaining our situation to their Supreme Archon, a thoroughly unpleasant man. I convinced him to spare Voyager, but at a price. We're going to rendezvous with their armada and surrender our warp core at a class M planet where they've agreed to let us settle.
Chakotay: Settle?
Janeway: I didn't make this decision lightly, Chakotay.
Chakotay: We have to bring the senior staff in on this. We can find a way to evade their ships, or adapt our sensors to their cloaking technology.
Janeway: We could try that, and we might make it past their armada, but we could lose a lot of people in the process. Maybe the entire ship.
Chakotay: Kathryn, there's got to be another way.
Janeway: I'm tired, Chakotay. Tired of casualty reports, of continually risking my people on the slim chance that we'll make it home in one piece.
Chakotay: We've found our way out of worse situations.
Janeway: Set a course.
Chakotay: What am I supposed to tell the crew?
Janeway: For now, I'd like to keep this between us.
Chakotay: It's not like you to keep your people in the dark
Janeway: I'll make an announcement when the time is right. Dismissed.
Torres: Captain.
Janeway: I'm sorry to interrupt, but I could use your input on a hypothetical scenario.
Torres: Of course.
Janeway: If we were to eject the core, could it be towed safely at warp?
Torres: In theory. But a tractor beam might destabilize the containment field. You'd be risking a breach.
Janeway: Could you compensate for that?
Torres: You could configure the tractor emitters to generate a resonance pulse. That should stabilize the field.
Janeway: Can you make those modifications to the Delta Flyer's tractor emitters?
Torres: I suppose.
Janeway: How long would it take?
Torres: Er, a few hours.
Janeway: Get started.
Torres: I thought this was a hypothetical scenario.
Janeway: We should be prepared, just in case.
Torres: In case of what?
Janeway: Let me know as soon as you're finished.
Torres: Torres to Chakotay.
Chakotay: Go ahead.
Torres: Have you got a minute?
Chakotay: B'Elanna tells me you ordered some modifications to the Flyer.
Janeway: That's right.
Chakotay: Maybe I misunderstood. I thought the plan was to hand over the core when we reached the planet. Are we taking it somewhere else?
Janeway: I heard you the first time.
Chakotay: Captain?
Janeway: You've already made your concerns clear, Commander, but there's been a slight change of plans.
Chakotay: Were you going to tell me? Kathryn, what's going on?
Janeway: I don't feel well. I've got a headache. I'm going to my quarters and I'd prefer not to be disturbed. You have the bridge.
Janeway: Not now.
Tuvok: I beg your pardon, Captain?
Janeway: Carry on, Commander.
Chakotay: Chakotay to the Doctor.
Emh: Go ahead, Commander.
Chakotay: Report to Sickbay immediately.
Chakotay: Something wrong with the turbolifts?
Emh: You did say immediately. How can I help you?
Chakotay: I'm concerned about the Captain. She doesn't seem to be feeling well.
Emh: What's wrong?
Chakotay: I'm not sure. She went to her quarters with a headache.
Emh: I'll bring her an analgesic.
Chakotay: I was wondering if this could be related to your encounter with the aliens.
Emh: You think they harmed her?
Chakotay: You tell me. What did they do to her?
Emh: I'm not sure, exactly. The aliens took my program offline as soon as they boarded the Flyer. The captain reactivated me a few hours later and told me she'd been interrogated. Naturally, I examined her to make sure she was all right.
Chakotay: Did you find anything unusual?
Emh: I suppose I'm violating doctor-patient confidentiality by telling you this but, she was fine.
Chakotay: I'd like you to give her a more thorough examination.
Emh: Gladly. But you know how she feels about physicals.
Chakotay: You can be very persuasive, Doctor. Contact me as soon as you're done.
Emh: Aye, sir.
Chakotay: Anything interesting on sensors this morning?
Seven: Nothing extraordinary. A red giant and two G type stars, a Golorian trading vessel bearing one five six mark four.
Chakotay: If there were a fleet of cloaked ships in the vicinity, could you devise a way to detect them?
Seven: A cloaked fleet would generate significant subspace distortions. Why do you ask?
Kim: Commander, we're receiving a transmission.
Chakotay: Source?
Kim: I'm having trouble pinpointing it. Should I notify the captain?
Chakotay: No, she didn't want to be disturbed. Route the call here.
Chakotay: I'm Commander Chakotay of the starship Voyager.
Loth: This is Supreme Archon Loth of the R'Kaal Imperium. Why haven't you ejected your warp core as your captain agreed?
Chakotay: We're en route to the planet you specified. We can't jettison the core until we get there.
Loth: If we don't receive the core within ten hours, my armada will destroy your ship. This is your only warning.
Chakotay: Work with Harry. I want to know the source of that transmission.
Seven: Understood.
Emh: Ah, Commander. You'll be relieved to know I've given the captain a clean bill of health.
Chakotay: Did you run a neurological scan?
Emh: Mmm hmm. Her brain activity and cognitive functions are completely normal. As far as I can tell she's perfectly fit, physically and mentally.
Chakotay: Thank you, Doctor.
Chakotay: Chakotay to the captain. Computer, locate Captain Janeway.
Janeway: Computer, belay that. My quarters, now.
Janeway: Really, Chakotay. Sending the Doctor to check up on me.
Chakotay: I'm concerned.
Janeway: Then why didn't you come to me directly? I thought we trusted each other.
Chakotay: So did I. Something happened on that away mission that you're not telling me.
Janeway: I've told you everything you need to know.
Chakotay: You've consulted me on every major decision over the last seven years, except this one. Why?
Janeway: There are some decisions a captain has to make on her own.
Chakotay: I understand that, but every instinct tells me what you're doing is wrong. Don't you remember what happened on Lesik Prime?
Janeway: I don't see how that's relevant.
Chakotay: I think you do. Fifteen years ago, you were the lieutenant who was kept in the dark. If you hadn't questioned your captain's orders, the entire away team would have been lost.
Janeway: This situation's entirely different.
Chakotay: You never told me that story. I made it up. Chakotay to Tuvok.
Janeway: I've erected a dampening field around these quarters. I'm sorry, Commander.
Janeway: Computer, secure the doors and establish a level five dampening field around the morgue.
Janeway: I can't do my job with the two of you constantly talking in my head.
Emh: No. I'm not doing anything else until I speak with the captain. Fine. What's your encryption frequency?
Emh: Captain, are you all right?
Janeway: Doctor, listen to me. Under no circumstances are you to eject the warp core.
Emh: If I don't do what they ask, they'll kill you.
Janeway: I'm giving you a direct order. Stop what you're doing.
Emh: I'm sorry, Captain. I can't obey that order.
Janeway: Doctor, I want you to go to the bridge right now and alert Commander Tuvok.
Zet: Put her behind the forcefield.
Zet: We have another assignment for you. I've been going over the schematics of your vessel, and I'm intrigued by this bio-neural circuitry. I want you to bring us a series of these gel packs.
Emh: The gel packs are integrated into the ship's systems. I can't just remove them without someone noticing.
Zet: You've proven yourself to be very resourceful, Doctor. You'll find a way. Remember, we're monitoring your perceptual subroutines. We can see and hear everything.
Tuvok: Tuvok to Chakotay.
Zet: You know what will happen to her if you alert your crew.
Emh: Go ahead.
Tuvok: Are you all right, Commander?
Emh: Just a scratchy throat. The Doctor's treating me now.
Tuvok: Could you come to the Shuttlebay when you're finished?
Emh: I'll be right there. Chakotay out. Computer, access the holodeck database and locate Commander Chakotay's holographic template. Download the physical parameters into my program.
Chakotay: You wanted to see me?
Tuvok: I've completed the diagnostic as you requested. The Flyer's comm. system is functioning normally. EMH-
Chakotay: You find that unusual?
Tuvok: The Captain did report that it was damaged
Tuvok: During the attack by the R'Kaal. EMH-
Chakotay: I'll have a talk with her. Did you find anything else out of the ordinary?
Tuvok: No.
Zet: Get out of there before you arouse suspicion.
Chakotay: I'll be on the bridge if you need me.
Nar: You're doing a wonderful job, Doctor. I'm just giving him a little encouragement.
Zet: That's why I'm in command.
Nar: If all goes well, we should have the warp core in less than six hours. He's making excellent progress.
Janeway: That's exactly what he wants you to believe.
Zet: What do you mean?
Janeway: Did you really think you could outsmart a hologram?
Nar: Everything appears to be normal.
Janeway: How do you know you're not looking at a holographic projection? The Doctor isn't just a physician. His Emergency Command subroutines contain thousands of tactical scenarios. I wouldn't be surprised if Voyager was already on its way here. You do have an option. Leave me behind in an escape pod and I'll forget any of this ever happened.
Nar: Maybe we should let her go.
Zet: Are you delusional? It took months to plan this. We've already found a buyer for the warp core. Now you want to abandon everything?
Nar: It's better than being sent to a rehabilitation center.
Zet: We made our choice when we stole this vessel. I am not going back to the Hierarchy, and neither are you. She's just trying to trick you. A month from now, we'll be soaking in the mud baths of Eblar Prime. Trust me.
Emh: Janeway to Torres.
Torres: Torres here.
Emh: I'm having a little trouble with my replicator again. Can you take a look at it?
Torres: I'm still working on those modifications you asked for. I'll send somebody else.
Emh: I'd consider it a personal favor if you'd do it yourself, Lieutenant.
Torres: I'll be there in five minutes.
Emh: Thank you. Janeway out. Computer, access Lieutenant Torres' holographic template and download the physical parameters into my program. EMH-
Torres: Computer, access medical file Torres Three and update her holographic template.
Vorik: Did you forget something, Lieutenant? EMH-
Torres: I did, actually. Where do we keep the spare gel packs?
Vorik: Locker gamma five. EMH-
Torres: Of course. Gamma five.
Vorik: On the upper level. EMH-
Torres: I know where it is, Ensign.
Paris: You left me no choice. EMH-
Torres: Lieutenant.
Paris: Oh? Are we calling each other by our rank now? EMH-
Torres: Er, you startled me.
Paris: Oh, sorry. Well, I thought since you didn't have time for lunch under the stars, maybe you'd settle for the glow of the warp core. EMH-
Torres: How thoughtful, but I'm not hungry.
Paris: Well, I'm sure the baby is famished. EMH-
Torres: A pregnant woman shouldn't eat this kind of food. Do you want to give me an arterial occlusion?
Paris: One drumstick isn't going to kill you. Besides, I won't tell the Doctor if you won't. EMH-
Torres: You know, this all looks so delicious. Why don't we save it for a romantic dinner this evening?
Paris: All right, nineteen hours. But if you're not there, I'm sending security after you. EMH-
Torres: I'll be there. Sweetheart.
Paris: Sweetheart? Well, aren't you getting affectionate in your third trimester.
Paris: I'll see you later.
Kim: Kim to Chakotay. Can you come to Astrometrics? EMH-
Torres: Harry, I'll be right there. Chakotay out.
Kim: The transmission was encoded with a false subspace signature.
Seven: The signal didn't originate on another vessel. It came from inside Voyager.
Kim: We traced it to holodeck two. EMH-
Chakotay: Do you know who sent it?
Kim: I'm on my way to check the access logs. EMH-
Chakotay: I'll go with you.
Kim: Whoever sent this transmission knew how to cover his tracks. The holodeck logs have been erased. EMH-
Chakotay: Doesn't look like we'll get any answers here.
Kim: I might be able to find some residual phototonic displacement. There we go. I think I can clarify the image with a recursive algorithm.
Kim: Our alien's a hologram. The question is, who programmed him? EMH-
Chakotay: Good work, Ensign. I'll take it from here.
Kim: Wait a minute. I'm picking up two holographic signatures. It looks like a second image was superimposed over an existing template. I'll see if I can isolate the first image. (The EMH steps behind Kim and takes a hypo from his boot. The holographic image changes to the EMH, so EMH-Chakotay uses the hypo on Kim. He then stores Kim in the morgue and adds his comm. badge to the growing collection in his office. The EMH leans back and begins a playback of the Blue Danube Waltz before tapping some controls.)
Zet: Doctor, what are you doing?
Emh: If you don't mind
Emh: I've had a stressful day.
Emh: I'm extremely busy, Commander.
Tuvok: This will only take a moment. I've been reviewing the communication logs. There's a diskrepancy I was hoping you could explain.
Tuvok: At the precise moment the Flyer transmitted a deflector pulse, you apparently accessed Voyager's holographic database.
Emh: I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.
Tuvok: Your access code was used to download the captain's physical parameters.
Emh: Exactly what are you insinuating, Commander?
Tuvok: Perhaps we should have a word with the captain.
Emh: Fine.
Tuvok: Computer, deactivate the EMH.
Computer: EMH protocols are offline.
Tuvok: Security to Sickbay. Remain where you are.
Emh: You haven't forgotten I'm a hologram, have you?
Tuvok: If necessary, I'll disable all of your holo-emitters.
Emh: Computer, transfer the EMH to the mobile emitter.
Tuvok: All hands, Red Alert. Security teams, apprehend the Doctor.
Tuvok: Computer, open the holodeck doors.
Computer: Unable to comply. Access to the holodeck has been restricted.
Tuvok: Security override, Tuvok sigma four.
Tuvok: Computer, end program.
Computer: Unable to comply. Holodeck controls are offline.
Tuvok: Tuvok to Engineering. Shut down power
Tuvok: To Holodeck two.
Torres: It looks like the Doctor's rerouted the power relays. It'll take a minute to bypass them.
Tuvok: Doctor, I've reconfigured my phaser to disrupt your holo-matrix. Surrender yourself now.
Tuvok: Tuvok to bridge.
Tuvok: Can you locate the Doctor on the internal sensors?
Paris: I'm not reading him. He must've masked his signature somehow.
Tuvok: Try scanning for the polydeutonic alloy in his emitter. Shut down all
Tuvok: Turbolifts and transporters.
Paris: Acknowledged.
Chakotay: Get your people out of here. The core's about to breach.
Torres: I'm not detecting an overload. EMH-
Chakotay: You're getting false readings. The Doctor's reprogrammed your sensors.
Torres: All right, everybody out. Now! Move it! EMH-
Chakotay: You too, B'Elanna.
Torres: I might be able to stabilize the containment field. EMH-
Chakotay: You're not putting your baby in danger. Go!
Torres: You'd better be right behind me.
Paris: Paris to Torres. I'm picking up the Doctor's emitter in your section.
Torres: Where?
Paris: Right next to the warp core. EMH-
Chakotay: Computer, activate Emergency Command Hologram.
Computer: All command codes have been transferred to the ECH.
Emh: Prepare to eject the warp core. Authorization ECH omega four two.
Torres: Doctor, don't do this.
Computer: Warp ejection system enabled.
Emh: Computer, eject the core.
Emh: Computer, lock on to my mobile emitter and transport me to the Delta Flyer.
Computer: Transporters are offline.
Paris: Tuvok, we just lost main power
Paris: And internal sensors are down.
Tuvok: The Doctor has entered Jefferies tube one one alpha. Send a security team to the shuttlebay.
Tuvok: Lieutenant? EMH-
Torres: I think the Doctor's heading for the escape pods. EMH-
Torres: You wouldn't shoot a pregnant woman, would you?
Tuvok: Come with me, Doctor.
Paris: Tuvok, someone's launching the Flyer.
Paris: Tuvok!
Nar: Ow!
Janeway: You might try disconnecting the phase diskriminator.
Nar: Ha! I've rebuilt dozens of these units, but I've never seen this configuration before. Do you know how I can stabilize the ion flow?
Janeway: That looks like the charge inverter.
Nar: Thank you.
Janeway: You're welcome. Your ship must need a lot of replacement parts.
Nar: Oh, those aren't for this ship. I've been collecting and repairing spare components for years. This is from an old impulse drive. Would you believe I found it sitting in a waste depository? I'll be able to find a buyer now that it's working.
Janeway: These parts could be worth a small fortune.
Nar: That's exactly what I think. I'm going to use my quarter of the profits to establish an outpost specializing in obsolete engine components. I'm certain there's a demand for them.
Janeway: My Chief Engineer is always looking for spare parts. She might be interested in acquiring your entire inventory.
Zet: Captain. Tut, tut, tut. You're not trying to take advantage of my subordinate, are you? No one's ever going to buy this junk. It's almost as useless as you. There's a ship approaching.
Emh: This is the Delta Flyer. I've got the warp core
Emh: But you're not getting it until you release the captain.
Emh: Are you insane? You almost destabilized the core. Both of our ships would've been destroyed!
Zet: This isn't a negotiation. Release your tractor beam, now.
Emh: All right.
Nar: It's in the cargo hold.
Zet: Lower your shields and we'll beam your captain to you.
Emh: Ready.
Emh: We had an agreement!
Zet: To spare your captain. As you can see, she's still alive.
Janeway: Let the Doctor go. I'm the more valuable hostage.
Zet: Actually, you're not. We'll leave you in the Vinry system. The inhabitants are mostly harmless. The Doctor will be working for us now.
Emh: I'll do no such thing.
Zet: I'm sure you'll feel differently after I make a few adjustments to your program.
Nar: I had no idea he was going to do this. I'm sorry.
Janeway: I hope you realize you've stranded Voyager in the Delta Quadrant.
Emh: What did you expect me to do, let them kill you?
Janeway: I expected you to follow my orders.
Emh: You might as well have been ordering me to put a phaser to your head. Voyager can survive without a warp core, but not without a captain.
Janeway: Now it doesn't have either. Chief Tactical Officer's log, stardate 54890.7. With internal sensors offline, I've had to order a section by section search for our missing crew members. Until main power is restored, Voyager remains immobilized and defenseless.
Paris: They're just unconscious. Paris to Tuvok. I found them.
Tuvok: It is logical to assume the Captain never returned from the away mission.
Chakotay: Do you have any idea where the Flyer is?
Tuvok: The Doctor masked his ion trail.
Torres: Engineering to Chakotay.
Chakotay: Go ahead.
Torres: We're ready to restart the impulse reactors.
Chakotay: Acknowledged.
Tuvok: It's playing on every comm. channel on the ship.
Chakotay: Computer, pause music.
Computer: Unable to comply.
Chakotay: Didn't the Doctor play this at his recital last month?
Tuvok: Yes. And as I recall, he performed the piece flawlessly.
Chakotay: Maybe the recording was damaged by the power loss.
Tuvok: Or perhaps the Doctor altered the music deliberately.
Chakotay: Why would he do that?
Seven: I performed a Fourier analysis on the recording. The harmonics have been modified.
Kim: It could be a comm. frequency.
Seven: Unlikely. There's no carrier wave.
Paris: I could be wrong but, it looks like a warp signature.
Kim: The power utilization curve would be about right.
Chakotay: Try scanning for it.
Seven: I'm detecting a matching signature. Distance, six point seven light years.
Tuvok: We can't follow them at impulse.
Chakotay: You and Tom take a shuttle.
Emh: What are you doing?
Janeway: If I can amplify your matrix, I might be able to disrupt the forcefield.
Emh: I'm sorry I put us in this position, Captain.
Janeway: You said you wanted us to spend more time together.
Emh: This isn't what I had in mind. Maybe, if we get back to the ship, we could try socializing a little more.
Janeway: This really isn't the place to be talking about this. Besides, I don't do a lot of socializing.
Emh: You have meals with Commander Chakotay, and you play Velocity with Seven.
Janeway: We're going to have to discuss this later.
Nar: I need to upload your first assignment.
Emh: You want me to infiltrate the Hierarchy's surveillance complex?
Zet: The data stored there is worth a hundred warp cores.
Emh: How do you expect me to get past the security perimeter?
Zet: I'm glad you asked. EMH-
Overlooker: I trust this won't be permanent.
Nar: I've given you the rank of a Class One Overseer. You'll be able to walk into Central Command without anyone noticing. I've also uploaded several other holographic templates you might find useful.
Janeway: What's wrong?
Nar: I'm not certain.
Zet: The compression algorithms are breaking down.
Nar: I told you his program couldn't handle that much data. EMH-TORRES-
Overlooker: What have you done to me?
Paris: I'm detecting a human lifesign aboard. And a holographic signature.
Tuvok: The vessel's weapons are polaron-based, and they have auto-regenerative shielding.
Paris: We still have the element of surprise.
Janeway: If you don't get him back to Voyager his matrix will be permanently damaged. EMH-
Alien: Please do something.
Nar: He won't be any use to us if he decompiles.
Nar: Someone's boarded the Delta Flyer. They're moving away.
Zet: Fire at both vessels.
Tuvok: Now, Mister Paris.
Nar: The shield generator isn't going to last. If we give them what they want, maybe they'll leave.
Zet: Prepare to jettison their warp core.
Nar: What are you doing?
Zet: Arming a torpedo. If we detonate their core the blast wave should give us enough time to escape.
Nar: That would kill them. EMH-
Alien: Captain, get down!
Tuvok: Lieutenant, lock a tractor beam onto the core and get it back to Voyager.
Paris: Acknowledged.
Zet: Nar, get this hologram off me.
Nar: Guess this wasn't so useless after all.
Nar: Are you still interested in acquiring my inventory?
Torres: Computer, transfer the EMH back into the holodeck buffer.
Janeway: Can you stabilize his matrix?
Seven: Not until we purge the excess subroutines.
Torres: There's more than a thousand teraquads of new data in here.
Paris: How is he?
Janeway: We're not sure yet.
Emh: Captain, if I don't survive, I need you to do something for me.
Janeway: You're going to be all right.
Emh: If I'm not, when you reach Earth I want you to donate my emitter to the Daystrom Institute. They may be able to replicate it someday so that other holograms can know the freedom I've enjoyed. I've had something on my conscience for a long time. After I was first activated, I kept a record of what I considered to be your most questionable command decisions. It's in my personal database. I hope you'll delete the file without reading it. Mister Tuvok, I violated the most sacred trust between a physician and his patient. I told Mister Neelix about the cutaneous eruption you developed on your. That was indiskreet. I hope you can forgive me. Ensign, at your recital last month, I told Lieutenant Torres that your saxophone playing reminded me of a wounded targ. I should've put it more delicately. I'm sorry. Seven.
Seven: You should remain still.
Emh: You have no idea how difficult it's been, hiding my true feelings all these years, averting my eyes during your regular maintenance exams.
Emh: I know you could never have the same feelings for me but I want you to know the truth. I love you, Seven.
Seven: Your cognitive algorithms are malfunctioning.
Emh: Goodbye, my friends. Speak well of me.
Janeway: Is he
Torres: No, I've got him.
Emh: What happened?
Torres: I deleted the extraneous subroutines.
Emh: I'm not going to decompile?
Janeway: You'll probably outlive us all.
Paris: Doc, anything else you'd like to confess? Captain's log, stardate 54912.4. Lieutenant Torres has restored our warp drive in less than a week. The Doctor's dignity, however, might take a little longer. He hasn't left Sickbay once since he returned to the ship.
Emh: Captain, do you, do you need medical attention?
Janeway: No. You've been keeping to yourself lately. Your friends are worried about you.
Emh: After my deathbed confession, I wasn't sure I had any friends left. I overstepped my bounds in documenting your command decisions. It happened a long time ago, before I considered myself to be a part of your crew.
Janeway: Oh, I'm not here to make you grovel. I'm here to punish you for your insubordinate behavior.
Emh: I understand.
Janeway: You're hereby denied the use of your mobile emitter for six days. Since you haven't left Sickbay for a week, we'll call it time served.
Emh: I appreciate the gesture, Captain, but I've got a lot of work to catch up on.
Janeway: I'm sorry to hear that. I was hoping you might be free for a cup of coffee on the holodeck. I know a little sidewalk café in Buenos Aires. You said you wanted us to socialize more.
Emh: I suppose Mister Paris can finish this.
Janeway: Now, when you're on the holodeck with the captain, there are two rules you have to follow.
Emh: I understand.
Janeway: First, leave your rank at the door.
Emh: Not a problem. The second?
Janeway: No opera.