Prototype ( episode ) A sentient robot enlists Torres ' help to make it possible for it to construct new members of its race . Summary . Teaser . The comes into view from a distance . Suddenly , there is a sensation of the viewer being transported somewhere . In a transporter room aboard " Voyager " , Lieutenant B ' Elanna Torres is next to an unidentified officer . She approaches and says that " it " is extraordinary . Lieutenant Tuvok joins her and reminds Torres that it also poses a potential security risk . Captain Janeway looks on curiously as Torres observes that it is losing power . Although Tuvok suggests that they let the power source run out and observe it while it is incapacitated , Torres insists that they may not be able to get it to work again and will have lost a valuable opportunity to study it . Erring on the side of exploration , Janeway agrees with Torres . In main engineering , Torres announces " " The power ' s surging , " " and uses some sort of tool . Meanwhile , Ensign Harry Kim waves a wand - like tool to the side . He asks her if an interface with an EPS power conduit would work . While she says the energy signatures are incompatible , Torres notes that the interface might buy them some time . Kim retrieves a cord and they plug it in . Torres tells Kim to produce a two - second burst at 5 % of maximum output but the energy transference is unsuccessful and the screen begins to fade more often . " " We ' re losing it , " " observes Torres , ordering a burst with less power . As Kim and Torres perform the operations in question their subject , a metallic humanoid , can only lie there . Act One . As Torres and Kim continue to work on the mechanical man , she estimates that they will be able to keep it running for another eighteen hours despite the large amount of damage it has suffered . They attempt to establish what it is and determine that it is not a cyborg as it is completely robotic and has no internal organs . Because it has arms , legs , and a head , they establish that it was designed to perform motor functions , but Kim is unable to detect any pathways similar to those in an android by which information is transmitted . Torres discovers that it runs not on EPS flow but on a foreign type of superconducting tripolymer plasma . The robot emits a series of sporadic sounds and its head jerks back and forth , but they are unable to tell what , if anything , it is trying to say . While Torres is convinced that the robot is trying to speak and attempts to discern what " Pra . . . " means , Kim reminds her that they do not know for sure whether the robot is even aware of them . Waving his arms and hands in front of the robot ' s " face , " he receives no response . He notes that they have been working on it for hours and Torres tells him she could use some time alone to think . At this , he jokingly insists that he can stay up as long as she can . However , when the lieutenant threatens to pull rank on him and order him to leave , he concedes the point . However , he reminds Torres to tell him if she discovers anything new . It is early morning and Torres sits in the deserted mess hall , which is dark save for the light emanating from the adjacent kitchen . Neelix stands at a counter in the kitchen , cooking the crew ' s breakfast . Torres sips her coffee and requests another pot from Neelix , who cordially reminds her that breakfast is not served for another hour and a half ; however , he offers her a glass of traggle nectar instead . He even offers to make his special Jibalian omelette . She stubbornly insists on coffee , but Neelix reminds her that two pots of Landras blend is the absolute limit . " " You ' re cutting me off ? " " Torres asks incredulously . Neelix simply shrugs his shoulders as if to say , " " I don ' t make the rules . " " Joining Torres at the table , he asks about the status of their mechanized guest . She has only been able to postpone the inevitable thus far , and she compares the situation to a bleeding artery with no tourniquet available . The predicament reminds Neelix of a time when he was unable to find the right blend of spice s for his Jibalian omelette , and while Torres is patient , she does not appear enthusiastic about the prospect of hearing Neelix ' s story . He describes how he tried more Spith basil , less " prishic " , and so on until he eventually fell asleep . The answer came to him in a dream : He was using six spices , but the recipe called for seven . Sarcastically , Torres guesses the missing ingredient leola root . After giving her an equally sarcastic look , he tells her the spice was Nimian sea salt – the most common spice in the galaxy – yet he had been too tired to realize it . Neelix ' s analogy is not lost on Torres , but she chooses to ignore his less - than - subtle hint and repeats her request for coffee . Neelix orders Torres to bed in a stern but affectionate tone , so she reluctantly agrees . However , she does not return to her quarters . In main engineering once more , an exhausted Torres stands over the robot and knocks on its metallic head as if to ask if anyone is home . She pretends to hear the robot tell her to go to bed . " " Well , I guess I ' m outnumbered , " " she sarcastically admits to herself , and she walks off . Once in her bedroom , Torres turns out the lights and gets in bed only to have a sudden inspiration much as Neelix did in his story . She immediately hurries to sickbay . As Torres activates the Emergency Medical Holographic program , The Doctor appears and makes his usual statement : " " Please state the nature of the medical emergency . " " He looks Torres over ; she did not take the time to change into her uniform and wears a pair of red pajamas . The Doctor dryly inquires if there has been a change in the official dress code , as no one informed him of such a change . Torres impatiently explains that her current attire is what she sleeps in . The hologram assumes that her haste is due to a medical emergency , but it is actually an engineering problem . After he pretends to think for a moment , The Doctor begins to say , " " I ' m a doctor , not . . . " " but Torres cuts him off and finishes the statement with " " . . . not an engineer . " " She explains that it is not a typical engineering problem , and as Kes has told The Doctor about the " mechanical man , " he is aware of the situation and does not require a full explanation . Due to a leak in the robot ' s power supply , Torres says he will " die " unless she can find a way to fix it . The problem is that the plasma from which the robot derives its energy is contaminated and it has begun to decay . Using a medical analogy for the situation , The Doctor compares the contaminated plasma to diseased blood and suggests a transfusion from " Voyager " s warp plasma . The suggestion gives Torres reason to pause as she considers how different the two types of plasma are , and she reasons that the warp plasma is too highly charged for the robot ' s systems . In medical terms , the transfusion would be comparable to giving a Bolian a transfusion using Vulcan blood , which The Doctor notes would normally kill the unfortunate Bolian . However , he adds that in rare instances where artificial blood was unavailable , existing blood cells have been genetically altered to make such transfusions possible . As Torres thinks , she slowly begins to formulate a plan using an anodyne relay , but rather than explain the technobabble to The Doctor , she runs toward main engineering . " " That ' s " exactly " what I was going to suggest , " " he tells himself sarcastically . Kim and Janeway join a now - dressed Torres in engineering , where Janeway asserts that it is Torres ' " show " and they will proceed when Torres is ready . Torres confidently activates the relays and instructs Kim to start the plasma transfer from the warp core to the robot , but as they proceed , they find that the energy levels are still too high . They manage to stabilize the flow and the plasma successfully begins to circulate through the robot ' s systems , but the three of them appear too nervous to say anything yet . Shortly thereafter , the robot ' s hand unexpectedly reaches up and grabs Torres ' forearm . Although she is shocked and unsure of how to respond , the robot politely asks her to identify herself . When she does so , the robot states that it is automated unit 3947 and thanks her for reactivating it . Act Two . Torres stands in front of a seated 3947 as she scans him with a tricorder , optimistic that they are past the critical stage . 3947 concurs and reports that his self - diagnostic systems estimate he is running at 68 % of optimal efficiency . Matching the Automated Personnel Unit ' s matter - of - fact voice , Torres calls him an extremely well - designed machine , to which he calls her an extremely proficient humanoid . Despite the fact that 3947 is a robot , it is obvious that Torres is growing fond of him . He reveals that he was operating an asteroid mining pod when it exploded , which is why " Voyager " found him adrift and so badly damaged , although he is unable to access information pertaining to why the pod exploded . He is able to tell her that he was stationed aboard a Pralor starship . Torres hopes that they will be able to return 3947 to his people soon and assures him that the new plasma should bring him up to " optimal . " When she mentions the new plasma , it seems to pique the robot ' s interest , and he asks if she is a " Builder . " As an engineer , she supposes the word builder could apply to her , but the Builders were the humanoids who built 3947 . He has sat idly until this point , but now he rises and faces Torres , suggesting that she could create a new chromodynamic power module . As 3947 ' s power module is working fine , Torres sees no need for a new one ; however , he intends the new module to be for a new automated unit like himself . Torres asks why the Builders cannot do so , but 3947 reveals that the Builders " no longer exist . " Torres suddenly sees the issue in a new light . In Janeway ' s ready room , Torres explains 3947 ' s situation . The Builders constructed thousands of automated personnel unit s decades ago , but were later killed off during a war . Now the units are wearing out , and while they have learned to make many repairs to themselves , they have been unsuccessful in creating new power modules . Torres believes she may be able to help 3947 do so , although she admits it will be an incredibly complex job . Janeway points out that Torres ' suggestion is a clear violation of the Prime Directive . While Janeway admits that the robots are entitled to the same rights as organic life forms , she points out to Torres that they never had the ability to reproduce in the first place . Torres sees her suggestion as correcting a flaw , but Janeway argues that they don ' t know enough about the robots or the Builders , and there is no way to tell what the repercussions of their actions will be if they help 3947 , and as such , it is not their place to play god . Despite Torres ' repeated objections , Janeway forbids her to help 3947 . Back in engineering , Torres attempts to explain and defend Janeway ' s logic . 3947 notes that , while the Prime Directive prohibits interference in the evolution of other species , he and the other automated personnel unit s were built and therefore Torres should be free to help them build more . Torres insists that Captain Janeway does not agree with his interpretation , but 3947 observes Torres ' visible disagreement . Unsure of what to think , Torres concedes that she wants to try to help the robots , turning away from 3947 as she speaks . In his calm , manner - of - fact voice , he states that the robots will not survive without Torres ' help , which makes the decision even more difficult for her . " " I thought Lieutenant B ' Elanna Torres was a Builder , " " the robot says . After a moment , she responds , " " So did I . " " Torres begins to walk away but stops to adds that " Voyager " has located 3947 ' s ship and will be within communications range in an hour . The robot thanks her and she pauses before she leaves , the situation weighing heavily on her mind . When the alien ship is within visual range , Janeway puts the ship on yellow alert , has it slowed to one quarter impulse and tells Tom Paris to put the vessel on the viewscreen . It appears to consist of a central hub with four extensions in a star - like formation , and as the crew is entirely automated , there are no life sign s aboard . As the ship scan s " Voyager " , Janeway opens a channel with it . A Pralor automated personnel unit 6263 appears on screen , identical to 3947 , and requests that Janeway identify herself . She does so , informing him that " Voyager " would like to return 3947 to the Pralor ship . 6263 thanks her for the assistance . Paris jokingly comments on how polite the automated units are , to which Janeway smirks . Torres and 3947 stand in transporter room 2 as she holds a canister out to him . She explains that it is filled with warp plasma in case the robot ' s plasma begins to degrade again . Thanking her , he takes the canister , but when she reminds him to adjust the anodyne relay periodically , he reminds her that she has told him already . The two shake hands , but 3947 does not let go of Torres ' hand and shoots a burst of blue electricity through her body , rendering her unconscious . He catches her as she falls and fires a discharge across the room at the transporter technician . On the bridge , Kim announces that he has detected a chromodynamic energy discharge in the transporter room . Janeway motions for a security officer to investigate as she attempts to contact Torres or the technician , but there is no response . Waving his hand over the transporter controls , 3947 interfaces with the computer . Meanwhile , Chakotay announces that someone is initiating a transport of Torres and the robot . Kim attempts to block the transport , but it is too late as their signals are already in the transporter buffer . 3947 disappears from the transporter room with Torres in his arms . Act Three . " Voyager " immediately goes to red alert and attempts to beam Torres back aboard , but the vessel erects an unknown type of subspace defense field around it , preventing a beam out . When they do not respond to hail s , Janeway orders Kim to open a channel on wide - band subspace . She informs the ship that Torres ' abduction is an act of aggression and threatens to respond in kind . There is a brief pause before Kim informs Janeway that the robots received the communication and simply chose not to respond . She confidently orders Tuvok to power the forward phaser bank s . Meanwhile , Torres awakens in a sterile room on some kind of mechanical operating table , which adjusts from a horizontal to a vertical position as she becomes aware of her surroundings . Various robotic parts surround her and 3947 stands next to her . She demands to know what is happening , and in his ever - calm voice , the robot informs her that the room is where she will build a prototype . While she insists that he return her to " Voyager " , 3947 claims it is not possible and informs Torres that her communicator has been deactivated . She instinctively heads toward the nearest exit , but 3947 grabs her by the arms and restrains her . Struggling , Torres does not understand why he is behaving this way . 3947 repeats the necessity for additional automated units , but reassures Torres that he does not wish to harm her ; when she reminds him of Janeway ' s orders , he calls it " inadvisable " for Janeway to provoke the units . While Torres and 3947 talk , Kim informs Janeway that there has been no indication of a response from the Pralor ship and Tuvok adds that he is unable to penetrate the defense field . Janeway asks Chakotay if there is any indication that the ship intends to attack , but due to the deflector shield ing , he is unable to say what the weapon s capabilities are , let alone whether the robots plan to use them . Still optimistic that they may be able to avoid a direct confrontation , she tells Tuvok to open a hole in the ship ' s shields wide enough for a transporter signal but without hitting the ship , and instructs Kim to match the targeting coordinates of the transporter with those of the phaser fire . Once the phasers are aligned , " Voyager " fires on the ship , reducing its shield capacity to 80 % . Janeway tells Tuvok to continue , but it responds with a type of quantum resonance charge similar in appearance to disruptor fire . Tom Paris initiates evasive maneuvers , but the charges quickly reduce " Voyager " s aft shields to just over half strength . Although Kim reroutes spare power to the shields , they are soon at less than a quarter as Paris attempts to throw the attacker off by switching evasive patterns . Janeway orders Tuvok to load the photon torpedo bays . As the battle rages on , Torres is able to see " Voyager " from the Pralor viewscreen , and it is evident that her crewmates are fighting a losing battle . 3947 stands next to her and observes that " Voyager " s shields are failing and its weapons pose no threat to the automated personnel units . Smoke comes from one of the consoles on the wall as Tuvok announces that the Pralor have penetrated " Voyager " s aft shields , and Chakotay points out that the ship must retreat . Janeway agrees , but Paris announces that " Voyager " s propulsion systems are off - line and the ship is currently dead in the water . A hull breach soon occurs , although an emergency containment field seals it temporarily . The environmental control systems begin to fail and deck eight loses artificial gravity , while injury reports come in from all decks and Janeway looks at the viewscreen , determined but helpless . An equally helpless Torres urges 3947 to stop the attack on " Voyager " , which poses no threat to the robots . 3947 reminds her that they are programmed to defend themselves , and although " Voyager " may be helpless for the moment , their enemies must be destroyed . Turning to 3947 , Torres insists that she and her crewmates are not his enemies ; he agrees that Torres is not , but observes that Janeway and the crew who follow Janeway ' s orders are . She reminds him that Janeway favored reactivating 3947 over the objections of the Chief of Security , but he simply looks at the viewscreen ; both of them know what the robot wants . With no alternatives , Torres gives in and offers to help build the prototype . Chakotay announces that the life support system is failing , but suddenly , " Voyager " stops shaking as the Pralor ship ceases firing . Tuvok informs the crew that the enemy has powered down its weapons systems and there is an incoming hail . Janeway rises and approaches the viewscreen , as Torres appears to ask if everyone is okay . Reassuring her they will be fine , Janeway asks what has happened . When she hears that Torres plans to build a prototype , Janeway begins to remind the lieutenant of her orders , but Torres reassures the captain she does not like it either . As Torres talks , she looks off - screen nervously and helplessly asks what other choice she has ; as if to emphasize the point , 3947 adjusts the camera to focus on his cold , metallic face . Act Four . Aboard the Pralor starship , miscellaneous mechanical components such as arms and skull s can be seen as 3947 explains that Torres will have all the materials necessary to complete a prototype unit . He will remain to supervise her and allow her access to database s and schematic s , but she will not have access to critical systems or be allowed to contact " Voyager " or leave the room . With that , he tells her to proceed . Torres inquires about the robots ' previous attempts to create a new power module and finds that , although they duplicated an existing module exactly , its power supply was insufficient to power a new unit . 3947 even shows her a schematic from each of the power modules , which are identical in every way . As he does so , 6263 enters the room . The unit asks 3947 what he has to report , but Torres sarcastically observes that she has been working for less than five minutes and has little progress to report . Ignoring Torres ' comment , 6263 tells 3947 that " Voyager " will require about 140 hours for repairs and that they must finish the prototype by then . Torres wonders why he is concerned when the Pralor ship is clearly a match for " Voyager " , but 6263 claims that statistical probabilities indicate a high likelihood that the crew will make a rescue attempt and " Voyager " s engines are superior to those of the Pralor at optimal efficiency . 3947 further adds that humanoids ' cognitive thought processes are " unpredictable " and they do not necessarily make decisions based on tactical probabilities . When 6263 suggests that Torres might intentionally delay progress on the prototype , she takes offense and indignantly informs him that she follows through on her word and will do her best . In her defense , 3947 adds that she is operating at " optimal efficiency . " However , while she promises to do her best , Torres tells 6263 that there are no guarantees . He states that if she fails , she will die , and with that he exits . Once he is gone , 3947 tries to comfort Torres by explaining that 6263 is a designated command unit who is only following his programming . She reiterates that she will do her best and reminds him that she does not need to be threatened ; 3947 believes her , but adds that 6263 doesn ' t know her the way he does . Hearing this once again stirs up Torres ' ambivalence about the project as she realizes how much she wants to help 3947 , and she asks to see one of the power modules . Janeway meets with Kim , Tuvok , and Chakotay to discuss the status of the ship and Chakotay enters the data from the other officers ' reports into a PADD as they speak . Kim reports that the hull has been sealed but there is no power on decks three through seven , while Tuvok reports that aft shields are completely nonfunctional , and Kim adds that the dilithium matrix is destabilized , rendering warp speed impossible . Chakotay estimates at least six days of repairs based on this feedback , but Janeway finds this unacceptable and demands a plan to get Torres off the Pralor ship before she is able to finish a prototype . In order to facilitate such a plan , Tuvok suggests that they make the warp drive their top priority , as any escape attempt will require a quick getaway . Kim asks how 72 hours sounds for repairing the dilithium matrix , but Janeway thinks it is 24 hours too long . Rather than spend more time reviewing the data , she dismisses them to work on their respective areas . Torres works diligently on the would - be Automated Personnel Unit , adjusting part of a power module while 3947 acts as her assistant , handing her various tools such as a submicron scanner and a phase coil resonator as she requests them . After a few seconds , she tells him that she thinks she knows why the previous prototypes failed , but does not know what to do about it yet . Rather than explain the problem outright , she begins with the fact that the units ' parts are interchangeable , so if 3947 loses an arm , it can be replaced easily . Since the parts are identical , the existing units have been able to produce new parts because they are able to duplicate what they see ; however , each power module ' s energy signature is slightly different , so even an exact copy of an existing power module will not work on a new unit because each unit has a unique signature . However , she does not think that she can make the signatures interchangeable . 3947 concludes that Torres has failed and informs her that he will tell 6263 . " " Do all you automated units give up the minute you hit a bump in the road ? " " Torres asks . She thinks the matter over for a second and tells him they need to make a standardized module with a uniform energy code to power any unit , at which point 3947 concludes there is " reason for greater optimism . " Smiling , Torres replies , " " You took the words right out of my mouth . " " Meanwhile , Tuvok , Kim , Chakotay , Janeway , and Paris are gathered around the Vulcan ' s post on " Voyager " s bridge , where he displays a computer diagram to demonstrate that between " Voyager " s power shortage and the complexity of the Pralor defense field , they are unable to beam Torres from the other ship . However , Chaotay and Kim note that they would be able to transport Torres out if they were able to get inside the field . Paris believes that a shuttlecraft would be able to do so , but as " Voyager " was virtually rendered defenseless by the Pralor weapons , such a plan would require a diversion in Tuvok ' s opinion . Chakotay suggests another attack , but Janeway does not want to risk another direct confrontation . While Paris is confident enough in his piloting skills that he would not need a diversion , Chakotay sarcastically notes that he does not want to lose another shuttlecraft . The tension between Chakotay and Paris is evident as Paris sarcastically thanks Chakotay for the " " heartwarming " " concern over his well - being . Janeway diplomatically avoids the personal conflict by changing the subject and announcing that the warp engines will be back online in twelve hours . By that time , she wants a diversion ready for the Pralor ship . Torres work on the prototype unit , as she is receiving feedback from the motor circuits on what is to be the prototype ' s arm . She lightly asks 3947 if he will be the ship ' s new obstetrician , but he seems confused and asks her to rephrase the question . Putting it more directly , she asks if he will be in charge of assembling the new unit . Such thoughts seem beyond his scope as he informs her that he was made to be a maintenance unit and neither he nor any of the other units on the ship have any knowledge of design . In that case , she informs him that he has just volunteered for new duty . She tells him to be sure to watch closely , which he does , although he seems somewhat frustrated as he explains that he lacks her improvisational skills . However , Torres reassures 3947 that once she has finished , he will only need to replicate what he sees . There is a pause while 3947 observes Torres ' work closely , and as she begins to speak , she asks if she can call him 39 . The concept of a nickname seems lost on the robot ; he bluntly states that he is Automated Personnel Unit Three - Nine - Four - Seven . She remembers that she is speaking to a robot and goes along with it , asking 3947 how long he has been " alive " and whether he woke up on a bench similar to the one on which the prototype currently rests . He has been in service 1 , 314 , 807 hours and 33 minutes ( 150 years ) , he reports , which gives Torres reason to pause . The two seem to reach more common ground as he tells her that he was activated by a Builder from the Pralor homeworld and Torres asks if the Builders were like her and her crewmates . Unfortunately , he is not familiar enough with her culture to make a comparison and asks for additional information . 3947 asks if her culture includes artificial lifeform s , which Torres acknowledges it does , describing the various shapes and sizes and noting that most lack 3947 ' s cognitive abilities . He wonders if they are servants , causing Torres to consider the matter for a moment . Hesitantly , she acknowledges that one could call them servants , but she clarifies that most are not sentient as he is . When Torres describes Data , the only sentient artificial lifeform where she comes from , 3947 expresses interest in becoming acquainted with Data , especially intrigued by the fact that he has equal status to a Builder . As he talks , Torres observes that the power module is functioning well , and 3947 assures her she will succeed . " " Don ' t send me flowers just yet , " " she warns him in a friendly manner , since they do not know if it will power an actual unit . 3947 confidently states that he believes it will and Torres smiles . Chakotay enters Janeway ' s ready room to report that the dilithium matrix will be stable and they will be able to reinitialize the warp core in six hours . As for the diversion , Chakotay describes a time when Torres used a holoemitter and a deflector array to create the illusion of another starship out in space . Janeway likes the idea , but before the two can discuss the matter further , Tuvok announces over the comm that long - range sensors have detected an unidentified alien ship heading toward them . She and Chakotay head for the bridge . Finally installing the power module in the prototype unit , Torres announces that it fits properly and optimistically tells 3947 to cross his fingers . He literally does so , although he must use the opposite hand to position his fingers . When she turns the power module , the unit begins to sit up but shuts down after a few seconds , at which point 3947 states the obvious fact that it does not function correctly . Torres remarks that the Builders should have programmed him with more patience and adjusts the power module more . The prototype suddenly seems to come alive as it sits up and looks around as if disoriented . " " Prototype unit 0001 is ready to accept programming , " " it states . Torres looks at it with disbelief and realizes that they have done it , although 3947 corrects her : " She " has done it . 3947 reaffirms his faith in Torres ' abilities as the prototype repeats its request for input . Torres shakes 3947 ' s hand and congratulates him on becoming a father . However , the celebratory atmosphere is interrupted when the ship shakes violently . From the viewscreen , Janeway and the crew watch a tan - colored vessel nearly identical to the Pralor ship swoop in as it and the Pralor ship exchange fire . Kim reports that there are no signs of life aboard the second ship , just as with the first , and Tuvok adds that nearly identical automated units are operating the second ship as well . Janeway is baffled as she realizes that they may have stumbled into the midst of a robotic war . Act Five . While the Pralor and Cravic starship s exchange fire , Chakotay tells Janeway that they need to retrieve Torres immediately . Although Janeway agrees , she first orders Paris to back " Voyager " away slowly from the two vessels in order to demonstrate their neutrality . As Paris does so , the second vessel hails " Voyager " and Cravic Automated Commander 122 , a tan version of 3947 and 6263 , requests they identify themselves . When Janeway does so , the Cravic unit orders her to withdraw from the area , but she informs him of Torres ' presence aboard the Pralor ship and refuses to leave without her . The Cravic unit instructs Janeway to stand by and warns her that she will be fired upon if she attempts to intervene in the conflict . Once the transmission ends , the crew realizes they have been given a diversion and Janeway asks Kim for the status of the warp drive . Although it is an hour away from being fully repaired , Janeway sends him to engineering with orders to prepare to produce as much warp power as possible , as it is unlikely they will have an hour . She then tells Paris to head for the shuttlebay and Chakotay takes Paris ' place at the conn . While the battle rages on around them , 3947 explains to Torres that the attackers are Automated Personnel Unit s from the Cravic homeworld . The other units were programmed by " their " Builders to attack the Pralor units . Torres begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together in her mind as the prototype unit interrupts them to state once again that it is ready to accept programming . Torres realizes that the Pralor and Cravic were enemies , and as the Pralor are extinct , she suggests that Captain Janeway might be able to contact the Cravic in order to stop the fighting . However , 3947 reveals that the Cravic are also extinct . Paris pilots a shuttlecraft between the two robotic ships as they continue to slug it out , keeping a subspace channel open with " Voyager " and informing them that he is near the perimeter of the Pralor defense field . Tuvok instructs Paris to rotate the shuttlecraft ' s shield harmonic s , which should allow it to pass through the shield . A few seconds later , the shuttlecraft is deflected roughly , as it attempts to pass through the barrier . Tuvok obviously has a backup plan in mind as he gives Paris a set of coordinates and instructs him to head there ; however , Tom points out in a confused tone that the coordinates are in a direct line of fire between the two ships . As Tuvok speaks , Janeway looks at him pensively . He explains that the Cravic fire has opened a hole in the Pralor shields , which Paris might be able to get through – if he can dodge the disruptor blasts . Torres does not understand ( or perhaps does not want to believe ) what 3947 has told her . The robot explains that all automated units were programmed to achieve victory . The prototype unit once again requests input , and as it speaks , 3947 seems to be receiving information of some sort . He informs Torres that the Cravic ship has breached their defense shield ; however , she is more concerned with why the Pralor and Cravic never called a truce . The robot informs her that they did so and later attempted to stop the automated personnel units from fighting . Torres still does not understand . The camera zooms in on 3947 ' s face as he informs her that the robots terminated their Builders . Meanwhile , Paris approaches the rift in the field and Tuvok guides him toward it . 3947 explains with terrifyingly accurate logic that that the automated personnel units were designed to destroy the enemy , and when the Builders no longer had need for the units and attempted to terminate them , the Builders " became " the enemy . Now he is confident that the Pralor units will be victorious , as they have the ability to produce a new supply of automated units . The ship continues to shake as he speaks and a fire erupts in another part of the room ; he calmly uses a communications device to order a fire unit to the reconstruction bay where he and Torres are located . Suddenly , Torres realizes that the individual energy codes were " intended " to prevent the robots from creating new units to stop them from overpowering their creators . Now fully understanding why Janeway forbade her from helping the robots , she frantically looks around and grabs a knife - like tool as she looks at the prototype unit . The prototype innocently looks up at her and states its request for programming , but she stabs it , causing it to short circuit . 3947 immediately fires a burst of electricity at Torres , knocking her to the ground . He pauses for a second as he approaches ; doing a robotic version of a double take , he realizes what Torres has done , and informs Torres that she will make another unit . When she refuses , he reminds her that he thought she was not an enemy . " " I never wanted to be , " " Torres says before Paris ' transporter beam picks her up and beams her out . Torres materializes aboard the shuttlecraft unconscious from the effects of the shock she received from 3947 . Paris contacts " Voyager " to inform Janeway that he has rescued Torres , who will have to be beamed aboard once he clears the defense field . Tuvok confirms that the automated ships continue to fight one another , taking an interest in neither " Voyager " nor the shuttle . Now more confident than before , Janeway informs Kim that they will leave as soon as Paris returns . Janeway and Torres sit in the mess hall as " Voyager " travels at warp speed and Kes pours them each a cup of coffee , " compliments of the chef . " Torres is relieved as she claims that Neelix ' s coffee has never tasted so good , sentiments Kes assures her she will pass on to him . Once Kes is gone , Torres tries to apologize for going against the Captain ' s orders and nearly breaching the Prime Directive , but Janeway understands that Torres did what she had to do for the safety of the crew . After a momentary pause , Janeway adds that it must have been difficult for Torres to destroy something she created . Although Torres attempts to act as if she is okay with the situation , Janeway has read the report , and she knows what a significant achievement the prototype unit was . Torres describes how amazing it was for the prototype to look up at her and " ask " her for programming . " " It must have been difficult , " " Janeway repeats quietly . " " It was necessary , " " Torres replies . Memorable quotes . " " . . . I ' m a doctor , not . . . " " " " . . . not an engineer . " " " " Automated personnel unit 3947 is an extremely well - designed machine . " " " " Lieutenant B ' Elanna Torres is an extremely proficient humanoid . " " " " I feel for the robots ' plight , but what you ' re 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 ? " " " " Very polite , these . . . automated units . " " " " Without your help , we will not survive . " " " " Is it possible that we ' ve stumbled into the middle of some kind of – robotic war ? " " " " Prototype unit 0001 is ready to accept programming . " " " " Wait a minute . If both sides called a truce , then why didn ' t they stop you from fighting ? " " " " They attempted to do so . " " " " And ? " " " " We terminated the Builders . " " " " All right , if that ' s what it ' ll take to stop this , I ' ll do it . I ' ll build your damned prototype ! " " " " When it was anticipated that the war would end , the Builders no longer required our services , and they attempted 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 . " " " " Lieutenant B ' Elanna Torres , I told 6263 you were not our enemy . " " " " I never wanted to be your enemy . " ( beaming out ) " I ' m sorry . " " " " You don ' t mind if the rest of us give you a little help , do you , Paris ? I ' d hate to lose another shuttlecraft . " " " " Your concern for my welfare is heartwarming . " " Links and references . References . 2222 ; 3497 ' s builder ; 47 ; android ; anodyne relay ; artery ; asteroid mining pod ; Automated Personnel Unit ; Bolian s ; Builder s ; chief security officer ; chromodynamic energy ; chromodynamic power module ; counter ; Cravic ; Cravic homeworld ; Cravic starship ; cyborg ; Data ; deflector shield s ; Delta Quadrant ; dilithium matrix ; disruptor ; environmental control ; Federation ; fire unit ; flux capacitance ; holodeck ; holoemitter ; hull breach ; impulse drive ; Jibalian seven - spice omelette ; Landras blend ; Leola root ; Maquis ; Milky Way Galaxy ; navigational thruster ; Nimian sea salt ; obstetrician ; phase coil resonator ; photon torpedo ; Pralor ; Pralor homeworld ; Pralor starship ; Prime Directive ; " prishic " ; procreation ; prototype ; quantum resonance charge ; reconstruction bay ; red alert ; salt ; shield harmonic s ; Spith basil ; Starfleet Academy ; submicron scanner ; subspace defense field ; superconducting plasma ; tactical alert ; tourniquet ; Traggle nectar ; transfusion ; tricorder ; tripolymer plasma ; Vulcan s ; warp plasma ; yellow alert