Unhappy with a new treaty, Federation
Colonists along the Cardassian border have banded together. Calling themselves "the Maquis,"
they continue to fight the Cardassians. Some consider them heroes, but to the governments of the
Federation and Cardassia, they are outlaws.
In space, a huge Cardassian Galor-class warship is
pursuing a much smaller Maquis ship, firing its powerful weapons on them. On the Maquis ship, a
Native American man, with a tattoo on his face, is in command of his ship. His name is Chakotay.
He asks his crew for a damage report. On the Maquis ship, the crew complement consists of
B'Elanna Torres, a half-Klingon, half-human woman and a Vulcan named Tuvok. This Vulcan will be
a Starfleet operative sent in to infiltrate Chakotay's team. Tuvok reports that the shields are
at sixty percent. Torres reports that a fuel line has ruptured and she is attempting to
compensate.
Another explosion rocks the ship and smoke begin to
fill the cockpit. Torres shouts that they're barely maintaining impulse. She can't get any more
out of it. Chakotay tells her to be creative, but Torres wonders how she can be creative with a
thirty-nine year-old rebuilt engine. As more blasts rock the ship, they get a call from Gul
Evek, the commander of the Cardassian warship and the Fourth Order. Gul Evek introduces himself
and orders Chakotay to cut his engines and prepare to... Chakotay hits a panel to end
communication. Chakotay initiates evasive pattern omega.
The smaller Maquis ship tries to evade the powerful
Cardassian ship, however, the Cardassians are much more powerful, as it continues to follow and
launch a volley of weapons at the smaller vessel... On the Maquis ship, Tuvok reports that their
shields are at fifty percent. Chakotay tells his crew that he needs more power. B'Elanna's mind
races and when she comes up with an idea, suggests that they take the weapons off-line. They'll
transfer all power to the engines. Tuvok objects to Torres's suggestion, considering their
circumstances. B'Elanna doesn't care, as she says that they're not making a dent in their
shields anyway. She reminds Chakotay that he wanted creative. After a while, Chakotay relents to
B'Elanna's suggestions and orders Tuvok to shut down all phaser banks. He says to B'Elanna that
if she can give him another thirty seconds at impulse, he'll get them into the Badlands.
Tuvok reports that the phasers are off-line.
Chakotay orders Tuvok to fire the last photons at them and to give him power from the torpedo
systems. Tuvok acknowledges and fires the photon torpedoes. After they fire the torpedoes,
Chakotay asks his crew if they are reading any plasma storms ahead. Tuvok says that he is
reading one and gives out the co-ordinates. Chakotay says that's where he's going. As the ship
enters the storms, the ride gets bumpier. Tuvok reports that the plasma storm density is
increasing by fourteen percent, twenty and reads off the density. Chakotay tells his crew to
hold on.
The small Maquis ship easily maneuvers through the
dangerous plasma storms, narrowly missing the plasma tentacles. Tuvok reports that Gul Evek's
ship is not reducing power and that they're following them in. Chakotay notes that Evek must
feel daring today. As the Cardassian ship follows the Maquis ship into the Badlands, it is hit
by a plasma tendril and forced to veer off. On the Maquis ship, Tuvok reports that the
Cardassians have taken a direct hit and is sending out a distress signal on all Cardassian
frequency. Chakotay wonders if Tuvok can plot a course through the plasma fields. Tuvok explains
that the storm activity is typically widespread in this vicinity. He can plot a course, however,
it will require an indirect route. Chakotay says that they can use the time to make repairs.
Suddenly, there is a bright flash of light and
Chakotay wonders what that was. Tuvok explains that they just passed through some kind of
coherent tetrion beam. Chakotay wonders where it came from and Tuvok answers, unknown. He then
adds that a massive displacement wave is moving toward them. Chakotay wonders if it's another
storm, but Tuvok elaborates that it is not a plasma phenomenon. Tuvok further adds that at
current speeds, it will intercept them in less than thirty seconds.
With urgency, Chakotay asks B'Elanna if they've got
anything left in the impulse generators. Torres says that they'll find out. As the small ship
struggles to outmaneuver the beam, Tuvok says that it's still exceeding them. Chakotay orders
maximum power. Tuvok says that the wave is continuing to accelerate. It will intercept them in
eight seconds, five... Suddenly, a bright beam of light engulfs the tiny ship, as it fails to
outmaneuver the beam...
------
In a Federation Penal Settlement, Auckland, New Zealand, prisoners
go about their business, wearing monitoring anklet. One of them is a man in his late twenties,
working with a twenty-fourth century equipment. Soon, a pair of boots approach the man and asks
him if he is Tom Paris. Tom acknowledges the female in a Starfleet Captain's uniform. She
introduces herself as Kathryn Janeway and tells him that she served with his father on the
Al-Batani. She wonders if they could go somewhere to talk. Tom wonders about what. Janeway tells
him that they'd like him to do a job for them. Tom laughs and says that he is already doing a
job for the Federation. Janeway tells him that the Rehab Commission is very pleased with his
work and that they've given her their approval to talk with him. Tom guesses that she's all his
then and joins her.
Paris and Janeway walk through the lush New Zealand
park, as they talk. Janeway tells Paris that his father taught her a great deal. She served as
his science officer during the Arias Expedition. Paris says that she must be good, as his father
only accepts the best and brightest. After a while, Janeway tells Paris the real reason why they
are talking. She tells him that she's going on a mission to find a Maquis ship that disappeared
in the Badlands a week ago. Paris says that she shouldn't, if he was her. Janeway wonders why.
Paris tells her that it's because that he's never seen a Federation starship that could maneuver
through the plasma storms. Janeway reminds Paris that he hasn't seen Voyager and wants him to
come along with them. Paris tells her that she wishes him to lead them to his former colleagues.
He tells her that he was with the Maquis only a few weeks before being captured. He doesn't know
where most of their hiding places are. Janeway reminds him that he's the only one who knows the
territory better than anyone in the Federation.
Paris then wonders why Janeway would go to so much
trouble to spring him out of jail to get this particular Maquis ship. Janeway tells him that her
Chief of Security was on board, undercover. She tells him that he was supposed to report in
twice during the last six days and he didn't. Paris then suggests that it is her Chief of
Security that's gone missing. Not liking the idea much, Janeway gives him a subtle, "Maybe."
Janeway tries to coax Paris further and tells him that the Maquis was commanded by a former
Starfleet Officer named Chakotay. She understands that he knew him. Paris agrees and Janeway
knows that the two of them didn't get along.
Paris tells Janeway that Chakotay would tell people
that he left Starfleet on principle, to defend his home colony from the Cardassians. Paris, on
the other hand, was forced to resign. Chakotay considered him a mercenary, willing to fight for
anyone who could pay his bar bills. Trouble is, he was right. Paris tells Janeway that he has no
problems helping her track down his Maquis friends. He wonders whats in it for him. Janeway says
that if Paris helps them find that ship, they will help him at his next outmate review. Janeway
then says that Paris will officially be an observer on this mission. This bothers Paris, as he
tells Janeway that he's the best pilot that they could have. Janeway sternly tells him that he's
an observer. When it's over, he's cut loose. Paris doesn't like this, as he simply states, "The
story of my life."
A shuttlecraft heads for Deep Space Nine at
impulse. In the shuttlecraft, a female human pilots the ship. Paris, dressed now in a Starfleet
red uniform, albeit without a rank, and neater than last time, joins the pilot at the cockpit.
Paris tells Stadi, the woman pilot, that she's changing his mind about Betazoids. Stadi says
good. Paris reminds her that it wasn't a compliment. Until today, he considered Betazoids warm
and sensual. Stadi says that she can be warm and sensual. Paris says not to him. Stadi wonders
if Paris always fly at women at warp speed. Paris quips, only when they're in visual range.
Soon, Stadi ignores him and tells Paris that that's their ship; Voyager.
Paris sees Voyager for the first time, through the
shuttlecraft window, docked at Deep Space Nine. It is a sleeker, smaller and more advanced
looking ship than anything we've seen before. Stadi continues to tell Paris the specs on
Voyager. She tells him that Voyager is an Intrepid-Class; has a sustainable cruise velocity of
warp factor nine point nine seven five; fifteen decks, with a crew complement of one hundred and
forty one, and has bio-neural circuitry. Paris wonders what bio-neural is. Stadi explains that
traditional circuitry has been replaced with gel packs that contain synthetic neural cells. She
says that they organize information more efficiently and speed up response times. Stadi moves
the shuttle closer so that Paris can take a good look at this sleek ship. Voyager's registry
number is NCC-74656.
On Deep Space Nine and at Quark's Bar, Quark, ("The Emissary"), the proprietor Quark
is conversing with a young Starfleet Ensign, named Harry Kim. Quark says that it's a pleasure to
have so many new officers like him come through these portals. He's sure that his parents must
be very proud of him, and on an occasion like this. Ensign Kim interrupts Quark and says that
he's not interested. Interested, Quark asks Kim, puzzled. Kim says that Quark was about to sell
him something. Quark tells Kim that he was merely going to suggest that his parents might
appreciate a memento of his first mission. Kim reckons that Quark has several to choose from,
falling right into his trap. Quark says that he does carry a select line of unique artefacts and
gemstones indigenous to this region. From the background, Paris observes the young Ensign's
fumbles with the Ferengi. Quark soon pulls out a tray of gemstones and shows it to Kim. He says
that he acquired these Lobi crystals from a very strange creature called Morn.
Soon, Harry Kim makes a statement that will enrage
Quark. He tells Quark that they were warned about Ferengis at the Academy. Quark is outraged as
he says, "Warned about Ferengis, were you." Kim agrees with him. Quark is insulted and continues
his angry remarks. He wonders if there's a slur about his people at Starfleet Academy. Ensign
Kim tries to recover from his mistakes, but Quark wouldn't let him have it. Quark says that here
he was trying to be a cordial host, knowing how much a young officer's parents would appreciate
a token of his love on the eve of a dangerous mission. What does he get instead, scurrilous
insults. Quark takes out a PADD from underneath the bar. Quark tells Harry that someone is going
to hear about this and wonders what his name is. Kim asks him again and Quark says that he does
have a name. Harry Kim tells Quark his name and Quark wonders who was it at the Academy that
warned him about the Ferengi.
Realizing he's in trouble, Ensign Kim changes
tactics and tells Quark that a memento for his parents is a great idea. Quark shouts no, and
keeps repeating no, telling Kim he won't get off that easy. Kim disagrees and tells him that one
of these would great as a pendant for his mother. Quark then suggests cuff links for his father
and Kim agrees with him. Still insulted, Quark tells Kim that they're not for sale. He tells Kim
to tell his commanding officer that the Federation Council can expect an official query from
him. Kim interrupts him and wonders how much for the entire tray. Quark gets excited and asks if
he will be paying cash or credit.
Knowing that Kim is in real trouble, Tom Paris
steps in and says that they are dazzling, aren't they. Quark wonders who's this jerk that is
interrupting his routine. Paris says that it's bright as a Koladan diamond. Quark says it's
brighter. Paris then tells Kim that he can find them on any planet in this system, discrediting
Quark's comments. Quark says that that's an exaggeration. Paris says that there's a shop at the
Volnar Colony that sells a dozen assorted shapes for one Cardassian lek and wonders how much
Quark was selling his for. Quark's mood change as he solemnly says that they were just about to
negotiate the price. Ensign Kim looks squarely at Quark, closes the jewellery box and gives it
back to him. As Kim and Paris move off, Quark scowls at them. As they make their way to their
ship, Kim thanks Paris for his troubles. Paris then wonders if Harry wasn't warned about the
Ferengi at the Academy. Ensign Kim laughs at that.
In Voyager's Sickbay, a human male Doctor and his
Vulcan female nurse are working on something. The Doctor orders the Nurse to run a level three
diagnostic, just to be sure. Just then, Tom Paris and Ensign Kim enter Sickbay and approach the
Doctor. The Doctor asks them if he can help them. Tom Paris tells him that he's reporting on
board, and upon hearing the name, the Doctor's mood changes. The Doctor recognizes Paris as the
"Observer," but with an attitude toward him. Paris doesn't take a backward step as he has had
this reaction to him before. He simply tells the Doctor that he seem to be observing some kind
of problem right now. The Doctor doesn't give Paris a chance as Kim watches the exchange and
wonders what's going on.
The Doctor tells Paris that he was stationed on
Caldik Prime the same time he was there. They never actually met. As Paris reacts to the
Doctor's attitude toward him, the Doctor tells him that his medical records arrived from his
last posting. He says that everything's in order and tells them that the Captain asked if they
were on board. He suggests that Paris check in with her. To soften the blow, Ensign Kim butts in
and says that he hasn't paid his respects to the Captain yet either. The Doctor coolly tells Kim
that it's a good idea for the new operations officer to do so. Without another word, the two
quickly exit... As they head for the Bridge, Kim wonders what that was all about. Paris tells
him that he's tired of telling it and assures Kim that someone around here will tell him.
In the Captain's Ready Room, Captain Janeway is
busy going over some PADD's while talking to someone on a computer terminal. The man on the
computer terminal is called Mark and he is Captain Janeway's husband. On the screen, Mark says
that the Doctor called. Janeway tells her husband to continue. Mark says that he was right.
Janeway wonders if she's pregnant. For a while, we won't know what they're talking about. Mark
then says that the puppies are due in seven weeks and we realize that they are talking about
their dog. Janeway then tells Mark that he has to take her home with him. Mark is surprised and
tells Janeway that he just got the rugs cleaned. Janeway reminds Mark that the dog's with a
child and she can't leave her in a kennel while she is on this mission. Mark resigns to the fact
that this must be another love-me-love-my-dog demand. Janeway agrees and Mark says how could he
refuse her. Janeway thanks him.
Mark soon wonders when the Captain will be leaving.
Janeway says that as soon as she approve these system status reports. Mark then says that he
won't bother her any more. Janeway goes to the terminal and tells her beloved that he never
bothered her, except the way she loved to be bothered. Mark acquiesces. Janeway tells him that
she will see him in a few weeks. She also reminds him to go by her house to pick up her doggy
bed. The dog will be more comfortable. Mark says that he already did, an hour ago. Janeway
places her hand on the monitor and waves him goodbye, as she ends communication. She continues
on with her reports.
After she closes communication with Mark, the door
to her Ready Room chimes. When she answers it, Tom Paris and Ensign Kim enter. Ensign Kim stands
at ease, but with much stiffness, like a tree, while Tom stands there casually. Captain Janeway
welcomes the pair on board. Ensign Kim thanks her, while using the twenty-fourth century
address. Janeway orders Kim to stand at ease, before he sprain something. As Kim does, Janeway
tells him that despite Starfleet protocol, she doesn't like being addressed as sir. Ensign Kim
wonders if he should call her "ma'am?" Janeway says that ma'am is acceptable, only in a crunch.
She prefers to be called Captain. She then tells the pair that they're ready to leave and she'll
show them to the Bridge. As Janeway leads the pair to the Bridge, she asks them if they had any
problems getting here. Paris says none at all, Captain.
As Tom Paris and Ensign Kim enter the Bridge, they
realize that this is an extremely advanced Bridge in the whole of Starfleet. Janeway soon
introduces her second-in-command Lieutenant Commander Cavit to Tom Paris and Ensign Kim. As
Cavit cordially shakes Kim's hand, he is remote with Tom Paris, like with the Doctor. Janeway
soon takes Ensign Kim to his operations station and asks him if he would like to take over. Kim
says, "Yes, ma'am," but Janeway reminds him that this isn't exactly crunch time. She'll let him
know when. As Janeway heads for her command seat, Cavit orders Lt. Stadi to lay in a course and
clear their departure with Ops. Lt. Stadi tells the Commander that Ops has cleared them and she
has laid in their course. Cavit orders thrusters to be ready and Ensign Kim acknowledges. As
Janeway takes her seat, she orders them to "engage."
Soon, the majestic USS Voyager departs Deep Space
Nine and heads toward the Badlands, to retrieve the missing Maquis ship and their missing
undercover operative...
------
As Voyager heads for the Badlands, Tom Paris enters the Mess Hall to
enjoy some snack. As he orders from the replicators, he sees the Doctor and Commander Cavit
talking to Ensign Harry Kim, and he knows what they're talking about. Tom Paris orders tomato
soup from the replicator. The computer reminds Tom that there are fourteen varieties of tomato
soup available from this replicator; with rice, with vegetables, Bolian-style. Tom wants a plain
tomato soup. The computer further toys with him, asking him to specify hot or chilled. Tom, not
impressed with the computer, demands he wants hot, plain tomato soup.
After getting his soup from the replicator, Tom
Paris heads in Ensign Kim's way, as the Doctor and Cavit leave. As Paris sits next to Kim, he
tells him that it didn't take him long to find out about his back-story. Kim wonders if it's
true about what those guys told him. Paris says, was the accident his fault and he agrees, and
elaborates that it was pilot error. He also comes forward and says that it took him a while to
admit it. As Paris eats his soup, he finds the taste disgusting and says, fourteen varieties and
they can't get plain tomato soup right. Kim then prods Paris on more information. He says that
the two officers told him that he falsified reports. Paris agrees and Kim wonders why. Paris
says what's the difference, as he lied. Kim then says that he came forward and admitted it was
his fault.
Paris tells Harry that he'll tell him the truth.
All he had to do was keep his mouth shut and he was home free, but he couldn't. He says that the
ghosts of the three dead officers came to him in the middle of the night and taught him the true
meaning of Christmas. That's why he confessed. He says that was the worst mistake ever made, but
not his last. After he was cashiered out of Starfleet, he went out looking for a fight and found
the Maquis. On his first assignment with the Maquis, he was caught. Harry Kim soon feels
sympathy for the young man, and says it must've been especially tough for him, being the son of
an Admiral. Paris says that it was tougher on his father than it was on him. Paris gets up to
throw out his tomato soup. He also tells Harry that those officers told him to stay away from
him. He says that he should listen to them, as he's not exactly a good luck charm. Kim reminds
Paris that he doesn't need anyone to choose his friends for him. Soon, Captain Janeway's voice
contacts Paris. When Paris acknowledges, Janeway tells him that they're approaching the Badlands
and orders him to report to the Bridge. Paris and Kim head out of the Mess Hall.
As Voyager heads into the Badlands, Tom Paris and
Ensign Kim enter the Bridge. On the Bridge, Captain Janeway and Commander Cavit are at the
Tactical station, looking at some graphics on a computer monitor. Paris and Kim enter from the
Turbolift, as Janeway tells them that the Cardassians gave them the last known heading of the
Maquis ship. They also have the charts of the plasma storm activity the day they disappeared.
With a little help, they might be able to approximate their course. As Paris studies the
readout, he believes that they were trying to get to one of the Class-M planetoids in the
Terikof Belt. Cavit tells them that that would have taken them here, as he points at the
graphics. Another officer at Tactical, Ensign Rollins suggests that the plasma storm would have
forced them in this direction. Janeway orders Cavit to adjust their course to match.
As Cavit acknowledges, Janeway and Paris move
toward the command position. Janeway tells Paris that the Cardassians claim they forced the
Maquis ship into a plasma storm where it was destroyed. Their probes haven't picked up any
debris. Paris suggests that the plasma storm might not leave any debris. Janeway doubts that and
says that they might still be able to pick up a resonance trace from the warp core. Soon, Ensign
Kim announces that they are being scanned by a coherent tetrion beam. Janeway wonders where it
came from, but Ensign Kim isn't sure. He adds that there's also a displacement wave moving
toward them. Janeway orders it on screen. On the viewscreen, the crew sees a huge wave coming
toward them. Janeway asks for an analysis. Kim answers that it is some kind of polarized
magnetic variation. Cavit suggests that they might be able to disperse it with a graviton
particle field. Janeway orders him to do it and then orders Red Alert. She also orders Lt. Stadi
to move them away from it. Stadi acknowledges her and inputs the new course as four-one mark
one-eight-zero.
Cavit announces that he's initiating graviton
field. As Voyager tries to get away from the fast approaching displacement wave, it launches its
graviton field, but it has no effect. Back on the Bridge, Kim reports that the graviton field
had no effect. Janeway orders full impulse. The wave continues to gain on them as Kim announces
that the wave will intercept them in twenty seconds. Janeway wonders if they can go to warp.
Stadi says not until they clear the plasma field. Harry continues to count down and soon Janeway
orders all hand to brace for impact. As everyone races for cover, including Cavit, a bright
light hits the ship, as the displacement wave hits. Voyager gets swept out to space by the
displacement wave.
After Voyager's encounter with the displacement
wave, there is damage to the Bridge and the whole ship, with some casualties. Conduits hang
everywhere and part of the roof has collapsed, with some gas emanating from it as well. Janeway
comes around and goes to check up on Cavit, who is on the floor, hit on the head by a fallen
debris. Janeway, herself, is a mess, as her hair is dangling over her shoulders. Paris goes over
to the unconscious Lt. Stadi, as Janeway orders a status report. Ensign Kim goes to his station.
He is also a mess. Ensign Kim reads from his console. He reports that there is a hull breach on
Deck Fourteen, com lines to Engineering are down and he's trying to reestablish. After noticing
Cavit is dead, Janeway orders repair crews to seal off hull breach on Deck Fourteen. Rollins
reports from Tactical and informs Janeway that casualty reports are coming in and that Sickbay
is not responding.
Janeway tries contacting Sickbay, but it's no good.
Janeway then goes to Paris and Stadi to check her out, but Paris tells her the grim news that
she is dead. Soon, at his station, Ensign Kim detects that something's out there. Janeway says
she needs a better description than that. Ensign Kim isn't sure either and fumbles at what he
sees. Janeway suggests to Kim that he get the viewscreen operational and Kim says that he's
trying. The viewscreen comes to life, but albeit, with a little difficulty. Once the image
clears, the crew sees a huge space-station sending out pulses to somewhere, along with their
missing Maquis ship. Kim soon announces that if his equipment is functioning properly, they are
at least seventy-thousand light-years from their previous location. They are on the other side
of the galaxy. Janeway reacts...
------
Voyager is only a few kilometers from the alien space-station, along
with the smaller Maquis ship...
On the Bridge, officers are beginning to move the
dead officers out of the Bridge and into a morgue. Captain Janeway moves closer towards Ensign
Kim at Operations. After announcing the revelation that they are on the other side of the
galaxy, Ensign Kim says that he's not reading any life signs on the Maquis ship. Janeway wonders
what about the life signs on the array, searching for the right description for the
space-station. Kim tells her that their sensors can't penetrate it. Janeway wonders if Ensign
Kim knows what those pulses coming from it are. Kim reports that they are massive bursts of
radiant energy and they seem to be directed toward a nearby G-type star-system. Janeway orders
Harry to hail the array.
Soon, Captain Janeway gets a call from Engineering
telling her that the Chief Engineer's dead, they have severe damage and they have a possibility
of a warp core breach. Janeway orders the assistant engineer to secure all engineering systems
and she's on her way. Ensign Kim reports that he has no response from the array. As Janeway
enters the Turbolift, she orders Kim to get down to Sickbay to see what's going on. She hands
the Bridge over to Ensign Rollins. As Janeway heads for Engineering, Ensign Kim goes to Sickbay
with Tom Paris in pursuit.
Janeway enters Engineering and from her vantage
point, she can see damage beyond her eyes and sees several dead crewmembers as well. The Captain
sees a coolant leak from the core, as the computer warns her that there is a warp core
micro-fracture and breach is imminent. Janeway moves toward the warp core and an engineer left
in charge of Engineering, Lt. Carey, who is working on the warp core problem. Janeway asks him
what the current warp core pressure is. Carey answers that it is at twenty-one hundred
kilopascals and falling. As Janeway looks at the core, she orders Carey to lock down the
magnetic constrictors. Carey cautions the Captain that if they lock them down at these pressure
levels, they might not be able to reinitialize the dilithium reaction. The computer warns them
about the warp core breach again. Janeway reminds Carey that they don't have a choice. They have
to get the reaction rate down before they try to seal it. Without any choice, Lt. Carey obeys
the Captain and moves off to a computer console.
Ensign Kim and Tom Paris arrives in Sickbay to see
damage before their eyes. Smoke fills the room from an explosion by the console. Both the Doctor
and the Nurse are dead, huddled together near the exploded console. Paris checks on the deceased
pair, while Ensign Kim extinguish the fire by a hand-held extinguisher. Paris says that the
Doctor and the Nurse must've been next to the console when it exploded. As the wounded start
coming into Sickbay, Ensign Kim initiates the Emergency Medical Holographic Program. Soon, a
holographic Doctor, male in appearance and wearing Starfleet's medical uniform, appears out of
nowhere and asks them to state the nature of the medical emergency. Ensign Kim tells him that
they have multiple percussive injuries.
The Holographic Doctor moves to a patient and asks
them the status of their Doctor. Kim says that he's dead. As the Doctor examines a patient on
the biobed, he asks for point four cc's of trianoline. Kim is confused as he asks what
trianoline is. The Doctor reacts to Kim's ignorance and moves over to a hypospray trolley and
takes the medicine himself. Paris informs the Doctor that they lost their nurse too. As the
Doctor starts treating the patient, he asks them how soon are replacement medical personnel
expected. Kim reports that that's going to be problem, as they are far away from replacements
right now. The Doctor soon asks for a tricorder and when Kim gives him one, the Doctor is
infuriated as he gives the wrong tricorder. He asks for a medical tricorder.
As Kim goes to get the medical tricorder, the
Holographic Doctor informs them that a replacement must be requested as soon as possible; as he
is programmed only as a short-term emergency supplement to the medical team. After Kim gives the
Doctor the correct tricorder, Paris says that they may be stuck with him for a while. After
being told that, he tells them their is no need for concern, as he is capable of treating any
injury or disease. After he is done with the patient, he tells the patient that he has no
concussion and that he'll be fine. He also orders Ensign Kim to clean him up. This Doctor has
absolutely no bedside manners.
Meanwhile, back in Engineering, Captain Janeway and
Lt. Carey are still working on the warp core leak problem. Lt. Carey has managed to install a
miniature forcefield around the warp core. After finishing, another engineer activates a control
panel and the warp core comes on-line. The coolant leak stops. Janeway orders Carey to unlock
the magnetic constrictors. As Carey acknowledges, Janeway asks him the pressure level. Carey
checks the console and says that the pressure is at twenty-five hundred kilopascals and holding.
Janeway is relieved. Soon, an urgent call comes from the Bridge from Ensign Rollins. He tells
the Captain that they are being scanned by the array and has penetrated their shields. Janeway
asks what kind of scan, but their communications is cut. As Janeway tries desperately to contact
the Bridge, crewmembers from Engineering start disappearing. As Janeway tries to initiate
emergency protocols, she and the others are swept away...
In Sickbay, as the Holographic Doctor is treating
another patient, he tells her that her wounds aren't serious and she can return to her station.
As she gets up, she disappears from Sickbay, as does everyone else. In a matter of seconds, the
entire Sickbay is devoid of a soul. The only presence in Sickbay is the Holographic Doctor. The
Doctor soon hits his combadge and says that this is the Emergency Holographic Doctor speaking.
He gave no permission for anyone to leave Sickbay. There is no response. He tries the Bridge,
but gets the same result. He soon states that someone has failed to terminate his program. There
is no answer.
Meanwhile, the entire crew of Voyager has been
beamed to an ideallic farm somewhere. After Paris rematerializes, he sees other crewmembers
scattered about. Tom spots Harry and the two move toward them. Soon, other Voyager crewmembers
begin to converge together. Soon, an old woman, carrying a tray of drinks, tells them to come up
here. She has a pitcher of lemonade and some sugar cookies. As the crew converge together, Paris
asks the Captain bewilderedly, what's going on. Janeway tells Paris not to believe his eyes, as
they've only transported a hundred kilometers. They are inside the array. Ensign Kim announces
that he's not detecting any signs of stable matter and all of this must be some kind of
holographic projection.
As Janeway acknowledges, the old woman approaches
Janeway's group. She tells them that they must be worn out and suggests that they sit down and
have a cold drink. Janeway thanks the woman, but declines. She soon introduces herself, but the
old woman ignores her and interrupts her. She tells Janeway to sit right here as the neighbors
should be here any minute. As if on cue, people start coming toward them, including an old man
with a Banjo and a very attractive woman. The old woman announces that they are here. Soon, the
attractive woman goes up to Paris to seduce him and tells him that she's glad they've dropped
by. The old woman says that they can have a welcoming bee and the old man suggests some music.
He sits down on an old rocking chair and begins plucking his Banjo. The Voyager crew looks on,
bewildered.
------
Later, in the holographic barn, as the holographic people dance to
the tunes of the Banjo Man, Captain Janeway and her crew try to figure out what's going on. Tom
Paris moves toward the Captain and tells her that the crew's scattered around the farm, but
they're all accounted for. Captain Janeway addresses her crew and orders them to move around and
scan the area, and to see if they can find anything that might be a holographic generator. As
Tom and Harry move off together, the old woman approaches Janeway with a plate of corn and asks
her if she will have some. Janeway declines and asks the old woman why they were brought here.
The woman says that they don't mean any harm and they're sorry if they put them out. She tells
Janeway to put up her feet and get comfortable, while they wait. Janeway wonders what they're
waiting for, but the old woman brushes her off and continues offering Voyager's crew the corn.
Tom Paris and Ensign Kim continue to scan the area
for a holographic generator, as ordered by their Captain. As they continue scanning, the farmer's
daughter seen earlier comes up to them and tries to seduce the pair, as she says that the root
cellar's right over there. As Kim scans that direction, he asks her what's down there. The young
woman answers nothing but potatoes, onion and it's real private. The woman seduces Paris and
Paris seems to be reciprocating. Ensign Kim reminds Paris that she's only a hologram. Paris says
that that's no reason to be rude. As Kim scans the barn, he soon gets a weird reading and
reacts. Paris wonders what it is and Kim says that he's reading sporocystian life signs.
Paris and Kim move toward a strange looking barn
and Kim asks the girl what's in the barn. The young woman says nothing but big pile of hay. She
then suggests that they go see the duck pond, but the pair ignore her and proceed toward the
barn. The young woman tries to dissuade the pair and says there's nothing in there; just a dark,
smelly barn. She then asks them if they want some deviled eggs, blocking the barn door. Paris
moves the woman out of the way and the pair soon enter the barn. The young woman says, see
nothing but hay. Kim keeps scanning the barn with his tricorder and detects a life form here,
just one. Paris wonders where and Kim says that they're everywhere. Kim adds that he's detecting
some kind of matrix-processing device, which could be the holographic generator.
Kim calls to Paris and informs him that he's got
humanoid life signs over here. The pair moves toward the opposite wall, as the young woman eyes
them warily. As they move toward the wall, the woman steps in front of them and in a deep voice,
tells them that she's not ready for them yet. As the two react to the woman's threat, a dog that
was seen earlier appears out of nowhere and growls at Tom and Harry. When Paris tries to contact
the Captain, the woman slaps him across the face with her hand, knocking him down... Outside the
barn, Captain Janeway gets the call for help, but Paris doesn't answer her. She signals her crew
to come with her and they leave the holographic people and the Banjo Man by themselves, as they
try to help Tom and Harry.
Back at the barn, Tom Paris is being helped to his
feet by Ensign Kim. Tom Paris has blood dripping from his mouth, from the impact of the
back hand. Soon, the old woman, along with other holographic people, appear out of nowhere,
carrying pitchforks. After Captain Janeway enters the barn, with the rest of Voyager crew, the
barn door closes, trapping them. After the doors shut, the old woman tells Janeway that since
she doesn't care for any corn, they'll have to proceed ahead of schedule. Soon, the wall that
Ensign Kim was scanning disappears, revealing another room beyond. In this room, the crew of
Voyager sees several Maquis crewmembers, lying naked under transparent wrappings and suspended
on an anti-grav slabs. The Maquis crewmembers also have protuding probes extending from their
chest. As the Voyager crew react to the Maquis crewmembers's predicament, the room explodes into
a white light and the holographic people vanish.
After the blinding light engulfs the room, Captain
Janeway and her crew find themselves suspended on the table like their Maquis counterparts.
Captain Janeway and Tom Paris are on a table nearby, while Kim is further apart. Soon, a sharp
looking probe comes down toward Paris and Janeway. When the probe touches their chests, the two
fall unconscious. Later, Ensign Kim looks up and sees the same probe thing touch down into his
chest and when it does, he screams...
After their ordeal with the holographic characters,
the crew of Voyager are returned to their ship. In Engineering, officers are starting to come
around, including Captain Janeway, who is sprawled near the warp core reactor. As she comes
around, she contacts the Bridge and wonders if anyone's there. Ensign Rollins answers and says
that they're all here. Janeway wonders how long they were over there for. Ensign Rollins answers
that they were there for three days. As Janeway reacts, Rollins notes that the Maquis ship is
powering up their engines. Captain Janeway orders Rollins to tractor them and orders all senior
officers to report to the Bridge immediately, as she herself, exits Engineering.
In Sickbay, the Holographic Doctor is questioning
the returned Tom Paris to find out what transpired. Paris is more worried about his friend,
Ensign Harry Kim, who is missing. As he exits Sickbay, he asks the computer where Ensign Kim is.
The computer reports that Ensign Kim is not on board. Reacting to the message, Paris contacts
the Captain and informs her of the situation. Captain Janeway has just arrived on the Bridge and
asks the computer how many crewmen are unaccounted for. The computer replies, just one, Ensign
Harry Kim. Janeway then orders Rollins to open communications with the Maquis ship.
On the viewscreen, Commander Chakotay and Tuvok can
be seen on the Maquis ship. Janeway tells the Commander that she is Captain Kathryn Janeway.
Chakotay wonders how she knows his name, and Janeway tells him that they were on a mission to
find them when they were brought here by the array. She adds that one of their crewman is
missing and wonders if he was transported back to their ship by accident. Chakotay tells her no
and adds that a member of his crew is missing too. B'Elanna Torres, his engineer. Soon, Janeway
tries a diplomatic tact with Chakotay and tells him that they have a mutual problem. She
suggests that they try and solve it together. Chakotay looks to Tuvok for his guidance, who
simply reacts with a nod. Upon Tuvok's approval, Chakotay tells Janeway that three of them will
transport to Voyager.
After they end communications, Tom Paris comes onto
the Bridge. Ensign Rollins informs the Captain that the Maquis ship is powering down their
engines and dropping their shields. Soon, Commander Chakotay, Tuvok and another Maquis
crewmember beam onto the Voyager Bridge, with phasers in hand. When the Maquis crew materialize,
Ensign Rollins warns the Captain that they're armed and takes out his own phaser. Other
crewmembers also arm themselves, but Janeway orders them put their weapons down, as they don't
need them here. As Janeway's crew holster their weapons, so does Chakotay, Tuvok and the other
Maquis. Janeway turns to Tuvok and tells him that it's good to have him back.
As Chakotay reacts, Tuvok informs him that he was
assigned to infiltrate his crew. He is Captain Janeway's Chief of Security. As the other Maquis
officer reacts, Chakotay stops him. He wonders if the Vulcan was going to deliver them into
their waiting hands. Tuvok informs Chakotay that his mission was to accumulate information on
Maquis activities and then deliver them into their "waiting hands," that is correct. Chakotay
soon sees Paris in front of him and tells Janeway that she had help. Paris chides Chakotay and
tells him that it's good to see him, too. Chakotay reminds Paris that at least the Vulcan was
doing his duty as a Starfleet officer. What did he betray them for? Freedom from prison,
latinum. Chakotay wonders what was Paris's price this time. Before Chakotay can insult Paris
further, Captain Janeway reminds him that he is speaking to a member of her crew. She expects
Chakotay to respect a member of her crew, as she would respect a member of his.
Although Chakotay backs down, he is still angry at
Tuvok and Paris's betrayal. Captain Janeway soon says that they have a lot to accomplish and
suggests that they concentrate on finding their people and getting themselves, back home. Tuvok
soon says that based upon his initial reconnaissance, he is convinced that they are dealing with
a single entity in the array. He suggests that the entity scanned their computers in order to
select a comfortable holographic environment, in effect, a waiting room, to pacify them, prior
to a biometric assessment. An examination, wonders Paris. Tuvok says that it is a logical
explanation. Why else would the entity have released them, unharmed. Paris reminds Tuvok that
not all of them were, regarding Ensign Kim.
Captain Janeway soon orders Tuvok to break out the
compression phaser rifles and to meet her in the Transporter Room. They are going back. They'll
divide into two teams. While Chakotay and she will search for Torres and Kim, Tuvok's job is to
find out much information on the array as possible. It brought them here and she assumes it can
send them home. Janeway wonders if an angry Chakotay agrees with her orders. Chakotay solemnly
does. Janeway and the others start heading for the Turbolift, she orders Rollins to maintain Red
Alert and to keep a constant transporter lock on them. Before they can leave, Tom Paris catches
up with them and requests permission to tag along. Janeway wonders if this has something to do
with what Chakotay said to him. Paris says that it doesn't. He tells her that he is worried
about Ensign Kim. After a while, Janeway allows Paris to tag along. As they exit, Janeway tells
Rollins that the ship is his.
As the Voyager and the Maquis ship continue to lie
beside the array, Captain Janeway, Lt. Tuvok, Commander Chakotay, Tom Paris and the Maquis
officer re-enter the farmyard, carrying phaser rifles. The group converge after scanning the now
deserted farmyard. Tuvok, studying his tricorder, tells Janeway that there are no humanoid
lifeform indicated. Kim and Torres are not within tricorder range, and they may not even be on
the array. Chakotay soon spots the old man, playing his Banjo and says that he can tell them
where Kim and Torres are. As Chakotay start moving off toward the Banjo Man, Janeway orders
everyone to keep their com link open as she doesn't want to lose anyone else. As Chakotay,
Janeway and Paris move toward the Banjo Man, Tuvok and the other Maquis officer head off in
another direction.
When Janeway, Chakotay and Paris approach the Banjo
Man, he stops playing his Banjo and asks them why they have come back, as they don't have what
he needs. Janeway becomes defensive and confrontational, as she angrily tells the old man that
she doesn't know what he needs, and frankly, she doesn't care. All she wants is their people
returned and want them sent home, all of them. The old man says that Janeway is rather
contentious, for a rather minor bipedal species. Janeway angrily tells the old man that this
minor bipedal species doesn't take kindly to being abducted. The old man says that it was
necessary. Chakotay wonders where their people are. The old man says that they're no longer here
and Janeway wonders what he's done with them. The old man says that they don't have what he
needs, but they might. He says that they'll have to leave them.
Chakotay says that they won't do that. Janeway
tells the old man that they are their commanding officers. They are entrusted with the safety of
others. They are their responsibility and that may be a concept that he doesn't understand.
Soon, the old man reacts to Janeway's last statement, and says that he does understand. But he
has no choice as there's so little time left. Janeway wonders what the old man is talking about.
He answers that he must honor a debt that can never be repaid. But, his search has not gone
well. Janeway tries to coax the old man and wonders what he's looking for, as they may be able
to help. The old man laughs and says that he's searched the galaxy with methods beyond their
comprehension. There's nothing they can do. Janeway says that he's sent them over seventy
thousand light-years from their home. They have no way back unless he sends them back and they
won't leave without the others.
The old man refuses to help them and says that
sending them back is terribly complicated. He wonders if they don't understand and says that he
doesn't have time. Not enough time. And with a wave of his hand, he sends the away team back to
the ship... On the Bridge of Voyager, Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, Paris and the Maquis officer
return, much to the surprise of Ensign Rollins, who is helping out with repairs. Janeway watches
the viewscreen to ponder her next move.
Meanwhile, on an alien world, Ensign Harry Kim
wakes up. As Kim reacts to the bright light, an alien woman appears out of nowhere, covered in
alien garb. Without moving her mouth, she tells someone else that he's regaining consciousness.
An alien male also appears out of nowhere and telepathically asks Kim how he feels. Ensign Kim
gets up and wonders what he's doing here and where he is. The nurse, the young woman, tells
Harry not to move yet, as he is very ill. Ensign Kim is confused, as he tells the nurse that he
isn't ill. When he gets up, the robe he is wearing slips, revealing a tumorous growth on his
arm.
As Harry reacts to his illness, a woman's voice
shouts, "no!" as she too wakes up from her consciousness. B'Elanna Torres awakens and subdues
the male doctor who tries to restrain her. She too sees the growth on the bodies and reacts.
When she goes to the locked door, she bangs on it. Soon, two other alien doctor's grab her and
bring her to the main doctor where he uses a high tech device to sedate B'Elanna, and take her
back to her bed.
As Voyager and the Maquis ship continue to rest
beside the huge alien array, Captain Janeway's log indicate that they have traced the energy
pulses from the array to the fifth planet of the neighboring system. She believes that they may
have been used in some fashion to transport Kim and Torres to the planet's surface.
In her Ready Room, Captain Janeway stares out of
the window to the distant star of home, as a picture of her husband Mark is displayed on her
monitor. When the door chimes, Janeway goes back to her desk to turn off her terminal and
answers the door. Lt. Tuvok enters, carrying a PADD. Tuvok tells the Captain that he's observed
something peculiar about the pulses. They are getting faster. Janeway reacts to this news and
Tuvok explains that the interval between each pulse has decreased by point-four-seven seconds
since they arrived. He can offer no explanation. Janeway tells Tuvok that that's one mystery
they're dealing with. She tells Tuvok to look at this.
As Janeway turns on her monitor, it shows a
computerized graphic of the fifth planet. She tells Tuvok, who also studies the monitor, that
the planet is virtually a desert, the whole planet. Not one ocean, not one river. She says that
it has all the basic characteristics of an M-Class planet but, it has no nucleogenic particles
in the atmosphere. Tuvok suggests that would mean the planet is incapable of producing clouds
and rain. Janeway says that she studied thousands of M-Class planets and she's never seen an
atmosphere without nucleogenics. She thinks that there may have been some kind of extraordinary
environmental disaster. She goes back to the window and says that as soon as repairs are
complete, they'll set a course for the fifth planet.
Tuvok notices that the Captain is extremely
exhausted and tells her that she require sleep. Janeway ignores Tuvok and tells him that Kim's
mother called her just after he left Earth. She is a delightful woman, according to her. Kim's
mother told Janeway that he left his clarinet behind and wanted to know if she had time to send
it. Janeway had to tell her no. She wonders if Tuvok knew that Ensign Kim played the clarinet in
the Juilliard Youth Symphony. Tuvok says that he did not have the opportunity to meet Ensign
Kim. Janeway says that she barely knew him and she never seem to have the chance to get to know
any of them. She has to take more time to do that. She adds that it's a fine crew and she's got
to take them home.
Tuvok reminds Janeway that the crew will not
benefit from the leadership of an exhausted Captain. Janeway agrees with Tuvok and says that
he's right as usual. She adds that she missed his counsel. Tuvok is gratified that she came
after him so that he can offer it again. Janeway then says that she spoke to Tuvok's family
before she left. Tuvok wonders if they are well. Janeway says that they are and adds that they
are worried about you. Tuvok reminds Janeway that that would not be an accurate perception, as
Vulcans do not worry. Janeway corrects herself and says that they miss Tuvok. Tuvok says that he
misses them. Janeway goes up to Tuvok and tells him that she promises that she'll get him back
to them. Tuvok nods and exits the Ready Room.
