Lt. Carey is being treated in Sickbay by the Emergency Medical
Hologram, whilst being interrogated by Commander Chakotay and Lt. Tuvok. Carey explains that Lt.
B'Elanna Torres, the half-Klingon, half-human woman, and he were trying to realign the lateral
power grid in main engineering, when they got into an argument. There was a lot of pushing and
shoving from both sides before B'Elanna knocked Carey to the ground. Soon, B'Elanna laughed and
suggested to Carey that he goes to Sickbay to which the Doctor taunts that it was a good
suggestion. Chakotay informs Carey that they'll take care of it and Carey shouts before they
leave, to keep her out of Engineering.
As Chakotay and Tuvok head out of Sickbay, Tuvok
asks Chakotay where Lt. Torres is. Chakotay informs the Vulcan that he's had her confined to
quarters, but Tuvok wants to move the lieutenant to the brig so that she can be
court-martialled. Chakotay can't seriously believe that Tuvok will lock Torres up for
seventy-five years until they can find a proper court. Tuvok soon states that the captain has
the authority to hold a trial here on the ship. When Tuvok mentions that Chakotay might carry a
certain favortism toward his crew, he reminds him that they are no longer his crew. Chakotay
says that he'll deal with the situation and orders the Vulcan to drop it. Tuvok has no choice
but to oblige...
As Chakotay heads for Torres' quarters, Crewmen's
Jarvin and Seska approach Chakotay, saying that they've heard what's going on. They heard that
the Maquis crew will be confined to quarters during their seventy-five year trip home, and that
Lt. Torres is being tried for assaulting an officer. Soon, Jarvin insists that if the commander
is willing to take control of the ship, they have his full support. Soon, Chakotay angrily
informs them that if they suggest mutiny again, he'll personally throw the pair in the brig
himself.
B'Elanna paces relentlessly in her quarters,
obviously angry. When the door chime buzzes, B'Elanna picks up an object and throws it out the
door, narrowly missing Chakotay as he enters. Chakotay then hands B'Elanna a padd, and curious,
B'Elanna asks what it's for. Chakotay explains that it is a medical report on Carey's damaged
nose, and B'Elanna shouts that Carey is an idiot. Chakotay doesn't want to hear it. He soon
explains that Torres came close to hitting Carey up his cerebellum and that he could've died.
Chakotay also explains that he's had a lousy day, with Tuvok wanting to throw her in the brig
while his loyal Maquis crew wanting to mutiny against Janeway. Soon, B'Elanna asks Chakotay what
to do, and Chakotay suggests that the lieutenant apologize to Carey and bond with him. But the
either of bonding with him is ludicurous to Torres. Chakotay then suggests that she stay in her
quarters for the duration of their trip home. Then Chakotay suggests that she get a lot of
support from people like Carey if she wants to be a Chief Engineer on the ship. B'Elanna laughs
and says that Carey is the next in line to receive the position. But Chakotay reminds her that
she is a better Engineer than he is. B'Elanna soon wants to know what the captain thinks, but
Chakotay informs her that she hasn't told her yet, as he exits her quarters.
------
As Voyager speed toward home, Captain Janeway's log informs us that
the crew is overhauling the ship, and that it would be routine if they had access to a
starbase...
In the observation room, the senior-staff is going
over several plans to increase effiency of their power usage. Lt. Paris explains that the
engines are running at fourteen-percent efficency. He explains that if they can't get enough
power to the engines when they need it most, they have to get out and push. Janeway asks Kim if
he had any success in rerouting power from the Holodecks to the propulsion systems, but Ensign
Kim states that the Holodeck systems weren't capable of being compatible with the propulsion
system. Commander Chakotay suggests that they move personnel from Deck Nine to Seven and reroute
the power from that deck to the propulsion system. Tuvok states that it would be inconvenient,
but acceptable. Soon, they move onto the personnel problem, but are soon interrupted by Neelix
and Kes, who apologizes for being late. Janeway tells them that this is a meeting for the
senior-staff, but Neelix states that he is a senior Talaxian onboard, while Kes is the senior
Ocampan, and the two have some excellent suggestions. Janeway accepts their proposal, this time.
Kes soon suggests that she start growing her own foods, as the replicator power is down and is a
good idea since they need to conserve their energy supply. Ensign Kim suggests that they convert
Cargo-Bay Two as it has only one environmental control systems that won't feed a lot of power.
Janeway gives Kes the project since it was her idea. Soon, they move onto the personnel
situation. Janeway explains that they still need to fill in the astrogation navigator, chief
engineer and a field nurse. Chakotay hands the captain a PADD containing several Maquis
crewmembers who may be suitable for a position. When Janeway sees the name B'Elanna Torres on
the list, she wonders what position she would be capable of. Chakotay explains that she would be
suited for Chief Engineer. Janeway soon asks if she was the one involved in the incident with
Mr. Carey and Chakotay says yes, and asks him further if he's serious, and Chakotay doesn't
break stride. They soon move onto the Sickbay situation. They need a full-time nurse to assist
the doctor, and when Neelix asks about the "electronic man" down in Sickbay, Tuvok explains that
he is limited due to his confines in Sickbay. Chakotay soon suggests that they train an officer
in a field-medic situation to assist the Doctor. Janeway thinks its a good idea. Soon she picks
Lt. Paris out of the group when she learns that he studied biomechanics at Starfleet for
two-semesters. When Paris is about to protest, they are rocked by an unseen force, and the
meeting is adjourned...
The crew move onto the Bridge, and Janeway asks for
a status report. Crewman Seska reports that they are caught in the wake of a gravimetric
distortion. The shaking soon stops and Janeway orders for a visual. Janeway reports that the
gravimetric distortions cover almost two-thousand parsecs. Janeway suspects that what she's
looking at is the event-horizon of a Type IV quantum singularity. Tuvok soon detects a vessel
trapped within the singularity. They can't quite make out the ship, and Neelix can't determine
if it's a familiar ship. Janeway orders for hailing frequencies, and hails the distressed ship,
but doesn't get a response. Janeway soon tries to get a tractor beam, and during all this Kes
asks Neelix what a quantum singularity is. Neelix explains that a quantum singularity is a star
which has collapsed onto itself. Ensign Kim soon reports that there is too much gravimetric
distortions for an effective tractor-beam lock onto the ship. Neelix soon suggests to Captain
Janeway that there is a star-system not less a parsec away that has the technology to assist
them, called the Illidaria system. Janeway says that the vessel is being pulled toward the
singularity. Commander Chakotay soon contacts B'Elanna in Engineering and asks her if they can
get around their tractor-beam problem. B'Elanna informs the commander that they might be able to
remodulate the tractor-beam so that they can penetrate the gravimetric distortions of the
quantum singularity. Chakotay immediately understands her theory and implies a subspace
tractor-beam and orders her to get to work on it right away. Janeway, angry at Chakotay's
behavior, asks Lt. Carey on his opinion about the situation. Lt. Carey reports that with the
right field modulation and enough power to the tractor-beam, it might work. Janeway orders him
that he is in charge and already there is confrontation brewing between the captain and the
first-officer. She soon orders Lt. Paris to hold their position here and orders Chakotay to her
Ready-Room.
In the Ready-Room, Janeway angrily confronts
Chakotay regarding his recent behavior on the Bridge. Janeway informs him that what he tried to
do back there was way out of line. Chakotay doesn't understand what he did wrong. Janeway then
tells him that he decided to call Lt. Torres down in Engineering instead of Lt. Carey. Chakotay
protests saying he knows what B'Elanna is capable of, and he knew that she would answer him
straight away. Janeway soon comes to another matter; she believes that he is still treating his
crew like if it was his own. Chakotay then explains that he's trying to integrate them into her
crew, but she is making it difficult for this to happen. Chakotay soon asks permission to speak
freely, and Janeway answers yes. Chakotay informs her that he doesn't intend on being her token
Maquis officer. Janeway soon suggests that he chose someone else for the role, but Chakotay
keeps insisting on B'Elanna Torres, but Janeway isn't satisfied with her, as she can't control
her tempers and isn't qualified. Chakotay screams that she could teach at the Academy. He soon
informs that they are his crew and that no one will look after them more them him, and suggests
to Janeway that she get to know B'Elanna before she chooses her new Chief Engineer. He asks
permission to leave, and Janeway solemnly says "dismissed". She knows that she'll have a tough
time ahead with the Maquis crew.
------
Kes enters Sickbay to collect samples of dirt. When she finds that
the Emergency Medical Hologram is not on, she activates it. The Doctor is pleasantly surprised
when Kes reveals that there is no emergency and that she is here to collect fossil samples for
her hydroponics project. The Doctor becomes sensitive when he realizes that this is no
emergency. He reminds Kes that he is a physician and is equiped to deal with a whole range of
medical issues, and not just for personal usage. While they are talking, Kes realizes that the
Doctor is a very sensitive hologram. When the Doctor moves back to the cabinet, Kes realizes
that the Doctor has grown smaller. The Doctor soon runs a diagnostic of his program and realizes
that he's been reduced in size. The Doctor contacts Operations on the Bridge about his damage,
but Ensign Kim reports to the Doctor that they are rather busy at the moment and will get back
to him. Kes thanks the Doctor for helping her today, and the Doctor reminds Kes to turn off the
program before she leaves. Before she leaves, Kes wonders what the Doctor's name is. The Doctor
is piqued, as he wonders that name would suit no purpose for a hologram. But Kes further pique's
his interest by stating that she would like to call him something else beside the Doctor. The
Doctor hadn't thought about it, as he realized he wouldn't be needed on a twenty-four hour
basis. He then asks her what her name is, and Kes replies. He informs her it was a pleasure
assisting her today. Kes leaves Sickbay and ends the program.
On the Bridge, Lt. Carey reports to Captain Janeway
that the subspace tractor-beam is ready. Captain Janeway orders Lt. Paris to move closer to the
vessel, as they can't lock onto the vessel from this distance. Once in position, Janeway orders
the activation of the subspace tractor-beam. When the tractor-beam is activated, it seems like
it is working, until the ship starts to shake. The gravimetric distortions is tapping into the
tractor-beam and is tearing the ship apart, and blowing out half of the emitter relays. Janeway
orders Lt. Carey to cut the tractor-beam, but he can't cut it automatically. He informs that he
has to physically cut into the relays and shut it down manually, and Janeway allows him to do
so. As soon as the tractor-beam is cut, the shaking stops. Janeway soon informs Lt. Paris to set
a course for the Illidaria system, as she'll be taking Neelix's advise after all. She orders
Chakotay to bring Neelix to the Bridge.
In the Ready-Room, Captain Janeway is studying some
data when Lt. B'Elanna Torres enters. She goes up to Janeway and says that she's gone over all
of the emitter arrays herself, but Janeway says that she didn't call her to lay blame on her.
She informs her that she's here to get to know her, and that Commander Chakotay thinks highly of
her. B'Elanna tells her that they've been through a few scrapes together. Soon, Janeway gets to
the bottom of her visit; she asks B'Elanna that if she's ready to become Chief Engineer.
B'Elanna asks Janeway if that she knows the way to Engineering, if that's what she means.
Janeway answers that that's part of what she means. Janeway also is concerned that B'Elanna
doesn't have the qualification to command others. Janeway soon says that she's had quite a
turbulent year at the academy. She then informs her that she's had several disciplinary
hearings. B'Elanna angrily informs Janeway that the problem was with a system that didn't give
her a chance. Janeway informs her that they work with the same system on the ship, and B'Elanna
believes that it was a mistake to choose her, and is about to walk out. Before she leaves,
Janeway asks B'Elanna why she quit the Academy. B'Elanna informs her that she didn't want
anything to do with Starfleet then, and she's sorry that she has to now. She then storms out.
After B'Elanna storms out, Janeway is contacted by
the Emergency Medical Hologram, who instructs her to tie into the Emergency Medical System 47.
When Janeway activates her viewscreen desktop, she gets a distorted image. Janeway if he is
malfunctioning, but the Doctor informs her that he appears like that at present, and has been
awaiting patiently for repairs but to no avail. That is however, not what he was after. The
Doctor informs Janeway that over the past few hours, the crew have reported various symptoms,
including headaches, muscle spasms, etc. The Doctor can find no explanation for these symptom,
but Janeway informs him that it could be related to the quantum singularity that they are
studying. The Doctor was unaware and Janeway informs him that she'll consider tying his program
into the ship's computer, when the ship suddenly shakes. Janeway heads for the Bridge,
forgetting to turn the Doctor off.
On the Bridge, Janeway asks for a status report.
Tuvok informs her that they are caught in another gravimetric distortion. Janeway asks for
visual, and she realizes that she is looking at the same one. Paris definitely confirms to
Janeway, that they are looking at the same quantum singularity...
------
The crew is confused by this new turn of events. Ensign Kim concurs
with Lt. Paris that they are indeed at the same singularity. Janeway soon orders Lt. Paris to
move away from the singularity and for Ensign Kim to keep an eye on the singularity to make sure
that they are indeed moving away from it. Janeway gives the command "engage", and soon the ship
warps away from the singularity, with Ensign Kim keeping an eye on their progress. At about
twelve-million kilometers, the ship returns to the same singularity, confusing the crew even
more. Ensign Kim wonders if Lt. Paris altered course, but Lt. Paris insists that they are still
heading in the same direction. They are confused. Janeway orders Lt. Paris for a full stop, as
she heads to her Ready-Room. She orders Commander Chakotay to assemble all the department heads
for a meeting at 15:00 hours, and orders Ensign Kim to transfer all the data of their encounter
with the singularity to the Ready-Room. Before Janeway enters the Ready-Room, Commander Chakotay
asks who'll represent Engineering. Janeway informs him that it will be Lt. Carey, but Chakotay
insists that B'Elanna attend as well, unless she's removed her from consideration. Janeway
agrees.
In Engineering, things are busy as ever. Lt. Carey
approaches the busy B'Elanna Torres and informs her that she has been invited to attend the
staff meeting this afternoon. B'Elanna informs Carey that she'll report everything that has
happened during the meeting. But Carey warns that he'll be attending as well, and warns that
B'Elanna should keep her mouth shut unless asked a question. He then reminds her where the
meeting is, and departs. Soon, Crewman Seska, who has been watching this altercation, approaches
B'Elanna and jokingly informs her that she should've broken more than his nose, to which
B'Elanna just ignores.
In a corridor aboard the ship, Ensign Harry Kim and
Lt. Tuvok discuss their current predicament. Ensign Kim reports to Tuvok that he's gone over all
the navigational logs and the logs at Conn, and can find no explanation on why they keep
returning to the singularity. Tuvok soon suggests that they try a ship-wide diagnostic of all
systems, which might help explain the systems failure. Soon, Ensign Kim moves away from their
work, and wonders if the Engineering department is having difficulty itself in their current
crisis. Tuvok explains that the Engineering department is having difficulty, but Kim soon states
that he's heard a rumor that the whole department is up in arms and that the Maquis will lead a
revolt. Tuvok is flabbergasted at the human's incomprehensible need for hyperbole. Ensign Kim
informs Tuvok that he may be right, after all it may only be a rumor. Before he can continue, he
suddenly gets a splitting headache, and Tuvok soon escorts Ensign Kim to the Sickbay.
In the Observation Room, the meeting takes place as
scheduled. The Doctor informs the captain that several more crewmembers have reported symptoms
and that he's rapidly reduced in height. He advises the captain that she send a repair crew down
immediately before he is indisposable. The captain soon gets back to business, once the Doctor
terminates his communications. She informs the crew that she's gone through all the available
data on the singularity and that she could give them a long boring tutorial. Suffice it to say,
she doesn't know what's going on. Tuvok soon informs the captain that ship-wide diagnostics have
revealed nothing out of the ordinary. Lt. Carey then informs the captain that he tried sending
out a tachyon beam into the singularity, but all he got was distorted signals. Soon, Commander
Chakotay asks B'Elanna if she can assist Lt. Carey in clearing those signals. B'Elanna says that
she could, but she doubts that it'll work. Janeway soon asks B'Elanna if she has a better idea.
B'Elanna informs her that she was just thinking about the problem with the holographic Doctor.
She believes that the EMH's holo-matrix may be out of phase alignment, and if that's the case,
she could rig a localized dampening system around their systems to phase out the distortions of
the viewscreen and their comm-system. Janeway agrees with B'Elanna and says that they'll give it
a go. The crew is dismissed. Before he leaves, Chakotay thanks the captain for allowing B'Elanna
to participate, and the captain gives a courteous nod.
Back on the Bridge, B'Elanna informs the captain
that the dampening field is ready to go. Janeway orders Ensign Kim to open the comm-system.
Ensign Kim informs the captain that its working. The dampening field is cutting through the
distortions. Their first try still seems a little distorted, but Captain Janeway orders Ensign
Kim to boost the EM-field of the communications field. Soon, the distorted communications come
out cleaner, and they soon realize that the call is the captain's opening hail nine-hours ago.
B'Elanna soon informs the captain that she can apply the same physics to the viewscreen, and
when the viewscreen clears, they see the image of another Voyager. Paris states the obvious by
saying, "That's Voyager! That's us."
------
The ship is on Red-Alert, as Lt. Paris confirms that sensors
indicate that the other ship is indeed USS Voyager. Soon, a perplexed Ensign Kim wonders if they
went back in time and met themselves. B'Elanna informs him that that isn't the case. She
believes she knows what's going on.
Back in the observation room, B'Elanna explains to
the crew about their predicament. She gives the analogy of a person looking into a pond frozen
over with ice and another person at the bottom of the pond looking directly at you. She believes
that Voyager is the person looking directly at them, and it is they who are trapped in the
singularity. But Lt. Paris is confused, as he tries to explain his logic. He explains that they
were traveling at Warp Seven, when they felt the first jolt. They received the distress call
from the ship within the singularity, and they went to investigate. But B'Elanna is saying that
they are ones who are trapped. How could that be when they received the distress call in the
first place. He asks anyone if he's making any sense. Janeway says that it doesn't matter,
because one of the difficulties in dealing with temporal mechanics is that effect can preceed
cause. Chakotay asks B'Elanna on how they can get out. But, B'Elanna explains that she doesn't
know yet. Janeway soon suggests that they look for a crack within the singularity. B'Elanna then
asks what if they already made a crack when they first entered. All they have to do is make the
crack appear on their radar. They both think that warp particles would make the crack appear in
the spatial distortion.
The staff return to the Bridge, and Janeway soon
orders Tuvok to bring the deflector off-line. She then orders Ensign Kim to redirect the plasma
flow of both port and starboard warp nacelles. Ensign Kim soon informs the captain that plasma
flow is on-line. Janeway orders Lt. Paris to emit the warp particles. The warp particles soon
reveal the crack they require, but Ensign Kim informs the crew that the crack is only
fifteen-meters by ten-meters, which is too small for the ship to fly through. Lt. Paris informs
the captain that they need another seventy-five percent to clear through. B'Elanna soon explains
that they could try and force it open with a dekyon beam. Janeway asks Ensign Kim if they can
emit a beam that far, but Kim responds that the rupture is over fifteen-thousand kilometers
away, and they don't have enough power to emit the beam that far. Soon, she orders Lt. Paris to
move closer to the rupture, but Paris warns her that moving the ship closer might destablize the
rupture and the spatial distortions might interfere with their warp engines. Then Janeway
realizes that the only way they'll be able to get the rupture wide enough is to go via a
shuttlecraft. Soon, Lt Paris offers his services to fly the shuttle, but Janeway contradicts
that they can get there, it's just a question of getting the emitter on-line, and Lt. Paris
isn't the one. She chooses B'Elanna to go with her.
------
A shuttlecraft departs from Voyager as it heads toward the rupture.
Inside, Lt. B'Elanna Torres brings the dekyon beam on-line. While they wait for the dekyon beam
to charge, B'Elanna apologizes to the captain for acting the way she acted in her Ready-Room.
She soon tells Janeway that she quit the Academy because she thought she couldn't make it, and
that nobody was sorry to see her go. Janeway tells B'Elanna that Professor Chapman was sorry to
see her go. She tells a surprised B'Elanna that should she ever reconsider reapplying for the
Academy he would support her. B'Elanna is completely taken by surprise as she tells Janeway that
she and Professor Chapman fought everyday at the Academy. Janeway tells her that some professors
like students challenging their assumptions and methods, and frankly so does some captains.
While B'Elanna tries to absorb this new found enthusiasm, they reach the rupture. The dekyon
beam is charged and they emit the beam. Soon, the shuttle shakes as it is affected by the
spatial distortions. B'Elanna reports that their shields are down to sixty-four percent and that
the rupture is widened only by forty-three percent. Tuvok reports that they need to get at least
eighteen percent more for safety, but the shuttlecraft's power collapses. Janeway soon decides
that it'll have to do, as they set a course back to Voyager.
On Voyager, Tuvok reports that the shuttle is
returning, but they've taken heavy damage and communications is down. Chakotay orders Lt. Paris
that once they've retrieved the shuttle to set a course for the rupture... In the shuttle, the
two officers face another problem. There are two Voyager they must choose from. B'Elanna is
frustrated. But they know they only have one choice; port or starboard. B'Elanna chooses port,
while Janeway chooses starboard. Janeway says, they are getting identical readings from both
ships. B'Elanna says there must be other way to tell them apart aside from which direction
they're facing. Janeway soon states that the starboard's thrusters are on stand-by, while the
port ship's thrusters are on-line. B'Elanna tells her that she was right, but Janeway
contradicts her by saying that the port ship is the time-delayed refraction of themselves.
Voyager did move to the surface, but since it is time-delayed, they are moving now. Starboard
ship is the real one, as they are allowing easy access for the shuttle and awaiting their
return. Janeway chooses the starboard ship and B'Elanna informs her that if she's wrong, they'll
have a long time debating this. As they head for the starboard ship, they cut the thrusters, and
soon they make a soft landing. Janeway informs her that it feels like a ship and they soon head
out for the Bridge.
On the Bridge, Chakotay informs the captain that
Lt. Paris is about to impress them with his piloting skills. Ensign Kim reports that the rupture
is still small for Voyager to pass through; but Janeway reminds the crew that in command school,
piloting a starship is a delicate maneuver. Over the years, she's learned that sometimes you
have to punch your way through; and with that she orders Lt. Paris full impulse. Voyager heads
for the rupture at full-impulse, and soon they punch their way through. However, it is not
without flaw, as the spatial distortions are about to tear the ship apart. The ship manages to
break free from the singularity, as the shaking resides. Once they are free, Captain Janeway
orders Lt. Paris to move one-million kilometers away from the singularity before they begin
repairs. Paris reminds Janeway that he'll have to remember her motto, "sometimes you just have
to punch your way through."
In Engineering, Chakotay escorts a newly promoted
Chief Engineer to her station. B'Elanna informs Chakotay that she won't break any more of their
noses. Chakotay soon assigns her first duty as Chief Engineer - to get the warp drive up and
running by fifteen-hundred hours. B'Elanna says that that it's impossible, but Chakotay reminds
her that she may have to break a few noses after all, at least bend a few. With that, he
congratulates her and joins Janeway on the upper levels of Engineering. Once Chakotay leaves,
B'Elanna instructs the Starfleet crew to get the isolinear bags up and running. But, the
Starfleet crew are having a hard-time accepting orders from a Maquis officer, but B'Elanna
politely orders them. Soon, she turns to Lt. Carey for his support. She's not up to scratch on
the latest quirks of their warp engines, and she will count on Lt. Carey's assistance. Lt. Carey
assures her that she'll never get less than his best. He soon congratulates her on her promotion
and welcomes her aboard.
On the upper levels of Engineering, Janeway quitely
observes her new Chief Engineer. Chakotay joins her, and Janeway informs him that she's had
several complaints already, and that B'Elanna will have tough periods of adjustment; but she
adds that she'll make a fine officer to her crew - their crew. Soon, Chakotay asks Janeway a
private, off-the-records, question. If things had been different and they were on the Maquis
ship instead of Voyager, he wonders if Janeway would have served under him. Janeway soon reminds
Chakotay that one of the nice things about being a captain, is that they keep something to
themselves, meaning she would prefer not to answer Chakotay. Soon, Captain Janeway receives a
call from the Doctor who is still shrinking. Janeway explains to him that they are a little busy
and that repairs on his system will be dealt with as things settle down. He reminds the captain
that a little expediency in the matter will be greatly appreciated.
In Sickbay, Lt. Paris comes in with a wound on his
hand. The Doctor reminds Lt. Paris that he is unable to attend to his wound as he is
indisposable. Paris informs the Doctor that its just a little scratch that he can take care of
himself. He soon reminds the Doctor that he likes him better that way, but the Doctor does not
respond to his offense...
