[Power distribution
plant]
(On a
modern planet, with a railway bridge running over a wide river through
the middle of the city, workers of all races and species are walking
down a metal staircase from the station. Janeway is in a blue leather
suit. She takes the express lift down to a mid level walkway and into
the plant.)
JANEWAY: Excuse me, can you tell me where I can find the supervisor?
WORKER: Over there.
JANEWAY: Thank you.
SUPERVISOR: Your authorisation and licenses please? Level six in
thermal dynamics and quantum fusion. Well, Janeway, I'm impressed.
JANEWAY: Thank you, sir.
SUPERVISOR: Now if you can just manage to report to your shift on time.
JANEWAY: I'm sorry, I boarded the wrong transport. I ended up at the
Atmosphere Filtration Facility.
SUPERVISOR: They're always looking for skilled workers. I'm surprised
they didn't offer you a job.
JANEWAY: I promise I won't be late again.
SUPERVISOR: Well, it's easy to get disoriented when you're new here.
I've been in this city all my life and I still get lost on occasion.
Now you'll be monitoring the primary reactor coils. They process more
than eight thousand
JANEWAY: Eight thousand metric tons of tylium per second at ninety four
percent thermal efficiency. I memorised the specifications.
SUPERVISOR: Let me know if there's anything you need. You'll find we
like to keep our workforce happy.
JANEWAY: I can already tell it's going to be much better than my last
job.
(She goes to her console, then looks around. Later -)
SUPERVISOR:
The specifications you asked for.
JANEWAY: Thanks. (She takes the foreign style PADD and taps on a Borg
style control panel, then returns to her console.)
COMPUTER: Input error four one five. Command code violation two three
zero eight.
JANEWAY: Come on, shut off that damn alarm and I promise I'll never
violate you again.
(A man puts his finger on a control, and the alarm stops.)
JAFFEN: You almost started a core overload.
JANEWAY: I would have corrected it.
JAFFEN: Well I'm sorry for interrupting then, and for eavesdropping. I
overheard you talking to your console.
JANEWAY: It's an old habit.
JAFFEN: Does it work?
JANEWAY: I'm not sure this control panel and I speak the same language
yet.
JAFFEN: Well, if you need an interpreter. Jaffen.
JANEWAY: Kathryn.
JAFFEN: I work just down there.
JANEWAY: That's good to know.
SEVEN: This station doesn't require two operators.
(Seven is in a tight grey suit, and a slightly different hairstyle.)
JAFFEN: I don't think we've met. I'm
SEVEN: Employee one three two six, and you're employee eight five eight
four. Since you're new here, you may not be fully familiar with the
labour protocols, but you should be aware that fraternising is not
permitted during work hours.
JAFFEN: And do you have a number. or maybe a name?
SEVEN: Annika Hansen.
JAFFEN: And what exactly is your position here?
SEVEN: I'm the new Efficiency Monitor.
JAFFEN: Oh, I didn't know they'd hired one.
SEVEN: Now that you do, I suggest you return to your station.
JANEWAY: We weren't fraternising. He was just helping me correct an
input error. We're almost finished.
SEVEN: Do it quickly.
JANEWAY: Yes, ma'am.
JAFFEN: I thought we were fraternising. Maybe we could get acquainted
after work. There is a little place some of us like to go to. We could
get a meal.
JANEWAY: I can't.
JAFFEN: You need to talk to someone besides your console.
JANEWAY: I appreciate the offer, but with this new job I don't really
have time to socialise.
[Bar]
(Just
the bar owner and Paris.)
UMALI:
They're always looking for labourers at the Power Distribution Plant.
PARIS: I had a job there once. Didn't like it much.
UMALI: Odd. They treat their employees well. How long were you there?
PARIS: Oh, a while.
UMALI: It would be very simple for me to find out.
PARIS: A day.
UMALI: A day?
PARIS: Half a day, actually. Give or take an hour.
UMALI: Not what I'd call an illustrious career.
PARIS: I don't belong behind a console pushing buttons, But when I
heard some of the workers talking about your place, I knew I had to get
a job here.
UMALI: You were terminated, weren't you?
PARIS: Yes.
UMALI: That's quite an accomplishment during a labour shortage. What
happened?
PARIS: It's a long story.
UMALI: I like a long story.
PARIS: I had a disagreement with the new Efficiency Monitor. She didn't
think my work was very
UMALI: Efficient?
PARIS: Exactly.
UMALI: Then why should I hire you?
PARIS: Well, there's my natural charm and personality. They'd be a real
asset around a place like this where you're trying to attract patrons.
I mean, look at you. You haven't been able to tear yourself away from
me.
UMALI: There's no one else here.
PARIS: Please. I really need the work.
UMALI: You'd better clean those tables over there. This place is going
to be filled with hungry workers as soon as the next shift ends.
PARIS: You won't regret this.
UMALI: Oh, I'm certain I will. (Later, when the bar is full of workers.)
JAFFEN:
All of them about my father and he couldn't understand why I wasn't
insulted. Finally I just had to tell him. I'm Norvalen, I don't have a
father!
(A dark man in a green leather outfit slaps the bar and laughs
hysterically.)
JAFFEN: It wasn't that funny, Tuvok.
TUVOK: On the contrary. The man was ignorant of how your species
procreates. His attempt to disparage you ultimately humiliated him.
Irony is often a source of humour.
JAFFEN: Yes, well, when you explain it like that, it's not funny at
all.
TUVOK: I also have some humorous anecdotes to share.
JAFFEN: I'll look forward to hearing them.
(Janeway enters and goes to a spare table.)
JAFFEN: I thought you didn't have
time to socialise?
JANEWAY: I'm not socialising. I'm reviewing these manuals and having
something to eat.
JAFFEN: Well, I recommend the Latara broth and the section on thermal
coefficients. I'll join you.
JANEWAY: Really, I'm very, very busy.
JAFFEN: Oh, not to socialise. To, er, help you review the manuals.
(Paris brings two blue cocktails to a couple at another table.)
PARIS: Here you are. Compliments of the
proprietress.
UMALI: Tom?
PARIS: I'll be right back.
UMALI: The proprietress doesn't give away drinks.
PARIS: Well, I'm just creating customer loyalty.
UMALI: You've been creating loyalty all night with those two women. I
suggest you attend to the other tables.
PARIS: Yes, ma'am.
(Umali brings Janeway her plate.)
UMALI: Here you are.
JAFFEN: Thank you. It looks great.
(Pregnant B'Elanna Torres enters, also in leather, but looking
completely miserable. She looks at the happy people and leaves again.)
[Staircase
and walkway]
JANEWAY: I can't believe I let you keep me out this late.
JAFFEN: I felt it was my responsibility to help you study those
manuals.
JANEWAY: Of course.
JAFFEN: And now that I have, you should be less likely to overload the
core. You know, with all this fascinating discussion about thermal
co-efficients you never told me where you're from.
JANEWAY: A planet called Earth.
JAFFEN: Never heard of it.
JANEWAY: Oh, a long way from here.
JAFFEN: What's it like?
JANEWAY: Overpopulated, polluted, very little work.
JAFFEN: It sounds like my home world. I guess we're both lucky to be
here.
JANEWAY: It's nice to be in a place where different species get along
so well.
JAFFEN: So, you admit we're getting along.
JANEWAY: I was speaking in a broader cultural context.
JAFFEN: I see.
JANEWAY: There's a lot of violence where I come from.
JAFFEN: That's too bad.
JANEWAY: I still haven't adjusted to the weather here. It gets so cold
at night.
SECURITY: It's almost curfew.
JAFFEN: Yes, sir. We both live right here.
SECURITY: Good night, then.
JAFFEN: You know, one of the advantages of living in employee housing
is that we can continue sharing ideas even after the work day is over.
JANEWAY: Is that so?
JAFFEN: Yes, and I do have a spectacular view of the river from my
living quarters.
JANEWAY: I really have to get to sleep. Maybe another time.
JAFFEN: I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable.
JANEWAY: You're not.
JAFFEN: Well, if you get lonely
JANEWAY: I'll let you know.
[Power
Distribution Plant]
(In the
middle of a shift, as Janeway is tapping at her console, an
alarm sounds.)
JANEWAY: It wasn't me.
JAFFEN: It's not an overload. It's time for our inoculations.
JANEWAY: What inoculations?
JAFFEN: They're nothing to worry about. Protection against ambient
radiation.
JANEWAY: I didn't realise that was a problem.
JAFFEN: It's not, as long as you're inoculated regularly. We're lucky
to have an employer that concerned about our safety.
[Inoculation
queue]
MED
TECH: Is something wrong?
TUVOK: Forgive me, but I'm, I'm afraid of injections.
MED TECH: I assure you, this is painless.
TUVOK: Is there some other method of administering the medication?
MED TECH: No, I'm afraid there isn't.
TUVOK: Very well.
(Tuvok has a flashback to a previous injection against his
will, when he was in Starfleet uniform.)
MED TECH: We're finished. You can go back to work. Next.
(Seven is next. Tuvok totters away and leans on a nearby console.)
First
Officer's log, stardate 54584.3. Ensign Kim, Mister Neelix and I are
returning to Voyager after five days of trading with the Nar Shaddan.
[Delta
Flyer - aft compartment]
(Kim is
on the biobed.)
KIM: In six years I've never been on an away mission
worse than this one.
NEELIX: I don't know how you can say that? The cargo hold is crammed
with valuable supplies.
KIM: And my stomach is crammed with alien parasites doing backflips.
NEELIX: I guess you shouldn't have drunk that Falah nectar.
KIM: You insisted I try it.
NEELIX: The Nar Shaddan consider it a delicacy. To refuse would have
insulted them.
KIM: I didn't hear you insisting that Commander Chakotay try it.
NEELIX: Commander Chakotay's a vegetarian.
KIM: It was made from meat?
NEELIX: More like a meat by-product.
KIM: I'm going to be sick.
NEELIX: Not after you drink this.
KIM: What is it?
NEELIX: Leola bark tea, to settle even the queasiest of stomachs.
KIM: Oh, it smells worse than the meat nectar. I'll wait for the Doctor
to treat me. At least I'll be sleeping in my own bed tonight.
CHAKOTAY [OC]: Harry, I know you're not feeling well, but I need you
and
Neelix up here.
KIM: On our way.
[Delta
Flyer - cockpit]
NEELIX:
Anything wrong, Commander?
CHAKOTAY: We're at the rendezvous coordinates, but there's no sign of
Voyager, and they're not responding to hails. Start scanning on all
frequencies. They've got to be out there somewhere.
KIM: So much for my own bed.
[Engineering]
(The
EMH has red shoulders on his uniform. The ECH has been
activated, and is trying to repair Voyager..)
EMH: Re-initialise the subspace transponder.
COMPUTER: Warning. Main computer is failing.
EMH: Switch to backup processors.
COMPUTER: Main computer stabilised.
EMH: Good. Now, let's try this again. Re-initialise the subspace
transponder.
COMPUTER: Unable to comply.
EMH: Why not?
COMPUTER: Insufficient power.
EMH: And they say I'm difficult. Reroute power from the replicator
system.
COMPUTER: Unable to comply.
EMH: Clarify.
COMPUTER: Relays to the transponder are fused.
EMH: Any suggestions?
COMPUTER: Please restate inquiry.
EMH: Can the power relays be bypassed?
COMPUTER: Negative.
EMH: Then I suppose I'll have to replace them by hand.
COMPUTER: Warning. Intruder alert.
EMH: Where?
COMPUTER: The bridge.
EMH: How many?
COMPUTER: Two humanoids.
EMH: Can you identify them?
COMPUTER: Negative. Sensor resolution is below twenty percent.
[Bridge]
(The ECH sneaks onto the bridge, phaser ready. His wrist beacon reveals
two figures in environment suits.)
EMH: Stop what you're doing and turn around!
KIM: Take it easy, Doc. It's us.
EMH: It's good to see some friendly faces. For that matter, it's good
to see any faces at all. I'm sorry I haven't gotten life support back
online yet, but since I've been the only one aboard it hasn't been a
priority.
CHAKOTAY: What the hell happened?
EMH: We ran into some problems.
CHAKOTAY: I can see that. Can you be a little more specific?
EMH: Of course. About twelve hours after you left on your away mission,
things started to go wrong.
[EMH
narrative - Doctor's office]
EMH
[OC]: We hit some sort of subspace mine.
(The ship shudders, the EMH flickers and dashes into his office.)
EMH: Computer, transfer the EMH to the mobile emitter. Sickbay to
bridge. Sickbay to Engineering, please respond.
EMH [OC]: It wasn't long before I was inundated with casualties, all
suffering from
tetryon radiation poisoning. Pretty soon the Captain arrived.
JANEWAY: Doctor, can you treat these people?
EMH: I can stabilise them, but if we can't contain the radiation
JANEWAY: Get everyone to the escape pods, quickly. Not you, Doctor. I
need you here.
EMH: Captain?
JANEWAY: Computer, activate the Emergency Command Hologram.
Authorisation Janeway omega three.
COMPUTER: Command codes transferred.
JANEWAY: You've wanted this chance for a long time. Now you've got it.
EMH: Aye, Captain.
JANEWAY: Try to vent the radiation. The rest of us will get out of the
contaminated area and head for the nearest habitable planet.
EMH: You need medical care.
JANEWAY: Unless someone answers our distress call we'll have to made do
with medkits. We'll rendezvous as soon as it's safe to come back on
board. Take good care of Voyager.
EMH: You can count on me, Captain.
[EMH
narrative - Bridge]
EMH
[OC]: The crew abandoned ship and I began to assess the damage caused
by the mine. But before I could even get started with the repairs, I
got
some unexpected company.
(Whumph!)
EMH: Computer, report.
COMPUTER: An alien vessel has locked on to Voyager with a tractor beam.
EMH: Open a channel. This is the Federation starship Voyager. Disengage
your tractor beam.
COYOTE [on viewscreen]: Our scans show no lifesigns aboard your
vessel. Identify yourself.
EMH: I am the Emergency Command Hologram.
COYOTE [on viewscreen]: Hologram?
EMH: That's right. Now release my ship.
COYOTE [on viewscreen]: Your crew's abandoned it. It belongs to me now.
EMH: I beg to differ. Computer, target the vessel's tractor emitter and
fire.
(The tractor beam is cut off. The other ship starts shooting.)
EMH: Come about, heading nine zero three mark six. Engage at warp two.
COMPUTER: Warp engines are offline.
EMH: Evasive pattern beta four. Target the vessel's engines.
(The computers puts holes in those parts of the ship.)
COMPUTER: Warning. Two vessels approaching bearing three three six mark
one.
EMH: Reverse course. Full impulse.
[Bridge]
EMH: I
managed to evade the other two ships and hid inside this nebula. I
vented the radiation, repaired as many systems as I could, but with no
help? Let's just say I'm glad you found me.
KIM: It wasn't easy picking up your homing signal.
EMH: Well, I had to encrypt it. Every time I left the nebula I detected
more ships searching for me.
CHAKOTAY: Any idea who they are?
EMH: No, but I've analysed all of their weapons signatures. They match
the subspace mine. It was a deliberate attempt to disable Voyager.
CHAKOTAY: Good thing you were here.
KIM: What about the rest of the crew?
EMH: Not a word.
[Tuvok's
memories - Quarren Medical Facility]
(Tuvok
is at the Power Distribution Plant, looking down on Janeway working. He
recalls the time when the pair of them were rescued from their escape
pods.)
KADAN:
Make them comfortable. We're going to treat your injuries.
JANEWAY: Who are you?
KADAN: My name is Doctor Kadan. We're in a Quarren Medical Facility.
JANEWAY: My crew ?
KADAN: My understanding is that they've all been rescued from their
escape pods.
JANEWAY: Treat my people first.
KADAN: Everyone will be taken care of.
JANEWAY: Thank you.
TUVOK: What is that medication?
KADAN: An anti-radiation serum. Perfectly safe. (Janeway is injected,
then an open helmet is placed over her head.)
TUVOK: What are you doing?
KADAN: She's suffering from dysphoria syndrome. Don't worry, it's
treatable.
(Lights from the helmet shine on her face.)
TUVOK: Release her immediately.
KADAN: Restrain him.
TUVOK: Captain! No, no!
(Tuvok is injected, just as he remembered in the inoculation
queue.)
[Power
Distribution Plant]
(Tuvok
approaches Janeway.)
TUVOK:
Excuse me.
JANEWAY: Hi.
TUVOK: I believe we know each other.
JANEWAY: You're Tuvok, right? We met last week at the shift briefing.
TUVOK: Before that. Before we were working here.
JANEWAY: Oh, I don't think so. I mean, we're obviously not from the
same place.
TUVOK: Still, I believe I know you. From the hospital, perhaps?
JANEWAY: What hospital?
TUVOK: I am not certain. We were patients.
JANEWAY: You must have me confused with someone else. I've never been
sick enough to go to a hospital. I'm sorry, I have a lot of work to
finish.
TUVOK: Please, try to remember. It may be important.
JAFFEN: Is there a problem here?
JANEWAY: I think it's just a misunderstanding.
JAFFEN: Tuvok?
TUVOK: She's right. It's, er, it's, er, a misunderstanding.
JAFFEN: You don't look well. Maybe you should go to the infirmary.
TUVOK: No, no, I'm fine. Fine. Er, I'll go back to my station. Sorry to
have bothered you.
(Tuvok leaves.)
JAFFEN: What was that all about?
JANEWAY: I'm not sure. Strange man.
JAFFEN: And a terrible joke teller. So, we having dinner tonight?
JANEWAY: Again?
JAFFEN: What, you don't like my cooking?
JANEWAY: No, it's wonderful. It's just
JAFFEN: I'm a perfectionist. I'm going to keep trying until I make you
the perfect meal.
JANEWAY: And then we stop eating together? I'll have dinner with you,
on
one condition. I make it.
JAFFEN: I think I can accept those terms.
JANEWAY: Good. Now go back to your station before the Efficiency
Monitor catches us fraternising.
[Bar]
(Torres
is sitting alone at a table, reading a PADD.)
PARIS:
Can I bring you something else?
TORRES: No, thank you.
PARIS: I haven't seen you in here before.
TORRES: You probably just didn't notice.
PARIS: Oh, I'd have noticed.
TORRES: Well, apparently you aren't as observant as you think you are.
PARIS: Oh, really?
TORRES: I've been coming in here the same time every day, for the past
two weeks.
PARIS: Well, that explains it. I usually work nights.
TORRES: Me, too.
PARIS: At the Power Distribution Facility. You see? I am observant.
UMALI: Tom, I need you for a moment.
PARIS: I'll be right there. Listen, you should come back in when you
get a night off. It's a lot more fun when there's a crowd.
TORRES: I don't really like crowds.
PARIS: Well then, maybe we could get together during the day sometime,
take a walk by the river.
TORRES: I don't think so.
PARIS: Why not? I'm a very engaging conversationalist.
(Then he sees her big bump.)
PARIS: Oh.
TORRES: Yeah. Still want to get together?
PARIS: You're married.
TORRES: No.
PARIS: Oh.
TORRES: Enjoy your day.
First
Officer's log, stardate 54597.9. After restoring primary systems, we've
left the nebula to try to find the crew. Though there's still a lot of
damage, we have been able to reconfigure sensors to detect subspace
mines. Ensign Kim's been running continuous scans but there's still no
sign of our people. On the bright side, the ships that were searching
for us seem to have given up. With only four people on board, repairs
are going slowly.
[Engineering]
COMPUTER:
Power to the secondary propulsion systems has been restored.
KIM [OC]: Kim to Doctor. Report to Astrometrics.
EMH: On my way.
[Astrometrics
lab]
EMH: Any
luck?
KIM: I've scanned ships and planets in eighty three systems. No humans,
no Vulcans, no Bolians.
EMH: Maybe we can increase the range of the sensors by tying them into
the main deflector?
KIM: I've already done that.
EMH: Oh. Well, we can boost resolution by
KIM: I appreciate your input, Doc, but I didn't call you down here to
help me scan. I'm still feeling kind of queasy from that nectar.
EMH: I treated you days ago.
KIM: Whatever you did hasn't worked. Maybe all those command
subroutines are compromising your medical abilities.
EMH: Maybe all that sarcasm is compromising your natural charm.
[Bridge]
EMH:
I've repaired the deuterium injectors, brought secondary propulsion
back online, and soothed Ensign Kim's upset tummy.
CHAKOTAY: Good work. Why don't you get started on the ruptured plasma
conduits on deck ten?
EMH: Can't you take care of those?
CHAKOTAY: I beg your pardon?
EMH: Emergency Command Hologram. Doesn't that suggest my place is here,
in Voyager's command
centre?
CHAKOTAY: Look, Doc, I'm impressed with the way you handled yourself
while we were gone. But right now we've got to prioritise.
KIM [OC] : Kim to Chakotay.
CHAKOTAY: Go ahead.
[[Astrometrics
lab]
KIM:
I've found them, Commander. They're on an M class planet. At maximum
warp, we can be there in less than three days.
[Bridge]
CHAKOTAY:
Transfer the coordinates to the helm. I'll be in Astrometrics. Doctor,
the command centre is yours.
[Jaffen's
apartment]
JAFFEN:
Mmm, smells good.
JANEWAY: It's only burnt on the outside. Your cooking console's a
little temperamental, huh?
JAFFEN: Did you try talking to it?
JANEWAY: Once I cut off the charred part, I'm sure it'll be fine.
(Jaffen tries a piece.)
JAFFEN: It's good.
JANEWAY: Really?
(He shakes his head.)
JAFFEN: Let's go.
JAFFEN: Where?
JANEWAY: I promised you dinner. We'll just have to get it somewhere
else.
JAFFEN: Wait. I'm not really hungry. Are you?
JANEWAY: No.
JAFFEN: Let's stay here.
(They kiss passionately.)
First
Officer's log, stardate 54608.6. We've traced the crew's life signs to
a large city on a planet called Quarra. Unfortunately, the local
officials aren't being very cooperative.
[Bridge]
AMBASSADOR
[on viewscreen]: I have personally interviewed several of the
individuals on your crew manifest. None of them know who you are, nor
have they heard of a starship Voyager.
CHAKOTAY: I'd like to speak to them myself.
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: That's not possible.
CHAKOTAY: If you're telling the truth, you have nothing to lose by
letting us talk to them.
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: Unlike other planets in this system, we
grant our guest workers the full protection of our laws.
EMH: What exactly are you protecting them from?
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: Unscrupulous individuals attempting to
acquire skilled labourers.
EMH: We're not trying to acquire labourers. We're trying to find our
friends.
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: Most of your friends have excellent
positions in the Central Power Facility in the capital. Why would any
of them want to travel thousands of light years to a planet on the
other side of the galaxy when they have safe, comfortable lives right
here?
CHAKOTAY: Because it isn't their home.
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: I suggest you look elsewhere to increase
your labour supply. And if you attempt to disturb any of our citizens,
we
will respond with force.
(Transmission ends.)
CHAKOTAY: Any luck?
KIM: There's no way to beam them through the shield grid.
CHAKOTAY: Take us out of orbit.
EMH: We're not leaving them behind?
CHAKOTAY: No, but I want these people to think we are.
[Jaffen's
apartment]
JAFFEN:
I hope the cooking console's not being temperamental again?
JANEWAY: Making a hot drink is one thing I can do.
JAFFEN You're right. It's good.
JANEWAY: I told you.
JAFFEN: What's even better is being here with you. Are you comfortable?
JANEWAY: The blanket's nice and warm.
JAFFEN: No, I mean here with me.
JANEWAY: I can't remember being more comfortable in my life.
[Bar]
PARIS:
(to barman) Yeah, I'll take care of it.
(He sees Torres sitting on her own again.)
PARIS:
Hi. Listen, I get off work in a few minutes. I thought maybe you and I
could go
TORRES: You don't give up, do you?
PARIS: You don't even know what I was going to say.
TORRES: Let me guess. You're going to invite me to take a walk by the
river, or maybe to your living quarters to admire the view.
PARIS: Actually I was going to offer to introduce you to some people I
met. A couple, expecting their first baby in a few weeks. I thought you
might want to get to know some other parents. You know, swap stories,
maybe even find a playmate for your baby? If it's a bad idea
TORRES: No. No, it's nice.
PARIS: Listen, I'm sorry about the other day.
TORRES: I'm the one who should be apologising. I shouldn't have assumed
PARIS: Forget it.
TORRES: Look, it's rare that I admit I'm wrong so you might as well
take advantage of it while you can. It's been hard, being alone with a
baby coming. I have a habit of keeping my guard up.
PARIS: That's understandable.
TORRES: It's just, a romantic relationship is really out of the
question for me right now, and when you started asking
PARIS: How about a friend?
TORRES: What?
PARIS: Well, you said romance is out of the question, but could you use
a friend?
[Astrometrics
lab]
CHAKOTAY:
Any progress?
NEELIX: I've spoken to the captains of eight vessels that left Quarra
in the last two weeks.
EMH: No one knew anything about the crew?
NEELIX: No, but every one of them asked me if I was looking for
employment. Apparently, there's a severe labour shortage throughout
this system. There's a lot of competition for workers.
CHAKOTAY: That Ambassador said most of our people were working at the
main power facility. I wonder if they still have any positions to fill?
NEELIX: I can make some inquiries. Why?
CHAKOTAY: Because you and I are going to find ourselves jobs.
EMH: Re-entering orbit might arouse their suspicion.
NEELIX: Not if we take my ship.
CHAKOTAY: Good idea, Neelix.
EMH: Commander, you've spoken directly with several government
officials. You could be recognised.
CHAKOTAY: Isn't reconstructive surgery one of your specialties?
[Sickbay]
(Chakotay
gains heavy orbital bones and loses the tattoo.)
NEELIX:
I still say you should have posed as a Talaxian. We'd have made a
striking pair.
CHAKOTAY: Whiskers make me itch. How did it go?
NEELIX: As soon as I told the Supervisor our qualifications, he was
eager to hire us. He even helped me get a docking permit for my ship.
We'll be gainfully employed by tomorrow morning.
KIM: Here you go, Doc.
EMH: Give me your hand, Mister Neelix.
NEELIX: What's this?
KIM: A sub-dermal transponder. It will allow us to maintain an open
comm. link so we can transport you through the shield grid if there's
trouble.
CHAKOTAY: Hold position at maximum transporter range.
KIM: Aye, sir.
EMH: I assumed I'd be in charge during your absence, Commander.
KIM: Excuse me?
EMH: An Emergency Command Hologram programmed with over two million
tactical subroutines outranks an Ensign.
KIM: A few words to the computer and this Ensign can delete those
subroutines.
EMH: Then you'd be depriving yourself of a skilled leader for the sake
of your ego.
KIM: Oh, my ego?
CHAKOTAY: Gentlemen. Work it out.
BOTH: Aye, sir.
[Power
distribution plant]
SEVEN:
Employee eight five eight three. Mister Tuvok. According to my records,
you've neglected to report for your last three inoculations. These
inoculations are for your protection. A sick worker is not an efficient
worker. Report to the infirmary.
(Tuvok is looking a bit sweaty.)
TUVOK: Seven of Nine.
SEVEN: What?
TUVOK: Seven of Nine. It's your designation.
SEVEN: My employee number is eight five eight six. Take your hands off
me!
(Tuvok starts a mind meld.)
SEVEN: Call security!
(He shows her herself stepping down from her regeneration alcove.)
TUVOK: I don't believe you are who you think you are.
(Security drag
him away. Janeway goes to Seven.)
TUVOK: We don't belong here. We don't belong here! This isn't right!
We don't belong here!
(Next day -)
SUPERVISOR:
Qualification level three in micro-kinetics. You could use some
improvement there. Level five in thermionic conversion. Good, We lost a
thermionic specialist yesterday.
CHAKOTAY: Did he find a better job?
SUPERVISOR: Health problems.
(Chakotay looks at a female human worker.)
SUPERVISOR: Someone you know?
CHAKOTAY: No, just an unusual species.
SUPERVISOR: We have a diverse workforce. Our thermionic converters
operate on a rotating frequency, so they have to be closely monitored.
You'll be required to report your readings to the controller at a
regular interval. Any questions?
(Chakotay has spotted Janeway.)
SUPERVISOR: Are you listening to me?
CHAKOTAY: Sorry, sir. I'm just excited to be here.
SUPERVISOR: Carry on.
(The supervisor leaves. Chakotay goes over to Janeway.)
CHAKOTAY: Kathryn.
JANEWAY: Yes?
CHAKOTAY: It's Chakotay.
JANEWAY: I'm sorry?
CHAKOTAY: I'm new here. The supervisor said you would be a good person
to speak to if I had any questions.
JANEWAY: What can I help you with?
CHAKOTAY: Nothing. I just wanted to introduce myself.
JANEWAY: Oh. What did you say your name was?
CHAKOTAY: Chakotay. Actually, that's just what my friends call me. My
employment file lists my given name, Amal
Kotay.
JANEWAY: Well, whatever your name is, I'm happy to help you any way I
can.
[Quarren
Medical Facility]
TUVOK:
No. No.
KADAN: You're experiencing a relapse of dysphoria syndrome. This is
going to make you feel better.
TUVOK: Get away from me.
(They finally manage to inject him.)
[Bar]
(Paris
is behind the counter.)
PARIS:
Losing my job there was the best thing that ever happened to me.
NEELIX: Why's that?
PARIS: Well, so many rules and regulations. It was like a military
operation.
NEELIX: I know what you mean. Report here, reroute power there. It's
almost like serving aboard a starship.
PARIS: Have you ever done that?
NEELIX: You're looking at the former captain of his own cargo vessel.
PARIS: Hmm. Must be quite a life.
NEELIX: What about you. Ever worked on a ship?
PARIS: Oh, no. Space travel makes me sick.
(Torres is with a couple, and laughing.)
NEELIX: So, do you know most of the people that come in here?
PARIS: A lot of them. This is a great place to work.
NEELIX: Seems like it.
PARIS: I could put in a good word for you to my employer.
CHAKOTAY: Ah, Neelix.
NEELIX: I was wondering when you'd get here. Amal Kotay, this is my new
friend, Tom Paris.
PARIS: What can I get you?
CHAKOTAY: That looks good.
NEELIX: I was assigned to the Primary Fusion Chamber along with
Mulchaey and Celes. Neither of them recognised me.
CHAKOTAY: Let me guess. They really love their jobs.
NEELIX: It's like they've all been programmed to be happy here.
CHAKOTAY: It's a safe bet they're not going to leave willingly.
PARIS: Here you go.
(Janeway and Jaffen go up to the bar.)
JANEWAY: Hi, how was your first day?
CHAKOTAY: Not bad.
JANEWAY: Would you and your friend like to join us?
CHAKOTAY: That would be nice.
JAFFEN: Er, actually I was hoping we could eat alone tonight.
CHAKOTAY: Maybe another time.
JANEWAY: That was rude.
JAFFEN: I'm sorry, I just, er. There's something I'd like to talk to
you about.
TORRES: Thanks.
WOMAN: Thank you for joining us.
PARIS: B'Elanna. I'm due for a break. I'll walk you to the transport.
TORRES: Stop worrying. I'll be fine.
PARIS: It's not you that I'm worried about.
TORRES: The baby will be fine, too.
(Torres leaves. Neelix and Chakotay follow her out.)
JAFFEN: So, what I was thinking is. If we were to combine our
resources,
we would reduce our expenses.
JANEWAY: Are you asking me to move in?
JAFFEN: Yes. I know it's impulsive, I know we haven't known each other
very long. But things are so easy when we're together, and I just
thought I
JANEWAY: Okay.
JAFFEN: What?
JANEWAY: Maybe I'm out of my mind, but let's try it.
[Street]
(Neelix
is walking behind Torres. Chakotay bumps into her from the front.)
CHAKOTAY:
Excuse me.
TORRES: It was my fault. I should watch where I'm going.
CHAKOTAY: B'Elanna?
TORRES: How do you know my name?
CHAKOTAY: What if I told you we were old friends?
TORRES: That's a ridiculous statement.
CHAKOTAY: I know it sounds strange, but I can prove it to you.
TORRES: Look, I'm sorry, but I'm late for work. (Chakotay drags her off
the street.)
TORRES: Let go of me!
CHAKOTAY: I'm not going to hurt you.
TORRES: No.
(Torres punches Chakotay. Neelix grabs her from behind.)
TORRES: Security, help!
CHAKOTAY: Chakotay to Voyager. We've got B'Elanna.
[Bridge]
CHAKOTAY
[OC]: Lock on to Neelix's signal and transport them to Sickbay.
KIM: Acknowledged.
[Street]
TORRES:
Help me!
SECURITY: Let her go.
(Neelix and Torres beam out. Chakotay runs)
SECURITY: Stop!
CHAKOTAY: Harry, I need an emergency transport now!
[Bridge]
KIM:
Sorry, Commander, we're under attack. I had to raise shields.
(Voyager leaves orbit with two ships in pursuit.)
[Sickbay]
TORRES:
No, leave me alone.
NEELIX: We're friends. We're trying to help you.
TORRES: No, don't touch me!
(Meanwhile, Tuvok is being brainwashed for the second time, and Janeway
and Jaffen are kissing.)
[Gantry]
SECURITY:
He turned into the access way.
SECURITY 2: I'll call for reinforcements.
(Chakotay encounters a forcefield protecting a very big drop.)
SECURITY 2 [OC]: I think he went in there!
SECURITY [OC]: Be careful, he might be armed.
To Be Continued...
[Gantry]
(Chakotay picks up a metal rod and smashes the forcefield controls.) SECURITY:
Wait here.
SECURITY 2: Yes, sir. (The security man feels carefully for the forcefield.)
SECURITY: He's deactivated a safety field. Alert emergency medical, he
may have tried to jump.
(Chakotay attacks him, and gets his weapon, but gets wounded by the other security officer
before he shoots them both and escapes.)
{Bridge]
(Voyager is taking damage.) KIM: I
can't penetrate their shields.
EMH: Maybe we don't have to. The battle of Vorkado, it's in my tactical
database. A Romulan captain disabled two attacking vessels by creating
a photonic shock wave between the ships.
KIM: How'd he do that?
EMH: Watch and learn. (A photon torpedo is fired between the two attacking ships, then detonated by phaser fire. The shockwave hits the ships hard.) EMH: I don't think they'll be bothering us again.
KIM: Good work. Let's go back for Chakotay.
EMH: Five more ships on an intercept course.
KIM: What's your tactical database telling you now?
EMH: Transporters are damaged, shields are failing. We have to retreat,
come up with a new plan.
KIM: Agreed.
[Bar]
(Chakotay enters, holding his left shoulder. He sits at a quiet table to check the damage.) JANEWAY:
Listen, I'm sorry about my friend.
CHAKOTAY: Excuse me?
JANEWAY: Jaffen. He wasn't very nice when I invited you to join us. Are
you all right?
CHAKOTAY: I'm just a little tired. First day on a new job.
JANEWAY: I know how that can be. Well, I just wanted to let you know
you're more than welcome to sit with us.
CHAKOTAY: Actually, I was thinking about going home.
JANEWAY: Well, if you change your mind, we're celebrating.
CHAKOTAY: What's the occasion?
JANEWAY: I've decided to move in with Jaffen.
CHAKOTAY: Congratulations.
YERID: (to security guard) Look among the patrons. (to Paris) Yerid,
criminal investigations.
PARIS: We run an honest business.
YERID: I'm looking for two people who disappeared after leaving here
earlier this evening. One was a young pregnant woman.
PARIS: B'Elanna?
YERID: You know her?
PARIS: I knew I should have walked her to the transport.
YERID: Why, did you think someone might try to hurt her?
PARIS: This city is supposed to be safe!
YERID: The person with her was described as short, with mottled skin,
facial hair.
PARIS: Sounds like someone who was in here earlier. A worker from the
plant.
YERID: Do you know his name?
PARIS: Neelix, I think.
YERID: Did you see him talking to anyone else while he was here?
PARIS: He had a friend, Amal something.
YERID: Can you describe him?
PARIS: I don't have to, he's sitting right over (But the chair is now empty.)
ECH
log, stardate 54622.4. I've found an ingenious place to hide while we
make repairs. A moon with a para-magnetic core that masks our energy
signature. I've turned my attention to Lieutenant Torres, whose
treatment will also require ingenuity.
[Sickbay]
EMH: The
scan on the left was performed during B'Elanna's last physical. The one
on the right, just a few minutes ago. The memory centres of her brain
have been radically altered.
NEELIX: People from our crew seemed to remember parts of their real
lives, but they got a lot of the details wrong. Tom knew his name, that
he was from Earth, but he said space travel made him sick.
EMH: Whoever did this is very sophisticated, capable of selectively
manipulating memory engrams. Some have been suppressed, some altered,
others left intact.
NEELIX: Can you undo the damage?
EMH: I believe so, but it'll take some time.
NEELIX: I wish I could help.
EMH: Maybe you can. She'll require several treatments. In between, you
could expose her to familiar sights and surroundings.
NEELIX: Say no more. I'll take her on a whirlwind tour of her own life.
EMH: Don't rush things. This is going to be very traumatic for her.
[Quarren
Medical Facility]
(Tuvok is strapped to a bed.) RAVOC:
Acute anxiety, depression. When I interviewed him he insisted that he's
not who he's supposed to be, that we've
stolen his katra, whatever that is.
KADAN: Conclusions?
RAVOC: Tri-lobe regression complex? Polar-affective disorder?
KADAN: Neuro-psychiatry isn't a guessing game, Doctor Ravoc.
RAVOC: Dysphoria syndrome.
KADAN: You have been studying my research.
RAVOC: According to your work, the condition is very rare.
KADAN: It is. I've treated this man before. Apparently, he has suffered
a relapse. Recommended treatment?
RAVOC: Engrammatic resequencing is typically indicated.
KADAN: You seem sceptical.
RAVOC: Resequencing is a radical procedure.
KADAN: If he had a malignant tumour, would you be afraid to cut it out?
RAVOC: No.
KADAN: This syndrome is just as insidious. It requires aggressive
treatment. Get started. (Radan leaves.)
TUVOK: Please. Help me.
RAVOC: That's what we're here to do.
[Supervisor's
office]
(Seven's mind meld is giving her flashbacks.) SEVEN: I
want to know the status of employee eight five eight three.
SUPERVISOR: Maybe it's different where you come from, but here it's
polite to say good morning.
SEVEN: Good morning.
SUPERVISOR: Eight five eight three. The man who was removed by security
yesterday. He's been hospitalised.
SEVEN: Is there any reason to believe that his condition might be
contagious? He came in contact with other workers. Some of them have
expressed concern.
SUPERVISOR: Well, tell them not worry.
YERID: Excuse me, am I intruding?
SUPERVISOR: What can we do for you?
YERID: I'm investigating the disappearance of two of your employees.
SUPERVISOR: Who?
YERID: Their names are Neelix and Torres.
SEVEN: Both of them failed to report for work today.
YERID What about this man?
SEVEN: Employee nine three six three. He didn't report for his shift
either. (That is Chakotay.)
YERID: I'd like to see his personnel file, and I'll need to interview
anyone who may know where he is.
SEVEN: Why are you looking for him?
YERID: I believe he's responsible for the disappearance of the other
two.
[Jaffen's
apartment]
(Janeway is unpacking.) JAFFEN:
You've only been here three weeks. Where did you get all these things?
JANEWAY: I'm a collector.
JAFFEN: You collect spent plasma relays?
JANEWAY: I like to think of it as a decorative object. (She puts it with his vase on a sideboard.) JANEWAY: You know, I
think this would look better over there.
JAFFEN: You're not going to start telling me how to dress, are you?
Where are you going?
JANEWAY: To get the rest of my things.
JAFFEN: There's more?
[Janeway's
apartment]
(Janeway discovers a bloodied cloth.) JANEWAY:
Lights. (Chakotay
is sitting against the wall, with the security man's weapon pointed at
her. He gets up and closes the door, then turns the lights out again.) JANEWAY: What do you want?
CHAKOTAY: You told me you were moving out. I needed a place to hide.
JANEWAY: Jaffen knows where I am. He'll come looking for me.
CHAKOTAY: I'm hoping you won't tell him I'm here.
JANEWAY: They say you had something to do with the disappearance of a
woman at the plant.
CHAKOTAY: I did. Her name's B'Elanna. She was brought to this planet
against her will. Something was done to her so she'd forget her real
life.
JANEWAY: And what, you helped her get home?
CHAKOTAY: That's right. There are other people in this city who I'm
also trying to help. I'm not here to hurt anyone. You have to trust me.
JANEWAY: You're pointing a weapon at me. (He puts it down.)
CHAKOTAY: Go ahead, report me. But if you do, a lot of innocent people
are going to suffer. All I'm asking for is a place to stay until my
friends come back for me.
JANEWAY: We're going to have to do something about that arm.
[Torres-Paris' quarters]
(Torres looks at a photograph of herself and Paris.) TORRES:
The waiter from the tavern?
NEELIX: Lieutenant Tom Paris, our pilot, and B'Elanna Torres, our Chief
Engineer. That picture was taken on your honeymoon.
TORRES: It isn't possible.
NEELIX: How else would we have it? It's an antique television. You gave
it to Tom as a present.
TORRES: He watches cartoons.
NEELIX: Yes.
TORRES: How do I know that?
NEELIX: Because you're starting to remember. (She kneels by the cot with the starship mobile above it.)
TORRES: I wondered why he was so protective of me.
NEELIX: I'll be outside if you need me.
[Power
Distribution Plant]
(Janeway is stealing a medical instrument.)
SEVEN: Your shift ended three hours ago.
JANEWAY: My friend Jaffen. Employee one three two six. He cut himself.
SEVEN: Removing property from these premises is not permitted.
JANEWAY: I know, but he's just too stubborn to go to the hospital. I
promise I'll have it back first thing in the morning. (Seven sees the supervisor leave his office.)
SEVEN: Be sure that you do.
[Supervisor's
office]
SEVEN:
Display the personnel file for employee eight five eight three.
COMPUTER: Access restricted. Security clearance verified.
SEVEN: Display all medical and historical data for this employee's
species.
COMPUTER: Data unavailable.
SEVEN: List all files accessed by this employee since he's been here.
COMPUTER: Personnel files. Employee eight five eight two. Nozowo,
Kashimuro. Employee eight five eight four. Janeway, Kathryn. Employee
eight five eight five.
McKenzie, William. Employee eight five eight six. Hansen, Annika.
Employee eight five eight seven. Anderson, Lydia. Employee eight five
eight eight, Torres, B'Elanna. Employee
[Janeway's
apartment]
(Janeway is using the instrument to tend Chakotay's wound.) JANEWAY:
You need a doctor.
CHAKOTAY: That'll have to wait till I'm back on Voyager.
JANEWAY: Voyager?
CHAKOTAY: My ship.
JANEWAY: You live onboard?
CHAKOTAY: For almost seven years.
JANEWAY: Don't you ever want to stay in one place?
CHAKOTAY: You seem happy here.
JANEWAY: I've got a good job.
CHAKOTAY: Ever consider doing something more challenging?
JANEWAY: My job's challenging enough.
CHAKOTAY: You monitor reactor coils, right? You're obviously a very
capable woman. You could probably run that power plant.
JANEWAY: Why would I want all that responsibility? (Chakotay's sub-dermal communicator chirps three times.)
JANEWAY: What's that?
CHAKOTAY: My people are trying to contact me. Chakotay here.
KIM [OC]: Are you okay, Commander?
CHAKOTAY: For the time being. Can you get me out of here?
KIM [OC] No, sir.
[Bridge]
KIM:
We're eight light years away.
CHAKOTAY [OC]: How are you transmitting this signal that far?
EMH: We're using a triaxialating frequency on a covariant
[Janeway's
apartment]
EMH
[OC]: Subspace band. It was B'Elanna's idea.
CHAKOTAY: I take it she's feeling better.
EMH [OC]: She's responded well to treatment.
KIM [OC]: Have you located anyone else from the crew?
CHAKOTAY: As a matter of fact, I'm sitting with Captain Janeway right
now.
KIM [OC]: How is she?
CHAKOTAY: A little suspicious, just like B'Elanna was at first. How
soon can you get back into transporter range?
KIM [OC]: We need
[Bridge]
KIM: A
couple more days to finish repairs. What about the shield grid?
CHAKOTAY [OC]: I have an idea how to shut it down.
[Janeway's
apartment]
CHAKOTAY:
Until I get back to you, let's maintain comm. silence, just in case
we're being monitored.
KIM [OC]: Understood. Good luck, Commander.
JANEWAY: Why did you call me captain?
CHAKOTAY: Because that's who you are.
JANEWAY: That's absurd. So what are you saying, that I was brought here
by force too? That my memories were manipulated?
CHAKOTAY: I know it sounds strange.
JANEWAY: Helping you was a mistake.
CHAKOTAY: Listen to me. There are more then a hundred members of
Voyager's crew working at that power plant. Your crew. And when our
ship gets here I'll be able to prove it to you. Look, I don't want to
force you to do anything you don't want to, but don't you at least want
to know the truth? Let me prove who I am. Hand me that dermal
regenerator. (He waves it in front of his face. The bony ridges vanish and the tattoo reappears.)
JANEWAY: We're the same race.
CHAKOTAY: We're more than that. We're friends.
[Jaffen's
apartment]
JAFFEN:
Am I hearing you correctly? You're actually helping this man? He
abducted one of the workers.
JANEWAY: She's a member of his crew.
JAFFEN: Right, and you're the captain. Don't you see? He's trying to
convince you that you'll have a better life if you go with him. Do you
want to go with him?
JANEWAY: No.
JAFFEN: Then why are you risking everything we have?
[Janeway's
apartment]
(Chakotay is pacing when the door opens.) CHAKOTAY:
I was starting to think (But it is Yerid with two security guards.)
YERID: Stay where you are. (Chakotay makes a grab for his gun, but gets
shot in the stomach.)
[Hospital]
(Chakotay is shown pictures of Torres and Neelix.) CHAKOTAY: I don't know them.
YERID: I think you do, and I think you were involved in their
disappearance.
CHAKOTAY: I'm not the man you're looking for.
YERID: Yes, the witness' description doesn't fit you exactly, but I'm
sure that'll be explained once the doctor here finds evidence of dermal
regeneration. What is it? (The lady's scan has revealed something else.)
SURGEON: Some kind of communications device implanted under his skin.
YERID: Remove it.
CHAKOTAY: Listen to me. You and I have something in common.
YERID: Oh?
CHAKOTAY: We're both investigating disappearances. If you answer my
questions, I'll answer yours.
SECURITY: I have an order to transfer this patient to Division six.
YERID: Division six?
SURGEON: Neuropathology?
SECURITY: We believe that he's mentally ill.
CHAKOTAY: He's lying. How could they know that? They've never examined
me.
YERID: I'll come with you.
SECURITY: I'm sorry, sir, but my orders are to bring him for immediate
treatment.
YERID: This man is a suspect in a serious crime. I'm not letting him
out of my sight.
SECURITY: If you check that order, you'll see it's been approved by the
Director of Investigations. (Chakotay is wheeled away strapped to a gurney.)
CHAKOTAY: My real
name is Chakotay. I'm an officer aboard the Federation starship
Voyager. Members of my crew were abducted and their memories were
altered, and they were put to work here. I can give you names,
descriptions. Listen to me!
[Mess
hall]
TORRES:
Smells good.
NEELIX: Pancakes with maple syrup are your favourite breakfast. You
know, sometimes food is like time travel. You inhale an aroma, take a
bite of something and suddenly, bam! You're back at the moment you
first tasted it.
TORRES: They're good. I'm not experiencing time travel.
NEELIX: What are you reading?
TORRES: Personal logs.
NEELIX: Do you remember recording any of them?
TORRES: They're not mine. They're Tom's.
NEELIX: Those are supposed to be private.
TORRES: Well, he is my husband.
NEELIX: What do they say?
TORRES: They're private. But the way he describes me.
NEELIX: He loves you.
TORRES: I guess so.
NEELIX: How do you feel?
TORRES: It's still a little foggy.
NEELIX: That fog should lift as soon as the Doctor finishes your
treatments.
TORRES: Yeah, but what about the guy who recorded these logs?
[Ready
room]
(The EMH is seated behind the captain's desk.) EMH:
I've been analysing our scans of the Quarren patrol ships that attacked
us, and I think I've devised a way of evading their sensors.
KIM: You do have a knack for tactical planning.
EMH: That's something I've been meaning to discuss with you. Once we've
succeeded in this mission, and I'm certain we will, I'd like you to
help me programme a new medical hologram.
KIM: You don't like the idea of going back to your old job now that
you've had a taste of command.
EMH: I'm a skilled officer.
KIM: No offence, Doc, but that skill was programmed into you.
EMH: Yes.
KIM: I'm sure once you're back to your old self, you'll be happy being a
full-time doctor again. Commander Chakotay's hailing us. We're
receiving you, sir. Go ahead.
CHAKOTAY [OC]: I'm having trouble with my transceiver. This may be to
last chance we have to talk.
KIM: What's your status?
[Quarren
Medical Facility]
(Chakotay is in the brainwashing helmet.) CHAKOTAY: I'm almost ready to shut down the shield
grid. I'm sending you encrypted instructions. They'll tell you where
and when to enter orbit.
KIM [OC]: We have it, Commander.
CHAKOTAY: Chakotay out. (The device is removed.)
KADAN: Well, now you that you know where to find Voyager
COYOTE: I'll have three ships with me. They won't escape again.
SUPERVISOR: If you'd done your job the first time, we wouldn't have a
problem now. (Coyote leaves)
KADAN: Don't you have patients to attend to?
RAVOC: Yes, sir. I've been thinking. This is the second person we've
admitted with dysphoria syndrome in two days and they both work at the
power plant. Maybe we should issue a health alert, examine the rest of
the workers.
KADAN: Do you think I'm incompetent?
RAVOC: Sir?
KADAN: This man is in charge of personnel at the power facility. I've
informed him of the situation.
SUPERVISOR: We're already taking steps to ensure the safety of all our
employees.
RAVOC: I'm sorry to have bothered you.
KADAN: No need to apologise, Doctor. Your concern for your patients is
admirable. But don't worry. This man is already responding to
treatment. I expect a full recovery.
[Bar]
YERID:
Why would this Tuvok be collecting information about his co-workers?
SEVEN: I don't know. But the name on one of those files is B'Elanna
Torres. They both began working at the plant on the same day along with
one hundred thirty six others, including myself.
YERID: What's unusual about that?
SEVEN: More than a hundred skilled employees, most of them the same
species, acquired in a single day, during a labour shortage. You'll also
note that every one of them was processed with the Central Hospital
when they arrived.
YERID: It's routine for new workers to be examined.
SEVEN: Yes, by Quarantine Control. but everyone on this list all of
them were processed through Division six.
YERID: You came through Neuropathology?
SEVEN: That's what the records indicate, but I don't remember being
there.
YERID: What do you expect me to do?
SEVEN: You can start by interviewing Mister Tuvok. You'll find him at
the hospital.
YERID: Why is he there?
SEVEN: He became emotionally unstable.
YERID: Even if I wanted to help you, I couldn't.
SEVEN: Why not?
YERID: The Director of Investigations relieved me of duty this morning.
PARIS: Yerid? I thought that was you. Have you found out anything about
B'Elanna?
SEVEN: He can't assist you. He's been relieved of duty.
PARIS: Oh.
SEVEN: This man's also in Tuvok's file.
PARIS: What file?
SEVEN: Why don't you tell him?
PARIS: Tell me what?
YERID: I can't go back to the hospital and start asking questions. I'd
be reported.
SEVEN: Maybe I can help.
[Ravoc's
consulting room]
SEVEN:
Recently, I've been
RAVOC: I'm a doctor. You can trust me.
SEVEN: I've been experiencing some disturbing thoughts. I don't believe
it's anything serious, but I would like to speak with someone.
RAVOC: Well, you've come to the right place.
SEVEN: Guest labour code green. Employee eight five eight six.
RAVOC: Hansen, Annika. You've been a patient here before.
SEVEN: Yes, when I first arrived.
RAVOC: You were treated for dysphoria syndrome.
SEVEN: I don't recall that.
RAVOC: These disturbing thoughts you mentioned. Would you characterise
them as hallucinations?
SEVEN: What's the cause of this syndrome?
RAVOC: We're conducting studies to determine that. Fortunately, we have
one of the foremost experts on the condition working here.
SEVEN: I'd like to speak with this expert.
RAVOC: Doctor Kadan's very busy.
SEVEN: So am I. Perhaps I should return when he's free.
RAVOC: Wait here. I'll find him.
(Ravoc leaves. Seven promptly hacks into his computer.)
[Jaffen's
apartment]
JAFFEN:
Yes?
YERID: My name is Yerid. I'm from Criminal Investigations.
JAFFEN: how can I help you?
YERID: Kathryn Janeway?
JANEWAY: Yes?
YERID: Do you know this man? (Yeridl shows her a picture of Chakotay.)
JANEWAY: No.
YERID: I thought maybe you'd met him.
JANEWAY: Why?
YERID: He was found in your former living quarters in possession of a
dermal regenerator that you removed from the plant.
JAFFEN: I was the one who helped him.
JANEWAY: Jaffen. He said he was from a starship, and that members of
his crew had been abducted.
JAFFEN: He was obviously lying.
YERID: I want to know everything he told you.
[Ravoc's
consulting room]
KADAN:
How could she just walk out?
RAVOC: She was a voluntary patient. There was no reason for security to
stop her. She accessed sixty four restricted files, all of them for
people diagnosed with dysphoria syndrome. According to the records,
those patients were all admitted on the same day, and you're listed as
the attending physician in every case.
KADAN: Oh, yes, I remember. Quite, quite an outbreak.
RAVOC: You've never mentioned it.
KADAN: Well, I'm sorry if I haven't kept you properly informed about my
patients.
RAVOC: Everyone of them was discharged to the main Power Authority.
That supervisor you were talking to, that's where he worked.
KADAN: I explained that to you. I was informing him about a potential
health threat.
RAVOC: That plant worker, Amal Kotay. He claimed that his friends had
been abducted and put to work after having their memories altered.
KADAN: What are you implying?
RAVOC: You're making false diagnoses. Selectively changing what people
remember, and then sending them to work at the power plant.
KADAN: Very good, Doctor.
RAVOC: Why?
KADAN: A physician with more experience would be able to see this in
the larger context. The true public health threat is the labour
shortage, and the only cure is to find more skilled workers.
RAVOC: We're doctors. We're not supposed to harm patients.
KADAN: We're helping them to lead productive, happy lives.
RAVOC: By altering their memories?
KADAN: The treatment I provide improves their lives and makes them
better workers. In turn, our economy benefits.
RAVOC: You're profiting from this, aren't you?
KADAN: Doesn't a physician deserve to be compensated for his services?
RAVOC: I'll report you.
KADAN: To whom? My research is funded by the Ministry of Health.
RAVOC: Well, Criminal Investigations, then.
KADAN: As you may recall, the Director of Investigations was the one
who ordered Amal Kotay be placed under my care.
RAVOC: Does everyone know about this?
KADAN: Not everyone. Just a few trusted associates. The question is,
are you going to be one of them?
[Bar]
(A security man is showing a picture of Seven to Paris.) SECURITY: She's considered dangerous.
PARIS: She's never been in here.
SECURITY: You're sure?
PARIS: I don't think I'd forget that face.
SECURITY: If you do see her, report it immediately. She needs to be
hospitalised. (The security men leave.)
PARIS: It's safe now. (Janeway, Seven, Yerid and Jaffen come out of a back room.)
SEVEN: Thank you.
PARIS: Well, if you really want to thank me, you can tell me what's
going on.
SEVEN: It appears this Chakotay was telling the truth.
JAFFEN: So every worker at the plant had their memories altered?
SEVEN: I don't believe it's every worker. Your name didn't appear in
Doctor Kadan's patient files, But mine did. So did yours.
PARIS: We should report this to the authorities.
YERID: I'll need more evidence before I start making accusations.
JANEWAY: Chakotay said he had proof of my real identity aboard a ship
called Voyager.
SEVEN: How can we locate it?
JANEWAY: When his crew contacted him, they were using a triaxialating
frequency on a covariant subspace band.
SEVEN: There's a subspace transponder at the power plant.
JANEWAY: I'm going back to the plant to try to contact this ship. I
understand if you don't want to be involved.
JAFFEN: I've been involved from the moment I met you.
SEVEN: If I were to return to the hospital in your custody, it would
give us an opportunity to help Chakotay and Tuvok.
[Quarren
Medical Facility]
(Seven is lying on a bed.) YERID: I
had to sedate her. She wouldn't come voluntarily.
KADAN: Her condition's obviously worsened. I'll treat her.
YERID: There are some other patients I'd like to interview. (Yerid shows Kadan a list.)
KADAN: These people can't be disturbed. (Yerid pulls a gun. Kadan tries to move away but Seven grabs his wrist.)
SEVEN: I suggest you comply.
[Power
Distribution Plant]
JAFFEN:
Be careful. (He stands guard while Janeway uses the subspace
communications.)
[Bridge]
NEELIX:
We're being hailed.
EMH: On screen.
JANEWAY [on viewscreen]: Starship Voyager
KIM: Captain?
JANEWAY [on viewscreen]: Why don't you just call me Kathryn?
KIM: Yes, ma'am. Where's Commander Chakotay?
JANEWAY [on viewscreen]: Hospitalised.
[Power
Distribution Plant]
JANEWAY:
He told me you had proof of who some of us really are.
TORRES [on screen]: We do.
JANEWAY: You're the woman who was abducted.
TORRES [on screen]: Chakotay was supposed to deactivate the shield grid
so we could transport you and the others to safety. If you could find a
way to shut down main power, the shield grid will go down too.
KIM [on screen]: Will you help us?
[Bridge]
EMH:
We're under attack. Three ships.
[Power
Distribution Plant]
KIM [on
screen]: Please, shut down the shield.
(The transmission ends. An alarm is sounding. Jaffen is not standing guard any more.)
JANEWAY: Jaffen?
SUPERVISOR: Stop! (Janeway is trapped on a walkway by two guards.) SUPERVISOR: Don't move!
(Janeway jumps down from walkway.)
SECURITY: Stay where you are. (He gets sedated by Jaffen, who takes
his gun and shoots at the others. Janeway and Jaffen hide behind a console.)
JAFFEN: I hope you didn't think I abandoned you.
JANEWAY: Never occurred to me. We need to shut down the main
generators.
[Bridge]
KIM: So
much for evading their sensors.
EMH: The only way they could've found us is if they knew exactly where
to look.
TORRES: Transporters are offline.
[Power
Distribution Plant]
WOMAN:
Evacuate.
MAN: I'm getting it shut down.
JAFFEN: We'll never get to the generator controls.
JANEWAY: Maybe we don't have to.
JAFFEN: What are you doing?
JANEWAY: If I can make the computer think the core is going to
overload, the main power should automatically shut down.
[Quarren
Medical Facility]
(Kadan brings Yerid and Seven to where Chakotay and others are being brainwashed.) YERID:
Ask them to give us some privacy.
KADAN: You're dismissed.
YERID: Disconnect them.
SEVEN: Doctor Ravoc. Why is this man
here?
KADAN: Dysphoria syndrome.
[Bridge]
NEELIX:
We're losing shields.
KIM: Any advice from your tactical database?
EMH: Nothing relevant.
KIM: How many escape pods do we have left?
TORRES: Five.
KIM: Stand by to eject three of them.
EMH: I don't think abandoning ship is the answer.
KIM: Neither do I. Can you create a dampening field around the briefing
room that'll mask our lifesigns?
EMH: I believe so. Why?
KIM: Watch and learn. (Coyote tractors the escape pods.)
COYOTE [on viewscreen]: Your crew's abandoned you again. I suggest you
surrender your vessel.
EMH: You should realise by now that I'm not programmed to do that. (The
escape pods explode, disabling the attackers. The organics come out of the briefing room.)
EMH: Bravo, Ensign.
KIM: B'Elanna, I need those transporters.
[Power
Distribution Plant]
JAFFEN:
You'd better hurry up.
JANEWAY: Come on, do it.
COMPUTER: Warning. Core overload detected. Initiating emergency
shutdown.
(The whole city plunges into darkness.)
[Bridge]
NEELIX:
The shield grid's failing.
KIM: B'Elanna?
TORRES: Transporters are coming online now. (Seven is beamed away, then Chakotay and Tuvok. Janeway is taken from Jaffen's side.)
ECH
log, supplemental. All the crew have been transported back to Voyager.
Thanks to my experience with Lieutenant Torres, their treatment is
proceeding rapidly. While they're recovering I still have a few command
duties left to perform.
[Briefing
room]
AMBASSADOR:
If it weren't for your efforts, this whole conspiracy might never have
been uncovered.
KIM: What'll happen to the workers?
YERID: Well, we've identified several thousand of Doctor Kadan's
patients. Once they're treated, they'll be repatriated.
EMH: We appreciate everything you've done.
NEELIX: This way.
[Torres-Paris's
quarters]
(Paris is watching old cartoons on the TV set, and eating popcorn. Torres kisses him on the cheek.)
PARIS: What's that for?
TORRES: For taking care of me, even when you didn't know who I was.
(Then she punches his arm.)
PARIS: Ow! What was that for?
TORRES: Flirting with your customers.
PARIS: I was a victim of mind control.
[Ready
room]
JAFFEN:
I can see why you'd rather live here.
JANEWAY: I'd offer you a position. I could always use another skilled
Engineer. But as the captain, it wouldn't really be appropriate for me
to
JAFFEN: Fraternise with a member of your crew. Well, at least my
memories weren't tampered with. According to the medical reports, I
really did come to Quarra looking for a better life. And now that I've
been promoted, I guess I've succeeded.
JANEWAY: Promotion?
JAFFEN: They had to replace our shift supervisor. Something about
acquiring workers illegally.
JANEWAY: Congratulations. You deserve it.
JAFFEN: I thought you might like these back, to remind you of our time
together.
JANEWAY: I won't need souvenirs to remember you. (They embrace.)
[Bridge]
KIM:
Captain on the bridge. (Janeway takes her seat.)
CHAKOTAY: Ready to go?
JANEWAY: It may not have been real, Chakotay, but it felt like home. If
you hadn't come after me, I never would've known that I had another
life.
CHAKOTAY: Are you sorry I showed up?
JANEWAY: Not for a second. Resume course, Mister Paris.
PARIS: Aye, sir.
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