- Damage report. - Shields at 60%.
A fuel line has ruptured. Compensating.
Damn! We're barely maintaining impulse. I can't get any more out of it.
- Be creative! - With a 39-year-old rebuilt engine?
Maquis ship, this is Gul Evek of the Cardassian Fourth Order.
Cut your engines and surrender or we will...
Initiating evasive pattern Omega. Mark.
Shields at 50%.
I need more power to reach the Badlands.
Take the weapons off-line. All power to the engines.
- I question that proposal. - What does it matter?
We're not denting their shields anyway.
- You wanted creative. - Tuvok, shut down phasers.
Give me 30 seconds at full impulse.
- I'll get us into the Badlands. - Phasers off-line.
Throw the last photons at them,
then give me the power from the torpedo system.
Acknowledged.
- Any plasma storms ahead? - One. Coordinates 171, mark 43.
- That's where I'm going. - Plasma storm density increasing.
- 14%...20%...25%. - Hold on!
- The Cardassian ship is following us in. - Gul Evek must feel daring today.
They've taken a hit on their port blade. They're sending out a distress signal.
- Can you plot a course? - The storm's activity is widespread.
I can plot a course, but only an indirect route.
We can use the time to make some repairs.
What was that?
We've just passed through a tetryon beam.
- Source? - Unknown.
There is a huge displacement wave moving toward us.
- Another storm? - It's not plasma.
It will intercept us in less than 30 seconds.
- Anything left in the engines, B'Elanna? - We'll find out.
- Still exceeding our speed. - Maximum power.
Wave still accelerating. It will intercept us in... 8 seconds.
Five...
Tom Paris?
Kathryn Janeway. I served with your father.
I wonder if we could go somewhere and talk.
- About what? - About a job we'd like you to do for us.
I'm already doing a job... for the Federation.
I'm told the Rehab Commission is very pleased with you.
They've allowed me to discuss this with you.
Well then, I guess I'm yours.
Your father taught me a lot.
I was his science officer during the Arias expedition.
You must be good. My father only accepts the best and the brightest.
My mission is to find a Maquis ship that disappeared in the Badlands last week.
- I wouldn't if I were you. - Really?
No Federation ship could manoeuvre through the plasma storms.
You've never seen Voyager.
We'd like you to come along.
You'd like me to lead you to my former colleagues.
I was only with the Maquis a few weeks before I was caught.
I don't know their hiding places.
You know the territory better than anyone we've got.
What's so important about this Maquis ship?
My chief of security was on board, undercover.
He was supposed to report in twice during the last six days. He didn't.
Maybe it's just him who's disappeared.
Maybe.
That ship was commanded by another
former Starfleet officer, Chakotay.
I understand you knew him.
That's right.
The two of you didn't get along, I'm told.
Chakotay will tell you he left Starfleet on principle,
to defend his home from the Cardassians.
I, on the other hand, was forced to resign.
He considered me a mercenary, fighting to pay my bar bills.
Trouble is, he was right.
I have no problem helping you track down my friends in the Maquis.
All I need to know is what's in it for me.
You help us find that ship, we help you at your next outmeet review.
Officially, you'd be a Starfleet observer.
Observer?
Hell, I'm the best pilot you could have.
You'll be an observer. When it's over, you're cut loose.
The story of my life.
Stadi, you're changing my mind about Betazoids.
- Good. - That wasn't a compliment.
Until today, I always considered your people warm and sensual.
- I can be warm and sensual. - Just not to me.
Do you always fly at women at warp speed, Mr Paris?
Only when they're in visual range.
That's our ship. That's Voyager.
Intrepid class. Sustainable cruise velocity of warp factor 9.975.
Fifteen decks. Crew complement of 141.
- Bio-neural circuitry. - Bio-neural?
Some of the circuitry has been replaced by gel packs of bio-neural cells.
They organise information better, speed up response time.
If I may say so, it's been my special pleasure
to see many new officers like yourself come through these portals.
Your parents must be very proud.
- You know, on an occasion like this... - I'm not interested.
- Interested? - In buying anything.
I thought your parents might like a memento of your first mission.
And you happen to have several to choose from?
I do carry a select line of unique artefacts indigenous to this region.
Why, quite recently I acquired these Lobi crystals
from a strange creature called a Morn.
We were warned about the Ferengi at the Academy.
- Warned about Ferengi, were you? - That's right.
Slurs about my people at Starfleet Academy.
What I meant was...
I'm trying to be a cordial host,
knowing how a young officer's parents would appreciate a token of his love
on the eve of a dangerous mission. And what do I get for my trouble?
Scurrilous insults. Somebody's gonna hear about this.
- What's your name, son? - My name?
- You have one, I presume? - Harry Kim. But I...
And who warned you about Ferengi?
I think a memento for my parents is a great idea.
- Oh, no, no, no. - This would make a great pendant.
- Or cufflinks. - Cufflinks, great idea.
They're not for sale. Now, inform your commanding officer
the Federation Council can expect an official query...
How much for the entire tray?
- Cash or credit? - Dazzling, aren't they?
- As bright as a Koladan diamond. - Brighter.
You can find them on any planet in the system.
That's an exaggeration.
There's a shop at Volnar Colony
that sells a dozen for one Cardassian lek.
- How much are you selling these for? - We were about to negotiate the price.
Come on.
Thanks.
Didn't they warn you about Ferengi at the Academy?
Run a level-3 diagnostic, just to be sure.
- Can I help you? - Tom Paris, reporting on board.
- Oh, yes. The observer. - That's me.
As a matter of fact, I seem to be observing a problem right now... Doctor.
I was a surgeon at the hospital on Calkik Prime
while you were stationed there.
We never actually met.
Your medical records have arrived Mr Paris. Everything seems in order.
The Captain asked if you were on board. You should check in with her.
I haven't paid my respects to the Captain yet.
Well, Mr Kim, that would be a good thing for a new operations officer to do.
- What was that all about? - It's a long story, Harry.
I'm sure someone will tell you before long.
- The doctor called and I was right. - She's pregnant?
- The puppies are due in 7 weeks. - Mark, take her home with you.
- With me? I just got the rugs cleaned. - I can't leave her in a kennel while I'm...
Is this a "love me, love my dog" demand?
- Yes. - How could I ever refuse you?
When are you leaving?
As soon as I approve these system status reports.
All right. I won't bother you any more.
Hey...
You never bother me, except the way I love to be bothered.
- Understand? - I'll remember that.
See you in a few weeks. Oh, pick up the doggy bed, she'll be more comfy.
I already did... an hour ago.
Come in.
- Gentlemen, welcome aboard Voyager. - Thank you, sir.
Mr Kim... at ease before you sprain something.
Ensign, despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being called "sir".
I'm sorry... ma'am.
Ma'am is acceptable in a crunch, but I prefer "Captain”.
We're getting ready to leave. Let me show you to the bridge.
- Any problems getting here, Mr Paris? - None at all, Captain.
My first officer, Lieutenant Commander Cavit.
- Ensign Kim, Mr Paris. - Welcome aboard.
Ensign Kim, this is your station.
- Would you like to take over? - Yes, ma'am.
It's not crunch time yet, Mr Kim. I'll let you know when.
Lieutenant, lay in the course and clear our departure.
Course entered, ops has cleared us.
- Ready thrusters. - Thrusters ready.
- Initiate launching sequence. - Sequence underway.
Engage.
Tomato soup.
There are 14 varieties of tomato soup available;
With rice, with vegetables, Bolian style, with pasta, with...
- Plain. - Specify hot or chilled.
Hot. Hot, plain, tomato soup.
There, you see? I told you it wouldn't take long.
- Is it true? - Was the accident my fault? Yes.
Pilot error. But it took me a while to admit it.
They can't even get plain tomato soup right.
- They said you falsified reports. - That's right.
- Why? - What's the difference? I lied.
But then you came forward and you admitted that it was your fault?
I'll tell you the truth, Harry.
All I had to do was keep my mouth shut and I was home free.
But I couldn't. The ghosts of those three dead officers came to me
and taught me the true meaning of Christmas.
So I confessed.
Worst mistake I ever made but not my last.
After they threw me out of Starfleet,
I went out looking for a fight and found the Maquis.
And on my first assignment, I was caught.
It must have been especially tough for you, as the son of an admiral.
Frankly, I think it was tougher on my father than it was on me.
I know those guys told you to stay away from me. And you know what?
You ought to listen to them. I'm not exactly a good luck charm.
I don't need anyone to choose my friends for me.
- Janeway to Paris. - Go ahead.
Report to the bridge. We're approaching the Badlands.
Plasma storms measured at levels 3 and 4.
The Cardassians gave us their last known heading of the Maquis ship.
We have charts of plasma storm activity when they disappeared.
We might be able to approximate its course.
I'd guess they were heading for a planetoid in the Terikof Belt.
Beyond the Moriya system.
The storms would have forced them in this direction.
Adjust our course to match.
The Cardassians say the Maquis ship was destroyed in a plasma storm.
But we haven't picked up any debris.
A plasma storm might not leave any debris.
We'd still get a resonance trace from the warp core.
- A tetryon beam is scanning us. - Origin?
I'm not sure. There's a displacement wave heading for us.
On screen.
- Analysis. - It's a polarised magnetic variation.
We could disperse it with a graviton field.
Do it. Red Alert. Move us away from it, Lieutenant.
New heading, 41, mark 180.
Initiating graviton field.
- The graviton field had no effect. - Full impulse.
- The wave will hit us in 12 seconds. - Can we go to warp?
Not until we clear the plasma field.
- Five seconds. - Brace for impact.
Three...
Report!
Hull breach, deck 14. Trying to re-establish com lines to Engineering.
Repair crews, seal off hull breach on deck 14.
Casualty reports coming in. Sickbay is not responding.
Bridge to sickbay. Doctor, can you hear me?
- Paris, how's Stadi? - She's dead.
- There's something out there. - I need a better description than that.
I don't know. I'm... not sure what I'm reading.
- Can you get the view screen working? - I'm trying.
Captain, if these sensors are working,
we're over 70,000 light years from where we were.
We're on the other side of the galaxy.
I'm not reading any lifesigns on the Maquis ship.
- What about on that Array? - Our sensors can't penetrate it.
What are those pulses it's emitting?
Massive bursts of energy directed at a G-type star system.
Try hailing the Array.
Engineering to bridge. The chief's dead.
- Possible warp core breach. - Secure all systems. I'm on my way.
- No response. - Get down to sickbay.
- Mr Rollins, the bridge is yours. - Aye, Captain.
Harry, wait for me.
They must have been right next to the console when it exploded.
Warning. Warp core micro-fracture. Breach imminent.
- Warp core pressure? - 2,100 kilopascals.
Lock down the magnetic constrictors.
At this pressure, we might not be able to restart the dilithium reaction.
Warning. Warp core micro-fracture. Breach imminent.
We've no choice. We must reduce the reaction rate before we can seal it.
Computer, initiate Emergency Medical Holographic Program.
- Nature of emergency? - Multiple injuries.
- Status of doctor? - Dead.
- 0.4 cc trianoline. - Trianoline?
We lost our nurse too.
How soon are replacements expected?
That could be a problem. We're a long way from replacements right now.
Tricorder.
Medical tricorder.
A replacement must be requested.
I am only a short-term supplement to the medical team.
We may be stuck with you for a while, Doc.
There's no need for concern. I can treat any injury or disease.
No concussion, you'll be fine. Clean him up.
Unlock the magnetic constrictors.
- Constrictors on-line. - Pressure?
It's working. 2,500 kilopascals and holding.
Bridge to Janeway. We're being scanned by the Array.
- It's penetrated our shields. - What kind of scan?
Bridge? Janeway to Bridge, respond.
Initiate emergency lock-off.
You're not seriously hurt. You can return to your station.
This is the Emergency Holographic Doctor.
I gave no permission for anyone to be transported out of sickbay.
Hello? Sickbay to bridge.
I believe someone has failed to terminate my program. Please respond.
Come up here. Come on, now.
I have a pitcher of lemonade and some sugar cookies.
- Captain... - Don't believe your eyes.
We've only transported 100 kilometres.
We're inside the Array.
No indication of stable matter. This must be a holographic projection.
You poor things, you must be tired.
Sit down and rest awhile. Have a cold drink.
No, thank you.
I'm Kathryn Janeway, captain of the Voyager.
Make yourselves right at home. The neighbours will be here any minute.
Oh! Why, here they are!
- Good to see you. Welcome. - We're glad you dropped by.
Now we can get started. You're all invited to the welcoming bee!
Let's have some music!
The crew's scattered around this farm, but they're all accounted for.
Move around. Scan the area.
See if you can find anything that might be a holographic generator.
Have some nice fresh corn on the cob. Fresh corn on the cob.
Corn on the cob?
- Can you tell me why we're here? - We mean you no harm.
I'm sorry if we put you out.
Why don't you get comfortable while you wait?
- Wait for what? - Isn't anybody hungry?
Come on, make yourselves at home, I'm sorry if we put you out.
Hey, let me show you around. The root cellar's right over there.
- What's down there? - Potatoes, onions. But it's real private.
- Paris, she's only a hologram. - No reason to be rude.
What?
Sporocystian lifesigns.
- What's in the barn? - Nothing but a big pile of hay.
Let's go see the duck pond. There's nothing in there. It's just a barn.
Hey, do y'all want some devilled eggs?
See? Nothing but hay.
- There is a life-form here. Just one. - Where?
It's everywhere.
I'm also reading a matrix-processing device.
It may be the holographic generator.
Paris, humanoid lifesigns over here. A Vulcan and several humans.
I'm not ready for you yet!
Paris to Janeway...
Janeway here. Paris? Come on!
Very well. Since no one seems to care for any corn,
we'll have to proceed ahead of schedule.
Janeway to Bridge. Anybody there?
- Yes, we're here. - How long were we over there?
- Almost three days. - Three days?
Captain, the Maquis ship is powering up its engines.
Tractor them. All senior officers to the bridge.
Excuse me. Could you explain what has transpired?
- Computer, locate Kim. - Ensign Kim is not on board.
- Paris to Janeway. - Go ahead.
Kim didn't come with us. He must still be there.
- How many crewmen are missing? - One. Ensign Harry Kim.
Hail the Maquis.
Commander Chakotay. My name is Captain Kathryn Janeway.
- How do you know my name? - We were sent to find you.
We were brought here by the Array.
One of our crewmen is missing. Was he transported to you by accident?
No. A member of our crew is missing too.
- B'Elanna Torres, my engineer. - You and I have the same problem.
I think we should try and solve it together.
Three of us will transport to your ship.
They're powering down their engines, dropping their shields.
- Watch out, Captain. They're armed. - Put down your weapons.
You won't need those here.
It's good to have you back, Mr Tuvok.
I was assigned to infiltrate your crew.
I am Captain Janeway's chief of security.
Were you going to deliver us into their hands?
My mission was to accumulate information on Maquis activities,
and then deliver you into their hands, that is correct.
- I see you had help. - It's good to see you too, Chakotay.
At least the Vulcan was doing his duty as a Starfleet officer.
You betrayed us for what? Freedom from prison? Latinum?
- What was your price this time? - He's a member of my crew.
Treat him with the same respect as you'd have me treat a member of yours.
We have a lot to accomplish. I suggest we concentrate on finding our people
and getting ourselves back home.
Based on my initial reconnaissance,
I am convinced we are dealing with a single entity.
I suggest he scanned our computers
to select a comfortable holographic environment.
In effect, a waiting room to pacify us prior to a biometric assessment.
- An examination? - It is the most logical explanation.
- Why else release us unharmed? - Not all of us were.
Get the compression phaser rifles. Meet us in Transporter Room 2.
We're going back. We'll divide into teams.
Mr Tuvok, while Chakotay and I are looking for Torres and Kim,
you find out as much about this Array as you can.
It brought us here, we have to assume it can send us home.
Agreed?
Maintain Red Alert. Keep us on constant transporter locks.
Captain...
- I'd like to go with you. - If this is to do with Chakotay...
I'd just...
I'd hate to see anything happen to Harry.
Come on.
No humanoid life-forms indicated.
Kim and Torres are not within tricorder range.
- They may not be on the Array. - He can tell us.
Maintain com-link. I don't want to lose anyone else.
Why have you come back? You don't have what I need.
I don't care what you need.
I just want our people back and us all sent home.
Well, now, aren't you contentious for a minor bipedal species.
This minor species doesn't like being abducted.
- It was necessary. - Where are our people?
- Gone. - What have you done to them?
You don't have what I need. They might.
- You'll have to leave them. - We won't.
We are their commanding officers, they are our responsibility,
a concept you may not understand.
Oh, no, I do understand.
But I have no choice.
- There just is not enough time left. - Left for what?
I must honour a debt that can never be repaid.
But my search has not been going well.
Tell us what you're looking for. Maybe we can help you.
You?
I've searched the galaxy using advanced methods.
No, there's nothing you can do.
You've taken us 70,000 light years from our home.
We have no other way back and we won't leave without the others.
But sending you back is terribly complicated, don't you understand?
I don't have time. Not enough time!
- He's regaining consciousness. - How do you feel?
What am I doing here? Where am I?
Please don't move. You are very ill.
Ill? No, no. There's some mistake. I'm not...
No!
Captain's log, stardate 48315.6.
We've traced the energy pulses to the fifth planet of the next system,
and believe they may have been used to transport Kim and Torres there.
Come in.
I've observed something peculiar about the pulses.
They are getting faster.
Faster.
The interval between pulses has fallen by 0.47 seconds since we arrived.
- I can offer no explanation. - That's only one of the mysteries.
Take a look at this.
It's virtually a desert. Not one ocean, not one river.
It has all the basic characteristics of an M-Class planet except...
there are no nucleogenic particles in the atmosphere.
So the planet cannot produce rain.
I've studied thousands of such planets, none were without nucleogenics.
There must have been an extraordinary environmental disaster.
As soon as repairs are complete...
we'll set a course for the fifth planet.
Captain, you require sleep.
Kim's mother called me just after he left her.
Delightful woman. It's her only son. He'd left his clarinet behind.
She wanted to know if she had time to send it.
I had to tell her no.
Did you know he was in the Julliard Youth Symphony?
I did not have the opportunity to meet Mr Kim.
I barely knew him.
I never seem to have the chance to get to know any of them.
I have to...
I have to take more time to do that.
It's a fine crew and I've got to get them home.
The crew will not benefit from an exhausted captain.
You're right as usual.
I've missed your counsel.
I am gratified that you came after me so I can offer it once again.
- I spoke to your family before I left. - Are they well?
Well. But worried about you.
That would not be an accurate perception.
- Vulcans do not worry. - They... miss you.
As I do them.
I'll get you back to them. That's a promise, Tuvok.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We have encountered a debris field. Sensors have detected a small vessel.
One humanoid life-form is on board.
Hail them.
Whoever you are, I found this waste zone first.
We're not interested in this debris, Mr...
Neelix.
And since you're not interested in my debris... I'm delighted to know you.
Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager.
A very impressive title.
I have no idea what it means, but it sounds very impressive.
Do you know this area of space well?
I am famous for knowing it well. How may I be of service?
Do you know about the Array sending energy pulses to the fifth planet?
I know enough to stay as far away from it as possible.
Wait. Let me guess.
You were whisked away from somewhere else in the galaxy,
and brought here against your will.
Sounds like you've heard this story before.
Sadly, yes. Thousands of times.
Well, hundreds of times. Maybe fifty times.
The Caretaker has been bringing ships here for months now.
- The Caretaker? - That's what the Ocampa call him.
They live on the fifth planet. Did he kidnap members of your crew?
- As a matter of fact, he did. - It's not the first time.
Do you know where he might have taken them?
Just that they're brought to the Ocampa. Nothing more.
We'd appreciate your help in finding these Ocampa.
I really wish that I could help you.
But as you can see, there's so much debris for me to investigate today.
You'd be surprised, the things of value some people abandon.
Of course, we'd want to compensate you for your trouble.
There's really very little that you could offer me.
Unless...
- Yes? - Unless of course, you had...
...water.
If you help us find our missing crew members,
you can have all the water you want.
That sounds like a very reasonable arrangement.
Good. We'll beam you over and tow your ship in.
Mr Tuvok, go to Transporter Room 2 and meet our guest.
Beam?
We have a technology which can take you instantly from your ship to ours.
It's quite harmless. May we?
Energise.
Astonishing!
You Federations are obviously an advanced culture.
The Federation is made up of many cultures.
- I am Vulcan. - Neelix.
Good to meet you!
Interesting...
What...
What exactly...
What exactly does all this do?
I assure you everything in this room has a specific function.
However, it would take hours to explain it all.
I suggest we proceed to your quarters.
- Perhaps you would care for a bath? - A what?
- It's OK. - Who are you?
My name is Harry Kim. I'm from the Starship Voyager.
I was kidnapped from the Array too. I don't know where we are.
- What was Starfleet doing there? - Looking for you, actually.
- One minute, we're in the Badlands... - You were trying to capture us.
Consider yourself captured. I have a phaser somewhere.
I don't find this at all amusing.
There's no point. It's locked.
- Hey! What's that gonna accomplish? - What are these things growing on us?
Do you want them to sedate you again?
You're right, Starfleet.
It's the Klingon half of me. It's hard to control it sometimes.
What's your name, Maquis?
B'Elanna.
B'Elanna Torres.
I hope you're feeling better. I know how frightening all this must be.
I've brought some clothes.
- Why are you holding us here? - You are not prisoners.
In fact, we consider you honoured guests.
The Caretaker sent you.
If you're peaceful, you may leave your quarters.
What's wrong with us? What are these things?
We really don't know.
You must be hungry.
Would you care to join me on the courtyard for a meal?
Our food dispensers are right this way.
We're underground.
Our society is subterranean. We've lived here for over 500 generations.
But before that, you lived on the surface?
- Until the Warming began. - The Warming?
When our surface turned into a desert and the Caretaker came to protect us.
Our ancient texts say he opened a deep chasm in the ground
and led our ancestors to this place.
Since then, he has provided for all our needs.
Forgive them, they know you're from the Caretaker.
None of us has ever seen him.
This way, please.
- Does the Caretaker provide food too? - In fact, he does.
He built this entire city for us after the Warming.
The food processors dispense
nutritional supplements every 4.1 intervals.
It may not offer the exotic tastes some of our younger people crave,
but it meets our needs.
Is this how the Caretaker communicates?
He never communicates directly.
We try to interpret his wishes as best we can.
I'm curious to know how you interpret his reason for sending us here.
He separated you from your species for their protection.
- Their protection? - From your illness.
- Perhaps he's preventing a plague. - We weren't sick until we met him.
From time to time, he asks us to care for people with this disease.
- It's the least we can do. - There have been others? Like us?
- Yes. - Where are they?
Your condition is serious. We don't know exactly how to treat it.
I'm afraid the others did not recover.
- Sir... - Ah, Mr Vulcan.
Come in, please. I can hardly see you.
I wanna thank you for your hospitality.
I must admit, I haven't had access to a food rebel... replicator before.
I'd never have guessed.
And to immerse myself in water! Do you know what joy this is?
No one around here wastes water in this manner.
A good sand scrub, that's the best we can hope for.
I'm glad you are enjoying yourself but we are at the 5th planet.
- We need your assistance. - Oh, could you hand me the towel?
If you scan the southern continent you'll find a range of extinct volcanoes.
Follow the foothills north to a dry river bed. You'll find an encampment there.
- Do you believe our people are there? - It's not impossible.
Maybe.
Perhaps not. But we'll find them.
We'll need several containers of water to bring for barter.
Do these replicators make clothing as well?
- Yes. - Will it make me a uniform like yours?
No, it most certainly will not.
Why would anyone want to live here?
The rich cormaline deposits are very much in demand.
- The Ocampa use it for barter? - Not the Ocampa, the Kazon-Ogla.
- Who are the Kazon-Ogla? - They are.
Kazon sects control this region. Some have food, some ore, some water.
- They trade and kill for it. - You said the Ocampa had our people.
My friends! It's good to see you again!
I must speak with your maje, the ever-wise Jabin!
- Very amusing. - Destroy him.
I... I enjoy a joke as much as the next man.
Jabin! My old friend!
Water. Water, Jabin. I have water
to replace all that I borrowed. Show them, Mr Paris.
Their ship has technology that makes water out of thin air!
- You have more? - Janeway to Voyager. Energise.
There's more, if you can help us.
How can we help someone so powerful, they can create water out of thin air?
This man told us we might find a people called the Ocampa.
- Do you know where they are? - Ocampa.
She is Ocampa.
Why do you want such worthless creatures?
They live only 9 years. They make poor servants.
- She wandered to the surface. - They live underground?
The entity that gives them food and power
also gives them sole access to the only water here, two miles down.
This same entity has abducted two of our people.
We think they may be with the Ocampa.
There's no way to get to them. We tried.
The entity has built a subterranean barrier we cannot penetrate.
- But she got out. - Occasionally, some of them do.
We don't know how, but the Ocampa seal the tunnels afterwards.
Maybe she can help them find a way down.
You'd be wasting your time.
I've used every method of persuasion to get her to help us. She won't.
Then she's worthless to you.
Let us trade you water for this scrawny little thing.
I'd be more interested in this technology that creates water from thin air.
That would be difficult. It's integrated into our ship's systems.
Tell them to drop their weapons. Drop them, or he dies in an instant.
Do it. Do it!
Step aside.
Come on!
- I suggest you get us out of here. - Six to beam up!
My dearest. Didn't I promise I'd save you?
I'm sure Captain Janeway is doing all she can to find us.
What makes you think any of them are still alive?
- Should I call for some help? - No.
- Are you in pain? - Are you watching us?
- I thought we weren't prisoners. - I wasn't watching you.
I came to give you something. It's a medicine.
Some have broken tradition and left the city.
Their colony grows fruits and vegetables.
They discovered that the moss on some fruit trees has healing properties.
I'm sorry for what has happened to you.
Thanks, but we'll only survive
if we get to the surface and find our own people.
The elders say that's against the Caretaker's wishes.
What do you say?
The Caretaker's been behaving strangely for months.
Abducting people, increasing the power supply.
- Power supply? - He's tripled the energy he sends us.
We have enough now to run the city for five years.
Nobody knows why?
When we ask, we're told to trust the Caretaker's decisions.
One person I knew did get to the surface. We never saw her again.
- How? - The tunnels that brought us here.
Breaches in the barriers have appeared, just large enough to get through.
But it still means digging through metres of rock.
- Can you get us tools? - It would take days,
maybe even weeks to break through.
You have to rest. Conserve your strength.
Please. It's our only chance.
If you'd told us your plans,
we may have anticipated your irrational behaviour.
Irrational? We got out, didn't we?
- Excuse me. Don't blame Neelix. - That's enough.
This is not a conference room. Visiting hours are over.
Everyone, except my patient, is to leave immediately.
Computer, end Medical Holographic Program.
I never should have gone to the surface. I'm too curious.
I'm told it's my worst failing.
It's a wonderful quality, most endearing.
Would you be willing to take us underground?
I'm afraid Jabin was right. There's no way to get down.
- The tunnel I came out is sealed. - We don't need one.
We can transport there directly.
Our sensors did not pick up any indication of an underground civilisation.
The barrier may be responsible. It might also block our transporter.
There are breaches in the security barrier where it's begun to decay.
That's how I got out.
Have the transporter room sweep for any breaches we can beam through.
Kes can tell you where to go.
But now she's free, we're leaving this system.
- Neelix, these people rescued me. - I rescued you.
With their help. It would be wrong not to help them now.
The pulses continue to accelerate.
The intervals between them have decreased another 0.8 seconds.
- Kes. - Hello, Daggin.
We thought we'd never see you again. How did you get back?
These people rescued me. We're looking for two of their crew.
Where are the aliens the Caretaker sent here?
- They're at the central clinic. - Can you take us there?
She cannot.
They can't speak telepathically, Toscat. Please talk aloud.
I didn't meant to be rude but you should not be here.
We'll leave once we find our crewmen.
We cannot interfere with the Caretaker's wishes.
- Maybe you can't, but we can. - You don't understand.
That's right, they don't understand.
They don't know we have been dependent on the Caretaker for so long,
we can't think for ourselves any more.
We were once a people who had full command of our minds' abilities.
The stories of our ancestors' cognitive abilities are exaggerated.
We lost them because we stopped using them.
We should not dwell on what's been lost but on what's been gained.
We've gained a talent for dependence, for taking what we're given.
I'll help them, whether you like it or not. I think my friends will join me.
You defied the Caretaker by going to the surface, Kes.
Learn from the experience. Follow the path he has set for us.
I've learned very well, Toscat, I saw the sunlight.
I can't believe our Caretaker would forbid us to see the sky.
Come with me. We'll find your people.
Come on.
- Don't let it beat you, Starfleet. - I'm sorry.
Al right.
It's all right. We'll rest a minute.
Maybe I'd do better if I had Klingon blood in me.
Trust me, it's more trouble than it's worth.
You know, I spent my whole life getting ready for Starfleet.
And on my very first mission... I'm gonna die.
We're not finished yet.
I know a few things old Sneezy didn't teach in his survival course.
- Sneezy? - Commander Zakarian. Remember?
He must have been allergic to everything.
You went to the Academy?
Actually made it into the second year before we...
...mutually agreed it wasn't the place for me.
You know, I never really liked Zakarian.
Listen. They're getting faster.
Away team to Voyager. What's going on with the Array?
It's no longer sending out pulses. It seems to be realigning its position.
Keep me informed. Janeway out.
- They're not at the clinic. - We can search the city.
If they wanted to get out, how would they go?
The same way I did, up the ancient tunnels.
Paris and Neelix go with her and check them out.
We need to talk to the doctors,
see what they can tell us about Torres and Kim.
Voyager to Janeway. The Array is firing a weapon at the surface.
It seems to be sealing the energy conduits.
Understood. Keep a channel open.
Why would the Caretaker seal the energy conduits?
If he no longer intended to use them, to protect the Ocampa from their enemies.
There is enough evidence to form a hypothesis.
- I believe the Caretaker is dying. - Explain.
He increases the energy supply to provide a surplus to last five years.
Then he seals the conduits.
Hence, he does not intend to continue as caretaker.
Maybe he's not dying but leaving.
Doubtful, after a millennium of providing for these people.
I believe he owes something to the Ocampa.
The "debt that can never repaid” is very likely a debt to them.
Then there were his references to running out of time.
I think he knew his death was imminent.
If he dies, how the hell are we supposed to get home?
They're in this one. Harry!
- Paris to Janeway. - Go ahead.
They are in one of the tunnels.
I can't see them, but we're going after them.
Call for transport when you have them. We'll meet you on the ship.
Janeway to Voyager. Three to beam up.
I can't get a lock on you. The Array has irradiated the planet's crust.
We can't find the breaches in the security barrier.
Come on. There's only one other way out of here.
Janeway to Paris. The transporters aren't working.
You'll have to find a breach in the barrier when you get to the top.
- Understood. - We're a few minutes behind you.
I see them!
- Took you long enough. - How could I let down my only friend?
What makes you think I'm your friend?
- Paris to Janeway. We found them. - Don't wait for us. Get them to safety.
Don't worry. We can get through the barrier.
Whatever you do, don't touch it. We've been told it will burn your skin off.
They're not far ahead of us. Keep going.
- I think we've reached the top. - Neelix, get out your phaser.
Voyager, can you get a lock on us now?
Yes, but I'm reading only five signals.
The others are... Get down!
Paris to Janeway.
Chakotay, Tuvok, do you read?
Voyager, transport everyone in this group except me.
You're not thinking of going back there?
Well, if a fool needs company...
Take care of them, dear. I'll see you later.
Make that three to beam up. Lock in on the other combadge and energise.
- My leg is broken. I can't move. - Hold on.
- Here they are. - Neelix, help me with Tuvok.
I'll get Chakotay.
- Get out of here, before it collapses! - I intend to. As soon as I get you up.
You get on those stairs, they'll collapse! We'll both die!
Yeah...
But on the other hand, if I save your butt your life belongs to me.
Isn't that some kind of Indian custom?
Wrong tribe.
I don't believe you.
You'd rather die than let me be the one to rescue you?
Fine. Be a fool.
If I have to die, at least I'll have the pleasure of watching you go with me.
Isn't there an Indian trick where you turn yourself into a bird
and fly us out of here?
You're too heavy.
- Bridge to Janeway. - Go ahead.
Two Kazon ships approaching the Array.
Set a course. I'm on my way.
- We've gotta get back to our ship. - I strongly advise you to rest.
I won't be held responsible if you don't.
- Is the crew always this difficult? - I don't know, Doc. It's my first mission.
Don't they know to turn off the program when they leave?
Bring the weapons systems on-line.
Powering up phaser banks and photon systems.
Red Alert.
- The lead Kazon ship is hailing us. - On screen.
Are you investigating the entity's odd behaviour too?
All we care about is getting home.
We're transporting over to see if we can arrange it.
- I cannot permit that. - We have no dispute with you.
- You would challenge us. - This is ridiculous.
We have no intention to do so.
I will not let anyone with your technology board the Array.
Jabin, can we discuss this like two civilised...
- They're powering up their weapons. - I guess we can't.
Shields are holding.
Fire phasers. Evasive pattern, Delta 4.
Janeway to Chakotay.
Tuvok and I are beaming to the Array. Can you hold off the Kazon?
- I think so, Captain. - Good.
- Mr Paris, take the conn. - Yes, ma'am.
Maintain transporter locks, Ensign. Emergency beam-out status.
The data processing system is behind this wall, Captain.
You know what to do.
Well... you're nothing if not persistent.
We need you to send us back where we came from.
That isn't possible.
I've barely enough strength to complete my work.
You're sealing the conduits before you die.
If I don't, the Kazon will steal the water.
But in a few years when the Ocampa's energy runs out, it won't matter.
They'll be forced to the surface and they won't be able to survive.
Something you did turned their planet into a desert, didn't it?
That was the "debt that could never be repaid".
We're explorers from another galaxy.
We had no idea our technology would be so destructive to their atmosphere.
Two of us were chosen to stay behind and care for them.
- There's another like you here? - Not any more.
No, no. She...
She went off to look for more interesting places.
Why were you bringing ships here, infecting people with a fatal illness?
They didn't die of an illness.
They died because they were incompatible.
Incompatible?
I've been searching the galaxy for a compatible biomolecular pattern.
Now, in some individuals I found cellular structures that were similar, but I...
- You've been trying to procreate? - I needed someone to replace me.
Someone who'd understand the responsibility of caring for the Ocampa.
Only my offspring could do that.
Did you ever consider allowing the Ocampa to care for themselves?
- They're children. - Children have to grow up.
We're explorers too.
The species we've encountered have overcome adversity without a caretaker.
It's the challenge of surviving on their own that helps them to evolve.
Maybe your children will do better than you think.
- Voyager to Janeway. - Go ahead.
We've got problems here.
- The Kazon just got some back up. - Can you hold them off?
We'll do our best. Kim out.
Their weapons array has been hit. They're in trouble.
Neither of us can stop that ship.
I'm setting a collision course but the guidance system is down.
I'll have to pilot manually. Have the crew beam to Voyager.
And drop shields for transport.
Paris, my crew's coming over.
Tell one of your crack transporter chiefs to keep a lock on me.
I'm gonna try and take some heat off your tail.
Don't think for a second this makes us even. Your life is still mine. Paris out.
I'm holding the lock on him, sir, but he's getting too close.
- I'm getting you out of there, Chakotay. - Not yet!
You're breaking up. Stand by to beam out.
Wait!
Now!
- Transporter room 2, do you have him? - They've got me.
I can access the system to send us back to Federation space,
but it will take several hours to activate.
- Unless you help us. - Oh, I wish I could
but I have very little time left, so I have initiated a self-destruct program.
Then we'll have no way to get home.
The Ocampa's enemies cannot be allowed to control this installation.
In minutes, it will be destroyed.
You have to go. Go now.
The Caretaker?
Voyager, report.
Kazon vessel just collided with the Array, Captain.
- Are you all right? - Affirmative. Stand by.
The self-destruct program has been damaged.
Now this installation will not be destroyed.
But it must be. The Kazon must not be allowed to gain control of it.
They will annihilate the Ocampa.
Shall I activate the program to get us back?
And what happens to the Ocampa after we're gone?
Captain...
Any action we take to protect the Ocampa
would affect the balance of power in this system.
The Prime Directive would seem to apply.
Would it?
We never asked to be involved, Tuvok.
But we are.
We are.
- Tuvok, ready the tricobalt devices. - Aye.
- Open a channel to the Kazon. - Channel open.
Be advised, I have called for additional ships.
I'm warning you to move your vessels to a safe distance.
- I intend to destroy the Array. - You can't do that!
I can and I will. End transmission.
They're increasing fire. Shields are holding.
- Move us 400 km from the Array, Paris. - Yes, ma'am.
What are you doing? That Array is our only way home!
I'm aware everyone has loved ones they want to get back to. So do I.
But I won't trade the lives of the Ocampa for our convenience.
- We'll have to find another way home. - What other way?
- Who is she to decide for all of us? - She's the captain.
- The tricobalt devices are ready. - We're in position.
Fire.
- The lead Kazon ship is hailing us. - On screen.
You have made an enemy today.
They are withdrawing, Captain.
Come in.
- You asked to see me, Captain. - Mr Paris...
You have a problem.
I've invited Chakotay and the Maquis to join this crew.
It seemed the only reasonable thing to do.
Will you provide a bodyguard for me?
- It seems you already have one. - I do?
Chakotay said something about his life belonging to you?
He'll be taking responsibility for your safety.
- I think I'm going to enjoy this. - Don't be so sure.
He'll also be my first officer.
Everyone aboard this ship will report to him.
Including the lieutenant assigned to conn.
Me?
I've entered into the ship's log on this date
that I'm granting a field commission of lieutenant to Thomas Eugene Paris.
Congratulations.
For the first time in my life I don't know what to say.
You've earned this, Tom. I'm only sorry your father won't know.
Oh, he'll know.
When we get back.
Captain! We were just coming to see you.
We supplied your ship with water, it's ready to go.
Well, you see, that's what we wanted to discuss.
We'd like to go with you.
- I'm sorry. This isn't a passenger ship. - We won't be passengers.
- We'd be valuable colleagues. - Colleagues?
Whatever you need is what I have to offer.
You need a guide? I'm your guide.
You need supplies? I know where to get them.
I have friends among races you don't even know exist.
You need a cook? Wait until you taste my angla'bosque.
It will be my job to anticipate your needs before you know you have them.
And I anticipate your first need will be me.
Captain, we both want very much to be a part of your journey.
We're alone in an uncharted part of the galaxy.
We've already made some friends here... and some enemies.
We have no idea of the dangers we're going to face.
But one thing is clear.
Both crews are going to have to work together if we're to survive.
That's why Commander Chakotay and I have agreed this should be one crew.
A Starfleet crew.
And as the only Starfleet vessel in the Delta Quadrant,
we'll continue to follow our directive to seek out new worlds and explore space.
But our primary goal is clear.
Even at maximum speeds, it would take 75 years to reach the Federation.
But I'm not willing to settle for that.
There's another entity like the Caretaker out there,
with the ability to get us there faster. We'll be looking for her.
And for wormholes, spatial rifts or new technologies to help us.
Somewhere along this journey, we'll find a way back.
Mr Paris, set a course...
...for home.
Aye, Captain.