Warp 5... Warp 6...
Warp 7. I've reached critical velocity.
Everything looks good. Fire up the new engines.
Acknowledged. Engaging transwarp drive in four... three... two...
Transwarp on-line.
Warp 9.2...
9.3..
- My vector's drifting. - Stabilise your field symmetry.
Got it. Warp 9.6...
9.7... I'm reading a fracture in the port nacelle pylon.
- Power to structural integrity. - Warp 9.9... 9.95...
I'm approaching the threshold but the nacelle isn't holding.
- Tie in auxiliary power. - It's no use.
I'm breaking up! I'm breaking...
You're dead.
It's the pylon again. Every time we get close to crossing the threshold,
the subspace torque rips a nacelle off the shuttle.
What about a duranium alloy? We could use it to reinforce...
No, it's too brittle.
More coffee?
You look like a happy bunch.
- We've hit a wall. - Maybe I can help.
Do you know anything about quantum warp theory
or multisprectral subspace engine design?
No. But I'm a quick study.
What are we working on?
Do you have anything to eat?
There's some Kalavian biscuits in the kitchen.
I guess I'll go find them myself.
Fill him in.
Neelix, it would take too long...
I'm not smart enough?
I'll have you know I did two years as an engineer's assistant.
- I'm well versed in warp theory. - OK. We'll tell you.
We're trying to break the maximum warp barrier.
Nothing in the universe can go warp 10. It's impossible.
In principle, if you reached warp 10, you'd be travelling at infinite velocity.
Infinite velocity. Got it. So that means very fast.
It means that you would occupy every point in the universe simultaneously.
Time and distance would have no meaning.
If Voyager achieved warp 10, we could be home in the push of a button.
Wow! And you're working on this?
We discovered a new form of dilithium in an asteroid field.
It remains stable at a high warp frequency.
But when we simulate crossing the transwarp threshold,
the nacelles get torn off the ship.
I once lost a warp nacelle going through a dark-matter nebula.
- This is a different problem. - I realise that. It's just an example.
As the ship went through the nebula, it sent out a dark-matter bow wave.
Pressure built up and tore the nacelle from its housing.
Maybe it's the same thing.
The simulations don't indicate any subspace stress on the nacelles.
- What about the shuttle itself? - What do you mean?
What if the nacelles aren't being torn from the ship,
but the ship from the nacelles?
The shuttle hull is made of tritanium alloy.
At these speeds, that alloy could depolarise.
And create a velocity differential.
The fuselage would travel faster than the nacelles.
We have to set up a depolarisation matrix around the fuselage.
That's it!
Neelix, you're a genius.
I have no idea what they just said.
Warp 9.92.
The pylons are secure. Everything looks good.
9.97...
8...
9...
- Warp 10. - You've crossed the threshold!
And there's been no damage to the nacelles.
When you came to me a month ago
and said you had a way to cross the transwarp threshold,
I thought it was more of a fantasy than a theory.
- Congratulations to all of you. - So we can try a manned test flight?
- What's your flight plan? - I'll bring the shuttle up to speed.
When crossing the threshold I'll cut the engines and come about.
Then we'll analyse the shuttle's sensor logs.
Once we know it's safe, we'll try a more extended flight.
It's almost frightening.
It's always been theory. I never thought it would happen. Are we ready for it?
In the last couple of centuries, we've used new technologies wisely.
I'm sure this time won't be any different.
Besides, there's no way to put the genie back in the bottle.
All we can do now is keep moving forward. Carefully.
Good luck, Mr Paris.
If this works, you'll join an elite group of pilots -
Orville Wright, Neil Armstrong, Zefram Cochrane... and Tom Paris.
- I like the way that sounds. - I thought you might.
Come in.
- Captain! I uh... - At ease. I know it's late.
- Can I get you anything? - No, thank you.
I get the feeling this isn't just a social call.
I've just spoken to the Doctor.
He suggests we let Ensign Kim make the test flight.
May I ask why?
He saw your biometric readings from the simulations.
You have an enzymatic imbalance in your cerebellum.
- So? - I know it doesn't sound like much,
but he's not sure what will happen when you cross the threshold.
There's a chance that you could suffer a brain haemorrhage.
- How big a chance? - 2%.
2%!
- I'll take that chance. - There's no reason to.
Ensign Kim is capable of piloting the shuttle.
- That's not the point. - What is the point, Mr Paris?
It's hard to explain, but...
- This is my flight. - Your flight?
When I was a boy, my father used to tell me that I was special.
That one day I'd do something significant.
My teachers at school, all the kids, everyone used to say,
"Tom Paris is going to do something important when he grows up.”
Obviously that didn't happen.
This isn't about personal redemption. It's about medical risk.
Your life could be in danger.
This is the first time in ten years I feel I have a life to risk.
- You're sure about this? - I've never been so sure.
Please.
Please let me make the flight.
Good luck, Lieutenant.
Torres to bridge. The pre-launch sequence is complete.
Acknowledged. Depressurise the shuttle bay and open the space doors.
Bridge to shuttlecraft Cochrane. You're cleared for launch.
Aye, Captain.
See you at warp 10.
Cochrane to Voyager. All systems are nominal. I'm increasing speed.
Warp 7... Warp 8...
- How's his dilithium matrix? - Nothing to worry about.
Torres to shuttlecraft Cochrane. You're clear for transwarp velocity.
Acknowledged.
Engaging transwarp drive in four... three... two...
Warp 9.7...
9.8..
9.9..
He's exceeding our maximum velocity. I'm switching to long-range sensors.
- Warp 9.95... - He is approaching the threshold.
Engine output at maximum.
Velocity...
Warp 10.
Transwarp engines are stable. So are the nacelle pylons.
Lieutenant, can you hear me?
Captain, he just disappeared off sensors.
Increase sensor gain to maximum.
Nothing. I can't find him. He's gone.
I've done three full sensor sweeps. No sign of the shuttle.
- Could it have been destroyed? - I don't believe so.
He did cross the warp threshold.
Then he could be anywhere in the universe.
We'll have to keep searching our small corner.
- Run a multisprectral sweep... - Captain.
There's a quantum surge off the port bow.
Something is coming out of subspace.
- Janeway to Paris. - He's alive but his lifesigns are weak.
Transporter room 2, beam Mr Paris to sickbay.
Bring the shuttle aboard. I'll be in sickbay.
Aye, Captain.
His lifesigns are normal.
A few elevated seratonin readings in the hypothalamus.
From what I can tell, he's just.. Asleep.
- Can you wake him? - I don't see why not.
Wake up, Lieutenant!
- Are you all right, Tom? - I'm back!
You crossed the threshold then disappeared from our sensors.
Do you remember what happened?
Oh, yeah.
I was...
I was staring at the velocity indicator. It said warp 10.
Then as I watched it I suddenly realised that I was watching myself as well.
I could see the outside of the shuttle,
I could see Voyager, I could see inside Voyager.
I could see inside this room.
For a moment, I was everywhere.
I mean, everywhere, Captain.
With the Kazon, back home, with the Klingons. It was all there.
I don't know how else to explain it. It was like...
No, it wasn't like anything.
Well... I'm glad you had a good time.
How did you get back to Voyager?
I saw that you were looking for me
so I took the new engines off-line and ended up back where I started.
But...
It's starting to slip away. It all was so vivid and now...
I'm fine. How's the shuttle?
It's back without a scratch. Sensors confirm that you did it.
- You made it to warp 10. - Congratulations, Mr Paris.
You've just made the history books.
We should download the sensor logs,
analyse the telemetry before making another attempt.
You're not going anywhere. At least for a few hours.
I have some tests I'd like to run on Your Majesty
before you go back to the realm of ordinary humans.
- You may proceed. - We'll download the logs.
I'll let you know what we find.
- Janeway to Kim. We're ready. - Acknowledged.
I'm downloading the logs into the computer core.
This data describes, literally, every cubic centimetre in the sector.
It's over five billion gigaquads of information.
So the theory of infinite velocity is correct.
It may be possible to occupy every point in the universe.
It's a matter of navigation. If we can work out how to come out of transwarp
at a specific point, this could get us home.
It could do more than that. It could change the nature of our existence.
Think of it. There would be nothing beyond our reach.
This is giving us an invaluable record of the sector.
We can use it to make a star chart. Transfer the logs to cartography.
This is a new blend. I'm calling it "Paris Delight".
It's in honour of you.
What? Oh, thanks. That's very flattering.
I can tell.
You might as well get used to it. You're a hero now.
I wish I could say it was nothing.
I wish Neelix would name something after me that tasted better.
- Smells OK. - You're taking your life into your hands.
I think the next step is to duplicate the first shuttle flight, verify our results.
I agree. We have to confirm that none of this was a fluke.
But I do think that we should increase the shuttle's memory core by...
What? What's wrong?
I don't think that coffee is settling too well.
- You want to go back to sickbay? - No, I've seen enough of the Doctor.
On second thought, maybe I should...
Torres to transporter room 2. Beam Lieutenant Paris directly to sickbay.
I can't. His pattern keeps changing.
Torres to sickbay. We need a medical team in the mess hall.
Hang on, Tom.
He's having an allergic reaction. What did he ingest?
Just a cup of Neelix's coffee.
It's a miracle he's still alive.
- This is strange. - What is?
He's definitely having an allergic reaction. To the water in the coffee.
He's allergic to water?
I don't know how this is possible but his entire biochemistry is changing.
His electrolytes are breaking down, interstitial fluids are congealing...
The alveoli in his lungs are mutating.
- He's not processing oxygen. - What should we do?
Stand back.
Computer, erect an isolation field around the surgical bay.
Remove all the air from the force field
and replace it with 80% nitrogen and 20% acidichloride.
He can breathe... for now.
- What's happening to him? - I have no idea.
But I assume it had something to do with his experience.
His cellular membranes are deteriorating. He's dying.
I need to know about what happened on the shuttle.
Radiation levels, unexplained anomalies, anything.
You're losing me, aren't you?
- I'm going to die. - You're too stubborn to die.
I want to try radiometric therapy. It might slow down his cellular mutation.
Here lies Thomas Eugene Paris, beloved mutant.
You don't need an epitaph just yet.
- Radiometric emitters are ready. - Begin with 45 rads per second.
Great. Now it'll read, "Beloved radioactive mutant."
No effect. Increase the dosage to 85 rads per second.
I'm going to try inhibiting the cell mitosis.
Big funeral, with lots of pretty girls, all crying.
Except Torres. Torres doesn't cry. Have you noticed that?
I don't trust people who don't cry.
Of course my father would say, "Crying is a sign of weakness."
I never believed that. Do you cry?
- It's not in my program. - Shame.
You know, it's funny. What I remember most about being a kid
are the times I spent in my room, crying.
I liked my room, though.
It was quiet in there. People would leave me alone.
I'd keep the door locked. Read. Play games.
I lost my virginity in that room. 17. Parents were away for the weekend.
I'll note that in your medical file.
His lymphatic system is collapsing. Increase to 98 rads per second.
Pepperoni! God, I'd love a pepperoni pizza with Kavarian olives right now.
His lifesigns are critical. Maximum dosage.
- Kiss me. - What?
Not you. Her.
- She can't breathe this atmosphere. - It's a last request.
If we let down the force field, you'll suffocate.
What's the difference?
I'm dying anyway.
Do me a favour. When I'm gone...
call Starfleet Headquarters and tell Dad that I did it.
Tell him...
Prepare to activate the neural stimulator.
- Ready. - Now.
Again.
Again!
- No neural activity. - We can try to revive him.
His cell membranes have degraded. There's nothing more we can do.
Computer, remove the acidichloride gas from the isolation field...
and deactivate the field.
We must perform an autopsy in the morning.
Until then I... suggest you get some rest.
You're alive!
What's happening?
All of your internal organs are functioning again.
In fact, you seem to have an extra one.
What?
You have two hearts.
I have 30 seconds before security picks up this transmission.
I'm sending you all information on the warp 10 flight.
- Warp 10? That's impossible. - Not any more.
- Paris crossed the threshold today. - He survived?
In a way. It's all in the file.
- This should prove my worth to you. - We'll see.
His body is going through some sort of mutation.
His DNA is rewriting itself. To what end, I don't know.
Is this about the enzymatic imbalance?
- No. - Can you stop it?
Nothing has worked. The mutations are unlike anything on record.
His internal organs are being rearranged.
Some have atrophied, and three others have appeared and have no function.
And his brain?
There are neuroelectrical transmutations.
His synaptic patterns are changing every second.
But he does still recognise me, the ship. He knows who he is.
- Can I talk to him? - Of course.
But I should caution you that, while he still is Tom Paris,
he's becoming something else as well. His personality is erratic. Unpredictable.
Moments of lucidity are interspersed with almost... deranged behaviour.
I'll keep it in mind.
- Pretty disgusting, huh? - You've looked better.
- How do you feel? - Like a lab experiment gone wrong.
We're trying to put that experiment right.
- The Doctor's working on a way to... - Why?
- Excuse me? - Why?
What I'm becoming will be better than who I was.
- You know that's not true. - Yes, it is. Admit it.
Part of you will be glad to see me gone.
I'm the Maquis traitor who sits on your bridge and insults your uniform.
We're all concerned. We're here to help you.
No, you're not. You're trying to take this away from me.
- Take what away from you? - What I'm becoming.
How do you know this isn't good for me?
That this isn't the best thing that's ever happened to me?
That's a possibility. And then again, it could kill you.
We need to know what's going on.
You're lying. Just like him.
Just like everyone around here. Always lying.
Always telling me that you're glad I'm on the ship.
But none of that's true.
Why can't you just say it?
You're jealous that I broke the transwarp barrier and you hope I'll die.
You're right, Doctor. I don't think there's anything I can do here.
Wait, Captain. I'm sorry.
Please come back.
I know you're doing what you can. It's just...
I'm scared. I didn't mean to lash out at you.
What you're going through is scary but you have to hang on.
We're doing everything we can to help you.
I know you are.
And I know you'll fail.
You know, I used to look up to you.
But now you seem so small. So insignificant.
You don't even know what...
Doctor, the rate of genetic mutation has accelerated by 12%.
Run a scan to determine how much of his original DNA is left intact.
- I'm going to see about treating him... - Doctor!
- What is it now, Mr Paris? - I need to talk.
So I've noticed. Is it urgent? I'm busy.
Urgent. Yes. Urgent.
Let me out of here.
- That's not possible. - Please.
I can't stay here. I have to get off this ship.
Leave Voyager? Why?
I understand. It's all so clear now.
What do you understand?
The present. The past. They're both in the future.
- The future is in the past. - I beg your pardon?
Listen to me! I am more.
I'm everything.
- Let me go. - Go where, Tom?
I can't...
Please.
Please!
Something tells me we'd better hurry.
I believe the answer lies in forcing his DNA to revert to its original coding.
His body should return to its former state.
- How do we do that? - We destroy all of the new DNA.
His cells will have to use the original coding.
But I'd have to use highly focused antiproton radiation.
The only place that generates antiprotons is the warp core.
Exactly. I'd like to place Mr Paris in an isotropic restraint
and infuse it with controlled antiproton bursts.
Tricky but I see no other alternative.
We'll have to take the warp core off-line, then I'll need three hours.
By then there won't be anything left of him. We have to do it within an hour.
Get moving.
- What's your status? - The interface is ready.
Infuse him with a two-second antiproton burst.
Take the warp engines off-line.
Bleed off 0.057 AM U's of antiproton radiation.
- Shunt it through the interface. - Transfer underway.
The mutated DNA in his liver cells has begun to deteriorate
but the original coding isn't taking over.
I don't understand. This should be working.
Increase the duration of the bursts.
Lieutenant, prepare a five-second burst. You'll need to begin depolarising the...
- Oh, my God. - Lieutenant?
Lieutenant, what's happening?
This is a level-3 security alert. All hands report to duty stations.
- Janeway to bridge. Report. - Paris broke out of confinement.
He used a phaser on the port plasma conduit. We have power failures.
We can't track him or get power to the internal sensors.
Tuvok has Security searching.
I'm on my way to the bridge.
- Phaser discharge on deck 6. - Localise it.
I'm still having trouble with sensors.
It came from somewhere between sections 21 and 27 Alpha.
Tuvok doesn't have Security in that area.
Chakotay to Tuvok. We think Paris may be on deck 6.
Deploy Security to sections 21 through 27 Alpha.
Commander, someone's depressurising shuttle bay 2.
- There's a launch in progress. - Tractor beam.
- It's off-line. - Tuvok to bridge.
We found the Captain's phaser, but not her.
Maintain a sensor lock on that shuttle.
- I've got main power back. - Engage warp engines. Follow them.
- They're approaching warp 9.9. - Increase speed to match.
Warning. Nearing maximum warp velocity.
Structural collapse is imminent.
- Are we in tractor range? - No. And they're still accelerating.
Warp 9.97.
Warning. At present speed, structural failure in 45 seconds.
Reduce speed to warp 9.5. Keep a sensor lock on them while you can.
I've lost them, Commander. They've gone to transwarp.
First officer's log, stardate 49373 .4.
It's taken us three days to locate the shuttle.
It dropped out of transwarp in an uninhabited star system.
I've re-examined the data on Mr Paris and I understand what's happening.
- The mutations we saw are natural. - Natural?
The changes in his DNA are consistent with the evolution of the human genotype
observed over the past four million years.
Increased brain capacity, the loss of vestigial organs...
Are you saying Lieutenant Paris is evolving?
Yes. The only difference between natural evolution and Mr Paris
is that his changes took place in 24 hours.
Travelling at infinite velocity
accelerated the evolutionary process by millions of years.
Mr Paris may represent a future stage in human development.
It's not very attractive.
- What do we do about it? - My antiproton approach was correct.
However, I'll need to intensify the treatment.
Bridge to Chakotay.
I've found the shuttlecraft. It's on the fourth planet near the equator.
Tuvok, have a security team meet us transporter room 3.
There are traces of human DNA. It's them.
But I have to admit, I'm not sure which one is the Captain.
The female. Obviously.
- How will I enter this into the log? - I look forward to reading it.
First officer's log, supplemental.
We've transported the Captain and Mr Paris to sickbay.
As for their offspring, I've decided to leave them in their new habitat.
I've eradicated all traces of the mutant DNA
and restored your original genome.
- Congratulations. You're human again. - Thank you, Doctor.
It'll take time for your genetic codes to stabilise.
I'd like you to remain here for three days. Just to be safe.
Excuse me.
Captain.
I've thought about having children but I never considered having them with you.
Captain, I'm sorry. I don't know what to say.
Except I don't remember very much about... you know.
What makes you think it was your idea?
Sometimes the female of the species initiates mating.
But apology accepted.
You may like to know I'm putting you in for a commendation.
Regardless of the outcome, you did make the first transwarp flight.
- Thank you, Captain. - Is there something wrong?
I don't know.
This whole experience has left me a little overwhelmed.
Flying at warp 10,
evolving into a new life-form, mating, having alien offspring.
You've broken more than one record, that's for sure.
Breaking the threshold. It was... incredible.
But somehow it doesn't mean as much as I thought it would.
I guess I went into this looking for a quick fix.
I thought making history would change my service record and my reputation.
If I'm not mistaken, you've changed quite a few minds on this ship.
- You've earned respect and admiration. - Yeah.
But I'm starting to realise it's not other people's opinions I should worry about.
It's mine.
Seems that I still have a few barriers to break.
I just hope they're not theoretical impossibilities.
Somehow... I don't think they will be.