- Commander Chakotay. - You wanted to see me.
I'm told you are in charge of personnel, that you prepare the duty assignments.
- Is that the correct phrase? - That's right.
I'm finding it difficult to spend so much time alone. I'm unaccustomed to it.
- The hours do not pass quickly. - I can understand. How can we help?
I've been considering this carefully and I would like to request a duty assignment.
Did you have something specific in mind?
Yes.
Now what?
- A rupture in the coolant injector. - Why haven't you sealed it off?
I'm attempting to do so.
That's better.
It'd be advisable to reconfigure the coolant assembly.
That would give us greater control over the emissions.
Tomorrow we can do it first thing. But not today.
- Why wait until tomorrow when... - Not today, Vorik!
Good morning. Here's the control evaluation you wanted.
Thank you.
- Are we still on for dinner tonight? - I may have to work. I'll let you know.
OK.
Have you decided if you're... if you're going through with it?
I have. And I'm not.
The last thing I need is to get involved with some obscure Klingon ritual today.
- You were the one who suggested it. - I know.
For a sentimental minute I thought I might go through with it.
But not anymore.
Of course not. You wouldn't want to get too sentimental.
I overslept this morning because I forgot to tell the computer to wake me.
- The invertor in my shower blew out. - That'll make your hair stand on end.
I didn't have breakfast and two people were sick
so I had to cancel the fuel overhaul.
Then an injector burst and started spewing plasma coolant...
That's a run of bad luck, all right.
I'm in a bad mood and know I'm being a little bit testy.
No, that's OK.
Think about that dinner.
Be careful.
- Something interesting just happened. - What?
- Seven of Nine requested a duty. - Fascinating.
- She wants to work in engineering. - What?
The Borg use transwarp conduits to travel faster than warp speed. If we...
We don't know anything about transwarp technology. It could be dangerous.
That's where Seven of Nine comes in. She's offered to work with you.
What do you think her motives are?
She's having a tough time making the transition. She wants something to do.
I never thought of you as naive, Chakotay.
The bottom line is, I don't want her working in engineering.
The bottom line is I'm giving you an order and you will follow it. Lieutenant.
Whatever you say, sir.
Seven of Nine, you told me you wouldn't make more attempts to contact the Borg.
I want to believe that's true.
I assure you it is.
I've decided not to post a security detail
but you must realise there are rules.
You'll report directly to Lieutenant Torres
and obey any order she gives you.
I understand.
One more thing.
Your designation - Seven of Nine,
it's a little cumbersome.
Wouldn't you prefer to be called Annika?
I've been Seven of Nine
for as long as I can remember.
All right.
But maybe we could streamline it a little.
How would you feel about... Seven?
Imprecise but acceptable.
- Tuvok to Captain Janeway. - Yes, Tuvok.
Please come to the bridge. A ship is approaching.
It's damaged but functional.
Energy emissions are so low,
it's probably not capable of warp speed.
Several dozen lifesigns aboard.
- We are being hailed, Captain. - Open a channel.
I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway
of the Federation starship Voyager.
I am Rahmin. My people are the Caatati.
I apologise for our appearance
and the condition of our ship.
Most of our people were assimilated by the Borg over a year ago.
We lost everything.
How many escaped?
A few thousand, on 30 ships. All that's left from a planet of millions.
I'm sorry.
Captain, I want to assure you my people were once proud and accomplished.
I understand.
It pains me to have to ask this
but I have 88 people to care for on this vessel.
We need food, medicines. Is there any way you could help us?
Of course. Send us a list and we'll see what we can do.
I'm deeply grateful.
If it's not too much to ask
is there any way you might also spare a small quantity of thorium isotopes?
Without them our systems can't function.
I think we can arrange that. I'll speak to my engineer.
You can't imagine what this means to us, Captain.
Thank you.
How are the thorium isotopes coming, Vorik?
I'm having trouble controlling the neutron absorption.
Try increasing the temperature of the plasma.
Get the thorium to the captain as soon as it's ready.
Tell me something.
When you hear about the Caatati do you have any feelings of remorse?
No.
That's it? Just no?
What further answer do you require?
Maybe some acknowledgement of the billions of lives you helped destroy.
A justification for what you did. Maybe a little sense of guilt.
- Guilt is irrelevant. - Heart-warming.
I've set the parameters for the tachyon burst to create a transwarp conduit.
It will be several hours before the main deflector can be modified.
It would be best to wait in my alcove.
I think you're right.
If I ever saw a job for the morale officer, it's sitting right here. I'll bet I can help.
- You're facing a big challenge, Neelix. - I enjoy a challenge.
- Is that going to make me feel better? - Blood pie. For the Day of Honour.
How did you know about that? Has Tom been talking to you?
Not at all. I make it a point to know these things.
And if I'm correct, many Klingon families traditionally serve blood pie
on the Day of Honour.
I appreciate the gesture but I've decided to ignore this particular tradition.
No blood pie, no examining my behaviour
to see if I measure up to Klingon standards.
Understood.
Lieutenant...
without knowing why there's a cloud over your head, may I suggest something?
Go right ahead.
You have a bit of a temper that you keep reined in
and sometimes it builds up inside you until you explode at someone.
- I'd say that about sums it up. - I'm offering to be a pressure valve.
- A what? - You may use me to blow off steam.
When you're angry come and see me. Call me names, question my parentage.
I won't take it personally and you won't need
to keep things bottled up inside anymore.
That may be the nicest offer I've had in a long time.
Thank you, Neelix.
You're sweet but I'm not sure I could do that to you.
I'm here if you need me.
Neelix.
About this Day of Honour,
do you think I should go through with it?
I've always thought traditions were good things.
Worth preserving.
I've been thinking a lot about the rituals that my mother taught me,
and they don't seem quite so hateful as they did when I was a child.
Maybe being so far away from anything Klingon has changed me.
It certainly can't hurt to go through with the ceremony.
I don't know what effect it'll have on me.
That's what's frightening.
All right.
Bring on the blood pie.
I can do this.
Qapla'.
- What warrior goes there? - My name's B'Elanna.
Have you come to have your honour challenged?
I guess so. Yes.
Are you willing to see the ceremony through to the end?
That's the idea, isn't it?
- What do I do? - It will be a lengthy ordeal.
First you must eat from the heart of a sanctified targ.
Yes, the heart of a targ
brings courage to one who eats it.
Next you will drink mot'loch
from the grail of Kahless.
Drink to the glory of Kahless,
the greatest warrior of all time.
Kahless defeated his enemies on the field of battle and built a mighty empire.
How have you proven yourself worthy?
I haven't built any empires and I can't say
that I've personally defeated enemies in battle but I'm not living among warriors.
Then how do you expect to distinguish yourself?
- I don't know. I'm doing the best I can. - A pitiful reply.
Let us proceed.
A warrior must endure great hardship.
To test your mettle, you will endure the ritual of Twenty Painstiks.
After that you will engage in combat with a master of the bat'leth.
Finally you will traverse the sulphur lagoons of Gorath.
You know, I don't think so.
I didn't want to do this before, certainly not now.
I'm leaving.
Not until you have completed the ceremony. Pahtk.
Thanks so much. It's been lovely.
Come in.
I tried to find you before but you were on the holodeck.
That's right.
You left it running and there was a Klingon in there who didn't look happy.
- Really? - He was nursing a whale of a black eye.
It's like he had a run in with someone having a bad day.
That's very funny.
So, how did it go?
It didn't. Do you mind if we talk about something else?
As a matter of fact, I do.
You have been like a spitting cobra all day and it's getting boring.
We designed that holodeck programme together. What happened?
It was ridiculous, meaningless posturing. Honour, dishonour - what does it matter?
It matters because it's part of who you are.
You've run away from that your whole life.
Who are you to tell me that?
I care about you.
If you keep pushing me away, there's no point in my staying around.
- Fine, just leave me alone. - Oh, don't worry.
If this is the way you treat people who try to be your friend, you'll be alone.
There are over 200 people on our three ships alone.
Everyone suffers from malnourishment, but it's been hardest on the children.
Every parent sacrifices for their child but even so, there's not enough food.
If you could hear the crying of the babies
you would have as much trouble sleeping as I do.
Have you considered relocation to a planet?
Of course, but we haven't been welcomed anywhere.
Because we have no resources everyone treats us like vagrants,
even criminals.
We're not unsympathetic but we have limited supplies.
We can't provide enough for all your people.
Forgive me, but from my perspective you live in luxury.
You don't suffer from debilitating diseases.
You have many sources of energy, replicators.
Your crew is very well fed.
Apparently, keeping your bellies full is more important to you
than helping those less fortunate.
That's unfair. These are the most generous people you can hope to meet.
If we gave supplies to everyone we wouldn't have anything left.
Neelix, how much food can we spare?
We can provide each ship with several hundred kilograms.
Do it and check with the doctor to see if he can spare any medical supplies.
- Aye, Captain. - Thank you.
May the gods smile on you and your crew.
Tuvok, please escort our guest to the transporter room.
I've never navigated a transwarp conduit. Any problems to be aware of?
You have no idea. If we attempt to enter one, I'll have to take helm control.
I am a quick study.
- What species is that? - A human who lived as a Borg.
- Borg! - She's disconnected from the collective.
Where's my wife? My children? What did you do with them?
What did you do with my family?
- Mr Paris, please proceed. - I lost everything. My family, my home!
- Sorry about that. - About what?
Well, the way he reacted to you.
- He didn't injure me. - Good.
There are many people on this ship who have similar feelings toward me.
I'm afraid you're right. Does that bother you?
No.
Well, I'm not one of those people. We all have a past. What matters is now.
I'm uncertain what you're trying to say.
That...
if there's any way that I can help you adjust to your life here, please ask me.
I will remember your offer.
- All systems ready. - We're going to take a peek.
We open a conduit, get as much sensor data as we can and then close it up.
I want to take this one step at a time.
I've set up a tachyon matrix within the main deflector. It's on-line.
- Engineering to the bridge. We're ready. - Go ahead, we'll monitor your progress.
We'll need to be at warp speed to create a large enough subspace field.
I'd like to reroute helm control to engineering.
- Take us... - Past warp 2. I know.
We're at warp 2.3.
- All right. Start emitting the tachyons. - Energising the matrix.
There's no indication of a subspace field.
I recommend switching to a higher energy band.
- That did something. - The subspace field is forming.
Tachyon particles are leaking.
- Shut down the deflector. - Done, but the leak is continuing.
- Janeway to engineering. - Tachyons are flooding the warp core.
If you can't stabilise the core, evacuate engineering.
Aye, Captain. I'll get back to you.
I've cut all power relays. Tachyon levels are still rising.
All right. Everybody out! Now! That means you as well.
- I could be of help. - That's an order.
- You can't order me. I outrank you. - We've got to neutralise the core.
I'll try decoupling the dilithium matrix.
No effect. Try it again.
- The core's about to breach. - I've got to try one more thing.
B'Elanna, there's no time. We've got to get out of here.
Come on.
Computer, prepare to eject the warp core.
Authorisation Torres Omega Phi-93.
Computer, eject the warp core.
- Torres to Janeway. - Go ahead.
We've dumped the core.
Welcome to the worst day of my life.
We have to get those engines back on-line. You and Nicoletti get started.
- Report. - We're stopped dead.
The warp core is millions of kilometres away.
The impulse engines are damaged. I can only give you a few thrusters.
- How long before I have impulse power? - I can't tell you.
We're still assessing the damage.
So much for opening a transwarp conduit.
I sent the Borg back to her alcove. We won't be needing her in here anymore.
At least the core's still intact. Tom, take a shuttle and find it.
- See if you can tractor it back. - Yes, ma'am.
It should be repaired before he tries to put a tractor beam on it.
Then you go with him. Just get it back here in one piece.
We're getting near some random ion turbulence.
I'll change course to avoid it.
I wonder what else can go wrong today.
If we get this core back, I'm going right to bed until tomorrow.
Get this day over with.
Look at it this way, how much worse could it get?
Having to dump the warp core has to be the low point of any day.
Maybe it's me.
Maybe I'm asking for this trouble somehow.
Or maybe it's just a string of bad luck.
Sensors have picked up a polymetallic object. It could be the core.
That's the warp signature all right. But there's something else out there.
The sensors show it's a ship with the same energy signature as the Caatati.
Maybe they're guarding it for us.
Right.
I see it.
- What do they think they're doing? - They're trying to put a beam on it.
This is the shuttle Cochrane to the Caatati vessel. Please respond.
Don't come any closer. We're performing a salvage operation.
What a coincidence. So are we.
I'm afraid we got here first. Don't interfere or we'll open fire.
Don't you realise that core is highly unstable?
If you try to tractor it like that you could cause an antimatter explosion.
- They're not answering. - Idiots!
- We have to stop them. - I'm going to try to disrupt their beam.
It's working.
What was that?
They sent an antimatter pulse back.
Warning. The integrity field has been compromised.
Now at 53% and falling.
Hull breach in two minutes, 20 seconds.
Reroute power from the propulsion and weapons.
Warning. Hull breach in two minutes, 10 seconds.
No effect.
Warning. The structural integrity field has collapsed.
Hull breach in two minutes.
We have to get out of here.
Warning. Hull breach in one minute, 50 seconds.
Computer, send a distress call to Voyager. Give them our coordinates.
Computer respond.
The com systems must be down.
Transporters are still on-line. Stand by to energise.
Energise.
Paris to Voyager.
Do you read me?
Please respond.
Paris to Voyager.
It's no use. The com system in these suits won't carry that far.
When they get the engines repaired they'll come looking for us.
I don't plan on just drifting here hoping somebody will come and rescue us.
- There must be something we can do. - Agreed.
If we could interplex the com systems in both suits
we might be able to create a phase carrier wave.
Voyager would read the signature and know it's from us.
Good idea. Let me access your controls.
I thought you'd never ask.
That's it.
This would be a lot easier if I had a hyperspanner. Hold still.
Why is it we have to get beamed into space in environmental suits
before I can initiate first contact procedures?
Why is it that if we're alone for more than 30 seconds
you start thinking about contact?
That is not fair.
The other day in engineering I must have gone four minutes
before I started thinking about it.
I'm ready to initiate the carrier wave.
Sorry.
Better?
Yeah. Let's hope it's still that strong by the time it gets to Voyager.
Come in.
Would you like tea or coffee?
I have no need to ingest liquids. I receive energy from the alcove.
My understanding is that you're almost ready to begin eating food.
That is what the doctor says. Why have you asked me here?
Whenever there's an accident on the ship, we investigate it
to minimise the chances of its happening again.
A prudent course of action.
I didn't have a chance to talk to Lieutenant Torres before she left,
so I wanted to ask you some questions about what happened in engineering.
Sensor logs indicated the tachyons were leaking into the warp core.
- Any idea how it started? - No.
We had reconfigured the deflector shield. It must have triggered the leak.
- Who was controlling the tachyon? - Ensign Vorik.
- What were you doing? - Monitoring the transport frequencies.
Did you access deflector control?
You believe I'm responsible for the accident, that I sabotaged the ship.
You're like the others. You see me as a threat.
I won't lie to you. Part of me is suspicious.
We've never had this kind of problem.
Captain, I am unaccustomed to deception.
Among the Borg it was impossible. There were no lies, no secrets.
I assure you I had nothing to do with the accident in engineering.
I believe you. Thank you.
I am finding it a difficult challenge to integrate into this group.
It is full of complex social structures that are unfamiliar to me.
Compared with the Borg, this crew is inefficient and contentious
but it is capable of surprising acts of compassion.
Unexpected acts of kindness are common among our group.
That's one of the ways we define ourselves.
- Is there anything more? - Yes.
We still have to find out what caused the tachyon leak.
Tell me what you remember about the power fluctuations in the system.
This isn't anything like the simulations we had at the Academy.
They felt peaceful,
like floating in the womb.
But right now I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach.
You dropped out too soon.
In the third year there's a six-week course
of actual space walks so you get used to them.
I never would have lasted to the third year.
If I hadn't dropped out, they would have asked me to leave.
- I wish I had known you then. - You would have hated me.
I can't imagine a time I wouldn't have found you fascinating.
- What the hell was that? - More ion turbulence.
Warning. Oxygen level at 114 millibars.
My oxygen supply is leaking.
- Warning. Oxygen level at 93 millibars. - We'll have to share mine.
Are you getting air now?
Yes.
Much better. Thanks.
What's wrong?
The turbulence must have damaged my suit too.
I should have 24 hours worth of oxygen but there's only about a half hour left.
- Engineering to Captain. - Yes, Ensign.
Impulse power should be restored within the hour.
Good news, let me know as soon as the engines are on-line.
Captain, I believe I've found the cause of the accident -
erratic fluctuations in the ship's warp power.
When tachyon levels rose to a resonant frequency, core pressure increased.
Then it was an accident. Come in.
We picked up a wave with the Starfleet signature.
I'd guess it's Tom and B'Elanna but they're not answering.
They may be in trouble. As soon as...
Tuvok to the Captain. Can you come to the bridge?
On my way.
We're being approached by an armada of Caatati ships.
- They're hailing us. - On screen.
- Hello, Captain. - You've brought some friends.
Needy friends. We're hoping you'll offer us more supplies.
I made it clear last time that we couldn't provide enough for all your ships.
And I had to accept that because your ship is more powerful than ours.
But the situation has changed. You seem to be at a disadvantage now.
We have your warp core. You can't escape.
I'm hoping that will make you more generous.
We've given everything we can spare. Return the core and we'll be on our way.
One of our ships might not seem threatening to you but I assure you,
27 can inflict considerable damage. We are desperate.
Prepare to send us food, weapons and your entire supply of thorium.
And that Borg you're protecting. We want her too.
There are many who'd enjoy a chance to repay one of them for what they did.
I'm lowering the oxygen ratio. That should give us a few more minutes.
I'm feeling... kind of groggy.
Oxygen depravation.
And you're lowering it?
We have to try make it last as long as possible...
It's ironic, isn't it?
What?
Today...
the Day of Honour...
is the day that I'm going to die.
We are not going to die. Would you stop talking like that?
We have to face up to it, Tom.
There's something I've been wanting to ask you.
Well, now's the time.
When we first met
you didn't have a high opinion of me.
That's putting it mildly.
I thought you were an arrogant, self-absorbed pig.
Flattery won't get you anymore oxygen.
- Do you think I've changed? - A lot.
Now you're a stubborn domineering pig.
I'm just kidding.
There I go again
just pushing you away.
You were right about me.
It's what I do...
...push people away.
It's a sure fire way of not getting hurt.
What a coward I am.
Shh...
- Our weapons powerful, I say we fight. - Maybe if we give them something...
Like what? I can't think what would satisfy them now.
I will go.
They asked for me. If I surrender myself perhaps they'll let you leave.
That's generous but I will not turn you over to them.
I was only offering to do what would be best for this group.
You're part of this group and we're going to protect you.
Let's stop talking about this and find Tom and B'Elanna.
Tuvok, what's the status of our weapons?
Weapons are ready, but our shield strength is extremely low.
Shut down non-essential systems. Reroute power. We're going to fight.
That might not be necessary.
Caatati technology depends on thorium isotopes.
- With them they can be self-sustaining. - We don't have that much thorium.
When the Borg assimilated the Caatati, they lost the ability to replicate isotopes
but I have retained that knowledge.
I could design an energy matrix that would produce thorium.
If you've had this knowledge all along, why didn't you say so?
I'm not accustomed to thinking that way.
Borg do not give technology away, they only assimilate it.
And what do you suppose made you consider it now?
I'm not certain.
Maybe it was just an unexpected act of kindness.
Work with Vorik to build the energy matrix
while I convince the Caatati there's a better way out of this.
This matrix will produce 944 grams of thorium per day.
Now you can power all your systems and rebuild your replication technology.
Will you allow us to leave?
One device isn't enough for all our ships.
Using this matrix as a template you can construct many.
We can provide you with components and specifications.
You're free to go.
And thank you.
You're welcome.
Warning. Oxygen level at 104 millibars.
Tom.
Come on. Open your eyes.
Warning. Oxygen level at 87 millibars.
I was having a dream...
- There's something I have to say. - Me too.
I'm glad the last thing I'll see is you.
I've been a coward about everything,
everything that really matters.
- You're being a little hard on yourself. - No.
I'm going to die without a shred of honour.
And for the first time in my life that really bothers me.
So I have to tell you something.
Warning. Oxygen level at 71 millibars.
I have to tell you the truth.
The truth about what?
I...
I love you.
Say something.
You picked a great time to tell me.
Voyager to Tom Paris. Tom, do you read me? Respond.
- We're here. - Prepare to beam aboard.
English (en)