This is Kathryn Janeway of Voyager. We're responding to your distress call.
A ruptured conduit is flooding my ship with radiation.
We request transport.
I'm detecting 11 lifesigns. Two are weak.
Transport the injured to sickbay and the rest to cargo bay 1. Security to both.
- Our weapons! - They'll be returned later.
- These criminals have to be secured. - We'll try to accommodate you.
I had eight men in custody. Where are the other two?
- We won't hurt you. - Stay away or I'll kill her!
We can resolve this without violence.
- What do you want? - A ship. Food.
I can arrange that. But release her first.
I'm not a fool.
You know I'll do it!
You're not getting off this ship.
Release her and you won't be harmed.
- Not until I get a ship. - We don't negotiate with criminals.
Who are you?
Warden Yediq, Nygean Detention Force. He's my prisoner.
Then why is he holding my friend hostage?
Get back!
I'm a hologram. I can't be harmed.
I think you proved my point.
We're lucky you came along.
None of us would have survived.
Your vessel had escape pods. Why didn't you use them?
I couldn't risk the prisoners getting away.
They're dangerous.
Where are you taking them?
To our homeworld to be executed.
What were their crimes?
All eight are murderers. Three are multiple offenders.
We're 13 light years from our system.
Please take us back.
We were headed in the opposite direction.
One of our ships can rendezvous with Voyager in several days.
My prisoners will have to be monitored.
Commander Tuvok will help you.
The crew may not like helping deliver men to their deaths.
I don't like it either but we have a Prime Directive to follow.
30 more seconds
and I'd have resolved things.
But you and Tuvok the Kid
took matters into your own hands.
You're damaged.
- The firing caused my emitters to surge. - I'll help you repair it.
- How are you? - Fine, Captain.
You. Is this your ship?
Yes.
Then let me out.
I'm afraid I can't do that.
If you don't, I'll kill you all.
Janeway to Tuvok, are the prisoners' accommodations ready?
- Affirmative, Captain. - Then initiate transport.
Will these hold them?
The force fields are impenetrable. As are the bulkheads.
Two Voyager security officers will remain here at all times.
Two more will be posted at the entrance to the cargo bay.
- What about our weapons? - You can carry them in this area only.
If you leave the cargo bay, you must surrender them.
- What's this? - Dinner.
You can't bring the prisoners to the mess hall, so I brought it to them.
- What is it? - Talaxian spiced stew.
With leola rice pilaf. It's an old family recipe.
- Take it back. - Too spicy?
These men don't deserve such an elaborate meal. Take it back.
Our guidelines are clear about the treatment of prisoners.
- He is correct. - I can quote the protocols.
My men will assist you.
- Thanks for standing up to Yediq. - Just doing my job.
Still. It was kind.
This would be easier if you would remain stationary.
- It doesn't feel right. - It's your matrix realigning.
I was referring to the arrangement the captain made with the Nygeans.
No matter how terrible their crimes, it's wrong to allow them to be executed.
This is not the Barge of the Dead.
- Would you prefer to release them? - No. They're dangerous.
Execution ensures they won't pose a threat.
So would life sentences, the operative word being "life".
That requires significant resources. It may not be worthwhile.
And rehabilitation? They might become productive members of society.
Their victims won't have that chance.
And that justifies taking their lives? An eye for an eye?
It's not justice, it's revenge.
I'm surprised you're not troubled by such a barbaric system.
I'm being objective. You encourage me to see both sides of an argument.
This is one occasion when my programming won't allow objectivity.
Killing is wrong, no matter who's doing it.
Still hungry? I can hear your stomach from here.
This is the first time in a month your couldn't steal poor Egrid's meal.
Good, isn't it?
Is there a problem?
Iko was just telling me he didn't get enough to eat.
I see.
Cause another disturbance and you won't be fed the rest of this journey.
Do you understand?
- Boche and Ledara. - What did you say?
- Your children. - How did you know that?
Are you sure they're safe?
Some people don't understand why we deal so harshly with men like you.
It's because you never learn.
Stand down!
- He needs to be disciplined. - Lower your weapons and step away.
- Our response was justified. - Beating a defenceless man?
Violence is all he understands.
You seem to have a pretty good grasp of it yourself.
Do not tell me how to handle my prisoners.
You don't know Iko like I do. He killed a young father for no reason.
Before that he committed dozens of violent crimes.
He's always hurt people.
That doesn't excuse what you did to him.
Until your transport vessel gets here,
you and your men won't be allowed in the cargo bay.
- You watch the prisoners. - They're my responsibility.
Not while you're here. I won't risk more violence.
The only risk will be to your crew.
Tuvok isn't qualified to guard these prisoners.
Tuvok has been a security officer for a very long time.
- Believe me, he's qualified. - I hope you're right.
- You remember Mr lko. - Vividly.
The Nygeans decided to make an example of him.
Did you call me here to make a point about Nygean barbarity?
I called you because I need your help to save his life.
A severe blow to the head has caused severe edema in his parietal lobe.
It's blocking neurotransmitters.
I'd like to program some of your nanoprobes to bypass the edema.
- I'll comply. - I sense a "but" coming.
It's inefficient to save the life of someone being executed.
If the Nygeans want to kill him I can't stop them.
But I won't let them do it on Voyager.
I didn't expect to see you back so soon.
Ordinarily we're lucky to get one meal a day.
That's terrible.
Yediq likes to keep us hungry.
Less talk. We're hungry.
- You're wondering why I'm here. - Excuse me?
You're wondering what I did to end up with men like them.
You killed someone.
That's right.
- Why? - Because I'm Benkaran.
What does that have to do with it?
It's common knowledge that all Benkarans are criminals.
So when I was found in the vicinity of a murder,
I was immediately arrested.
- Are you saying you didn't do it? - I told you. I'm Benkaran.
What I say doesn't matter.
You suffered severe neurological trauma but we've repaired the damage.
Thank you.
Thank Seven of Nine. She donated the nanoprobes that saved your life.
- My head. - The pain is normal.
I'll prepare an analgesic.
- You're not afraid of me. - Not in your condition.
You were never afraid of me. Not even when I tried to kill you.
It's nice to look into someone's eyes and not see fear.
Do I have to be a criminal to get food?
Sorry. Dinner will be ready in 15 minutes.
You said that 15 minutes ago.
The Nygeans govern a sector of space occupied by several different species.
If we say yes, will you feed us?
One of those species is the Benkarans.
They occupy just 10% of Nygean space,
but take up nearly 80% of the space in Nygean prisons.
Maybe they commit more crimes.
Not according to Joleg. One of the prisoners.
His species gets harsher sentences?
Benkarans are ten times more likely to be executed than Nygeans.
- Where did you get that? - Their government.
I said I was interested in a cultural exchange.
They let me access data on their criminal justice system.
It all supports what Joleg told me.
- Neelix. - I know what you're thinking.
You're a soft touch.
These are the transcripts from Joleg's trial.
He was convicted on circumstantial evidence.
- In the wrong place at the wrong time? - Apparently.
When I was in the Federation penal colony, everybody had a story.
I never put much stock in them. Neither should you.
How many of them were sentenced to die?
I still don't understand. Why weren't you hurt?
Because my matrix is photonic. I'm made of light.
- You wanted to see me. - I'll be with you in a moment.
You don't feel pain?
I suppose my pride has been wounded on occasion.
I wish I was made of light.
Try to rest.
He responded so well to the nanoprobes, more might help further.
It will only take a moment to extract them.
You and Mr lko seem to be getting along well.
It's strange. When he first arrived, he was crude, abusive.
Now he's grateful, considerate.
He's obviously unstable. Inconsistent behaviour is hardly surprising.
If it weren't for the security detail, I'd forget he was a criminal.
He may be trying to manipulate you.
Doctor!
- What's the matter? - My stomach.
- I'm not detecting anything. - I can't...
What's wrong?
I can't stop thinking about the man I killed.
That's not surprising. You're experiencing guilt.
- Is that why I'm feeling sick? - Nausea could be a symptom of guilt.
- I've never felt guilty before. - You've committed many crimes.
None of them made me feel like this.
- Why did you do this to me? - We're not responsible for your guilt.
I didn't feel this way until you put those nanoprobes in me.
You knew this would happen, didn't you?
This is some kind of punishment.
- Take the nanoprobes out. - You could die.
Please. I don't want to feel this way anymore.
You don't believe we're responsible for this?
We applied the Borg technology. It's possible there were side-effects.
Guilt, for example.
- Look at this. - What?
It's my most recent scan.
The neurotransmitters have established new pathways.
- Wasn't that your intention? - No.
I was simply trying to bypass the edema.
- Then how did this happen? - I don't know.
Maybe this is normal brain activity but I have no basis for comparison.
Ask Mr Yediq to contact a Nygean medical official.
Maybe they could provide some relevant information.
Seven of Nine...
Stay and talk to me.
- I'm extremely busy. - Please.
I'm scared.
What did you want to discuss?
- I'm due in astrometrics so... - Astrometrics? What's that?
A laboratory where we observe stellar phenomena.
When I was a child, I'd lie under the stars for hours.
- I'd stare till I could see the shapes. - Shapes?
Faces and animals made out of stars.
- You're referring to constellations. - I named them.
There was Paedos the Warrior and Gezid the Beast.
No matter how hard he tried, Paedos could never catch Gezid.
The distance between them always remained the same.
You've seen them?
Possibly. I've catalogued approximately six billion stars.
Then you must have seen Onella, too. The Mother.
Describe her.
She was surrounded by 16 smaller stars.
Her daughters. If I try, I think I can remember all their names.
- Grid 11-6. Green. - What's going on over there?
- Kot-Kot. - That's Kadis-Kot. Congratulations.
Down here!
I've been researching the Nygean legal system.
You were right about the Benkarans receiving harsher sentences.
- I saw the statistics. - Statistics won't save me.
Some people convicted of murder, even terrible, premeditated murders,
weren't executed. Some weren't punished at all.
- But you were sentenced to death. - The family wants it.
Family?
After you're convicted, the family of the victim sentences you.
Shouldn't you be sentenced by someone less partial, like a judge?
It's ancient Nygean. It means "favour the victims".
What if I stole your game board?
What right would a judge have to assign a value to your loss?
To him it's just a game board, but to you it might be a priceless possession.
And what if I murdered your child?
I think I get your point.
It's the basis for the Nygean legal system.
What about the criminals that didn't serve any sentence?
Some people prefer restitution to revenge.
If a defendant is wealthy enough,
he can negotiate a settlement with the victim's family.
- That doesn't seem fair. - It's perfectly fair.
Unless you're destitute.
I'll talk to the captain about finding a way to compensate your victims.
I'm grateful. But it would imply I'm guilty.
I wouldn't want that.
There must be something I can do.
You can transmit a letter to my brother to let him know what's happened.
I'll get a padd.
I thought you might find this interesting.
- What is it? - An astrometrics log.
It contains data on various star formations.
It's just words and numbers.
I'd rather look at the stars.
I'll bring you a star chart after my next shift.
What's the metal above your eye?
- It's a cybernetic implant. - Where did you get it?
- It was installed by the Borg. - It must have hurt.
I don't recall.
I hurt people.
I deserve to die.
Seven...
I found something.
This is a scan depicting a healthy Nygean brain.
This node is analogous to the human pineal gland.
It controls behavioural impulses and regulates decision-making.
It's the physiological equivalent of a conscience.
Normally the node connects to the rest of the brain.
Now, look at the scan of Iko's node before we applied the nanoprobes.
- It's detached. - When he was assaulted?
No. I believe it's a birth defect.
Without the node, lko was prone to violence and sociopathic behaviour.
When I used nanoprobes to treat his injuries,
they repaired the defect as well.
You've activated his conscience. That's why he's experiencing guilt.
There more than that. He's now capable of controlling his violent impulses.
Capable maybe, but how do you know he will?
The thought of violence makes him ill now.
In my opinion, he's no longer a threat to anyone.
By some definitions, he's not the same man that committed the murder.
- Are you suggesting we release him? - Of course not.
- But his case should be re-examined. - Because he's sorry?
- There's new medical evidence. - He still killed a man.
He was suffering from a neurological defect.
If Iko had been treated, he never would have committed that crime.
- He's a victim of his own biology. - So lko's the victim now.
No one's denying that he committed a terrible crime.
But as a result of the treatment, he's undergone a fundamental change.
- Killing him will accomplish nothing. - It's not your decision.
- Nor is it yours. - He's obviously deceiving you.
The fact is, our personal opinions are irrelevant.
All that matters is Nygean law.
Does Iko have a legal means of appeal?
In accordance with Nygean penal code,
a capital defendant has a right to appeal his sentence
to his victims' family.
Then help Tuvok draft an appeal and submit it to the proper authorities.
Take back the appeal.
You'd rather die because it would relieve your pain.
Death is what I deserve.
You say I've changed but I look at these hands every day
and I see them squeezing a man's throat.
And I hear the sounds he made.
I'm disgusting.
Do you think I'm disgusting?
You've been nothing but kind to me.
You asked me earlier if it hurt when my occipital implant was installed.
I told you I didn't remember.
But the truth is it was one of the most painful experiences of my life.
Why did you lie?
It's difficult for me to talk about...
...because I forced others to undergo it.
- Why? - I was compelled to by the Borg.
I wasn't in control of my actions.
Just as you weren't in control when you took a life.
My nanoprobes have given you control.
You're a different person now. You don't deserve to be executed.
- I want to go back to my cell. - You may remain here.
- Am I still sick? - No, but...
Then I don't want special treatment.
I'm glad to see you're feeling better.
You must be hungry.
- Here you go. - Give it to him.
- He's already had his dinner. - Please.
All right.
You wanted to see me.
We just received a response from the Nygeans.
The family has refused to consider the appeal.
- But the evidence... - They won't look at it.
The family found the request insulting.
Your government could make them review it.
Our laws protect victims from emotional distress.
Then we should grant lko asylum aboard Voyager.
You agreed to work within the confines of our legal system.
- Your system is flawed. - That's enough.
I assure you, we'll abide by the family's decision.
Now I need a moment alone with Seven if you don't mind.
- We did everything we could to help. - We have to do more.
Why are you so passionate about helping him?
I want to give him the chance you gave me.
When you severed my link to the collective, you changed who I was.
You allowed me to reclaim my humanity.
Because of my nanoprobes, lko has undergone a similar change.
He should be allowed to atone for his crimes.
- Atonement. Is that what this is about? - Yes.
For him? Or for you?
I don't know what you mean.
Part of you still feels responsible for your violent acts as a Borg.
- You're mistaken. - Am I?
Maybe you believe if Iko was found not guilty,
somehow you won't be guilty either.
You said it yourself. You've reclaimed your humanity.
Stop blaming yourself for the crimes of the collective.
Report.
An alien vessel just dropped out of warp and opened fire.
We've lost power on decks 8 through 10.
The cargo bay.
- Shields down to 60%. - Still no response to hails.
Evasive manoeuvres. Target their weapons.
The ship is attempting to transport one of the prisoners.
They're trying to lock onto all five Benkaran lifesigns.
Target their transporter array.
- Direct hit. They're retreating. - Pursuit course?
No. Bridge to Tuvok, what's your status?
We've neutralised two of the prisoners.
- Someone's accessing the shuttlebay. - Lock them out.
Again.
Stand back.
Don't move.
You have five minutes to get us a shuttle.
Tuvok to bridge. Transport Yediq to...
Transporters are off-line.
We need ten minutes to get them working.
Seal it.
You're not getting off this ship.
Then I suppose I should kill you right now.
Don't!
He's mine.
You saw how they beat me.
I knew it was a trick. I knew you hadn't changed.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Yediq has convinced the Nygean family to hear Iko's appeal for leniency.
I won't beg for my life. It belongs to you.
I only want you to understand what's happened to me.
I'm a different person now. A better person.
This crew has helped me to see that.
If my death helps you find peace, I can accept it.
But if you let me live, I will never hurt anyone again.
Whatever you decide,
please know... how sorry I am
for what I took from you.
- Are we playing Kadis-Kot later? - Sorry.
Afraid I'll beat you again?
I tried to help you and you took advantage of me.
- What do you mean? - The note we sent your brother.
He traced the transmission to Voyager. He's the one who attacked us.
Neelix, I swear I had no idea he would do that.
- You have to believe me. - I read Yediq's security report.
You threatened to kill him.
- I can't eat this. - Why not?
- I'm sick. - You look fine to me.
No, I must have the same condition Iko had.
If your Doctor cures me, I can make an appeal for my life, too.
- She's beautiful, isn't she? - Onella the Mother.
And there's Paedos, still watching over her.
It was kind of Captain Janeway to let you bring me here.
If your appeal is successful you can go anywhere.
- I hope you're right. - If I am, where will you go?
I don't know.
I could ask Captain Janeway to let you stay here.
I'm not a scientist. I don't think I'd be much help to anyone.
There are other ways to be useful. I'm sure we could think of something.
I'd like that.
I'm sorry. The family has denied your appeal.
We're due to rendezvous with a transport ship in a few hours.
I need to return you to your cell.
You were the first person who wasn't afraid to look me in the eye.
That's how I'd like to remember you.
I just looked over your warp core analysis. I'm impressed.
B'Elanna tells me you did this in 22 hours.
I haven't felt the need to regenerate.
Everyone grieves in their own way.
If you want to talk, you know where to find me.
It's unfair.
I think so too, Seven. But we have to try not to judge their system.
That's not what I meant.
Iko was executed for taking a single life.
As a drone I took thousands, but I was never punished.
You lost 20 years of your life to the Borg.
I'd say that's punishment enough.