- Why potatoes? - They wanted to clone Naomi.
I suggested they start with something smaller.
- Quite a feat. - It's a Tairenian ant colony.
I infused the soil with a blue dye so it would be easier to see the insects.
They're luminescent!
Drones produce a fluorescent enzyme activated by the queen.
Drones and queens. We were trying to get the children away from the Borg.
It was Mezoti's idea. I didn't want to discourage her individuality.
- I like bugs. - Well done.
Let me know before you take up beekeeping.
- What's this? - Katarus.
- Your father's planet. - I've been learning about it.
Naomi programmed the geophysical and atmospheric conditions.
- There's a storm in those mountains. - The range is known for hail.
I'll remember to bring my coat.
This looks impressive.
- It's a gravimetric sensor array. - Ambitious.
It'll allow us to scan for neutrino flux associated with wormholes.
- It could help Voyager get home faster. - The engineering principles are sound.
I expected these projects to be interesting, but this is exceptional.
Thank you, Captain. I'm interested in astrophysics.
You've obviously got a knack for it. Well done.
How did you think of scanning for neutrino fluctuations?
- I've been studying Starfleet records. - He's remarkable.
- He's hoping for a post in astrometrics. - That won't be possible.
- The boy has a unique talent. - It's not a question of merit.
We've made contact with his parents and I've set a course for their planet.
My scanner is calibrated to pick up changes in neutrino trajectories.
That's good news.
- You've exceeded your time by an hour. - I'm almost finished.
Your work will have to wait. We need to discuss something.
Look at this.
It's a star in the Orpisay nebula.
The Orpisay nebula is out of our range.
I increased the resolution of the long-range scanners.
Impressive.
When I was on the cube I never thought about what was outside -
pulsars, quasars, nebulas.
But here in this lab I feel like I can see the entire galaxy.
What did you want to talk about? We needed to discuss something?
Yes. That's correct.
It's time for you to regenerate.
Come in.
I'd like the data on Icheb's species
so I can prepare him for re-assimilation.
Maybe we could call it getting reacquainted with his family.
- If you'd prefer. - I'll transfer the files to astrometrics.
- Thank you. - How did he take the news?
You haven't told him.
- No. - Why not?
It won't be easy for him.
- He's adapted to Voyager. - And you've adapted to him.
- My feelings are irrelevant. - Are they?
- Would you like me to tell him? - It's my responsibility.
But I am uncertain how to proceed.
You helped him make one difficult transition. How did you do that?
By giving him the benefit of my experience.
Encouraging him to be resilient in the face of obstacles.
Sounds like a good strategy.
Is your alcove malfunctioning?
- I'm calculating neutrino trajectories. - You need to regenerate.
Very well.
Wait.
We've located your parents.
Voyager is due to arrive at their planet tomorrow.
Do I have to stay with them?
- They're your parents. - I don't remember them.
After my parents were assimilated I never saw them again.
- You're fortunate to have this chance. - What about the others?
- We haven't located their families. - That's not what I mean.
What will happen to them if I leave?
- They depend on me. - They'll adapt.
I'll never see you again?
I've been studying Brunali culture.
- It's very different to Voyager. - In what way?
They're an agrarian society. Their technological resources are limited.
- Are they capable of space travel? - Yes.
But most vessels were destroyed by the Borg.
How will I continue my studies?
I don't know.
Icheb...
I detect enclaves on the northern continent,
all with populations of fewer than 10,000.
Judging from the gamma radiation,
they've suffered Borg attacks over the past decade.
That's not surprising. There's a Borg transwarp conduit a light year away.
- Not exactly prime real estate. - Tuvok, run scans for Borg activity.
- Tom, put us into synchronous orbit. - Yes, ma'am.
Seven, you'd better get Icheb.
According to these scans you're in perfect health.
Then why does my stomach feel strange?
Oh. I should have known. You've got butterflies in there.
I never assimilated butterflies.
It's an expression to describe anxiety or apprehension,
both of which are natural reactions for someone meeting his long lost parents.
I'm sure they're just as nervous about meeting you.
- Parents are irrelevant. - Really?
Is Naomi's mother irrelevant?
I have Seven of Nine to assist me in my education.
I have you to care for my medical needs.
Your parents can nurture you in ways we can't.
They can explain Brunali culture, share their experiences.
- You didn't have parents. - No...
You adapted to serve a vital function,
forged relationships with the crew, without the benefit of parents.
I had my programming.
How would your programming respond if you were asked to live with strangers?
- Are you damaged? - He's fine.
I was giving him a last minute check-up.
It's time.
The butterflies will go away.
Hello. I'm Captain Janeway.
- Icheb... - You've... grown.
He's spent several months in a Borg maturation chamber.
This is Seven of Nine.
- That's a Borg designation. - I was liberated from the collective.
Seven was instrumental in helping Icheb make his transition.
Then we're grateful to you. I'm Leucon, Icheb's father.
This is his mother, Yifay.
- How are you? - Fine.
- Do these hurt you? - No.
We're very happy to have you back with us.
Mala, Remi, Yivel.
Welcome home, Icheb.
I would like to return to Voyager now.
- Thank you for coming. - Where's Icheb?
I thought it better if we talked by ourselves.
- What is there to discuss? - How to make this transition easier.
Please, sit down.
It won't be easy for him to give up the luxuries of your ship.
It's more than luxuries. He has medical needs.
- We have a physician. - He should consult with our doctor.
He also requires daily regeneration.
You can adapt our technology to make that possible.
- What about his education? - Our children go to school.
Will he be able to study astrometrics?
If Icheb has an aptitude for science, he'll find that we have a lot to teach him.
For example?
Agricultural geonetics, allowing us to grow crops
in an inhospitable environment.
Icheb has no interest in agriculture.
I'm sure he'll find the subject quite challenging.
- There's the issue of his safety. - We're able to protect our son.
Your proximity to a Borg conduit makes you vulnerable.
- Have you considered relocating? - Seven.
It's all right. This planet is our home. We will never leave it.
We will defend it against the Borg or anyone else who threatens us.
- Your courage is unrealistic. - See me in my ready room.
- Captain! - Now.
I apologise for her behaviour.
- She and Icheb have grown very close. - We'd like to see our son now.
Please be patient.
If we rush, your next encounter may not go any better than the last.
Stay aboard Voyager for a while.
It'll give him a chance to get to know you in a familiar environment.
Neelix will do everything he can to make you comfortable.
- Your attitude is making it worse. - I was ensuring Icheb's well-being.
- By insults? - Those issues had to be discussed.
- You could have had more tact. - Perhaps.
But that doesn't mean that they may not be suitable.
- They are his mother and father. - No guarantee they can care for him.
- He's more likely to flourish on Voyager. - That's not an option, Seven.
Are you ordering him off the ship so he can be assimilated?
- Why would that happen? - They shouldn't remain on that planet.
Who are you to decide that?
Anyone who values their goals over their children's safety is irresponsible.
Are we talking about Icheb's parents, or yours?
Both.
It's not like you to admit that.
It would be naive for me to claim objectivity in this case.
But I'm not returning Icheb to parents who may be as careless as my own.
I know what it's like to feel protective toward someone you've helped.
But Icheb is an individual now.
You have to give him a chance to form his own opinions.
If I do and he decides to remain on Voyager...
Then it'll be my problem.
Is your mother pretty?
What are they like?
- I'm busy. - I never met my father.
- I don't remember ours. - Neither do 1.
Will you stay with them?
If you leave, who'll help with our projects?
If you don't stop asking questions, I'll put you in a cargo container
and transport you back to the Borg.
Come with me.
- Where? - To dinner with your parents.
- I'm working. - Continue your work after the meal.
- I don't have anything to talk about. - Then it will be a very quiet evening.
- I'm not going. - Your attendance is not optional.
Enjoy your meal.
- Come, sit down. - I'd prefer to stand.
Mr Neelix let me use his galley to prepare some poma.
I'm not hungry.
It was your favourite food when you were little.
I'm not little anymore.
No. No you're not.
Your mother worked hard on that meal.
Couldn't you at least try it?
Good...
isn't it?
Nice to see the family back together, isn't it?
When you were little, you would only eat the insides...
The Borg didn't leave us much.
We didn't need much. Just ingenuity.
Everything you see, we built. Our homes, cultivation bays...
- What's this? - A genetic resequencer.
It's to alter the DNA of plants to conform with environmental conditions.
- You built this? - We adapted parts from vessels.
- Nothing's been wasted. - Efficient.
Efficiency's an attribute we share with the Borg. In our case, it's a necessity.
I know our settlement seems primitive compared to Voyager.
But I promise you, that will change.
- What about space travel? - Someday our ships will rival Voyager.
But we need young people like you to help us.
Icheb... how are you?
Well. Thank you.
Maybe later you can join us up on the field for a game of pala.
- I don't remember how to play. - It'll come back to you.
You used to be quite an athlete.
You can make a difference here.
I don't know about agriculture or genetics.
It won't take you long to learn, not with a mind like yours.
- Time to return to Voyager. - I'm staying here tonight.
- They don't have a regeneration unit. - We'll have to install one.
Might as well do it now.
He hasn't decided to remain here yet.
But he has asked to stay tonight.
Return with me to the ship. We'll prepare a regeneration unit.
The neural transceiver interfaces with the portable regenerator.
It has enough power for one full cycle.
We'll need a way of recharging it.
If Icheb decides to stay.
My wife and I appreciate everything you've done for our son.
- It's obvious you care. - He's a unique individual.
Yes, he is.
To get him back is, well, a miracle.
How was he taken?
Since the Borg attacked, we've tried to hide new technology we develop.
So that passing cubes won't be attracted.
We haven't always been successful.
One morning, about four years ago...
Icheb heard me talking about a fertilisation array we'd constructed.
He wanted to see it.
I told him I'd take him the next day.
He was impatient, the way boys can be.
I hadn't realised he'd wandered off when the alarm sounded.
It turns out the Borg...
...were just as interested in our new technology as Icheb.
They took him and assimilated everyone in the area.
If only I'd kept a closer eye on him.
Icheb has a mind of his own.
But still, it's hard not to blame myself.
Your parents must have felt the same when they lost you.
My parents were with me when the Borg attacked.
I can't imagine what that was like...
watching their daughter be assimilated, helpless to defend her.
It's important that Icheb regenerate for six uninterrupted hours.
- I understand. - He may resist.
He doesn't like to waste time.
I've had to contend with his lack of patience as well.
Over there is a star called Kelsin III.
To the west is the Orlitus cluster.
There, just above it, where you connect those six stars,
they form what we call the Great Horn.
I see it.
You inherited your love of the stars from your father.
Being on that starship, you've learned more about astronomy than I have.
Our window can't compare to Voyager's astrometrics lab.
No. But it's nice.
You see? We have everything we need, right here.
A warm fire, good food that we grow ourselves,
and people who love us.
Icheb has people on Voyager who love him, too.
You've grown attached to the crew, haven't you?
They've provided for me, given me opportunities.
They're good people. People who've experienced hardship.
Seven of Nine told me about your science project.
- She said it might be very useful. - It's designed to detect wormholes.
- How will that benefit them? - It may get them back to Earth.
Why is that so important to them?
It's their home.
- Interesting, isn't it? - What?
With all their technology,
their opportunity to explore the galaxy,
the thing they want most is to get home.
- Good morning. - Did you regenerate successfully?
Yes. And I slept...
under the stars.
- You should try it. - You weren't in class this morning.
The others missed you.
I was helping my father.
There's something we need to discuss.
What is it?
You've decided to stay with them.
Yes.
- You're certain? - This is my home.
I have a responsibility to help them rebuild it.
- I'll inform the captain. - Thank you.
You'll want to say goodbye to the other children.
Inside are padds containing data
on subjects that will allow you to continue your studies.
I've included a high-resolution telescope. Not a substitute for astrometric sensors.
I will use it every day.
- Goodbye, Icheb, and good luck. - Thank you, Captain.
I hope you find a way home.
Warning. Regeneration cycle incomplete.
- What is it? - I can't regenerate.
- Explain. - Regeneration cycle incomplete.
I miss Icheb.
So do I. But we'll adapt. Now return to your alcove.
If you find my parents, will I have to go?
We'll discuss that when and if the time comes.
I hope you don't find them.
Regenerate.
- Seven? - Yes?
What if the Borg assimilated Icheb again?
His people lack resources. The Borg have little reason to return.
- What if Icheb's on a ship? - Unlikely.
He was on a ship last time.
He was on the surface when he was assimilated.
No. He wasn't.
A Class-1 transport was detected in grid 649.
One life-form. Species, Brunali.
- This better be important. - It is.
I don't read Borg. You'll have to translate.
Data from where we found the children.
It says Icheb was alone on an unarmed vessel when the Borg took him.
Why tell me this at 0300 hours?
Icheb's father said he was assimilated on the planet's surface.
- Did you misunderstand? - No, he was very specific.
That cube was disabled by a pathogen. It had extensive damage.
- Is it possible the records are corrupt? - Perhaps.
But Leucon said Icheb was assimilated four years ago.
But the Borg attacked three times in the last decade.
Nine years ago, six years ago and again last year.
All right, let's assume your information is accurate.
- What does it prove? - His father was lying.
- Why would he do that? - I'm not certain.
- But we have to find out. - What do you propose?
That we return. Demand an explanation.
Do we really need to interrogate them?
We have a responsibility to ensure Icheb's safety.
- He chose to stay with them. - He didn't have all the information.
This doesn't mean they're unfit parents.
At some point...
you have to let go.
I know you're thinking I'm having difficulty accepting my separation from Icheb.
And you're correct.
But if there's a possibility he's in danger, even a remote one, I must protect him.
If I don't, I'll be no better than my own parents.
- Couldn't we wait? - What would that accomplish?
- He's just getting settled. - The longer we wait, the harder it'll be.
Why do it at all? There's nothing compelling us to go through with it.
- It's what he was born for. - Hasn't he been through enough?
- Why not give him an ordinary life? - He's not an ordinary child.
But he can help us. He's hardworking.
Leucon.. His return was a gift.
We can't waste it.
- I don't want to lose him again. - To survive, we make sacrifices.
You taught me that.
We won three games in a row.
Sit down, Icheb.
We need to talk.
- You know you're very important to us. - Yes.
What you don't know is why.
What do you mean?
- What is that? - If you relax, it won't hurt.
- Father? - Hold him.
What are you doing to me?
No!
Prepare the launch.
Hail them.
- We didn't expect to see again. - We'd like to ask you a few questions.
Questions?
- Regarding Icheb and his assimilation. - We've already discussed that.
Your story was inconsistent with our data.
- We don't owe you any explanations. - In that case, I'd like to talk to Icheb.
- He's not here. - Where is he?
- That's not your concern. - Scan for his bio-signs.
- He's not in the settlement. - I detect a Brunali vessel.
Distance, nine million kilometres. It's heading for the transwarp conduit.
- That ship is travelling at warp 9.8. - It only looks that way.
It can emit a false warp signature, strong enough to penetrate subspace.
- It's bait to attract the Borg. - Icheb's on that vessel, isn't he?
- He's fighting for his people. - Alone on an unarmed transport.
We don't have particle weapons or starships at our disposal.
- We use the only resource we have. - Your children?
No. Our genetic expertise.
Icheb's not bait.
He's a weapon.
The first cube that captured him was infected by a pathogen.
Icheb was the carrier.
Every time we rebuild, make progress, the Borg take it away from us.
- Set a course for that vessel. - Aye, Captain.
- You can't interfere. - We're saving our civilisation.
By taking Icheb's future.
If we don't stop the Borg, the Brunali have no future.
A Borg ship will emerge from that conduit at any moment.
- You'll be destroyed. - We'll chance it. End transmission.
Red Alert. Battle stations.
- We're in range. - I'm picking up Icheb's lifesigns.
- He's unconscious. - Transport him to sickbay.
- I can't. There's interference. - It's the conduit.
A Borg vessel should emerge in less than 40 seconds.
Transfer auxiliary power to the transporters.
- I can't establish a lock. - 30 seconds.
- Tom, get us closer to that ship. - Yes, ma'am.
- The conduit's opening. 20 seconds. - Seven?
- Still out of range. - You heard her.
When that Borg ship comes through, it's going to be hard getting away.
Ten seconds. Nine... eight...
I've got a lock. Transport in progress. He's in sickbay.
Get us out of here! Maximum...
Target their tractor beam generator.
- Phasers targeted. - Fire!
No effect.
We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
There's a way to get a weapon through.
- I'm listening. - Transfer a torpedo to the vessel.
- Detonate it in the sphere. - That will occur in 20 seconds.
But Voyager will be inside less than three seconds later.
Tom, full reverse thrusters.
Do it!
Transport complete. Detonation in ten... nine...
- ...five... - Tom, go to warp on my mark.
All hands, brace for impact.
Now!
The Borg vessel is damaged. They are not pursuing.
- Did his parents re-infect him? - No, they merely sedated him.
I don't understand.
He was genetically engineered to produce the pathogen from birth.
- Bred to kill Borg. - Is he in danger?
I can suppress the pathogen. He'll be fine... physically.
He'll need help coming to terms with this.
- Captain... - Use your maternal instincts.
They worked before.
I thought you were studying spatial harmonics.
My parents suggested I might have an aptitude for genetics.
I see.
- What have you learned? - This is the genome of a typical Brunali.
And this is my DNA.
They're nearly identical.
But do you notice the differences in the 3rd, 13th and 17th chromosomes?
Yes.
My parents made alterations so I'd produce the pathogen.
Quite ingenious.
It's also barbaric.
They were trying to defend their way of life, preserve their species.
I know how difficult it is to acknowledge your parents' faults,
but what they did was wrong.
You don't have to forgive them.
- Will they forgive me? - For what?
I could have destroyed that sphere. I failed them.
- You would have been re-assimilated. - I know, but...
- But what? - Maybe it was my destiny.
Maybe.
In the future you may choose to fight the Borg but you'll do it in your own way.
You're an individual.
And you have the right to determine your own destiny.
It's time to regenerate.
And if I prefer to continue studying?
It's your decision.