The prey's course has become erratic. I will intercept to kill.
No. Maintain distance.
His ship is damaged. He's injured. Let him bleed.
This prey is resilient. We will lose the moment.
The way a creature behaves when it is wounded is the key to its destruction.
Maintain distance.
- Direct hit. Our hull armour is stable. - His weapons must be weakening.
The prey is heading for an asteroid belt. Vector 168.9.
- We are losing him. - He hasn't come here to hide.
He's come to make a final stand.
Tracking.
He's holding position above an asteroid and he's left his ship.
Follow him.
The prey is scattering our sensors.
Impressive. He counters our pursuit to the final moment.
- Compensating. - No. Disengage sensors.
- For what reason? - I want to take him with my own eyes.
Follow.
I'll draw his attack. Prepare to target his thoracic crest.
A flawless kill.
"Remain still so I can treat your injuries.
"Thank you. I'm sorry. Did that hurt?
"I'll try to be more careful.
"Thanks for being a patient patient.
"Have a nice afternoon." This is absurd.
Keep going. You're doing fine.
This is not applicable to my duties.
We can tailor the vocabulary later.
Right now it's the sentiment that counts.
I don't see the relevance.
I created these exercises
to familiarise myself with social graces.
If I repeated them several times a day,
the words became second nature.
Let's continue. Exercise two.
The workplace. Kes helped me with this.
I'll be the nurse. You be the doctor.
"Please hand me the hypospray.”
"Of course, Doctor."
"Thank you. Looks at instrument.”
Don't read that part. Only the dialogue.
"This is the wrong hypospray. Would you mind finding the correct one?"
- "Not at all." - "Thank you.
"Did I mention you look lovely today?"
"Doctor, you're so charming."
This lesson is terminated.
I know it's awkward. For me, it was even painful.
But the rewards are well worth the effort.
- Rewards? - The ability to put others at ease.
Make them feel more comfortable around you.
You're like me when I was first activated.
If I'd had a mentor, things would have gone a lot more smoothly.
I'm willing to share my wisdom, but if you're not interested...
Fine. I'll stick to your physiological maintenance.
I will examine your data.
Good. Pay special attention to exercise 17.
"Bridge Banter For Beginners."
Have a pleasant day.
- Verify. - Monotanium hull plating.
Dicyclic warp signature. The vessel is definitely Hirogen.
- They're moving to intercept. - Evasive manoeuvres?
We'll settle our differences. Hard about. Full impulse.
Red Alert.
- They're in visual range. - On screen. Hail them.
- No response. - They're closing.
50,000 kilometres.
45..40...
- Maintain course, Mr Paris. - They're not charging weapons.
They're slowing.
- Lifesigns? - Only one and it's erratic.
They've stopped, Captain. Their engines just went off-line.
This could be a trap.
Harry, run a long-range scan. Are there any other Hirogen ships out there?
None.
Take us within transporter range.
- You intend to board their ship? - Yes.
The Hirogen vessel is a potential threat. We should destroy it.
Seven, what you call a threat, I call an opportunity
to gain knowledge about this species.
And in this case maybe even show some compassion.
There seems to be a wounded pilot over there.
Experience indicates that compassion would not be reciprocated.
All of my experience says we've got to take that chance anyway.
- Commander. - Tuvok, Paris, you're with me.
Looks like there was a fight.
Search for the lifesigns.
Commander.
I'm reading bones, muscle tissue, from at least nine different species.
It's all being broken down by some sort of enzyme.
Perhaps this is their method of denaturating their prey.
Either that or it's dinner.
Looks like somebody lost their helmet.
Commander.
I'm not picking up any weapon residuals. I'd say he was physically torn apart.
I'm picking up the lifesigns. This way.
Massive internal bleeding. Let's get him to sickbay.
The data from the ship included navigational records.
Can you give us a map of this region?
This is the vessel's path over the past five years.
They've covered a lot of space.
This ship has visited over 90 star systems in the last year.
I analysed some of their logs. This is a hunting species.
We saw skeletal remains from dozens of alien races, displayed like trophies.
They may be using some of their victims for food.
The entire culture is based on the hunt. Social rituals, art, religious beliefs.
They're nomadic, driven by the pursuit of prey.
It's carried them across huge distances.
There is no evidence of a home planet.
Their ships travel alone or in small groups.
On occasion, they join forces in a multi-pronged attack.
Like wolves.
How's our wolf in sickbay?
Still unconscious, behind a level 5 force field.
You were right, Seven. This species is a threat.
But despite the risk of sending an away team,
we know more about them.
You were correct, Captain. It was worth the risk... this time.
So there's one question remaining.
Who's hunting the hunters?
I was trying to remove his armour to treat the internal injuries,
when he regained consciousness.
He's not happy to be here.
- Can you sedate him? - His immune system neutralises it.
Synthesising a more potent compound would take hours.
He could be dead by then. His wounds are severe.
Your crewmate is dead and your ship has been damaged beyond repair.
I brought you here to treat your injuries.
What happened to your ship?
Who attacked you?
The first time I met your species it wasn't on the best of terms,
but that doesn't mean you and I can't find a way to change that.
- Our prey. - You were on a hunt?
Yes. A formidable alien.
We captured it two days ago.
But it broke free of its restraints, attacked us.
Release me. I must continue the hunt.
Not without your ship and not in this condition.
You'll die without treatment. Let us help you.
Doctor?
All right. I'm going to enter the force field now
and start with a few scans of your mid-section.
I'm a hologram and can't be bent, spindled or mutilated,
so don't bother trying.
Please lie down.
Or remain standing.
Six more Hirogen ships are converging on us from all directions.
The one in sickbay may have sent a distress call from his vessel.
- How long do we have? - Four hours at most.
Tom, analyse their approach pattern.
- Evade them as long as you can. - Yes, ma'am.
I want to buy the Doctor time to treat our hunter.
Gain his confidence and he may call them off.
Diplomacy could get us out of this.
Don't count on it. Diplomacy isn't a part of their lifestyle.
They don't see us as equals. To them, we're game.
Time we convinced them otherwise. Like a cornered animal, we'll show our teeth.
There's been a hull rupture on deck 11, section 3.
Damage is minor. A plasma conduit overloaded.
Increase power to the structural integrity field.
A bulkhead has collapsed in Jefferies tube 84.
- Another overload? - Negative. Plasma network is stable.
- This wasn't caused by a system failure. - Get to deck 11 and check it out.
- This was no overload. - Indeed.
Commander.
It's a dense mixture of DNA and polyfluidic compounds.
Tuvok to bridge. We may have an intruder on board.
I'm analysing what could be a sample of its blood.
The readings are consistent with Species 8472.
Intruder alert. Bridge to security, seal off decks 10 through 12.
Internal sensors aren't detecting intruders.
The last time we ran into this species, it was impervious to our scanners.
We'll have to track it visually.
- How did it get past our shields? - Worry about it later.
You have the bridge, Commander. I'll be on deck 11.
I've erected a level 10 force field around engineering.
Set up force fields around every hatch, Jefferies tube
and conduit leading into this room.
I want every console secured. Authorised command codes only.
I'll lock down the warp core.
Realign the dilithium matrix to a frequency of 3.69.
- Report. - Four crew wounded. Two seriously.
Get them to sickbay.
Species 8472 accessed engineering through the antimatter injector port.
Our phaser fire was insufficient.
It attacked us, then escaped through Jefferies tube 17-alpha.
Janeway to Tuvok. The intruder just left engineering. Seal off the area.
- Understood. - Secure the warp core.
Seven.
It would seem the Hirogen underestimated their latest prey.
You believe they were hunting it?
When the Borg fought Species 8472, did they engage in physical combat?
- On many occasions. - You recall anything that might help us?
When they boarded a Borg vessel,
they went to the central power matrix and disabled it.
The creature didn't touch our power systems.
It's adjusted its strategy. Species 8472 is highly intelligent.
It will seek the most efficient means of destroying us.
Let's get to sickbay.
She's going to be just fine, Captain.
Is it alone?
- Have you seen any others like it? - Why?
Six months ago, it invaded our galaxy with thousands of ships.
- We barely fought them off. - Your prey indicates an invasion.
If it does, we're all in trouble. How many ships have you seen?
Only one. Damaged.
We tracked it across 50 light years.
We thought that we had killed it, but this prey is unlike any other.
It has many lives. Lower the force field and I will finish the hunt.
Your attempt to destroy it will fail.
Species 8472 is highly resistant to all technology, all but one.
- Borg nanoprobes. - Nanoprobes?
Microscopic weapons that attack the species on a cellular level.
We've tried it and it worked.
I'll modify phasers to fire nanoprobe discharges.
Incapacitate it. Don't kill it. Can you make that modification?
It will require additional time. We must stop it as soon as possible.
- She's right. - Not until we know why it returned.
You'll expose the crew to unnecessary risk.
I disagree. You have your orders.
Six of your vessels will be here in under four hours.
I hope you'll let them know we saved your life
and that we want to avoid conflict with your people.
Let me resume the hunt and I will grant your request.
We have enough problems without him running around.
I spent six months studying this prey's behaviour.
I know how to track him.
Let me continue or I will have the others destroy you.
- Tuvok to Janeway. - Go ahead.
We're holding position in section 94,
but the creature has accessed the environmental controls.
Deck 11 is losing life-support.
- Artificial gravity compromised. - Evacuate.
Regroup on deck 10.
He's trying to barricade himself. He did the same thing to us.
You want to be part of the hunt? Now's your chance.
He'll be under your supervision. If he steps out of line, shoot him.
My weapon.
- Temperature gradient. - Affirmative.
- Atmospheric recyclers. - Engaged.
Is your body armour designed to handle rapid pressure fluctuations?
It can defeat most hostile environments.
I once tracked a silicon-based life-form
through the neutronium mantle of a collapsed star.
I once tracked a mouse through Jefferies tube 32.
Chakotay to Tuvok. We're ready to go.
- As are we. - Proceed to deck 11.
- Keep your com-links open. - Understood.
Activate the nanoprobe charges.
Level 5 should be sufficient to stun the creature.
Depressurising hatch. Magnetise.
Maintain your position.
- He's here. - I said maintain your position.
This is my hunt. I'm at point.
My knowledge of this prey is superior to yours.
But you're on unfamiliar terrain. I know this ship. You don't.
The prey will likely attack the man at point.
You would not survive.
I'll take that chance. Now fall back.
No problem. I'll take up the rear.
You missed.
Since Species 8472 invaded the ship, you've become increasingly agitated.
They were the only species to offer true resistance to the Borg.
They destroyed millions of drones, hundreds of our worlds.
I have reason to be agitated.
- What is it? - It's blood. The prey is wounded.
This corridor ends about 20 metres ahead.
The only thing down there is deflector control. It's got nowhere to run.
He is not planning to run. He is waiting.
He'll attempt to slip around us, attack from behind.
- Chakotay to Tuvok. - "Tuvok here.'
We've cornered the intruder in section 59.
On our way.
- It's hurt. - This prey is resilient.
He will strike with his dying breath.
We must kill him... now.
That may not be necessary. Hold your fire.
I said lower your weapon.
Mr Neelix, I must ask you to exchange your spatula for a phaser rifle.
- Sure. - We have two intruders on board.
And six Hirogen vessels on the way. I need security personnel.
Right away, sir. What's my assignment?
Join the security detail on deck 10, section 12.
You'll receive further instructions there. I'll expect tactical updates every...
Lieutenant, are you all right?
You have your orders.
- Report. - The Hirogen's back in sickbay.
- And Species 84727 - We established a security perimeter.
We turned this section into a brig.
Have B'Elanna work on a way to lock onto the creature,
in case we have to beam it off the ship. It's injured in what way?
I can't say for certain. Its body is generating a bio-electric field,
making it impossible to scan. I made a visual diagnosis.
It's conscious, but immobile. Its epidermis displays injuries -
punctures, energy burns - and its demeanour is that of a wounded animal.
The Hirogens chased it for months. Anything you can do?
I don't know enough to treat the surface wounds,
let alone any internal damage. Frankly, I'm at a loss.
Before we cornered it, it accessed deflector control from this panel.
I analysed the transmission protocols.
It attempted to open a singularity into its realm, but failed.
- It was trying to get home. - That's what it looks like.
Tuvok?
The creature initiated telepathic contact with me.
What's it saying?
Its ship was damaged during the conflict with the Borg.
When the other members of its species retreated into fluidic space,
it was left behind.
It has been trapped in the Delta Quadrant ever since.
Alone, pursued by Hirogen hunting parties.
It has no desire for further conflict.
It only wants to return to its domain.
It is dying, Captain.
You have nothing to be afraid of.
We'll help you get back to your realm.
Does it understand?
It does.
It will take time to open a singularity
and we have no way of treating your injuries.
But if there's anything you can tell us about your...
It has lost consciousness. Our telepathic link has been severed.
Where is my prey?
Lying at the end of a corridor on deck 11. Nearly dead, thanks to you.
- Take me to it. - No.
Take me to it!
In less than three hours, your ships will arrive.
By that time, Species 8472 will no longer be on Voyager.
- What do you mean? - I'm sending it to where it came from.
Surrender the creature to me and you will not be harmed.
This isn't a hunt. It's a slaughter. And I'm calling it off right now.
We will not be denied our prey.
Give us the creature.
Or your crew will take its place.
Tuvok.
Have Seven of Nine report to me.
You intend to ask her to open a rift into 8472's realm.
- She's the only one who knows how. - She may not want to cooperate.
We'll see.
You wish to see me, Captain?
I've made a decision about Species 8472.
I'm going to return it to fluidic space.
In order to do that, I need you to open a quantum singularity.
That is not prudent.
I realise it may be difficult for you to help save this creature's life.
But part of becoming human is having compassion for those who are suffering,
even when they're you're bitter enemies.
Why?
I remember when I was a lieutenant.
It was during a Cardassian border conflict.
My away team was cut off while we were defending a Federation outpost.
We'd been exchanging phaser fire with the Cardassians for three days.
A stalemate.
One night, during a break in the fighting,
we could hear this low moaning sound, coming from somewhere in the brush.
We knew that none of our people were out there, so it had to be a Cardassian.
You have to understand, we'd been killing each other for weeks.
It was brutal.
But our commanding officer decided
that we couldn't just sit there and listen to that poor man suffer.
So he ordered me and an ensign
to crawl out there and bring that Cardassian back to our camp.
I thought he was crazy. He was risking our lives
for someone who would have shot us without hesitation.
But we did it. And the Cardassian lived.
Three days later we secured the outpost. A major victory.
We were all decorated by Starfleet Command.
But, in retrospect, the thing I'm most proud of
was the night we saved that man's life.
Explain.
A single act of compassion can put you in touch with your own humanity.
You are trying to justify your present decision.
I'm trying to help you see this as an opportunity to grow.
I know you don't want to do it, Seven.
But I'm telling you, as your captain and as your friend, you won't regret it.
No. Your decision is tactically unsound.
We will be surrounded by Hirogen ships in two hours.
If we do not surrender the creature, they will destroy us.
A lesson in compassion will do me little good if I am dead.
It is wrong to sacrifice another being to save our own lives.
You have been willing to sacrifice your own life to save the crews' lives.
But that was my choice.
This creature does not have a choice.
It invaded our ship, put our lives at risk to save its own.
In my view, it has already forfeited its freedom.
I'm giving you an order. Begin working on creating a singularity.
I will not comply.
I have agreed to remain on Voyager and function as a member of your crew,
but I will not be a participant in my own destruction
or the destruction of this ship.
Objection noted. We'll do this without you.
- You will fail. - And you have just crossed the line.
End of debate. Report to the cargo bay and remain there until this is over.
Understood?
- Shields down to 84%. - Return fire.
Three more ships closing from port and starboard.
All escape trajectories cut off.
Our weapons have no effect on their hull plating.
Scanning for weaknesses in the molecular structure.
- Shields at 79%. - They are hailing us.
Better late than never. Open a channel.
You have taken our prey and one of our hunters. Surrender them.
Call off your attack and we'll return your crewman.
As for your prey, it's under our protection now.
- It belongs to us. - It belongs to no one.
Order your ships to withdraw and this can end peacefully.
- All vessels are firing. - Found any cracks in their armour?
Not yet.
Doctor to bridge. Species 8472 appears to be regenerating.
I'm no exobiologist, but I'd say he is becoming highly agitated.
- It could be sensing the Hirogen attack. - Can you sedate it?
I believe so, but I'll need another dose of Borg nanoprobes.
- Stand by. Bridge to Seven of Nine. - Yes.
Report to deck 11 immediately with a supply of nanoprobes.
Understood.
- B'Elanna, how's it going? - Transporters ready.
I can establish a lock on the creature any time,
but I still haven't opened a singularity.
- How long? - I need another hour. Maybe two.
We can outmanoeuvre the Hirogens for a few more minutes, but beyond that...
Direct hit to the EPS manifold. Main power down.
- Force fields on all decks off-line. - Switch to auxiliary power.
Done. Force fields have been restored, but I don't know long they'll hold.
- Doctor, report. - It's all right. The creature is contained.
Bridge to sickbay. Security, respond.
Security, dispatch teams to deck 5. The Hirogen may be loose.
Direct hit to our port nacelle.
- Now our starboard nacelle. - They've crippled us.
Divert warp power to the phaser banks. Maybe that'll penetrate their hull plating.
- The nanoprobes? - Ready.
Not a moment too soon.
Give me the prey.
Lower your weapon or I will destroy you.
I don't think you will.
You want me to destroy this creature. I saw it on your face in the medical bay.
It's a look I've seen 1,000 times.
Stand aside.
What are you doing?
Someone's accessing the transporter from deck 5.
- Lock them out. - I can't.
They're overriding commands with Borg encryption codes.
Report.
8472 and the Hirogen have been beamed to an attacking ship.
- All six vessels are moving away. - Tom, can we pursue?
I'm sorry, Captain. Warp engines are still off-line.
Resume our previous course. Full impulse.
Seven of Nine.
Captain's log, stardate 51652.3.
It's been twelve hours and there is no sign of any Hirogen vessels.
But they are scattered throughout this region
and something tells me the hunt for Voyager is far from over.
- Captain. - Step down, please.
Seven, you disobeyed my direct orders.
As a result, you condemned a sentient being to its death.
I also diverted the Hirogen attack, which would have destroyed us.
In any case, the decision wasn't yours to make.
It broke through the force field. I had no choice.
I didn't come to debate your decision. I'm informing you of the consequences.
When you came to Voyager, I decided to grant you
the same freedoms of any crew member,
because I wanted you to be a part of this family.
And I've been willing to accommodate your unique way of doing things,
even when you violated protocol.
But this time I can't accommodate you. From this point forward,
you will no longer have access to any primary systems on this ship,
not without my direct authorisation.
If you circumvent me, I'll throw you in the brig.
I need your expertise in the astrometrics lab if you're willing.
If not, you can spend your time here in the cargo bay. Is that understood?
Yes.
- It is puzzling. - What's that?
You made me into an individual,
encouraged me not to think like a member of the collective,
to cultivate my independence and my humanity.
But when I assert that independence, I am punished.
Individuality has its limits, especially on a starship with a command structure.
I believe you are punishing me because I do not think the way that you do.
Because I am not becoming more like you.
You claim to respect my individuality, but, in fact, you are frightened by it.
As you were.
English (en)