Whatever she wants us for, it'd better be good. I had you where I wanted.
What are you talking about? I was ahead, 19-7.
I was lulling you into a false sense of security.
I'll win the next points, then you'll start to tense up.
I do not tense up.
Easy, B'Elanna. It's only hoverball. You wanted to see us, Captain?
Yes, we have an intriguing transmission.
- I have a source. - A ship?
- Negative. It appears to be a beacon. - A beacon?
We are being hailed by someone using a Federation signal.
How could they transmit a Federation signal from the Delta Quadrant?
Maybe Starfleet got a probe here. Maybe they're looking for us.
Let's not jump to conclusions.
See if you can authenticate the signal.
- It corresponds to Starfleet codes. - As of when?
This code was not scheduled
for implementation until stardate 48423.
That's a month after we left DS9. They must be looking for us.
- Your optimism may be premature. - Sorry, Captain.
But it's also infectious. Mr Paris, lay in a course for the beacon.
Yes, ma'am.
We're approaching the beacon, Captain.
It's drifted in an ionised hydrogen cloud that's interfering with our readings.
- Can you get any information? - No. Should I beam it aboard?
I'd advise against it before we've looked at it, even if it is a Federation signal.
Agreed. I don't want to fly blindly into it.
Tuvok, tractor the probe into sensor range.
Aye, Captain. Scanners locked. Initiating tractor beam.
Report.
- We are taking fire from the cloud. - Source?
- Unknown. - Battle stations.
A Kazon raider is closing at 158, mark 9.
- Hail them, Mr Kim. - They're not responding, Captain.
- Warp 3, Mr Paris. Get us out of here. - Aye...
Warp engines are off-line, Captain.
Initiate evasive pattern Omega 3.
Mr Tuvok, return fire.
Kazon ship is in pursuit.
An opening is forming in the shields, 72 cm in diameter.
See if you can close it. Try rotating the shield harmonics.
They are matching their weapons frequency to our shield frequency.
- How the hell can they do that? - I don't know.
The opening has widened to two metres.
- Keep rotating the shield harmonics. - Aye, Commander.
- The opening is now four metres wide. - It's as if they know our access codes.
A vessel is emerging from the cloud. It is heading toward the opening.
All hands brace for impact.
Warning. Hull breach on deck 4, cargo bay 2.
Structural integrity is at 50% and dropping. The hull is starting to buckle.
- We are losing life support on deck 4. - I'm initiating a containment field.
However, the collision has caused a power failure on deck 4.
- Rerouting power to compensate. - Containment field activated.
Warning. Intruder alert in cargo bay 2.
Mr Tuvok!
Tuvok to security. Meet me outside cargo bay 2.
Drop your weapons.
It's no use. That shuttle sticking out of our side is destabilising our warp field.
Mr Kim, did you reroute power to transporter room 27.
- No, sir. - Bridge to Tuvok.
- There may be intruders in room 2. - I'm on my way.
- Tuvok to bridge. - Go ahead.
The Kazon have beamed away and taken a transporter module.
Can you beam it back?
No. As soon as they dematerialised, we lost all transporter power.
Mr Chakotay, lock a tractor beam onto their ship.
They're not leaving with that module.
- The Kazon are going into warp. - Make it fast, Commander.
- Engaging tractor beam. I've got them. - The Kazon ship is hailing us.
Suddenly they want to talk. On screen.
Captain Janeway, First Maje Culluh of the Kazon-Nistrim.
I remember you, Culluh.
That module you just stole is specifically designed for our ship.
You'll never be able to integrate it into your systems.
I've had some help updating our technology since we last met.
- Seska. - That's right, Captain.
As you can see, I'm in the process of restoring my Cardassian physiology.
- Hello, Chakotay. - I should have known it was you.
Yes, you should have. Just like I knew you'd try to stop us with a tractor beam.
You've always been so predictable.
Captain, their shields are creating a feedback loop.
- It's neutralising the tractor emitter. - Attempting to compensate.
Goodbye, Chakotay. Lovely to see you again.
It's too late. They've gone to warp.
They modified the bow to puncture our hull.
I've never seen the Kazon do anything like this before.
They've not had an advisor
with Cardassian, Maquis and Starfleet experience.
But how do we dislodge it without losing structural integrity?
Without power, our containment fields are very unstable.
We'll have to reroute power to the fields and tow their shuttle out.
Then we can repair the breach. The warp drive will have to wait.
Warp drive won't do us much good with this knife stuck in our belly.
Get it out fast. We don't want the Kazon putting too much distance between us.
Forgive me, Captain,
but are you sure going after the Nistrim is wise after what they've done to us?
Let me make something very clear.
They are in possession of Federation technology. That is unacceptable.
Even though all they've stolen is a small computer component?
That small component has the potential to cause vast problems in this quadrant.
You're our resident expert on the Kazon.
What will the other sects do if the Nistrim have transporter capabilities?
They'll try to get it for themselves. You're right.
- It could alter the balance of power. - Exactly.
And it is our duty to do everything we can to stop that from happening.
- You can count on me, Captain. - Based on these readings,
- Seska wants us to come after her. - Commander?
I think Seska's leading us into a trap.
Her raid made us look like first-year Academy students.
But she left a warp trail for us to follow.
After such a flawless performance, why would she make such a mistake?
She wants more than the transporter. Are you suggesting we don't follow her?
No. I agree with preventing the spread of our technology.
But conventional tactics won't work with Seska.
- We'll need a few surprises of our own. - I'm open to suggestions.
Perhaps Commander Chakotay could use his knowledge of Seska
to manipulate her in much the same way she manipulated us.
It can move people great distances in the blink of an eye, Haron.
But this transporter is only the beginning.
Go on. I'm listening.
There is a ship filled with new technology.
Devices that can make food, water, even weapons, appear out of thin air.
A system which uses neural tissue that can react twice as fast as ours.
Very interesting, Culluh, but what does all this have to do with me?
That ship is on its way here.
Help us and we can divide the spoils.
The module Seska stole contains a quantum resonance oscillator.
So, we modify this scanner to detect the oscillator, then we beam it back.
I bet Seska's figured out a way to shield the module from our transporters.
We might have to destroy it.
- How? - We borrow a trick from Seska's book.
Remember disabling the computer core on the Cardassian frigate?
Seska modified an anti-proton beam to penetrate its shields and hull.
Exactly.
But the beam was only effective from an extremely close range.
How do we get near enough to the Nistrim ship?
One thing at a time.
You're taking this personally, aren't you?
- Why shouldn't I? - You're not responsible for this.
Oh, no? I let her join the Maquis. I took her into my confidence.
- I even got involved with her. - So you have lousy taste in women.
Look, Chakotay, she fooled us all. She was my best friend.
Or at least, that's what I thought.
Well, I am through being manipulated by her.
Are you sure? Because she's affecting you.
That's just where she wants you. Don't tense up.
So now I'm getting advice about controlling my emotions from you.
Our sects have been blood enemies for generations,
and yet now you ask for my help to defeat this Voyager.
Why not simply do it yourselves? I'll tell you why.
Because the Nistrim are weak and the Relora are strong.
Your grandfather's time has passed, Culluh.
You've presided over the demise of your sect, whittled away your strength...
Enough!
You may have ships and soldiers, but I have the technology.
And I congratulate you on the daring and cunning of your raid.
Now, why don't you give me this transporter technology,
assuming it's authentic, and let the Relora do what we do best?
When we have defeated the Voyager, we will not forget your assistance.
You think I'm a fool?
I won't hand this technology over to you.
Then perhaps we will have to take it.
Why don't we let the maje go back to his ship while we consider his offer?
Listen to your woman, Culluh.
Picking up a gap in the Nistrim's warp trail.
All stop. Let's take a look.
Captain, I've got some floating debris at bearing 319, mark 4.
On screen.
- What is it? - I'm not sure yet.
Magnify.
I detect a residual transporter signature.
There is no doubt that this man and his companion were beamed into space.
And according to these readings, they were alive at the time, Captain.
It looks like Seska's already adapted the transporter in the Kazon's systems
and started experimenting with it.
Her early trials appear less than successful.
I'm not so sure these men died by accident, Captain.
You see this green band he's wearing?
It means he was the first maje of the Kazon-Relora.
- Relora? - Sworn enemies of the Nistrim.
It's conceivable that Seska and Culluh used the transporter to execute them.
Captain's log, stardate 49208.5.
I have convened a meeting to see how we can get close enough
to the Nistrim ship to deploy the anti-proton beam.
- Where's Chakotay? - He was in engineering.
- He said he'd be right up. - Janeway to Chakotay.
Computer, locate Commander Chakotay.
Commander Chakotay is not aboard the ship.
Computer, when will we intercept the Kazon vessel?
Approximately 30 minutes.
How was he able to leave this ship without either of us knowing about it?
Apparently he overrode the lockout command.
Seska's not the only one to compromise our security systems.
- I assure you, it will not happen again. - See that it doesn't.
Any clue about what Chakotay's up to?
His personal logs don't refer to his leaving Voyager.
He was in too big a hurry to leave a note.
The coil scanner was here. He must've taken it.
- It's pretty clear he's going after Seska. - Looks like that.
Did he say anything?
Just that he felt responsible and was determined to stop her.
But I never thought he would try to do this alone.
- How big a head start does he have? - About three hours.
- Janeway to conn. - Paris here, Captain.
Lay in a pursuit course for Commander Chakotay.
Acknowledged.
I want a complete review of all security protocols on this ship by 2200 hours.
Aye, Captain.
You said the Relora would join us. I should never have listened to you.
- I was wrong. I'm sorry. - Kazon sects do not help one another.
Don't be so sure. What did you do to the two men who refused your offer?
- I killed them. - Yes. And you sent a message.
The Kazon-Nistrim are powerful again.
First maje Jal Culluh has technology that no other sect possesses.
Join with him, or suffer the consequences.
Maybe the mistake was to approach the Relora. They're already strong.
But the transporter may be enough to convince the Hobii to join me.
- And perhaps the Mostral. - Yes.
And with a few more ships, you can defeat Voyager.
When you have their technology, the other sects will have to fall into line.
That's why I sent a message to the Mostral, the Hobii and the Oglamar.
- You did what? - I asked them to help us take Voyager.
- You have gone too far. - I sent the messages in your name.
I am the leader of this sect. You are only a woman.
- I'm sorry, Culluh. - You'll address me as maje.
Yes... maje... Please...
forgive me.
So...
...how did the other sects respond to my request?
They're on their way to join us.
I could do what no one has done since Jal Sankur overthrew the Trabe.
- Yes, maje. - I could have hundreds of ships
- and thousands of soldiers. - Yes, maje.
I could be the most powerful Kazon in the quadrant.
Yes, maje.
Come in.
Captain, it's about Chakotay.
- That's not my favourite subject. - I thought that I could explain...
Explain what? Why my first officer publicly defied my authority?
It was never his intention to defy you.
- He respects your authority. - But?
But he's a proud man. He's been embarrassed by Seska.
What Seska did, she did to all of us.
I find it self-indulgent of Chakotay to assume this is all about him.
He never said it to me directly, but...
I think he was in love with her. But everything he knew about her was a lie.
You said that he publicly defied your authority.
Can you imagine what it must've been like for him
to be publicly humiliated by someone he loved?
And then she came back to taunt him in front of the entire bridge crew.
I'm sure it was very painful for him.
But what you're saying is, he's got a personal score to settle.
That's only part of it. I know Chakotay.
This is his way of taking responsibility.
In his mind, he's trying to protect us from a situation which he created.
Maybe. But that doesn't entitle him to ignore the chain of command.
I know that. It's just that... Chakotay would never tell you any of this himself.
And, assuming we get him back in one piece,
you want to be sure I take his feelings into account before I discipline him.
You're well within your rights to throw him into the brig, but...
Well...
Chakotay is lucky to have such a good friend. I'll tell you what.
Why don't we get him back in one piece first?
We can worry about the discipline later.
Thank you.
Computer, when will we enter the Kazon scanner range?
Approximately six minutes.
Reduce power to manoeuvring thrusters and life support to 5%.
Cut all power to other systems.
The Mostral should be here in less than 20 hours, the Hobii in 15.
Come look at this.
- Intermittent EM readings? - I don't think so.
Computer, initiate continuous scans for the transporter oscillator.
Initiating scans.
Those aren't fluctuations but energy spikes from manoeuvring thrusters.
Probably a shuttle running shadow manoeuvres.
He knows we can't pinpoint energy readings that low.
Who?
Maybe we can resonate a pulse off his hull. Get a lock on him that way.
Initiate pulses from the lateral deflectors.
Maje?
Come on, Seska. Where did you hide that module?
There you are.
- Open a channel. - To whom?
Just transmit on wideband subspace. He'll hear me.
- Come on, find it! - Hello, Chakotay.
Very clever manoeuvring. But I'm not about to let you ruin all my hard work.
Deploy a spread of photonic charges centred on coordinates 124 by 217.
- 20% nominal yield. - That won't be enough.
We want that shuttle intact.
Gotcha!
- Computer, power the generator. - Generator ready.
- Target a beam to these coordinates. - Beam targeted.
- Initiate. - The generator is off-line.
Great. Computer, launch the automated message beacon.
- Beacon launched. - Take the dampers off-line.
He's lost control of the shuttle. We have him.
Lock the towing emitter onto his vessel and bring him into the main hangar.
- Culluh calling Seska. - This is Seska.
- He's not here. - He must be aboard. Find him!
I'm right here.
Activate the message beacon.
Lovely to see you again.
Captain, I'm detecting a Federation beacon at bearing 059, mark 72.
This one's definitely ours, Starfleet issue.
- All stop. - It is sending an automated message.
- It is from Commander Chakotay. - On screen.
...to Voyager. If this signal has been activated,
it means that I have destroyed the Nistrim's transporter capabilities.
Captain, I apologise for acting without authorisation,
but I ask you not to jeopardise the ship or crew by attempting to rescue me.
It's unlikely that I'm still alive.
Chakotay to Voyager. If this signal has been activated...
You can go.
I see the Nistrim take orders from you now.
Let's just say I'm in a position of some influence. Which is fortunate for you.
Culluh wanted to execute you immediately.
But I convinced him that you'd be a valuable prisoner,
- and that I should interrogate you. - Lucky me.
Would you like a drink? The Kazon word for this is "enemy's blood".
It's not exactly fine cognac, but I've developed a taste for it. Try some.
No, thanks.
You know, I've got to hand it to you.
I thought all these months answering to Janeway would have made you soft.
But a little slap in the face
got that Maquis heart of yours beating again. Here's to old times!
I have no interest in reminiscing with you.
I destroyed the transporter module. The game's over.
What do I need with a module when I have your shuttle and its technology?
I think you'll find that technology useless.
I wiped the computer core before I transported.
I should have anticipated that.
So if you're going to have me killed, just do it.
You're still the noble one, aren't you? Ready to die for your shipmates.
You know, Chakotay, I may not have the transporter any more,
but I've got something better. You.
Maybe that's all I really wanted. I've missed you.
- You can't possibly believe that... - Don't flatter yourself.
You might have been an interesting diversion now and then,
but I'm more interested in the information you have.
First you gave me your Maquis secrets, and now I want Voyager's codes.
If you think I'm going to give you those codes,
you don't know me as well as you think you do.
Maybe not. But for old time's sake, I'll let you in on a little secret.
There are half a dozen ships from other Kazon sects on the way here right now.
They're joining us to help take Voyager.
- Why are you telling me this? - I'm not a monster.
I still care about Torres and some of the others.
- I didn't want to see anyone get hurt. - I'm touched.
These Kazon aren't as reasonable as you and I.
I'll have to use my influence to make sure they don't kill you all.
But you've got to work with me.
Voyager's not coming. I left them instructions not to follow me.
So you can stop worrying about people getting hurt.
They'll come. They'd never leave their first officer in the hands of the Kazon.
You may not give me the command codes,
but when Culluh gets through with you, you'll wish you had.
- The message appears to be authentic. - We've got to go get him.
He has requested that we do not attempt to do so.
We don't have to honour that request. Captain?
If we engage the Kazon, more of our technology might fall into their hands.
Kim to the Captain. Several vessels are converging on the Nistrim location.
My gut tells me we should go after Chakotay.
But my better judgment tells me we should honour his request.
I would never want you to ignore your judgment. But let me ask you this.
In your judgment, how would the loss of our first officer affect this crew?
What would it do to the morale on this ship?
Maybe this in an instance when your gut is giving you better advice.
- Janeway to conn. - Paris here.
Resume a course for Chakotay's shuttle.
Aye, Captain.
I'm losing patience, Federation.
Just tell him what he needs to know.
She's quite a woman, isn't she?
Does she tell you you're the most exciting man she's ever known?
That's what she used to do for me.
What's the matter? Didn't she tell you about us?
Stop playing games and give me the command codes.
Flattery, devotion, sex. I always thought she had a lot to offer a man.
You talk too much, Federation, but you're not telling me what I need.
You're wrong, Culluh. I'm telling you exactly what you need to know.
- She's using you. - I'm the one who's using her.
You've done an even better job on him than you did on me.
- You talk to me, not to her. - Then what's she doing here?
Watching you work? She used to like to watch me work too.
I don't believe a word you're saying
so you can stop trying to distract me now and start answering questions.
You know one thing I especially liked? The little mole on her stomach.
I guess you've seen it.
I'm through wasting my strength on you.
- Now, give me the command codes. - I'll give you something better.
- What? - Firsthand information.
Go ahead.
When Seska's through with you...
...she's gonna kill you.
He's delirious. He doesn't know what he's saying.
Give him some time.
I'll be back in one hour.
For his sake, he'd better be more cooperative.
Very clever ploy, Chakotay. But you know I'm not a killer.
If I were, you'd have been dead a long time ago.
I have located the Nistrim vessel. Distance: 0.4 light years.
However, there are now six other Kazon ships in the immediate vicinity.
- I didn't think they had so many ships. - They must belong to enemy sects.
Maybe, but the ships have not powered their weapons systems.
What do you make of it, Neelix?
They don't often congregate peacefully.
Is it possible the Nistrim have formed an alliance?
I've never known the Kazon to do that before.
If they have added ships to their force, it would be unwise to engage them.
Then we'll have to get Chakotay out without picking a fight.
- We can transport him out. - We would have to slow down,
giving them ample time to open fire.
Not necessarily. We could beam him out at warp speed.
They wouldn't be able to catch us.
It's difficult when both ships are in warp, and their ship's not moving.
- I can compensate for that. - How?
By synchronising the transporter's beam to the warp core frequency.
Maybe, but at such a speed it's tough to get a lock on somebody.
Ensign Kim is correct. We would risk scrambling his signal and killing him.
It would be a violation of Starfleet's protocols.
Do you have a better idea? Trust me, Captain. I can do it.
- How can you be so sure? - Because I've done it before.
When you're a Maquis, you don't have the luxury of following protocols.
Ah, Jal Surat of the Mostral.
May I present Jal Loran of the Hobii, and Jal Valek of the Oglamar.
We've met before... in battle.
Please, Jal Surat, sit down.
Today is the day Kazon children will remember for generations.
Today is the day we put aside our differences
and join forces to defeat Voyager.
Today marks the end of the supremacy of the Relora and the Ogla,
because after today, we will have the Federation technology.
And the other sects will run when they see us.
That's a fine speech, Culluh,
but what makes you think Voyager won't use this technology to defeat us?
Because I have Voyager's command codes.
I have heard what you did to the Relora maje and his companion.
Very impressive.
But before I make an enemy of these Federations,
I want proof that you have their command codes.
May I present Commander Chakotay, Voyager's first officer.
60 seconds to transporter range, Captain.
Torres, have you located Chakotay?
I'm reading Kazon lifesigns, but still no Chakotay.
Captain, we have no evidence he is still alive or that he is still aboard that ship.
I'm not conceding that yet. Can you give me anything, B'Elanna?
I'm picking up a dampening field. It's blocking our scanners.
Maybe Seska's found a way to hide Chakotay from us.
You may be right. I must reinitialise the scanners to match the field.
- I've found him, Captain. He's still alive. - Can you get him out of there?
The field is disrupting our signal. I can't get a lock on him.
Red Alert. Mr Paris, take us out of warp.
It's Voyager.
Well, Culluh, what are you waiting for? Use the codes to disable them.
Bridge, this is first maje Culluh.
Lock weapons onto the Federation ship and fire.
Mr Paris, evasive pattern Delta 4. Mr Tuvok, return fire.
- Firing phasers. - Torres, can you transport Chakotay?
I'm matching the frequency to the Kazon field.
- Make it fast. - I've got a lock. Initiating transport.
- Do you have him? - I had him for a second.
- But they've remodulated the field. - Can you compensate?
- I'm trying, but I need more time. - We'll try to hold them off.
Mr Tuvok, phasers to maximum. Let's give them a little distraction.
Why are you allowing them to fire?
It's taking time to interface with their systems.
Order your ships to provide cover.
I hope you know what you're doing.
The other vessels have opened fire.
- Evasive pattern Omega 2. - Aye, Captain.
Bridge to Torres. Hurry up. We can't hold them off much longer.
I'm doing the best I can.
We're losing patience, Culluh.
- Where are you going? - To the bridge.
I might have better luck interfacing with Voyager's systems.
- I'll go with you. - You'll stay right here.
- Aft shields down to 23%. - Torres, can you transport him or not?
The dampening field is on a randomly fluctuating modulation.
It'll take an hour to get a match.
Shields to 16%. Captain, we must retreat.
Lieutenant, how localised is that field?
More than two metres in diameter. Just enough to isolate Chakotay. Why?
I think I've got an idea.
I don't think you ever had those codes. I think you're a liar!
What does it matter? Together, we don't need the codes to beat them.
You're right. We can beat them. But we're going to do it without you.
We're taking your ship.
Please stay where you are.
Our transporters have rendered your weapons useless.
- I will make you sorry for this, Culluh. - Here are the terms, gentlemen.
The safe return of our first officer and shuttle in exchange for your freedom.
I presume you will find that an acceptable arrangement.
Captain's log, stardate 49211.5.
Now that Chakotay has recovered,
I'm faced with the task of responding to his failure to follow procedure.
Just tell me one thing. What were you thinking?
About keeping our technology out of Kazon hands.
I thought I could keep the crew out of danger.
That may be a very noble sentiment, but it wasn't your decision to make.
Oh, Chakotay...
We've spent the last ten months together on this ship.
I thought we had an understanding. Why did you ignore procedure?
Seska was my problem, a problem I felt it was my duty to solve.
So you had a personal score to settle.
- I thought I was doing the right thing. - Really? Tell me this.
How do you expect me to keep order when the first officer runs off
like some cowboy because he decides it's a good idea?
What you did was commendable. The way you did it was not.
You set a terrible example.
And on a personal level, you have made my job more difficult.
If that's so, I regret it.
I'm putting you on report, in case that means anything any more.
It means something to me, that I've let you down, and for that I'm truly sorry.
- Bridge to ready room. - Go ahead, Mr Tuvok.
I think you and Chakotay should come in here.
On our way.
- I have located a message beacon. - Another one?
It is a message to Commander Chakotay from Seska.
Would you like to take it in your office?
No. I've spent enough time alone with Seska.
Very well. Put it on screen.
Hello, Chakotay. Congratulations on your victory.
I look forward to our next meeting. There's something you should know.
While you were unconscious, I took a sample of your DNA.
I impregnated myself with it.
I guess more congratulations are in order.
You're going to be a father.