0600 hours. Regeneration cycle complete.
Daily log, Seven of Nine, stardate 15781.2.
Today, Ensign Kim and I will conduct a diagnostic of the aft sensor array.
I have allocated three hours, 20 minutes for the task
and an additional 17 minutes for Ensign Kim's digressions.
I am scheduled to take a nutritional supplement at 1500 hours,
then I intend to review a text the Doctor recommended, "A Christmas Carol".
He believes it will have educational value. End log.
- I'll get this. Don't give me any hints. - I have no intention of doing so.
Ensign, are you ready to begin our sensor diagnostic?
Is it 0600 already? We've been playing all night.
Vulcan kal-toh.
You'd be surprised at how addictive it is. Give me a few more minutes.
You should attend to your duties, Ensign. I'll accept your forfeit.
No way. This is the closest I've come to beating you.
I'm not giving up now.
- Impressive. - Elementary spatial harmonics.
- Are you ready now? - Yeah, sure.
I would have gotten that.
- Is there anything you don't know? - I was Borg.
But what does that mean?
You have the knowledge of 10,000 species in your head?
Each drone's experiences are processed.
Only useful information is retained.
Still, that probably makes you the most intelligent human being alive.
So what do you need the rest of us for?
Forget I asked. What was that?
- We just dropped out of warp. - What's the problem?
We were hit by some kind of shock wave.
I lost all my sensor readings.
The computer is bringing up a message, but I can't access it.
- You'd better take a look. - I can see it.
- What is it? - I have no idea.
My command codes aren't working.
The computer says I have insufficient clearance to access the message.
We can't function like this. We need Harry here to trace the source.
Don't do anything. I'll take care of this.
Send all data about the particle wave to my ready room.
Disengage engines and hold position here.
- Captain, what's going on? - I can't explain right now.
Don't discuss this with the crew. I'll have further instructions soon.
Computer, seal the doors.
No entry without my authorisation.
Doors are sealed.
Access secure data file Omega One.
Voice print confirmed.
State clearance code.
Janeway 1153-Red. Clearance level 10.
Confirmed.
Sensors detect the Omega phenomenon
within 1.2 light years of this vessel.
Implement the Omega Directive.
All other priorities have been rescinded.
Display sensor data.
This is a highly classified mission.
Information will be provided
on a need-to-know basis.
Classified? By who?
We're 60,000 light years from Starfleet.
She wants multiphasic shielding
around the warp core.
I've never seen this configuration.
I'd like to run some simulations...
No time. She needs it by 1100 hours.
- That's not possible. - Make it possible.
We're protecting the core from subspace radiation?
- I don't know. - It will be difficult without more data.
The data you've got will have to do.
Start modifying a shuttlecraft to withstand extreme thermal stress.
Is this to do with the message the captain received?
What have you heard?
Janeway's been locked in her ready room.
- Something about an Omega Directive. - Omega?
- Ring a bell? - The speculation ends right here.
Carry out your assignments with a minimum of gossip.
I know it's hard not to wonder, but the captain was adamant about this.
- The captain wants to see you. - I thought she might.
Come in.
What do you know about the Omega Directive?
- Everything you do, most likely. - I thought as much.
The Borg assimilated Starfleet captains. You would possess all their knowledge.
That's correct. Do you intend to carry out the directive?
Yes.
Then sensors have detected the molecule?
So it would appear, but we have to confirm it.
We?
You're going to help me carry out the directive.
Protocol forbids me from discussing this mission with my crew,
but since you already know about it, my choice is to either work with you
or... confine you to quarters.
Perhaps you should do the latter.
I will not help you destroy Omega. It should be harnessed.
- That's impossible. - The Borg believe otherwise.
Explain.
We were able to create a single Omega molecule.
We kept it stable for one trillionth of a nanosecond.
We didn't have enough boronite ore left to synthesise more,
but the knowledge we gained allowed us to refine our theories.
The Borg have been waiting for the chance to test them out.
But we never found another source of the ore. Until now.
Sorry, but if someone out there is experimenting with Omega,
I'm under orders to stop them. This entire quadrant could be at risk.
Those orders are the result of Starfleet's ignorance and fear.
I can alleviate your ignorance. As for your fear...
Sometimes fear should be respected, Seven. Tell me...
how many Borg were sacrificed during this experiment?
29 vessels, 600,000 drones. But that is irrelevant.
Not to me, not to my crew. Not to the people in this quadrant.
I'm going to neutralise this threat, with or without your help.
- I will assist you. - You will?
I want to observe this molecule. I will not deny myself that experience.
All right.
Assemble all the data you have about Omega.
I'll expect a report within the hour.
I didn't realise you had such a strong curiosity.
Not curiosity.
- Desire. - Desire?
Omega is infinitely complex, yet harmonious.
To the Borg, it represents perfection. I wish to understand that perfection.
- The Borg's Holy Grail. - Captain?
Never mind. I'll see you in an hour.
- Arithrazine? - I'm going on an away mission.
What are you planning to do? Stroll through a supernova?
20 milligrams. When can you have it ready?
Arithrazine is used for theta radiation poisoning.
- A physician must be present. - Impossible.
Then I'd be in violation of Starfleet medical protocols.
I'm overriding those protocols.
Don't tell me. The Omega Directive, whatever that might be.
The arithrazine, Doctor.
- It'll be ready in the morning. - Have it sent to the shuttlebay.
I don't know what's going on, but I'd hate this to be the last time I see you.
- Please be careful. - I will,
I've analysed the sensor logs using Borg algorithms.
The shock wave indicates not one, but hundreds of Omega molecules.
- Location? - Within ten light years.
I'm having difficulty isolating the exact star system.
Hundreds? That changes everything.
A shuttle mission may be insufficient. We require the entire crew.
We're going to need more firepower, more protection.
Transfer your data to the astrometrics lab.
Calibration complete. Phase modulator.
- Detonator circuits? - On standby.
We're ready to load the gravimetric charge.
It looks enough for a 50-isoton explosion.
54 to be exact.
- Are we planning to blow up a planet? - I don't know.
This warhead isn't standard issue. Who designed it? The captain?
You ask too many questions. Change of plans.
- Increase the charge to 80 isotons. - Aye, Captain.
When you're done here, give B'Elanna a hand with the shuttlecraft.
Right.
- Hickman thinks it's Species 8472. - Pardon me?
There's an opening in fluidic space and the captain has to shut it down.
- Want to know what I think? - No.
I think there's a type-6 protostar out there
and the captain's planning on opening up a wormhole to the Alpha Quadrant.
She doesn't want to get our hopes up.
Then I wouldn't suggest getting your hopes up.
- What do you think? - I do not engage in idle speculation.
Aren't you curious?
Yes, but we have a task at hand. The phase modulator.
Come in.
Status report.
Everything's going according to schedule.
I'm not allowed to say much, but I want you to know what to expect.
At 0600 hours, I'll be leaving in a shuttle with Seven of Nine.
Would it be out of line to ask where you're going?
One of two things is going to happen -
either Seven and I will return within a few days,
or your long-range sensors will detect a large explosion in subspace.
If that occurs, you'll have ten seconds to jump to warp.
Head for the Alpha Quadrant and don't look back.
I always thought that Starfleet was run by bureaucrats,
but I find it hard to believe they would order a captain on a suicide mission.
This shuttle excursion is your idea, isn't it?
Let's just say I've had to amend the directive, given the circumstances.
- But I expect you to follow your orders. - That's expecting a lot.
You're asking me to abandon my captain and friend without telling me why.
If it were a matter of trust, I wouldn't hesitate to tell you.
But sometimes information is taken by force.
Knowledge of Omega can't go beyond Voyager.
That's a reasonable argument, but you're not always reasonable.
You're determined to protect this crew, but you've taken it too far.
Isn't a dangerous mission more likely to succeed
with everyone working together?
Ordinarily I'd agree, but this directive was issued many years ago.
Starfleet didn't have our predicament in mind -
lost in the Delta Quadrant with no backup.
I won't ask the crew to risk their lives because of my obligation.
"My obligation"? That's where you're wrong.
Voyager may be alone out here, but you're not. Let us help you.
We'll limit classified information,
we'll take every security precaution.
Just don't try to do this alone.
Assemble the troops.
If we were in the Alpha Quadrant, we wouldn't have this conversation.
Starfleet Command would send in a team to deal with the crisis.
We'll have to make do with the training I've received
and the knowledge Seven of Nine has retained from the Borg.
You've seen this symbol - Omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet,
chosen by Starfleet to represent a threat to the entire galaxy.
Only starship captains and Federation flag officers
have been briefed on the nature of this threat.
What you're about to hear will not go beyond these bulkheads. Is that clear?
Good.
- This is Omega. - A molecule?
Not just any molecule. The most powerful substance known to exist.
A single Omega molecule contains the same energy as a warp core.
In theory, a small chain of them could sustain a civilisation.
The molecule was first synthesised 100 years ago by a physicist, Ketteract.
He was hoping to develop an inexhaustible power source.
Or a weapon.
Ketteract managed to synthesise a single molecule particle of Omega.
But it only existed for a fraction of a second before it destabilised.
This was a classified research centre in the Lantaru Sector.
Ketteract and 126 leading Federation scientists were lost in the accident.
Rescue teams discovered an unexpected secondary effect.
There were subspace ruptures extending out several light years.
The Lantaru Sector.
It's impossible to create a stable warp field there.
I was told it was a natural phenomenon.
It was caused by a single molecule?
Omega destroys subspace. A chain reaction involving a handful of molecules
could devastate subspace throughout an entire quadrant.
If that were to happen, warp travel would become impossible.
Space-faring civilisation would cease to exist.
When Starfleet realised Omega's power they suppressed all knowledge of it.
Have you detected Omega in the Delta Quadrant?
I'm afraid so.
I've been authorised to use whatever means necessary to destroy it.
Tom, I've calculated the location of the molecules.
I'll transfer the coordinates.
- Take us there at full impulse. - Aye, Captain.
I don't have to tell you what's at stake.
If a large-scale Omega explosion occurs,
we will lose the ability to go to warp forever.
We've got our work cut out for us.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We're approaching the star system where we'll find Omega.
I have never been this apprehensive about a mission.
I know how Einstein must have felt about the atom bomb,
or Marcus about the Genesis device.
They watched as science took a destructive course,
but I have the chance to prevent that from happening.
Status report.
This is a harmonic resonance chamber, designed to stabilise Omega.
I asked you to work on the photon torpedo.
The torpedo may be insufficient. I can modify this chamber.
It will dissolve Omega's interatomic bonds.
Here's to Borg ingenuity. This is excellent work.
We may need this.
The modifications require complex calculations. Assist me.
I guess I will.
I'm curious. When did the Borg discover Omega?
- 229 years ago. - Assimilation?
- Of 13 different species. - 13?
It began with species 262.
Their oral history referred to a substance which could burn the sky.
The Borg were intrigued, which led them to species 263.
They believed it was blood from their creator.
- Fascinating. - Yes, but irrelevant.
We finally assimilated a species with useful scientific data.
We then created the molecule ourselves.
Omega caused a stir among my own species.
Federation cosmologists had a theory -
that the molecule once existed for an infinitesimal period of time
at the exact moment of the Big Bang.
Some claimed Omega caused the explosion that began our universe.
- A creation myth, like any other. - Perhaps.
What is it the Borg say? That Omega is perfect?
Yes.
Is that a theory or a belief?
Bridge to Captain. We're approaching the coordinates.
I'm leaving this project in your hands. Use whatever resources you need.
Understood.
We've entered a planetary system.
There's a pre-warp civilisation on the outer planet. Omega is further in.
The damage to subspace is extreme. We won't be able to go to warp.
- We're encountering distortions. - Track their origin.
An M-Class moon. We are in visual range.
There is a subnucleonic reaction.
It is emanating from the moon's surface.
Can your sensors penetrate the atmosphere?
My God!
Over 300,000 square kilometres destroyed.
Scan the structure. Are there any Omega molecules remaining?
I can't tell. Several sections of the outpost are still shielded.
I'm detecting lifesigns. A few dozen maybe.
- I can't get a reading. - Can we transport to the surface?
I can get you there, but there are high levels of radiation.
Tuvok, assemble a rescue team
and have them report to sickbay for arithrazine inoculations.
Tom, move Voyager into a high orbit and then join the away team.
- You're going with them? - If Omega's there, I have to find it.
I'll keep an open com-link with the ship. You have the bridge.
I'm picking up Omega's resonance frequency,
but I can't pinpoint a location.
I need to ask you questions about your experiments here.
There was... an accident.
We lost containment.
Did any of the substance you were trying to create survive the explosion?
- Yes. - Where?
Inside the primary test chamber.
Who are you?
Captain Janeway of the starship Voyager.
Away team to Voyager. Two to beam directly to sickbay.
- This door is solid duritanium. - Can we get it open?
We'll need to cut through the metal with phasers.
Do it.
Captain, we're about to violate the Prime Directive.
For the duration of this mission the Prime Directive is rescinded.
Crewman Dell, I'm assigning you a task more suited to your abilities.
Calibrate the seals on the observation ports.
- Your new designation is Three of Ten. - Yes, ma'am.
I've got more isolinear processors for you to install.
I need to get the power relays on-line first.
- Ensign Wildman was assigned to that. - This is ridiculous.
I'm not wasting time because Seven wants to turn this into a collective.
- She says it's more efficient. - Maybe for a bunch of drones.
Six of Ten, this is not your assignment.
- Stop calling me that. - You are compromising productivity.
I am reassigning you to chamber maintenance.
Your new designation is Two of Ten.
You're demoting me? Since when do the Borg pull rank?
A Starfleet protocol I adapted. I find it most useful.
I'm glad you're not the captain.
How's it coming?
The harmonic chamber will be completed within the hour.
I'll let the captain know.
- Has she retrieved any new data? - No.
They're accessing the test chamber.
- Were there survivors? - A few. The Doctor's treating them.
Commander.
Seven's taking this hive mentality too far.
I wouldn't be surprised if she started plugging us into alcoves.
When in the collective, Harry, adapt.
- Which is the senior researcher? - This gentleman. Why do you ask?
- He has knowledge I require. - Come back in an hour.
- Unacceptable. - Unavoidable.
- The man needs to recover. - The captain left me in charge.
I would be negligent if I ignored a new source of information.
Our next social skills seminar is entitled,
"Adding diplomatic flair to future negotiations”.
- How are you feeling, sir? - Better, thank you.
Are you comfortable enough to speak with this individual?
Keep it brief.
How many molecules were you able to synthesise?
200 million? I'm not certain.
- What iso-frequency are you using? - 1.68 terahertz.
We used the molecule's own resonance to calculate the field.
That should have been enough to stabilise them.
- Obviously it wasn't. - But your approach is innovative.
Perhaps I can adapt your technique. You will assist me.
Our equipment was destroyed.
If you can transfer the molecules to your ship,
maybe they can be saved.
- I have no intention of saving them. - What?
My orders are to destroy Omega.
- This is the salvation of my people! - Will you assist me or not?
Our resources are nearly gone.
The future of my people depends on this discovery.
Then your answer is no.
Small-minded creatures.
You destroy whatever you don't understand!
Rescue ships are on the way. They won't let you do it.
Please, try to be calm. Seven, you'll have to leave.
You don't realise what you're doing.
You don't know what this is, what this means.
On the contrary.
I understand perfectly.
- We've disabled the mechanism. - Cut through the seal.
We'd risk penetrating the containment field.
Then we'll have to use some elbow grease. Give me a hand.
Right.
There's enough here to wipe out subspace across half the quadrant.
I'll order the away teams back to Voyager and target this facility.
We'll have to go with our Borg option.
Ensign, return to the ship.
Tell Chakotay to help Seven complete the harmonic chamber.
We have to transport Omega to the ship and shut down this containment field.
We may not have another opportunity to study this phenomenon.
Let's hope we never do.
A curious statement from a woman of science.
I'm also a woman who occasionally knows when to quit.
Take another look at your tricorder.
I won't risk half the quadrant to satisfy our curiosity.
It's arrogant and it's irresponsible.
The final frontier has some boundaries that shouldn't be crossed.
We're looking at one.
I believe I've found a way to stabilise the molecules.
The alien calibrated his containment field using Omega's own resonance.
- I have modified this chamber... - Against your orders.
The captain wants Omega eliminated.
That is still an option, if she insists on yielding to her fear.
Show me what you've done.
This simulation shows the molecules in their free state, highly unstable.
I have modified the chamber to dampen the molecules.
Looks great, but this is only a simulation.
- How are you going to test it? - On Omega.
One mistake and no one will be around for a second try.
- It will work. - Some day, maybe.
For now, we stick to the plan.
Stand by to transport the molecules and neutralise them.
I have been a member of this crew for nine months.
I have never made a personal request.
I am making one now. Allow me to proceed.
Please.
Why is this so important to you?
Particle 010, the Borg designation for what you call Omega.
Every Borg was instructed to assimilate it at all costs.
It is... perfection.
The molecules exist in a flawless state, infinite parts functioning as one.
Like the Borg?
Precisely.
I am no longer Borg, but I still need to understand that perfection.
Without it, my existence will never be complete.
- Commander, you are a spiritual man. - That's right.
If you had the chance to see your God, your Great Spirit,
what would you do?
I'd pursue it with all my heart.
- Then you understand? - I think I do.
I'll inform the captain of your discovery. For now, her orders stand.
Thank you.
Set the beam to its narrowest dispersion.
Then we'll target this facility with a torpedo.
If anything goes wrong, that'll be our only hope.
Bridge to Janeway. We've detected two ships on an intercept course.
- How long until they get here? - Less than four minutes.
- Stand by to transport the molecules. - Understood.
Bridge to cargo bay. Seven, get ready.
We'll have to do this quickly. The alien ships are on their way.
I recommend moving the ship within 5,000 kilometres of the surface.
We won't be able to stand the thermal reaction for more than a few seconds.
Then we'll only get one shot at this. Take us in.
- Transporter status? - Scanners are locked.
- Captain, are you ready? - Pattern enhancers are active.
11,000 kilometres from the surface. Much closer and we'll incinerate.
- We're losing structural integrity. - 9,000 kilometres.
- Energise. - Initiating transport.
The molecules are stable. Transport was successful.
I've got the away team.
Get us out of here. How far away are those ships?
They're right on our tail.
We're heading into an area of space with no indications of life.
We can carry out the procedure with no risk to anyone else.
- Except those two ships behind us. - How soon can we go to warp?
Maybe 15 minutes. But those ships will catch up to us before then.
We have one advantage - Omega. They won't risk firing at us.
That should give us a chance to neutralise the molecules.
- We might have another problem. - Seven of Nine?
She thinks she can stabilise Omega.
- I thought we'd settled that question. - She showed me a simulation.
I should've known she wouldn't let this go. I'll be in cargo bay 2.
- The procedure? - It's working.
11% of the molecules have already been neutralised.
Commander Chakotay told you about my idea.
You will allow me to stabilise the remaining molecules.
I can't do that.
I have found a way to control Omega.
I don't care. We're getting rid of it.
- A foolish decision. - But mine to make. Step aside.
I could have done this without your permission,
but I chose to follow your command structure.
I should have made the attempt. I still can.
But you won't.
You know I'm not trying to stop you from finding perfection,
but I can't risk this quadrant. Omega must end here.
We both know that.
- Status? - 18%.
Can you increase the harmonic resonance?
Yes, but it would rupture the chamber.
How many molecules would we neutralise?
50% at best.
That's good enough. Our torpedo can take care of the rest.
- Janeway to bridge. - Chakotay here.
I want you to clear deck 4. Put force fields around this section.
Decompress cargo bay 2 on my command.
Tuvok, load the gravimetric torpedo.
Once we've jettisoned the chamber, fire.
Harmonic resonance to maximum.
They're closing on us.
- They're attempting to stop us. - Compensate.
- They're hailing us. - On screen.
- Disengage your engines. - I can't do that.
You've stolen our technology, abducted our people!
Your people are receiving medical care. We're keeping the molecules.
I won't allow this substance to fall into enemy hands.
- They're charging weapons. - We'll both be destroyed.
Then return our technology now!
I'm sorry. That's not possible.
- Shields down 10%. - Evasive manoeuvres.
- Harmonic resonance at maximum. - The molecules?
- 80% remaining. - We need to get that down to 60.
Damage to our power grid could cause Omega to chain react.
The same thought crossed my mind. Where are we now?
- 72%. - Close enough.
- Start the decompression sequence. - Acknowledged.
- What's happening? - The molecules are stabilising.
- It's occurring spontaneously. - That's impossible.
Decompression in 30 seconds.
- Decompression in 25 seconds. - Seven, let's move.
Decompression in 20 seconds.
- Seven! - Decompression in 15 seconds.
Decompression in 10 seconds.
- Are we clear? - Almost.
I need maximum warp in ten seconds or we'll be stuck at ground zero.
Decompression complete. The harmonic chamber has been jettisoned.
Fire!
We made it. We're at warp 1.
- The alien ships? - Out of range.
Sensors show no traces of Omega molecules.
Mission accomplished.
Captain's log, stardate 51793.4.
We've arranged for our guests to be taken back to their world
and can put this mission behind us.
This will be my last log concerning the Omega Directive.
The classified files will now be destroyed.
I wondered who was running my program.
Master da Vinci doesn't like visitors after midnight.
- I deactivated him. - What are you doing here, Seven?
This simulation contains many religious components.
I was studying them to help me understand what I saw in cargo bay 2.
The data wasn't clear on why Omega stabilised in the last seconds,
but chances are it was simply a chaotic anomaly.
For 3.2 seconds,
I saw perfection.
When Omega stabilised I felt a curious sensation.
As I was watching it, it seemed to be watching me.
The Borg have assimilated many species
with mythologies to explain such moments of clarity.
I've always dismissed them as trivial.
Perhaps I was wrong.
If I didn't know you better,
I'd say you just had your first spiritual experience.
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