[soaring orchestral music]
♪ ♪
- Admiral's personal log, Stardate 62091.1.
The "Protostar" crew are behind enemy lines on Solum,
as we're awaiting communication,
but it's been silent ever since.
It was an impossible situation with no easy answers.
Ha. But are there ever?
After so many years in Starfleet,
you'd think nothing could surprise me.
[computer chimes] I'm starting to wonder
if it's becoming too much.
[doors swoosh open]
Still no word.
- This isn't your first rodeo.
You, of all people, know it takes time and patience.
- You've been away too long.
Have you forgotten I'm not a fan of either?
- [scoffs]
Speaking of time,
with all this waiting, you forgot something--
the anniversary of your first command.
It's been over a decade.
- 14 years, to be exact.
- That long, huh?
- With what you and I have been through,
it does take patience.
But they're so young.
Were we ever that young?
- The extra ten years on an island didn't help.
- Look at the initiative of those cadets,
what they've endured.
- You don't have to tell me.
I'm standing here because of them.
And you.
- Now that we've got you back,
that farm waiting in Indiana is starting
to look better and better.
- You're really thinking of early retirement?
[alarm beeping]
- Admiral to the bridge.
- [gasps] Ilthuran. And… Wesley Crusher?
- I know, I should really stop dropping in like this.
[groans]
- Where are the others? Are they--
- In danger.
We're all in danger.
And I don't know what happens next.
[soaring orchestral music]
♪ ♪
- I am sorry, Admiral.
If Gwyndala had not tried to rescue me…
- I couldn't see it coming.
- His neural pathways have been considerably damaged
by Asencia's mind extractions.
This level of neurolytic shock
would have taken down anyone else.
You being you, Mr. Crusher, you'll survive.
This cortical stimulator should rebuild your neuropeptides.
As for your "unique abilities,"
I'm afraid they won't be returning anytime soon.
But time will tell.
- It always does.
- What happened down there?
Where is the "Protostar" crew,
and why were you there in the first place?
- Wesley allowed himself to be caught,
so Asencia could finish her temporal weaponry.
- He what?
- I nudged events
so those kids could use her tech
to create a wormhole and send the "Protostar" back.
We couldn't do it without her weapon.
It had to happen that way.
Now that Asencia's captured them,
we're in uncharted territory.
For the first time in… [scoffs]
In a while, I'm in the dark like everyone else.
- Admiral, there's a subspace message coming
from Solum.
Asencia's broadcasting on all frequencies.
- People of Solum,
I bear disturbing news--
I have captured alien spies,
proof that offworld enemies have infiltrated our city,
sowing discord among us.
I say this to the so-called Federation--
let us see if Starfleet's admiral
has the courage to come herself.
Or will her pawns pay the price in her stead?
- She's clearly baiting you.
Going is unwise.
As much as it pains me,
a vice admiral is far more valuable
than a few would-be cadets.
- That doesn't change the fact
that the crew would suffer if I don't.
And I'm not about to let that happen.
- Neither am I.
- Count me in as well.
You may need medical assistance down there.
- I should go, too.
I may not know the future,
but I know what Asencia's capable of.
- Very well.
Looks like we have an away team.
Let's get back in the saddle.
- [grumbles]
- Forget it, Short 'n' Slimy.
There's no getting out of these.
Jankom almost melted his Mitt trying.
- [splutters]
- [sighs] - Gwyn, what's wrong?
- My planet's survival could be decided on one misstep.
We shouldn't have split up.
What if I've sealed their fate? Civil war--
- Uncertainty is the predecessor to hope.
- If Asencia had Wesley and Ilthuran,
Starfleet and Solum would be at war right now.
That is the fate Wesley wished us to avoid.
And that was accomplished by you.
- Sure, this isn't part of Wesley's plan,
but even good things can come out of bad situations.
- You're right.
And we've gotten out of worse.
We control our fate.
[metallic screeching]
[all groan]
- You sure about that?
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- Your hologram has been quite helpful in replicating it.
- I can see that.
I know a thing or two about ships.
- Since Gwyn's team was caught,
Asencia has initiated
transporter scramblers planet-wide.
- Which means no beaming in or out.
- So we're sneaking in the old-fashioned way.
Fitting.
- Perhaps I should join.
The fate of Solum and my daughter are at stake.
- Your survival is paramount
to a peaceful future on Solum, Ilthuran.
Your daughter did a lot to get you here.
Remaining in asylum is the best chance they have.
- Then I will do what I can from here.
I've uploaded coordinates
to where the prison transport is headed.
[sighs]
The rest is up to you.
- I must admit, I'll never quite get used to working
with Kathryn's holographic twin.
- We have our differences.
For one, life experience.
I've never left the "Protostar."
You're lucky you can go with that mobile emitter.
- Truth be told, I'm a little nervous
to be out in the field after so long,
but I suppose if nothing else,
it's good inspiration for my next holonovel.
- I'm eager to read it.
I've read all your work.
[chuckles] I'm a big fan.
- Oh, you have? You are?
- You must have many admirers.
- Of course, but there's always room for one more.
- "Voyager" is in good hands, Admiral.
- I know it, Commander.
Keep my chair warm until I get back.
- I'll make sure he doesn't do anything too crazy.
- [clears throat] - What?
- Just like old times.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- Steady as she goes, Mr. Crusher.
- [chuckles] I'm sorry.
It's just--it's been a while
since I've piloted, um, anything.
- Seems you haven't lost your touch.
By the way,
I had a chance to speak with your mother.
- How--how is she?
- You should ask her yourself.
- [clears throat] We're here.
[rapid beeping]
Incoming hail, Admiral.
- Identify your destination.
- Requesting permission to land at Sector 3142.5.
- Those coordinates are restricted.
Dred-units must land elsewhere.
Sector 3140.5 is where the offworlders
will be terminated.
- Ooh, can't wait. Should be a real humdinger.
I mean…
sounds acceptable.
I'll save you a seat.
- Proceed.
- "Humdinger"?
"I'll save you a seat"?
- What do you want?
I'm a doctor, not a covert operative.
- Aside from that, nice work, Doctor.
Mr. Crusher, take us down.
♪ ♪
- I've located them, two klicks east.
- Well, then…
nowhere to go but up.
- [chatters, laughs] Now, this is some cheery décor.
- It appears to be ruins.
- An ancient city from Solum's past.
- [coos] - It's been repurposed
so that no one can escape.
- Escape what?
- [laughs darkly]
- This is a mistake, Asencia.
We need to get our ship back to Tars Lamora,
or else we're all doomed.
- Oh, did my pet Traveler tell you that?
I pried a few secrets from him, too.
But I suppose you'll see that soon enough.
I make my own future.
Let it in.
[thunderous creaking]
- [whimpering]
- Huh? Murf! You're supposed to be Security.
[clanking]
- [chittering]
- Nuh-uh. It can't be.
No way.
♪ ♪
[both scream]
[electric humming, crackling]
- How?
How did she catch one?
- It doesn't matter.
She wants to erase us.
- [grunts fearfully]
- [snarls]
- A fresh breeze blows beneath an alien sky,
quickening the senses, as our mission looms ahead.
Invigorating!
Inspiring, even. - [pants]
You all right, Mr. Crusher?
- I'm so used to stepping through temporal rifts,
I forgot what it's like to use your quads.
♪ ♪
- I'm detecting the crew.
Elevated heart rates
and a strange life sign closing in.
They may be in trouble.
- Hope that back of that thing has less security
than the front.
- If I had my abilities, I could get us there right now.
If they die because of me…
- Before you were a Traveler, you were a Starfleet officer
and, from what I hear, a heck of a good one.
That's who we need now, Mr. Crusher.
- Okay.
What's next, Admiral?
- Wesley, Chakotay, circle around back
and see if there are any weaknesses
in her forces guarding that dome.
Doctor, you're with me.
- Where are you going?
- Asencia wanted to bait an admiral.
Well, it's time she got one.
[all yelling]
- [chittering]
- Asencia, we've caught someone on the perimeter.
- Admiral Janeway.
You've come a long way from Earth.
And yet, somehow even more pathetic and predictable
than I remembered.
- And you were far from a model Ensign.
But enough of this.
I'm here to negotiate the release of the prisoners.
And you'll find my terms to be rather enticing.
[dramatic music]
- It's blocked. - But it's a useful entrance.
We'll wait for the guards to finish their patrol,
then move in.
I may have been a little harsh back in sickbay.
If it wasn't for you…
I'd still be marooned on that planet.
- It's hard sometimes
to understand why I do what I do, even for me.
But you're welcome.
[alarm blaring]
- That's our opening. Let's move.
- [bellows]
- Split up! Distract it! - [wails]
- What's the plan?
Aah!
- To stay alive is the plan!
Aah!
[both screaming]
- [screeches]
- Leave him alone!
I'm the one you want.
♪ ♪
- Where is it? Pog doesn't like this.
- Something's off. It looks like it's sick.
- [wails] - I sense something--
fear, loneliness.
- [moans]
- Because it is trapped in here, like us.
- Consider the intel an admiral could provide--
strategies, classified defenses.
I'd make quite a bargaining chip
in the war with the Federation you so clearly want.
- Mm, the thought of prying information out of you
is something I'd truly relish…
but you misunderstand.
See, I lured you here
because I know that you're alone
and Starfleet sent no other ships to stop me.
And we both know "Voyager" without your command
is like a fire snake without a head.
So…
I'd rather just cut it off.
Bye.
- [groaning]
♪ ♪
- Maybe we don't have to fight it.
- Whoa, whoa!
Just 'cause it's sad and lonely
doesn't mean it won't eat us, kid.
Aw, Z. What did Jankom just say?
That thing doesn't want to be friends.
- No, I sense…
Admiral Janeway.
- Come on, we have to hurry.
I don't know how long the doctor can stall.
- [gasps, coughs]
Pulse weakening.
Unable to stabilize heart rate.
[coughs] Cardiomyopathy worsening.
The rest…
[coughing]
Is silence.
♪ ♪
- Phasers are useless.
- It must open remotely.
[groans] If only I could disable the containment field.
- Wait.
Zero is speaking to me.
The Loom in there is a prisoner, too.
They're saying it wants out as much as they do.
- Could be a helpful distraction.
- Time to improvise.
As we used to say back on the farm,
"Let's free the chicken from the coop."
♪ ♪
- [chittering]
[device beeping rapidly]
[electric humming, alarm blaring]
[screams]
♪ ♪
[cries]
[blaring continues]
♪ ♪
- What is this?
- Ah, it appears I've made a miraculous recovery.
- [gasps] No.
♪ ♪
[gasps]
- Got to go.
♪ ♪
- [screeching, chittering]
- [gasps]
♪ ♪
- Wesley! You made it!
- I cannot convey how happy we are to see you.
- Glad you're all safe,
but we're not out of the woods yet.
- Security's on high alert, and we're flanked on all sides.
- We can't beam out of here, can we?
- And we can't get back to our ship.
- If we can't get to the ship,
maybe I can bring the ship to us.
[humming]
♪ ♪
- How's our getaway coming along?
- Right on time!
[blaring continues]
♪ ♪
- [gasps] [rapid beeping]
Blast them out of the sky! Now!
♪ ♪
No.
- Asencia, we must return to the city.
The people are revolting against us.
- What?
- People of Solum, do not embrace Asencia's war.
I have met the offworlders. They're not the enemy.
Look around at what she's done to our once-peaceful planet--
the fear in our streets,
Rise up. Let our voices be heard.
There is no barrier we cannot overcome,
for we are Vau N'Akat.
- [laughs]
Not gonna lie, Admiral-- Jankom was pretty impressed
with your percussive maintenance.
- Just an old trick from my Academy days.
- [whistles]
[coos, chatters]
- I'm gonna guess and say, "You're welcome"?
- The way you rigged that tricorder
into a remote terminal was so cool!
Am I talking too much?
You know you can tell me if I'm talking too much.
- I'm thinking of calling my next holonovel
"Mission Assignment Solum:
"The Adventures of Dirk Danger
and the Dome of Loom… and Doom."
- That is certainly a title.
- No matter what's changed,
Solum's fallen into civil war.
- This isn't over yet.
- Admiral, I'm beyond grateful for the rescue, truly,
but as you said down there, we're not out of the woods yet.
I can't leave my people in the hands of that monster.
- We have to finish what we started,
save Solum, and complete our mission.
- Agreed. - I know you won't--
Wait, really?
- Whatever you need, we'll make it happen.
We'll find a way to get the "Protostar" back, too.
- Wow. Thanks, but, uh, why?
- Because I've been reminded
that boldness isn't only for the young.
And when Starfleet is united, we can always overcome.
♪ ♪