COUNTERPOINT
Episode 104
Part D

 

Janeway accompanies Kashyk to his guest quarters and they talk as they go along a corridor. Janeway: "How often does this array emit a scanning pulse?" Kashyk: "Every 40 seconds." Janeway: "Range?"

Kashyk: "Ten light-years. The pulse is designed to track warp fields and impulse signatures. If we lower our power output to beneath its detection threshold-" Janeway finishes the thought: "We could drift past undetected." Kashyk: "It's worth a try."

They reach his quarters. Janeway: "Well, good night." Kashyk, in the doorway: "Captain, why don't you join me? I've been looking forward to trying your replicator. Well, I'm sure that I can come up with something to toast the evening with. We've accomplished quite a bit today."

Janeway: "I'm afraid that won't be possible. I had your replicator taken offline." Kashyk, realising: "In case I decided to replicate a weapon." Janeway: "Another safety precaution, you understand." Kashyk: "Better than anyone."

Janeway: "Sleep well." Kashyk: "And you."

He goes inside his quarters and the doors shut. Janeway turns. The security guard, who has been watching, stands to attention. Janeway: "As you were." She moves away.

Later, USS Voyager approaches the sensor array which emits a scanning pulse every 40 seconds designed to track warp fields and impulse signatures.

USS Voyager: Bridge. Tuvok: "15 seconds." Kashyk: "Our power output is below the detection threshold." Tuvok: "10 seconds.....5.....4.....3.....2....." The array emits a signal.

Chakotay keeps an eye on the instrumemt panel located between himself and Janeway to ensure that their power output levels do not rise above the array's detection threshold.

The Bridge is lit up by the pulse.

The scanning pulse, as the viewscreen is looking toward the array, lights up the Bridge.

Kashyk: "We weren't detected." Paris: "Ten minutes and we'll be out of range."

The com. signal sounds. Torres, via comms: "Engineering to Bridge, we've got a problem. That pulse triggered a variance in the antimatter stream. It's not much, but it'll light us up like a beacon when the next pulse hits." Janeway, via comms: "Options?" Torres, via comms: "I can't correct it in time, so that leaves shutting down the core." Janeway, via comms: "Do it." Tuvok: "The array has released another pulse." Janeway: "Time?" Tuvok: "28 seconds."

In Engineering, Torres is frantically busy. As she hurries to an access panel, she issues orders. Torres: "Get down to the plasma injectors. Grab a tricorder and monitor the antimatter flow." Engineer: "Aye sir." USS Voyager: Bridge. Tuvok: "20 seconds." Janeway, via comms: "B'Elanna." Torres, in Engineering, via comms: "Almost there, Captain. I'm having a problem with the injectors."

USS Voyager: Bridge.
Tuvok: "15 seconds....10 seconds..............4.....3.....2.........."
The array transmits another pulse.
Kashyk: "We've been detected. The array's transmitting an alert."
Janeway: "Can we block it?"
Tuvok: "Negative."
Janeway: "Stand down grey mode." Via comms: "B'Elanna, fire up the core, we're getting out of here."
Kashyk: "Warships will be on their way but we can still reach the wormhole."
Janeway: "If we can find it. Tom, how long to the Tehara system?"
Paris: "Eleven hours at maximum warp."

Kim: "Engines are back online."

Janeway: "Engage." Voyager jumps to warp speed.

wall-panel's monitor display

USS Voyager: Briefing Room. Seven: "Using the model you developed we were able to narrow down the location of the wormhole's next appearance to a radius of two hundred thousand kilometres."

Kir: "We can't determine its exact position until we reach the system but we know it will open in roughly six hours." Seven: "And will remain open for two minutes at most."

Tuvok: "I've devised a new shield modulation which should protect us against their weapons." Kashyk: "You're not planning to fight your way to the wormhole?!"

Janeway: "If I have to."

The com. signal sounds. Paris, via comms: "Bridge to Captain Janeway."
Janeway: "Go ahead."
Paris, via comms: "Long-range sensors have picked up two Devore warships heading right for us."
Tuvok: "Time to intercept."
Paris, via comms: "Six hours."
Janeway: "Take the Bridge. I'll be in Engineering. Kashyk."
The two leave the Briefing Room.

Janeway: "First we'll check those shield modifications, then we'll see if we can adjust our phasers to penetrate the Devore shields. If torpedoes don't work I want an alternative."

Kashyk: "Captain, we have to talk, but not here."

They enter private quarters. Kashyk: "I'm going back to rejoin the warships. It's the only way I can guarantee your safety." Janeway: "Kashyk-" Kashyk: "I'm still a ranking officer. I can take command of the inspection teams, make sure the refugees aren't discovered."

Janeway: "You said yourself they're suspicious. You'll risk being caught." Kashyk: "I can keep them off track long enough to get you through that wormhole." Janeway: "It's too dangerous." Kashyk: "Kathryn." Janeway: "You asked for safe passage and I agreed under the condition that you follow my orders." Kashyk: "You may stand a chance against one of our warships, but not against two. If I stay your best chance of escape will be lost."

Janeway: "I could confine you to quarters." He gives a short laugh. "I was planning on asking you to stay with us once we got through the wormhole. I wouldn't mind having someone around who appreciates a bit of Tchaikovsky now and then."

Kashyk: "Generous, but something tells me I wouldn't fit in any better on Voyager." Janeway, smiling: "Well, you wouldn't be the first wayward soul we've folded into our ranks." She becomes serious as she decides: "Your shuttle will be ready for launch within the hour."

Corridor outside the Shuttlebay. Tuvok: "Our course will put us just outside the Tehara system by the time the warships arrive." Janeway: "Your inspection teams have to be off Voyager before that wormhole opens." Kashyk: "Believe me, it'll be the quickest inspection on record."

Tuvok: "I'll be on the Bridge. Your efforts have been greatly appreciated." Kashyk: "My pleasure." Tuvok, giving the Vulcan salute: "Live long and prosper." Kashyk: "Thank you." Tuvok leaves them.

They enter the Shuttlebay.

Kashyk: "Begin pre-ignition sequence."

Janeway: "I've made one adjustment to your plan. After the inspection, we're going to wait at the wormhole for as long as we can, until it begins to collapse." Kashyk: "I may not be able to join you this time." Janeway: "Try."

He turns to leave, but then turns back, takes hold of her and kisses her.

This picture and next: She kisses him back.

They exchange a last look.

She watches him as he boards his craft.

She watches as the space doors open and his shuttle launches through the forcefield, heads into the distance and disappears.

Two Devore warships take up position by Voyager.

USS Voyager: Bridge. Chakotay: "They're assuming a tactical formation. Shields?" Janeway: "No. We follow protocol." Via comms: "Bridge to Transporter Room. Status?"

Kim, at the control console in the Transporter Room, via comms: "Ready, Captain. Pattern cohesion stable."

USS Voyager: Cargo Bay 1. Janeway, via comms: "Cargo Bay 1?" Seven, via comms: "Clear."

USS Voyager: Bridge. Chakotay: "They're hailing." Janeway: "On screen." Prax, on viewscreen: "Gaharay vessel, prepare to be-" Janeway: "We've been through three inspections. Please explain why another is necessary."

Prax, on viewscreen: "Crewmembers are instructed to step away from their stations. Side-arms and scanning equipment are to be set aside. Deviation from this or any other inspection protocols will not be tolerated."

Janeway, via shipwide broadcast: "All hands, this is the Captain. Prepare to be boarded by Devore inspections teams. Give them your usual warm welcome." Chakotay: "Devore soldiers have materialised on Decks 15, 12, 8, 4-."

Janeway: "And? ......One." Kashyk, via comms: "Captain Janeway, report to your Ready Room."