Episode 108 : Part B

Seven: "Computer, activate the EMH."
Doctor: "Please state the nature of the medical emergency."
Seven: "The wormhole is not what it appears to be. I believe that the crew is being de-"

Doctor: "Hold on. Wormhole?" Seven: "You weren't informed?" Doctor: "Not a peep." Seven: "Considering everyone's recent behaviour, that's not surprising. Since the discovery of this wormhole, the crew's ignored obvious signs that it's a deception. You must determine if there's a physiological explanation."

The com. alert sounds. comms. signal Chakotay, via comms.: "Seven of Nine to the Bridge."
Seven, via comms.: "On my way." She starts to leave.
Doctor: "I'll call in a few crewmen for routine examinations. That should allow me to run the necessary diagnostics."
She nods, then leaves.

Seven arrives on the Bridge. Chakotay: "We've just entered visual range. Thought you'd like to take a look. We're starting to get images from the other side." Tuvok: "There is considerable interference." Kim: "I think I can help clear it up." He works some contols on his console. "Try it now." The image of Earth appears on the main viewscreen!

Chakotay: "How long before we reach the wormhole?"
Paris: "53 minutes."
Janeway: "Maintain course."
Chakotay: "All hands, this is the Bridge. Secure all systems."
Janeway to Paris: "When we reach Earth's orbit, lay in a central trajectory, North American continent, Starfleet Headquarters."

In the Astrometrics Lab, Seven orders: "Computer, perform a gravimetric scan of the wormhole's interior. Look for inconsistencies in the spatial gradient." Computer: "The anomaly is consistent with a class-1 wormhole. No irregularities detected." Seven: "Recalibrate sensors and try again." Computer: "No irregularities detected." Seven: "Isolate grid 925 and magnify. Computer, is that a vessel in grid 91?" Computer: "No vessel has been detected." Seven: "Open a com. channel." Computer: "Channel open." Seven: "Alien vessel, this is the starship Voyager. Respond. Alien vessel." Qatai: "Who are you?" Seven: "Seven of Nine, Federation starship Voyager. Our ship is on an intercept course, 3.4 light-years from your position." Qatai: "Turn around! You're being deceived." Seven: "How?" Qatai: "He knows what you want." Suddenly the power goes down and contact is cut off. Seven: "Computer, identify the cause of the power failure." But there is no reply. Instead, Tuvok, who has just entered, answers: "Captain's orders. Power from Astrometrics has been re-routed to the navigational array, at least until we've completed our journey through the wormhole." Seven: "I've made contact with a vessel inside the anomaly." Tuvok: "Starfleet?" Seven: "Alien. The pilot attempted to warn us away." Tuvok: "Sensors show no record of an incoming transmission." Seven: "The sensors are malfunctioning. He said we were being deceived, that the wormhole is not what it appears to be." Tuvok: "The preponderance of data suggests otherwise." Seven: "The data is flawed." Tuvok: "As is your reasoning."

Seven: "May I ask you a personal question? Are you looking forward to seeing your wife and family?" Tuvok: "Indeed." Seven: "And is that desire stronger than you expect it to be?" Tuvok: "Your point?" Seven: "I believe we're being manipulated. Someone or something is compromising your logic, otherwise you'd be willing to listen to my concerns." Tuvok: "Access to the Astrometrics Lab is restricted until further notice. Dismissed."

	Seven enters Cargo Bay 2. cargo bay doors Seven works at the stand-alone computer console.
	A noise on the other side of the cargo bay indicates that there is someone else there. Seven investigates, and finds Naomi Wildman behind one of the cargo containers. She is holding her Flotter toy. Seven: "Naomi Wildman. Your presence here is unauthorised. State your intentions." Naomi: "I'm...hiding." Seven: "From whom?" Naomi: "Everyone. They're all acting strange, even Mom."
	Seven: "Elaborate." Naomi: "She keeps smiling all the time," here Naomi imitates her, "talking about Earth like it's the greatest place in the universe."

Seven: "You do not share your mother's desire to return to Earth." Naomi: "Voyager's my home. If I go to Earth I'll have to leave the ship. I'd miss my room, Neelix. You, Mom and me wouldn't play kadiskot any more." Seven: "Curious. You and I appear the only ones not affected." Naomi: "Affected by what?" Seven: "I'm not certain. Stay here until I return." She leaves, and Naomi hides behind the cargo container again.

	Seven goes to Sickbay to ask the Doctor the results of his tests of certain crewmembers. Seven: "Computer, activate EMH." Paris comes out of the Doctor's office. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency." Seven: "Where's the Doctor?" Paris: "Oh, offline." Seven: "Why?" Paris: "Starfleet orders. Something about the wormhole interfering with the holographic systems. We didn't want to damage his program."
	Seven: "He must be reactivated." Paris: "No can do, not 'til we're on the other side." Seven: "It's urgent." Paris: "Believe it or not, I am capable or handling almost any medical problem you might have." Seven leaves.
	As she arrives at Cargo Bay 2, she is accosted by Chakotay and two security guards. Chakotay: "I was just coming to see you." Seven: "Why?" Chakotay: "I'm afraid I have some troubling news. Evidently our wormhole passes through a layer of subspace monitored by the Borg. Starfleet's concerned that your neuro-transceiver might attract some unwanted attention. We need to deactivate your implants." Seven: "You do not attempt to do so without the Doctor's supervision." Chakotay: "Unfortunately he's offline." Seven: "Then the procedure is inadvisable."
	Chakotay: "Try to relax. We're only going to keep you in stasis until we've reached the Alpha Quadrant. I realise the prospect of returning to Earth is frightening to you. It's perfectly natural for you to resist the unknown. But you're in good hands." He jokes: "'Resistance is futile.'"

Thanks to Animation Factory for the (still) background.