USS Voyager stays in position near the protostar.
Briefing room. Torres: "This is a scan of the Holodeck, just before we lost contact with Chakotay and Tuvok. The readings are pretty garbled but I'm still inclined to think there's a malfunction in the Holodeck matter conversion nodes."
Janeway: "Photonic energy leaking into the subsystems could certainly damage the nodes, and it might have created a defect in the program that occurs when Grendel shows up." Torres: "A defect that dematerialised our people." Paris: "I'm not willing to accept the fact that Harry and the others are gone for good. The molecular patterns might still be there, and if they are we might be able to rematerialise them. The only thing we can do is go back into the Holodeck, study this energy surge, find out exactly what happened."
Torres: "Anyone who goes back in there might wind up just like the others." Paris: "Maybe not anyone."

Sickbay. Doctor: "Me???" Paris: "A hologram can't be converted into energy. It already is energy. You're the perfect choice." Doctor: "How do you intend to transfer me out of Sickbay?"

Janeway: "We'll have to modify your datastream protocols and imaging systems, but the fact that you're going to the Holodeck simplifies things. The projection systems are already in place there."
Torres: "And we're going to give you complete control of your magnetic containment field. You'll be able to make yourself solid or let matter pass through at will." Janeway: "Nothing on the Holodeck will be able to touch you unless you want it to." Doctor: "I see." Janeway: "Think of this as your first away mission, Doctor. I can understand your hesitation. But there are three lives at stake, and you've the best chance of anyone on this ship to save them. Do you understand that?" Doctor: "Yes."
Janeway: "Good. Your job is to find the photonic energy surge and study it closely. We need all the data we can get. You'll have to interact with the characters in the holonovel, so make sure you're familiar with the 'Beowulf' story. Your circuit modifications will be finished in three hours." Doctor: "Yes, Captain." Janeway, Torres and Paris leave. standard doors

Doctor: "Computer, access full text of ancient Earth 'Beowulf' including historical annotation and cultural references." Data compilation in progress." Kes: "Doctor." Doctor: "Ah, Kes. Come in. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but my absence is no reason to suspend your studies. How are you doing with the protein synthesis text?" Kes: "I finished it yesterday." Doctor: "Good. Then you may as well start learning how to operate the base pair sequencer. You'll find the manual in the technical database. Was there something else?" Kes: "There's something bothering you." Doctor: "Not at all. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a great deal of preparation to do." Kes: "You're nervous about this mission, aren't you." Doctor: "Nervous? I can perform emergency surgery without being nervous. I can make life or death decisions about patients without being nervous. What makes you think I'm nervous?" Kes: "Those things are familiar to you. You've been programmed to do them but this is different, isn't it?" Doctor: "I can describe every detail of every piece of equipment in this Sickbay, from biobed to neurostimulator. But I've never even seen a sky or a forest, let alone Vikings and monsters. I can't afford to fail, but I don't know what to expect in that holodeck." Kes: "You've been telling me that you deserve to be treated like a member of the crew. Well, here's your chance. And I can tell you that none of the crew knows exactly when they go on an away mission. Doctor, have you chosen a name for yourself yet?" Doctor: "I have narrowed the list to three possibilities." Kes: "Then let me suggest you choose one before you go. It might help you feel more like a Starfleet officer." Doctor: "Mmmm. You may be right. I'll give it some thought. And Kes...thank you." Kes: "Good luck."

In Sickbay, with the Doctor nearby watching him, Paris taps his combadge. combadge "Paris to Janeway. We're ready for the transfer, Captain." Janeway, via comms: "Good. Go ahead." The comlink ends.
Paris: "How about you, Doctor? You ready? Doctor: "Of course. Paris: "I've already transported a tricorder onto the Holodeck. Engaging transfer circuits....now. Doctor: "The Doctor's programmed is transferred onto the Holodeck. He finds that he has materialised inside the wood in the 'Beowulf' holoprogram. It is dark. He spends a short time looking exploring the sight and feel of the forest. He sees the tricorder and collects it.
The com. signal sounds. Janeway enquires, via comms: "Is everything alright, Doctor?" The Doctor taps his combadge. combadge "Yes. There were no problems with the transfer. I'm on my way."

Suddenly a spear whistles close by him and buries its point in a tree trunk, for a moment startling him. Freya steps forward, having thrown the spear, and draws her sword.

Freya: "Speak as a friend or stand challenged! I am-" The Doctor recognises her from the information in the ship's database: "You're Freya, the King's daughter, a female warrior known as a shield maiden." Freya: "We have never met and yet you know my name? Are you a sorcerer?" Doctor: "No. It's simply that your reputation preceeds you, a warrior of your skill. You're quite famous where I come from." Freya is flattered. "I did not know that word of my deeds has carried to other lands. Tell me what you have heard!" Doctor: "Well, your battle with...." He hesitates. Freya: "Scyld the Gar-Dane?" The Doctor is glad that she provided the information herself, enabling him to continue: "...is practically legend, an incredible story." Freya: "I burned his hall to the ground. There was nothing left but ashes." Doctor: "Charming." Freya: "And did you hear of my campaign against the Heatho-Bards to the south? I fought them for-" Doctor: "I'd be delighted to hear all about it, but I'm on an urgent mission of my own. I'm looking for Grendel." Freya: "Only a warrior would seek that which others flee. What is your name?" Doctor: "I'm glad you asked. My name is Schweitzer, Dr Schweitzer." Freya: "Schweitzer - a hero's name. Come! I will take you to the King."

As they walk together, she tells him: "The hall is not far from here." She sees something growing on the forest floor. "Look! Fortune is with us. Atuta, a most powerful plant." She bends down and gathers some. The Doctor stoops to look, concerned. "What exactly do you intend to do with it? Freya: "We brew the atuta into a broth which we drink before battle. It brings on the spirit of the bear. It gives us strength to swing our swords." Doctor: "It's more likely to bring on profuse sweating, convulsions and acute delirium. This is an amanita muscaria, a fungus common to sub-arctic climates and, let me assure you, quite poisonous." Freya: "Yes, but those it does not kill it makes strong. A most hardy plant. Are you a master of herblore?" Doctor: "Well, in a way, I suppose I am." Freya: "You are truly a man of many talents, Lord Schweitzer. Your people must value you greatly." Doctor: "You would think so."

Freya flings open the doors of the King's hall and strides in. "Hail, Lord Hrothgar! I bring a new friend - Schweitzer, who has come to destroy Grendel. Greet him well."
Hrothgar: "I would bid you welcome to my hall but the days of glad tidings are gone from this place." Doctor: "I'm sorry to hear that. But with your permission, sir, I would like to stay here tonight and wait for Grendel."
Unferth: "To what purpose?! To raise false hopes again, as have others before you? Leave us alone in our misery!" Doctor: "I'm afraid I can't do that. I have a mission."
Unferth: "Your name means nothing to me. There are no songs of yours deeds nor stories of the battles you have fought. Who are you to believe you can slay Grendel?" Doctor: "I'm simply a warrior. I'm only concerned with Grendel. I have no quarrel with you."
Unferth: "Indeed you do. And if you will fight Grendel then you will first prove your worth to me." He draws his sword. "Defend yourself!"