Leucon shows Icheb around the settlement. Leucon: "The Borg didn't leave us much to work with but we didn't need much, just a little ingenuity. Everything you see we built with our own hands - our homes, cultivation bays."
Icheb: "What's this?" Leucon: "A genetic resequencer. We use it to alter the DNA of certain plants to conform with environmental conditions." Icheb: "You built this as well?" Leucon: "We adapted parts from damaged vessels. Nothing's been wasted." Icheb: "Efficient."
Leucon: "Efficiency's one attribute we share with the Borg. In our case, it's a necessity. I know our settlement seems primitive compared to Voyager, but I promise you that will change."
Icheb: "What about space travel?" Leucon: "Some day we'll have ships that rival Voyager, but we need the dedication of young people like you to help us."
A number of youths are playing a ball game a distance away. One of the youths calls out to Icheb: "Icheb! How are you?"
Icheb: "Well, thank you!" Youth: "Maybe later you can join us up on the field for a game of pala!" Icheb: "I don't remember how to play!" Youth: "It will come back to you!"
Leucon: "You used to be quite an athlete." He approaches close up to Icheb and puts his hand on his shoulder. "You can make a difference here, Icheb."
Icheb: "I don't know anything about agriculture or genetics." Leucon: "It won't take you long to learn, not with a mind like yours."
Seven materialises nearby and informs Icheb: "It's time to return to Voyager."
Icheb: "I am staying here tonight." Seven: "They don't have a regeneration unit." Leucon: "We're going to have to install one eventually. Might as well do it now. Seven to Leucon: "As far as I am aware, he hasn't decided to remain here yet." Leucon: "But he has asked to stay tonight." Seven to Leucon: "Return with me to the ship. We'll prepare a regeneration unit." Leucon nods.

On board USS Voyager...
Seven: "I've adapted this neural transceiver to interface with the portable generator. It has enough power to complete one full cycle."
Leucon lifts the equipment into a cargo container ready for transport. Leucon: "We'll have to devise a way of recharging it." Seven: "If Icheb decides to stay." Leucon: "My wife and I appreciate everything you've done for our son. It's obvious you care about him." Seven: "He's a unique individual." Leucon: "Yes, he is. To get him back is, well, a miracle."

Seven: "How was he taken?" Leucon sighs and hesitates for a short moment. "Since the Borg first attacked us, we've taken whatever new technology we develop." Seven: "So that passing cubes won't be attracted to your planet." Leucon: "Unfortunately we haven't always been successful. One morning, about four years ago, Icheb heard me talking about a fertilisation array we constructed in the lower field. He wanted to see it. I told him we'd take him the next day. But he was impatient the ways boys can be. I never even realised he'd wandered off when the alarm sounded. Turns out the Borg were just as interested in our new technology as Icheb was. They took it, assimilated everyone in the area. If only I'd kept a closer eye on him." Seven: "Icheb has a mind of his own." Leucon: "But still, it's hard not to blame myself. Your parents must've felt the same way when they lost you." Seven: "My parents were with me when the Borg attacked." Leucon: "I can't imagine what that must've been like for them, watching their daughter being assimilated, helpless to defend her." Seven feels uncomfortable and has no reply. She turns back to the matter in hand: "It's important that Icheb regenerate for six uninterrupted hours." Leucon: "I understand." Seven: "He may resist. He doesn't like to waste time. I've had to contend with his lack of patience as well."

Leucon and Yifay are with Icheb in their home, looking up through a window at the stars.

Leucon: "And over there is the star called Kelsin III. To the west is the Orlitus Cluster. There just above it, when you connect those six stars, form what we call the Great Horn." Icheb: "I see it." Yifay: "You inherited your love of the stars from your father." Leucon: "Being on that starship you've learned much more about astronomy than I have. Our little window can't compare to Voyager's Astrometrics Lab." Icheb: "No, but it's nice." Yifay: "You see, we have everything we need: a warm fire, good food that we grow ourselves, and people who love us." Leucon to Yifay: "Icheb has people on Voyager who love him too." Yifay: "You've grown attached to the crew on that ship, haven't you?" Icheb: "They've provided for me, given me opportunities." Leucon: "They're good people, people who've experienced hardship themselves. Seven of Nine told me about your science project. She said that it might prove very useful." Icheb: "It's designed to detect wormholes." Leucon: "How will that benefit them?" Icheb: "It may help them find a way back to Earth." Yifay: "Why is that so important to them?" Icheb: "It's their home." Leucon: "Interesting, isn't it?" Icheb: "What?" Leucon: "With all their technology, a rare opportunity to explore the galaxy, the thing they want most is to get home."

Seven is working in the Astrometrics Lab when Icheb arrives. standard doors Icheb: "Good morning." Seven: "Did you regenerate successfully?" Icheb: "Yes, and I slept under the stars. You should try it." Seven: "You weren't in class this morning. The others missed you." Icheb: "I was helping my father. There is something we need to discuss."
Seven: "What is it?" Icheb is not sure how to put it but he does not need to say anything. She surmises: "You've decided to stay with them." Icheb: "Yes." Seven: "You're certain?"
Icheb: "This is my home. I have a responsibility to help them rebuild it." Seven: "I'll inform the Captain." Icheb: "Thank you." Seven: "I'm sure you'll want to say goodbye to the other children." She leaves.