MUSE
Episode 142
Part D

 

Next day at the aliens' open-air theatre. The play is to be performed that evening.

Kelis, to himself: "The final moment, the last scene, more important than anything that's gone before. But what is it?"

Chorus member #1 and Layna arrive. Kelis: "Where is she?" Layna: "Your collaborator's probably halfway across the Eastern Sea by now." Kelis: "She'll be here."

Chorus member #1: "You said we'd have an ending by mid-morning. We won't have time to learn it." Kelis: "It'll come to me. Don't worry."

Kelis ponders.

The Delta Flyer, later that day.

Delta Flyer - interior. Kim: "Want to give it a try?" Torres: "Why not? The thirty-eighth time might be the charm."

Kim: "It's working!" Computer: "The subspace transmitter is online." Kim: "Why don't you do the honours?"

Torres, via comms: "Voyager, this is the Delta Flyer."

That evening, backstage at the open-air theatre. Jero, peeking out at the audience: "Our patron has arrived. He's not in a very good mood." Kelis: "He will be."

Chorus member #3: "Not if this is any indication." Chorus member #2: "Yes, Kelis, this is no way to end a play!" Chorus member #1: "It doesn't make sense."

Kelis: "It'll have to. Go, go." The cast head for the stage.

As the play starts, in the distance, from on stage, can be heard the Chorus members talking one by one: "Who are the enemies of Voyager?" "The Borg." "Species 8472."

Kelis gets up and quickly writes a note and hands it to a scribe who is busily writing out actors' parts: "You know where the ridge ends just below the peak? Run there as fast as you can. You'll find a vessel wrecked against the rocks. Go inside and give this to our friend. Don't be frightened. Go!" The scribe hurries off.

USS Voyager, flying at impulse speed.

Voyager's Bridge. Paris turns when he hears a strange sound. It is Tuvok, who is in the captain's chair - he is snoring! Paris cannot help but smile.

Paris: "Tuvok. Tuvok!"

Tuvok suddenly wakes: "As you were."

He wakes fully and realises he had fallen asleep. Via comms: "Bridge to Chakotay." Chakotay, via comms: "Go ahead." Tuvok, via comms: "Request permission to be relieved." Chakotay, via comms: "Understood. I'll be right there."

Tuvok notes from the control panel next to him: "We're picking up a subspace transmission. Starfleet frequency."
Paris: "It's a little rough. Hang on."
He goes over to the Engineering II station, where he works to clear up the transmission.
Torres, via comms: "Delta Flyer. Harry and I are alright. We're on an L-class planet. Propulsion is down."

Tuvok joins him. "Origin?" Paris: "5.2 light years, F type star, looks like the fourth planet." Tuvok: "Lay in a course." Paris heads for the helm. "Maximum warp."

At the aliens' open-air theatre, the play is progressing. Tanis (as Captain Janeway): "Seven of Nine." Layna (as Seven of Nine): "Captain." Tanis: "The Delta Flyer has been found in pieces, on a rocky shore." Layna: "And B'Elanna Torres?" Tanis: "No sign of her. Seven of Nine, you are my eyes and my ears. If anyone can find her, it is you."

Layna, to audience: "Her eyes and her ears......and the viper in her nest. I, Seven of Nine, have no intention of finding B'Elanna Torres."

The Autarch is fully engrossed.

Layna (as Seven of Nine): "I, Seven of Nine, am Queen of the Borg. Surprised? No one will be more surprised than Janeway when I take my revenge on Voyager. Say nothing or you too," pointing round at the audience, "will be assimilated."

Layna (as Seven of Nine) to 'Captain Janeway': "Captain, I will comply." She exits stage left.

Tanis, to audience: "My enemies are everywhere without and within. Seven of Nine is Queen of the Borg. Surprised? So was I. Tell her nothing, or I will lose my advantage and my ship as well."

Delta Flyer - interior. Night. Paris, via comms: "Are you OK?" Torres, via comms: "Yes." Kim, via comms: "We're fine." Paris, via comms: "Good to hear it. We'll see you soon." Contact ends.

The scribe (Kelis' messenger) arrives and stands hesitantly in the doorway. Kim and Torres draw their phasers.

Seeing it is one of the acting troupe, Torres gets Kim to put away his phaser and she does the same. She tells the scribe: "Don't be afraid."

The scribe tentatively ventures inside and holds out Kelis' note. Torres takes it and he leaves.

Kim: "What is it?" Torres, reading Kelis' message: "'Without inspiration, B'Elanna Torres will perish.' He's threatening to kill off B'Elanna as the climax to his play." Kim: "Let him." Torres: "That means that he still can't figure out the ending."

Kim: "Eh, who cares?" Torres: "I do." Kim: "You're serious."

Torres: "Harry, have you ever inspired anybody?" Kim: "That's kind of a strange question." Torres, setting some controls: "It's been a strange couple of weeks. He needs me, or he's the one who's going to die on that stage."

Kim: "What are you talking about?" Computer: "The transporter is online." Torres: "Tell the Captain I'll be a little late." Kim: "B'Elanna." Torres: "Wait for my signal."

She beams out.