THE HAUNTING OF DECK TWELVE
Episode 145
Part F

Events in Neelix's story which are depicted as happening on the tv screen are denoted in this style.

 

Neelix: "While we made our way to Engineering, Captain Janeway tried to make the creature reconsider what it was doing."

Janeway: "You're going to kill everyone on this ship. Do you understand what that means?" Computer: "To deprive of life. Extinguish." Janeway: "Yes, and if you extinguish us, you'll be extinguishing yourself. You need this crew." Computer: "Clarify." Janeway: "The technology you're using needs to be maintained. Who do you think is going to do that when we are gone? Voyager's secondary systems have already begun to fail. In a few weeks primary systems will start to go offline." Computer: "Unable to confirm." Janeway: "Access the internal sensors. Run a shipwide diagnostic. See for yourself." Computer: "Abandon ship."

Neelix: "The Captain's rapport with the creature seemed to be breaking down, and she couldn't afford to wait any longer."

Janeway strides into engineeering and calls out: "I need everyone's attention. We're abandoning ship. Get to the escape pods." Torres: "We may not be able to eject the pods." Janeway: "We'll push them out if we have to."

Neelix and Tuvok arrive at the exit from the Jefferies tube junction which opens onto Engineering. Referring to Tuvok: "He needs medical attention!" Kim helps him take Tuvok out of engineering. "He'll have to wait. We're abandoning ship!"

Neelix: "The entire crew had to evacuate. The Delta Flyer and the shuttles were launched, followed by all but one of the escape pods."

Chakotay: "That's everyone but the Captain and First Officer." Janeway: "After you." But as she goes to enter, the door shuts, stopping her from leaving Voyager.

Janeway: "I did what you asked, we're abandoning ship. What more do you want?!" Computer: "Diagnostic completed. Secondary systems are offline. Primary systems at 32%. Estimated time to failure, six days, thirteen hours." Janeway: "That sounds about right." Computer: "Captain Janeway, report to Engineering." Janeway: "Like hell I will. I won't be your prisoner. You'll have to kill me." Computer: "Acknowledged." Gas begins to pour in. "Captain Janeway report to Engineering." Janeway: "Not until you restore life support and give me back control of my ship."

She begins to suffocate. Computer: "Unable to comply." Janeway: "Then we'll die here together." She gasps: "I'm guessing I've got about two more minutes and then you're on your own." Computer: "Captain Janeway report to Engineering." Janeway's voice rasps due to the effect of the gas on her throat. "I told you: the only way I'm helping is if you return control of my ship!"

Neelix: "It looked like the creature was calling the Captain's bluff. She was down to her final breath, but at the last moment-"

The children's attention is riveted on Neelix.

Janeway collapses. She is about to pass out, and then die, when the gas is suddenly dispersed. Computer: "Access to all systems has been restored."

Janeway struggles to her feet and, coughing and rasping, with relief breathes in gulpfuls of clean air.

Neelix: "It took almost two days for the crew to return to the ship. Eventually an artificial environment was created in an isolated section of Deck 12. The creature's been living there ever since." Mezoti to the others: "I told you there was a monster on Deck 12." Icheb: "Haven't you been listening? It's not a monster; it's an alien life form." There is a loud sound and the ship jolts. "What was that?" Mezoti: "Maybe it's the alien life form coming to get us." Neelix: "Haven't you learned anything about letting your imagination get the best of you?"

Power is restored and all the lights come on.

Neelix: "There. That little jolt was probably nothing more than our friend leaving the ship to go to a new home that the Captain found for her." He gets up and chivvies them. "Time to regenerate."

The children head back toward their regeneration alcoves. Rebi: "What if the lifeform didn't leave?" Azan: "What if it wants revenge?"

Neelix: "What if I told you I made up the whole thing?" Mezoti: "Naomi told me you always exaggerate." Icheb: "I knew the story wasn't true, the moment you said the Bussard collectors produced nadion emissions."

The Borg regeneration alcoves.

Neelix packs up the things he brought such as the snacks. His story was so engrossing that the children did not even think of eating anything.

Neelix: "I should've known better than to try fooling the four of you. Alright, in you go." They ready themselves in the alcoves and the regeneration cycles resume. "Pleasant dreams."

Neelix enters the Bridge. Chakotay: "How are the children?"

Neelix: "Tucked into their alcoves, safe and sound." Janeway: "I hope they weren't frightened."

Neelix: "Oh, why would they be frightened, Captain?" Janeway: "They were in the dark for three hours." Neelix: "Oh, no, not to worry. I told them a story to pass the time."

Paris: "Let me guess: 'Mother Goose'." Neelix: "Certainly not. Some of those fairy tales can be frightening - ogres and child-eating monsters. Speaking of which, is everything ok?" Janeway: "We're just taking some final readings before we resume course. Show him, Harry."

The nebula comes up on the viewscreen. It looks exactly like the one that they first entered to collect deuterium, and from where the lifeform came from: Neelix's story was true.

Neelix: "Well, I hope it lives happily ever after."

At warp speed, Voyager's journey continues.