INSIDE MAN
Episode 152
Part A

 

Paris catches up with Kim and accompanies him along the corridor to a turbolift.

Paris: "Ah, there he is, the man of the hour." Kim: "You sure are in a good mood." Paris: "Well, rumour has it that you snared the latest datastream last night." Kim: "Technically it was this morning, 0200 to be exact." Paris: "So where's my mail? Oh, don't tell me you lost another one." Kim: "I didn't lose last month's datastream. It never arrived." Paris: "So what's the hold-up this time?" Kim: "The transmission was a little larger than usual. It's jammed the transceiver. Seven and I have been up all night trying to download it."

Paris: "Harry, we can't go another month without mail."

Kim: "Oh you won't. Trust me." The turbolift door closes behind Kim, so he does not see Paris' look of scepticism.

Kim enters the Astrometrics Lab. Seven is working at a control console. Kim: "Any luck?" Seven: "I've determined why we've been having difficulties." She displays a summary of the contents on the main viewscreen for Kim to see. Kim: "A hologram. The transceiver wasn't designed to store photonic data. We have to get it out of there before it degrades."

He activates certain controls. Seven: "What are you doing?" Kim: "Tying the transceiver into the Holodeck's pattern buffer." Seven: "The system's aren't compatible. You'll depolarise the relay." Kim: "Starfleet wouldn't have sent this hologram if it weren't important. I'm sure it's worth a few burnt-out relays." There is a small explosion behind Seven. Seven reproachfully: "You've overloaded the transceiver."

Kim, pleased with himself: "But I saved the hologram."

In one of the Holodecks, Kim, Seven and Janeway are gathered round the controls.

Kim: "Ok, ready when you are." Janeway nods and Kim activates the hologram.

Seven turns and looks at where the hologram will come online.

Janeway: "Lieutenant Barclay?" Barclay hologram: "Er, no, but he did design me. I'm a walking, talking, problem-solving, interactive hologram. You can call me Reg." Janeway: "It's nice to meet you, Reg."

The Barclay hologram meets Captain Janeway (pop-up window) The Barclay hologram introduces himself.

Barclay hologram: "The pleasure's mine, Captain. Harry, Seven! I've been looking forward to working with you."

Barclay hologram: "I know, you were expecting letters from your friends and families. But with any luck, in a few days, you'll be seeing them face to face!"

Barclay hologram: "In three days' time Voyager is going to be passing through grid 898, a sector of space occupied by a red giant star." Janeway: "Sensors detected it a few days ago." Barclay hologram: "At this very moment, a team of Federation scientists is orbiting another red giant in the Alpha Quadrant. In 72 hours they will target its magnetic field with a verteron beam, creating a geodesic fold. As a result a corresponding fold will open here in the magnetic field of the red giant that Voyager is approaching. Space will be punctured, these two points creating a gateway between the Quadrants." Janeway: "Our shields are useless against geodesic radiation. We toyed with the idea of opening a fold ourselves but it didn't take us long to realise that we wouldn't survive the trip." Barclay hologram: "A lot's happened in geodesic research since you've been gone. I've brought schematics for shield upgrades to deflect the radiation from the fold, medical technology to provide additional protection for the crew. We've thought of everything." Seven: "Starfleet never mentioned you in any of the previous datastreams." Barclay hologram: "Well, Lieutenant Barclay didn't want to raise your hopes in case the plan didn't live up to expectations, but lucky for you it surpassed them." Janeway: "What about last month's datastream? Why didn't we receive it?" Barclay hologram: "Pathfinder tried sending an unabridged version of my program. It overloaded the MIDAS Array." Kim: "The only casualty this time was our transceiver." Barclay hologram: "If everything goes according to plan you won't need it any more." Janeway: "If we were to attempt this, you'd need access to areas of the ship which aren't equipped with holo-emitters." Barclay hologram: "Not to worry, Captain. We've thought of that too."

In Sickbay the Doctor holds out the case containing his mobile emitter for the Barclay hologram. "My emitter is your emitter."

With the mobile emitter on the Barclay hologram's left arm, Janeway orders: "Computer, transfer the Barclay hologram to the mobile emitter." The computer does so.....

.....then the computer reports: "Transfer complete." Barclay hologram: "On Lieutenant Barclay's behalf, I thank you." The Doctor says jovially: "Make sure to return it when we get to Earth."

The com. signal sounds. Chakotay's voice says: "We're ready for you in the Briefing Room, Captain." Janeway: "Excuse us, Doctor."

Doctor, following holo-Barclay: "I'm sure you have a full day planned, but if you have time I'd like to get acquainted."

Barclay hologram: "I'll stop by the first chance I get."

Doctor, as the doors shut on him. "You know where to find me."

In the Briefing Room the Barclay hologram addresses the assembled senior staff. "This is our destination, red giant 23139."

Barclay hologram: "The geodesic fold will open here, adjacent to the giant's northern pole. We'll have exactly 16 seconds to take Voyager through."

Janeway: "Reg has prepared a list of assignments. I expect you to give him your full co-operation."

First he hands a PADD to Paris: "Mr Paris, you have the honour of plotting our course to Big Red Two."

He hands a PADD to Torres and Tuvok. "Lieutenant Torres, Commander Tuvok, I'd like you to start working on shield modifications. In the meantime I've asked the Doctor to prepare a series of innoculations that will protect the crew from the radiation."

Seven: "We should discuss the possibility of applying Borg technology to Starfleet's plan. It could increase our chances of success." Barclay hologram: "I look forward to hearing your thoughts."

Chakotay: "How long before the transceiver's back online?" Kim: "Another 2 hours." Chakotay: "We'll still have time to transmit a response to Starfleet." Janeway: "Keep us posted. I'd like to send Lieutenant Barclay a little thank you note for all his hard work."

Neelix: "Is there anything I can do, Reg?" Barclay hologram: "Your job might be the most important one of all. The next few days will be difficult. The crew'll be working extremely long hours. They're going to need an experienced morale officer. Keep spirits high." Neelix: "You can count on me."

The Barclay hologram addresses everyone: "If this were any other ship, I'd have my doubts, but this is Voyager, the miracle ship. You've survived 6 years in the Delta Quadrant. You've evaded the Kazon, the Vidiians, the Hirogen, you've even faced down the Borg."

Barclay hologram: "I think with a little team work we can pull off one more miracle, and take Voyager home!"

Kim and Paris leave the meeting. Paris examines the data on his PADD as they walk down the corridor. Kim: "I can taste my Mom's cooking." Paris: "Don't forget what the hologram said, Harry. "This is Voyager-" Kim: ""-The miracle ship"! Paris: "When it comes to getting us home our shortcuts have a tendency to blow up in our faces." Kim: "Well, that's looking on the bright side." Paris: "Remember Arturis and the quantum slipstream drive? Or how about the telepathic pitcher plant that made us think we were on our way home right before it tried to eat the ship?" Kim: "This is the best opportunity we've had!" Paris: "Which is why we'll probably end up in the Gamma Quadrant." Kim: "I'll remind you of that when we get back to Earth." Paris: "Don't say I didn't warn you."