INSIDE MAN
Episode 152
Part F

 

Janeway orders Tuvok: "Put a tractor beam on it." Tuvok tries but reports: "There is too much interference from the fold."

Chakotay: "Harry, can you get a transporter lock?"

The Ferengi read from their ship's sensors that: "There's something coming through the fold!" It is not Voyager as it is too small. One of them surmises: "A phage torpedo!" Gegis orders: "Raise shields. Brace for impact." The other two dive for cover.

Their radar-style equipment shows on the monitor the progress of the object as it approaches....and hits them! The Ferengi Marauder shakes from the impact.

Two Ferengi on the floor at impact.

Then they realise: "It's an escape pod." Gegis: "Maybe the hologram sent us the drone. Check what's in there." Disappointment replaces their excitement as they realise the escape pod contains: "Nothing. No Borg corpse." "No nanoprobes." "No profit." Unknown to them, they are also about to be arrested by the Starfleet crew of USS Carolina.

USS Voyager, cruising at impulse speed in the Delta Quadrant. Janeway: "Captain's log, supplemental. Seven of Nine has recovered from her injuries and Reg has been deactivated. Until we finish analysing his program, his motivations remain a mystery." They will probably hear all about it in the next month's datastream from Project Pathfinder.

Paris and Torres sit down at Kim's table where he is contemplating his plate.

Paris: "Making first contact with a new lifeform?" Kim: "Mom's apple pie. Neelix thought a little home cooking might cheer me up." Paris: "And?" Kim: "I haven't worked up the courage to taste it yet. Have you figured out what went wrong with Reg?" Torres: "Well, Seven thinks our proximity to the fold degraded his matrix, but if you ask me, it was a recursive error in his logic subroutine."

Kim tastes the apple pie. "Not bad. But it would've tasted better in San Francisco."

Paris: "If it'll make you feel any better, I'll let you know a little secret. I was on the Bridge this morning when we received a hail from an Iconian scientist. He claims to have a transdimensional gateway that can take us anywhere in the galaxy." Kim: "I'm not that gullible."

Torres decides to join in Paris' teasing. "It's true. I was there. The Captain doesn't want us to get our hopes up but, personally, I think we'll be home by the end of the week."

Kim looks hopeful: "Are you serious?"

Torres to Paris: "You were right about him."

Kim realises he has been had!

Project Pathfinder Headquarters, Earth.

In the Pathfinder holodeck, Barclay is working on his hologram. Barclay: "Computer, install Barclay security protocol 21 Alpha."

Troi enters. The Barclay hologram says fiercely to her, startling her: "Identify yourself!"

If the above animated image stops, please reload the page. Here is a non-animated image.

Barclay: "Computer, deactivate Barclay program!"

To Troi: "Sorry. I, I've been programming him with new security precautions so, so he can't be stolen again."
Troi: "You seem to be off to a good start."

Barclay: "I thought you'd be back at the beach." Troi: "Will and I decided to spend the rest of our vacation in Tiburon. We were wondering if you'd be free for dinner tonight." Barclay: "Er, I, er, I wouldn't want to be a third nacelle." Troi: "Not possible. Will's bringing a friend for you. Her name's Maril. You're going to adore her." Barclay: "Oh, I'd like to but I still have er...dozens of protocols to install. Maybe next time." Troi: "Look, Reg. I know Leosa hurt you, but hiding inside a hologrid isn't the answer. You need to get out, meet new people." Barclay: "This Maril wouldn't happen to be a dabo girl by any chance?" Troi: "She's a teacher, actually - a real one!" Barclay: "Are you sure?" Troi: "Don't worry, Reg." She jokes as she leads him away: "We've taken security precautions!"