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Part A

In the capital city of the planet Quarra, it is early morning, and a commuter train travels from the residential area of the city across a bridge, and stops at a station on the other side. We do not see the station nor the commuters alighting, but we see them leave the station by descending a staircase as they head toward their workplace.

workers are descending the stairs

The camera pans across part of the Quarren capital city. (pop-up window)

	The workers descending the stairs include Kathryn Janeway. She is on her way to work, along with the rest of the capital city's workforce. We see that among the people on the stairs also going to work are Ayala and, behind Janeway, two more crewmembers including William McKenzie.
	Her destination is the city's main power distribution centre which she stops briefly to look at.

Janeway, along with a Bolian from her crew (Ensign Golwat) and one other, boards a high-speed lift that takes her down to the lower levels of the city. There, they disembark and go along one of the walkways.

left: lower level right: upper level

Once on the power plant's upper level, Janeway asks a worker: "Excuse me, can you tell me where I can find the Supervisor?" and is told: "Over there." as he points to a small office in the further corner. With a "Thank you," she hurries along the gantry but the Supervisor sees her and comes out to meet her.

With a "Thank you," she hurries along the gantry but the Supervisor sees her and comes out to meet her.

The Supervisor walks Janeway to her station and they talk as they go. Supervisor: "Your authorisation and licences, please." He looks at the Quarren equivalent of the Starfleet PADD that she hands him. After looking at it he comments: "Level 6 in thermodynamics and quantum fusion. Well, Janeway, I'm impressed! Now, if you could just manage to report to your shift on time."

Janeway: "I'm sorry. I boarded the wrong transport. I ended up at the atmosphere filtration facility." Supervisor: "They're always looking for skilled workers. I'm surprised they didn't offer you a job." Janeway: "I promise I won't be late again."

Supervisor: "Well, it's easy to get disorientated when you're new here. I've been in this city all my life and I still get lost on occasion. Now, you'll be monitoring the primary reactor coils. They process more than 8,000-" Janeway: "8,000 metric tonnes of tylium per second at 94 per cent thermal efficiency. I've memorised the specifications." Supervisor: "Let me know if there's anything you need. You'll find we like to keep our workforce happy." Janeway: "I can already tell it's going to be much better than my last job."

She begins work, tapping happily at the control console in front of her.

Later on during her first day at work, worker hands a Quarren "PADD" to Janeway. "Here's the specifications you asked for." Janeway: "Thanks." She returns to her console and presses some buttons. Suddenly it sounds an alarm. Quarren computer: "Input error 415. Command code violation 2308." Janeway, after trying to stop the alarm by pressing more buttons, whispers to the console: "Come on, shut off that damn alarm and I promise I'll never violate you again." The alarm continues until another worker comes up. He presses a single button, solving the problem and the alarm stops. He says good-naturedly: "You almost started a core overload." Janeway: "I would've corrected it." He replies: "I'm sorry for interrupting then, and for eavesdropping. I heard you talking to your console." Janeway: "It's an old habit." He asks: "Does it work?" Janeway: "I'm not sure that this control panel and I speak the same language yet." "Well, if you need an interpreter - Jaffen." Janeway: "Kathryn." Jaffen: "I work just down there." Janeway: "That's good to know!" Seven comes up to them. She and Janeway do not know each other. "This station doesn't require two operators." Jaffen: "I don't think we've met. I'm-" Seven: "Employee 1326. And you're Employee 8584. Since you're new here you might not be fully familiar with the labour protocols but you should be aware that fraternising is not permitted during work hours." Jaffen: "And do you have a number or maybe a name?" Seven: "Annika Hansen." Jaffen: "And what exactly is your position here?" Seven: "I'm the new Efficiency Monitor." Jaffen: "Oh, I er didn't know they hired one." Seven: "Now that you do, I suggest that you return to your station." Janeway: "We weren't fraternising. He was just helping me correct an input error. We've almost finished here." Seven: "Do it quickly." Janeway: "Yes, ma'am." Seven leaves. Jaffen: "I thought we were fraternising. Maybe we could get acquainted after work. There is a little place some of us like to go to. We could get a meal." Janeway: "I can't." Jaffen: "You need to talk to someone besides your console." Janeway: "I appreciate the offer. But with this new job, I don't really have time to socialise." Jaffen goes back to his console, but notices Janeway peering over the edge of hers at him.

Elsewhere in the city, Paris is trying to get a job at Umali's bar. Umali: "They're always looking for labourers at the power distribution plant." Paris: "I had a job there once. Didn't like it much." Umali: "Odd. They treat their employees well. How long were you there?" Paris: "Ooooh, a while." Umali: "It would be very simple for me to find out." Paris: "A day." Umali: "A day!" Paris: "Half a day, actually, give or take an hour." Umali: "Not what I call an illustrious career." Paris: "I don't belong behind a console pushing buttons. But when I heard some of the workers talking about your place, I knew I had to get a job here." Umali: "You were terminated, weren't you. Oh, that's quite an accomplishment during a labour shortage. What happened?" Paris: "Oh, it's a long story." Umali: "I like a long story." Paris: "I had a disagreement with the new Efficiency Monitor. She didn't think my work was very-" Umali: "Efficient?" Paris: "Exactly." Umali: "Then why should I hire you?" Paris: "Well, there's my natural charm and personality - be a real asset round a place like here where you're trying to attract patrons. I mean, look at you, you haven't been able to tear yourself away from me." Umali: "There's no one else here." Paris: "Please, I really need the work." Umali: "You'd better clean those tables over there. This place is going to be filled with hungry workers as soon as the next shift ends." Paris: "You won't regret this." Umali: "Oh, I'm certain I will."