PART E

The alien warhead testing ground continues to be used, causing detonations in close proximity to USS Voyager.
On the Bridge, Tuvok reports: "800,000 kilometres off the starboard bow."
Chakotay contacts Seven via comms.: "Bridge to Seven of Nine."
Seven, who is running her holoprogram, stops playing the piano to answer: "Go ahead, Commander."
Chakotay: "We need those sensor calibrations."
Seven: "I'll need a moment to return to my station."
Chakotay: "That would be a good idea."

As she gets up and leaves holo-Chakotay and the Holodeck, the ship is heavily jolted. Paris: "Hull fracture, deck 12." Janeway: "Seven of Nine, report."

Seven reaches the console in the Astrometrics Lab. "Stand by, Captain." She works the controls then contacts Paris: "Lieutenant Paris, isolate subspace band omicron theta." Paris: "Acknowledged."

Seven: "Direct your sensors to co-ordinates 178 mark 26." Paris: "Nothing there."

Seven: "Correction: 178 mark 36." Paris: "I can see them. Two warheads are about to emerge. Adjusting course."

Impact of subspace missile on Voyager's hull. (pop-up window)

Janeway: "Full power to the forward shields." Paris: "Impact in 5, 4, 3, 2..."

Voyager shakes as the warhead hits.

Paris reports: "Shields are holding." Janeway to Chakotay: "Why wasn't Seven at her post?" Chakotay: "Good question. Maybe you should ask her."

 

Captain's Ready Room. Janeway: "It was your responsibility to locate those warheads." Seven: "I succeeded." Janeway: "Not before we took heavy damage. You told Chakotay you'd have those sensor calibrations hours ago." Seven: "The work took longer than I anticipated." Janeway: "It might've gone faster if you'd stayed at your post as you were ordered to do. Seven: "I didn't realise I was confined to the Astrometrics Lab." Janeway: "You were on duty. This isn't the first time you've left your station over the past few days. Holodeck 2? You've logged a lot of time in there. Mind if I ask why? Well, it must be something important, Seven. 49 hours in 6 days?" Seven: "I was running a simulation." Janeway: "Of what?" Seven: "A new gravimetric array I've been developing. I wanted to perfect the design before I brought it to you." Janeway: "I appreciate your efforts to improve our systems. But I can't have you dividing your time right now. When the ship's on alert I expect you to perform your duties. If you need to leave your post, inform Commander Chakotay. Understood?" Seven: "Yes, Captain. I apologise for my lapse in judgement." Janeway: "We all make mistakes, Seven. I've even been known to make a few myself. It sounds intriguing, your new gravimetric array. When this crisis is over, I'd be happy to take a look. Maybe I can lend a hand."

 

Seven enters the Astrometrics Lab. Icheb: "I've analysed the sensor data from that last barrage. I've refined your detection method." He hands her a PADD containing the data analysis. "We'll be able to see the weapons 10.3 seconds earlier." Seven: "The Captain will be pleased."

But her tone alerts Icheb that there is something wrong: "Have I offended you?" Seven: "No. You've done nothing wrong. I was negligent in my duties. As a result Voyager was nearly destroyed. I was hoping you could provide a quotation to help alleviate my guilt." Icheb: "I, I can't think of one, but I'd be happy to search the database."

Seven: "That won't be necessary. Stay here until I return." Icheb: "Where are you going?" Seven: "To correct an error." She leaves.

 

Seven's holoprogram of her quarters. Seven: "Computer, activate Chakotay simulation." Immediately the door signal sounds. door signal Seven: "Come in."

Holo-Chakotay enters bearing a covered serving plateau and flowers.

Holo-Chakotay, presenting her with the flowers: "I hope you're not allergic. Antarian moon-blossoms, extremely rare. I had to smuggle them out of airponics. Don't tell Neelix."

Holo-Chakotay continues: "I thought I'd cook for you tonight." With a flourish he removes the lid from the serving dish. "How does roasted chicken sound? I slaved over the replicator for hours."

But Seven moves away. "Not hungry?" Seven: "I called you here to thank you." Holo-Chakotay: "For what?" Seven: "The past few days have been memorable." Holo-Chakotay: "To say the least." But from her expression he realises: "You're ending this." Seven: "In a manner of speaking, yes." Holo-Chakotay: "Why?" Seven: "Our relationship is interfering with my responsibilities on Voyager." Holo-Chakotay: "I can speak to the Captain, have her cut back on your duty shifts. Seven, the past few days have been more than memorable. They've been an important step forward for both of us. Don't throw that away!" Seven: "I'm sorry, Commander." Holo-Chakotay: "You're making a mistake." Seven: "No, I'm trying to correct one." Holo-Chakotay: "Ask yourself why you want to end this. Is it out of a sense of duty? or something else? Every time you move closer to your emotions you back away, like hiding behind that metronome." Seven: "Your analogy is flawed." Holo-Chakotay: "Is it? I think you're afraid that embracing your humanity will make you weak, less than perfect. But think about what you stand to gain." Seven: "That's irrelevant." Holo-Chakotay: "No it's not. Real intimacy with another person, nothing's more relevant."

Seven's alarm sounds. Seven: "I must return to my station." Holo-Chakotay: "Stay here with me!" Seven: "This ship needs me!" Holo-Chakotay: "So do I." Seven: "I can't function this way!" Holo-Chakotay: "You're not a drone any more. You're human!"

Seven cries out: "Stop!" She staggers as she suffers terrible pains in her head. Holo-Chakotay: "Seven! What's wrong?" Seven manages to pick up and activate her combadge: "Sickbay. Medical emergency." But then she collapses, unconscious!

In Sickbay the Doctor is standing in front of the hypospray vial console. He answers the hail: "Seven?" When there is no response he goes over to the main console: "Computer, locate Seven of Nine." Computer: "Seven of Nine is in Holodeck 2."

The Doctor transfers his program to Holodeck 2. He notices the surroundings but immediately goes to Seven and scans her with a medical tricorder.

The Doctor asks holo-Chakotay, thinking he is Chakotay: "What happened?" Holo-Chakotay: "We were having an argument and she just collapsed." Doctor: "Her cortical node is shutting down. She's going into neural shock. And what happened to her facial implants?" Holo-Chakotay: "I thought you removed all her cybernetic systems."

The Doctor realises that Chakotay is a hologram. He orders: "Computer, end program."

The holoprogram, including holo-Chakotay, shuts down, leaving the Doctor with Seven in an empty Holodeck 2.