Q2
Episode 165
Part D

 

Shortly afterwards, two security guards escort the captured Q2 along a corridor, with Janeway leading the way. Janeway, deliberately echoing Q2's earlier words to her: "What you no longer have, Q, is unlimited control of space, matter and time, which means I give the orders around here. Do I make myself clear?"

They stop at a door. She opens it and shows him in. "Your quarters." The quarters are small, plain and sparsely furnished. There is a bed, plus a table and chairs. Q2 complains: "The petri dish was less cramped."

Janeway: "Get some sleep. You're going to need it." Q2: "What for?" Janeway: "I'm preparing a curriculum for you to follow while you're here. You're going to learn respect," she removes the rank pips from his uniform collar, which he was wearing when he appeared in Starfleet uniform, "and responsibility." Q2: "Don't tell me you're actually going through with Q's plan?"

Janeway: "I may not approve of his methods, but for once his heart seems to be in the right place. I think his desire to help you is genuine."

Q2: "He abandoned me on an antiquated flying machine run by primates." Janeway: "We primates are your only hope." Q2 is nonchalant. "Seven days? How hard can it be?"

Tuvok takes Q2 to the Astrometrics Lab. Tuvok: "Seven of Nine will be instructing you in Spatial Causality. You will learn how your actions can have widespread repercussions." Q2: "I read the PADD." To Seven: "You're going to tell me how I can't create anomaly A without causing phenomenon B which in turn affects civilisation C, right?" Having delivered the youth, Tuvok leaves.

Icheb introduces himself to Q2: "I'm Icheb." Q2: "Oh, I know who you are. You're the drone with the Kirk fixation."

Seven reproves Q2: "You would be wise to follow Icheb's example. By applying himself, he's become a valued member of this crew." Q2 to Seven: "Can I see you naked again?"

Chakotay accompanies Q2 to the Holodeck. Chakotay orders the computer: "Computer, run diplomacy scenario 12-Alpha." The holoprogram commences. The holodeck doors open. holodeck doors Through the open doors they can hear a holocharacter stating firmly: "The planetoid is in Nausicaan space. It belongs to us now. Come anywhere near it and we'll attack you." Chakotay to Q2: "After you."

The holoprogram's setting is that of Voyager's Briefing Room. Representatives of several Alpha Quadrant species are arguing. Bolian to the Nausicaan: "You can't intimidate us. We've as much right to mine that dilithium as you do."

The Nausicaan delegate sees Chakotay and Q2 enter. He demands: "What are you doing here, Starfleet?"

Chakotay: "Computer, freeze program." To Q2: "I assume you're familiar with these species?" Q2: "Nausicaan, Bolian, Cardassian, Romulan, Ferengi and Bajoran."

Chakotay: "They're fighting over the mining rights to a planetoid. Your job is to settle the dispute." Q2: "These aliens mean nothing to me. What do I care if they can't get along?"

Chakotay: "One of your responsibilities as a Q is to maintain order in the universe, right?" Q2: "So I've been told."

Chakotay: "Well, if you can't help these races come to an agreement there might be a war. The Alpha Quadrant would be thrown into chaos. Why don't we try running the first scenario together?" Q2: "I don't need your help. I can do this myself."

Chakotay: "If you want to try, be my guest. I'll be back in thirty minutes to check on your progress. And remember, security is right outside." Q2 pointedly waves him goodbye and Chakotay leaves.

Q2, confidently: "Computer, resume program." The program resets. Nausicaan: "The planetoid is in Nausicaan space. It belongs to us now." Bolian: "You can't intimidate us. We have as much right to mine that dilithium as you do." The holoscenario continues.

Later, Janeway comes upon Chakotay in the corridor as he returns to the Holodeck. Janeway: "Aren't you supposed to be supervising our young guest?" Chakotay: "He says he doesn't need supervision."

Janeway is surprised. "And you accepted that?" Chakotay: "Of course not. I'm just giving him a chance to fail. Then he'll have to ask for some help." Janeway: "Sounds like a good strategy. Let me know how it goes."

Chakotay enters the diplomacy holoscenario. The delegates have become friends and they are applauding.

Q2: "Settling the planetoid predicament didn't take very long, so I used the rest of the time to convince the Cardassian to apologise for the occupation of Bajor. How's that for order in the universe?" Chakotay raises his mug to him.

In the Messhall, Neelix is more than usually bright, cheerful and talkative.

td>

Neelix to various crewmembers: "Welcome! It's so nice to see you this evening. I hope you're hungry. Step right up, there's plenty for everyone! Enjoy!"

Q2 is behind the serving counter, wearing a apron. It is his task to serve out the meals. Irritatedly, to Neelix: "Do you ever stop?"

Neelix: "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot - my talking annoys you. Too bad you can't just shut me up again, huh?" Neelix catches sight of a crewman and goes to talk to him, calling out: "Crewman Biddle, where have you been hiding yourself? I haven't seen you in days!"

Icheb enters and approaches the serving counter.

Q2: "If it isn't drone boy. You come to put me to sleep with another one of your presentations?"

Icheb: "Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to participate in some recreational activities." Q2: "I don't have the time. Aunt Kathy's forcing me to write an historical essay on the Q Continuum." Icheb: "That's a challenging subject." Q2: "I've never written an essay before. I don't know where to start."

Icheb: "The origin of the Q seems like the most logical place, followed by an analysis of their interaction with humanity. You could conclude with a description of the events that led you to Voyager." Q2: "Would you mind writing some of this down for me?"

Icheb: "I'll get a PADD." As he goes to do so, Q2 smirks. Doing the essay will be no trouble at all.

In her Ready Room, Janeway is looking through Q2's essay which is on a PADD. Janeway: "Insightful, informative - I'm impressed." Sharply: "Too bad you didn't write it." Q2: "What do you mean?" Janeway: "I'd recognise Icheb's style anywhere."

Q2: "He gave me a few notes on my first draft, that's all." He boasts: "I negotiated a peace treaty between six belligerant species in just thirteen minutes." Janeway: "When Commander Chakotay left the room you altered their personality subroutines to make them more agreeable." Caught out, he just shrugs. "We may be common bipeds but we're not stupid."

Janeway, sternly: "Your training is over. Go back to your room and wait for your father to return." Q2 panics, as the reality of his situation hits him. "If you don't help me the Continuum will turn me into an amoeba." Janeway: "I wanted to help you, but instead of trying to live up to your potential, you cheated." Q2: "Do you think it's easy to live up to my potential? I was supposed to be the saviour of the Q Continuum. Tell me, how do you save a race that's already omnipotent?" Janeway: "Those were the Q's expectations, not mine. All I asked was that you make a sincere effort, but you weren't even willing to try." Q2: "Please, Aunt Kathy, you're my only hope." Janeway: "Oh, I'm glad you finally realised that. Now, if your motives are sincere I'm willing to give you another chance, but step out of line again and I'm through with you. Understood?" Q2: "Understood." Janeway: "Dismissed!" He obeys without protest, and she drinks her mug of coffee.