| Captain Janeway: "Captain's personal log, stardate 54973.4. We've begun outfitting Voyager with Admiral Janeway's upgrades. As soon as the major modifications are complete, we'll reverse course and head back to the nebula. Though I've had some strange experiences in my career, nothing quite compares to the sight of my future self briefing my officers on technology that hasn't been invented yet." |  |
 | In Cargo Bay 2 Seven sets the controls on her work console, steps into her Borg alcove and orders: "Computer, begin regeneration cycle." |
 | As she starts regenerating she hears the Borg Queen's voice reaches her: "Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One." Still in her regeneration cycle Seven opens her eyes, to find the Borg Queen standing in front of her! "It's been too long." |
 | Seven: "What do you want?"
Borg Queen: "Do I need a reason to revisit a friend?" Seven: "We're not friends." Borg Queen: "No, we're more than that, we're family. But while we're on the subject of old friends, I see Voyager has just gotten a visitor, and she's come from the future. Tell me why." Seven: "You may be able to communicate with me while I'm regenerating, but I'm no longer a drone. I don't answer to you." |
 | The Borg Queen tilts her head, not a human gesture indicating thought, but indicating a command signal. Her free-floating viewscreen appears, and it displays Voyager cruising at impulse speed.
Borg Queen: "I've extrapolated Voyager's trajectory. I know that you're returning to the nebula. I suggest you alter course." |
 | Seven: "Why should we comply?"
Borg Queen: "You've always been my favourite, Seven. In spite of their obvious imperfections, I know how much you care for the Voyager's crew. So I've left them alone. Imagine how you'd feel if I were forced to assimilate them." |
 | Seven: "Voyager is no threat to the Collective. We simply want to return to the Alpha Quadrant."
Borg Queen: "I've no objection to that. But if you try to enter my nebula again, I'll destroy you." |
 | The Borg Queen vanishes. Green energy explodes and Seven collapses under the sudden neuro-electrical storm. |
 | As she lies unconscious the computer reports: "Warning: regeneration cycle incomplete." |
 | Sickbay. The Doctor reports on Seven.
Doctor: "Her cortical node was exposed to a low-energy EM surge. It could've been much worse." |
 | Seven: "It was the Borg Queen. She wanted to make sure I'd be able to deliver a message. She said she'd assimilate Voyager if we attempted to re-enter the nebula." |
| Captain Janeway: "Why's it so important to her?"
Admiral Janeway: "Doesn't matter. She's not going to be able to make good on her threat." Captain Janeway: "I wish I shared your confidence." Admiral Janeway: "You would if you had as much experience with the Queen as I've had." Captain Janeway: "It's one thing to attempt this when we thought it was a secret, but if the Borg are monitoring us-" Admiral Janeway: "There's no guarantee they won't try to assimilate Voyager even if we don't go back into the nebula." Captain Janeway: "Is that supposed to be reassuring?" Admiral Janeway: "I'm not saying the Borg aren't dangerous, but from my perspective they're 30 years behind the times." Captain Janeway: "We shouldn't push our luck." Admiral Janeway: "Luck's not going to have anything to do with it. I know you don't want to hear too much about the future, but let's just say that I ran into the Borg a few more times before I made it home. If I hadn't developed technology and tactics that could defeat them, I wouldn't be standing here today." Captain Janeway: "We'll maintain course for the nebula, but we'll stay at red alert, and I want continuous scans for Borg activity." |
 | Voyager at impulse speed, with the anti-Borg armour generators fitted to the hull.
|
 | Chakotay enters the Astrometrics Lab where Seven is at work.
Chakotay: "I heard what happened. Are you alright?" Seven: "I'm fine." Chakotay: "Because if you need time to rest, I am in charge of the duty roster." |
 | Seven, lightly: "It would be inappropriate to allow our personal relationship to affect your command decisions."
Chakotay, enjoying the banter immensely: "You're right. This is a time to keep things professional. Report!" Seven: "There's no sign of Borg activity within a 10 light-year radius." Chakotay: "That's good news, crewman." Seven smiles. "Yes, sir, but we shouldn't underestimate the Collective." Chakotay: "The admiral seems confident we can get past them." Seven: "Captain Janeway is more cautious." |
 | Chakotay: "Our chances would be good with one Kathryn Janeway on the Bridge. But with two, I'd bet on this ship any day. If we do make it back to Earth, what are your plans?"
|
 | Seven: "I assume Starfleet will want to debrief me. And then, I suppose, I'll attempt to find a useful position somewhere. You?"
Chakotay: "I don't know yet either. But wherever I end up, I'm going to make sure it's in transporter range of you."
|
| Paris enters Main Engineering where he finds everyone bustling about, chivvied by a busy and relentless Chief Engineer - his pregnant wife, who is overdoing things. As he arrives, she is ordering an engineer to replace some relays.
Torres: "Shouldn't you be on the Bridge?" Paris: "Is there something wrong with the pilot requesting a systems report from the Chief Engineer?" Torres: "The last report I got was that the comm system was working perfectly." Paris: "Ok, you caught me. I'm checking up on you." Torres: "I'm fine." Paris: "Your back?" Torres: "I'm ignoring it." Paris: "Well, I'd offer you a massage but then eveybody would probably want one." Torres: "You know, for a Starfleet flyboy, you're pretty sweet." |
 | Paris: "So how's it going?"
Torres: "This armour technology the admiral brought - it's incredible! I hate to sound like Harry, but we might actually make it this time." Paris: "Well, you seem happy about that?" Torres: "I'm happy. It's just I'd gotten used to the idea of raising my daughter on Voyager But now I might end up delivering her at Starfleet Medical instead of Sickbay." |
 | Paris: "That wouldn't be so bad, would it?"
Torres: "Not as long as you're with me. And I want the Doctor, I don't want some stranger." Paris: "You'd have to take him offline to keep him away." |
 | Torres: "If we do make it home, where do you think we'll live?"
Paris: "Well, we can always stay with my parents for a while." She gives him a pointed look. He realises just how foolish a suggestion it was. Quickly, to appease her: "You're right - bad idea." |
 | Torres: "Of course, it probably doesn't matter to you anyway. You flyboys are all the same. You'll probably take the first piloting assignment that comes along and leave me to change diapers."
Paris: "Not a chance." |
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