PART B

 

The phenomenon as seen on the Bridge's main viewscreen.

Kim: "These readings indicate the space ahead of us is literally changing shape. My best guess is it's some type of spatial distortion wave." Tuvok: "Is the anomaly responsible for the comm. system malfunction?" Kim: "I think so. It's generating intense pulses of EM radiation, and if we don't get out of its way, it's going to intercept us in less than ten minutes." Tuvok: "Acknowledged. Full reverse, Ensign." Helmswoman: "Aye, sir."

Kim: "We can't go backwards either, Mr Tuvok. The distortion has completely surrounded us like a ring." Tuvok: "If we cannot go around it, then we will have to go through it." Kim: "There's no telling what that will do to the ship."

Tuvok: "From what you have told me, Ensign, the distortion ring will make contact with us momentarily whether we attempt to pass through it or not. I prefer to minimise the amount of time that contact lasts. Shields at maximum. Warp three - engage." Kim: "The distortion ring has collapsed the warp field. Engines are offline." Tuvok: "Find the Captain and inform her of our status." Kim: "Yes, sir."

In a corridor, Kim encounters Walter Baxter. Baxter: "Ensign Kim, I've been trying to report a problem in the gym, but the comm. system seems to be down." Kim: "We've encountered a spatial distortion. It's knocked out several systems."

Baxter: "Maybe that explains why the gym got so cold." Kim: "Cold?" Baxter: "I didn't notice it at first, I was working out so hard. Then I realised it was under 10°C. The environmental controls didn't respond to my commands and neither did the comm. system." Kim: "Engines are offline too. I'm looking for the Captain to let her know what's going on."

Baxter: "Should I report to my duty station?" Kim: "Might not be a bad idea. Until we find out exactly what's going on, everybody should be on standby." Baxter: "I'll round up my security team." Kim continues on his way, which is toward a turbolift.

Janeway, Chakotay and Paris are in a turbolift, heading from Kes' party to the Bridge. Janeway: "The first thing I want to do when we get to the Bridge is establish a remote comm. link to Engineering. I want to know exactly what's going on." Chakotay: "Aye, Captain."

The turbolift stops and they exit, but realise that they are not at the Bridge. Instead they are in a corridor somewhere. Janeway: "Where are we?" Paris checks the controls: "Deck 4."

They re-enter the turbolift. Chakotay: "If the comm. system's malfunctioning, the computer could be misreading our voice commands." Paris: "That might explain why it took us here instead of the Bridge." Janeway: "We'd better try setting the controls manually."

Neelix and Kes are heading along a corridor en route to her quarters after the interrupted party. Neelix: "Did you enjoy your first surprise party, sweetie?" Kes: "It was wonderful, thank you." Neelix: "I thought you'd like it: the cake, the presents.... What was your favourite part?" Kes: "I suppose what I liked best was that all my friends were there."

Neelix: "Well, that was nice, wasn't it? And don't forget that beautiful necklace Tom Paris gave you." She is wearing it. Kes: "Do you really like it?" Neelix: "Oh, why wouldn't I like it? Paris obviously has excellent taste." Kes: "I was afraid you might be a little jealous."

Neelix: "Who, me?" He chuckles. "Oh, don't be silly." Kes: "Are you sure?" Neelix: "You, my dearest, have seen the last of that green-eyed pus hog called Jealousy." Kes: "I'm glad."

Neelix: "Of course, Paris did replicate that locket, whereas I baked the Jibalian fudge cake from scratch."

They stop at a door. Kes: "These aren't my quarters. Did we take a wrong turn somewhere?" Neelix: "I was just following you."

Torres is heading for engineering after the interrupted birthday party. She strides along a corridor and enters a room. doors Then she stops, puzzled, as she sees where she is - the Messhall.

Crewman: "Is everything alright, Lieutenant?" Torres: "This isn't engineering." The Crewman is puzzled now, because of course this is the Messhall. She leaves.

Turbolift. Janeway: "And have someone take a look at the turbolift voice receptors, Commander." Chakotay: "Aye, Captain."

The turbolift stops. She gets out. Janeway: "This is engineering. What's going on here?!" Chakotay: "It looks like we're dealing with more than just a comm. system malfunction."

Impatiently Janeway gets back into the turbolift and orders: "Computer, bridge."

Torres wanders along the corridors, looking for how to get to Engineering.

She heads for a room which has a similar approach to Engineering.

She enters. standard doors But she finds herself in a transporter room! Torres: "Baxter, what are you doing here?"

Baxter: "I wish I knew. I'm trying to get to the cargo bay." Torres: "And I'm trying to get to Engineering." Baxter: "Can't find the cargo bay, and I can't find my security team. I've been wandering around for about ten minutes." Torres: "Well, at least I know I'm not crazy," then the thought occurs to her: "unless we both are."

Baxter: "No, something very strange is going on. Ensign Kim said we'd encountered a spatial distortion." Torres: "Did he say what kind?" Baxter: "No. He went to find the Captain." Torres: "The Captain is on her way to the Bridge. But if she's having the same trouble we are, who knows if she can get there. I'm going to keep trying to get to Engineering."

They go to leave. In the doorway, Baxter tells her: "Good luck." and they go their separate ways.