PROTOTYPE
Episode 29
Part A

 

The view seen by at present a mysterious someone or something - USS Voyager approaches and beams the mystery thing or person aboard.

The object or lifeform sees someone come to examine it. It does not know it but it is aboard USS Voyager, in the starship's transporter room, and this is the Chief Engineer. The images it sees, however, are not perfect as the object or lifeform is damaged. Torres: "It's extraordinary."

Tuvok: "I must remind you that is also a potential security risk." Torres: "It's losing power. I'd like to move it to Engineering, to see if I can repair it before it drains completely." Tuvok: "I suggest we allow the power to drain. We should take the opportunity to examine it while it is idle, then we can decide whether it is wise to repair it." Torres: "Captain, this thing has a completely unfamiliar power source. Once it stops working, it impossible I'll be able to get it going again and we'll have lost an opportunity to study a new technology." Janeway: "This is a ship of exploration, Mr Tuvok."

In Main Engineering, Torres and Kim try to get the object working. Torres: "The power's surging. If we can't find a way to stabilise it we're going to lose it." Kim: "What about an interface with an EPS power conduit?" Torres: "Well, the energy signatures are incompatible but it might buy us some time." She inserts the conduit. "OK, let's give it a try. Two second burst, five per cent maximum output. On my mark. Now. We're losing it."

Kim: "We're overloading its systems." Torres: "Let's try a longer burst at lower power." Kim: "You got it. Five seconds at three per cent. On your mark." Torres: "Now. I think it's working. EPS flow is holding steady. EM field leakage is minimal." Kim: "We'll have to watch the pressure on the connector." Torres: "Let's try to keep it below 85 per cent." Kim: "We've lost capacitance. It's spiking intermittently, but I don't think that's the problem." Torres: "Let's reinforce the power conduit coupling just to be on the safe side."

The object looks around as best it can. It sees itself on a wall monitor. We see that it is a robot!

Torres: "It's suffered a lot of damage but I think the EPS charge will keep it running for at least 18 hours." Kim: "It's not a cyborg. It's completely robotic. No organic components of any kind."

Torres: "Looks like some kind of programming centre." Kim: "I'm not detecting any pathways for transmitting information." Torres: "It's got arms, legs, we saw it move its head. It's clearly designed to perform motor functions, so where did those commands come from?" Kim: "Maybe it needs to interface with an outside source." Torres: "Speaking of sources, this energy module seems to be what powers the entire mechanism. It isn't designed to run on EPS energy. It runs on some kind of superconducting plasma. If we keep charging it, we may end up destroying it."

The robot regains some very basic functionality. It tries to speak but the words are garbled. Torres is excited: "It's trying to communicate." Kim: "We don't know that. It may just be some kind of recording."

They listen to its attempts to speak for a moment. Torres: "What are you trying to say? What's 'pralor'? If you can hear me, try to move, try to move your arm."

Kim: "B'Elanna, we don't even know if it can see you, much less understand a word you're saying." He waves his hands over the robot's eyes. There is no response.

He lifts the robot's arm. There is no response and he lets it drop.

Torres is becoming desperate and frustrated. "We've got to figure out a way to fix it." Kim: "We've been trying for hours. We need a break. The EPS charge should hold till morning." Torres: "You go ahead. I could use the time alone to think." Kim: "If you're staying, I'm staying." Torres: "Get some rest, Harry."

Kim: "You may think you're tougher than everybody else, B'Elanna Torres, but I can go without sleep just as long as you can." Torres: "Don't make me laugh, Starfleet. And don't make me pull rank on you either." Kim: "If you insist, but let me know if you come up with anything," adding teasingly, "Lieutenant."

Voyager cruising in deep space. Torres: "Chief Engineer's log, supplemental. I've tried thirteen different methods of re-initialising the robot's power source and I'm still having no luck. I've decided to go to the Messhall to recharge my own declining energy reserves."

Torres is in the Messhall working on the problem of the robot. She reaches out for an umpteenth cup of coffee. She pours the coffee jug automatically, without looking, and does not realise that it is empty.

She realises the cup is empty when she raises it to take a drink from it.

Torres: "Neelix, I need another pot of coffee." Neelix: "Even though breakfast isn't officially served for another hour and a half, I'd be happy to pour you a glass of Traggle nectar. I will even fix you my special Jibalian seven spice omelette." Torres: "Just coffee." Neelix: "I'm sorry, B'Elanna, but two pots of my Landras blend coffee is the absolute limit." Torres: "You're cutting me off?!" She sighs tiredly. "I guess you're right. It was starting to taste almost palatable."

Neelix: "Still no idea how to revive our mechanised guest?" Torres: "All I've been able to do is postpone the inevitable. The constant power depletion is like a bleeding artery and I haven't got a tourniquet."

Neelix: "I remember when I was trying to perfect the recipe for my Jibalian omelette. I tried everything: a little more Spith basil, a little less prishic, but I couldn't get it right. Finally I fell asleep from exhaustion, right there at the counter. And then, in a dream, it came to me: I was using six spices, but the omelette needed seven." Torres: "Let me guess: leola root." Neelix: "Nimian sea salt actually." Torres: "Salt?" Neelix: "Yes, salt, the most common spice in the galaxy. But I was too tired, so I couldn't see it."

Torres realises he has used the story as a parable. "That is a very interesting story, Neelix." But she is too tired to sound interested. "Now how about some more coffee?" Neelix orders: "To bed. I said: to bed!" Torres: "I'm going." She collects up the PADDs. "I'm going."

Torres visits the robot. "Anybody home? What's that? You think I should go to bed too? Well, I guess I'm outnumbered." She leaves for her quarters.