PROTOTYPE
Episode 29
Part B

 

Torres finally goes to bed, but her mind is still active. Hardly has she lain down than she sits upright - she has an idea!

Torres hurries into Sickbay. standard doors The Doctor is not online so she orders: "Computer, activate Emergency Medical Holographic program." The Doctor materialises. "Please state the nature-" He sees how she is dressed and trails off.

Doctor: "If there has been a change in the official dress code, I certainly wish somebody would've informed me." Fortunately the Doctor will not have to appear in the same or similar garment as Torres! She explains: "This is what I sleep in. I didn't have time to change." Doctor: "I see. May I assume your haste is an indication that you have a medical problem of some kind."

Torres: "It's an engineering problem actually, but I thought you might have some insight." Doctor: "Hmmm. I shouldn't have to remind you that I'm a Doctor-" Torres: "Not an engineer, right. But this isn't a typical engineering problem. I've been working on trying to repair a robot." Doctor: "Ah yes, the mechanical man. Kes told me about it. Fascinating."

Torres: "He's about to die." Doctor: "Die?" Torres: "Die! Stop functioning, whatever, unless I can figure out a way to sustain his energy source." Doctor: "What kind of energy source are we talking about?" Torres: "It's some type of chromodynamic module powered by a tripolymer plasma, but the plasma is contaminated. It's decaying." Doctor: "Like diseased blood." Torres: "Right. It can't retain enough energy to keep the module running." Doctor: "Have you considered a transfusion?" Torres: "You mean, replacing the plasma itself? But that was one of my first ideas, but where do I get my hands on a polymer plasma composed of elements I didn't even know existed 24 hours ago?" Doctor: "Aren't Voyager's engines powered by warp plasma?" Torres: "It- it's a very different substance. It's too highly charged. It would burn out the robot's systems in seconds. It would be like trying to give a Bolian a blood transfusion from a Vulcan!" Doctor: "Which ordinarily would kill the unfortunate Bolian. But there have been instances when artificial blood was unavailable and existing blood cells were genetically altered for interspecies transfusions." Torres: "It's a good idea but warp plasma radiates at too high a frequency to alter electrochemically." But now she starts to think the Doctor's suggestion through. "Unless..." Doctor: "Go on."

Torres: "I could modify a series of anodyne relays, attach them directly to the robot's power module." Carried along by the thought, seeing how it could work, she forgets the Doctor is there and heads for the exit to rush straight to Engineering. "It could act as a sort of regulator to make the warp plasma compatible with the robot's energy matrix!" She leaves. standard doors

Doctor, after Torres has rushed away: "That's exactly what I was going to suggest."

In Main Engineering, Janeway has joined in helping Torres and Kim carry out Torres' new idea. Torres, working: "That's the last of the relays." Kim: "Plasma injector is sealed." Janeway: "This is your show, Lieutenant. Whenever you're ready."

Torres goes to the wall control panel. "Activating the relays. Alright, Harry, start the infusion - 20% nominal flow.

Kim: "Initiating plasma flow." Torres: "Energy levels are up 14%." Janeway: "The relays are holding."

Torres: "Harry, give it a little more juice."
Kim: "Got it. I'm taking it to 30%, 35%."
Torres: "Wait. The energy levels are rising too fast. We're going to burn out its systems."
Kim: "But it needs more plasma."
Janeway: "What about increasing the capacitance of the relays?"
Torres: "Let's give it a try. It's stabilising. Hold the flow right there and see what happens. The plasma's circulating. The programming centre is activated. I think we may've done it!"

Suddenly the robot reaches over and seizes her arm. It speaks! "Please identify yourself."

Torres: "I'm Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres of the Federation Starship Voyager." Robot: "I'm Automated Unit 3947." Its voice sounds male. The tone is smooth, even, measured and pleasant-sounding. "Thank you for reactivating me, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres."

Torres is delighted. Janeway is very pleased for her.

Torres: "Chief engineer's log, supplemental. The robot's power module is continuing to function normally using plasma from our warp engines. Repairing its systems has taught me more about robotics than I ever could have learned at Starfleet Academy."

In engineering, Torres scans Automated Personnel Unit 3947.

Torres: "I think we're past the critical stage." APU 3947: "I concur. According to my self-diagnostic systems, Automated Personnel Unit 3947 is currently functioning at 68% of peak operating capabilities." Torres: "Automated Personnel Unit 3947 is an extremely well designed machine." APU 3947: "Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres is an extremely proficient humanoid." Torres: "So how did you end up floating in space so badly damaged?" APU 3947: "I was operating an asteroid mining pod. It exploded." Torres: "Do you know what caused the explosion?" APU 3947: "I am unable to access that information. My memory cells are not yet operating at optimal efficiency." Torres: "Do you remember where you come from?" APU 3947: "I am stationed aboard a Pralor vessel." Torres: "Well, we'll do our best to find your ship and return you to your people." APU 3947: "Thank you." Torres: "I'm hoping that the memory loss is only temporary. Once the new plasma has a chance to fully integrate into your systems, I think you'd be pretty close to," she hesitates, seeking the word that will have most meaning for the Unit: "optimum." APU 3947: "New plasma?" Torres: "Yes, I adapted your power module to accept our warp plasma as an energy source." APU 3947: "You repaired my power module. Are you a Builder?" Torres: "A builder? I guess you could say that. I'm an engineer. I'm responsible for repairing and maintaining all the systems on the ship." APU 3947: "Only the Builders were capable of constructing or repairing power modules." Torres now realises from its words that "the Builders" are something more than just builders. "The Builders are the people who created you?" APU 3947: "Yes." Torres: "And they're humanoids, like me?" APU 3947: "Yes, like Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres. You could create a new power module." Torres: "You don't need a new module. The one I just fixed will work just fine now." APU 3947: "The new power module would not be for me. It would be a prototype for the construction for additional Automated Units." Torres: "Can't the Builders make additional Units?" APU 3947: "The Builders no longer exist." Torres is shocked by this news.