PROTOTYPE
Episode 29
Part F

 

Torres is fittting the power module she has built inside the body casing of the prototype.

Torres: "Well, it fits. Cross your fingers." Automated Personnel Unit 3947, who does not understand the meaning of this expression, however carries out it out by using his left hand to cross two fingers on his right hand. "So far so good. Let's hope it can interface with the Unit." She activates it. APU 3947: "It does not function correctly." Torres: "It does not function correctly YET. Your Builders should've programmed with you with a little more patience. I'm going to try adjusting the flux capacitance."

She does so. The prototype Unit moves! It looks from side to side then announces: "Prototype Unit 0001 is ready to accept programming."

Torres is delighted! "We did it. We actually did it!" APU 3947: "You did it, B'Elanna Torres. I knew this task would not exceed your operating capabilities." Prototype Unit 0001: "Prototype Unit 0001 is ready to accept programming."

APU 3947: "What are you doing?" Torres: "I am congratulating you! You're a father!"

On Voyager's bridge, they watch as the arriving starship, which is identical in appearance as the Pralor ship except it is coloured gold, opens fire on the Pralor ship.

Kim reports the readings from scans: "No sign of organic life aboard that ship either." Tuvok, also reporting readings: "It would appear to be manned by Automated Units, virtually identical to those operating the first ship." Janeway: "Is it possible that we've stumbled into the middle of some kind of robotic war?"

Chakotay: "We've got to get Torres back now." Janeway: "Agreed. But first I want to show both those ships that this isn't our fight. Ease us back on maneuvering thrusters, Mr Paris, nice and steady." Kim: "The second ship is hailing us." Janeway: "On screen."

The image of a robot identical in appearance to a Pralor Automated Unit appear on the viewscreen, except that this one is gold in colour. "Cravic Automated Commander 122 requests you identify yourself." Janeway: "My name is Kathryn Janeway, Captain of the Federation Starship Voyager." Cravic Automated Commander 122: "Withdraw from this area immediately." Janeway: "I'm afraid I can't do that. One of my crewmembers is being held hostage aboard the Pralor vessel. I won't leave without her." Cravic Automated Commander 122: "Remain at your present co-ordinates and do not attempt to intervene or you will be fired on." Contact ends.

Tuvok: "Captain, this new ship could be-" Janeway: "-The diversion we've been looking for. Mr Kim, what's the status of our warp engines?" Kim: "We're still an hour away at best." Janeway: "We may not have an hour. Get down to Engineering. Be ready to give me as much power as you can the minute we get Torres back." Kim: "Aye, Captain." Kim hurries off. Janeway: "If those two ships keep each other busy, we may not need warp to get away. Mr Paris, report to the Shuttlebay." With a "Yes, ma'am!" Paris obeys. She orders: "Chakotay, you take the conn." He does so.

The Pralor and Cravic vessels seem to be evenly matched. They exchange weapons fire.

Torres has to shout above the noise of the battle in order to be heard: "Who are they?" APU 3947: "Automated Personnel Units of the Cravic homeworld." Torres: "Robots from another world?" APU 3947: "That is correct." Torres: "Why are they attacking you?" APU 3947: "They are programmed to do so by their Builders." Prototype Unit 0001: "Prototype Unit 0001 is ready to accept programming."

Torres: "The Cravic Builders, the Pralor Builders - were they enemies?" APU 3947: "That is correct." Torres: "Look, maybe Captain Janeway can contact the Cravic leaders and convince them to stop the fighting. Then you could-" APU 3947: "That is not possible." Torres: "Why not?!"

APU 3947: "The Cravic are also extinct." Torres is taken aback.

Paris' shuttlecraft heads towards the Pralor ship.

Paris' shuttlecraft looks incredibly tiny against the vast bulk of the robot ships. They do not notice him.

Paris, via comms: "I'm approaching the perimeter of the defence field." Tuvok, via comms: "Acknowledged. Rotate your shield harmonics until they are synchronised with the frequency of the field." Paris, via comms: "Shields synchronised. I'm going in. Then again, maybe not!"

Chakotay comments to Tuvok: "It didn't work. He bounced right off the field." Tuvok, via comms: "Mr Paris, reset your co-ordinates for 105 mark 40."

Paris, via comms: "Er, if I understand you, Tuvok, that would take me into a direct line of fire with the Cravic ship." Tuvok, via comms: "Precisely. The concentration of fire is opening a rift in the Pralor defence field." Paris, via comms: "Which I might just be able to sneak through if I can dodge a disruptor blast or two. Changing heading."

Janeway listens to the communications exchange anxiously.