INVESTIGATIONS
Episode 36
Part A

 

"He'll keep PADDs, the hyposprays, even phasers in the air for minutes at a time!"

Neelix makes an inaugural shipwide broadcast. (The pictures are of him as filmed by his recording device.) Brightly: "Good day, Voyager! And welcome to 'A Briefing With Neelix'. It's a catchy title, isn't it? I'll be coming to you each and every day with news of general interest - interviews with our fascinating crewmembers, musical performances, recommendations for new holodeck programs; and of course," letting the gloop he is stirring slide heavily off the stirring spoon back into the cauldron, thinking it makes it look appetising, "previews of upcoming meals, everything from Hlaka soup to Zabee nuts. 'A Briefing With Neelix' will help you stay informed about ship's activities, er, keep you abreast of your colleague's accomplishments and broaden your knowledge about a wealth of subjects. But most of all, it will make you feel good, because what you see here will always be the most uplifting, optimistic view of everything that happens on our ship. After all, as your morale officer, isn't it my job to bring a little joy into everyone's day, hmm? Captain Janeway has agreed to appear on the show with regular updates about the ship's progress, and Commander Chakotay will commend outstanding crew members. So snap to," slapping his thigh enthusiastically, "and keep those boots polished to a shine. You never know when you might be featured on 'A Briefing With Neelix'." He clears his throat. "Ready, Ensign?" Baytart's voice is heard: "All set, Neelix." Neelix: "In just a moment, an amazing talent - Ensign Pablo Baytart will astound you with his juggling ability. He'll keep PADDs, the hyposprays, even phasers, in the air for minutes at a time! But before that, what makes people feel better than a little romance? And what Lieutenant in a gold uniform was recently huddled in the Messhall with what Crewman in blue having a very intimate conversation over a carafe of Silmic wine? Well, I'd never name names, but you know who you are. Best wishes to a handsome pair of lovebirds. And now......ladies and gentlemen - Ensign Pablo Baytart!"

In Sickbay, Neelix is watching the end of his introduction in Sickbay, along with a sceptical Doctor. Neelix, in chorus with his recorded self: "Ladies and gentlemen - Ensign Pablo Baytart!" He turns to the Doctor: "Well, what did you think?"

Doctor, turning away and heading back to his office: "I'm a doctor, not a performer. I don't have time for such nonsense." Neelix: "I can see 'Hints for Healthful Living' becoming a very popular segment, Doctor." Doctor: "I don't think so." Neelix: "You'd be lifted to a whole new level in the crew's eyes. They'd hang on your every word. You'd enjoy a, a popularity, a, a celebrity that you've never known before."

Doctor, looking up: "I would?" Neelix: "You don't have to answer right away. Just think about it." He leaves the Doctor, having set him thinking.

Kim is conversing with a crewman in the corridor when Neelix comes along. Neelix: "Ah, Mr Kim! Just the person I wanted to see." Kim to the crewman: "See you later."

The crewman goes away, and Kim joins Neelix to walk along the corridor toward the turbolift. Neelix: "Did you watch 'A Briefing With Neelix' this morning?" Kim, adjusting his combadge: "Er, yes. Yes, I did." Neelix: "Is there something about the program you disliked?" Kim: "I'm not sure I care for all the frosting."

They enter the turbolift. Neelix: "Frosting?" Kim to the computer: "Deck 4." The turbolift starts its journey. To Neelix: "Recipes, music, jugglers - it's sort of like a steady diet of dessert, which is fine, but pretty soon you want some meat and potatoes." Neelix, surprised: "You do?"

Kim: "When I was in school, I was editor of the Academy newspaper for a year. I monitored subspace transmissions. I got reports on some of the first activity by the Maquis against the Cardassians. I wrote an editorial about it, and the students became polarised on the issue. They debated the pros and cons and gained an insight into the entire history of the political rebellion. Now that's the power of journalism."

Neelix: "What did your professors say when you told them you were going to publish the editorial?" Kim: "I didn't tell them. It's the job of a journalist to be independent."

Neelix thinks about his words as Kim leaves the turbolift. The com signal sounds. Female crewmember, via comms: "Bridge to Mr Neelix. You have an incoming transmission." Neelix, via comms: "I'm heading for my quarters. Put it through there." Female crewmember, via comms: "Yes, sir."

Neelix enters his quarters and activates his personal computer. The image of a Talaxian friend named Laxeth appears on the monitor screen.

Laxeth, on monitor: "Neelix, my friend. How are you?" Neelix: "Laxeth, you old dilithium scrubber. It's good to see you. Calling to trade me some of your ill-gotten goods again?" Bantering: "I promise you, I never want to see another wheel of Pendrashian cheese." Laxeth, on monitor: "Oh, those days are behind me. I'm legitimate now. I'm communications master of a Talaxian convoy." Neelix: "Communications master? Well, you've certainly come up in the world. Congratulations." Laxeth, on monitor: "Looks like I'll be seeing you in a few days." Neelix: "How's that?"

Laxeth, on monitor: "We've been asked to rendezvous with your ship. We're going to pick up a passenger." Neelix: "Passenger? We don't carry any passengers." Laxeth, on monitor: "Apparently, it's a member of your crew. All I know is someone wants to leave your ship and come to work for us." Neelix is taken aback by the news.

Captain's Ready Room. Janeway: "Just how exactly did you hear that someone was leaving the ship?" Neelix: "An old friend of mine is serving with a Talaxian convoy. He told me they'd be rendezvousing with us in a few days." Janeway: "Janeway to Tuvok." Tuvok, via comms: "Yes, Captain?" Janeway, via comms: "Could you join us in my Ready Room, please?" Tuvok, via comms: "Right away."

After a moment, he comes in. . Janeway: "Lieutenant, Mr Neelix has heard on good authority that one of our crew will be leaving the ship in a few days. Naturally, he's curious about the identity of this person. What are the security issues here?" Tuvok: "I don't believe there are any serious concerns, Captain. There is no need to withhold this information any longer."

Janeway turns to Neelix: "Lieutenant Paris has asked to be put off the ship." Neelix: "Tom?" Janeway: "I'm sure you're aware that he's had some problems lately." Neelix: "Well, yes." Tuvok: "He has been disruptive and often sets a bad example for the rest of the crew." Neelix: "But he seemed so determined to get those things behind him. It means a lot to him to be respected by this crew."

Janeway: "All I can tell you is that when he was relieved of duty, he asked me to make arrangements for him to leave the ship. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was adamant. We detected the Talaxian convoy, and they were more than happy to get a pilot of Tom's ability."

Neelix: "I can't believe this. I never thought- Captain, may I speak with him?" Janeway: "Of course. He's in his quarters."

Neelix leaves. Tuvok and Janeway look at each other.

In his quarters, Paris is packing. The door signal sounds.
Paris: "Come in." Neelix enters.

Neelix: "Hello, Tom." Paris: "Neelix! How's it going?" He sees Neelix's expression. "Not good, it looks like. What's wrong?" Neelix: "I hear you're leaving the ship?"

Paris: "Good news travels fast, I guess. Yeah, I figured there was quite a bit more opportunity for advancement on a Talaxian convoy than there was on the only Starfleet ship in the Quadrant." Neelix: "When did you make this decision?"

Paris: "Truthfully? Er, about a minute and a half after I set foot on this ship a year ago. I knew it was a mistake to try to fit into Starfleet again. And I should've listened to myself. A few more months in that rehab colony would've been a hell of a lot better than being here."

Neelix: "Tom, you and I have had our differences, but I thought we put those behind us. I, I just hope I haven't contributed to your decision?"

Paris: "Neelix, no. This isn't about anybody except me. I've done this to myself, just like always. No matter where I go or who I'm with, I make a mess of things. The unmistakable conclusion has to be that, deep down, I don't want any friends or a family or a home. Otherwise, I wouldn't keep sabotaging the possibilities."

Neelix: "I thought you'd found those things here."
Paris: "I tried. Or maybe I just told myself I was trying. Nah, I'm not sure. Either way, it's just not working. Frankly, I'd like to get out before I completely destroy my image. There might actually be one or two people who still have a good opinion of me."
Neelix: "I'm one of them, Tom. And I wish you wouldn't go."
Paris: "Well, I thank you. But the truth is I've always considered myself a drifter. You know what that's like, Neelix - freedom to do what you want, when you want. No rules to follow, nobody depending on you, right?"

Neelix hugs him.

Moved but surprised by this show of affection, Paris is not quite sure how to react, but then puts his arms round Neelix and returns the hug.

Neelix returns to the Messhall. The Doctor wants to talk to him, so Neelix activates his monitor screen. Doctor, on monitor: "Well, there you are. I've been waiting for what seems like hours." Neelix: "Doctor, what can I do for you?" Doctor, on monitor: "I want to discuss the details of my participation on your programme. I've been giving it a great deal of thought, and I've come up with a number of ideas I think you'll find quite intriguing." Neelix: "Well, that's good news, I-I'm delighted you've decided to become a contributor. Er, but I'm afraid I don't have time to discuss it right now." Doctor, on monitor: "But I've already prepared today's topic: 'How to keep your nostrils happy'." Neelix: "That is fascinating. Er, but I'm afraid there's a more important story I have to work on today." Doctor, on monitor: "You mean I'm not going to appear today?" Neelix: "When you see it, I'm sure you will understand." Doctor, on monitor: "Hmm. But I will be on tomorrow?" Neelix: "Definitely. Without fail. I promise you." Doctor, on monitor: "Very well. But tomorrow I'll want to cover two topics. I have a most entertaining idea - 'Uncovering the hidden mysteries of the adrenal gland'." Neelix, eager to end contact: "Fine, fine. Goodbye, Doctor." He ends contact.

He goes over to the table and activates the recording device, then sits down and starts broadcasting.

Neelix: "Good morning, Voyager. I want to tell you about a friend of mine. I first met this man almost a year ago, and to tell you the truth, I didn't like him much. He seemed a little too cocky, a little too sure of himself." Chakotay is watching the broadcast in his office.

Neelix, on monitor: "A lot of people had questions about him. He'd proven he'd pretty much sell himself out to the highest bidder, go wherever the wind blew him, so people wondered, could you trust this person when things got tough? Would he stand side by side with you, or would he let you down when you needed him most?"

Janeway and Tuvok are watching the broadcast in the Briefing Room. Neelix, on monitor: "But the fact of the matter is, he proved himself right from the beginning. I wouldn't be alive right now if it weren't for him. And the same goes for many of you."

Janeway turns and exchanges looks with Tuvok.

Neelix's broadcast is watched by the crewmembers in Engineering, including Crewman Michael Jonas who has been secretly communicating with Seska and the Kazon-Nistrim. Neelix, on monitor: "It took me a while to realise it. Like a lot of people, I was too caught up in first impressions to see the truth that was right in front of me. I overlooked his bravery because I was focussing of his brashness. I ignored his courage because I saw it as arrogance. And I resented his friendliness because I mistook it for licentiousness. So while this man was giving us his best every minute of every day, I was busy judging him. Neelix's broadcast continues: "And now he's leaving. I'm proud to say that in spite of my narrow-mindedness, Thomas Eugene Paris became my friend. I'm going to miss him. No more laughs over a game of pool. No more sitting up into the wee hours swapping stories. No more complaints about my cooking." He gives a little laugh. "Goodbye, Tom. I think I speak for more of us than you might imagine when I say you're going to leave an empty space when you go. I hope you find what you're looking for."