INVESTIGATIONS
Episode 36
Part D

 

Neelix enters Paris' quarters (former quarters).

Neelix: "Computer, activate monitor." Computer: "Unable to comply. Monitor is cleared for Lieutenant Thomas Paris only." Neelix: "Override existing clearance. Engineering authorisation omega four seven." Computer: "Authorisation accepted. Files recovered."

Neelix, staring at the information that comes up on the monitor: "Unbelievable."

In the Captain's Ready Room, Janeway and Tuvok are watching Neelix's shipwide broadcast 'A Briefing With Neelix'. Neelix, on monitor: "My friends, I derive no satisfaction from what I am about to tell you. I know I originally promised you that I would only bring you good news. However, I feel it's important that you know the truth. I have uncovered evidence that casts serious doubt on the loyalties of Lieutenant Thomas Paris. I have discovered secret communications to the Kazon that were sent from his quarters just prior to his leaving the ship."

Janeway to Tuvok, grimly: "Get him up here now." She talks over Neelix's words on the monitor which are: "There was a series of messages sent to the Kazon for some weeks before his departure, the last-"

Shortly afterwards, Neelix is being questioned in the Ready Room, and Chakotay has also been summoned. Janeway: "How did you trace those transmissions to Tom's quarters?" Neelix: "It was, er, I believe it was called signal correlation traces. Mr Hogan was helping me, and he detected them."

Tuvok: "When I looked for signal correlation traces, there were none. That means someone placed them in the system after my initial investigation." Chakotay: "What initial investigation? Captain, what's going on?"

Janeway sighs. "What I'm about to say will come as a surprise to you, Commander. There has been a spy aboard Voyager. But it isn't Tom Paris." Neelix: "It isn't?" Tuvok: "No. Lieutenant Paris is in fact part of our plan." Chakotay: "Plan?" Janeway: "Some weeks ago, Tuvok discovered evidence of covert transmissions leaving Voyager through the EPS system. We realised there was someone on this ship communicating with the Kazon-Nistrim." Tuvok: "However, we were unable to ascertain who that person was." Janeway: "We needed a way to flush out the spy, and we had exhausted all conventional means. That's when we thought of using Tom, finding a way to get him on the Kazon ship." Chakotay: "Are you saying Paris' insulting behaviour, the gambling, being late for duty, mouthing off at me, was all a ruse?" Tuvok: "That is correct. It was important that his decision to leave the ship appear plausible, so he began behaving like a malcontent." Chakotay, displeased: "And the reason I wasn't let in on this little plan?" Tuvok: "I was the one who recommended to Captain Janeway that you not be told. I suspected that the spy was a Maquis, and felt it was wrong to put you in a position of setting a trap for someone who had once served under you." Chakotay, even more displeased: "In other words, you didn't trust me." Janeway: "Commander, the simple fact is we needed a good performance. I'm afraid we used you to help Tom provide it. And you did a damn good job. Now it seems Mr Neelix's investigation has made someone nervous, nervous enough to put a trail in the computer system for him to follow." Chakotay: "Could it be Hogan?" Neelix: "I don't think so. He was just the person walking by who Lieutenant Torres asked to help me." Janeway: "The spy may be a little cosy now, since you took the bait and pointed the finger at Tom. But we don't want him cosy. I'd rather he feel some pressure."

Tuvok: "Perhaps we should take advantage of Mr Neelix's unintentional blunder." Janeway: "Exactly. I want you to keep investigating, Neelix. Do what you've been doing. Poke around. Ask questions. But let people think you're not so sure you were right about Tom Paris." Chakotay: "That would put Neelix in a potentially dangerous situation." Tuvok: "We would keep an open comm. link to you at all hours. My security team could act immediately if anything were to happen." Janeway: "It's up to you, Neelix. This is purely voluntary."

Neelix: "Anything I can do to help, Captain, and get Tom home safely, I want to do."

On the Kazon ship, Paris manages to find a record of communications between Seska and the spy, whose image he sees on the monitor screen, and whose voice he hears replying to Seska. Record of Seska on monitor: "What did you expect? Did you think this has all been about exchanging holiday greetings?" Record of Jonas on monitor: "No, of course not. But I-" Record of Seska on monitor: "That's how it's going to work. We'll be waiting for you on a planet called Hemikek IV."

Seska and two guards suddenly arrive. Hearing the door start to open, Paris presses a control on the device he placed on the console. Seska: "Well, Tom. It's always good to have one's instincts verified."

Paris: "Clever plan, Seska, leading Voyager into an ambush. But even so, this ship will be outmanned and outgunned." Seska: "That's why we have ground troops on Hemikek and more ships on the way. Now don't you wish you'd taken my offer?"

As the guards, weapons raised, start to reach for him, the device on the console.....

explodes. The guards are thrown to the floor by the blast.

4 pictures below: Paris leaps across and seizes one of their rifles.

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Backing out of the door, he tells Seska sarcastically: "Thanks for the hospitality." He runs off. Seska, angrily to the guards: "Go get him!"

12 pictures below: One Kazon soldier tells his companion: "Check this way!" They hurry down a corridor, but Paris is hiding. He emerges and goes along another corridor, but they come upon him and exchange fire. He ducks and manages to down one of the guards. But the other guard leaps on him and they roll on the floor as they fight hand-to-hand. Paris regains his footing and fires at the guard before he is attacked again. He steals a Kazon shuttle and flees. But the Kazon ship pursues him, firing on him continuously.

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