BASICS
Episodes 42 and 43

Part C

 

Voyager's Briefing Room. Tierna: "The trip would take six days at warp two." Neelix: "Four days if you didn't take such a circuitous route, if we simply went across the Tenarus Cluster." Tierna: "You would encounter the Nistrim fleet before a single day passed. Anyone who knows this part of space will tell you the same thing." Neelix: "It so happens that I do know this part of space, my Kazon friend. I just wanted to see if you would tell us the truth." To Janeway: "The route he suggests is safer, Captain." Tierna: "Of course, it's safer. I don't want to run into Culluh any more than you do." Chakotay: "We might have more success avoiding him if you gave us the command codes for the Nistrim defence net." Tuvok: "Computer, display tactical overview of our current course." Tierna: "Enter code sequence four-nine-one-one-seven-zero Culluh." As the display updates, Janeway stands up and walks a short way toward the display. She decides. "Mr Paris, adjust our course to avoid the defence net." Paris: "Aye, Captain." Tierna: "That is not an end to the danger. We are heading into an area of space populated by Kazon factions that are loyal to no one. They will attack without provocation."

Voyager's bridge. Paris: "Vessel approaching, co-ordinates three one four mark two one." Kim: "Signature is Kazon." Janeway: "Red alert." Lights dim and klaxons sound. "Configuration of the ship, Mr Tuvok." Tuvok: "A small raider, Captain. It does not pose a significant threat. Nevertheless, it is powering up its weapon systems."

There is a small impact on Voyager's shields as the raider fires. Kim: "Shields are holding."

Janeway: "Return fire." Tuvok fires phasers then reports: "The raider is breaking off its attack."

Kim: "Minor damage to secondary command processors on Deck 12. EPS power supplies and isolinear controllers are offline. No casualties though." Janeway: "Begin repairs, Mr Kim. Any other sign of Kazon ships, Lieutenant?" Paris: "Nothing on long-range sensors. The raider is continuing to retreat. We should have a couple of hours to ourselves at least." Janeway: "Good, we can use them. Stand down red alert."

Paris: "Captain, we're about to go beyond the comm. range of the Talaxian colony. Just thought you'd like to know." Janeway: "Thank you, Lieutenant. Maintain current course." Tuvok: "Captain." Janeway: "I haven't forgotten, Mr Tuvok. Very well. This seems as good a time as any." She and Tuvok enter the turbolift.

Suder is engrossed in work, looking through a microscope when Janeway and Tuvok enter his confinement quarters, startling him. Suder: "Captain." Janeway: "Mr Suder." Suder is nervous at entertaining someone as important as the Captain: "Please, please come in. Won't you sit down?" He hurries over to fetch a chair, making a noisy mess as he takes it. "Excuse the mess. I wasn't expecting company. Can I get you some tea? Have you had lunch?" Janeway: "Nothing, thank you. Lieutenant Tuvok has been telling me about your progress." Suder: "Has he? Well, I'm, I'm very grateful to him, Captain. I still have a lot to learn of course, but he is an excellent tutor. When we first started our studies, I, I thought-" Tuvok: "The Captain's time is limited, Mr Suder." Suder: "What? Oh, of course." Tuvok: "I have explained your proposal to her." Janeway: "I'd like to know more about it, Mr Suder. What exactly would be involved?" Suder: "Yes, yes. Let me show you." He indicates the microscope. "I've actually had very encouraging results with a new gene splicing technique. I created a targetted restriction enzyme to facilitate the hybrid." Janeway: "And you feel you could experiment on our airponic crops here in your quarters?" Suder: "Absolutely. I would make this an airponic laboratory. And all I would need are a few plants, certain chemicals and equipment." Janeway: "What sort of chemicals and equipment?" Suder: "Nothing dangerous. I, I prepared a list." Janeway, looking at the PADD he hands her: "It's an interesting proposition, Mr Suder. Let me discuss it with Kes and Lieutenant Tuvok, and I'll get back to you." Suder: "I've already discussed it with Kes and she is very interested." Janeway: "Good. Let me give it some thought." Suder, hastily: "If you're worried you can't trust me, Captain-" Janeway: "Mr Tuvok has assured me-" Suder: "I only want to do something, something for the ship." Janeway: "I understand, Mr Suder." Suder, in his anxiety not realising that he is pressurising her: "Then what's the problem? Why won't you give me an answer?" Tuvok, warningly: "Mr Suder." Suder: "I just want to do something for the ship." Janeway, displeased at being badgered: "Excuse me." She leaves. Tuvok pauses. Suder looks away, realising he has messed up. Tuvok then leaves.

Janeway: "Captain's log, supplemental. None of the four Kazon attacks have caused serious damage, but the starboard ventral has been hit each time, complicating repairs on the secondary command processors."

One of the attacks. USS Voyager defends itself with phaser fire.

The Kazon raider fires at Voyager's starboard ventral.

security guard assigned to Tierna

Voyager's Sickbay. Doctor, opening the "clamshell" (which contains diagnostic instruments) over the primary biobed: "You are making an adequate recovery, Mr Tierna. The only matter that I simply cannot understand is this lingering polycythemia." Tierna, getting up: "I feel fine." Doctor: "The medical record you gave us does not indicate any prior blood disorders. Might it be an inherited trait? Do you know if your parents ever-" Tierna: "My parents were killed in a Trabe attack shortly after I was born." Doctor: "I see. Well, we'll need to monitor this condition for a while. It might be due to some chemical imbalance that our sensors aren't recognising, possibly the result of the toxins you inhaled while on the shuttle." Tierna goes to leave. At his patient's lack of gratitude, the Doctor comments sarcastically: "You're welcome."

Tierna and Chakotay coincide near the Sickbay doors.
Chakotay: "Feeling better?"
Tierna: "I'm sure I'll make a complete recovery just in time for the Gema colony's defence force to destroy us all."
Chakotay: "You're still not optimistic about our chances, are you?"
Tierna: "No."
Chakotay: "We've had no problem repelling the attacks so far."
Tierna, contemptuously: "Attacks? When there's a real Nistrim attack, you'll know it."

Chakotay: "You still have pride in the Nistrim, don't you, Tierna? Even after what they did to you? I remember that pride in your eyes when you pounded me with your fists while I was tied to a chair. And I can see it in your eyes now, and that scares the hell out of me." Tierna: "You must scare easily, Federation."

He goes to leave but Chakotay seizes him by the throat and hurls him against the wall. Chakotay: "Tell me something, Tierna. Every Kazon attack seems to focus on our starboard ventral. Think that might be some kind of pattern?" Tierna: "I wouldn't know."

Chakotay: "Because if it is, and you've been lying to us-"

Doctor: "Commander Chakotay!" He has approached, and the security guard is with him. "Not in my Sickbay, please." Red alert sounds. Chakotay lets Tierna go, and Chakotay leaves.

Chakotay enters Voyager's bridge from the turbolift and hurries over to join Janeway who is standing next to Paris at the conn. Tuvok: "Firing phasers." Janeway: "Increase speed to one-half impulse." Paris: "Aye, Captain." Kim: "They're coming at our starboard ventral again. Our shields there haven't been repaired yet. We're going to sustain more damage to the secondary command processors." Chakotay: "Starboard ventral." Computer: "Warning. Fires have been detected on decks 12 and 15, sections A4 through C18." Kim: "Control units are responding, Captain." Janeway: "Keep our port forequarter facing the line of attack, Mr Paris. Don't let them see our starboard ventral." Paris: "I'm doing my best." Janeway: "Continuous fire, starboard phasers." Tuvok: "Acknowledged. They're withdrawing, Captain." Chakotay: "Stand down red alert." Janeway: "Mr Kim." Kim: "Deck 12 is in shambles." Chakotay: "We barely have time to begin repairs before they attack it again." Kim: "At least no one was hurt. The secondary command processors are non-functional. We'll have to rebuild them. I'd say we're looking at two days' work if we're not attacked again." Chakotay: "Why would these factions of Kazon, loyal to no one, all have the same agenda? And why would that agenda focus on a non-essential area of the ship?" Janeway: "I don't know, but it feels like we're being pecked to death by ducks." Chakotay: "We can't just stay on this course and wait to see what they have in store for us." Janeway: "I agree. It's time to re-examine our game plan. Mr Paris, reverse course." Paris: "Aye, Captain." Chakotay: "Mr Tierna should be restricted to quarters on a secured deck until further notice." Tuvok: "Acknowledged."

Kazon graphic web work by me. About the Kazon graphic / How to use the image map (pop-up)