SACRED GROUND
Episode 49
Part B

 

Bridge. Magistrate, on viewscreen: "Well, you've certainly done your research, Captain. I'm familiar with the story. I heard it as a child." Janeway: "It suggests that there's still a chance for Kes." Magistrate, on viewscreen: "You're talking about a very specific case. Nevad was able to claim responsibility for the prince as a father and as a king. That's why the Spirits were willing to listen to him."

Janeway: "The captain of a starship is fully responsible for every member of her crew." Magistrate, on viewscreen: "So she is." Janeway: "And on that basis, I'd like to go through the Ritual myself."

Janeway and Chakotay are discussing the matter in his office. Janeway: "I haven't heard from the Magistrate yet, but he seemed to think there was a strong possibility the monks would let me go through the Ritual." Chakotay: "Captain, forgive me, but you've never been one to put much trust in religious ceremonies. Exactly what is it you hope to accomplish?" Janeway: "If you're asking if I expect to speak to the Ancestral Spirits, no, of course not. But something happens to the monks when they go through the Ritual, something that allows them to withstand the effects of the biogenic field. I want to find out what that is. It might provide clues to a treatment." Chakotay: "Some kind of physiological change maybe." Janeway: "That's what I'm guessing. The Shamans of the Karis tribe on Delios Seven practice a ritual that increases the electrical resistance of their skin. It protects them from plasma discharges in their sacred caves. Something similar must happen during this Ritual." Chakotay: "We'll have to find a way to allow the Doctor to monitor your physical condition, and you should have a way to call for an emergency beam-out if you need it, as a precaution. We don't have any idea what the Ritual entails." Janeway: "I've been reviewing the Federation's cultural database. Most traditional spirit quest ceremonies involve some kind of physical challenge or test of endurance, to prove the mastery of spirit over body. My instinct tells me this one will be similar - a series of ordeals that will result in biochemical changes." Chakotay: "Of course, there's always the possibility that the Ancestral Spirits really do control what happens in the Shrine." Janeway: "To each his own, Commander, but I imagine if we scratch deep enough we'd find a scientific basis for most religious doctrines." Chakotay: "I remember when my mother taught me about the science underlying the vision quest. In a way I felt disappointed. Some of the mystery was gone. Maybe the Nechani have chosen not to lose the mystery." Janeway: "Under other circumstances I'd be more than happy to go along with their choice. Right now, it's killing one of my crew."

The comm. signal sounds. comms. signal Kim, via comms: "Bridge to the Captain." Janeway, via comms: "Janeway here." Kim, via comms: You have an incoming message from the Magistrate." Janeway, via comms: "Put it through to Chakotay's office." Kim, via comms: "Aye Captain." personal computer on The image of the Magistrate appears on Chakotay's personal computer. Magistrate, on screen: "I must congratulate you, Captain. Your creative approach to this problem has fascinated the Nechisti Council."

Janeway: "Then they've approved my request." Magistrate, on screen: "Eagerly. They consider it an honour that you want to seek the Spirits. The Ritual traditionally begins at sunset. A guide will meet you at the entrance to the Sanctuary." Janeway: "Thank you. I appreciate your efforts." Magistrate, on screen: "I have been greatly troubled by your misfortune, Captain. If you are able to convince the Spirits to spare your friend, no one would be happier than I."

USS Voyager, in orbit around the Nechani world.

It is near sunset for the Nechani planet. In the transporter room, Janeway is preparing to beam down to the Sanctuary. The Doctor reports via a wall-mounted monitor: "Everything seems to be working. The sub-dermal bioprobe will transmit any changes in your biochemistry."

Kim: "And Captain, the implant also contains a homing beacon, which we'll be able to pick up no matter how far into the sanctuary you go. Just tap it like a combadge and we'll transport you immediately." Janeway: "Thank you both."

As she heads up onto the transporter platform, Tuvok hands her a tricorder.

But she declines the proffered phaser: " I don't think that will be necessary."

Tuvok: "It is standard procedure to carry arms on an away mission, particularly when you don't know what to expect." Janeway: "This is strictly an information-gathering mission. I don't want to appear hostile."

Janeway to Kim: "Energise."

Kim does so and she is beamed off Voyager..... transporter

.....down into the Sanctuary. She looks round. There is no one apparently waiting for her.

There is a robed woman sitting in a recess working to repair some lights. Janeway uses her tricorder to scan the area, traversing a little distance before returning to the same place.

The woman repairing the lights asks her: "I don't suppose you know anything about chromo-dynamic lights?" Janeway, uninterested: "No, not really." She sighs. "I suppose I could look at it." She goes over to the recess.

Janeway gets out her tricorder to gauge what is wrong with the lights.

Robed woman: "They're as fussy as tarchee cats. You tune them too high they burn out; you tune them too low, they sputter." As she talks, Janeway keeps looking behind her left and right, waiting for the Guide to arrive. "I've told the monks to replace them all with neodyne lights; it would save hours of repair work. That device you've got, what is that?" Janeway: "It's called a tricorder." Robed woman: "A tricor-. What exactly does a tricorder do?" Janeway, disinterestedly: "It's a scanning device." Robed woman: "How interesting. May I?" She takes it from Janeway and examines it. "Mmm, atmospheric reading, energy field analysis, full technical database. This is certainly a convenient thing to have." She pockets it.

Janeway smiles politely: "Oh, I'd didn't mean for you to keep it. I'll need that back." Robed woman: "Oh, no you won't." Janeway realises who she is: "You're my guide."

Guide: "Guide, advisor, spiritual companion, whatever term you prefer is fine with me." Janeway: "Why didn't you say something earlier?" Guide: "Shall we get started?"