FAIR TRADE
Episode 55
Part C

 

Neelix and Wix return from the freighter where Wix has collected a case.

Wix: "Didn't I tell you this would be easy? I got the medical supplies, and you got the pergium your ship needs so badly."

Neelix: "Only 20 kilograms. I told Commander Chakotay it would be 45."

Wix: "You're lucky to get what you did. Come on, Neelix. A few minutes more and we'll be done, and you'll have a map to help you through the Nekrit Expanse. What is the matter with you?" Neelix: "I don't like keeping the whole truth from Commander Chakotay. It's not honest."

Wix: "I don't remember you ever being so squeamish about twisting the truth."

Neelix: "Wix, I'm not what I used to be." Wix: "Neither am I. We've both tried to change our lives. You've done it. Now I have the same chance."

Wix looks up and out of the shuttlecraft's window. "We're almost there. We should have your transporter take us to Corridor 14L, near the outer docking ports. It's hardly ever used. Our contact will meet us there."
Neelix: "We're within transporter range. I've entered the co-ordinates."

They get up to prepare themselves for transport, but on the way Wix gets out a phaser.

Neelix sees him and demands: "What are you doing?!" Wix: "This station is a dangerous place and these supplies are valuable. We have to be able to defend ourselves." Neelix: "You said this would be easy!" Wix secretes the phaser in a pocket: "It's just a precaution. Let's go."

Neelix: "Computer, energise."

The transport starts.

They beam off the shuttlecraft.

Neelix and Wix arrive at the rendezvous point on the Nekrit Supply Depot.

Neelix: "Where's your contact?" Wix: "He'll be here, don't worry." Neelix: "I don't like this meeting in dark passageways late at night."

The contact arrives. It is Sutok, the same Sutok who accosted Chakotay and Paris earlier in the day. "Wix." Wix: "Sutok, this is my associate." Sutok: "You have the supplies?" Wix: "As promised."

Sutok takes one of the capsules and injects it into himself.

As he takes his fix, drug glows blue, lighting up Sutok's face on which is an expression of artifically-induced contentment.

Neelix: "What's he doing?"

Wix ignores him and asks Sutok: "Satisfied?" Sutok: "Completely."

Neelix to Wix: "What kind of medical supplies are those?" Wix again ignores Neelix, and says to Sutok: "If you give me my payment we'll be on our way." Sutok: "Yes, I have it right here." He turns his back and walks a few steps away, reaching into his garments for a gun which he turns and fires at them. But Wix, suspecting his move, has already taken out the phaser.

The exchange of fire. Sutok misses as Wix ducks. But Wix's shot....

....is a direct hit. Sutok collapses on the ground.

Sutok's associates attack and Neelix is dropped to the floor, winded. "Stop them!"

The alarm klaxon sounds. "Someone's coming!" The lights come on. Wix rushes over to Neelix and helps him up. "Neelix! Get us out of here!"

Neelix taps his combadge. "Computer, two to beam up."

Wix and Neelix prepare to beam up.

Neelix: "The debt is paid."

Back on the shuttle, Neelix turns on Wix. Neelix: "You lied to me from the beginning! And I was foolish enough to believe you!" Wix: "It should've been as easy as I said. I didn't know Sutok would try to steal the tubes." Neelix: "Those aren't ordinary medical supplies. You failed to mention that!" Wix: "They do have a medicinal application but no one would pay what I was supposed to get if they were just simple medications." Neelix: "They're narcotics, aren't they! Oh, you're up to your same old tricks. We have to talk to Captain Janeway as soon as we get back." Wix, quietly: "Do you really want to do that?" He continues: "How's it going to look to your shipmates when they find out you were once a contraband smuggler and that you were involved in this ugly business tonight? You think your position on Voyager is precarious now. Wait 'til they discover the whole truth about you." Neelix: "I can't just forget about this!" Wix: "So you'd let Bahrat put me in cryostatic suspension?" There is a moment's silence. "I guess you would. You did let me spend a year in that Ubean prison." Neelix: "Wix-" Wix: "I never told you what it was like in there, did I? About eating worms to stay alive, sleeping in a cell where the vermin chew on you all night, being punished in ways you couldn't imagine-" Neelix: "Alright! I won't say anything. But I won't have anything more to do with you. The debt is paid."

They continue the rest of the journey in silence.

USS Voyager, near the Nekrit Supply Depot.

Janeway: "Captain's log, supplemental. I have called a meeting of the senior staff to inform them of some very disturbing news I have just received."

Torres enters the Briefing Room, followed by Neelix. Waiting for them are other members of the senior staff, and Bahrat.

Janeway steps forward to stand beside Bahrat, and she addresses the meeting: "There's been a murder aboard the station." Chakotay: "Murder?" Janeway: "I've been told that's not an uncommon occurrence here. The man who died has been suspected of criminal activity. Mr Bahrat, however, discovered something at the scene of the killing that greatly concerns me." Bahrat: "During my investigation, I discovered some energy readings I couldn't identify. So I ran a spectral analysis." Janeway: "He showed me the analysis just a few minutes ago. It's a Federation phaser signature. Tuvok will be assisting Mr Bahrat in his investigation. I want to know how a weapon from Voyager could've been involved in this incident." Bahrat: "The shooting took place in an abandoned section of the station. Security scanners were disabled. I'm reviewing other surveillance records, looking for anything that might help me apprehend whoever did this." Janeway: "I've promised Mr Bahrat the full co-operation of every member of this crew during his investigation. Dismissed." The staff get up and leave. Neelix is now very worried indeed.