FAIR TRADE
Episode 55
Part F

 

Neelix: "I wouldn't fire that weapon if I were you. That plasma canister you're holding, I disengaged the safety nodes just as you came in. Even as we speak, warp plasma is leaking from it. This section of the station is filling with plasma particles. Fire your weapon and you'll set off an explosion that will undoubtably kill us all." Wix: "He's telling the truth, Tosin. Don't do it." Neelix: "And I wouldn't activate your transporter system, if I were you. The beam would also destabilise the plasma. Same effect. Boom." Tosin: "Then you will die with me, little man." One of the associates is looking uncertain - they have superior fire-power and they should be in control of the situation. It should not be possible for the two Talaxians to turn the tables on them. Neelix: "No problem at all, if it means getting rid of an Orilian lung maggot like you." He and Tosin stare at each other, Tosin wondering if Neelix is bluffing. "Go ahead, you'd be doing me a favour. I have nothing to lose. Fire away." Wix: "Neelix!" Neelix ignores him. To Tosin: "Shoot. What are you waiting for? Fire."

Tosin goes to hand back the canister to Neelix. Tosin: "Re-engage the safety nodes."

Suddenly Bahrat and his guards arrive. Bahrat to Tosin and his associates: "Don't bother. Put down your weapons. You're under arrest for violating station code 4279 subsection beta 325."

Tosin realises he is trapped, as he cannot fire his weapon because of the plasma particles.

This is too much for one of the associates, who fires at Bahrat, but he sets off the explosion that Neelix had warned about.

Tosin's associate is engulfed in green flame.

The others dive for cover. The explosion rips through the section.

Neelix regains consciousness. His head hurts somewhat. Noticing his surroundings, Neelix observes: "I'm in Sickbay."

Doctor: "Yes, Mr Neelix. You sustained third degree plasma burns and a moderate concussion, but my skills have prevented you from suffering permanent damage."
Neelix: "Thank you, Doctor."

Kes comes over to the primary biobed from the opposite corner of the room. Tuvok: "One of the criminals was killed in the plasma explosion. The others have been taken into custody by Mr Bahrat." Kes: "Chakotay and Tom were released." Neelix: "Ah, good. And Wix?"

Janeway enters. Tuvok answers Neelix: "Mr Wixiban was given his shuttle. He sent you his thanks before making a hasty departure."

She moves to the head of the biobed and says: "Would all of you excuse us, please. I'd like to talk to Neelix alone." Tuvok and Kes move away. When the Doctor remains there, she gives him a look and he heads for his office.

As the Doctor moves away, Janeway goes to the side of the biobed.

Janeway, sternly: "Well, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Neelix: "Only that I'm terribly sorry."

Janeway, sarcastically: "Oh, you're sorry. Is that supposed to make everything better?"

She lays into him: "I don't really care whether you're sorry or not, Neelix. At this point it doesn't matter. I can't imagine what made you behave the way you did, lying to us, sneaking around behind our backs, covering up criminal activity."

Janeway: "Did you have some misguided reason to think this was acceptable behaviour?" Neelix, ashamed: "No, ma'am."

Janeway: "You've been one of my most trusted advisors since we began this journey. How can I ever trust you again? How can I ever listen to you without wondering if you're telling the truth or not?" At this Neelix sits up: "I've never been dishonest to you before, I swear, Captain."

He explains: "I just took one step, a step that seemed perfectly reasonable, and that step led to another and to another and before I knew it I was involved in something I didn't know how to handle."

Janeway: "What was it? What was so important that you were willing to throw away your principles?"

Neelix: "I needed a map."

Janeway: "A MAP?!"

>Neelix, miserably: "Captain, my usefulness to you is at an end. I don't know anything about space beyond this point. I couldn't let you go into the Nekrit Expanse without knowing what you faced."

Janeway: "You've been on this ship for two years. I think by now you'd've learned that the first duty of a Starfleet officer is the truth. You violated that duty, Neelix, and there will be consequences." Neelix, despondent, his fears about to be realised: "I'm prepared to leave the ship, Captain."

Janeway: "Oh no, it's not that easy. You can't just walk away from your responsibilities because you made a mistake. You're part of a family now and you have obligations." Neelix: "But I can't guide you. I can't advise you. I don't know what's coming." Janeway: "But that's not the point. Is it? None of us knows what's coming. That's what Starfleet is all about. We are all in this together and we have to be able to count on each other no matter how hard it gets. Do you understand?" Neelix: "Yes. Yes I do."

Janeway: "Well, that's good. Report to deuterium maintenance at 0400 tomorrow morning. You're going to spend the next two weeks scrubbing the exhaust manifolds. That should give time to think about what I've said. Dismissed." As she metes out his punishment, Neelix's despondency gives way to barely-to-be-believed hope - he is not to be put off the ship! He is almost eager to start his punishment, and there is almost the start of a smile on his lips.

Neelix leaves Sickbay, with lessons learned and pleased that he is to remain aboard, leaving Janeway saddened by the whole incident.

Voyager sets forth into the Nekrit Expanse....into the complete unknown.