BLOOD FEVER
Episode 58
Part A

 

Janeway: "Captain's log, stardate 50537.2. Routine scans of an uninhabited star system have revealed the presence of gallicite, a very rare substance, on the fourth planet." The screenshots shows USS Voyager orbiting the planet.

Voyager's bridge. Torres, who is at the engineering station: "If these readings are right, we're looking at a yield of nearly a kiloton. That would be enough gallicite to completely refit the warp coils."

Paris: "They sure could use it with all the damage they've taken the past two years."

Chakotay: "Is there anyone in the area who might consider this their property?"

Tuvok: "There are indications that a colony once existed on the planet's surface. However, it appears to be long abandoned."

Janeway: "Alright, let's stake a claim. I'll leave this in your hands, B'Elanna. Use whatever resources or personnel you need. You might want to talk to Mr Neelix. I believe he spent some time working in a mining colony."

Torres looks up at her, pleased: "Aye, Captain." Torres leaves to organise the mission.

Torres and Ensign Vorik are at a console on the upper level of Main Engineering. Torres is examining the sensor readings given on the console. Torres: "These tunnels are clearly artificial. Someone else must've been interested in digging up this gallicite."

Vorik: "That should make it easier to access the deposits." Torres: "True, but we have to be careful. There's been a lot of seismic activity down there. Look, these tunnels are completely collapsed. We should bring Tom Paris on the away team. He's had quite a lot of rock-climbing experience." Vorik: "I have spent several summers exploring the Osana Caverns, which involved some quite treacherous climbing." Torres: "Great. You two can be our safety experts." Vorik: "Have we completed our preparations to your satisfaction?" Torres: "We're done here, yes."

Vorik addresses her formally: "Let me take this opportunity to declare koon-ut so'lik, my desire to become your mate." Torres: "What???" Vorik: "In human terms, I am proposing marriage. Do you accept?" proposal: short proposal: long

Torres: "Er, this is, er, a little sudden, isn't it? Besides, I thought that Vulcan marriages were arranged. Don't you already have somebody back home?"

Vorik: "She has sufficient reason to consider me lost and has most likely chosen another mate. It's appropriate for me to do the same." Torres: "And you've chosen me?" Vorik: "I have come to greatly admire not only your impressive technical skills, but also your bravery and sense of moral duty, all excellent qualities in a prospective mate." proposal: long

Torres: "But you're Vulcan. I am half-Klingon. I really can't imagine...." Vorik: "Perhaps we are not an obvious match. However, our differences would complement each other. You've often expressed frustration with your Klingon temper. My mental discipline would help you control it. Furthermore, I-" Torres, trying to be as tactful as possible: "Wait, please. Please, I'm, I see that you've given this a lot of, er, logical thought and er I really am very flattered, but my answer is no. I'm sorry."

Vorik looks down for a moment, at a loss. He was not expecting rejection.

Vorik, as Torres goes up the steps: "B'Elanna! You may wish to reconsider. Your choices for a mate are currently limited to 73 male crewmembers on this ship, some of whom are already unavailable." Torres is beginning to feel badgered and irritated: "I'll worry about my choices myself, thank you."

Vorik: "I should also remind you that many humanoid species are unable to withstand Klingon mating practices-" Torres: "OK, that's enough."

Vorik: "-whereas my superior Vulcan strength would make me a very suitable partner."

Suddenly he seizes hold of her face.

His grip is strong but eventually she manages to break free. Then she lets fly with a punch to his face.

The surprised Vorik lands heavily and feels his injured jaw. Torres looks at him.

In Sickbay, the Doctor is treating Vorik, while Torres looks on. Kes to the Doctor: "Here are the results of his cortical scan." Torres: "So what's wrong with him?" Doctor: "In addition to a dislocated jaw," said pointedly, "Ensign Vorik seems to be suffering from a neurochemical imbalance."

Torres: "Meaning what?" Doctor: "I believe I should discuss that with the patient privately." Torres leaves, not that pleased by the dismissal.

Doctor to Vorik: "You're going through the Pon farr, aren't you?" Vorik: "That's an extremely personal question, Doctor." Doctor: "Yes, I'm aware that Vulcans prefer to keep their mating practices very much to themselves. There's almost nothing in the medical database beyond a few observations made by Starfleet doctors over the years. Your symptoms, the chemical imbalance and loss of emotional control are consistent with those observations. Have you been eating and sleeping normally?" Vorik, in a low voice: "I knew there was something wrong. I was hoping it wasn't this."

Doctor: "I assume this is your first Pon farr?" Vorik hangs his head, which indicates affirmative. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's a normal biological function. I'll do what I can to help you through it, but I'll need a little more information."

Vorik, firmly: "We do NOT discuss it." Doctor: "I'm afraid you'll have to. You have a severe imbalance in your brain chemistry. If it gets much worse, it could become life-threatening. Now I need to know how Vulcans deal with this condition."

Vorik: "We go home. Every seven years of our adult life, Vulcans experience an instinctual, irresistible urge to return to the homeworld and take a mate." Doctor: "But in your case, being stranded halfway across the galaxy, that's impossible." Vorik: "Yes." Doctor: "So then, logically, you try to find a mate here. I assume that explains your behaviour toward Lieutenant Torres."

Vorik: "I have always had great respect for B'Elanna. I hope she isn't too upset with me." Doctor: "With Lieutenant Torres, upset is a relative term. In any case, we're going to have to try to find another way to treat your condition. Let's start with a microcellular scan."

Vorik: "No! I don't want medical treatment. I will resolve this myself." Doctor: "How do you intend to do that?" Vorik tries to suppress the raging emotions within him, and his voice is very tense. "There are certain meditative techniques. I will be fine if simply left alone. Please, allow me to return to my quarters. Confine me there, if you wish, but allow me to resolve my situation privately!"

Doctor: "Until I have a better idea of how to treat your condition, I'll release you to your quarters. You'll be under confinement and," attaching a medical device to him, "wearing a cortical monitor at all times."

Vorik: "Thank you." He leaves.

 

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