BLOOD FEVER
Episode 58
Part D

 

Torres, following her tricorder readings, locates a high concentration of gallicite. She sees a live power conduits, scans it and then moves rocks to reveal more power conduits.

The others find her. Paris: "B'Elanna." Torres: "Tom. Come here. You've got to see this." Tuvok: "How are you feeling, Lieutenant?" Torres: "Fine. This is an active power system. It must've been built by the colonists." Chakotay: "We'll send somebody down here to study it more closely. Right now we've got to get you back to the ship."

Torres: "No, no. This is my discovery. It's my mission. You don't understand. This is the source of the gallicite readings. These conduits are covered with gallicite plating. It's exactly what we need, and I found it!" Tuvok: "Yes, Lieutenant, you've succeeded in your mission. Now you must tend to yourself. You're experiencing a condition known as Pon farr." Torres: "Pon what?" Tuvok: "Your emotional balance has been disrupted. You may not be in control of your more aggressive instincts."

Torres knows they are referring to her biting Paris. "I lost my temper for a minute, that's all. Why are you all staring at me like that?" Tuvok: "Please, come back with us to the ship." Torres: "Just leave me alone."

Suddenly there is movement in the cave and several aliens appear. Each alien wears grey, camouflaged to blend in with the rock surroundings. Alien leader, whose name is Ishan: "Who are you? What do you want?" Chakotay: "My name is Chakotay. I assure you, we have no hostile intent." Ishan: "She does." Chakotay to Torres who is moving restlessly: "B'Elanna, please."

Tuvok: "She is suffering from a chemical imbalance, which is affecting her behaviour." Ishan: "An imbalance? Is it contagious?" Tuvok: "No. However, she does need our assistance." Chakotay: "We'd be glad to take her and leave your territory." Ishan: "Not before you tell me why you came here." Chakotay: "We only came to find some gallicite. We thought this planet was uninhabited."

Ishan: "Then why are you carrying weapons?" Chakotay: "It's standard procedure for any mission into unfamiliar territory." Ishan: "Let me see one." He holds out a hand. Chakotay hands his over. Ishan examines it. "And what is that? Some sort of scanning device?" Paris: "Yes. It's called a tricorder." Ishan: "But it didn't detect any life-forms here?" Paris: "No, it didn't."

An audio alarm goes off from a device carried by Ishan. Torres, startled, is aggressively wary: "What's that?" Ishan: "Seismic alert." He indicates: "That wall is unstable. Be careful."

One of the aliens pushes Torres as the instability worsens. "Watch out!" But Torres responds without thinking, taking exception to be being shoved.

She attacks the alien.

An alien prevents Tuvok from using his phaser. In the confusion, with further tremors, Chakotay is knocked back against the wall and Paris is knocked to the ground.

Torres manages to wrest away a rifle, but finds there are no aliens there any more - they have vanished, and taken Chakotay and Tuvok with them! Paris: "B'Elanna, don't! B'Elanna!"

Torres: "There must be a hidden door, some kind of a passageway." Paris scans with his tricorder: "I'm not picking up anything like that, or any lifesigns."

Torres, curtly: "Then you're using it wrong." Paris, sarcastically: "Yeah, that must be it." He goes on: "Or else these aliens are generating some kind of interference so we can't detect them. We have to get out of here before they come back." Torres: "We can't leave Chakotay and Tuvok."

Paris: "If you have any ideas how to find them, I'm listening!" Remembering Torres' condition, he goes on, more gently: "We have to get back to the ship and get some help, for them and for you." Torres: "Why does everybody keep saying there's something wrong with me?" Paris: "I'll try to explain it to you, but we've got to get moving."

In Sickbay, the Doctor loads a hypospray and gives Vorik an injection. hypospray injection Doctor: "There."

He opens the 'clam-shell' which incorporates diagnostic instruments and Vorik starts to sit up. "Your serotonin levels are stabilised for the moment, but I'm concerned about these fluctuations. It's becoming more difficult to compensate." Vorik: "I will increase my efforts to control them, Doctor."

Doctor: "I'd like you to consider an alternative treatment I've been developing." Vorik: "No. I will deal with this myself." Doctor: "Ensign, your life is at risk." Vorik: "You don't understand how a Vulcan copes with this experience is a test of his character. I've already humiliated myself and Lieutenant Tuvok by allowing a private matter to become so public." Doctor: "Give yourself a little credit. You're doing the best you can under unusually difficult circumstances. If you were back on Vulcan, you'd have your family and friends there to help you."

Vorik: "I shouldn't need any help." Doctor: "I know that self-sufficiency is very important to a Vulcan but there is nothing shameful in getting a little guidance every once in a while. I'd like you to consider my alternative, and then you can decide whether or not to try it."

Vorik enters the Holodeck which is running the Paxau Resort program. The Doctor meets him: "Ensign." Vorik: "I don't understand the purpose of coming here."

Doctor: "Trust me. Ensign Vorik, I'd like you to meet T'Pera."

Vorik stares at the holographic Vulcan woman programmed by the Doctor. Vorik: "Surely you're not suggesting that she become my mate." Doctor: "Well, I wouldn't recommend a lifetime commitment but she might be able to help you with your immediate problem."

Vorik: "She's a hologram. She isn't real." Doctor: "I assume you have the same low regard for me." Vorik: "You're a skilled physician, Doctor, but let me point out the limitations to your own experience with physical matters." Doctor: "I believe we're discussing your sexual difficulties at the moment, Ensign. And this holographic mate is the best solution I can think of."

Vorik: "She won't be the same as a real mate." Doctor: "The difference is all in your mind which, if I've understood you and Mr Tuvok correctly, is where the Pon farr must ultimately be resolved. Let your mind convince your body that she is exactly what you need her to be. Think of this as an advanced self-healing technique. It will still require considerable mental discipline on your part."

Vorik: "There is a certain logic to your suggestion, Doctor. I will try." Doctor: "Good." He sighs happily, then realises he is outstaying his welcome. "Well then, I'll leave the two of you alone." He leaves.

 

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