On Voyager's bridge, Paris, Janeway and Tuvok, along with two Nezu officials, one the Ambassador and his scientific aide called Sklar, watch the viewscreen intently. The ship is tracking a large asteroid heading for the planet where the Nezu have several colonies.

Janeway gives Tuvok the order: "Fire." Voyager fires a photon torpedo at the asteroid, which fragments into large pieces. Voyager fires a photon torpedo. The torpedo is seen being fired then heading for the asteroid, hitting it and causing it to explode into large fragments. (pop-up window)

Tuvok reports: "The asteroid is fragmenting but most of the debris is still on a collision course with the planet."
Janeway: "Target the fragments. Destroy them."

	Chakotay: "That asteroid should've been vaporised. What happened?" Kim: "I'm not sure. Sensors showed a simple nickel-iron composition. We shouldn't be seeing fragments more than a centimetre in diameter."
	Sklar turns to the Ambassador. "Ambassador, I'm afraid I was right. This isn't going to work." He explains to Janeway: "The same thing happened to us yesterday. We tried to vapourise two incoming asteroids but they fragmented and struck the surface."
	Tuvok: "I have destroyed most of the debris, Captain. However, targetting scanners were unable to track two of the fragments. They have already entered the upper atmosphere." On the surface, the two fragments explode as they hit the planet surface.

Tuvok: "The debris impacted on the largest continent, approximately 500 kilometres fr"om the southern tip." Ambassador: "The central desert. Fortunately, that region isn't heavily populated." Tuvok reports the readings from his sensor panel: "Substantial cratering, atmospheric shockwaves, and large concentrations of dust and other stratosphere contaminants."

Ambassador: "How long until the next asteroid hits?"
Tuvok: "Approximately six hours."
Sklar asks Tuvok: "Can you give us an idea of its trajectory?"
Tuvok: "Same continent, but this time on the eastern coastal region."
Ambassador: "Our largest colonies are there - over five thousand citizens!"
Sklar approaches Janeway: "Captain, we appreciate your efforts but I think it's time we considered an evacuation. According to my analysis there are at least twelve more asteroids heading in our direction. How can we hope to destroy them all, even with your help?"

Kim: "Incoming hail from the surface. It's coming from one of the heavily damaged areas." Janeway: "On screen."

An unclear image of a Nezu scientist appears as the transmission is subject to heavy interference. The scientist speaks fast and urgently. "Ambassador, I've been analysing the debris, and I've discovered disturbing evidence that the asteroids are not what they seem. They are composed of artificial materials. I must meet with you immediately! I think we can stop-" Contact is broken off.

	Kim: "I've lost the transmission." Chakotay: "Location?" Kim: "I can't find him - too much interference." The Ambassador explains to the Voyager crew: "That was Dr Vatm, our most prominent astrophysicist." He ponders Dr Vatm's words: "He mentioned the composition of the asteroids. Could he have found something important?" Sklar: "At this time, Ambassador, I don't know what that discovery could be."
	Janeway: "Mr Paris, can we send a shuttle down through that turbulence?" Paris: "It would be a rough ride but I think it's possible." Sklar protests to the Ambassador. "Our chances of finding Dr Vatm are slim. We should evacuate the colonies." Ambassador: "We haven't time to evacuate all those people. I won't give up, not now."
	The Ambassador turns to Janeway: "Captain, I'm asking for your help again, but I won't ask you to risk your crew." Janeway: "In for a penny, in for a pound." Ambassador: "Excuse me?" Janeway: "It's a human expression, Ambassador, and it means we're not leaving you now." She turns to Tuvok and issues orders. "Tuvok, assemble rescue teams. We'll send down three shuttles to find Dr Vatm." Tuvok nods. "Aye, Captain." He signals Paris that he requires him for the mission: "Mr Paris." Paris nods to an officer signalling that he should replace him (the officer is not seen on screen) then gets up and hurries after Tuvok as he enters the turbolift.
	Chakotay, via comms: "Bridge to Engineering. B'Elanna, I want you to beam aboard a sample from that last asteroid." Janeway, standing next to him, nods her approval of Chakotay's initiative. Chakotay tells Torres: "Let's find out why it wasn't vaporised." Janeway tells Chakotay: "I'm going to study the data we've collected so far. I'll be in my Ready Room."

	Neelix hurries into Sickbay, goes straight up to the console where the Doctor and Kes are working, and puts down his knapsack.
	Neelix is very nervous. He speaks too quickly from nervous apprehension. "I need analeptic compounds." Doctor: "Are you ill?" Neelix: "No, no! I'm feeling quite vigorous!" He explains: "I requested a place on the rescue team as part of my Starfleet training and the Captain said yes, so I thought it might be useful to bring along a few extra medical supplies." Kes: "We have some analeptic compounds in the biolab. I'll get them for you." She leaves to fetch them.
	Neelix sets the knapsack straps. He tries to put it on but the straps are too tight and he cannot get his other arm through the second strap. He whirls round and round trying to do so. The Doctor watches him struggle. When Neelix gives up and tries to re-adjust the straps, he says wrily: "May I suggest a tranquiliser?"

"...It's just I'm a little apprehensive..." Doctor: "Mr Tuvok seldom acknowledges my brilliance."

Neelix replies, after giving up and just wearing the knapsack on one shoulder: "No, no, I'll be fine! It's just I'm a little apprehensive - I've been assigned to Lieutenant Tuvok's team and no matter what I do I can't seem to please him." Doctor: "Vulcans are notoriously difficult to impress. Mr Tuvok seldom acknowledges my brilliance. A word of advice, Mr Neelix: try to restrain your enthusiasm. You're there to observe and learn." Neelix: "Good advice, Doctor."

"...no matter what I do I can't seem to please him." "Good advice, Doctor."

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