FAVORITE SON
Episode 62
Part D

 

USS Voyager approaches Taresia again.

Tuvok: "Captain, sensors indicate a high density polaron grid surrounding the planet." Janeway: "A polaron grid? It wasn't here before." Tuvok: "A network of satellites was activated to generate it."

Chakotay: "Can we get through the grid?" Tuvok: "Unlikely. The polaric density is too high." Janeway: "Hail them." Tuvok does so but immediately reports: "Our communications are being blocked." Chakotay: "I guess we're not welcome any more."

On Taresia, Eliann accompanies Kim to the joining ceremony. Eliann: "Don't worry, you'll remember everything you need to know about the ceremony once it begins."

Candles are lit. The small ritual gong is struck.

Those to be joined process into position. Taymon utters the ritual words: "Amal ulat - let us be joined."

The ceremonial staffs are banged on the floor in unison.

One of those officiating prepares to apply ritual markings to Taymon's face.

Kim looks on, curious.

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Malia: "The joining is complete." The ceremony ends with the ritual rapping of the staffs on the ground and Taymon being led away by his new wives.

Kim: "Why did they tie him like that?" Eliann: "It's tradition - symbolises binding their lives together, no longer looking for anyone else. Do you find it exciting?" Kim: "I guess I hadn't really thought of it that way."

Rinna: "You are going to stay for the celebration, aren't you?"

Kim: "Actually, I should check in with Voyager. They'll be back by now."

Rinna and Eliann exchange glances.

Kim moves a little distance away and taps his combadge. "Kim to Voyager." No response. He taps it again. "This is Ensign Kim calling Voyager, do you read?" Still no response.

Lyris comes up behind him and hands him a drink: "Harry, I'm glad you could be here for this." Kim: "It's been interesting. I was wondering if there's been any word from Voyager." Lyris: "Not that I know of. They probably haven't returned yet." Kim: "It's been a long time. I hope they didn't run into trouble with the Nasari." Lyris: "Try not to worry. Your Captain may need some time to convince those people to see reason." Kim: "Maybe so."

Lyris: "Come, join the celebration while you wait. And of course you're welcome to stay the night."

USS Voyager.

Chakotay and Janeway are walking along the corridor to Sickbay. Chakotay: "We've been able to poke some holes in the tachyon grid but they're too small to squeeze Voyager through." Janeway: "Could a shuttle make it?" Chakotay: "I doubt it, and even if one could, there's another problem - a Taresian ship is patrolling the other side of the grid."

They enter Sickbay. Janeway: "And we saw what they can do." Doctor: "Ah, Captain. When you raised some concerns regarding the Taresians, I began questioning their story about Ensign Kim's birth." He leads the way into his office.

Chakotay: "I thought you'd confirmed that he has Taresian DNA." Doctor: "I did, and he does, at least he does now, but when I checked his previous microcellular scans I found no traces of the Taresian genetic fragments. I can only conclude that he wasn't born with them." Chakotay: "Their whole story about embryo implantation was a lie. He's human." Doctor: "Yes, although maybe not for long. The alien DNA is continuing to alter his genetic structure. Within a few days he'll be indistinguishable from a native Taresian." Janeway: "Do you have any idea how this new DNA could have gotten into his cells?" Doctor: "The most likely transfer method would be a retro-virus. He was probably exposed during an away mission." Chakotay: "Wouldn't the bio-filters pick up the virus and eliminate it?" Doctor: "They may very well have, but once the virus transferred the DNA into his cells, killing the messenger wouldn't have helped." Janeway: "Is there any way to determine exactly when he was infected?" Doctor: "Indeed there is. The transporter buffer performs its own version of a microcellular scan every time someone uses it. I reviewed the logs and found the first appearance of the alien genes in his molecular pattern on stardate 50698." Chakotay: "Our away mission to that planet where we found the vorillium. Harry was with us, and he was separated from the group for a while." Doctor: "He might have been infected by something he ate or drank, even something he touched." Janeway: "So Harry gets infused with alien DNA which gives him the instinctive urge to come here, then the Taresians tell him this elaborate story to make him believe he was one of them. Why?" Chakotay: "Don't forget that welcoming committee on the planet. It sounds as if they're giving him every incentive to want to stay on Taresia." Janeway: "And by keeping us away, they're making the decision for him."

On Taresia, Eliann shows Kim his room: "Here you are. I hope you'll be comfortable here. Is there anything else that I can get for you?" Kim: "No, I'll be fine, thanks. Good night." Eliann: "Get into bed."

He sits on the bed and takes off his boots. She goes toward the doorway, but does not leave. Instead she dims the lights. Kim: "You going to tuck me in?" Eliann: "Tuck you in?" Kim: "It's a human custom. Parents tuck their children into bed, tell them a story or sing a lullaby to them to help them get to sleep." Eliann: "That's sweet."

She picks up a pot and goes over to him and sits next to him on the bed.

Eliann: "Lie back and relax. Lakari essan. Do you understand?" Kim translates: "Pleasant dreams." Eliann: "Now close your eyes." She applies the essence to his forehead. Kim: "Mmm, that smells good, ah." Eliann: "It's the essence of rikka flowers, it's very soothing. Lakari essan. Good night, Harry."

Kim falls asleep.

Dream Lyris: "You're Taresian, welcome home." Dream Eliann: "I think you'll like it here, Harry."

Dream Chakotay: "We've been lucky to have you, Harry."

Dream Janeway: "You really have been special all your life."

Dream Kim's mother: "You know where your real home is, Harry."

Dream Eliann: "I think you'll like it here, Harry. Stay with me." In the dream, he and Eliann kiss, and she pushes him so that he sits on his bed, then she pulls him down with her onto the bed. They kiss, and then he finds Rinna is there too. As he starts to kiss her, Eliann moves closer and closer with the blindfold of the joining ceremony, about to cut off his sight.

But instead of finding the thought pleasant, Kim feels unsettled and wakes with a start. He is even more startled to find that Elianna and Rinna are there, one on either side of him. He feels uncomfortable at their closeness. Eliann: "It's alright, it's alright. You were dreaming." He no longer has his combadge. Kim: "What are you doing here?" Eliann: "We just want to help you relax and enjoy yourself."

Kim, getting up hastily: "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather be alone." Eliann: "I don't believe that. I think you've been spending too many nights alone, Harry." Rinna: "You've got to stop holding yourself back. I know you have the same natural desires as any Taresian. Now you're free to act on them." Eliann: "You can't fight genetics."

Kim: "I can try." Eliann: "I want you to choose me, Harry." Rinna: "Choose both of us, then you'll only have to find one more wife." Kim: "I'm not joining with you or with anybody." Eliann: "But that's the reason why you were drawn back home, Harry. To have children. Listen to your instincts."

Kim: "No." He rolls across the bed to put distance between them. "Like I told you before, I'm going back to Voyager." He has no combadge as they removed it while he was sleeping.

Rinna: "You could never be as valuable to them as you are to us! We need you." Eliann: "You have a responsibility to your people to pass on your genes to the next generation. If there's anything your Taresian genes have given you, it's a sense of duty and loyalty."

Kim: "My loyalty is to my crew and my family back home."

Eliann: "You don't belong with them any more. This is who you are - one of us. Your place is here." Rinna: "We'll make you glad you stayed. Think of Taymon, how happy he's been. Let yourself be happy." Eliann: "It's the right choice, Harry - this is the life you were always meant to have."

Rinna kisses him several times.

Kim: "Mmm, er, maybe this life wouldn't be so terrible." Rinna: "It'll be wonderful. You'll have everything you ever wanted, and a place of honour among your people." Eliann: "You'll never be alone again, Harry, we'll make sure of that." Kim: "Three wives." Eliann makes a noise of agreement: "Mm mm."