DAY OF HONOR
Episode 71
Part D

 

Paris, hurrying into the rear of the shuttle: "We have to get out of here." He starts getting out two environmental suits.

Computer: "Warning. Hull breach in 1 minute 50 seconds." The Caatati ship leaves with Voyager's warp core.

Paris: "Computer, send a distress call to Voyager. Give them our co-ordinates. Computer, respond!"

Torres: "The comm. systems must be down." Paris, checking the instruments and programming the controls: "Transporters are still online."

Paris fixes a line between himself and Torres. "Stand by to energise."

To the computer: "Energise." The transport starts.

They beam into space.

The shuttlecraft explodes.

Paris, using comms: "Paris to Voyager. Do you read me? Please respond. Paris to Voyager." Torres: "It's no use. The comm. system in these suits won't carry that far." Paris: "When they get the impulse engines repaired they'll come looking for us." Torres: "Well I don't plan on just drifting here hoping someone will just come along and rescue us. There must be something we can do." Paris: "Agreed. If we could interplex the comm. systems in both suits we might be able to create a phased carrier wave. Voyager would read the signature and know it's from us."

Torres: "Good idea. Let me access your controls." Paris: "I thought you'd never ask."

Torres: "That's it. This would be a lot easier if I had a hyperspanner. Hold still." Paris: "Why is it we have to get beamed into space in environmental suits before I can initiate first contact procedures?" Torres: "Why is it that if we're alone for more than thirty seconds you start thinking about contact?" Paris: "Ah, that is not fair. The other day in engineering I must have gone four minutes before I started thinking about it." Torres: "OK, I'm ready to initiate the carrier wave."

She does so. A shrill shriek hurts their ears. Paris: "Aargh, aargh!"

Torres: "Sorry!" She adjusts the carrier wave. "Better?"

Paris: "Yeah. Let's hope it's still that strong by the time it gets to Voyager."

USS Voyager, stationary in space.

As Seven enters, Janeway gets up. Janeway: "Would you like tea or coffee?"

Seven: "I have no need to ingest liquids. I still receive energy from the Borg alcove."

Janeway goes over to the table by the window and pours herself a cup of tea: "Whenever there's an accident on the ship, even a minor one, we investigate it, in order to minimise the chances of its happening again." Seven: "A prudent course of action." Janeway: "I didn't have a chance to talk to Lieutenant Torres before she left the ship so I wanted to ask you some questions about what happened in Engineering. Sensor logs indicate that tachyons were leaking into the warp core. Do you have any idea how it started?"

Seven: "No. We had reconfigured the deflector shield to emit tachyon bursts. The procedure must have triggered the leak." Janeway: "Who was controlling the tachyon bursts?" Seven: "Ensign Vorik." Janeway: "What were you doing?" Seven: "Monitoring the transwarp frequencies." Janeway: "And did you at any time access deflector control?"

Seven: "You believe I'm responsible for the accident, that I deliberately sabotaged the ship. You're like the others, you see me as a threat." Janeway: "I won't lie to you. Part of me is suspicious. We've dealt with tachyon fields before and never had this kind of problem." Seven: "I am unaccustomed to deception. Among the Borg it was impossible, there were no lies, no secrets and I assure you that I had nothing to do with the accident in Engineering."

Janeway, sitting by the window: "I believe you, thank you." Seven: "I am finding it a difficult challenge to integrate into this group. It is full of complex social structures that are unfamiliar to me. Compared with the Borg, this crew is inefficient and contentious, but it is capable of surprising acts of compassion." Janeway: "Unexpected acts of kindness are common among our group. That's one of the ways we define ourselves."

Seven: "Is there anything more?"
Janeway, getting up and heading back toward her desk: "Yes. We still have to find out what caused the tachyon leak. Tell me what you remember about the power fluctuations in the propulsion system."

In space. Torres: "This isn't anything like the simulations we had at the Academy. They felt peaceful, like floating in the womb, but right now I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach."

Paris: "You dropped out too soon. In the third year there's a six week course of actual spacewalks so you can get used to them."

Torres: "I never would have lasted to the third year. If I hadn't dropped out they would have asked me to leave." Paris: "I wish I'd known you then."

Torres: "You'd have hated me." Paris: "I can't imagine a time I wouldn't have found you fascinating."

Suddenly they are shaken violently. Paris: "What the hell was that?" Torres: "More ion turbulence."

Computer: "Warning. Oxygen level at 114 millibars." Paris: "My oxygen supply is leaking." Computer: "Warning. Oxygen level at 93 millibars." Torres: "We'll have to share mine." She inserts a tube into his suit. "Are you getting air now?" Paris: "Yes. Much better. Thanks. What's wrong?"

Torres, looking at her wrist instruments: "The turbulence must have damaged my suit too. I should have at least 24 hours' worth of oxygen, but there's only about a half hour's left."

Janeway and Seven are in the Captain's Ready Room looking at PADD reports and analyses. Vorik, via comms: "Engineering to Captain Janeway." Janeway, via comms: "Yes, Ensign." Vorik, via comms: "I'm pleased to inform you that impulse power should be restored within the hour." Janeway, via comms: "Good news. Let me know the minute the engines are online." Vorik, via comms: "Yes, ma'am." Contact ends.

Seven: "Captain, I believe I've found the cause of the accident." Janeway looks at her PADD. "Erratic fluctuations in the ship's warp power. When tachyon levels rose to a resonant frequency core pressure increased." Janeway: "Then it was an accident."

The door signal sounds. "Come in." Chakotay enters. He reports: "Captain, we've picked up a carrier wave with a Starfleet signature. I'd guess it's Tom and B'Elanna, but they're not answering our hails."

Janeway: "They may be in trouble. As soon as we get impulse power-" Tuvok, via comms: "Tuvok to the Captain. Can you come to the Bridge?" Janeway, via comms: "On my way."

All three go to the Bridge. Tuvok: "We're being approached by an armada of Caatati ships." Kim: "They're hailing us." Janeway: "On screen." Lumas, on viewscreen: "Hello, Captain." Janeway: "You've brought some friends." Lumas: "Needy friends. We're hoping you'll offer us more supplies." Janeway: "I made it clear last time that we couldn't possibly you with enough for all your ships."

Lumas, on viewscreen: "And I had to accept that because your ship is more powerful than ours. But the situation has changed, hasn't it? You seem to be at a disadvantage now. We have your warp core. You can't escape. I'm hoping that'll make you more generous." Janeway: "We've given you everything we can spare. Return the core and we'll be on our way." Lumas, on viewscreen: "One of our ships might not seem threatening to you, but I assure you twenty seven can inflict considerable damage. We are desperate. Prepare to send us food, weapons, and your entire supply of thorium. And that Borg you're protecting. We want her too. There are many who'd enjoy a chance to repay one of them for what they did to us."

Janeway turns to look at Seven.