SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Episode 75
Part A

 

Carrying an engineering tool kit and a PADD, Torres enters a Jefferies tube crawlway.

She reaches a hatchway and opens the door. Seven, who is in there working, turns to see who it is. Torres is surprised to see her there. "Sorry. I didn't realise you'd been assigned here today." Seven: "I wasn't. This space was unoccupied so I came here to work."

Torres: "On what?" Seven: "I'm reconfiguring the power couplings in this section." Torres: "Why?" Seven: "The Astrometrics Lab requires additional energy." Torres: "I see. So you're re-routing power from other locations, like engineering." Seven: "They are minor adjustments. Primary systems will not be affected." Torres: "Unless of course someone is trying to do a warp core diagnostic, which my crew has been trying to do all morning. We have lost hours of work because of this." Seven: "There is no need for anger. I had no intention of causing a problem."

Torres: "What, 'sorry' isn't in the Borg vocabulary? You need to check with me before you touch the power systems. Understood!" Seven: "Understood." Torres starts checking over the systems Seven has been accessing. "I am unaccustomed to working in a hierarchy. In the Collective there was no need to ask permission." Seven: "If you're going to be a member of this crew, get used to it. Procedures exist for a reason. We've got to work together, follow the same set of rules-" She breaks off.

Seven: "Lieutenant?" Torres: "I was given that lecture once, by Captain Janeway when I first joined this crew. If I could adjust to Starfleet life, so can you."

Seven: "Of course. I am...sorry...for the inconvenience."

The Doctor is working in his office when Paris puts his head round the door. Paris: "Doc, I've got to go run a few errands. I'll be back soon."

Doctor: "Not so fast, Mr Paris. Can't these errands wait until the end of your duty shift?" Paris: "Well, it's my conn report, actually. I just realise that I forgot to turn it in and Chakotay gives me a hard time when it's late. Doctor: "You've been here all afternoon. Didn't this occur to you before?" Paris: "Well, we've been so....busy, that it must've just slipped my mind."

He and the Doctor turn to look at the three empty biobeds, in a Sickbay empty of patients. Doctor: "I see. Well, since it's an emergency, don't let me stand in your way." Paris: "Thanks." He leaves. standard doors

But instead of doing what he said he was going to do, he heads for the Science Laboratory. On the way a female crewmember passes him. He smiles at her and she acknowledges him: "Sir." On the way he looks around furtively, in case someone catches him.

He enters the Science Laboratory. standard doors

He activates the computer. Paris: "Computer, lock onto these co-ordinates." The computer highlights Main Engineering.

Paris: "I need a site-to-site transport- No, wait. Access the central replicator files first." He looks at the screen and chooses something: "Ah, perfect." He smiles.

Torres is working in a Jefferies tube.

Paris materialises in the Jefferies tube, the next level up. Torres hears the transport, investigates and sees the flowers.

Torres: "Are those supposed to make up for cancelling on me last night?" Paris: "I got stuck with an extra shift on the Bridge." He climbs down to her. "What could I say? 'Sorry, captain, I've got a date with B'Elanna'?"

Torres: "And what about right now? Aren't you supposed to be working in Sickbay?" Paris: "I said I had to deliver a conn report." Torres: "Not bad, but he'll be expecting you back." Paris: "He can wait." They kiss passionately.

But they are not alone! An unseen alien takes a biological scan of them. Torres breaks off anxiously. Paris: "What is it?" Torres: "I just had the feeling that somebody was watching us."

Torres, laughing nervously: "I must be completely paranoid about being caught in a compromising position!" Paris: "Kind of exciting, isn't it?" They carry on kissing, the interruption forgotten.

"I'm here, Chakotay. What is it?"

Janeway is lying on a massage table in her private quarters. She is tired, irritable and unwilling. Doctor: "Your trapezius is hard as a rock. You haven't been following the relaxation regimen I prescribed for you." Janeway: "I've been too busy." Doctor: "The usual story. Have you been getting enough sleep?" Janeway: "More or less. Mostly less." Doctor: "And have your headaches been getting any worse?" Janeway: "No. They're not getting any better either. They're like hot needles driving into my skull." Doctor: "These symptoms are hardly surprising, Captain. You work absurdly long hours, under constant stress, eating on the run, without sufficient exercise or rest. Your body is crying out for mercy." Janeway, being pummelled hard on the back: "It certainly is right now! There must be some easier way to do this, Doctor. A hypospray maybe?" Doctor: "Always looking for the simple fix. Sometimes there's no substitute for intensive osteopathic pressure therapy. You're fortunate to have a masseur who can work all day without tiring." The comm. signal sounds. comms. signal Chakotay, via comms: "Bridge to the captain." Doctor, via comms: "Commander, unless this is an emergency, my patient is unavailable." Janeway, unable to stand the massage any longer, starts to get up. Hastily, via comms: "I'm here, Chakotay. What is it?" Chakotay, via comms: "We've reached the source of those energy readings and I thought you'd like to see what we found." Janeway: "On my way." She heads for the door. Doctor: "Captain!" Janeway: "I know what you're going to say, Doctor, but I can't neglect my responsibitities." Doctor: "Actually I was going to suggest a change of outfit." She hits the door control in order to close the door. In short temper, she heads back into the room.

Chakotay reports: "Binary pulsars. Gravitational forces between them are so intense that everything within 50 million kilometres is getting pulled in."

Paris: "Don't worry, we're well out of range."

Chakotay: "Gamma radiation levels are high but as long as we're careful I think we can collect some invaluable data. Captain, am I boring you?" Janeway: "I'm sorry. I'm guess I'm a little too tired to concentrate on stellar phenomena right now. I'll leave this project in your capable hands." She leaves.

Paris enters engineering and goes over to talk with Torres.

Paris: "You wanted to see me, Lieutenant?" They speak for the benefit of the nearby engineers who can overhear them. Torres: "Er yes. I'm trying to increase the efficiency of the impulse drive but I wanted to make sure I wasn't compromising helm control." Paris: "Sensible precaution. I'd be glad to help."

Torres: "Good. All of the specs are at my upper work station." They both turn to look up at the upper work station. The area is completely empty. They are both thinking the same thing. Paris: "Good. Then let's get started."

Impulse drive efficiency is the last thing on their minds as they take full advantage of the empty upper level. Torres: "Did you hear something?" Paris: "You always think you hear something."

But Torres did hear something - the lift coming up to this level. It brings Tuvok who is carrying a PADD. He approaches and they break off from each other quickly and awkwardly. Paris, trying to collect himself: "Commander." Tuvok: "Lieutenant. Here is the power usage data you requested." Torres is not concentrating. She babbles: "Right. Of course, I didn't expect it quite so promptly, which I guess I should have, er coming from you, I mean, I'm grateful that you got the data to me so quickly." She realises she is babbling and forces herself to stop. "Thanks." She reaches out and he hands her the PADD.

Tuvok departs, leaving Paris and Torres to contemplate the embarrassing situation they are in now that Tuvok has caught them mid-embrace.