MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Episode 82
Part B

 

Astrometrics Lab. Doctor, having been briefed: "When I requested more away missions, this isn't exactly what I had in mind." Janeway: "You may be our only chance to communicate with that ship."

Torres: "When you get there you'll be downloaded into their EMH system. I'm sending an initiation code along with your program so you'll be activated immediately."

Seven: "We have less than 90 seconds before that ship moves out of range." Doctor: "How am I supposed to get back here?" Janeway: "When you've completed your mission, instruct them to move within range of the sensor network. With any luck, they can send you back the same way you came."

Doctor, concerned: "Luck?" Janeway: "I won't lie to you, Doctor. A lot of things could go wrong. We're relying on an alien technology to send you across thousands of light years."

Doctor: "So there's a chance my program could be lost." Janeway: "Yes. I'm asking you to take that chance." Seven: "35 seconds." Janeway: "Doctor?" Doctor: "Far be it from me to turn down an opportunity to become a hero. I'm ready."

The Doctor goes and takes up position on the dais.

Torres taps her combadge. "Torres to Bridge." Chakotay, via comms: "Standing by." Torres: "I'm downloading him into the transceiver array."

Seven: "Ten seconds." Janeway: "Good luck, Doctor." Doctor: "There's that word again."

The Doctor starts to dematerialise.

The Doctor is transmitted, disappearing from Voyager.

Janeway is moved - their hopes rest on him.

The Federation starship USS Prometheus, Alpha Quadrant.

The Doctor materialises in the Prometheus' Sickbay. Doctor: "Hello? Is anyone here?" No response. He is alone in the room it seems. "Computer, identify this ship." Computer: "This is the Federation Starship Prometheus." Doctor: "Are we in the Alpha Quadrant?" Computer: "Affirmative."

Doctor: "Ah," tapping controls on the wall panel, "Sickbay to Bridge." No response. "Alright, this is Sickbay calling any crewmember. Please respond." No response. "Computer, is the comm. system malfunctioning?" Computer: "Negative."

Doctor, exploring as he speaks: "Then why can't I reach anyone?" Computer: "Access to the communications system has been restricted."

Doctor: "Restricted? But this is important."

Doctor: "Isn't there some sort of emergency comm. channel avail-" He spots a body and then another, that of a woman. He checks - the woman is dead.

He sees another body, this time when he checks he finds the officer is alive.

He fetches a hypospray and injects him.

Doctor: "Try to lie still. You have severe phaser burns. What happened here?"

Starfleet officer, speaking with difficulty: "Romulans. They've taken over the ship."

He dies.

The Doctor realises he is in a dangerous predicament. He closes the officer's eyes and closes the tricorder he fetches to check his condition.

USS Prometheus.

On the Prometheus' Bridge, the Romulan Commander, whose name is Rekar, is in the captain's chair. His second-in-command, by name Nevala, reports: "Commander, there's a vessel approaching on an intercept course. It's Starfleet." Rekar: "I told you to mask our warp trail." Nevala: "I've been trying. These new systems are unfamiliar. We should have left some of the crew alive."

Rekar: "You'd be surprised how stubborn humans can be." Nevala: "The Starfleet ship is closing." Rekar: "Raise shields and prepare to fire phasers."

Prometheus Sickbay. Doctor: "Computer, how may Romulans are on board?" Computer: "Twenty seven." Doctor: "Are there any Starfleet crewmembers?" Computer: "None alive." Doctor: "Computer, display the design schematic of this ship and list general specifications." Computer: "USS Prometheus. Experimental prototype designed for deep space tactical assignments. Primary battle systems include regenerative shielding, ablative hull armour, multi-vector assault mode." LCARS reports ship specifications

Doctor: "Multi-vector assault mode? Describe." Computer: "Access to tactical data requires level four clearance." Doctor: "What can you show me at my clearance level?"

A Starfleet ship, Nebula class, pursues the Prometheus.....

.....and opens fire, hitting the Prometheus' shields.

Phasers fire....

....and hit but do not slow down the Prometheus.

Prometheus Bridge. Nevala, as the ship is hit by phaser fire from the pursuing Starfleet vessel: "Shields are holding."

Rekar: "Engage the multi-vector assault mode." Nevala: "That system has never been tested." Rekar: "Then we'll test it now. I gave you an order and I expect you to follow it. Multi-vector assault mode. Now!" Nevala: "Yes, Commander."

The Bridge before the multi-vector assault mode is initiated.

A klaxon sounds and a blue light flashes overhead, indicating multi-vector assault mode. Computer: "Initiating decoupling sequence."