LIVING WITNESS
Episode 91 : Part E

In the Doctor's simulation is a portrayal of the real Janeway, real Daleth and real crew, on Voyager as the starship really looked. In the Captain's Ready Room (of the Doctor's simulation), Janeway is talking with Ambassador Daleth.

Janeway: "Don't worry, Ambassador. We've got plenty of medical supplies. We'd be more than happy to share them with you." Daleth: "We agree. In exchange, we'll provide you with as much dilithium as you need." Janeway: "That's very generous, Ambassador." Daleth: "I'll transport the canisters immediately. It would be in your best interests to make this exchange quickly." Janeway: "Oh, why's that?"

Daleth: "We've been in conflict with a neighbouring species, the Kyrians. They've been threatening to attack us. War could break out any day. We've tried every diplomatic option but the Kyrians are a violent, stubborn people." Janeway: "No problem. I understand what you're going through." Daleth: "I wish I could make you one of our diplomats. You might have better luck resolving this situation." Janeway: "Under different circumstances..."

She opens a com. channel. "Janeway to Sickbay." Doctor, via comms: "This is the Doctor." Janeway: "Ambassador Daleth and I have reached an agreement. Assemble the medical supplies." Doctor, via comms: "Done, Captain. The supplies are in Cargo Bay 1."

Janeway, via comms: "Once we transport the supplies to the surface there may be-" The ship is jolted amidst sound of weapons fire. Immediately the com. signal sounds and Tuvok's voice is heard: "Red alert. Captain Janeway to the Bridge."

Janeway and Daleth hurry onto the Bridge where Tuvok reports: "We're being fired on by three ships." Daleth: "The Kyrians." Janeway: "Hail them." Tuvok: "Channel open." Janeway: "This is Captain Janeway of the Starship Voyager. We are not your enemy. Please break off your attack."

Tuvok: "They're not responding." Daleth: "I advise you to retreat, Captain." The ship takes a hit and Kim reports: "Shields down to 86 per cent."

Janeway to Paris: "Break out of orbit. Put some distance between us." Paris: "Yes, ma'am."

An alert sounds. Tuvok reports: "Four intruders. They are in Engineering." Janeway, via comms: "Janeway to Engineering. B'Elanna, respond." There is no reply. "Tuvok." He understands and hurries off the Bridge to deal with it, leaving Chakotay in command of the Bridge.

In engineering, a number of the crew lie dead or injured. Tedran, the Kyrian leader, has his gun trained on Seven, while another Kyrian is holding a crewman hostage. The crewman struggles but to no avail. Two other Kyrians race through engineering as Tedrans calls out to them: "Take as much of their technology as you can!" Seven: "You will fail."

The engineering doors open and Tuvok rushes in accompanied by security guards. Their weapons are aimed at the Kyrians. Tuvok: "Drop your weapons."

Tedran seizes hold of Seven, pulling her close to him to use as a hostage. He orders Tuvok: "Back away."

Tuvok hesitates for a short moment, then indicates to the security guards to allow the Kyrians to pass. After the Kyrians leave, with their hostages, he contacts the Bridge. "Tuvok to Janeway. The Kyrians have killed three of the engineering crew. They've taken Seven of Nine and one of the injured crewmen hostage. They're now on deck 2 section 32."

Janeway, via comms: "Acknowledged." Contact ends.

She comments grimly to Daleth: "Remember your offer to make me a diplomat? Well, it looks like I don't have much of a choice." To Kim: "Tell the Doctor we have casualties. Have him meet us on deck 2."

Janeway, Daleth and the Doctor are on deck 2, moving cautiously. Janeway is armed. Janeway, via comms: "Janeway to Tuvok. We're approaching section 31." Tuvok, via comms: "The evacuation of deck 2 is complete." Janeway, via comms: "Send three security teams to this deck then seal all the access points." Tuvok, via comms: "Acknowledged."

They pause as the Kyrians go past, pausing when they spot Janeway's group. Tedran still has hold of Seven, his hostage. They rush off.

Daleth: "How typical of the Kyrians."
Doctor: "What do you mean?"
Daleth: "They fight the same way they live - deviously."
Janeway, via comms: "Janeway to Tuvok."
Tuvok, via comms: "Tuvok here."
Janeway, via comms: "The Kyrians are in the Messhall. We're going in."
Tuvok, via comms: "Security is on the way."

Doctor: "I'll go first, Captain, and draw their fire if need be." Daleth: "Your crew is heroic, Captain." Doctor to Daleth: "I just happen to be invulnerable to phaser fire, but I appreciate the compliment. Captain?" Janeway to the Doctor: "Go."

The Doctor enters the Messhall through the port-side doors, followed by Janeway and Daleth. Seeing them, Tedran pulls Seven closer and points the gun determinedly at her.

Daleth appeals to Tedran. "Tedran, this is between us. Leave these people out of it."

Tedran: "I know what you're doing - an alliance with these aliens!"

Janeway: "We were trading with them, nothing more." Tedran: "You expect me to believe that! You plan on using this ship to destroy us."

Seven looks at him and down at his weapon, assessing the tactical situation and looking for opportunities. Janeway to Tedran: "We didn't realise you were fighting with the Vaskans. Now, lay down your weapons and I promise you won't be harmed."

Daleth to Tedran: "We wouldn't need help if we wanted to destroy you."

The starboard-side Messhall doors open and a security team enters, phaser rifles levelled at the Kyrians.

As Tedran and the Kyrians turn to deal with this new threat, Seven attacks Tedran.

As Tedran succumbs to Seven's attack, Daleth aims his gun at him and fires.

Janeway is too late to stop him.

Janeway and the Doctor hurry over to Tedran's prone body. The Doctor scans Tedran with a medical tricorder. "He's dead." Janeway looks up at the Doctor, shocked.

Doctor: "Computer, freeze program." The Doctor's simulation freezes. He is addressing the group of watching Arbiters. The Arbiters are a Vaskan male who is the senior, a Vaskan female and one Kyrian woman.

Doctor: "A tragic, needless death, but as you can see, Voyager was not responsible. After Tedran was killed, Voyager was attacked by nine Kyrian ships. My program was disabled, most likely when they stole my back-up module. The next thing I knew I was standing next to this gentleman," indicating Quarren, "seven centuries later."

Kyrian Arbiter, sarcastically: "Very entertaining." Doctor: "I'll admit your holotechnology is new to me. I had to extrapolate in a few places but I assure you this is an accurate re-creation." Kyrian Arbiter: "Perhaps. Or perhaps it's the fabrication of a war criminal who's afraid for his life." Senior Vaskan Arbiter to the Doctor: "Do you have any evidence to support your explanation?"

Doctor: "In fact I do. I confirmed that this is the same tricorder that I used to scan Tedran at the moment of his death. If I can access the bio-readings inside I can prove that he was killed by a Vaskan weapon, not by Captain Janeway." Senior Vaskan Arbiter to Quarren: "Can this be done?" Quarren: "I've been trying to decipher the instrument for years but with the Doctor's help-"

The Kyrian Arbiter interrupts him, addressing the Vaskan Arbiters: "I fail to see what this would prove. Tedran died on Voyager, the victim of a conspiracy to oppress my people. The weapon used, who fired it - this is all beside the point."

Senior Vaskan Arbiter: "Was there a conspiracy? Did Voyager really help my ancestors to start the Great War, or were Kyrians the aggressors as my people have always believed? No, this casts doubt on everything." Kyrian Arbiter, sarcastically: "But it doesn't change the fact that my children cannot attend the same academies as yours or that we're forced to live outside of the city centre." Senior Vaskan Arbiter: "Today's problems are not at issue here. This is about history." Doctor: "I don't know who started your war. All I'm saying is that Voyager wasn't responsible."

The Kyrian Arbiter says to Quarren: "I can't believe that you would co-operate with this murderer, you of all people. You built this Museum." Quarren: "The facts are turning out to be more complex than I expected."

Kyrian Arbiter to the other Arbiter: "We shouldn't be listening to this hologram. I want him arrested and charged for the crimes we know he committed."
Senior Vaskan Arbiter: "That's not your decision to make."
Kyrian Arbiter: "No, it's not, is it. I'm only on this commission because you needed a token Kyrian."
Quarren: "Please, this isn't about race."
Kyrian Arbiter to Quarren: "It's always about race." To the Vaskans: "You seize every opportunity to keep yourselves in power."
Senior Vaskan Arbiter to the Kyrian Arbiter: "I'm sorry you see it that way. I think we are obligated to hear what the Doctor has to say." He tells Quarren: "Proceed with your investigation."
Quarren: "Yes, Arbiter."

The Kyrian Arbiter tells the Doctor: "You'll pay for your crimes."