Episode 94 : HOPE AND FEAR : Part D

In the Briefing Room, the senior staff watch the message from the Starfleet admiral: "Slipstream technology is experimental and high-risk. But it's come a long way in the past year. We've conducted forty-seven trial runs, all of them successful. But each flight lasted only five days. In order to reach Earth, you'd have to remain at slipstream velocities for a full three months. Can your crew survive that long? We believe they can, and we encourage you to try. Everything you'll need is on the Dauntless - power cells, supplies, living quarters. Safe journey. We hope to see you soon." The message ends, and his image disappears to be replaced by the symbol of the United Federation of Planets and the words "end transmission". There is a sombre pause as everyone takes in the situation. There is a certain tension underlying the expectant optimism. Janeway turns to address them. She says, lightly: "Admiral Hayes. Good man, fine officer, but something of a windbag." Her comment breaks the ice. Most there, except of course Tuvok, give a brief laugh or they smile. The tension is released. Janeway, briskly to business: "Let's talk about the risk. Doctor?" Doctor: "I've examined the away team for signs of cell damage or physiological stress. Nothing. Their little joyride didn't harm them in the slightest." Janeway: "Long-term effects?" Doctor: "I'm running medical projections right now. So far the results are encouraging." Janeway to Chakotay: "And the Dauntless itself?" Chakotay: "I'd say it's in pretty good shape, considering." Torres: "I've been looking over the primary systems - helms, ops, tactical. They're comparable to Voyager's. But it's a lean ship, Captain: no shuttlecraft, only one transporter, no holodecks, no replicators." Janeway: "Well, Mr Neelix, you may haveyour work cut out for you." Neelix: "Ready and willing, Captain." Kim: "So what are we waiting for?" Seven: "Your enthusiasm is premature. Voyager is a proven vessel. We'd be reckless to abandon it so quickly." Kim: "Come on, Seven. Where's that Borg spirit? We'll adapt!" Seven: "My 'Borg spirit' gives me an objectivity you lack." Tuvok: "She has a point. This would mean leaving Voyager behind." Chakotay: "Is there any way we could modify Voyager to create a slipstream?" Paris: "In theory. But I don't think the ship would hold up very long under the quantum stresses." Janeway to Paris: "Try to make the modifications. If there's a way we can bring Voyager along for the ride, I'm all for it. B'Elanna, Harry, take an engineering team to the Dauntless. Start working on a way to shut down that slipstream drive at a moment's notice." Torres: "Aye, Captain." Janeway: "Once we've got that safeguard in place, we'll start making test flights. The entire crew should familiarise themselves with that ship. See to it. Dismissed."

Everyone leaves except Janeway who says: "Tuvok," so that he remains behind also. "Big day." Tuvok: "Indeed."

Janeway: "A way home. We've been waiting for this moment for years. Why don't I feel more enthusiastic?" Tuvok: "Perhaps my mental discipline is finally rubbing off on you." Janeway smiles. "Hmm, perhaps. What do you think about this little 'miracle' of ours?"

Tuvok: "I share your concern about the crew's safety. We must take every precaution." Janeway: "Somehow I don't think the standard diagnostics and security protocols are going to make me feel any better." Tuvok: "Captain?"

Janeway: "All this is too," she searches for the word, "perfect. The alien genius with the answers to all our problems, a message from Starfleet telling us everything we want to hear, a starship delivered right to our doorstep. What more could we ask for? They even turned down the beds. The only thing missing is chocolates on the pillows."

Tuvok: "It does seem convenient." Janeway: "I can't put my finger on it, but from the moment this all started I've felt something was wrong." Tuvok: "It started when Arturis boarded Voyager." Janeway: "Exactly."

She makes a decision. "We'll proceed as planned. But I want you to investigate that ship from stem to stern, and keep an eye on our guest - see if you can find out more about him." Tuvok: "Understood." Janeway: "Let's hope we're suffering from nothing more than good old-fashioned paranoia. Keep me posted." Tuvok nods and leaves.

Janeway: "Captain's log, supplemental. So far, the crew hasn't found any evidence to support my doubts about Arturis. Nevertheless, I've told them to keep looking and to keep their optimism in check, but that's one order I don't expect them to follow."

On the Dauntless bridge, Janeway is investigating a control console and familiarising herself with the interface. There are several crewmembers on the Bridge, also familiarising themselves with the ship.

The screenshot shows Seven hard at work in the Astrometrics Lab, with Arturis working at a nearby console. Seven: "Daily log, Seven of Nine. Stardate 51981.6. I've analysed the quantum slipstream technology of the Dauntless. It's similar to the transwarp drive used by the Borg. As a result, my expertise will be crucial to the mission's success."

Janeway is working in her Ready Room, but cannot help her thoughts wandering from time to time. In a continuation of her log she says: "Despite my apprehension, I can't help but wonder what I'll be doing in three months' time - still guiding Voyager through the Delta Quadrant or looking up old friends in Indiana?"

In Cargo Bay 2, as Seven works the controls on the Borg interface beside the Borg regeneration alcoves, she too wonders about the prospect of travelling to Earth within months. In a continuation of her daily log, she says: "If we do return to Sector 001, will I adapt to human civilisation? - a single Borg, among billions of individuals?"

The Dauntless engine room. Torres hurries in. Kim and Seven are each standing at a control console. Torres takes up position at the third. They are about to test the safeguard Janeway ordered her to install.

Torres: "Now." Kim: "Quantum field strength down to 90 per cent, 80 per cent.... It's levelling off at 75." Seven: "We need to dampen the field by at least 50 per cent."

Torres: "Try reversing the quantum field polarities!" The rumbling sound from the engines starts to dissipate.

Kim: "70 per cent....55....49 per cent!"

The engine's rumbling fades to a low hum.

Torres: "We did it! We've got our safety net." Kim: "One step closer to home." He and Torres are delighted.

Seven: "Tuvok wants us to run a metallurgical analysis of the bulkheads, to look for anything unusual." Torres: "Thanks." To Kim: "You two run the analysis. I'll be on the Bridge with Arturis. Our 'resident genius' said he'd help me figure out those control sequencers."

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