EXTREME RISK
Episode 9A
Part B

 

Torres is on the Holodeck, in a shuttlecraft, kitted out in an orbital skydiving suit. Torres: "Higher." Holo-pilot: "Lieutenant, we're already at 200,000 metres. You could thermalise at this altitude." Torres: "I said higher." The holo-pilot obeys and reports: "We're at 300,000 metres."

Torres: "Level us off. Computer, disengage safety protocols." Computer: "Warning. Disengaging safety protocols presents extreme risk of injury."

Torres: "Override." She starts to put her helmet on. Computer: "Acknowledged. Safety protocols have been disengaged."

Torres: "Drop the forcefield on my mark." Holo-pilot: "Aye."

Torres: "Mark." The forcefield is dropped

She jumps out and starts to freefall.

The com. signal sounds. Chakotay, via comms: "Bridge to Torres." Torres, annoyed, to herself: "I don't believe it." Chakotay, via comms: "Report to Engineering on the double."

Torres: "Computer, end program." The holoprogram ends as she positions herself into a standing position.

She is standing in the empty Holodeck.

She unclips the visor and heads for the exit.

Seven exits a room as Torres walks past.

Seven: "I was not aware that protective attire was required for this mission." Torres: "I was on the Holodeck, orbital skydiving."

Seven: "Leaping from a spacecraft at exospheric altitudes, a curious form of recreation. The probe is ready for launch, however there is still a problem with the telemetry link."

Seven: "Lieutenant, is something wrong?" Torres: "Actually, I'm not feeling so well. Can you handle the launch without me?"

Seven: "You are putting me in charge." Torres: "Problem?" Seven: "No. Just unexpected. Shall I inform the Doctor you're ill?" Torres: "No, don't." and she walks on.

Voyager's new multi-spatial probe.

Suddenly a tractor beam, not Voyager's, locks onto it.

The tractor beam belongs to a Malon freighter.

Voyager's Bridge. Kim: "Captain, someone's locked onto our probe with a tractor beam." Chakotay: "It looks like a Malon freighter."

Paris: "I had a feeling we hadn't seen the last of them."

Janeway: "Open a channel." Kim: "Aye, Captain." Janeway: "Starship Voyager to the Malon vessel. That probe belongs to us. Release it immediately." Kim: "No response." Janeway: "Tom, how fast can you get us there?" Paris sighs. "Two hours at least." Janeway: "They'll be long gone."

Tuvok: "If we instruct the probe to emit a polaron burst, it could disrupt the tractor beam."

Janeway: "Do it." Tuvok activates controls on the rear section of his station then turns and reports: "The beam has been disabled."

Janeway: "Harry, redirect the probe's course." Tuvok: "The Malon are in pursuit." Paris: "That probe can't outrun them." Janeway: "No, but we might be able to hide it from them." She heads for Ops.

Kim: "Captain?" Janeway: "The probe surveyed a class 6 gas giant this morning. I think we should send it back for a closer look." Kim: "You're going to steer the probe into a gas giant?" Tuvok: "Captain, the atmospheric pressure will crush it." Janeway: "Not if the Borg shielding does its job."

The Malon vessel advances on the probe.

Janeway: "Hail them again." Kim: "No response." Janeway: "Voyager to Malon vessel. Break off your pursuit."

Tuvok: "The probe is entering the giant's upper atmosphere and the Malon vessel is following it in."

The Malon freighter descends and is destroyed by the gas giant.

Voyager's Briefing Room. Kim, reporting from his PADD: "The probe's stuck in a deep layer of liquid hydrogen and methane about 10,000 kilometres below the outer atmosphere. It's not responding to commands."

Janeway: "Any good news?"

Seven: "It's still intact. It can be repaired." Chakotay: "If we can get it out of there."

Torres enters. "Sorry I'm late."