IN THE FLESH
Episode 98
Part C

 

In Sickbay, the Doctor shows Janeway a capillary scan analysis on the monitor. He tells her: "He may look human, he may sound human, he may even smell human, but there's no question - he's alien."

Janeway: "Was he genetically altered? " Doctor: "On a highly sophisticated level. If it weren't for microcellular scans I wouldn't be able to distinguish him from the genuine article."

Doctor: "I've managed to isolate the alien DNA. Fortunately, most of his cells are still chemically active. If I use a cytokinetic injection I should be able to trigger a genetic reversion."

Janeway, looking down at the corpse of "Ensign Gentry": "Do it."

The Doctor prepares a hypospray and injects the corpse.

The alien anatomy starts to revert to its original form.

The original form is so large that Janeway and the Doctor swiftly have to move back out of the way.

The original form is so tall (or long) that its head dangles off the end of the biobed. Janeway and the Doctor approach for a closer look. Doctor: "Talk about a wolf in sheep's clothing."

There is a meeting of the senior staff in the Briefing Room. Janeway: "Species 8472. The question is why are they training to pose as human beings?"

Paris: Back in the 20th century the Soviets used to build American towns to train their agents to infiltrate the United States. Species 8472 could be doing the same thing." Kim: "They're going to infiltrate the Alpha Quadrant." Paris: "Maybe they already have."

Torres: "Tom's right. How else could they have gathered their information about us? " Seven: "Perhaps they've acquired it from the Borg."

Janeway: "It doesn't matter how they got their data. We need to find out what they intend to do with it." Seven: "If our previous experience is any indication, they will try to destroy Earth."

Tuvok: "A logical assumption. They did threaten to purge our galaxy of all life." Janeway: "Tuvok, keep working on a way to target their habitat's power source. We're going to need nanoprobe warheads and plenty of them. Seven, see to it." Seven: "Yes, Captain." Chakotay stands up. "In the meantime I've got a date to keep. I made contact with one of them - Commander Valerie Archer. Maybe I can capitalise on the relationship, get a better idea of what they're planning."

Janeway: "Tom, Harry, the Delta Flyer. Keep a constant transporter lock on him."

Janeway has a final grim word about the situation: "If Species 8472 does attack Earth the Federation won't have any defences against them. And I don't need to remind you that we have no way to warn Starfleet Command. Voyager may be the last defence against an all-out invasion of Earth."

Janeway enters the Astrometrics Lab Janeway: "Last minute preparations? " Chakotay: "Just planning my big night out." Janeway: "I can recommend a nice Japanese replimat on the Embarcadero." Chakotay: "I was never very good with chopsticks."

Janeway: "Starfleet Headquarters. Brings back memories, even if it is just a recreation. I remember my last visit there. I was given my general orders for Voyager's first mission - proceed to the Badlands, find the Maquis." Chakotay: "The orders that brought us together."

Janeway: "What about you? When was the last time you were at Headquarters?" Chakotay: "Before today? March 3rd, 2368, the day I resigned my commission. I can still remember the expression on the Admiral's face." Janeway: "Which one?" Chakotay: "Nimembeh." Janeway: "He taught at the Academy, didn't he?" Chakotay: "That's right." Janeway: "Interspecies Ethics, wasn't it?" Chakotay looks at her oddly as he corrects her: "Tactical Analysis." Janeway: "Of course." Chakotay: "Kathryn, you think I might be one of them. You're testing me." Janeway: "You and Tuvok were in the alien habitat for nearly three hours. Anything could have happened down there." Chakotay: "Why don't you have Tuvok meet us in Sickbay? The Doctor can perform a microcellular analysis." Janeway: "Tuvok's already there." Chakotay: "You could have just asked me to report to Sickbay." Janeway: "Given Ensign Gentry's reaction, I thought I'd be a little more tactful." They head for the exit.

As they leave Astrometrics, Chakotay sees the two security guards waiting to accompany them to Sickbay. Chakotay to Janeway: "You're not taking any chances, are you?" Janeway: "Don't feel singled out, I've asked the Doctor to examine the entire crew. There's no telling how Species 8472 got their information about Starfleet - from the Borg, Earth. For all we know, there's been an imposter on board."

In the Doctor's office, the Doctor scans Chakotay and reports: "Cell morphology normal. You're a 100 per cent human." Chakotay: "That's a relief. And Tuvok?"

Doctor: "Green-blooded Vulcan through and through. Two down; a hundred and twenty-five to go." He leaves for the main Sickbay area where other crew are waiting to be scanned.

Janeway: "You'd better get going." Chakotay: "Right. I don't want to be late." Janeway jokes: "Just be home before midnight." Chakotay: "Yes, ma'am."

Chakotay, Paris and Kim travel to the alien habitat in the Delta Flyer. Kim to Chakotay: "I've enhanced this tricorder with a trans-optic datalink. It should be able to help you access some of their systems." He hands it across to Chakotay. "Type-1 phaser modified to fire Borg nanoprobes." He hands that to Chakotay.

Paris jokes to Chakotay: "Do you always arm yourself before a first date?" Kim to Paris: "You've never had a date with Species 8472." Paris: "Personally, I don't go out with girls from other galaxies." Kim: "You're a true explorer, Chakotay."

Paris: "Is she cute?" Chakotay: "In her human form anyway." Kim: "I've always wondered what it'd be like to date an alien." Chakotay: "I'll take notes."

Paris: "We're making our approach." Chakotay: "All stop. Shields up."

In Sickbay, the Doctor and Seven are examining on the monitor a close-up magnification of programmed Borg nanoprobes. Doctor: "Feisty little fellows. You've increased their cellular motility by over 200%." Seven: "I thought it would be prudent to maximise their efficiency."

Doctor: "Seven, the last time we used nanoprobes we sent 8472 scurrying back to fluidic space. You can't get more efficient than that." Seven: "The species is highly adaptive. It's been over a year since our first encounter. They may have developed a defence against our technology."

Doctor: "There's one way to find out. We can test the nanoprobes on our corpse. You'll find the body in morgue chamber three. Beam it to the surgical bay."

Seven beams the creature onto the main biobed. Doctor: "The creature's only been dead for a few hours, there should still be plenty of cellular activity. Initiate a bio-scan, full spectrum." She does so. The head twitches slightly. He reassures her: "Don't worry. It's an autonomic reflex. The creature still has residual bio-electric activity in its nervous system."

Seven: "Something's wrong. The nanoprobes should have taken effect by now." Doctor: "Hmm." Seven: "What is it? " Doctor: "The creature's nucleotides are still intact. It looks like your concerns were warranted. We'll have to inform the Captain. We may have to-" Suddenly the corpse's cells are broken down. Seven alerts the Doctor to it: "Doctor." Doctor: "False alarm." Seven: "I will replicate more nanoprobes."

Doctor: "I don't mind telling you, Seven, that I'm still holding out for a diplomatic solution." Seven: "Improbable. Species 8472 will not respond to diplomacy." Doctor: "Funny. We used to say the same thing about the Borg. My point is, anything's possible if you keep an open mind. Optimism, Seven - try to look on the bright side." Seven: "It is difficult to be optimistic when we are preparing for battle."

Doctor: "Have you ever heard the phrase 'the best defence is a good offence'?" Seven: "No." Doctor: "Throughout human history weapons of mass destruction were often designed in the hopes that they'd never be used." Seven: "And yet, in Earth's Third World War, nuclear weapons accounted for 600 million casualties. Were they 'looking on the bright side'?" Doctor: "An unfortunate exception."

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