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SUMMARY: While on a planet in the Delta Quadrant, Janeway and Chakotay contracted a deadly virus but something about the planet protects them from its fatal effects. They send Voyager onward and start a new life together on the planet.
 The Doctor awakes Janeway and Chakotay from stasis on an attractive uninhabited planet in the Delta Quadrant. After 17 days' non-stop research, he has been unable to find a cure for a deadly virus they contracted after being bitten by insects. They cannot leave the planet because something in the planet's atmosphere is shielding them from the effect of the virus; if they leave it could risk a recurrence of the virus which could prove fatal. The Doctor says the only option at the moment is to contact the Vidiians who have sophisticated medical technology - they might be able to help. Janeway and Chakotay reject that option, believing: "It's risky. It's more likely they'd attack Voyager and try to harvest body parts from the crew. Could we live with ourselves, knowing we'd put Voyager into that kind of danger?" In [#5 Phage], the Voyager crew first meet the Vidiians who, to fight the phage, a terrible disease which afflicts their people, often murder aliens to transplant their organs and tissue. Janeway turns over command of Voyager to Tuvok with orders to resume a course for the Alpha Quadrant and instructs him not to make contact with the Vidiians.
Accordingly Janeway and Chakotay are transported a type-9 shuttlecraft, supplies, parts for making a modular shelter and research equipment since she intends to continue searching for a cure to the virus. Janeway tells Chakotay to call her Kathryn.
Chakotay unpacks the modular shelter; parts are
coloured grey one side and beige the other |
Janeway inspects an insect trap as part of
her research into what causes the virus |
When Voyager reaches the limit of communications range, Janeway says farewell to the Voyager crew.
 | | JANEWAY TO THE CREW: This is Kathryn Janeway. I've never liked saying goodbye, so I'll make this brief. But I want you all to know that serving as your captain has been the most extraordinary experience of my life. No captain could ask more than what this crew has given - bravery, compassion, and strength of character. But I think what I'll miss most is the fun, the times we joked together, the games on the Holodeck. I'll remember the laughter more than anything. Although Commander Chakotay and I won't be with you for the rest of your journey, we know that you'll be the same steadfast crew for Mr Tuvok as you have been for us. We wish you a safe and speedy journey home. Our thoughts will be with you. Janeway out. |
Janeway addresses the crew |
the crew listen |
| | TUVOK'S REPLY: Thank you. Captain, Commander, I am sure I speak for the entire crew when I say we will always remember your grace and courage. And I would like to add: it has been an honour serving with you. Live long and prosper. |
The decision to leave the Captain and First Officer behind weighs heavily on the crew and morale plummets.
On the planet, which they christen New Earth, Janeway researches a cure for the virus while Chakotay tries to make their lives comfortable, for instance by making her a bathtub because relaxing in a bath is her favourite way of relaxing. A primate visits and Janeway tries to befriend it.
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| a primate visits Janeway and Chakotay | Inside the modular shelter, Janeway works late. |
On Voyager, when a Vidiian convoy is detected by long-range sensors, Tuvok orders a course laid in to avoid them. Kim urges Tuvok to contact the Vidiians. Tuvok refuses, and Kim's protests lead to Tuvok dismissing him from the Bridge.
Captain Tuvok in the captain's chair |
Tuvok sends Kim from the Bridge |
Crewman Hogan and Ensign Swinn inform Kim that they and many of the crew agree with him. He formulates a plan with them, Torres and Neelix. He visits Tuvok late at night to suggest the plan. He tells Tuvok they have two bargaining points in their favour: the Vidiian woman Dr Danara Pel who has been romantically close to the Doctor (seen in [#35 Lifesigns]) who is likely to want to help, and they could offer the Vidiians some of Torres' DNA since Klingon (and even half-Klingon) DNA is phage-resistant as discovered in [#14 Faces]. Again, Tuvok refuses: Janeway has forbidden the crew to contact the untrustworthy Vidiians, and Voyager was recently responsible for the deaths of over 300 Vidiians (in [#37 Deadlock]). He prevents Kim from arguing by threatening to dismiss him from duty permanently.
Swinn, Kim, Torres, Neelix and
Hogan start to discuss a plan |
Tuvok listens to Kim's suggested plan |
Tuvok refuses to accept the suggestion |
Janeway is checking insect traps in the wood when the primate visits her. She is certain that it has come to warn her about the imminent plasma storm. During the violent storm, her research equipment is destroyed, and she comes to terms with the fact that they are unlikely ever to leave this world.
in the wood, Janeway tries to befriend the primate |
during the storm, Janeway and Chakotay hide under the table; she
is distressed as she sees the damage being done to her research equipment |
On Voyager, Kes gets Tuvok to realise that sometimes a Captain must disobey orders for the welfare of his crew. He addresses those of the crew who have assembled on the Bridge to hear him:
| | TUVOK TO THE CREW: None of you can appreciate what it means to be in command of a ship until that responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders as it does on mine. It has been suggested that I take an action which would require me to disobey an order and knowingly put this crew into a life-threatening situation. In general I believe it demonstrates faulty leadership to be guided by the emotions of a distraught crew. However, as captain, I must not ignore the sensibilities of those I command. We will contact the Vidiians. This is my decision and mine alone. You are all absolved of responsibility in the matter. I will accept any consequences which may ensue. |
Dr Pel quickly responds once Voyager contacts the Vidiians. Her people have developed the antiviral serum to combat the virus, and she willingly offers to deliver some to Voyager at a rendezvous in 20 hours' time.
Tuvok addresses the crew, informing them that he has decided to
contact the Vidiians and that he accepts responsibility for what ensues |
Tuvok talks to Dr Pel who happily offers to
a supply of the antiviral serum |
On New Earth, Janeway and Chakotay draw closer to each other, responding to the intimacy of their situation. Janeway realises they are heading for romantic involvement and attempts to set some parameters.
| | CHAKOTAY TO JANEWAY: I'm not sure I can define 'parameters', but I can tell you a story, an ancient legend among my people. It's about an angry warrior who lived his life in conflict with the rest of his tribe, a man who couldn't find peace even with the help of his spirit-guide. For years he struggled with his discontent. But the only satisfaction he ever got came when he was in battle. This made him a hero among his tribe, but the warrior still longed for peace within himself. One day he and his war party were captured by a neighbouring tribe, led by a woman warrior. She called on him to join her because her tribe was too small and weak to defend itself from all its enemies. The woman warrior was brave and beautiful, and very wise. The angry warrior swore to himself he would stay by her side, doing whatever he could to make her burden lighter. From that point on her needs would come first, and in that way the warrior began to know the true meaning of peace. |
Chakotay gives Janeway a massage |
upon discussing their relationship, Janeway offers
Chakotay her hand which he takes |
Meanwhile, Voyager goes to meet the Vidiians. But when they arrive at the rendezvous, three Vidiian warships await them - it is a trap. Voyager suffers a punishing assault. During the attack, Pel, who is aboard one of the Vidiian ships, secretly contacts the Doctor. She was unaware of her fellow-Vidiians' trap for Voyager and she has the serum ready to send over.
Voyager defends against Vidiian attack |
Pel secretly contacts the Doctor via a monitor in Sickbay |
| Tuvok builds news about the serum into his escape plan. Voyager drops shields long enough for them to transport the serum aboard. They eject an antimatter container from the ship, and fire a photon torpedo at it. The resulting explosion cripples the Vidiian ships and Voyager is able to escape. |
Tuvok masterminds and supervises the escape maneuver |
the Doctor beams aboard the medicine |
the antimatter container is destroyed and the
explosion disables the Vidiian ships |
On New Earth, Tuvok contacts Janeway and Chakotay.
outside the modular shelter, Janeway plants for Talaxian tomatoes |
Janeway and Chakotay discuss what they will do in the boat
he intends to build; they are looking at his computer blueprints |
Tuvok informs them Voyager will soon arrive with medicine to counteract the virus and to collect them. Janeway and Chakotay pack, regretting that they must leave their new-found intimacy behind and resume their previous relationship aboard Voyager.
Janeway, who is holding a combadge, and Chakotay hear Tuvok tell
them they will soon be cured of the virus and taken back aboard Voyager |
Janeway and Chakotay share a last intimate look
before transporting back to Voyager |
Just before they leave, the primate returns and, when they beam up, it reaches out to them as if it will miss them.
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| Janeway says goodbye to the primate |
Janeway and Chakotay start to beam up to
Voyager, leaving New Earth forever |
when they are gone the primate reaches out
to them, just as Janeway had to it |
Janeway and Chakotay are welcomed back aboard Voyager. Janeway rebukes Tuvok for disobeying orders, teasing him that unless she knew better his decision was almost emotional. She resumes course for the Alpha Quadrant at warp 8 to try and make up some lost time.
Tuvok turns to welcome Janeway and Chakotay to the Bridge |
Janeway "rebukes" Tuvok for disobeying orders |
She and Chakotay briskly resume their previous working relationship of Captain and First Officer, not speaking between themselves or to anyone else about the closeness they shared on New Earth.
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| Janeway and Chakotay resume their previous working relationship |
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