The away team enters a class-1 nebula to collect a sample of protomatter, one of the best energy sources in the Quadrant. Neelix has a cylinder perfect for containing protomatter in storage in Cargo Bay 2. The last time he used it, he nearly lost it to the Kazon. To collect the protomatter Neelix has them set the transporter for 10,000 AMU. The transporter beam ignites the protomatter, which knocks out the shuttlecraft's shields. The sample destabilises before they return to the ship. A small phase variance is noted in the transporter logs and that was probably responsible for igniting the protomatter. There was a problem with the pattern buffer that might have created a feedback loop along the transporter beam. The crew sends a beacon into the nebula to track the shuttlecraft.

Storage cylinder - see above, pictured below. It is similar in appearance (and might well be the same prop) as the canister used in [#55 Fair Trade].

See STATUS REPORT.

Kim is working on his monthly ops report, indicating that a monthly report from the main departments is standard Starfleet procedure.