Beautiful, isn't it?
A sensor analysis would have provided the necessary information.
- Just admiring the view. - The conference begins in an hour.
There's always time for warp dynamics, but you don't see beauty every day.
- What was that? - An energy barrier directly below us.
- It spans thousands of kilometres. - Why didn't sensors detect it?
I don't know. It has an unusual tetryon signature.
Species 312 used a similar technology.
- There's a power surge coming from it. - Shields at full.
They're creating feedback. We've lost impulse engines.
- Go to warp. - The warp core is off-line.
- Warp engines don't just shut down. - All our systems are affected.
Structural failure in 30 seconds.
We'll beam down.
We can't transport through the barrier. Transfer power to the weapons array.
- What are you trying to do? - I may be able to open a rift.
Big enough to get a shuttle through?
Warning. Structural failure in ten seconds. Nine, eight...
Phasers reconfigured.
The barrier's closed again.
I should examine you.
I don't think it's serious.
- You have a hairline fracture. - We've got bigger problems. I'll be fine.
I'm detecting lots of shuttle debris.
Some of it might still be functional.
Maybe we can construct a beacon.
Send a distress signal.
Through the barrier?
Maybe.
We might still make that conference.
If we have to be stranded somewhere,
we couldn't ask for a nicer place.
We wouldn't be stranded
if you hadn't been admiring the view.
Guest vessel 74656, this is port control.
Shut down your engines.
This is Tom Paris. Is there a problem?
You committed piloting violation 256.
I'm sorry. It won't happen again.
You will be informed of the penalty.
What kind of penalty?
That's not my decision.
You're assigned to Voyager?
- That's right. - Your commanding officer will be told.
Piloting lessons?
A three-day course in flight safety
followed by a test.
We won't be here that long.
Actually, Seven's been invited to a four-day conference.
- Here on Ledos? - I've given the crew shore leave.
You can brush up on your piloting skills.
I don't need lessons.
- The authorities disagree. - But Captain...
You may not have known their rules but you know ours - comply with local law.
- Understood? - Yes, ma'am.
The relays are fused. It's useless.
Looks like we're not the only ones here.
- Indigenous wildlife, perhaps. - I'm reading residual lifesigns.
- They're humanoid. - Ledosian?
No. But they share the same genetic traits.
- They may be able to help us. - Unless they're hostile.
Let's give them the benefit of the doubt.
- The lifesigns lead that way. - You rest your leg. I'll investigate.
It's better if we stick together, at least until we know whether they're hostile.
- I'm guessing they're pre-warp. - Obviously they can't help us.
No, I don't suppose they can. But they're fascinating, aren't they?
I never expected to see people like these on such an advanced planet.
This isn't an anthropological mission.
You're right. We should keep searching for debris.
Argh!
You're developing an infection. You should rest.
I'll have to try and keep out of sight.
I'll contact you if I find anything useful.
I don't have to tell you to avoid interacting with these people.
Seven of Nine to Chakotay.
Commander, respond. I found something.
Seven of Nine to Chakotay.
Step away from him.
It's all right, Seven.
They're friendly. They're treating my wound.
We were supposed to avoid interaction.
- They found me. - You should have contacted me.
I didn't want to expose them to our technology.
- You hid your combadge? - Your call scared them. They broke it.
I suggest we leave before they break anything else.
Look, they're friendly. And I am hurt.
- What are you suggesting? - That we stay the night.
- Commander... - It's good shelter.
And my leg feels better since they put this dressing on.
I'm going to get some rest. I suggest you do the same.
We shouldn't miss the Flame Gardens.
- I hear the arboretum is beautiful. - We can do both.
Tom, you joining us? Oh, that's right. You have to go to pilot school.
- I hear the course takes days. - For most people.
But if the instructor agrees, you can skip the lessons and go right to the test.
So I will be seeing you in a couple of hours.
- You have to admire his optimism. - Just a moment, sir.
I am Mr Kleg, the flying instructor. Are you Lieutenant Paris?
- He is. - It's an honour to meet you, sir.
- May I show you to the Flyer? - Why?
So you can explain what I did wrong and administer the test.
Sounds to me like you need lessons in patience as well.
- Tom is very patient, sir. - Never impulsive.
Take all the time you need. He'll enjoy the extra attention.
I'm pleased to hear it. We'll start with a review of safety procedures.
Do you have a visual display system I can access?
- I think I can find one. - Have fun.
Energise.
So how long will this review take?
Typically about four hours. But there's no rush.
Of course not.
River.
Mountain.
Where are we?
This?
You want to trade?
I suppose it won't hurt.
I'll take that as a thank you.
- Did you make a favourable exchange? - I didn't want to insult them. Any luck?
I found a way of communicating.
Me too. I've learned how to say thank you.
I was referring to Voyager.
I can construct a beacon using these and the deflector.
- You found it? - Six kilometres from here.
- It's intact. - I'm not up to that long a trip.
I'll go.
I've started mapping the area. Here's the river we passed.
This is where we beamed down, and we're here now.
Then the deflector should be here.
Six kilometres is a long way. Maybe one of them could guide you.
I'm still trying to limit our contact with them.
The sooner we get to the deflector, the sooner we can go.
Maybe they can get you there faster.
And watch me construct a tetryon-based signalling device.
All right. But be careful.
This is how they say goodbye.
Thank you.
Hello.
Identify yourself.
An exothermic reaction.
I'm not hungry.
Inadequate system integration.
Visibility impaired by lateral sensor array.
Insufficient console accessibility.
I agree. Those are just some of the defects that led to my error.
Polarity thrusters? They've been known to cause accidental acceleration.
Why should I be held responsible for the ship's design flaws?
According to the maintenance records, you were this vessel's chief designer.
I make it a point of professional pride to research every case I'm assigned to.
Are you familiar with that term? "Professional pride"?
Yes, sir.
In fact, that is why I am so eager to get underway.
- I want to prove that I am a good pilot. - There are protocols, Mr Paris.
System diagnostics, pre-flight simulations.
You must have other students who need your attention...
Don't worry, Lieutenant.
I'm planning to spend as much time with you as you need.
Good morning.
I'm trying to go here.
Can you show me?
Yes.
I thought it was this way.
Yes, it's an impressive view. Now we really have...
My friend.
She hasn't come back. I need to find her.
She looks like this.
Where?
Where did you get this?
My friend.
Where?
Don't touch that!
Please.
- Problem? - Chakotay failed to report in.
There was no response to our hails.
Seven and Chakotay never showed up to the conference.
- Anything on sensors? - We located a hull signature.
- But it's only a wing. - No lifesigns?
No, ma'am.
That's low for something to be in orbit.
It's not in orbit. It's resting on an energy barrier.
The shuttle may have collided with it.
- Why didn't they see it? - Scans didn't reveal it.
We only detected it with Borg sensors.
Maybe the rest of the shuttle made it through.
Logic suggests that possibility. But the barrier's deflecting all our scans.
There's no way to know if the shuttle or its occupants are on the other side.
Hail the Ledosian ambassador.
Your commander's flight plan went nowhere near that area.
- He must have altered his route. - And collided with the barrier.
- I'm sorry. - We're not assuming they're dead.
They may have found a way through.
- That's very unlikely. - They're resourceful.
Tell us about the barrier.
It shields the territory of an indigenous society, the Ventu.
Then the area's habitable.
If you lowered the barrier, we could scan for our people.
- We can't do that. - Why not?
It was erected by aliens hundreds of years ago.
They haven't been back. The technology is a mystery to us.
Why did these aliens build it?
- To protect the Ventu. - From whom?
Us. Our ancestors fought them, polluted their habitat.
I'm afraid we weren't very enlightened back then.
Earth went through its dark periods, too.
Would you mind if we lowered the barrier to scan for our people?
- It's not possible. - If you told us about its power source?
The generator is inside. There's no way to access it.
Even if your people did survive, I'm afraid there's no way to get them out.
Captain's log, stardate 54827.7.
The Ledosians are sceptical, but they're allowing us to try to locate our people.
We've begun to analyse the fragment.
The burn patterns suggest a tetryon flux.
We found a reference to similar technology in Seven's Borg database.
- You think the Borg erected it? - No.
But it may have been a people they later assimilated. Species 312.
Seven could have figured out a way to get through it.
Maybe she already did.
Some of the damage to the wing was caused by feedback from phasers.
They might have used them to penetrate the barrier.
If I can determine the frequency I may be able to do that too.
- But there is risk involved. - What risk?
Feedback destroyed the shuttle. The same could happen to Voyager.
May I see those?
- Seven, is everything all right? - I need your tricorder.
- Nice to see you, too. - I lost mine.
The magnetic field here is preventing me from generating a deflector beam.
The field drops off 4.8 kilometres in that direction.
Can you transmit the signal from there?
If I can neutralise the barrier by generating a dampening field.
Even if you're right, this must weigh 500 kilos. How would we move it?
- They could help. - We shouldn't involve them.
Do I detect a change in attitude?
They've been gathering debris from the shuttle, using it to imitate us.
- I don't want them helping. - So we stay here?
And allow them to find all the debris?
If we neutralise the barrier, Voyager can transport us off the surface.
Could the dampening field disrupt the barrier permanently?
- The barrier should reinitialise. - Let's hope you're right.
So you can execute a turn at less than 300 kph. Well done, Lieutenant.
Thanks. You know, I don't want to seem impatient again,
but can I take that test now?
I thought I made myself clear about that.
All my students complete the entire course.
I understand, sir, but two of my friends are missing and I'd like to help find them.
That's an admirable sentiment.
But special treatment wouldn't be fair to the others who take the course.
Besides, why stop now?
You're getting very close to becoming an adequate pilot.
Here, Commander.
Not so close.
Phasers are starting to overload.
Can we divert more power to the shields?
The shields are amplifying the feedback.
The barrier's interfering with every system.
Cease fire.
I'm open to suggestions.
We could reconfigure a photon torpedo to detonate at the right frequency.
- What about feedback? - A torpedo shouldn't create any.
Do it.
They're too close.
Back! Behind the rise.
Stay back.
The barrier is coming down.
- But you're reconfiguring the torpedo. - It's being deactivated from the inside.
- Scan for lifesigns. - Aye, Captain.
Take it off!
I'm only reading one combadge. It's Seven's.
Open a channel. Janeway to Seven, are you all right?
- Yes, Captain. - Stand by for transport.
- Lock on to Chakotay. I need more time. - Is there a problem?
- Someone requires medical attention. - Do you need the Doctor?
I can treat her. A medkit would be useful.
Acknowledged.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Seven has remained on the surface to tend to the Ventu girl.
Chakotay is being treated in sickbay.
The poultice healed the fracture and the infection. I'm impressed.
They're impressive people. I hope we haven't traumatised them.
You did what you had to do to get out of there.
We should transport all the shuttle debris back to Voyager.
Agreed.
Would you like some breakfast?
I'm not hungry either.
I admire your curiosity, but you should be more careful.
It's time for me to leave.
Back to my home.
That's very kind but I have no use for it.
I suppose I should respect your customs.
Thank you.
These botanical specimens indicate a high level of serum nitrates.
- Catalogue those foliates. - Explain your presence here.
You must be from Voyager. My name is Barus. I'm the expedition leader.
What kind of expedition?
We're evaluating the potential of this habitat.
- The potential for what? - Resource development.
We've been waiting years for this.
- What about the people who live here? - We'll help them.
- How? - Medicine, infrastructure, education.
Whoever lowered this barrier did the Ventu a big favour.
That barrier has to go back up.
The Ledosians might improve the lives of the Ventu.
Improve them? How?
They're intelligent people. Education may give them better opportunities.
Can you honestly say that you know what's better for them?
No. I can't.
- Then what do you think we should do? - I'm uncertain.
It's not like you to be on the fence.
When we first encountered the Ventu, I found them of little interest.
But I came to realise that they're a resourceful, self-reliant people.
Their isolation may limit them.
But if that isolation ends, so will a unique way of life.
We appreciate your help in opening this territory to exploration.
It's an unprecedented opportunity.
- A short-lived opportunity, I'm afraid. - I don't understand.
After I transport our deflector back to Voyager, the barrier will go back up.
You'll want to get your people out so they won't be trapped inside.
You can't limit our access to our territory.
We have a strict policy about leaving our technology with other cultures.
- It can be damaging. - This is important.
It's not just the resources that interest us.
The Ventu are our evolutionary ancestors. Our living history.
I know this is disappointing, but I have no choice.
In the spirit of cooperation, I hope you'll reconsider.
Would an hour be enough time for you to evacuate your people?
I'll make the arrangements.
We've transported the debris to the cargo bay.
I have a lock on the deflector assembly.
- What is it? - A Ledosian vessel, charging weapons.
Shields.
- The transporters are off-line. - Get a weapons lock and hail them.
- They're hailing us. - What's going on?
- We won't let you restore the barrier. - That justifies an unprovoked attack?
We only targeted your transporters.
- I hope you'll exercise such restraint. - I don't find weapons fire restrained.
If you want to avoid further conflict, I suggest you leave.
- Take us out of orbit. - What about the deflector?
Tom's still in the Flyer. Hail him.
Excellent, Mr Paris. Now, come about slowly.
Janeway to Paris, respond.
Captain, please do not interrupt my student during his examination.
- Something's come up. - What is it?
- I'm sending some encrypted orders. - Yes, ma'am.
This is highly irregular.
- You're going much too fast! - Yes, sir. I'm in a hurry.
If you have any desire to pass this test, you'll reduce your speed.
I wish I could do that, sir. I really do.
What was that?
- Paris to Voyager, I'm under attack. - Help him, Tuvok.
- What have you done? - We're closing the barrier.
You can't do that.
Sit back and enjoy the ride. Paris to Voyager. I've got them.
- Find the deflector. - I'm getting a lock on it now.
- My transporters are off-line. - Get out of there.
Not yet. I've got an idea.
I am sorry to inform you, Mr Paris, but you have failed this examination.
You will not be allowed to operate a vessel in Ledosian space.
Something tells me that won't be a problem.
- This is a beautiful blanket. - Take it if you like. I don't need it.
If environmental systems ever go down, you might get cold.
- You know... - I.
- You first. - Please. Continue.
In all the excitement, I never apologised.
- For what? - Causing you to miss that conference.
As a matter of fact, I wanted to thank you for that.
- I thought you were angry. - I was.
But warp mechanics can be studied any time.
The Ventu, on the other hand...
Something's still bothering you.
- I'm concerned for them. - They can take care of themselves.
That's not what I mean. The Ledosians scanned my deflector modifications.
They may duplicate our technology and remove the barrier themselves.
I suppose it's possible.
- If I had never made the modifications... - We might still be there.
I don't know about you, but I'm glad to be back on Voyager.
As am I.