Captain's log, stardate 54274.7.
Torres has convinced me
that I can no longer put off a maintenance overhaul.
We've landed on an uninhabited planet. Shuttles are searching for supplies.
- The upgrades? - After tomorrow. Add a compensator.
- Environmental control? - The regulators are too hot.
- When will the warp drive be on-line? - Six days.
Can't you can't do it any faster?
I don't like sitting still any more than you do. But repairs take time.
- Mendez, track down that power drain. - Right away.
You told me this would only take a few days.
Before I discovered the microfractures in the nacelle and the fused relays.
Who did that?
I noticed a charge imbalance in the EPS feed.
- I'm sorry if... - It could have taken hours to find that.
I have a tactical systems report from Commander Tuvok.
You're capable of more than delivering padds, Icheb.
I agree. Until we get underway again, he's assigned to you.
With him on your team, maybe you'll get this job done faster.
Neelix?
- Rise and shine, it's 0500. - Already?
I was dreaming we found the dilithium and were back on Voyager.
"Dreaming" is an accurate description.
- Didn't we already scan this nebula? - Four times.
- I thought the Borg were thorough. - They value efficiency, not redundancy.
I've got a hunch about this nebula. There's dilithium in there.
- Fluctuating energy readings. - From the nebula?
No, it's weapons fire!
Let's get out of here.
We're receiving a distress call.
...have casualties. Please help us!
We're on a humanitarian mission
delivering medical supplies.
- Reverse course. - We can't leave them.
Interfering in alien conflict is prohibited.
It's a medical ship.
Their shields are down.
Life support is failing on three decks.
Open a channel to the other ship.
This is Ensign Kim of the Delta Flyer.
I don't know why you're fighting
but you've won - they have casualties...
This isn't your concern.
I'm not taking sides.
I only want to help the wounded.
Withdraw immediately.
They're charging weapons.
Set our deflector beam for a narrow pulse.
Tell me when their weapons charge.
I could trigger an overload.
Deflector width at 0.4 microns.
Now.
Their weapons are off-line.
They're retreating.
Take the helm. Neelix, you're with me.
- Who's in charge here? - He is.
- What are we going to do? - We're here to help.
The ship that attacked you is gone.
Who are you?
Harry Kim from starship Voyager.
We're responding to your call.
We can treat your wounded.
- The captain? - Dead, sir.
So are the rest of the officers.
I'm reading 27 life-forms aboard.
- There were 56 of us. - How will we get home without officers?
We need to restore power. Where's the interface?
- We're passengers, not crewmen. - Access the systems from here.
Your warp core is intact. I think I can bring it back on-line.
- Can you monitor antimatter flow? - I'm not sure.
Watch this read-out and tell me if starts to fluctuate.
I'm routing emergency power to structural integrity.
Atmospheric pressure is back to normal.
Go through each deck. Find the survivors.
- We need our cloak back on-line. - After I repair the engines.
The cloak is more important.
The Annari have powerful weapons. The cloak is our best defence.
We'll try to get it back on-line.
- Kim to Delta Flyer. - Go ahead.
I need your help, Seven. It looks like we will be here for a while.
- How did you do it? - Do what?
Disable the Annari warship so quickly.
We used their own weapons against them.
How?
We used a deflector pulse to overload their phaser banks.
- You know a lot about engineering. - It's my Starfleet training.
- Starfleet? - The organisation I work for.
They teach you these things?
We train at an academy and I've picked up new tricks on Voyager.
How long have you been captain?
- I'm just an ensign. - Ensign, what's that?
A junior officer. The lowest ranked officer actually.
This is my first deep space assignment.
It hasn't gone very well.
Could you hand me that?
My first week on the job didn't go very well either.
We ended up 70,000 light years from home,
lost over a dozen crew members,
but I got through it. So will you.
I hope so.
If you're going to be a starship officer,
you have accept that adversity comes with the job.
- What's that? - A diagnostic of the injectors.
No, I meant that stuff you're eating.
Nutritional supplements replicated to meet my requirements.
Sounds delicious.
You know, in the mess hall they actually have tables and chairs for that.
I prefer to work while I eat. It's a more efficient use of my time.
You did a great job today.
We're ahead of schedule, thanks to you.
Here is what we're going to work on tomorrow.
I'll see you at 0600.
- Icheb? - Yes.
- What do you do for fun? - Fun?
Recreation. What do you do when you're off duty?
Between work and study I have little time for recreation.
I've learned that you have to take a break once in a while.
I've been rock climbing on the holodeck.
When we're finished with all the nuts and bolts,
maybe you'd like to join me.
I do have an interest in geology.
It's not about the rocks, Icheb. It's about the climbing.
Main power has been restored. All stations responding.
The cloak is back on-line.
Impulse and warp drives are standing by. Shields are at 96%.
You're ready to get back on course.
- We appreciate your help. - Have a safe journey.
Mr Kim.
I feel guilty asking even more of you, but no one knows how to fly this ship.
None of you has ever piloted a starship?
I've trained in shuttles, but nothing like this.
I'll enter a flight plan in the auto-navigation system
and give you a course in operations - you won't have any trouble.
Couldn't you take us? The ship needs an experienced officer.
We've already got more involved than we should have.
- And they need us on Voyager. - It's not just the ship.
You've made an enemy of the Annari.
But if you dock in our shuttlebay, our cloak will protect you.
- That's generous, but we'll be fine. - Please, Mr Kim.
We can't afford to fail.
- This ship... - Loken, don't.
We can trust these people.
I'm a doctor. These people are my research team.
We're carrying new vaccines home. They'll save lives.
Sir, I looked at their flight plan. It takes them pretty close to Voyager.
I'll bring you as far as our ship.
When we get there, you can discuss your situation with my captain.
- Thank you. - What about Starfleet policy?
This is a humanitarian mission. Dock the Flyer in their shuttlebay.
We're approaching the planet.
Take us out of warp. Disengage the cloak.
Wait. I'm detecting three alien vessels in orbit.
On screen.
Those are Annari warships. Your people are in danger.
Sorry about the ship. We weren't expecting company.
- We're not imposing? - Not at all.
Contact with new cultures is a priority.
For us too. This is a fine ship, Captain.
One of the best in the fleet. It could use new deuterium injectors.
Any chance you could provide them?
I think we can arrange something.
- What will you exchange? - Zeolitic ore.
We mined several tons from an asteroid field. It's high-grade.
I'll speak to my supply officer.
We're being hailed by Ensign Kim.
Hello, Harry.
- Is everything all right? - Why?
Our long-range scans detected alien ships orbiting the planet.
There's nothing to worry about. We've made new friends.
- When can we expect you back? - We have a slight delay.
- Nothing serious? - Everything is under control.
Good. Any luck finding dilithium?
- I'm afraid not. - I'll tell the other teams.
- See you soon, Ensign. - Yes, ma'am. Kim out.
Dilithium? We can get that for you, too.
Really?
She's formed an alliance with our enemy.
It doesn't mean they have an alliance.
- It's a friendly meeting. - That's how the Annari operate.
They come as friends and win your trust,
then declare you subjects of the Annari empire.
- Kim to Voyager. - We didn't expect you so soon.
Actually, I'm closer than I let on. And I've brought new friends of my own.
Our chances of getting home without your help aren't good.
We'd appreciate any assistance.
I hope you understand - I need to give this some thought.
You've put me in a difficult position. We could use the Annari's help.
But if they find out we're aiding their enemy...
- I couldn't just do nothing. - That doesn't justify getting involved.
What would you have done?
- Probably what you did. - I learnt from the best.
If this was an errand of mercy I wouldn't hesitate,
but they are involved in an interplanetary war.
I've gotten to know them over the last couple of days.
You met Loken. They're scientists, not soldiers.
- That's one side of the story. - You've taken sides before.
- The Borg resistance. The Vaadwaur. - Those were different.
You were trying to help people in need. How is this any different?
You should apply to the Advocate General. You'd make a good lawyer.
I suppose I could spare Chakotay or Tuvok for a few days.
That won't be necessary.
The Kraylor know me. They trust me.
I'm sure they'd find Tuvok or Chakotay just as trustworthy.
But they outrank me. If you send them it won't be my mission.
- Your mission? - My first real command.
- You've been in command before. - A few hours on night shift.
It's not the same. You are a couple of decks away.
You would take over if anything went wrong.
I've been on Voyager seven years and I'm still an ensign.
If you are bucking for a promotion...
No, I understand there is a command structure and that this is unique.
But the fact is, if we were back home, I'd be a lieutenant by now.
Maybe even a lieutenant commander.
- You're pretty sure of yourself. - I know I can do this.
The Kraylor have given me a chance to prove it.
Be back before we complete our repairs.
Yes.
- And I'm not sending you alone. - Captain...
I want you to take Seven.
Since she has no rank, you clearly outrank her.
Torres asked me to repair a malfunctioning holo-emitter.
It's about time.
Whenever I move to the corner of this surgical bay, my legs disappear.
Seven of Nine told me you gave her social lessons.
So she got along with the crew. The Borg never assimilated social skills.
- I hoped you could instruct me. - I'd be delighted.
Lesson one, first impressions.
- There is something specific. - Fire away.
How can you tell when someone has romantic feelings for you?
Icheb, this is a surprise.
- Have you caught someone's eye? - I'm speaking hypothetically.
Hypothetically, there are various indications of romantic attraction.
Compliments, for example. Invitations to social activities.
Finding excuses to be in close proximity with someone.
Couldn't that happen in a relationship that wasn't romantic?
- I suppose. - Is there a way to be certain?
Well... Short of an open declaration of affection,
there are reliable physiological responses -
elevated blood pressure, increase in beta endorphins.
Thank you, Doctor. You've been very helpful.
With my guidance you'll master interaction in no time!
Harry.
- Take me with you. - Sorry, this is my mission.
Come on. I've been itching to get into space since we set down.
I'm tired of cleaning conduits.
You're a married man with responsibilities.
Leave the missions to the unattached guys.
- You're going to need a good pilot. - No, thanks.
Wait a minute. I know what this about.
- You do? - Sure.
You've got a girl that you don't want me to know about.
There's no girl. Not this time.
Then what is it?
I don't know how to say this -
but you're always Captain Proton, I'm always Buster Kincaid.
It's my turn this time.
I'm glad you're not leaving on an empty stomach... Captain.
Plomeek soup or eggplant parmesan?
- Either's fine. - Wrong answer.
If you are going to be a captain, you must act like one.
Never admit you're unsure. Don't be indecisive in front of your crew.
It's just a snack, Neelix.
When Janeway comes in here, she knows exactly what she wants.
Maybe I'm just not as picky about my food.
Whatever you say... Ensign.
Neelix...
Plomeek soup. And make sure it's hot.
Captain on the bridge.
- Where did you learn that? - The Starfleet manual you loaned me.
- Take your station, Mr Terek. - Aye, sir.
- Course? - I'll do it.
Laying in a course. Heading 115, mark 37.
- Does this ship have a name? - Medical Transport 136.
I think we can do better than that.
"Nightingale."
Someone from my homeworld famous for treating wounded soldiers.
- It's perfect. - Hail Voyager.
- Voyager, we're ready to get underway. - Acknowledged. Good luck.
See you in a few days. Kim out.
- Main power. - On-line.
- Tactical. - Shields and weapons standing by.
Bring the cloak on-line.
Warp 6.
Engage.
Acting captain's personal log, stardate 54277.3.
My first day has been challenging but I've loved every minute.
I can't help feeling this was something I was born to do.
- The hourly status report you requested. - Thanks.
Why have you brought these items aboard?
They make me feel more at home.
We're only here a few days. Decorating is an inefficient use of time.
It's important to forge a personal connection. Make the ship your own.
- Ask Captain Janeway. - I will, the moment we return.
- Anything else? - Terek is correcting the course.
He's never done that before. I better check on him.
I believe he's capable of doing it himself.
- Status? - I've entered the new heading.
The guidance vector is off by a couple of microns.
I was about to correct that.
You need to realign the primary navigational sensor first.
Make sure it's locked on your guide star. Here, let me show you.
I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
Bumping elbows comes with the job. And call me B'Elanna.
Put this with the others.
These relays should have been replaced.
It's amazing they've held up this long.
I'm really looking forward to our climb.
Wouldn't you prefer to spend your free time with your husband?
If it doesn't involve something he can drive, Tom's not interested.
Besides, since we got married I see more than enough of him.
Hold still.
- What's that? - A power fluctuation in the propulsion.
- It's destabilising the cloak. - All stop.
Core is stable. That should take care of it.
Are you absolutely certain?
As a scientist, you should know I can't be.
- A diagnostic... - That would take hours.
We must be back before Voyager's overhaul finishes.
- The cloaking system is delicate... - Correct me if I'm wrong.
You're a physician.
You have to trust me on this. We'll monitor it closely.
I simply want to ensure that our mission is a success.
You asked me take command of the ship and that's what I'm doing.
Tell Terek to resume course.
There's a serious flaw in one of the ship's systems.
- Which one? - The captain.
- The captain issues orders, correct? - Right.
The crew supports the captain and carries out the orders.
- What's your point? - You carry the orders out yourself.
And dismiss the suggestions of others.
They are inexperienced. They need my help.
When you came aboard Voyager, did Janeway help you?
- She looked after all the junior officers. - By doing all your work?
No. She gave me a lot to do, actually.
- She felt you were more capable? - Of course not.
She wanted me to learn. To gain confidence.
Interesting.
Emergency power. Repolarise the field.
- I can't. - The cloak will fail again.
- It's a minor malfunction. - We're losing our defence system.
We've been detected.
Two Annari vessels are closing in. Correction, six Annari vessels.
Evasive manoeuvres.
- Kim to engineering. - Go ahead.
- We need that cloak on-line. - The generator has failed.
I'm trying to...
Seven?
Seven, come in! You have the bridge.
- We need you here. - I'll go, sir.
All right. I'll give you instructions over the com.
Charge phaser banks. Target their weapons array.
- Which ship? - The closest one. Off our port bow.
Dayla to bridge, life support is failing.
I've gotten everyone out.
Good work. Now go to the cloaking generator.
- What's the field polarity? - 206.4.
- We have to raise it. - I'm bypassing the converter.
- Wait. I didn't tell you to do that. - Won't that increase the polarity?
Yes, but...
Listen, I want you to try...
- Dayla, take the core off-line. - What do you mean?
Bypass the driver coil and shunt power directly to the polaron matrix.
- The cloak is back on-line. - Get us out of here.
Dayla, secure engineering and get back to the bridge.
Dayla?
I'm not reading any lifesigns in engineering.
- Dayla? - She's dead. How is Seven?
She may be in shock. I'm not sure.
Have a look.
Your opinion, Doctor?
- I believe she may be in shock. - Does she need a cortical stimulant?
That might be indicated.
You're no doctor, are you?
You and I need to talk... alone.
- What the hell is going on? - What do you mean?
Nothing about this mission is adding up.
You know more about cloaking systems than biology. So did Dayla.
The second our cloak failed, half a dozen Annari warships came after us.
One little medical transport.
The truth!
My colleagues and I have been working at a secret base,
but not to create vaccines.
We've been developing cloaking devices for our fleet.
- This ship is a prototype. - The Annari don't want us to get it home.
I wouldn't have agreed if I knew you had a military objective.
Our world has been under an Annari blockade for three years.
The planet is protected by a shield grid.
It's almost impossible to get in or out.
Janeway thinks this is a humanitarian mission.
It is. The Annari are choking us to death, slowly.
If we can't get supply ships through, we can't get food to our people.
Or medicine.
For all I know, that's another lie.
Reverse course. We're heading back to Voyager.
- I don't understand. - He knows about the cloak.
- I would have told you... - I gave you an order.
- But the mission? - That's not your concern.
Your job is to follow orders.
This is not a debate. You're under my command.
No, sir. Not any more.
You're relieved. You, take the helm.
I believe you're the one who's been relieved.
- Where are you going in a hurry? - Engineering, to assist B'Elanna...
...Lieutenant Torres.
You've been seeing a lot of my wife. Should I be worried?
The repairs are extensive. A lot of work.
You can't fool me. I heard you planned to scale cliffs.
- It was her idea. - Hey, relax.
The holodeck is good for you.
But if you want fun, forget climbing. Try my race car programme.
- Race car? - You chase me in an old Earth vehicle.
300 kph. It will really get your blood pumping.
Are you challenging me to a competition?
Do you think you could take me? Tomorrow, holodeck 2, 1900 hours.
There is something we need to discuss.
- Sure. Just help with this diagnostic. - I can't do this.
- You've done dozens of them. - I don't mean the diagnostic.
- I'm talking about us. - Us?
- Your interest in me. It's inappropriate. - I don't understand.
You desire a romantic involvement.
- Excuse me? - You've made all the overtures.
Finding reasons to spend time with me, complimenting me,
inviting me to engage in recreation.
Your husband challenged me to a contest.
- What are you talking about? - It's a traditional Klingon practice.
Look. I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong idea.
You seemed a little lonely. I was just trying to be friendly.
- I scanned you. - You scanned me?
In the Jeffries tube. Your readings indicated a state of arousal.
It was hot and I've been under a lot of pressure, but I wasn't aroused!
Look, Icheb, I like you.
But aside from the fact that I am a much older woman, I'm married.
That's why we have to do the honourable thing.
We should stop seeing each other.
You're right.
As much as it hurts, I'll just have to face the truth.
It's for the best.
Seven.
- Feeling better? - Well enough to return to duty.
You won't be returning to duty. Not on this ship anyway.
Loken lied to us. There is no vaccine. The cloak is the real cargo.
I ordered the crew to take us back to Voyager, but they refused.
- They mutinied. - I guess that's what you'd call it.
I've packed supplies. We'll take an escape pod.
I hope the Annari will treat us as neutral parties.
We're not neutral parties.
This is military. We can't get involved.
We got involved when you fired on the Annari.
I thought I was helping people.
Don't they still need your help?
Are you leaving because it wasn't what you expected from the mission,
or from being a captain?
I am capable of commanding a starship.
Are you? Clearly you are uncomfortable with delegating, giving orders.
- Someone died following my orders. - You can't blame yourself.
I am responsible for my crew.
People die on missions, despite the captain's efforts.
I should have stuck to playing Buster Kincaid.
A holodeck programme can be turned off when it no longer suits you.
Reality can't.
If you feel responsible for this crew, you'll help them get home.
They won't survive without you.
Is that some new weapon?
They are impulses that illuminate cloaked ships.
If we hit one, we'll be exposed.
- How will we get through? - We'll find a way.
- I thought you were leaving. - I get claustrophobic in escape pods.
Switch to manual helm. Full power to shields.
Aye, Captain.
Two Annari ships entered orbit.
- They're hailing. - On screen.
We have twelve isotons of ore for you.
I'm under orders to escort you out of Annari space.
- You support our enemy. - You are mistaken.
A shuttlecraft matching your hull composition fired on our ship.
And we detected two human bio-signatures on a Kraylor warship.
- I can explain... - Leave immediately or we will fire.
Our warp drive is being repaired.
Then we'll escort you at impulse. You have five minutes to lift off.
- So much for our new injectors. - What about Harry and Seven?
We'll look for them as soon as we get rid of our escort.
- Evasive manoeuvres. - There are too many of them.
You are doing fine. Just stay ahead of the closest pulse.
Yes, sir.
- We should return fire. - No. They could triangulate our position.
- Our shields are failing. - Losing structural integrity.
Reroute emergency power.
- It's insufficient. - Open a channel to the Annari ship.
Do it.
Aye, sir.
This is Captain Kim of the Nightingale.
I'm prepared to discuss terms for our surrender.
- End transmission. - We trusted you.
- You still should. - They're responding.
I don't have time to explain. On screen.
- Your surrender will be unconditional. - No, it won't.
Allow my crew to the surface or I'll put this ship on self-destruct.
You'll never get the cloaking technology. Your superiors won't be happy.
Your crew will be brought to a detention centre.
My crew are going to the surface.
Once they're clear, you can lock onto this ship with a tractor beam.
Agreed. You have two minutes to evacuate.
- I will not abandon this ship. - I'm glad, because I need you here.
Get your people into the pods quickly.
- The cloak. - I have a plan to save it.
If I fail, the scientists who designed it will be alive to create another.
Seven, scan the Annari's tractor emitters.
- I need their beam polarity. - What will we do?
Once they lock onto us, they will pull us away from the planet.
Then we're going to reverse our shield polarity.
It should give us the momentum to outrun them to the perimeter.
- We'll use their weapons against them. - The escape pods are away.
Disengage the cloak.
They've locked on.
- Sir? - Not yet.
Steady.
Now!
- Status. - Shields are failing.
Annari vessels in pursuit. They're closing.
Full thrusters.
- Shields are down. - Get us through that perimeter.
Yes, sir.
We're inside.
The Annari have broken off their pursuit.
Take us to the surface, Mr Terek.
- We've crossed out of Annari space. - Our escorts have broken off.
Bring the sensors on-line. You take the Flyer.
Start searching at Harry's last position.
Tuvok, contact the Kraylor Homeworld. See if they know where they are.
That won't be necessary. Ensign Kim is hailing us.
- From where? - A cloaked vessel.
It's directly astern.
Acting captain's personal log, stardate 54282.5. Final entry.
The cloaking systems were installed, so the mission was a success.
Still, I wish I felt better about it.
Welcome home.
It's good to be back.
So...
What will it be? I have a light tula cheese soufflé or a zesty lasagne.
You know, Neelix, the truth is I'm not sure.
We talked about this. A captain has to be...
I'm not a captain, Neelix.
Not yet, anyway.