Thank you.
You look like you could use more coffee.
Keep it coming. I'm working on my monthly ops report.
So much has happened. I'm gonna be up all night.
This blend should keep your eyes open.
Potent stuff! Thanks!
I know you're busy but I could use your help.
We're approaching a class-1 nebula.
There are traces of protomatter. You've dealt with it?
Yes, when I was working as a trader.
Protomatter is highly sought after. It's a great energy source.
We need you to collect a sample. See you in the shuttlebay at 14007
I'll be there.
These supplements are unacceptable.
- What's wrong? - They are pungent.
That's the whole idea. I've been adding Talaxian spices to broaden your palate.
- My palate is sufficiently broad. - Why settle for sufficient?
You have a full complement of taste buds. You hardly use them.
Come by Thursday night. It's the first day of Prixin.
We'll have an array of exotic cuisine.
- Prixin? - The Talaxian celebration of family.
We observe it every year. Now that you're part of the family...
- What should I do to prepare? - Nothing. It's not a mission.
It's a party.
- Ensign Wildman to Neelix. - Neelix here.
Naomi's having trouble getting to sleep again. Would you mind?
No bother at all. I'm on my way.
- If you'll excuse me, duty calls. - Naomi?
I don't recall that designation in the crew.
She's not a member of the crew. Naomi was born on Voyager.
I'm the only one that can get her to sleep lately.
Bon appétit.
- No monsters here. - Good.
Check the replicator.
Nothing.
Maybe Neelix should check your room so you can go to bed.
In there.
Nobody here.
There.
There's not a monster in sight.
Can you stay? I'm afraid to go to sleep.
- Neelix has to go to work. - It's all right.
You know what I think about when I'm afraid to go to sleep?
- The Great Forest. - What's that?
It's a place my people believe we'll all go to.
It's a beautiful forest filled with sunlight.
All the people who ever loved me are there to watch over me.
- To protect me. - Really?
When I think about that forest and those people, I'm not afraid to sleep.
Do you think those people watch over me, too?
I know they do.
Now, I'm gonna be away for the next couple of days.
So if you're afraid to sleep, I want you to think of that Great Forest.
- All right. - Pleasant dreams.
- Night, Neelix. - Thank you.
Cylinder.
- Sorry. I didn't realise you were home. - I was regenerating.
- I see. - Do you require assistance?
No. I have a small containment cylinder stored here.
I'll just be a minute.
Cylinder. Little cylinder, where are you?
Cylinder, you were here a month ago.
I know you didn't just roll out of the airlock all by yourself. Where are you?
Oh! I'm sorry. Talking to myself is my way of remembering things.
- You are a peculiar creature. - Thanks. I think.
Here it is! This will be perfect for containing protomatter.
Last time I used this, I nearly lost her to the Kazon.
- The Kazon. Species 329. - You're familiar with them?
We encountered the Kazon in the Gand sector.
- Grid 6920. - Were they assimilated?
Their distinctiveness was unremarkable. They were unworthy of assimilation.
The Borg are that discriminating?
Why assimilate a species that would detract from perfection?
Good point.
If you'll excuse me, I'm needed in the shuttlebay.
Pleasant. “Regenerating.
- One day a week. How hard can it be? - Harder than you think.
Neelix, it's pizza. Bread, tomatoes, cheese.
Cheese alone would take days of separating curds and whey from milk.
- Replicate the cheese. - I'll see what I can do.
Thanks.
There's a concentration of protomatter directly ahead.
Set the transporter for 10,000 AMUs, not a particle more.
- The containment field is standing by. - We're in range.
Energising.
- What happened? - The protomatter ignited.
- Shields are weakening. - Disengage transport.
- Shields are down. - I've got the sample. It's stable.
We're clear of the protomatter. How's Neelix?
He's dead.
No heartbeat. No synaptic response.
- Extensive cell damage to his brain. - Try a cortical stimulator.
His neural pathways were disrupted.
Set it for an autonomic bypass.
Too late. The damage was too severe.
We're running into more protomatter.
I need your help.
Captain's log, stardate 51449.2.
After receiving a distress call,
we're tracking down the away team.
I'm detecting the shuttle.
No response to hails.
Its systems are off-line.
Lifesigns, only two.
Beam them directly to sickbay.
Put a tractor on the shuttlecraft.
I ran a complete postmortem.
There was nothing you could have done.
We were too close to the protomatter.
Nobody could have predicted this.
How shall I proceed?
The Talaxians mourn their dead for a week in a specific burial ceremony.
- That's just what we're going to do. - I'll inform the crew.
I'll see what I can find out about the ceremony.
We'll have it in the mess hall. That feels appropriate.
- Neelix is dead? - I'm afraid so.
- Are his neural pathways intact? - There's no metabolic activity.
- How long has he been dead? - It's been 18 hours.
- Then it's not too late to reactive him. - What?
- You can bring Neelix back to life? - Yes.
The Borg have assimilated species with great medical knowledge.
We can reactivate drones up to 73 hours after what you call death.
- Neelix wasn't a Borg drone. - We will adapt.
- What is the procedure? - Nanoprobes are used.
They reverse cellular necrosis. The cerebral cortex is stimulated.
But his brain functions are gone.
By your narrow definition, but not by mine.
Extract 70 micrograms of nanoprobes from me.
I will modify them to match his physiology.
His function in this crew is diverse.
We must proceed immediately.
- I say we let her try. - Hold on.
No one's ever been resuscitated after being dead for 18 hours.
What are the chances that Neelix would come out of this procedure unaffected?
The damage to his cerebral cortex was severe.
The nanoprobes will compensate for any cellular degradation.
A decision has to be made. Quickly.
Doctor, assist Seven. Proceed.
- Captain... - If we can revive him, we must.
Keep me informed.
The nanoprobes are ready. We should begin.
- I want to check his blood viscosity. - The cadaver is prepared.
And they say I have a lousy bedside manner.
Set neuroelectric isopulses for one-second intervals.
- Ready. - Now.
Neural activity at 9%.
- 10%... 12%. - This is incredible!
His responses are all returning to normal!
The alveoli in his lung are regenerating. They should be functional... now.
Neural activity at 52% and rising.
The levels are rising too fast.
- Stabilise his motor neurons. - I'll reduce his acetylcholine levels.
Doctor.
Neelix!
What happened? Why am I...
Why am I here?
- Dead? - For 18 hours, 49 minutes, 13 seconds.
Congratulations. You've just set a new world record.
That's impossible. You mean I lost consciousness. I was in a coma.
No. You were dead.
I'm stunned! I'm amazed!
- Thank you, Doctor. - You can thank Seven of Nine.
- The procedure was her idea. - Yours?
The Borg assimilated the technique. I simply modified it.
But you are welcome.
- Am I good as new? - That remains to be seen.
We don't know if your body will take over the nanoprobes' functions.
- Nanoprobes? - To repair the necrotised tissue.
Until I know the tissue can function, you'll have to be injected with nanoprobes.
As long as I don't start assimilating the crew or sprouting Borg implants,
I'm sure I can live with it.
I'm releasing you to your quarters. Try to get some rest.
Report to sickbay tomorrow at 0800 for your next injection.
The mission. Did we get the protomatter?
I'm afraid not. The sample destabilised before it got back to Voyager.
The containment field must be reinforced.
I've asked Chakotay to find out exactly what caused the accident.
Without extra precautions, I won't send another team.
- I could help. - No. You are taking time off.
Captain, I don't need any special treatment.
You've just returned from the dead. Go easy on yourself.
I suppose you're right.
Oh, but you can't ask me to cancel the first night of Prixin.
- It's in three days. - I forgot.
I've been aging fruit compote in moolt nectar for weeks. I can't waste it.
Only if you feel up to it.
Could you not ferment those compotes so long? Last year I got light-headed.
- I'll make adjustments. - It's good to have you back.
It's good to be back.
Alixia?
Why weren't you there?
Human attitudes toward death are perplexing.
Too much importance is placed on it.
There seem to be countless rituals to alleviate their fear of a simple truth.
- All organisms eventually perish. - The Borg have no fear of that truth?
None. When a drone is damaged beyond repair, it is discarded.
But its memories remain in the collective consciousness.
To use a human term, the Borg are immortal.
You are no longer part of the collective. You are mortal now, like us.
Does that disturb you?
My connection to the Borg has been severed.
But the collective still possesses my recollections. My experiences.
- In a sense, I will always exist. - Fascinating.
- That must be a great relief. - Yes.
It is.
I've sealed the fractures. The repairs should be done by morning.
- Good. And you? - I found a phase variance in the logs.
I think that ignited the protomatter.
I've remodulated the transporter beam.
Good work. I'll be in holodeck 2.
I've created a simulation of the accident to see if we've overlooked anything.
Commander, I thought you might need some assistance.
- If you're up to it. - I've been resting for two days.
Resting makes me feel restless.
It starts when we found the protomatter.
- Monitor the containment field readings. - Gladly.
Computer, display shuttle crew, excluding myself, and begin program.
There's a concentration of protomatter directly ahead.
Set the transporter for 10,000 AMUs, not a particle more.
- The containment field is standing by. - We're in range.
- The protomatter ignited. - Computer, freeze program.
There was a problem with the pattern buffer.
It created a feedback loop along the beam.
- Sounds right. - Let's see what happened at impact.
Computer, resume program.
Shields are weakening... Shields are down!
I've got the sample and it's stable. Let's...
Computer, freeze program.
- Nothing. - What?
I died and there was nothing.
There was no one there.
- No forest. - Forest?
The Great Forest. The afterlife.
I was taught that when I died my ancestors would be there,
waiting for me by the Guiding Tree.
My sisters, my mother and father, my cousins.
Everyone who was killed in the war.
I took great comfort in knowing that we'd all be together again one day.
But it's not true.
Maybe we pulled you back before it happened.
I was dead for 18 hours. I should have experienced something.
It's just a story. A myth.
There is no Guiding Tree.
Don't throw away a lifetime of faith because of one incident.
Death is still the greatest mystery there is.
I was there. I experienced it.
There was nothing.
Computer, delete characters.
That's what's going to happen to all of us. We just disappear into nothing.
Attention. Attention.
If I may have everyone's attention.
Try the old glass-and-spoon approach.
Glass and spoon?
Excuse me.
Thank you.
Welcome to the first night of Prixin,
the Talaxian observance of familial allegiance.
Mr Neelix asked me to commence the celebration
with the traditional salutation.
We do not stand alone. We are in the arms of family.
Father, mother, sister, brother.
Father's father, father's mother.
Father's brother, mother's brother.
Fa...
Suffice it to say the list is extensive.
We gather on this day to extol the warmth and joy of those bonds.
Without them, we would not be complete.
On this day, we are thankful to be together.
- We do not stand alone. - Indeed we do not.
We almost lost a member of our family.
I don't know about you, but it scared the hell out of me.
Neelix, you still don't know how to make a pizza,
but I'm glad you're here.
So am I. Here's to you, Neelix.
Speech!
Thank you, everyone.
Well...
Enjoy.
Computer, music.
- You all right? - Fine.
I apologise for the other day.
This whole back from the dead thing is hard to get used to. I'm fine now.
If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me.
- Having fun? - No.
That's because you've been standing by yourself.
I don't understand the rules and procedures of social occasions.
The rules are simple. Choose a group of people.
Listen to their conversation. When you have something to contribute, chime in.
- Chime in? - Say something.
Join the discussion.
I will try, Captain.
The early stages of Ktarian development are astounding.
Naomi has grown five centimetres in three weeks.
I'm always recycling her clothes back into the replicator.
Children assimilated by the Borg are placed in maturation chambers.
Interesting.
Excuse me. I need to go talk to Neelix.
In maturation chambers,
is the development of conversational skills a low priority?
Neelix.
- I'm sorry. - No, it's all right.
We haven't seen you in a few days.
- I'm a bit preoccupied. - I understand.
- Naomi's been asking about you. - Really?
She misses you. So do I. She's had trouble sleeping.
"Only Neelix can tuck me in."
- It sounds familiar. - Maybe you could stop by later.
Why don't I go now? It's close to Naomi's bedtime.
- But Prixin's your favourite holiday. - Yes. But duty calls.
Attention, all monsters. Get out of this room!
- My bed! - There's no monsters here.
- Argh! It's a monster! - Scared you!
You certainly did.
Pleasant dreams, sweeting.
Can you stay longer? I want to hear about the Great Forest again.
- The Great Forest? - The special place.
The place you think about when you can't sleep.
That's just a silly old story.
Please.
Well...
It's a beautiful place filled with sunlight.
And all the people who ever loved me.
Yes. They've all gathered there...
to watch over you, to protect you while you sleep.
I had a dream about the Great Forest last night.
You did?
There were trees and grass and animals.
And I saw you and Mummy and we were all happy.
- Sounds like a nice dream. - It was beautiful.
- The Doctor asked me to run a scan. - Why?
To regulate the dosage of nanoprobes for your next injection.
Go ahead.
How much longer will I need this?
Until your damaged cells can function on their own.
I don't like the idea of Borg technology swimming around inside me.
You need the nanoprobes to live.
Live? Is that what I am doing right now? Living?
- I'm beginning to wonder. - You are alive.
- Part of me isn't alive. - Which part?
I don't know, but something is missing. I don't feel like Neelix.
Maybe Neelix is gone. Maybe he died and I'm all that's left.
- Allow me to complete the scan. - I didn't ask to be brought back!
- You were dead at the time. - You violated me!
You didn't fix me!
- There was no alternative. - Get out! Leave me alone!
- I said get out! - I would be negligent if I did that.
I don't care! I don't care...
What's... What's happening to me?
Your cells are reverting to a necrotic state. We must get you to sickbay.
His tissue rejected the nanoprobes, causing spontaneous necrosis.
We modified the nanoprobes and it appears to be working. Neelix is stable.
How do we know it won't happen again?
I've designed a monitor that will alert us to necrosis.
We'll continue with the injections.
Beyond that, I'm afraid it's a matter of maintenance.
He may have to live with this forever.
He wants to speak with you.
Commander, you said if I ever needed anything...
Your people have technology that can induce a meditation.
- An altered state of consciousness. - The akoonah.
This device allows you to look inside yourself,
to ask questions that you might be afraid to ask.
- That's right. - I need that.
I need to look inside myself and figure out what's happening. I need answers.
Will you help me, Commander?
All right. But I want you to understand the vision quest isn't a quick fix.
It'll take time to interpret the images. You may not find what you're looking for.
I understand. What should I do to prepare?
You'll need a medicine bundle. Items that define you.
Things that will allow you to take the journey into yourself.
I'll get ready.
This belonged to my sister, Alixia.
She made it during her expedition to the Dunes of Talmouth.
A flower from Kes' garden.
And last but not least, the Guiding Tree.
It's at the centre of Talaxian afterlife, deep inside the Great Forest.
It's there to help us find our way when we first arrive.
At least that's what I used to believe.
Not a very impressive medicine bundle.
It'll do fine.
Place your hand on the akoonah.
- Am I doing this right? - Try to relax.
Clear your mind of everything but the objects before you. Focus on them.
A-koo-chee-moya.
We are far from our sacred places. We are far from the bones of our people.
We come here seeking guidance.
It's time, Neelix. Try to leave this room. This ship.
Go to a place where you were the most peaceful and content you've ever been.
That's where your journey will begin.
- Neelix, good to have you back. - It's good to be back.
Alixia?
Alixia! It's me, Neelix! Over here!
Captain! My sister. She was just standing here talking to you.
The dead girl? Oh, yes. Very charming. I can see the family resemblance.
Alixia!
- You will be assimilated. - Maybe later.
Potent stuff.
It's... It's beautiful!
Yes. It's just like you always imagined it would be.
The trees, the sunlight and all the people who ever loved you.
When I died, I looked for you, but you weren't there.
- Why weren't you there? - Because it's all a lie.
- What do you mean? - You've wasted your life believing lies.
The Great Forest?
The afterlife? It's all created out of your fear of death.
- None of it's real. - If that's true, what's the point of living?
There isn't any. That's what you're finally starting to realise.
I'm afraid. Tell me about the Great Forest.
Tell me about the trees and the grass and all the people who loved you.
- Why are you saying these things? - Scared you!
You died on that shuttlecraft, Neelix.
They never should have brought you back. It was a mistake and you know it.
Now accept it. You know what you have to do.
No!
It's all a lie. They lied to you.
You know what you have to do.
We gather to tell Neelix what he must do.
- You stand alone. - Life is irrelevant.
- Let go. - It's pointless.
It's a lie.
You know what you have to do.
No!
- Neelix. - There you are. I didn't see you.
- Are you looking for me? - Yes, I am.
- I hope I'm not disturbing you. - You are not.
I...
I want to apologise for my outburst the other day.
- No apology is necessary. - No, my behaviour was uncalled for.
I didn't mean the things I said. I wasn't myself.
But I feel much better now.
Chakotay has helped me to understand things.
I don't blame you for bringing me back.
To life, I mean. What you did was very thoughtful.
I would have done the same for anyone.
Yes. I'm sure you would have.
Is there something else?
No.
Yes. Seven, I think you've made a wonderful addition to this crew.
I know it's been difficult making the transition from Borg back to human.
Or half human. Or whatever it is you've become.
- You're just Seven to me. - Your point?
I guess I just want to say...
People care about you.
Voyager is going to be a very good home to you.
- It was to me. - Was? Do you intend to leave?
Leave? No. I'll be around.
Well...
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
- What happened to you this morning? - I had to cancel our little chat.
I was needed in the mess hall.
I've been so busy, I let things slip around here.
You're not holding up your end of the bargain.
I agreed to guide you on a vision quest.
But I also told you it was part of an ongoing process which we'd discuss.
What's left to say? I told you. I saw my sister, the Great Forest...
I feel a sense of peace I've never felt in my entire life.
- It worked. - It's only been a couple of days.
That's not enough time.
You've got to reflect on the images. Allow them to stay alive in your mind.
A vision quest isn't a dream you dismiss after your first coffee.
- I understand. - Good.
I get off duty at 1400. Meet me in my quarters and we'll begin.
- That's an order. - Yes, sir.
Computer, lights off.
And finally, Mr Tuvok, I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to win your respect.
Your strength and your wisdom were an inspiration.
I can only hope that your memory of me will serve to inspire you in some way.
It was an honour to spend my last years on Voyager with this crew.
I want to thank all of you for your kindness and companionship.
Goodbye.
Computer, end log. Encode for delivery to Captain Janeway in one hour.
Someone's trying to initiate an unauthorised transport.
- It's Neelix. - Where is he going?
He's trying to beam into the nebula.
Stop him.
Janeway to Neelix. Neelix, respond.
Neelix, I order you to disengage transport.
He's blocked the abort sequence.
Override it. Get him back.
Chakotay, we've blocked his transporter signal.
- You can't stop me. - What are you trying to do?
- Go back where I belong. - You belong here.
Not any more. You should have left me in the nebula.
- Neelix! - I've created a site-to-site transport.
- No one can override it. - You said you were at peace.
I will be. As soon as I tap this control.
What did you really see in your vision quest?
My sister, the crew, myself.
They all told me the same thing. There's no point in living. I agree.
Those were powerful images, but there are many ways to interpret them.
You may be facing your fear of death. Or the manifestation of your crisis.
Your beliefs have been thrown into doubt. The vision quest reflects that.
Eleven years ago I saw my world in ruins,
my family murdered.
All that's kept me going is knowing that one day we'd be together again.
That I'd see them again.
But it's not true, and I can't live without that hope.
This can change the way you see things.
But it can also lead to an even stronger faith.
- You don't know. You're not there yet. - Wildman to Neelix.
- Answer her! - Neelix, please respond.
No.
You're being called back to your life. Don't turn your back on it.
We're your family now.
- It's not enough. - It is for us.
"His function on this crew is diverse." Seven said that.
Even our Borg understands how important you are here.
It's not just the duties you perform, it's the way you make people feel.
- That Neelix is gone. - I don't think he is.
Why didn't you answer me?
Naomi thought she saw a monster in the replicator.
Neelix, what's going on?
I'm trying to decide some things.
That little girl needs you, Neelix.
Monsters in the replicator? Who else can handle that?
Duty calls.
- Good night, sir. - He says good night.
- Good night, Naomi. - Good night.
- What's the matter? - Mummy says you were sick.
- I was but I'm OK now. - Did a monster get you?
Yes, I suppose so.
But I chased him away.
Pleasant dreams.
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