Tuvok to Voyager.
Voyager, do you read?
- You must lie still. - I can't feel my legs.
Several of your vertebrae are fractured.
- Isn't there anything you can do? - Our supplies are inadequate.
We must wait for Voyager to find us.
My whole body is numb.
I want you to slow your breathing and relax.
Try not to move.
All this time, I thought I was so lucky.
No family back home, nobody to miss.
Now it seems sad not to leave anybody behind.
Ensign Macormak would miss you a great deal.
You think so? I was never really sure how she...
Don't be frightened. I won't hurt you.
- Let me go! - Will you run if I do?
No.
- My name is Tuvok. \Who are you? - Tressa. You don't look like us.
I am not a member of your race. I am Vulcan.
I thought this moon was uninhabited. Do you live here?
We came here on a ship, but it crashed, like yours.
- Where are your parents? - Dead. Is he dead, too?
- Yes. - What were you doing?
I put a stasis field around him to protect him until I can take him back.
Why?
Some cultures consider an appropriate burial to be a sign of respect.
Is there anyone else here with you?
It's all right.
- There is no one looking after you? - Everyone else died. We're alone.
There is no reason to be afraid. I will see that you get home safely.
Captains log, supplemental.
I've sent out parties to analyse the mineral deposits around Drayan II,
and I've arranged a meeting with the planet's leader.
Nobody has had contact
with the Drayans for decades.
Are they hostile?
No. Just very private.
Deck 4. My professor said that
the first minutes of contact are crucial.
I'd feel better if we knew what to expect.
Often you must go in blind. It's exciting.
As a science officer,
I envied that privilege of the captain.
I envied it so much I almost went back
to the Academy for remedial training.
We were sent to make contact
with the Tarkannans.
I studied them and asked
to be part of the diplomatic team.
Coming face to face with them,
I made the gesture for hello,
not realising that males and females
use different movements.
I was propositioning the ambassador.
Energise.
I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway.
Welcome aboard the Federation starship Voyager.
First Prelate Alcia.
May this day find you at peace and leave you with hope.
That's a blessing from our ancient scrolls.
That means, "Peace in your heart, fortune in your steps."
It's very gracious of you to agree to meet with us.
We don't often engage in dialogue with alien races,
but your story of crossing the galaxy intrigued me.
I'll tell you all about our journey and my crew.
- Perhaps you'd like to see our ship. - Thank you.
Our warp core can operate for up to three years before refuelling.
It's equipped with a compositor which recrystalises the dilithium.
We can never be sure when we'll find a new supply.
I'm sorry my chief engineer isn't here.
She's surveying the moons around Drayan.
I find it interesting that you chose this to show me first.
Do you consider technology to be your highest achievement?
Not as an end in itself. The purpose of all this
is to help us gain knowledge of the universe and its people.
Our ancestors were brilliant scientists.
They were continually developing better, smarter machines,
until technology became more important than people.
Society would have self-destructed if it weren't for the Reformation.
My great-grandfather helped to return us to ourselves.
Since that time, we've remained isolated
to avoid those who might lead us down the wrong path.
Some human cultures have done the same.
- Will he be all right in there? - Yes.
I have secured his body.
We were fortunate to have escaped with only bruises.
- The Attendants protected us. - Attendants?
The people on our ship. They got us to the escape pod.
- Can we go now? I want to go. - Are we going to fly on your ship?
He said it was a shuttle, not a ship.
We cannot leave yet. My shuttle needs repairs.
- Can't you fix it? - I believe so.
I am more concerned with the electrodynamic turbulence.
What's electro turbulence?
A thermal inversion gradient
is causing unpredictable currents in the atmosphere.
Those currents caused my shuttle to crash, and I assume yours as well.
I must find a way to navigate through the turbulence.
- Will that take a long time? - It may. You must be patient.
I don't want to stay here. I don't like it here.
That doesn't change our situation, nor does it give us a solution.
- You don't have to be so mean. - It isn't my intention to be mean.
I wish to give you a realistic assessment.
Vulcans never shield their children from the truth.
That would only hinder their ability to cope.
- I'm hungry. - There are rations in the shuttle.
- What's "rations"? - Concentrated nutritional supplements.
- I want takka berries. - With cherel sauce.
We have only rations.
I must begin working on my shuttle.
We have four hours of daylight remaining.
- We can't be here at night! - The morrok comes!
- Is that an animal? - It's what takes you when you die.
It lives here. In the cave.
I'm not detecting any life-forms other than us.
It's here. It will come.
Have you ever seen this creature?
You can only see it when it comes for you. Then it's too late.
- Your anxiety is causing you to... - It took the others!
Jarren and Fayla - the other children on the ship.
The morrok took them while we slept. And tonight it will take us.
The Federation consists of over 150 different worlds
who have agreed to share their knowledge and resources.
Visitors. Welcome to sickbay. I'm the chief medical officer.
- This is First Prelate Alcia of Drayan II. - It's an honour to meet you.
We don't receive distinguished guests... unless there's been an accident.
Nothing unfortunate will happen to you.
But if it did you'll be in very capable hands.
We are fully equipped to provide a wide variety of treatments,
from removing a splinter to resequencing a strand of DNA.
And our research facilities are the most advanced in Starfleet.
Very impressive.
And this man isn't even a biological life-form.
He's a computer-generated holographic projection.
My people believe that physical matter is only an illusion.
The body is not the true self, only a representation.
One of our greatest philosophers, Plato,
wrote that what we see around us are only poor shadows of ideal objects.
That is similar to our teachings. Our connection to a higher plane
is more important than this brief existence, however real it seems.
There's an incoming message for the First Prelate.
- Would you like to use my office? - Yes, thank you, Doctor...
I'm afraid it's just Doctor.
- Patch it through to the Doctor's office. - Acknowledged.
You did very well! She was impressed.
Kes has been coaching me on my diplomatic skills.
- It shows. - We'll have to open negotiations,
find out what they might want in exchange for the polyferranide.
I've been called away on an emergency.
- Can we help? - No, thank you.
You continue on your journey. It's been interesting.
We hoped to learn more about you.
It's our custom to avoid close contact with outsiders.
I choose to honour that tradition.
Goodbye, Captain. I hope you find your way home.
- Was it something I said? - We have no intention of interfering.
She made her wishes clear.
If we're not welcome, we'll go. Recall the scouting parties.
We'll find our polyferranide somewhere else.
Where did you last see them?
By the big tree, when we went to sleep last night.
- Were they injured? - Jarren hurt his hand.
- But both were able to walk? - Yes.
Did they get up during the night?
You think they wandered off, but they didn't.
The morrok took them. They're gone.
They aren't within scanning range. That is all we know for certain.
We have to get away from here.
- Please can we go? - I'm scared.
Children, you're allowing your fears to guide you.
You must control your own imagination.
- But the morrok! - Yes, that is one possibility.
However, your emotions are preventing you from judging how unlikely it is.
- I can't help it. I'm scared. - I believe you can help it.
Vulcan children learn to detach themselves from their emotions.
- How? - Focus on the object of your fear.
Picture the morrok in your minds.
That image is accompanied by an emotional response.
What is that feeling like?
- It makes my stomach all tight. - I want to run, but my legs won't work.
If you could see that emotion, what would it look like?
Like a big black cloud, with thunder and lightning all around us.
Imagine a strong wind is pushing that cloud away.
Watch as your fear grows more distant.
It is no longer a part of you.
Once you detach yourself from your emotional responses,
you come closer to controlling them. Eventually, they will be eliminated.
Do you live without feeling anything?
More accurately, we strive to control our feelings.
- You don't get scared? Ever? - No.
- Even when your shuttle crashed? - Correct.
What if there was a big tardeth coming after you...
The circumstances are irrelevant. We approach every situation logically.
I must begin work on my shuttle.
We will resume the search for the other children soon.
I expect you to sit quietly and not touch any of the equipment.
We promise.
Elani, please put that down.
- Let me have it! - No! I found it!
Be careful with that!
You will stay here...
and you will stay here.
Where do I sit?
But I want to sit next to you.
- Why do your ears look like that? - All Vulcans have similar ears.
- Why? - Many millennia of evolution.
- Do they make you hear better? - No.
Where do Vulcans live? Is it far away?
My homeworld is on the other side of the galaxy.
- Elani, I asked you not to play with that. - Sorry.
- What are you doing? - Helping her to meditate.
Close your eyes and imagine all the energy in your body
is flowing to the point where your fingertips meet.
Nothing else you hear or feel is important.
Let the outside world fade away. You exist only inside your mind.
- Do you have any children? - Be quiet.
We're trying to attain a meditative state.
- But I want to know! - I have four children. Now concentrate.
- What are they like? - Well-behaved.
They had mastered heightened awareness at your age.
If Vulcans don't feel anything, does that mean you don't love them?
My attachment to my children cannot be described as an emotion.
They are part of my identity.
- I am incomplete without them. - I bet they miss you, too.
- I have to scratch my nose. - You may.
- Tuvok! - Yes.
- I hear something. - Is it a ship?
I believe so.
- Who is it? - The sensors aren't fully functional.
I'm trying to identify the ship by its shield harmonics.
Is somebody coming to save us?
It is not a shuttle from Voyager.
The pattern of the harmonics matches those in orbit around Drayan.
Your people have come looking for you.
We have to hide. You can't let them find us here.
I don't understand. I thought you wanted to go home.
They won't take us home. They made us come here.
- For what purpose? - They sent us here to die.
- We have to go. - If they find us, we'll all die.
- Please, Tuvok. - Why would they want to harm you?
- Please! They're coming! - Help us!
Two of them are coming this way.
- What are you doing? - Hiding us from their scanners.
Why do you think they'll kill you?
That's what this place is for.
They bring children here for the final ritual.
- Then the morrok takes them away. - No one ever comes back.
It is illogical for a society to kill its children.
The scrolls say we should be happy, that when we die our energy is set free.
Is it true? Is that what really happens?
Vulcans believe that a person's katra, what some might call a soul,
exists after the body dies.
Do you believe that?
When I was younger, I accepted it without question.
In recent years, I have experienced doubts.
I believe there is more within us than science has yet explained.
I know we should have more faith. It's wrong to be afraid of death.
There is nothing wrong in choosing to live.
- Will you help us? - Until I can understand your situation,
it would be best to get you back to Voyager.
Torres and Neelix just got back.
There's still no word from Tuvok and Bennet.
I'm not picking up their shuttle.
Heavy solar flare activity is causing electrodynamic disturbance.
We found a vein of pure polyferranide, three kilometres long.
When was your last contact with the other team?
- Hours ago. Is there a problem? - We can't reach them.
They were going to check out the outermost moons.
Can you find their ion signature?
I'm reading one on heading 151, mark 8.
- That's where Neelix and I went. - And another 20 degrees to starboard.
Set a course.
We can't see anything through the turbulence in the atmosphere.
- The Drayan ship hasn't responded. - Is our signal getting through?
They're receiving it.
- Continue hails. - This desecration dishonours us.
- I don't understand. - This moon is our "crysata".
Your presence is forbidden.
We've come to look for one of our shuttles. It's missing.
We found it. The pilot is dead.
There were two men on board. Did you find both?
No. Only one.
If there's someone else on this moon, transport him back to your ship.
This kind of disturbance is why we avoid contact with outsiders.
I should have known better than to indulge my curiosity.
- The shuttle crash was an accident. - One which I expect you to correct.
What's the status of the transporters?
We can't lock onto anything. It would be easier to send down another shuttle.
No. That would only make things worse.
I'll keep working on it.
How can you be thirsty again after four drinks of water?
- Aren't you going to sleep? - I can go days without rest.
You cannot.
It's warmer by the fire. Go back and try to sleep.
Do not worry. I have run several thorough scans of the area.
There are no other life-forms present within five kilometres.
Maybe the morrok doesn't show up on the scans.
I am also keeping watch on all of you. If there is trouble, I'll come immediately.
We can't sleep.
- Apparently not. - It's so dark.
I think the fire's going out. You should look.
I added more wood less than half an hour ago.
However, it might be wise to check it again.
I always have my hair brushed before bed.
- I like to hear a story. - Tell us about the fire beast of Sullus.
I never understood the practice of describing ferocious beasts at bedtime.
Don't Vulcans tell bedtime stories?
If my children had difficulty sleeping, I'd play music.
- I like music. - I don't have my lute.
- What's that? - It is a five-stringed instrument,
tuned on a diatonic scale.
It can be very soothing.
My youngest son was particularly fond of it.
He always used to ask me to play "Falor's Journey".
It is a tale of enlightenment, consisting of 348 verses.
It may not be necessary to include the complete narrative.
Falor was a prosperous merchant,
who went on a journey to gain greater awareness.
Through storms he crossed the Voroth Sea to reach the shores of Raal,
where old T'Para offered truth.
TUVOK!
They're gone.
- You might want to see this. - Have you found the shuttle?
We found two, both crashed on the surface.
The sensor resolution is low. This looks like our shuttle.
- I guess the other one is Drayan. - We've had indications of lifesigns.
A while ago there were four of them. Now there are only two.
I've been working on the transporters. It isn't possible to get a pattern lock.
We must consider other options.
I want a full analysis of the atmosphere and a way to get a shuttle down there.
Then let's hope we won't need to try it.
There were no other life-forms or unusual energy readings all night.
It was the morrok. Why don't you believe me?
Very well. I'll investigate.
Wait here while I look inside the cave.
But if you go in there, you won't come out.
I will take every possible precaution.
I believe you can be responsible with this.
Aim like this and press here to fire. I'll seal the shuttle's door while I'm gone.
No, Tuvok! Don't leave me all by myself! Please!
If there is anything in the cave, we will learn what has been happening.
It is important to gather as much information as possible.
I'm scared.
We fear what we do not understand. Our best defence is knowledge.
You must trust me, Tressa. I'll return shortly.
- Promise? - I will not abandon you.
What did you see in there?
I realise it may frighten you, but you must hear the truth.
I did not find the other children, nor do I know what happened to them.
I'm going to be next, aren't I? There's nothing we can do about it.
The disappearances have occurred at night.
We will leave before the sun sets.
I'll really be quiet this time. I won't touch anything.
That would make it difficult for you to assist me with repairs.
The Drayans have sent another shuttle down.
There must be 20 people on the surface.
I can't tell if the original two life-forms are still there.
How many search parties could it take to find two people?
There's a break in the turbulence. I'm picking up a com-signal.
- Tuvok to Voyager. Do you read? - We read you. Are you OK?
- Yes. But Ensign Bennet is dead. - We know.
We're having trouble with the Drayans.
They insist on sending their own search parties.
- Yes. I have been avoiding them. - Why?
I have a young girl with me who claims they've come to kill her.
I was reluctant to believe it, but several other children have disappeared.
- Captain, the signal's breaking up. - What happened to the other children?
They have disappeared. Something on this moon is responsible.
We must leave here. I'm attempting to repair...
Scan his shuttle. Will he be able to get out?
There's no structural damage. Some power fluctuations.
- He should be able to take off. - What if they can't?
Hail the Drayan ship.
- Captain. - First Prelate.
You have a damaged ship on the surface and there may be survivors.
- I'd like to offer to help find them. - You've been intrusive enough.
The people on the surface may be in trouble.
You must be concerned for their safety.
There's no reason to fear for anyone's safety on the crysata.
It's a blessed haven, unspoilt,
which is why I can't allow you to go there under any circumstances.
Then I'll be taking a shuttle to the surface without your permission.
- That's completely unacceptable. - It's necessary.
If you launch a shuttle I will send one after you.
It's not my intention to provoke a conflict.
Then leave.
I will, as soon as my crew is back on this ship.
Janeway out.
Lieutenant, you're with me. Mr Kim, I need your report.
The Drayan shuttles are using some kind of dielectric field
to protect them from the turbulence.
We could generate that with our shuttle's warp coils.
It might be rough, but we can make it.
- Captain... - I know the risks.
But if there's any hope left for a diplomatic solution, I must be there.
Let's get through the preflight quickly. Thrusters, impulse engines, warp drive.
- All propulsion systems are nominal. - Shields, phasers, inertial dampers.
We've got the basics. Computer, initiate co-launch sequence.
Or we could just skip preflight altogether.
Not recommended but sometimes necessary.
I'm taking the warp drive off-line and setting up the dielectric field.
It's holding but we'll have to keep an eye on the stabiliser integrity.
Janeway to bridge. Depressurise the shuttle bay and open the doors.
I'm picking up a Drayan shuttle on an intercept course.
Can we outrun them?
The dielectic field is weakening our structural integrity.
If we go much faster we'll break up. We're improvising. They're not.
We're on their turf. They have every advantage. They may not fire on us.
I'll test that theory in a few seconds. They're entering weapons range.
Raise shields and stand ready to power the weapons.
Thrusters and impulse engines are functional. We're ready to go.
What about the electro... the currents that made the ships crash.
A dielectric field should allow us to pass through them.
But be prepared for turbulence.
Initiating prelaunch sequence. Number-3 thruster is failing.
The Drayan shuttle's closing fast. They'll overtake us before we land.
Maybe they're still willing to talk.
Let's hope the ones on the surface feel that way.
We'll be through this ionosphere soon.
Sensors are clearing up. I'm reading Tuvok's shuttle.
He's trying to lift off but there's trouble with the thrusters.
And there's a Drayan search party approaching his location.
I see them. They're all around us! We've got to go! Now!
Please move away from the console.
- You did it! You saved me! - That may be a premature conclusion.
We have minimal shields and no functional weapons.
When we clear the atmosphere we can be transported aboard Voyager.
Then what?
You may request asylum with the Federation. Then we can protect you.
I want to stay with you.
- The Drayan shuttle is hailing us. - You have one of our children.
- I want to speak to her. - She believes you intend to kill her.
- Is that true? - The child is confused.
- I only want to help her. - You want me to die.
I understand how confusing this must be.
Return and I will answer your questions.
No. I'm not going back there. I'm staying with Tuvok.
- We can resolve this aboard Voyager. - Unacceptable.
If you attempt to take her back to your ship I will stop you.
Do what you will.
Very well. Fire!
We weren't hit. I believe that was a warning.
Phasers locked on the Drayan shuttle.
Don't fire. We might be able to transport Tuvok from here.
- There's too much interference. - We can get a com-signal through.
Tuvok, we're on our way to the surface. We'll intercept you soon.
It may be too late. I'm losing power rapidly.
- Another hit will force me to land. - Go down. We'll follow you.
It's getting dark. What's going to happen to me?
All I can tell you is I will be here with you.
Don't make this difficult. She's been frightened enough.
She fears being kept here against her wishes.
This is a critical time. I can't allow you to interfere.
I regret it's come to this.
- You have your crew member. Now go. - I will not leave without Tressa.
She has asked for my protection.
You don't understand the harm you're doing.
This child wants to live. We're going to help her.
It is not a choice. This is her time. Tressa has reached the end of her life.
- She has barely begun it. - She is 96 years old.
Tressa, these people are outsiders. They don't understand how we live.
They see us as strange because their ageing process is reversed.
Please. You don't belong with them. I'm here to help you.
No. Leave me alone.
It's natural to be frightened. You're stepping into the unknown.
You weren't meant to face this time alone.
We weren't alone. Tuvok was here.
He stayed with us and made us feel safe.
He told us there was no morrok and that we shouldn't be afraid.
He took care of us.
Even when we didn't behave as well as Vulcan children.
He was right about the morrok. It only exists in stories.
At this age, they are easily confused. Their memories are clouded.
Near the end of life, we reach a stage of complete innocence.
We free ourselves from all responsibilities to this life and leave it.
Tressa doesn't seem to be ready. Perhaps she needs more time.
That's not for you or me to decide.
This biological process begins the day we are created.
The energy contained within our bodies
remains cohesive for a limited time and then it is released.
- Nothing can change that. - Nothing?
- No. It's the natural course of life. - Why did Tressa have to stay here?
We believe this is where the first spark of life was created.
We're all compelled to return here at the end,
to complete the cycle and rejoin the infinite energy.
- Tressa, do you feel it calling to you? - Tuvok?
She can offer you better guidance than I.
- You said you'd protect me. - I cannot protect you from life's end.
Nor would I try.
Vulcans consider death to be the completion of a journey.
There is nothing to fear.
I won't be afraid. Not if you are with me.
May this night see you safely home.
Attending a child on the crysata is an honourable role.
You have fulfilled it well.
The final moment of life is the most sacred, most private time.
I hope you accept my sincere apologies for disturbing your traditions.
Perhaps we've each misjudged the other.
I would hate to let that ruin any possibility of friendship.
We must leave them.
Can your shuttle make it back to Voyager? We should wait for you.
No. I'll be fine.
We'll wait here as long as you like.
I know it's time. My only regret is leaving my family.
My grandson. You remind me of him sometimes.
You will still be with them in their thoughts.
As you will be in mine.