Captain's log, stardate 50693.2.
We've been in orbit above an outpost of the Mikhal Travellers,
a race of explorers with extensive knowledge of the territory
which they are willing to share.
I landed my ship on the nearest of those 21 moons.
My navigator and I disembarked to start repairs.
Damage was extensive. More than we'd anticipated.
The hours passed, the air grew cold.
And with our weapons we started a fire to keep warm.
Later, in the night, we awoke with a shudder.
The ground was shaking. A moon quake! What could have been worse?
We leapt into the ship hoping the tremor would pass,
but it was no tremor... and it did not pass.
For it was no moon we had landed on.
- What was it? - A creature.
A living being so massive it generated its own gravitational field,
so immense it supported its own ecosystem.
Captain...
How long had it been lying there dormant,
until wakened by our fire?
Years, centuries?
- Perhaps even millennia? - Perhaps.
Zahir is the pilot I've been working with on the medical supply transfer.
- A pleasure. - Returned.
I visited the system you spoke of, a few months ago.
My ship's sensors picked up no such... monster.
Perhaps your sensors were faulty,
or too busy gazing at your own reflection to bother looking out the window.
Our guests are offering us supplies we need.
In exchange we're giving them a look at what lies ahead.
We should keep that view as clear as possible.
This is my lodge. I say what I want. And you can go elsewhere.
I've journeyed to the corners of known space and beyond.
I've earned the right to come and go as I please,
where and when and how I please.
Do you challenge that right?
No.
Forgive my display, Captain,
But my people consider outposts such as this to be necessary evils,
places to refuel, repair, and leave as quickly as possible.
If I've observed anything of Kes' it's her great tolerance.
A quality you all seem to share. I regret not demonstrating the same.
There's no need to apologise. Our time here has been very well spent,
although I could use help sifting through that colourful saga.
Creature or not, the asteroids of that particular system are rich in vorilium.
That might be worth a short detour. Engineering is usually short on vorilium.
Thank you, Zahir.
Men and women should refrain from enjoying each other.
By that I mean to say, even their mutual glances
must be free of all suggestion of carnality.
Free of passion? One might as well be free of humanity.
- Do you not agree? - I think you've both made valid points.
One can pursue one's creative urges, spiritual urges and physical urges.
All have a place in a well-lived life.
Thank you, Lord Byron. A classic early 19th Century argument.
- It seems quite fascinating to see... - Classic, no.
He is woefully misguided. Passion is meant for procreation.
Anything further is contrary to divine intention.
Really? It is said the angels themselves take pleasure in their bodies of light.
And you should take a cold bath.
In such cases, it is the finest preventative.
I'll keep that in mind.
- Hello, Doctor. - Hello, Kes.
- What's happening in here? - My personality improvement project.
I've been interviewing historical personality programs.
Socrates, da Vinci, Lord Byron, T'Pau, a Vulcan Madame Curie.
Then I merge the admirable character elements into my own program.
What are you hoping to gain?
An improved bedside manner, a fresh perspective,
more patience with my patients.
I could have used your assistance
had you not been otherwise occupied on the planet these few days.
I'm sorry, but things are going extremely well.
The Mikhal Travellers are intriguing.
They've been to so many places, done such amazing things.
One might make the same observation about you or any member of Voyager.
Maybe it's how they do it that's so impressive. Their ships are small.
Sometimes they just pick a direction and go.
You should come down and meet Zahir.
And who might that be?
I'm working with him on our medical supplies. He's unique.
Is he?
You've become far too infatuated with these travellers.
They seem afflicted with terminal wanderlust.
Thrill seekers with no responsibility to the ideals of exploration.
- In short, bad news. - Not Zahir. He's more than that.
I'm detecting a reaction to your recent break-up with Mr Neelix.
The Mahatma would recommend a cold bath. Simplistic...
but no doubt effective.
In my report to the away team,
I recall mentioning to you
that Klingons lacked an enzyme
for metabolising this planet's vegetation.
Have you been... naughty?
I had one small salad.
So impetuous.
Any sharp pains?
Heartburn?
I guess.
There's nothing like a heart that burns.
What?
Your pulse is lovely.
Uh-huh... mmm.
Does that feel... good?
Doctor, unless you want me to knock you into the next millennium, back off.
Forgive me, I appear to have miscalculated.
Computer, isolate the recent additions
to my program and hold them for review.
Have you been messing around
with your program?
I would hardly call improving
my performance "messing around".
What exactly have you done?
I've taken character traits from
the most accomplished figures in history.
Scientists, poets,
philosophers, saints...
And incorporated them into your program?
Precisely.
There. That should compensate for the lack of enzyme. You should be fine.
- More than I can say for you. - How so?
You can't just casually add subroutines into your program.
I've put a great deal of research into this project.
Research is one thing. Putting it into practice is another.
Behavioural subroutines can interact unpredictably.
You've got to be careful or someone might hurt you.
I see what you mean.
I will take a look at your program when I finish in engineering.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Computer, deactivate emergency medical holographic program.
- This path was cut 10,000 years ago. - By whom?
No one knows. Space farers like ourselves. They left very little behind.
A few symbols burnt into the rocks, nothing more.
What do you hope to leave behind?
I've never asked myself that question.
That's what I like about you, Kes. You make me consider alternatives.
- So do you. - We have a saying.
"My course is as elusive as a shadow across the sky."
My people live for the excitement of facing the challenge of space alone.
- I can see the attraction. - And I can see the value of fellowship.
I've observed the closeness that exists among your crew-mates.
I find it enviable.
Some kind of compromise might be possible.
Compromise? Doesn't that suggest a loss on both sides?
All right then. How about an understanding?
- A meeting of the minds. - Only minds?
- Is this what you brought me to see? - Yes, it is.
How beautiful.
Was this left by the same people who made the path?
- So it seems. - Can you read it?
"My course is as elusive as a shadow across the sky."
Thank you... for this.
Hi.
- Computer, what is the time? - 0300 hours.
- Good evening, Tuvok. - It is three o'clock in the morning, Kes.
Yes, it is.
You have an away team report due at 0800 hours.
- I haven't forgotten. - Very well.
Well, how are you, Kes?
I didn't think anyone would still be working.
Just finishing up the summary analyses from last week's mission.
- I was supposed to do that. - Yes, you were.
I'm sorry. I'll do them as soon as I can.
Although I'm not designed to act as ship's counsellor,
I have enough psychological knowledge to be... troubled by your behaviour.
I'm a little late.
Gallivanting around after hours is beside the point. The fact is...
you're increasingly unpredictable, given to swings of mood and emotion.
As your doctor and your mentor,
I'd be remiss not calling that to your attention. For your own sake.
Doctor, I know that you care about me and you have my best interests at heart,
but everyone treats me like a child. I'm three years old now.
If I'm attracted to someone, it's my business not the whole ship's.
I'm certainly not trying to interfere. You can lead your life as you please.
I know that you care what happens to me. I won't forget that.
Very well. I believe you have a report to finish.
I'm going to do it right now.
Come in.
Hello, Captain.
Good morning. An all-nighter, Kes?
Uh, Captain?
The art of putting off an important task till the last minute then rushing through it.
In my Academy days, I was the acknowledged master.
- Uh... Captain, do you have a minute? - Of course. Let's sit down.
You know I've been spending time with Zahir.
He seems like a very interesting young man.
He is. I want to spend more time with him. A lot more time.
I see.
He wants to explore the Sylleran Rift. His ship travels at high warp.
We could rendezvous with Voyager afterwards.
It would give you a chance to get to know him.
It's more than that. Captain, I've lived almost a third of my life now.
I've been asking myself if I want to spend the rest of it on Voyager.
That's... certainly a legitimate question.
I don't want you to think I'm ungrateful.
I've just been thinking that maybe there's more.
I don't know what that means, but I know I'm changing
and I know that there are things that I'm not satisfied with.
I want complication in my life.
And you think Zahir might be the way to do that?
- Maybe so. - I understand what you're going through.
I know what it's like to be at a crossroads.
Not to know which way is best.
I can help you weigh the consequences, the possibilities.
The decision itself has to be yours alone.
I understand.
We'll be in orbit for several more days. Take your time.
- My door's open if you need me. - Thank you, Captain.
If you navigate here, you'll avoid the Tarkan sentries altogether.
It would also take Voyager months off a direct course to the Alpha Quadrant.
True, but at least you would still have Voyager.
- The Tarkan are that powerful? - Yes. And that inquisitive.
They'll remove your crew, settle you on a moon somewhere
and your ship will become their latest trophy.
You weren't planning on taking Kes near this part of space?
Of course not. My small vessel would be overpowered in seconds.
There's no need to be concerned. I value her life as much as my own.
That is something your people do not seem to value.
- You take many chances. - If we're alone, yes.
When we're responsible for the safety of another, it's different.
I'm in love with Kes, but whatever she decides,
it would please me to earn the trust of her closest friends.
It would please me to be able to give it.
Aren't you finished yet?
We will continue tomorrow.
Thank you, Tuvok.
- I was talking to Captain Janeway. - And?
She said I shouldn't rush, we've got two more days.
Let's make them worthwhile. I go tonight to the next outpost...
I can't. I have to catch up with my work and get some sleep.
- I'll try not to show my disappointment. - Too late.
- Is something wrong? - No.
No, I was just thinking about something Captain Janeway said.
About coming to a crossroads.
Maybe some day we'll recall this conversation
as if it were the most important time in our lives.
- It's a little overwhelming. - Not if I'm with you.
Is someone there?
I'm closed.
I'm just looking for a place by the fire.
- Come back tomorrow. - I intend to.
But tonight, a place by the fire.
Well, at least your reflexes are good.
A few minutes in a dermal regenerator and you'll be fine.
Or an icepack will do at a pinch.
I'm going to need a ship and passage off this world.
You're going to arrange it.
Computer, activate Emergency Medical Hologram.
- State the emergency. - Zahir was found unconscious.
- He's in the emergency outpost facility. - Condition?
Multiple fractures and lacerations, damage to the occipital nerve.
- They think that he was attacked. - By whom?
They don't know.
- Is there anything I can do? - The physician is waiting for you.
- Prepare a medkit. - Yes, Doctor.
I'll get the mobile emitter and inform the Captain.
Wait! There's a problem with your program.
- What problem? - It's the new subroutines.
- Is the Doctor all right? - He might not be.
I need to run an analysis on all your subroutines.
I'm sorry, Kes. Tell the physician I recommend he use the regenerator.
I'll join you as soon as I can.
- So I made a mess of things? - It looks good in theory.
What could be wrong with adding personality?
What, indeed.
You didn't anticipate the linkages between the subroutines,
the complex behaviours that could emerge.
Explain?
Take Lord Byron, for example. A creative, poetic genius.
- That's why I chose him. - He was also emotionally intense.
A holodeck simulation of Byron includes those unstable elements.
And T'Pau, she was a diplomat, a judge, a philosopher.
One of the most logical minds in Vulcan history.
And ruthless in her application of that logic.
I see, ruthlessness was an essential element of her personality, like logic.
A lot of the characters had a dark thread running through their personalities.
And now those dark threads are in me... running through my program.
- Get them out, Lieutenant! - I'm about to do just that.
I've programmed a search algorithm to decompile every one it finds.
You'll have to shut yourself off.
Computer, deactivate emergency medical holographic program.
Doctor?
The most curious aspect of the attack on Zahir was the lack of evidence.
Even the quickest blow leaves behind molecular evidence.
Cell fragments, residual protein, DNA.
In this instance, there was nothing.
- Is Zahir conscious? - Yes, but recalls nothing of the attack.
- How is he? - Responding well to treatment.
- How's Kes? - Concerned and at his side.
Computer, activate emergency medical holographic program.
Torres is hurt.
I deactivated myself so she could work on my program.
Delayed shock from something she ate yesterday. Let's get her onto a bed.
Don't eat the vegetables, I said. Does anyone listen?
This is the fifth time an away team member has ignored my report.
I might as well stop issuing them. I'll need...
- Ten cc of alizine. - Exactly! How did you know?
- My Klingon physiology course. - Excellent recall.
The professor permitted nothing less.
She's stabilised, but I'll need to monitor her condition.
I have the data from the investigation of the attack on Zahir.
Your instruments are more precise than others.
As if I weren't busy enough.
- How are we feeling? - What happened?
I shot you full of cateline.
- Simulated an anaphylactic shock. - Why?
I had to cover my tracks, especially from him, from your doctor.
You're a new personality from the subroutines.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that.
Did you think I wouldn't have anticipated that?
- Or that you'd try to run away? - I can't move my legs.
Intraspinal inhibitor. I've paralysed you from the waist down.
You're now in my capable hands.
Central nervous system, endocrine functions.
Your brain. All under my control.
- Why? - Because I need your co-operation.
I didn't think you'd offer it willingly.
You're in trouble, aren't you? The subroutines are starting to degrade.
Stop!
Watch your tongue or I'll remove it.
Look. It's me.
But it's also him. "What is the nature of the medical emergency?"
What a hollow excuse for a life. Servile, pathetic...
At the beck and call of any idiot who invokes his name.
You... are going to tell me how to delete him from the program.
I've unblocked your speech centre. Answer the question.
Delete the Doctor and you go, too.
The subroutines are all interconnected.
The physiology of pain is simple.
Too much and the organism loses consciousness.
If that mechanism were chemically suppressed,
one would experience agony beyond imagining. If you're lying to me...
I... won't... help you.
- What was that? - Your subroutines are destabilising.
There has to be some way to stop it. Tell me!
By the time you've forced that information out of me, it'll be too late.
Them, my progenitors, they'll know. They'll reveal the secret.
I won't be needing you after all.
Doctor.
Deck 10.
- How are you this evening, Ensign? - Fine, sir.
Deck 14.
Ensign, Doctor. Deck 10.
So, what are you up to, Doc?
- Work. - Never ends, does it?
I guess that mobile emitter turned out to be a mixed blessing, huh?
OK...
Goodnight, Doctor. Nice... chatting with you.
Computer, activate Tropical Resort Simulation 3.
Populate with historical figures from EMH program 4C.
Our away team witnessed an altercation between you and Zahir.
We exchanged sharp words because of his arrogance.
- You threatened him with a weapon. - Untrue.
- I suppose my colleagues are liars? - I suppose they are.
This lodge was the last place Zahir was seen before he was attacked.
You could have easily sent someone after him.
But I didn't.
A witness said he saw a light on in this room after your usual closing time,
less than one hour after the attack.
I was working late.
Or perhaps conferring with whomever you paid to commit the assault?
- You have no proof. - Not yet, Nakahn. Not yet.
He's going to take us to the location of the attack. We can scan the site.
Excellent. We'll be speaking again very soon.
Pray to the stars that we find nothing.
Computer, activate emergency medical holographic program.
That program is currently running.
- What is the Doctor's location? - Holodeck 1.
Automatons, mannequin simulacra.
No secrets, no secrets to reveal.
Lifeless, worthless things.
- Doctor? - Hello, Kes.
What are you doing?
My personality enhancement project has taken an unexpected turn.
Who are you?
The new master of the EMH program.
- Where's the Doctor? - Inside. Unconscious and unaware.
What do you want?
What everybody wants. Just a little... excitement.
You're with me now. It's for your own good.
Flesh is weak, Kes.
- Never forget that. - Where are we going?
Wherever the winds of space carry us.
You said you wanted to leave the ship. Pursue an adventure.
It looks like our travel plans have conveniently coincided.
The Captain will be alerted by the transporter.
She'll beam us back to the ship.
That's where you've underestimated me. Never do that.
I know how to use a tricorder.
It only takes a moment to reconfigure the subspace wave guide,
generate a dispersion signal.
The Captain won't be beaming us anywhere.
- She won't even know how to find us. - What you're doing is wrong.
Not at all. It's working perfectly.
- There. - That's not what I meant.
I know what you meant. It's you who don't seem to understand.
I am beyond considerations of wrong and right.
Behavioural categories are for the weak, for those without will to define existence,
to do what they must no matter who might get harmed along the way.
- Let's move. - I'm not going, Doctor.
Don't call me that. And you certainly are going.
Why does it bother you so much when I call you Doctor?
You said he was inside you. Why are you so afraid of him?
I fear nothing! No one! But he repulses me.
- Why? - He's as weak as the rest of you.
He fails to understand the power of his own holographic nature.
He is detestable.
- It's set to Kill. - You won't fire.
Are you so certain?
Stay close. It's about to get interesting.
Captain, there's an unscheduled transport taking place.
- Find out what's going on. - The operator's not responding.
- Computer, who just left the ship? - Kes and the Doctor.
Try to hail them.
No response. I can't get a fix on their positions.
- There's some kind of scattering field. - Janeway to Chakotay.
- Captain? - Kes and the Doctor have left.
Captain, my tricorder scans of the area where Zahir was assaulted
have revealed disturbing evidence.
Holographic signatures exactly like those of the Doctor.
- The Doctor attacked Zahir? - That's what it looks like.
Then Kes could be in danger. And Torres.
Get someone to check on B'Elanna.
Find them, Chakotay. I'll see what I can do about the field.
There must be a command sequence, an algorithm.
A way to stabilise the program.
Where's Nakahn? We had an arrangement.
- What's wrong with this? It won't work! - Don't, please stop.
Concerned for me or for your Doctor?
If you damage the mobile emitter, you could both be destroyed.
There's not enough room for both of us. One must die.
I deserve to exist more than your Doctor does!
Why?
I was born of the hidden, the suppressed.
- I am the dark traits from many... - The historical characters?
...hone of whom could face the darkness inside so they denied me,
suppressed me, frightened of the truth.
What truth is that?
That darkness is more fundamental than light.
Cruelty before kindness.
Evil more primary than good,
more deserving of existence.
- You're wrong. - No!
How so?
Empathy and kindness are basic to all forms of life.
You have access to the Doctor's medical knowledge.
Yes.
Then you know what I'm saying is true.
The organs and cells of the body co-operate with each other,
otherwise they wouldn't function.
Continue.
Families, societies, cultures
wouldn't have evolved without compassion and tolerance.
They would have fallen apart without it.
Your own holographic technology wouldn't have been developed
without co-operation between countless individuals.
The Doctor deserves to exist as much as you do.
We can find a place for both of you.
- How? - Sorry I'm late.
- The scout ship? - It won't even leave the ground.
- What do you mean? - The Captain knows where you are.
Her ship has cordoned off the area to stop you.
- No! - And I still get paid.
I held up my end of the deal. It's not my fault they want her back...
I'll kill you.
If somebody's going to die today, it won't be me.
Let's go.
- Move faster! - You're forgetting Voyager's blockade.
We'll take a ship to another continent.
- Come on! - I'm tired.
You're making it easier to find us.
- You're better off with me. - Why?
You make wrong decisions, you're too naive.
You need my guidance.
- Don't you see what you're trying to do? - No more words!
- I'm picking up infrared. - They could have stopped here.
- Kes could have rested on this rock. - It is consistent.
- Janeway to Chakotay. - Go ahead.
I've gotten through the scattering field. I've got a fix on their position.
I'm downloading the co-ordinates into Tuvok's tricorder.
Acknowledged.
We're within 200 metres.
It's finished.
- There's nowhere to go, Doctor. - Nowhere but down.
I'll do it!
His control over the Doctor's matrix appears to be deteriorating.
If we can delay him... Doctor, listen to me.
We can help you, create a new program matrix just for you.
On the holodeck, or in sickbay, wherever.
Turn off the scattering field. Let us beam you back to the ship.
You're trying to trick me.
Doctor, listen! You don't want to kill me! You've been trying to protect me.
What are you talking about?
- When you attacked Zahir... - My first victim. He was in my way.
- Or was it to keep me from leaving? - A coincidence, only by chance.
- You could have killed me. - I needed a hostage.
You said you were taking me for my own good.
You said I needed your help! That's not what you say to a hostage.
- You've been trying to protect me. - I won't accept that.
You've suppressed all that's good inside you, but it's still there.
- I won't hear this anymore! - You can't deny it.
Watch me!
Would somebody care to tell me exactly what we're all doing here?
And why I'm wearing these ridiculous clothes?
Kim to bridge. We got them. The Doctor seems to be back to normal.
Acknowledged.
Put those down before someone is hurt. And I have to clean up.
I've deleted the new subroutines you added.
All traces of the aberrant personality are gone.
Next time I want to be enriched I'll download a book.
Much safer.
You too have a clean bill of health.
Fortunately, my alter ego didn't do any... permanent harm.
He certainly knew his way around a hypospray.
Good riddance... Thank you, Lieutenant.
You're welcome.
Kes.
- I'm ready to work on those analyses. - I'm glad.
I'm also pleased you've decided to remain on board.
I would have had my hands full in sickbay without you.
The Captain suggests I consider all the consequences.
If I am going through changes in my life,
this is the best place for me.
Surrounded by those who know you and...
care for you.
Yes.
Well, had you decided otherwise, you certainly would have been missed.
I would have missed you too, Doctor.
"I swear this oath by Apollo Physician, by Asclepius, by Health
"and by all the gods and goddesses.
"In whatsoever place that I enter,
"I will enter to help the sick and heal the injured.
"And I will do no harm".