1
00:00:02,440 --> 00:00:06,069
Captain's log, stardate 48623.5.
2
00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:09,835
There are 246 elements
known to Federation science.
3
00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:16,758
We have just discovered the 247th
in the ring system of a Class-D planet.
4
00:00:16,920 --> 00:00:21,072
The element has an unusually large
atomic mass-over 550 nucleons.
5
00:00:21,240 --> 00:00:23,754
And it appears to be stable.
6
00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:27,629
A stable transuranic element
in a natural environment!
7
00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:29,791
Imagine what we could make!
8
00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:33,839
Probe casings that could
go into a sun, reactor shielding.
9
00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:38,596
If we can mine it. Locate the highest
concentration of the element.
10
00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:43,436
It's in the asteroids comprising
the rings. I'll beam a sample aboard.
11
00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:47,991
Or we could look at this element
in its natural environment.
12
00:00:48,160 --> 00:00:51,994
Most of these asteroids
support Class-M atmospheres.
13
00:00:52,160 --> 00:00:55,391
Good idea.
Commander, you're in charge.
14
00:00:55,560 --> 00:01:01,237
- Mr Kim, would you like to join us?
- I wouldn't miss it, Sir.
15
00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:07,118
The highest concentration
is about 30 metres directly ahead.
16
00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:10,716
There's a large cavern in there.
The readings are...
17
00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:13,269
What the hell is this?
18
00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:18,195
It's organic.
Some kind of biopolymer residue.
19
00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:22,480
I wanna see what's ahead.
20
00:01:38,960 --> 00:01:44,034
The readings are higher over here,
but I still can't find the source of the...
21
00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:48,356
Commander?
22
00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:58,917
Class-5 humanoid. Appears to be dead.
23
00:04:16,840 --> 00:04:21,630
There are 18 humanoid bodies here.
Eleven male, seven female.
24
00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:25,270
They're in various stages
of decomposition.
25
00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,876
Some have been here for years,
others a few days.
26
00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,508
One body arrived twelve hours ago.
27
00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:33,716
- From where?
- I don't know.
28
00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:37,509
But I'd say we're looking
at some kind of burial site.
29
00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:39,750
What about the element?
30
00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,673
It's emanating from their bodies.
31
00:04:42,840 --> 00:04:47,118
We think it's a by-product
of their decomposition process.
32
00:04:47,280 --> 00:04:49,430
I recommend we leave them in peace.
33
00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:52,910
However, Mr Kim has a different opinion.
34
00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,958
With all due respect, I have to disagree.
35
00:04:56,120 --> 00:05:00,432
It's our first contact with this race
and we should learn all we can.
36
00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,556
It's a unique opportunity.
37
00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:05,439
I understand that chance,
38
00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:10,879
but this race meant for their dead to be
left alone and we should respect that.
39
00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:13,952
I'm afraid I agree
with Commander Chakotay.
40
00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:17,510
Set your tricorders for passive scans.
41
00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:21,070
The sanctity of these bodies
should be respected.
42
00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:25,791
I recommend we make visual
observations only. No tricorders.
43
00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:28,713
Very well. Keep me informed.
Janeway out.
44
00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:33,790
Your only sensors are your eyes.
Concentrate on details.
45
00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:37,236
We'll have to do a thorough report
when we get back.
46
00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:42,075
Thanks for letting me
voice my opinion to the Captain.
47
00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:46,313
The first time I went
on a tomb excavation on Ktaria Vll,
48
00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:50,553
I wanted a memento so I picked up
a rock from the burial site.
49
00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:53,678
I found out later it wasn't just a rock.
50
00:05:53,840 --> 00:05:57,071
- What was it?
- It was a sacred stone.
51
00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:02,234
The Ktarians lay thousands of them in
the tomb, each representing a prayer.
52
00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:05,870
I had desecrated that man's grave.
53
00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:13,918
- I've found out all I can with my eyes.
- Really?
54
00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,640
What have you learned
about the culture?
55
00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,792
They like to bury their dead
on asteroids.
56
00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:25,557
That's about all I can tell.
Just some naked dead people.
57
00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:29,508
You're looking but not seeing.
Their nakedness says a lot.
58
00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:32,752
This race doesn't
believe in dressing the deceased.
59
00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:38,074
And they don't believe any worldly
goods can be taken into the afterlife.
60
00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:41,710
What makes you think they believe
in an afterlife at all?
61
00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,633
Look at the position
of the arms and hands.
62
00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:47,837
They're arranged in poses of serenity,
63
00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:52,118
and wrapped in the biopolymer residue
we found earlier.
64
00:06:52,280 --> 00:06:56,910
This culture has a lot of ritual
associated with disposing of the dead.
65
00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,674
That shows some belief in the afterlife.
66
00:06:59,840 --> 00:07:03,992
The Klingons believe in an afterlife,
but there's no ritual.
67
00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:06,993
They just dispose
of the corpse efficiently.
68
00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:12,188
Good point. But some archaeological
digs on the Klingon Homeworld...
69
00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,156
Tricorders.
70
00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:22,910
A dimensional distortion is forming.
A subspace vacuole.
71
00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:26,117
Chakotay to Voyager.
Emergency beam-out.
72
00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:29,113
We can't lock
on to your signals. Stand by.
73
00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:34,434
Have everyone stand closer together.
I'm centring on your com signal.
74
00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:36,591
Energise!
75
00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,594
Transporter room 3,
do you have them?
76
00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:45,309
Subspace distortions
are interfering with the lock.
77
00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:47,994
I'm attempting to compensate.
78
00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:50,913
OK. I think I've got them.
79
00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,510
Chakotay and Torres are aboard.
80
00:07:56,680 --> 00:08:00,719
So is one of the bodies.
But there's no sign of Ensign Kim.
81
00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:02,996
Scan the asteroid.
82
00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:06,436
No lifesigns, Captain.
I'm broadening the scan.
83
00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:11,473
Nothing. He is nowhere
in the entire asteroid field.
84
00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:14,837
Initiate emergency transport
procedure 21-Alpha.
85
00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:18,515
I'm already on it.
It's no use. His pattern's gone.
86
00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:21,069
The vacuole has disappeared.
87
00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:24,915
My only guess is
he was pulled into the vacuole.
88
00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:28,675
This isn't one of the bodies
we found in the cavern.
89
00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:33,197
This body might have come out of
the vacuole when Kim was taken in.
90
00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,557
There are signs
of electrical activity in the brain.
91
00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:40,679
She died just a few minutes ago.
We might be able to revive her.
92
00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:43,354
If we can, we might get some answers.
93
00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:47,559
We can't interfere with
her natural process of death.
94
00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,797
What do you suggest we do?
Kim's gone.
95
00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:56,909
She's the only one who might
be able to tell us what happened.
96
00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:58,832
Beam us directly to sickbay.
97
00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:03,074
Death is the end of this life.
98
00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:06,596
But it is also the beginning
of a new journey.
99
00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:11,072
Ptera will now thrive
in the Next Emanation.
100
00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:14,949
This is both her sacred duty
and her great privilege.
101
00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,076
As she begins her transition,
102
00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:23,028
we promise to carry memories of her
so that when we enter the...
103
00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,029
Help! Get me out of here!
104
00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:32,636
She's alive!
Deactivate the cenotaph! Quickly!
105
00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:35,155
Let me out!
106
00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:44,111
Here it is.
107
00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:46,953
Thanks.
108
00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:51,230
A lot of memories in this.
109
00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:56,520
We're so proud of you, Hatil.
This is such a generous, selfless act.
110
00:09:56,680 --> 00:10:00,639
It's my last gift for you and the children.
111
00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:03,519
And it's one we will always cherish.
112
00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:10,115
- But I'm still gonna miss you.
- I know.
113
00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:12,953
I'll miss you too.
114
00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:19,354
But I'll see you in the Next Emanation
when you're ready to join me.
115
00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:23,159
Give my love to your father.
116
00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:28,599
Tell him that the garili trees he planted
have bloomed for three years straight.
117
00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:31,876
I will.
118
00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:39,837
Goodbye.
119
00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:01,958
Lie down. It's going to be all right.
120
00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:04,270
We won't harm you.
121
00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:09,154
- Who is that?
- We're not sure yet.
122
00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,756
We think he came
from the Next Emanation.
123
00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:16,390
The Next Emanation?
124
00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:19,518
- You mean he's come back?
- Come back from where?
125
00:11:19,680 --> 00:11:23,036
The thanatologist
will be here any moment.
126
00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:28,228
There should be no further discussion
about this until he arrives.
127
00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,754
How did you get here?
128
00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:44,395
I'm not sure.
129
00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:50,233
I just sort of woke up
inside one of those pods.
130
00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:55,633
I was conducting an investigation on an
asteroid. We found some dead bodies.
131
00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:59,554
Then there was
some kind of subspace phenomenon.
132
00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:03,235
What do you mean,
you saw dead people there?
133
00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:17,269
I'm Dr Neria,
the chief thanatologist of this facility.
134
00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:21,991
Ensign Harry Kim
of the Federation starship Voyager.
135
00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:27,188
I see. What race are you from?
136
00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:30,033
We call ourselves human.
137
00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:34,273
We come from Earth,
in a distant part of the galaxy.
138
00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:38,115
He said he saw dead people
on an asteroid.
139
00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:41,829
- Dead?
- Look, can you tell me where I am?
140
00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:47,154
- Doctor, what does this mean?
- Rest, Hatil.
141
00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:49,788
There's no need for concern.
142
00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:58,754
May I speak to you privately,
Ensign Harry?
143
00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:01,673
Just Harry is fine.
144
00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,913
We are the Vhnori
and this is our Homeworld.
145
00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:10,596
We were investigating an asteroid
in the rings around your planet.
146
00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:14,275
There are no rings around our world.
147
00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:20,912
So the subspace vacuole must have
transported me somewhere else.
148
00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,640
Do you have any star charts
I could see?
149
00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:27,315
I'd like to know where I am now,
in relation to where I was.
150
00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:31,598
Where you are now
is in the world of the living.
151
00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:37,232
Where you came from
was another dimension.
152
00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,516
- Another dimension?
- Yes.
153
00:13:39,680 --> 00:13:45,630
You returned from the Next Emanation.
The afterlife.
154
00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:56,075
- How were you able to revive her?
- It's a simple process.
155
00:13:56,240 --> 00:14:01,314
She died of a cancer on the brain.
I removed it, replicated new tissue,
156
00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:05,917
and used the Starfleet
postmortem resuscitation technique.
157
00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:08,036
Why was she covered
with this biopolymer?
158
00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:13,035
She wasn't covered with it.
It's a by-product of her tissues.
159
00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:17,113
As her tissues decayed,
the cell membranes broke down
160
00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:21,876
into a biopolymer resin which was
then excreted by her epidermal layer.
161
00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:25,953
It's a natural decomposition
process for this species.
162
00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:28,554
So the other biopolymer fibres...
163
00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:33,748
Were probably the result of other
bodies that had left a membrane.
164
00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:38,550
In essence, Commander, you were
strolling through dead bodies.
165
00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:46,958
- Can you wake her?
- Yes. Kes, 2 cc's of netinaline.
166
00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,234
Hello.
167
00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:04,949
This must be very confusing,
but you're all right.
168
00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:08,237
My name is Kathryn Janeway.
169
00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:12,359
I'm Ptera. Where's my brother?
170
00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:15,717
Your brother? I'm afraid he's not here.
171
00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:20,555
But he should be here.
They should all be here.
172
00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:24,269
Ptera, we were able to remove
the tumour from your brain.
173
00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:27,079
You'll be fine.
We revived you because...
174
00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,949
This is the Next Emanation?
This is the afterlife?
175
00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:37,429
No. No, it's not. You're on a starship.
176
00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:41,309
This can't be right.
My brother's supposed to be here.
177
00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:44,074
- Let me explain.
- No.
178
00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:47,869
Get away from me. This isn't right.
This can't be right!
179
00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:01,758
There was a woman
in here before I arrived?
180
00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:07,870
Her name was Ptera. She was dying
of a tumourous lesion to her midbrain.
181
00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:11,032
Dying. So she wasn't dead yet?
182
00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:15,079
No. She didn't die
until the cenotaph was activated.
183
00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:20,997
It terminates a life just before
the appearance of a spectral rupture.
184
00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:25,995
And then it allows their body
to be taken to the Next Emanation.
185
00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:30,278
- Spectral rupture?
- I can show you.
186
00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:39,359
This looks like a subspace vacuole.
Does the cenotaph create ruptures?
187
00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:42,114
No. They're natural occurrences.
188
00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:48,628
The complex was built here because
a spectral rupture occurs here.
189
00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:52,110
Forgive my curiosity, Harry,
190
00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:59,038
but you are the first person
ever to come back from the afterlife.
191
00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:05,389
I have quite a few questions.
You said that you saw dead bodies?
192
00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:11,795
That's right. There were
seven females, eleven males.
193
00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:15,032
Some had been there for years,
others a few days.
194
00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:21,594
Are you saying that when we die we go
to some asteroid and decompose?
195
00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:25,799
That's what it looked liked to us.
196
00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:30,033
These bodies.
Did you perform bioscans on them?
197
00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:33,749
Was there any specific
medical data that you remember?
198
00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:37,037
Doctor,
maybe I should just stop right there.
199
00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:40,158
This is what we call
a "first contact" situation,
200
00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:45,075
and we're careful about how much
we tell alien cultures we've just met.
201
00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:51,190
I would like to start a complete
bioanalysis. Just follow Dr Renora.
202
00:17:52,840 --> 00:17:57,834
Bioanalysis? Look, all I want to do
is get back to my ship.
203
00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:02,835
- I can use this spectral rupture...
- You're not going anywhere.
204
00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:09,030
You are our first glimpse
into what lies beyond death.
205
00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:12,795
We are not going to let
this opportunity pass us by.
206
00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:18,119
We've analysed the ring system.
207
00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:22,831
There are over 200,000 alien bodies
on various asteroids in the rings.
208
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:28,916
A subspace vacuole appears every two
hours, deposits a body and disappears.
209
00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:34,074
Try to probe the vacuoles
with high-resolution subspace scans.
210
00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:37,869
- See if you can find Mr Kim.
- Sickbay to Captain Janeway.
211
00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:41,350
Our guest is conscious
and is calmer this time.
212
00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,159
I'm on my way. You have the bridge.
213
00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:50,311
That's all I know. I'm sorry.
I can't tell you anything more.
214
00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:55,270
You've told me a lot. Now I know
what might have happened to Mr Kim.
215
00:18:56,800 --> 00:18:58,756
Is there anything I can do for you?
216
00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:02,991
- I'd like some answers.
- About what?
217
00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:06,391
About what happens to my people
when we die.
218
00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:11,035
We're not sure exactly.
219
00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:17,070
But we think the vacuoles
deposit the bodies on the asteroids.
220
00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:19,879
- Then what?
- I'm not sure what you mean.
221
00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:24,634
We're supposed to evolve
into a higher level of consciousness,
222
00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:27,519
to gain a greater understanding.
223
00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:30,638
All of our questions
are meant to be answered.
224
00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:34,031
Ptera, I know
this must be frightening for you.
225
00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:38,318
You've been through
a very traumatic experience.
226
00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,040
But please try to understand.
227
00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:46,433
Just because I don't have the answers
doesn't mean there aren't any.
228
00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:53,229
My brother...
I always thought I'd see him again.
229
00:19:54,920 --> 00:20:01,359
I had so many things to tell him about
his children, the people he left behind.
230
00:20:03,360 --> 00:20:07,478
But he isn't here, is he? He's...
231
00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:16,034
What am I supposed to do now? Spend
the rest of my life on this starship?
232
00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:22,956
Ptera, I'll do everything in my power
to figure out just how you got here.
233
00:20:23,120 --> 00:20:28,319
And as soon as I know anything,
I will tell you, all right?
234
00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:30,436
All right.
235
00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:36,630
Maybe we should get out of sickbay,
clear your mind, get something to eat.
236
00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:41,112
- Are you hungry?
- Yes. I could use something to eat.
237
00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:44,439
- What was that?
- Janeway to bridge. Report.
238
00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:50,197
A dimensional distortion is forming.
It looks like a subspace vacuum.
239
00:20:50,360 --> 00:20:52,271
B'Elanna, what's going on?
240
00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:57,753
I've pinpointed the location.
It's right here in engineering. Stand by.
241
00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:09,713
Hatil, what are you saying?
242
00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:15,550
I'm just not sure I'm ready, that's all.
243
00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:20,069
- I don't understand.
- Neither do I.
244
00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:27,032
It's just that I'm starting to wonder
what really happens when we die.
245
00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:33,074
If I'm really going on
to a higher level of consciousness?
246
00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:36,798
The alien.
What has he been telling you?
247
00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:41,988
All he's done is made me think about
something we've taken for granted.
248
00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:49,277
Now that I've thought about it, I'm not
so eager to go through with it any more.
249
00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:53,991
Hatil, we know nothing about him,
or why he's come here,
250
00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:57,311
or why he's spreading lies.
251
00:21:57,480 --> 00:22:01,393
You can't throw away
a lifetime of belief because of him.
252
00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:03,630
It doesn't make any sense.
253
00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:08,153
I don't know what to think any more.
254
00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:12,433
I'm scared, Loria.
255
00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:20,478
It's going to be all right. Think about
your father. He's waiting for you.
256
00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:28,798
I'll see you at
the transference ritual.
257
00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,398
I don't know who you are
or where you come from,
258
00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:40,393
but you stay away from my husband.
259
00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:43,757
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...
260
00:22:46,120 --> 00:22:48,873
Harry, you have to forgive my wife.
261
00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:55,432
She's having trouble
understanding my concerns.
262
00:22:55,600 --> 00:23:01,470
That's why I'm here.
I'm getting ready to die.
263
00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,630
Forgive me for asking again
264
00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:09,715
but can you tell me anything about what
I might find in the Next Emanation?
265
00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:15,637
Everyone's asking me that, and I keep
giving the same answer. I don't know.
266
00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:19,593
But you do come from the afterlife?
267
00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:22,797
I come from a different reality,
268
00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:26,873
maybe another dimension,
maybe your afterlife.
269
00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:33,354
Countless billions of people there
are born, live and die, just like you.
270
00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:39,277
But you did see my people there.
You said they were dead.
271
00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:45,754
Yes, but... Look, for all I know,
your thanatologists are right,
272
00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:49,071
and I just saw the corporeal remains
of your people,
273
00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:51,913
and you do go on
to a higher consciousness.
274
00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:54,275
But it's...
275
00:23:54,440 --> 00:24:00,959
It's also possible that
there is no higher existence for us,
276
00:24:01,120 --> 00:24:05,477
that when we die
we simply cease to exist.
277
00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:10,668
I really can't say.
278
00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:14,276
I don't know what happens
to your people after they die,
279
00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:17,034
or what happens to my people.
280
00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:21,478
Don't you have thanatologists,
people who study death?
281
00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:23,596
Sort of.
282
00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:30,154
There have certainly been medical
experts, philosophers, theologians,
283
00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:34,279
who have debated
what happens after death.
284
00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:36,670
But no one has an answer yet.
285
00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:42,756
My people think of death
as just another stage of our existence.
286
00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:46,990
There are some people
who are even eager to die.
287
00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:53,315
If they feel depressed or lonely in this
life, they move on to the next one.
288
00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:58,156
Is that why you're here? Because
you're not happy with your life?
289
00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:04,994
Ever since the accident...
290
00:25:07,360 --> 00:25:10,716
...life hasn't been easy.
291
00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:16,396
But this is more
my family's idea than it is mine.
292
00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:20,872
- Your family?
- I'm a burden to them right now.
293
00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:27,036
It takes time and resources to care
for me and I can't give much back.
294
00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:30,590
So there was a family meeting
and it was agreed
295
00:25:30,760 --> 00:25:35,231
that I should move on
to the Next Emanation.
296
00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:44,358
- You look appalled.
- It's not my place to judge your culture.
297
00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:48,559
But from my perspective,
it's a little chilling to hear that.
298
00:25:50,360 --> 00:25:54,239
Even though the family did it out of love,
299
00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:59,356
and everyone was happy for me,
300
00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:04,753
and they said they'd see me
when they got to the Next Emanation...
301
00:26:06,240 --> 00:26:12,395
I have to admit there was a little voice
inside of me that is terrified of dying.
302
00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:16,030
And since I've been talking to you,
303
00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:19,909
that little voice has started to get louder.
304
00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:33,397
Another vacuole is forming. Tuvok,
Remodulate the shield harmonics.
305
00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:36,791
It's no use. The vacuole is still forming.
306
00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:47,034
Take the body to the ship's morgue.
307
00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:55,271
This is odd. Three bodies have
appeared on Voyager so far,
308
00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:59,194
and each one of them has released
some kind of neural energy.
309
00:26:59,360 --> 00:27:04,150
In every case, the energy has passed
through the hull and out into the rings.
310
00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:09,870
The frequency is identical to the
ambient radiation in the asteroid field.
311
00:27:12,120 --> 00:27:17,240
The vacuoles are disrupting the warp
core. We'll lose antimatter containment.
312
00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:22,872
The vacuoles have all formed
within 20 metres of the warp core.
313
00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:25,554
Janeway to bridge.
Lay in a course.
314
00:27:25,720 --> 00:27:30,111
I want to get at least
a half a light year away. Warp 7.
315
00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:42,914
Paris to Janeway. We're out of warp,
0.6 light years from the ring system.
316
00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:46,390
- Any other vacuoles forming?
- No.
317
00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:49,916
The magnetic interlocks
have stabilised.
318
00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:54,676
Work on a way to protect
the warp core from these vacuoles.
319
00:27:59,520 --> 00:28:03,479
Sometimes I just
stare out at the stars for hours.
320
00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:06,359
I never get tired of looking at them.
321
00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:10,638
We were told we would see
beautiful sights in the Next Emanation -
322
00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:12,870
colours, lights -
323
00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:16,953
and that we would see them
with a new understanding.
324
00:28:17,120 --> 00:28:21,238
But now...
What happened to the others?
325
00:28:22,360 --> 00:28:27,878
My brother, my father
and everyone before them?
326
00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:36,189
People die every day on my world.
Do they all end up as lifeless corpses?
327
00:28:36,360 --> 00:28:39,432
When people die on my world,
we bury them,
328
00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:44,276
and we believe that their comra
is released into the afterlife.
329
00:28:44,440 --> 00:28:46,396
Their comra?
330
00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:50,997
Our soul, our spirit,
the essence of our beings.
331
00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:54,357
Maybe something
similar happens to you.
332
00:28:54,520 --> 00:29:00,277
But you don't understand.
We don't believe in any kind of spirit.
333
00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:06,436
When we die, we're supposed
to reappear as physical beings.
334
00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:10,559
That's the point of sending people
through the spectral ruptures.
335
00:29:10,720 --> 00:29:15,271
We're supposed to travel on to
the Next Emanation as ourselves,
336
00:29:15,440 --> 00:29:18,671
and be reunited with our families.
337
00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:25,799
But none of that is true, is it?
338
00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:33,518
None of the people I love are here.
339
00:29:35,200 --> 00:29:38,112
I'm alone.
340
00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:44,159
I don't belong here. I can't live like this.
341
00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:47,355
Please, can't you send me home?
342
00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:52,833
There is only one person on this ship
who could answer that question.
343
00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:56,072
We're doing everything
we can to get you home.
344
00:29:56,240 --> 00:29:59,915
Our missing officer
might be able to tell us enough to...
345
00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:05,598
Captain, maybe there is a way to send
Ptera home and find Ensign Kim.
346
00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:09,878
- Explain.
- What if we recreated the accident?
347
00:30:10,040 --> 00:30:12,634
If Harry was pulled through the vacuole,
348
00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:16,679
we could reproduce those
circumstances and send Ptera home.
349
00:30:16,840 --> 00:30:19,513
We could send Ptera
through the transponder
350
00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:24,834
and lock on to Kim
with the transporter beam.
351
00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:27,673
So I can get home?
352
00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:31,355
Ptera, there's no guarantee
this is going to work.
353
00:30:31,520 --> 00:30:33,715
I understand,
354
00:30:33,880 --> 00:30:38,510
but I've been dead once
and I'm prepared to die again.
355
00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:43,470
So if there's a chance I can get home,
I'm willing to take the risk.
356
00:30:43,640 --> 00:30:49,272
Prepare a subspace transponder
and teach Ptera how to use it.
357
00:30:51,880 --> 00:30:54,235
Captain's log, supplemental.
358
00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:58,951
We're preparing to send Ptera
back to her dimension.
359
00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:03,238
Lieutenant Torres can protect
the warp core against the vacuoles,
360
00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:07,712
but she is uncertain
how long her measures will be effective.
361
00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:11,509
You understand the instructions
for Mr Kim if you find him.
362
00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:15,070
We've got one forming
ten metres below us, deck 13.
363
00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:18,437
Will your dampening field
protect the warp core?
364
00:31:18,600 --> 00:31:22,229
The field is fluctuating slightly,
but holding.
365
00:31:22,400 --> 00:31:26,552
Engineering to transporter room 3.
There's a vacuole forming on deck 13.
366
00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:28,995
Magnetic interlocks are stable.
367
00:31:29,160 --> 00:31:31,355
I see the vacuole. Locking on.
368
00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:40,633
Good luck, Ptera.
369
00:31:41,520 --> 00:31:44,239
I have a transporter lock. Energising.
370
00:31:45,320 --> 00:31:49,199
Matching her pattern
to the subspace distortions... Wait.
371
00:31:49,360 --> 00:31:52,432
I can't get her pattern through.
372
00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:56,957
- Abort the procedure. Pull her back.
- I'm losing her pattern.
373
00:31:57,120 --> 00:32:00,237
Shunt emergency power
into buffer tank 4.
374
00:32:01,120 --> 00:32:03,270
That's it. I've got the pattern.
375
00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:20,157
- She's dead.
- Can we revive her?
376
00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:22,959
How long until we have to leave?
377
00:32:23,120 --> 00:32:27,193
- We're safe for two hours.
- We have two hours to find Mr Kim.
378
00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:32,832
Perform another subspace scan. This
time extend the scan radius to ten AU.
379
00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:35,309
I'm on my way to engineering.
380
00:32:35,480 --> 00:32:39,359
Ensign, beam her
onto one of the asteroids.
381
00:32:39,520 --> 00:32:42,398
That's where she was meant to be.
382
00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:50,396
I hope you find your afterlife, Ptera.
383
00:32:53,720 --> 00:32:55,472
Why?
384
00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:58,473
We want to scan
your microcellular structures
385
00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:03,953
and examine your neurochemistry.
This facility isn't equipped for that.
386
00:33:04,120 --> 00:33:07,157
The complex at Paffran
has everything we need.
387
00:33:07,320 --> 00:33:11,791
If my ship is still searching for me,
they won't stay there forever.
388
00:33:11,960 --> 00:33:16,431
- I have to get back.
- We don't know how you got here.
389
00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:21,071
Maybe I can work out how to get back.
Let me look at a cenotaph.
390
00:33:21,240 --> 00:33:24,835
There's no time. Word about
you has spread very quickly,
391
00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:27,719
in the scientific world
and the community.
392
00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:32,795
There are many people who are very
nervous about what you represent.
393
00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:36,350
Some see you
as a threat to their beliefs.
394
00:33:36,520 --> 00:33:39,557
We need to take you
to a more secure location.
395
00:33:39,720 --> 00:33:42,393
It's for your own protection.
396
00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:46,599
- Wait!
- I'm sorry, Harry.
397
00:33:46,760 --> 00:33:49,035
It's out of my control.
398
00:33:57,760 --> 00:34:02,072
- What are you doing?
- Preparing for the transference ritual.
399
00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:10,797
This is a ceremonial shroud that's
been in my family for five generations.
400
00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:15,278
You wrap yourself
in your own death shroud?
401
00:34:15,440 --> 00:34:19,752
It's something
we look forward to, actually.
402
00:34:19,920 --> 00:34:26,109
I remember when my father used
this shroud, his father before him.
403
00:34:28,040 --> 00:34:30,918
The difference is
when my father put this on
404
00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:35,153
there was no doubt in his mind
about where he was going.
405
00:34:36,160 --> 00:34:39,835
Can't you just back out?
Say you've changed your mind.
406
00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:47,070
I have thought of
just walking out and disappearing.
407
00:34:47,240 --> 00:34:51,791
My friends in the Cararian Mountains
would let me stay with them.
408
00:34:53,680 --> 00:34:58,276
But my family would worry about me.
They'd wonder what was happening,
409
00:34:58,440 --> 00:35:03,195
if I was all right, if I were hurt.
410
00:35:05,240 --> 00:35:10,872
No. Everyone's expecting a
transference ritual, and they'll get one.
411
00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:14,476
What if you did disappear
into the mountains,
412
00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:18,034
but your family thought you were dead?
413
00:35:18,200 --> 00:35:22,512
They're here for a transference ritual,
right?
414
00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:26,468
- Do you know what you're suggesting?
- It's perfect.
415
00:35:26,640 --> 00:35:31,589
Those cenotaphs send you back to my
dimension, which is where I want to go.
416
00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:35,275
Voyager's probably
still near the asteroid.
417
00:35:35,440 --> 00:35:40,958
As soon as I appear, they'll pick up
my signal and beam me aboard.
418
00:35:41,120 --> 00:35:44,351
And you, you can just disappear.
419
00:35:44,520 --> 00:35:47,318
Your family will think you're dead,
420
00:35:47,480 --> 00:35:51,268
and you can live out your life
in the mountains.
421
00:35:51,440 --> 00:35:55,353
Harry, if you go into that cenotaph
422
00:35:55,520 --> 00:35:58,637
and go through with the ritual,
you'll die.
423
00:35:58,800 --> 00:36:02,236
If Voyager can beam me aboard
quickly enough,
424
00:36:02,400 --> 00:36:05,551
our doctor should be able to revive me.
425
00:36:06,720 --> 00:36:09,473
Medicine's pretty advanced
in our culture.
426
00:36:09,640 --> 00:36:14,634
People have been dead for hours
and still been brought back to life.
427
00:36:14,800 --> 00:36:18,918
- But it's not certain.
- No, it's not.
428
00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:24,075
But I think this is
my only chance to get home.
429
00:36:32,080 --> 00:36:38,315
The shroud must be wrapped properly.
I'll show you how, but we have to hurry.
430
00:36:38,480 --> 00:36:41,870
I'm scheduled for transference
in less than an hour.
431
00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:49,914
A pleasant trip, Hatil.
432
00:36:50,080 --> 00:36:53,152
Say hello to Varel and Toyan.
433
00:36:53,320 --> 00:36:55,959
I'll see you there in a few years.
434
00:36:57,800 --> 00:37:03,079
We're joined here today to bid farewell
to our dear friend Hatil Garan.
435
00:37:03,240 --> 00:37:05,674
We salute not only his life,
436
00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:09,310
but the manner in which
he has chosen to end it.
437
00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:15,191
He makes a noble sacrifice today that
his family may have a better tomorrow.
438
00:37:15,360 --> 00:37:17,874
We send him on
to the Next Emanation
439
00:37:18,040 --> 00:37:23,672
with the full knowledge that
the life there is better than the one here,
440
00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:27,150
that he will no longer
be hampered by his infirmity
441
00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:31,359
and that he will come
to understand the cosmos
442
00:37:31,520 --> 00:37:34,398
in a way that he could
never have imagined.
443
00:37:38,080 --> 00:37:42,437
Goodbye, Hatil. I love you.
444
00:38:04,560 --> 00:38:06,755
Another vacuole. Deck 15.
445
00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:10,070
The body of an alien female.
446
00:38:10,240 --> 00:38:16,713
Chakotay to transporter room 3.
Transport the body to an asteroid.
447
00:38:16,880 --> 00:38:18,996
Status on the warp core.
448
00:38:19,160 --> 00:38:24,951
The dampening field's down to 21%.
The interlocks won't hold much longer.
449
00:38:25,120 --> 00:38:27,588
I recommend leaving, Captain.
450
00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:42,190
Very well. Mr Paris, bring us about.
Prepare to resume our...
451
00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:46,193
I'm picking up
a vacuole forming on deck 12.
452
00:38:46,360 --> 00:38:49,272
- It deposited a human body.
- Human?
453
00:38:50,480 --> 00:38:53,040
But it's dead.
454
00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:57,751
Janeway to Seska. Beam the body
on deck 12 directly to sickbay.
455
00:39:03,280 --> 00:39:05,350
2 cc's cordrazine.
456
00:39:26,240 --> 00:39:30,279
Relax, Mr Kim. Everything's fine.
You're alive.
457
00:40:02,120 --> 00:40:04,839
- Mind if I join you?
- No, not at all. Please.
458
00:40:05,000 --> 00:40:07,309
Thank you.
459
00:40:08,840 --> 00:40:11,559
So how are you feeling?
460
00:40:11,720 --> 00:40:14,632
Better.
I'll be ready for duty tomorrow.
461
00:40:14,800 --> 00:40:19,032
- You're off duty for the next two days.
- Captain, I'm fine.
462
00:40:19,200 --> 00:40:21,395
It's not your capabilities.
463
00:40:21,560 --> 00:40:26,554
I just want to give you a chance
to reflect on what's happened.
464
00:40:26,720 --> 00:40:31,635
This may not make much sense
to you now, a young man,
465
00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:36,271
but one of the things you'll learn
as you get a little older is that...
466
00:40:38,160 --> 00:40:40,754
you wish you had more time
in your youth
467
00:40:40,920 --> 00:40:44,230
to really absorb all the things
that happen to you.
468
00:40:44,400 --> 00:40:46,709
It goes by so fast.
469
00:40:48,640 --> 00:40:50,596
It's so easy to become jaded,
470
00:40:50,760 --> 00:40:54,514
to treat the extraordinary
like just another day at the office.
471
00:40:54,680 --> 00:41:01,028
But sometimes there are experiences
which transcend all that.
472
00:41:01,200 --> 00:41:07,116
You've just had one, and I want you
to live with it for a little while.
473
00:41:07,280 --> 00:41:10,989
Write about it, if you feel like it. Paint.
474
00:41:11,160 --> 00:41:13,435
Express yourself in some fashion.
475
00:41:13,600 --> 00:41:18,754
- The bridge will be there in two days.
- Thank you, Captain.
476
00:41:18,920 --> 00:41:22,879
I have been a little preoccupied
with the experience.
477
00:41:24,360 --> 00:41:28,353
All those people think
they know what happens after death.
478
00:41:28,520 --> 00:41:31,592
They look forward to it.
They're prepared for it.
479
00:41:31,760 --> 00:41:35,514
But the truth is, none of it's real.
480
00:41:35,680 --> 00:41:40,800
They don't have an afterlife.
They just decay inside those asteroids.
481
00:41:40,960 --> 00:41:43,633
I wouldn't be so sure of that.
482
00:41:43,800 --> 00:41:47,759
That neural energy their bodies release,
483
00:41:47,920 --> 00:41:52,311
it becomes part of the electromagnetic
field surrounding the planet.
484
00:41:52,480 --> 00:41:56,189
The energy is unusually dynamic.
485
00:41:56,360 --> 00:42:00,797
There's variation in pattern complexity,
quantum density.
486
00:42:01,480 --> 00:42:05,837
Are you saying
you think they do have an afterlife?
487
00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:11,677
That the energy field is where they exist
at a higher level of consciousness?
488
00:42:13,520 --> 00:42:16,034
I'm not certain.
489
00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:19,351
But I am certain about this:
490
00:42:19,520 --> 00:42:26,790
What we don't know about death is far,
far greater than what we do know.
491
00:42:29,520 --> 00:42:32,239
See you in two days, Ensign.
492
00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:34,630
Thank you, Captain.
|