1
00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:06,995
He hasn't left me with a single shot.
2
00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:09,913
- In that case, call a safety.
- Safety?
3
00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:12,036
It's a defensive strategy.
4
00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:17,320
You can't make a shot, so leave
the cue ball where Tuvok can't either.
5
00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:21,359
- That sounds cowardly.
- Suit yourself, pal.
6
00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:26,230
But if you leave Vulcan Slim with
an open shot, he'll run the table.
7
00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:30,791
All right. Safety.
8
00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:41,079
Let's see you reason
your way out of this conundrum.
9
00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:46,598
This safety business is satisfying.
I've left him with an impossible shot.
10
00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:51,231
The shot may be difficult,
but "impossible" is an exaggeration.
11
00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,039
Go ahead, then. Call your shot.
12
00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,428
If I strike the cue ball properly,
13
00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:00,910
it will deflect off the rear bumper,
then the side,
14
00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:04,356
then cause the eleven ball
to roll into the corner pocket.
15
00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:06,556
This I have to see.
16
00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:17,950
Perhaps the ship's stabilisers
are not operating efficiently.
17
00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:24,275
Maybe Tom Terrific here forgot to
mention that the table runs to the east.
18
00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,396
You should have called a safety.
19
00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,677
Neelix, please report to the bridge.
20
00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:40,074
You wanted to see me, Captain?
21
00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:43,232
We've received a message
from an approaching vessel.
22
00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,789
- They're asking for you.
- Me?
23
00:01:45,960 --> 00:01:51,990
- The ship is entering visual range.
- Slow to impulse. On screen.
24
00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:56,908
Do you recognise it?
25
00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:01,073
- That's a Haakonian shuttle.
- Haakonian?
26
00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:05,916
My people were at war with them
for almost a decade.
27
00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:12,519
They conquered my Homeworld
more than 15 years ago.
28
00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:15,717
What would the Haakonians
want with you now?
29
00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:18,713
- No idea.
- The shuttle is hailing us.
30
00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:21,440
- Open a channel.
- Channel open.
31
00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,910
I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway
of the Federation Starship Voyager.
32
00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:28,755
- What can we do for you?
- As I stated in my message,
33
00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:32,708
I understand you have a Talaxian
called Neelix aboard.
34
00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:40,030
- I'm Neelix. What do you want?
- It is a matter of utmost urgency.
35
00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:44,352
However, I would prefer
to speak with you privately.
36
00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,751
Your life may very well depend upon it.
37
00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:53,549
- Who are you?
- Forgive me.
38
00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:57,554
I am Jetrel. Dr Ma'Bor Jetrel.
39
00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:02,718
Neelix.
40
00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,553
He's a mass murderer!
41
00:04:56,600 --> 00:05:02,675
When I was much younger, my family
and I lived on a moon called Rinax,
42
00:05:02,840 --> 00:05:07,630
a colony with the most temperate
climate in the Talaxian System.
43
00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,473
Warm days, balmy nights.
44
00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:15,350
Until the metreon cascade.
Melodic name, isn't it?
45
00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,717
Especially for a weapon
of mass destruction.
46
00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:22,156
And Jetrel was involved
with this weapon?
47
00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:29,355
Dr Jetrel was the scientist
who conceived the metreon cascade,
48
00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:32,717
then he led the team of scientists
who built it.
49
00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:36,190
- I see.
- In the blink of an eye,
50
00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:39,238
Rinax was enveloped by a deadly cloud.
51
00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:43,154
Those lovely days turned into
one endless, frigid night.
52
00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:49,629
More than 300,000 were killed.
53
00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,909
But you survived.
54
00:05:54,560 --> 00:06:01,193
I had the good fortune to be on Talax
at the time, with our defence forces,
55
00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:04,318
preparing for an invasion
that never came.
56
00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:06,436
It wasn't necessary.
57
00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,239
The day after the cascade
was deployed,
58
00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:13,234
Talax surrendered unconditionally
to the Haakonian Order.
59
00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:19,154
And your family?
60
00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:27,558
I am so sorry.
61
00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:33,913
Dr Jetrel. Lieutenant Tuvok,
my chief of security.
62
00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,834
I have heard of
your transporter technology,
63
00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:42,152
but to experience it first-hand
is truly remarkable.
64
00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:46,472
- Mr Neelix has declined to meet you.
- That's not surprising.
65
00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:50,110
I am not a very popular figure
among the Talaxian people.
66
00:06:50,280 --> 00:06:52,919
May we show you to your quarters?
67
00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:59,316
Mr Neelix has allowed me
to speak on his behalf.
68
00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,630
You said he may be in danger.
69
00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:05,349
It's imperative that he undergo
a medical examination.
70
00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:09,957
- For what purpose?
- Records show he returned to Rinax
71
00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,192
after the cascade
in order to evacuate survivors.
72
00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:17,035
He was exposed to metreon isotopes.
73
00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:23,275
Several rescuers have developed
a blood disease called metremia.
74
00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:27,592
- Is it serious?
- I'm afraid that it's fatal.
75
00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:31,393
The disease attacks
on a molecular level.
76
00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:35,439
It may lay dormant for years,
but once it manifests itself,
77
00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:39,434
it will cause the body's atomic structure
to undergo fission.
78
00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,273
The cells will disintegrate.
79
00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:47,309
My equipment can detect the subatomic
signature of the disorder.
80
00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:51,598
Why have you taken it upon yourself
to examine Mr Neelix?
81
00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:56,197
I've evaluated as many members
of the team as possible
82
00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:59,716
in the hope that my research
will lead to a cure.
83
00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:03,316
Please try to persuade
Mr Neelix to see me.
84
00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:07,792
Each Talaxian I screen
brings me one step closer to a cure.
85
00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:24,311
Why didn't you ever tell me
about the war?
86
00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:28,792
Maybe this is one experience
that can't be shared.
87
00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:34,395
It's too... hard
88
00:08:34,560 --> 00:08:39,156
to describe how I feel
to someone who didn't see what I saw.
89
00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:44,911
- I'm sorry.
- You've nothing to be sorry about.
90
00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:52,115
- Excuse me.
- Back from the doctor's already?
91
00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:56,717
I'm afraid I have
some disturbing news, Neelix.
92
00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:01,510
Nothing you tell me could make this day
more disturbing than it's been.
93
00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:13,070
Jetrel says you were exposed to
dangerous levels of metreon poisoning,
94
00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:16,152
and may develop a fatal blood disorder.
95
00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:20,557
He wants to screen you for the disease.
96
00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:30,396
Captain, please tell Dr Jetrel
97
00:09:30,560 --> 00:09:35,156
that I am touched
by his concern for my state of health,
98
00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:40,348
but that I'd rather be immersed in a pit
of eels than be examined by him.
99
00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:43,919
If there's something wrong
we should know.
100
00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:46,992
I don't want that man
within ten parsecs of me.
101
00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:50,709
I understand your feelings,
but this is your life.
102
00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:55,749
Don't either of you find it
the slightest bit strange
103
00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:58,593
that a man who has
made it his life's work
104
00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:02,514
to destroy as many Talaxians
as possible
105
00:10:02,680 --> 00:10:06,719
should suddenly be concerned
with this Talaxians health?
106
00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:09,314
I don't know what his motives are.
107
00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:13,758
Maybe he's trying to undo some
of the damage his weapon caused.
108
00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,390
He seems sincere
and I have no reason to doubt him.
109
00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:24,910
If the disease is fatal,
what's the point of knowing if I have it?
110
00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:29,119
Our Doctor is the most skilled physician
we've ever met.
111
00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:34,229
If you have this disease, he won't stop
until he's found a way to treat it.
112
00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:38,916
And if you don't have the disease,
at least you'll have peace of mind.
113
00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,432
Peace of mind is a relative thing,
Captain.
114
00:10:44,680 --> 00:10:47,319
Just hear what he has to say.
115
00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:51,553
Then if you still don't want him
to examine you, we won't force you.
116
00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,315
Outnumbered and outflanked.
117
00:10:56,480 --> 00:11:00,314
All right, then. I surrender.
118
00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:11,910
The metreon isotopes are unique.
Their rate of decay is highly variable.
119
00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:15,516
It's sometimes years
before metremia sets in.
120
00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:18,717
- And...
- Why are you doing this?
121
00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:24,830
- I beg your pardon?
- Is it all just scientific curiosity,
122
00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:28,117
metreons and isotopes?
123
00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:33,400
Or do you feel guilty
about what you did?
124
00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:36,829
Guilty?
125
00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:40,913
I do not regret it.
I did what had to be done.
126
00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:45,198
Really? It was necessary to vaporise
a quarter of a million people
127
00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:48,318
and leave thousands of others
to be poisoned?
128
00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:54,919
Would it help if I said we never thought
there would be any radiation poisoning,
129
00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:59,551
that anyone close enough to be
exposed would be killed by the blast?
130
00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:04,191
- It was unfortunate we were wrong.
- Unfortunate?
131
00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:08,317
Did you hear that, Captain?
It was "unfortunate".
132
00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:14,237
- I think what Dr Jetrel is saying...
- It's all right. I'm used to it.
133
00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:19,997
I'm simply a scientist.
Yes, I developed the weapon.
134
00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:27,032
But the government and the military
leaders decided to use it, not I.
135
00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,593
That must be
a very convenient distinction for you.
136
00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:35,558
Does it help you sleep at night?
137
00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:41,033
I slept no worse last night than
any other night for the past 15 years.
138
00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:46,797
- What does that mean?
- That I must live with my conscience.
139
00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:51,909
As you must live with yours.
How many did you kill during the war?
140
00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:54,196
Gentlemen, please.
141
00:12:56,040 --> 00:13:01,876
This is obviously very difficult,
but we are not here to debate history.
142
00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,508
We are here to discuss
Neelix's condition.
143
00:13:04,680 --> 00:13:07,114
Don't worry about it, Captain.
144
00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:11,956
Dr Jetrel will have to find himself
another laboratory rodent.
145
00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:20,437
Because I would rather die than help
you ease your conscience.
146
00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,551
I do not expect you to like me,
Mr Neelix,
147
00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:28,918
nor do I hope to allay your obvious pain
with moral arguments.
148
00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:33,437
But I do believe I can help you.
If not you, others of your race.
149
00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:38,196
Isn't that more important
than punishing me?
150
00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:51,957
Are you sure you can't do this?
151
00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:55,112
Your confidence in me is flattering,
Mr Neelix.
152
00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:59,876
But Dr Jetrel's instruments are made
to analyse Talaxian physiology.
153
00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:04,678
Just get it over with.
154
00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:15,512
Did I ever tell you about the notorious
two-tailed talchoks of Rinax?
155
00:14:15,680 --> 00:14:18,353
- I don't think so.
- Nasty little vermin.
156
00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:22,911
Sharp claws. Dripping fangs.
Quite a nuisance.
157
00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:28,029
So one summer, when I was a boy,
I decided to do something about them.
158
00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:33,718
I spent weeks tinkering,
creating a foolproof talchok trap.
159
00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:38,270
Once I perfected it,
I set it in the garden.
160
00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:42,194
The next day I found one of
those beasts, pinned at the neck.
161
00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:49,038
But it wasn't dead. It was squirming
and squealing in agony.
162
00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:54,638
It didn't look so fiendish any more.
It looked like a poor, innocent animal.
163
00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:59,999
- What a horrible story.
- I was so fascinated with my invention
164
00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:03,391
that I never thought about
how that creature would suffer.
165
00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,476
- Are you finished?
- For now.
166
00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:10,834
- So am I.
- And?
167
00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,470
- I'm sorry, Mr Neelix.
- Why are you sorry?
168
00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:19,475
I'm afraid you have incipient metremia.
169
00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:42,756
Come in.
170
00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:47,395
- How are you feeling?
- Kes, my sweet.
171
00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:54,157
This is not the first time I've stared
into the gaping maw of death.
172
00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:56,993
During the Battle
of the Pyrithian Gorge,
173
00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:01,756
I faced down an entire battery
of Haakonian artillery.
174
00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:07,392
- There I was, with almost no cover...
- You're protecting me again.
175
00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:11,030
I understand your not wanting
to talk about Rinax.
176
00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:13,794
I wasn't there. You're right.
177
00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:18,556
But I'm here now. With you.
We have to face this together.
178
00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,992
There's one good thing
that will come from all this.
179
00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:30,916
When I first met you, I didn't know
that your species only lived nine years.
180
00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:36,908
I fell in love with you
without knowing how lonely it would be
181
00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:39,878
to live without you after you're gone.
182
00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:43,794
Now that I'm going to die first,
I don't have to worry about it.
183
00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:48,309
Before I met you,
nine years seemed like an eternity.
184
00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:52,234
It never occurred to me
that anyone could live longer.
185
00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:56,871
Now, no matter how many years we
have left, it doesn't seem like enough.
186
00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:04,553
But the important thing is
to cherish whatever time we have.
187
00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:09,677
Whether it's a day or a decade.
188
00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:25,238
- Come in.
- Am I interrupting?
189
00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,953
Please. Sit down.
190
00:17:29,120 --> 00:17:34,274
Captain, I must tell you,
your ship is simply astounding.
191
00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:37,830
- I've been studying your transporters.
- Transporters?
192
00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,355
You're not more concerned
with Neelix?
193
00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:45,719
Forgive me,
but that is what I'm here to talk about.
194
00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:49,031
With relatively few minor modifications,
195
00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:54,069
the transporter could be used to
retrieve a sample of the metreon cloud.
196
00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,312
- To what end?
- I've always believed
197
00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:01,109
that if I could isolate the isotope
that causes metremia,
198
00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,113
it could be used
to synthesise an antibody.
199
00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:09,990
A victim's immune system
could destroy the disease.
200
00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:15,314
Yes, and your transporter system
makes it all possible.
201
00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:19,519
- Can the isotope be transported?
- Yes.
202
00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:23,757
A containment field
would prevent contamination.
203
00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:27,037
Our Doctor could help you
synthesise the antibody.
204
00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:29,156
My thoughts exactly.
205
00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:31,834
- Janeway to bridge.
- Chakotay here.
206
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:36,755
Tractor Dr Jetrel's vessel in and lay in
a course for the Talaxian System.
207
00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:40,310
- That's a significant detour.
- I'm aware of that.
208
00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:44,837
- But it may mean saving Neelix's life.
- Understood.
209
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,709
I'll request permission from Talax
to transport material.
210
00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:53,396
Lieutenant Torres can help you
with the transporter modifications.
211
00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:59,519
- Thank you, Captain.
- Thank you, Dr Jetrel.
212
00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:02,558
It's a very promising idea.
213
00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:07,916
What is it?
214
00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:14,952
I think I'm just a little overexcited about
the prospect of discovering a cure.
215
00:19:15,120 --> 00:19:18,317
And all that sparring with Mr Neelix
does take a toll.
216
00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:21,517
- Let the Doctor have a look at you.
- No, I'm fine.
217
00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:25,150
And there's so much to be done.
I want to start right away.
218
00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:35,349
Captain's log, stardate 48832.1.
219
00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:40,230
Neelix is allowing Dr Jetrel
to continue metabolic scans
220
00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:45,428
to facilitate treatment once
the antibody has been synthesised.
221
00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:50,558
- Will you be needing my assistance?
- Not until we have the isotope.
222
00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:53,518
Is there anything more I can do for you?
223
00:19:55,120 --> 00:20:00,148
Very well. Computer, override
command 1-EMH-Alpha. End program.
224
00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:07,317
Incredible.
A hologram that can deactivate itself.
225
00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:11,758
Is there anything besides science
that makes your heart beat faster?
226
00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:15,071
Not anymore.
Now will you please sit down?
227
00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:22,273
You know what I've been thinking?
228
00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:27,195
If I'd been in charge of the cascade,
229
00:20:27,360 --> 00:20:32,878
I'd have... I don't know...
chosen a military target,
230
00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:37,431
simply deployed it
on an uninhabited planet.
231
00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:42,552
Somehow I don't think
I'd have targeted innocent civilians.
232
00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:46,554
The strategists did not think
a demonstration would work.
233
00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:50,190
They wanted to show
the cascade's power in all its horror.
234
00:20:50,360 --> 00:20:53,875
You should have tried to stop them!
235
00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:58,158
Why didn't you speak out?
People would have listened to you.
236
00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:02,393
It would not have made any difference.
237
00:21:02,560 --> 00:21:07,270
If I had not discovered the cascade,
it would have been someone else.
238
00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:13,117
It was inevitable, one discovery
flowing naturally to the next.
239
00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:17,717
Something so enormous as science will
not stop for something as small as man.
240
00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:24,718
- So you did it for science?
- For my planet. And yes, for science.
241
00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:28,598
To know whether or not
it could be done.
242
00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:32,275
It's good to know how the world works.
243
00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:34,954
It is not possible to be a scientist
244
00:21:35,120 --> 00:21:39,830
unless you believe that all the universe's
knowledge and all its power
245
00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:44,391
is of intrinsic value to everyone.
246
00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:50,032
And one must share that knowledge
and allow it to be applied.
247
00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:55,159
And then be willing to live
with the consequences.
248
00:21:56,720 --> 00:22:01,191
Consequences? Who are you
to talk about consequences?
249
00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:05,994
You are not the only one to lose family
during the war.
250
00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:10,119
- Your family was killed?
- Nothing as clean as death.
251
00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:17,911
When I returned home after
the cascade to my lovely wife, Ka'Ree,
252
00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:22,471
she could not bear to look at me.
253
00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,473
When I reached out for her,
she'd pull away,
254
00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:28,438
as if I had some contagious disease.
255
00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:34,038
You see, like you, she thought
I had become a monster.
256
00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:37,510
Shortly after that,
she took my three children.
257
00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:41,309
And I have not seen them since.
258
00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:44,435
That's a sad story, Jetrel.
259
00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:48,434
But let me tell you another one.
260
00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:54,998
A man goes back to Rinax
after the cascade.
261
00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:57,879
Back to what had been his home.
262
00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:00,873
To look for survivors.
263
00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:06,353
But the impact of the blast has set off
fires and there's nothing there.
264
00:23:06,520 --> 00:23:11,958
Just smouldering ruins.
The stench of seared flesh.
265
00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:15,952
But in the distance,
in the middle of the emptiness,
266
00:23:16,120 --> 00:23:21,148
from out of this huge
cloud of billowing dust,
267
00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:27,235
he can see bodies moving.
268
00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:32,632
Whimpering. Coming toward him.
269
00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:40,317
They're monsters,
their flesh horribly charred,
270
00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:42,948
the colour of shale.
271
00:23:46,360 --> 00:23:48,669
One of them comes toward him...
272
00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:53,359
mangled arms outstretched...
273
00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:59,396
and he can't help it,
he turns away, frightened.
274
00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:03,398
But then the thing speaks.
275
00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:10,153
He knows by the sound of her voice
that she's not a monster, but a child.
276
00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:13,236
A little girl.
277
00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:16,276
Mr Neelix, I...
278
00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:23,794
Her name was Palaxia.
279
00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:29,954
We brought her back to Talax
with the other survivors.
280
00:24:30,120 --> 00:24:33,271
Over the next few weeks
I stayed at her bedside,
281
00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:36,193
and watched her wither away.
282
00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:43,309
Those are consequences, Dr Jetrel.
283
00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:53,232
There is no way I can ever
apologise to you, Mr Neelix.
284
00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:56,950
That's why I have not tried.
285
00:24:59,520 --> 00:25:03,115
Did you ever think that
maybe your wife was right?
286
00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:05,794
That you had become a monster?
287
00:25:06,920 --> 00:25:08,876
Yes.
288
00:25:10,120 --> 00:25:15,353
The day we tested the cascade,
when I saw that blinding light,
289
00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:18,353
brighter than 1,000 suns,
290
00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:24,594
I knew at that moment
exactly what I had become.
291
00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:28,478
I hope you have to live with that
a very long time.
292
00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:32,679
I'm afraid you will not get your wish,
Mr Neelix.
293
00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:35,950
And why is that?
294
00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:41,719
I have advanced metremia.
I'll be dead in a matter of days.
295
00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:53,869
- It's your turn.
- There's no open shot.
296
00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:57,635
Why don't you call a safety?
Isn't that what you always do?
297
00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:01,276
- I'm no coward.
- Really?
298
00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:03,271
Wait! It's my turn!
299
00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:06,352
You lost your chance to play,
now you're going to lose.
300
00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:10,559
Neelix, where did you go?
Why did you leave us?
301
00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:14,315
- I did what I thought was right.
- You were afraid.
302
00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:16,152
No! I...
303
00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:18,356
- Neelix.
- Who are you?
304
00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:20,795
It's me. Palaxia.
305
00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:24,912
Why weren't you there to help us?
306
00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:33,229
You! You did this! Butcher!
307
00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:39,915
Bridge to Neelix.
308
00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:46,239
Here, Captain.
309
00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:50,791
I thought you'd like
to know, we're approaching Rinax.
310
00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:56,036
Neelix?
311
00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:00,238
Thank you, Captain. I'll be right there.
312
00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:04,434
Entering synchronous orbit, Captain.
313
00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:17,833
Hard to believe that on clear nights
314
00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:22,676
you could look up from Talax and see
the shimmering lights of the colony.
315
00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:31,476
The night of the cascade,
a bright flash cut across the sky,
316
00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:35,918
so blinding that people
threw themselves to the ground.
317
00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:41,350
And everything stopped.
Like a moment out of time.
318
00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:47,519
We all looked up to see
where the flash had come from.
319
00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:52,275
But the sky seemed oddly empty.
320
00:27:54,880 --> 00:27:59,351
Took most of us a few seconds to
realise it was because Rinax was...
321
00:28:01,360 --> 00:28:03,078
gone.
322
00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:08,189
The moon was there. We just couldn't
see it because of that metreon cloud.
323
00:28:08,360 --> 00:28:10,351
Engineering to bridge.
324
00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:13,637
We're ready to begin
transporter presequencing.
325
00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:18,954
This brings back too many memories,
Captain. If you'll excuse me.
326
00:28:27,120 --> 00:28:29,236
Of course.
327
00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:37,151
I believe I asked for a larger container.
328
00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:40,596
We're talking about
a cloud sample large enough
329
00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:43,558
to contain a few
sub-atomic particles, right?
330
00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:48,157
Yes, but the isotope accounts for just
a minuscule fraction of the cloud.
331
00:28:48,320 --> 00:28:52,438
- I want to be sure we get enough.
- We do this all the time.
332
00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:55,956
Captain, I'm ready to begin transport.
333
00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:59,078
- Proceed.
- Targeting scanners.
334
00:28:59,240 --> 00:29:01,708
Locking on.
335
00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:04,750
Energise.
336
00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:13,513
We have the sample aboard.
The containment field is holding.
337
00:29:13,680 --> 00:29:16,433
Well done. Janeway out.
338
00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:18,556
Good luck, Doctor.
339
00:29:31,560 --> 00:29:33,516
Neelix?
340
00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:37,149
Are you in here?
341
00:29:47,680 --> 00:29:52,231
I've been looking for you everywhere.
Why did you take your combadge off?
342
00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:57,759
- I wanted to be alone.
- I'm sorry to bother you.
343
00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:04,153
But I was worried.
I know how you must feel.
344
00:30:04,320 --> 00:30:06,470
No, you don't know!
345
00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:10,713
Not everything.
346
00:30:11,760 --> 00:30:16,356
You don't know where I was
the night Rinax was destroyed.
347
00:30:16,520 --> 00:30:20,513
On Talax, fighting
with the defence forces.
348
00:30:20,680 --> 00:30:25,390
I was on Talax. But I wasn't
fighting with the defence forces.
349
00:30:28,640 --> 00:30:30,870
I was hiding from them.
350
00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,795
I wasn't a hero at
the Battle of the Pyrithian Gorge.
351
00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:47,432
- I've never even been there.
- I don't understand.
352
00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:52,439
- I never reported for duty.
- Why not?
353
00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:57,875
I thought the war was unjust.
354
00:30:58,040 --> 00:31:02,670
That Talax was fighting for reasons
that weren't worth killing for.
355
00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:08,236
Or at least that's what I told myself.
356
00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:13,675
But the real reason I didn't report...
357
00:31:18,320 --> 00:31:20,754
...was because I was a coward.
358
00:31:23,560 --> 00:31:25,790
Now you know.
359
00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:34,439
If the authorities had caught you,
what would they have done?
360
00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:40,118
During wartime, punishment
for refusing military service was death.
361
00:31:40,280 --> 00:31:46,230
So you put your life at risk
for something you believed in.
362
00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:49,995
And you think that makes you
a coward? I don't understand.
363
00:31:50,160 --> 00:31:52,515
It makes me a liar.
364
00:31:52,680 --> 00:31:56,195
I've lied about it all these years.
To everyone.
365
00:31:56,960 --> 00:32:02,080
- Because you're dishonest?
- Because I'm ashamed.
366
00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:06,356
What an awful burden
you've carried all these years.
367
00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:09,990
- No wonder you're so angry with Jetrel.
- Course I am!
368
00:32:10,160 --> 00:32:14,995
He killed them all. My mother,
my father, my little brothers.
369
00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:22,229
Is that really why? Ever since Jetrel
came on board you've despised him.
370
00:32:22,400 --> 00:32:27,030
The hurt and anger you've held in
all these years was vented at him.
371
00:32:27,680 --> 00:32:30,672
But was it really Jetrel
you're angry with?
372
00:32:30,840 --> 00:32:33,479
Is he the one you blame
for what happened?
373
00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:39,151
- I don't know.
- Or was he just a convenient target
374
00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:42,118
to keep you from looking
somewhere else?
375
00:32:42,280 --> 00:32:44,953
You mean...
376
00:32:46,400 --> 00:32:49,073
from looking at myself?
377
00:32:53,720 --> 00:32:55,950
You may be right.
378
00:32:58,080 --> 00:33:02,710
But I hate him.
I don't think I can stop hating him.
379
00:33:03,520 --> 00:33:06,671
Maybe you have to stop
hating yourself first.
380
00:33:22,440 --> 00:33:24,431
Are we ready to begin synthesis?
381
00:33:24,600 --> 00:33:29,628
Computer, override command
1-EMH-Alpha and end program.
382
00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:31,518
Just wait...
383
00:34:04,080 --> 00:34:06,036
- Dr Jetrel.
- You startled me!
384
00:34:06,200 --> 00:34:10,751
- I'm sorry but I need to speak...
- Could we talk later?
385
00:34:10,920 --> 00:34:13,912
It won't be long before
I am too weak to work.
386
00:34:14,080 --> 00:34:16,469
I would like to finish before I die.
387
00:34:20,560 --> 00:34:22,755
What is that?
388
00:34:24,040 --> 00:34:28,079
You're engaging in some
bizarre experiment, aren't you?
389
00:34:28,240 --> 00:34:31,710
- What is it this time?
- I can help them.
390
00:34:34,120 --> 00:34:37,430
What do you call that?
Scientific progress?
391
00:34:37,600 --> 00:34:40,273
I'm going to the Captain.
392
00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:51,278
- Any progress report from Dr Jetrel?
- Not yet.
393
00:34:51,440 --> 00:34:54,716
Bridge to sickbay. Janeway to sickbay.
394
00:34:56,560 --> 00:34:58,630
Janeway to Dr Jetrel.
395
00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:02,799
Computer, activate
Emergency Medical Hologram.
396
00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:05,190
What's going on down there, Doctor?
397
00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:09,035
Dr Jetrel deactivated me.
He's gone now.
398
00:35:09,200 --> 00:35:11,794
Computer, locate Dr Jetrel.
399
00:35:11,960 --> 00:35:13,951
Dr Jetrel is in transporter room 1.
400
00:35:14,120 --> 00:35:19,240
And Mr Neelix is unconscious.
It appears he's been tranquillised.
401
00:35:20,360 --> 00:35:24,797
You have the bridge.
Security to transporter room 1. Tuvok.
402
00:35:31,840 --> 00:35:36,470
- Step aside, Doctor.
- I must continue. Lives depend on it.
403
00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:40,110
You're beginning to lose credibility.
404
00:35:40,280 --> 00:35:43,272
Captain, I beg you.
Let me bring them back.
405
00:35:43,440 --> 00:35:46,512
Bring who back? Who, Doctor?
406
00:35:47,800 --> 00:35:50,155
Who is it you're going to bring back?
407
00:35:51,280 --> 00:35:53,430
The victims of Rinax.
408
00:36:02,240 --> 00:36:08,554
- He's out of his mind, Captain.
- Please. Look at my calculations.
409
00:36:08,720 --> 00:36:11,632
You remember what I told you
about metremia.
410
00:36:11,800 --> 00:36:16,920
How it causes the body's atomic
structure to undergo fission.
411
00:36:17,080 --> 00:36:22,757
It mirrors the way the metreon cascade
vaporised its victims
412
00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:25,036
through biomolecular disintegration.
413
00:36:25,200 --> 00:36:30,832
- Do we have to listen to this?
- I think we should hear him out.
414
00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:33,912
What I've been working on
for the past 15 years
415
00:36:34,080 --> 00:36:39,871
is a way to rebuild that atomic structure.
What I call regenerative fusion.
416
00:36:40,040 --> 00:36:45,034
Are you saying
you're actually trying to restore
417
00:36:45,200 --> 00:36:48,351
people who were vaporised
by the metreon cascade?
418
00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:55,471
- Yes!
- I don't see how that's possible.
419
00:36:55,640 --> 00:37:00,156
The properties of the cloud are such
that the disassembled bio-matter
420
00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:06,998
has been held in a state of animated
suspension. Reintegration is possible.
421
00:37:07,160 --> 00:37:10,232
Is that what you were doing
with that thing in sickbay?
422
00:37:10,400 --> 00:37:13,233
Yes. Exactly. Neelix saw it.
423
00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:16,995
It was an amalgamation
of randomly fused organic material,
424
00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:20,118
bits and pieces
of previously vaporised bio-matter.
425
00:37:21,720 --> 00:37:27,078
But if the bio-matter in the cloud
is so random, so jumbled,
426
00:37:27,240 --> 00:37:29,470
how could you reconstruct
something whole?
427
00:37:29,640 --> 00:37:35,397
I identified the genetic coding
of a specific victim. A test case.
428
00:37:35,560 --> 00:37:38,711
Once we input his DNA sequence,
429
00:37:38,880 --> 00:37:44,591
then we can isolate his atomic
fragments with targeting scanners
430
00:37:44,760 --> 00:37:47,832
and then rematerialise him.
431
00:37:49,360 --> 00:37:51,430
What if he's right?
432
00:37:51,600 --> 00:37:57,038
Dr Jetrel's proposing the reconstruction
of a complex set of bio-systems
433
00:37:57,200 --> 00:37:59,430
from billions of subatomic particles.
434
00:38:01,200 --> 00:38:06,115
I'm afraid I have to agree.
It all sounds very implausible.
435
00:38:08,680 --> 00:38:12,195
You sound exactly like my country.
436
00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:20,316
I asked them for more funds to continue
my research to help Rinax victims
437
00:38:20,480 --> 00:38:25,713
because I wanted the world to know
I'm not a monster.
438
00:38:25,880 --> 00:38:30,795
My theories can be used to heal
as well as to destroy.
439
00:38:32,360 --> 00:38:35,670
But they refused me,
440
00:38:35,840 --> 00:38:39,196
called me a Talaxian sympathiser,
and exiled me.
441
00:38:43,520 --> 00:38:46,751
Does Neelix really have metremia?
442
00:38:46,920 --> 00:38:51,710
Or was that just a pretext
for getting us to come to Rinax?
443
00:38:51,880 --> 00:38:54,599
It was just a pretext, Captain.
444
00:38:55,560 --> 00:38:58,950
You do not have metremia.
You are not going to die.
445
00:39:04,520 --> 00:39:07,080
Why didn't you just tell us the truth?
446
00:39:07,240 --> 00:39:11,392
Your Captain is an accomplished
scientist. She doubts my theories.
447
00:39:11,560 --> 00:39:17,351
My government did, too. I just could not
risk being not believed again.
448
00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:23,629
But, Captain... it will work.
449
00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:31,269
Captain, if there's any chance
he can do it, you've got to let him try.
450
00:39:32,200 --> 00:39:35,431
Neelix, there are just
too many variables.
451
00:39:35,600 --> 00:39:38,273
Please, Captain.
452
00:39:45,240 --> 00:39:50,075
Activate the emergency containment
field around the transporter pad.
453
00:39:50,280 --> 00:39:52,919
Aye, Captain.
454
00:39:54,800 --> 00:39:57,758
Emergency containment field activated.
455
00:39:57,920 --> 00:40:01,037
Retarget scanners to a wide
confinement beam.
456
00:40:01,200 --> 00:40:04,397
It's our only hope
of achieving bond cohesion.
457
00:40:04,560 --> 00:40:07,632
- Retargeting scanners to wide beam.
- Energise.
458
00:40:10,400 --> 00:40:13,153
Phase transition coils to maximum.
459
00:40:16,760 --> 00:40:20,036
- Is the biogenic field operational?
- Affirmative.
460
00:40:21,000 --> 00:40:23,070
It's incredible!
461
00:40:23,240 --> 00:40:25,470
Atomic cohesion has dropped to 49%.
462
00:40:25,640 --> 00:40:28,518
- Buffers to maximum power.
- They are at 100%.
463
00:40:28,680 --> 00:40:32,593
- Take them to 120%.
- Pattern buffers to 120%.
464
00:40:32,760 --> 00:40:35,911
- We're losing him.
- Atomic cohesion to 39%.
465
00:40:36,080 --> 00:40:38,275
22%. 14%.
466
00:40:38,440 --> 00:40:43,468
- His pattern is degrading.
- Increase the power to the buffers!
467
00:40:43,640 --> 00:40:46,791
Is there any way to augment
the biogenic field?
468
00:40:46,960 --> 00:40:50,032
The degree of fragmentation
is too great.
469
00:40:50,200 --> 00:40:52,475
We are overloading the system.
470
00:40:58,040 --> 00:41:01,157
Shut it down, Mr Tuvok.
471
00:41:16,280 --> 00:41:20,193
Captain's log, stardate 48840.5.
472
00:41:20,360 --> 00:41:23,750
Dr Jetrel's metremia
is now in its final stage.
473
00:41:23,920 --> 00:41:26,798
He's spending his remaining hours
in sickbay.
474
00:41:43,240 --> 00:41:45,037
Neelix!
475
00:41:46,960 --> 00:41:52,910
I suppose you think
this is a fitting punishment for me.
476
00:41:55,600 --> 00:41:59,798
Maybe the cascade
was a punishment for all of us.
477
00:41:59,960 --> 00:42:03,157
For our hatred.
478
00:42:03,320 --> 00:42:05,914
Our brutality.
479
00:42:07,480 --> 00:42:10,153
There's something I need to tell you.
480
00:42:12,240 --> 00:42:16,233
I tried to tell you before, but...
481
00:42:16,400 --> 00:42:18,516
What is it?
482
00:42:18,680 --> 00:42:21,752
I want to tell you...
483
00:42:23,160 --> 00:42:25,355
that I forgive you.
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