Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager and all its characters and episodes are owned by Paramount Pictures. The following script is made available for your personal enjoyment only. Script courtesy of Astor Dark ----------------------------------------------------------------------- STAR TREK: VOYAGER "One" TEASER FADE IN: 1 INT. MESS HALL (OPTICAL) Dinner in the Mess Hall. A number of the crew are there, including HARRY KIM and B'ELANNA TORRES, sitting together at one of the tables, eating. SEVEN OF NINE approaches them. SEVEN OF NINE: Lieutenant, Ensign. KIM: Hey, Seven. TORRES: Would you like some dinner? The potato salad isn't half bad. SEVEN OF NINE: I don't require nourishment at this time. I would like to talk with you. They exchange a curious glance. KIM: Okay... SEVEN OF NINE: Ensign Kim, what is your place of origin? An unusual request, but Harry is game. KIM: You mean... where am I from? Well, I was born in New Mexico, but I grew up in- She cuts him off and turns to Torres. SEVEN OF NINE: Lieutenant Torres, explain why you became a member of the Maquis. Equally odd. B'Elanna hesitates, but answers. TORRES: It was through Chakotay. I met him... actually, he saved my life, and- SEVEN OF NINE: (to Harry) List the sports you play. Harry is definitely puzzled by this rapid-fire questioning. In the back- ground, we see the DOCTOR approaching, listening. KIM: Well, I've dabbled in quite a few... tennis, Parisses' Squares... but volleyball is probably my favorite- SEVEN OF NINE: (to B'Elanna) Specify the foods you find enjoyable. B'Elanna wants to know what's going on. TORRES: Seven, what is this? But Seven of Nine ignores her. SEVEN OF NINE: Describe the nature of your sexual relationship with Lieutenant Paris. The last straw. TORRES: Now wait just a minute- DOCTOR: Computer, freeze program. All but Seven of Nine and the Doctor freeze in a HOLOGRAPHIC EFFECT. The Doctor pulls Seven of Nine away from the group. DOCTOR: Would you care to explain what you're doing? Seven of Nine is genuinely puzzled. SEVEN OF NINE: I'm doing exactly what you instructed me to do. DOCTOR: I hardly think so. (beat) I created this program to help you become more comfortable in social situations - not to practice alienating people. SEVEN OF NINE: You made recommendations about how to carry on a conversation. DOCTOR: That's true. SEVEN OF NINE: You said it's helpful if people feel you're interested in them. DOCTOR: Correct. SEVEN OF NINE: And that "drawing them out" by asking them about themselves is one way to demonstrate that interest. Now the Doctor understands. DOCTOR: But that doesn't mean subjecting them to an interrogation. You have to let them answer... listen to what they say... ask another question on the same subject... take your time. Seven of Nine stares at him, not fully understanding. DOCTOR: Shall we try again? Seven of Nine eyes him briefly, then- SEVEN OF NINE: I am overdue for my weekly medical maintenance. We should go. He gives her a knowing look. DOCTOR: Seven, you've never volunteered for a check-up. SEVEN OF NINE: It is preferable to remaining here. And she EXITS, the Doctor following. 2 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) as it approaches a filmy nebula-like phenomenon. 3 INT. BRIDGE JANEWAY, CHAKOTAY, PARIS, TUVOK, Kim, and N.D.s. JANEWAY: What have we got here? KIM: Looks like a Mutara class nebula... with a few trace constituents that aren't in our database. But they're showing up in minute quantities. TUVOK: The nebula is vast, Captain. It extends beyond the reach of our sensors. JANEWAY: Then I guess we won't try to go around it. Tom, take us in at one-half impulse. PARIS: Yes, Ma'am. He works controls. KIM: I'm detecting a slight radioactive field... it's... Harry breaks off and winces slightly. JANEWAY: Harry? KIM: Nothing... just a headache coming on... But then he takes a breath in pain, puts his hands to his temples. Janeway moves toward him. CHAKOTAY: Maybe you should go to Sickbay... KIM: Maybe so- But now he clutches at his console, head down, trying to deal with the pain. PARIS: Captain... She whirls to see that all the Bridge crew is reacting in pain, some clutching their stomachs, some their chests... then she, too, begins to feel it. A strangled cry from Harry makes her turn back. He's looking at the back of his hand, pressed up against the console. 4 INSERT (OPTICAL) A horrible smoking BURN is eating through Harry's hand. 5 RESUME One by one the crew crumples to the deck, in agony. Off the mystery- FADE OUT. END OF TEASER ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) 6 INT. BRIDGE As before. Janeway is gripping the side of her chair, desperately hanging on. JANEWAY: Tom... turn us around... get us out of here... Tom is on the deck, doubled over, groaning. But he struggles to get to his feet, can't make it, sinks back down. At the rear stations, an N.D. covers his face, writhing. Tuvok, with difficulty, steps from behind his console and starts toward the conn. JANEWAY: Janeway... to Sickbay... INTERCUT 7 INT. SICKBAY where the Doctor is treating one N.D. with a hypospray as a group of N.D.s stumbles in through the door. They have burns on their faces. Seven of Nine is there as well. DOCTOR: Yes, Captain... JANEWAY: We need help DOCTOR: What's happened? I'm being inundated with calls! JANEWAY: (weakly) Hurry.. The Doctor gives Seven of Nine an instrument. DOCTOR: Go to the Bridge. Use the dermal regenerator to treat the burns. She nods and EXITS with the dermal regenerator. 8 ANGLE ON TOM as he forces himself to try to crawl toward the conn, but each inch causes him agony. He takes a deep breath, tries to clear his eyes. His face is drenched in perspiration. 9 ANGLE ON TUVOK who is also in pain, jaw clenched, perspiring, moving forward step by painful step. He finally reaches the conn and collapses in the seat, and enters instructions. TUVOK: (with difficulty) Course laid in... Then he bends over the conn, suffering. 10 TOWARD THE REAR The N.D. who covered his face is writhing on the deck. Finally, he shudders and lies still. 11 ANGLE ON JANEWAY grimly hanging on. Then, gradually, her face relaxes and her eyes clear. She draws a deep breath, looks up. Every else seems to feel a little better, too. She manages to get to her feet, heads toward the collapsed N.D.. Harry has raised himself up, now studies his console. KIM: We're clear of the nebula... People begin standing up, returning to their stations. At that point, the Turbolift doors OPEN and Seven of Nine comes onto the Bridge, looks around, sees Janeway approaching the N.D. Seven of Nine joins her and they roll him over and react. 12 THE N.D. - THEIR POV Hideous burns cover his face. 13 BACK TO SCENE Seven of Nine feels for his arterial pulse, looks up. SEVEN OF NINE: He's dead. And off the solemn moment... 14 INT. ASTROMETRICS LAB (OPTICAL) Janeway and Seven of Nine stare at the dome, which displays a graphic showing a representation of a tiny, dwarfed Voyager beside a nebula so vast its borders are past the edges of the screen. SEVEN OF NINE: The nebula extends for at least one hundred and ten light years. Possibly more. JANEWAY: At the least, it would take us well over a month to get through it and more than a year to go around. SEVEN OF NINE: The crew was unable to tolerate the nebula for even a few minutes. They would certainly not survive a month. Janeway takes this in. Then- JANEWAY: We've come fifteen thousand light years. We haven't been stopped by temporal anomalies, warp core breeches, or hostile aliens. I'm damned if I'm going to be stopped by a nebula. Seven of Nine acknowledges her determination. She heads for the door. JANEWAY: I'll be in Sickbay. And she EXITS. 15 INT. MED LAB The Doctor and Janeway. DOCTOR: I've analyzed a sample of the gases from the nebula. I think the damage came from subnucleonic radiation... even the briefest exposure is devastating to organic tissue. JANEWAY: Can you give us any protection against the effects? DOCTOR: Yes. Janeway waits expectantly. DOCTOR: Stasis chambers. Independent life support for each unit. She gives him a questioning look. JANEWAY: Are you suggesting... that the entire crew be put in suspended animation? DOCTOR: Yes. I, of course, would stay on line in order to monitor everyone. Janeway considers the monumental implications of his suggestion. JANEWAY: It's a drastic step... are there any other options? Adjusting the shields? Inoculations? DOCTOR: I assure you I've considered all possibilities. This is the only way. JANEWAY: There's more to getting through the nebula than monitoring the crew... who would regulate ship's systems? Make course corrections? DOCTOR: (a bit stung) I think I've demonstrated that I have a command of the rudimentary aspects of piloting... JANEWAY: Of course you have. And I know you could do it... (beat) But you need back-up. We have no idea what effect the nebular radiation might have on your holomatrix. What if you went off-line? The Doctor ponders the situation. DOCTOR: There was only one crewmember besides myself who seemed unaffected by the nebula... And Janeway realizes who that is. It isn't the best choice in the world. 16 INT. CARGO BAY Janeway with Seven of Nine. JANEWAY: I want you to understand the seriousness of this responsibility. The lives of the entire crew will be on your shoulders. SEVEN OF NINE: You doubt my ability to fulfill this task. JANEWAY: Ordinarily, not at all. But this is an unusual situation. Seven of Nine looks at her quizzically. JANEWAY: After being in the Collective, it wasn't easy for you to adjust to a ship with only a hundred and fifty people on it. How would you feel with only the Doctor for company? SEVEN OF NINE: I will adapt. But Janeway still seems concerned. JANEWAY: Most humans don't react particularly well to long periods of isolation. Borg Drones have even more difficulty. Seven of Nine regards Janeway with her customary cool. SEVEN OF NINE: As you've pointed out, I am neither Borg nor human. I can do this, Captain. Janeway detects the note of pride in her voice - Seven of Nine wants to do this, and to do a good job. JANEWAY: All right. I'll work with the senior staff to draw up a list of duties. She pauses, thinks it's necessary to add one more point. JANEWAY: Let me make it clear that the Doctor will be in command. You're to follow his instructions as you would mine. Seven hesitates. SEVEN OF NINE: Follow the orders... of a hologram? JANEWAY: (firmly) He's our Chief Medical Officer and he's thoroughly grounded in Starfleet protocols. You will report to him. It takes Seven a second, but finally she acquiesces. SEVEN OF NINE: I understand. And off her always imperturbable gaze. 16A INT. BRIEFING ROOM Janeway, Chakotay, Paris, Kim and Torres discuss the upcoming situation. CHAKOTAY: The Doctor is preparing the stasis units now. We should be ready by seventeen hundred hours. Paris seems uneasy with the whole idea. PARIS: And... how long will this be for? JANEWAY: We don't know for certain. At least a month. Maybe longer, if the nebula is larger than we estimate. TORRES: I've never been in stasis. Are there any side effects? JANEWAY: The Doctor assures me it'll be just like taking a nap. We'll go into the units... our cardiopulmonary systems will be slowed... neural activity suspended... and we'll wake up feeling as though we'd had a good night's sleep. In spite of these assurances, it's clear that the crew feels uneasy about this prospect. KIM: There are things that can go wrong... at least, that's what I've read. JANEWAY: We'll have the Doctor and Seven monitoring us. They'll be checking our vital signs four times a day, taking care of any problems. PARIS: I assume we've explored all the alternatives... Janeway decides to confront the collective discomfort head on. JANEWAY: I know you're all feeling uneasy about this. I'd be lying if I said I don't have concerns myself. (beat) I think it has to do with the loss of control. We all feel better if we think we're in charge of our circumstances. In stasis, we give up that control. (beat) No Starfleet officer likes doing that. She looks around the room. JANEWAY: Crews have been in stasis for much longer than a month. I think we can handle this. No response. As positively as possible: JANEWAY: All right. You're free until seventeen hundred hours. I'll make a ship-wide announcement when the Doctor's ready. (beat) Dismissed. The others rise to go, but Chakotay waits. When they're gone... JANEWAY: Something else? CHAKOTAY: I want you to tell me. that this isn't a mistake. She regards him quizzically. JANEWAY: Your turn to get reassurance? CHAKOTAY: Maybe. But my concern isn't about going into stasis... He hesitates, not sure how to say this. CHAKOTAY: It's about... who you're leaving in charge. JANEWAY: You're worried about Seven. CHAKOTAY: Maybe you need to step outside yourself for a minute... look at the fact that here's someone who's butted horns with you from the moment she came on board... who disregards authority... and actively disobeys orders when she doesn't agree with them... She gives him a long look, finishes the thought. JANEWAY: And this is the person I'm giving responsibility for the lives of the entire crew. An ironic smile. JANEWAY: I suppose you want me to tell you I'm not crazy. CHAKOTAY: In a nutshell. (beat) I know your bond with Seven is unique... different from everyone else's. From the beginning, you've seen things in her that no one else could. (beat) But maybe you could help me understand some of those things. She absorbs this, considering what he's said. JANEWAY: I don't know if I can. It's just instinct. There's something inside me that says she can be redeemed. In spite of her insolent attitude, I honestly think she wants to do well by us. He considers, then acknowledges. CHAKOTAY: That's good enough for me. She smiles, grateful for his support. JANEWAY: See you at seventeen hundred hours. He turns and EXITS, leaving her to ponder her decision. 17 INT. STASIS ROOM (NOTE: This is the Cargo Bay redressed.) Seven of Nine and the Doctor with Janeway, Paris and Kim. In the room are a number of stasis containers (as seen in "Resolutions"). Some already contain crewmembers. The Doctor is wearing his mobile emitter. PARIS: If I have to take a nap for a month, I'd rather do it in my own quarters. DOCTOR: Everyone's being relocated here to Deck Fourteen. That will make it easier for us to monitor you. Hop in. Harry climbs into his container, but Tom stands there, looking dubious. KIM: Come on, Tom. Sleepy time. But Tom doesn't move. Clearly he's uneasy. PARIS: What if we had to get out in a hurry? JANEWAY: You can unlock the unit from inside. But Tom isn't particularly comforted, still hesitates. DOCTOR: Do I detect a note of claustrophobia, Lieutenant? Tom reluctantly climbs in. PARIS: Did they have to design these things like coffins? KIM: Should we replicate you a pillow? Tom shoots him a look, and the Doctor prepares to close the hatch. DOCTOR: Sleep tight. He and Seven of Nine close both containers. Then they move with Janeway to another stasis unit. DOCTOR: Please have no worries, Captain. You'll close your eyes and the next thing you know I'll be standing over you, telling you we're through the nebula. Janeway climbs into her unit. JANEWAY: I'm leaving the ship in good hands. I have every confidence in both of you. She settles back, JANEWAY: See you in a month. The Doctor and Seven of Nine close the unit; he makes a few adjustments at the console. Then, looking around the room DOCTOR: Well - it's just the two of us now. 18 ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL) The room, optically enhanced, is vast, and filled with containers. Seven of Nine and the Doctor are two small figures at one end of the room, dwarfed by the long lines of stasis containers. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO FADE IN: 19 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) moving through the nebula. SEVEN OF NINE (V.O.): Personal Log, Seven of Nine, Stardate 51929.3. This is the tenth day of our journey through the Mutara nebula. I have created an efficient daily routine. 20 INT. CORRIDOR Seven of Nine walking the corridor. The only SOUND heard is the ambient HUM of Voyager's systems. She reaches the doors to the Mess Hall, which open. 21 INT. MESS HALL (OPTICAL) avoiding the windows. The room is deserted and at a low light level. Seven of Nine moves to a replicator. SEVEN OF NINE: Nutritional supplement fourteen-beta-seven. The replicator provides a glass of beverage. Seven of Nine takes it and crosses to one of the tables. She sits in the empty room and sips at her nourishment. TIME CUT TO: 22 INT. ENGINEERING Completely empty, a strange contrast to its usually bustling nature. Seven of Nine ENTERS and walks to the console at the railing around the core, works controls. She checks several other monitors. Then she turns and EXITS briskly. 23 INT. BRIDGE Seven of Nine ENTERS from the Turbolift and goes to the conn, sees something she doesn't like. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, adjust heading by point three-four-seven degrees starboard. COMPUTER VOICE: Course adjusted. 24 INT. CORRIDOR as Seven of Nine walks. Then she stops, seeing something just ahead. 25 OPEN DOOR - HER POV Doors are open just ahead of her, and on the deck she sees an arm jutting out from the room. 26 RESUME SCENE She hurries forward, tapping her combadge as she does. Reveal Tom Paris sprawled on the deck, unconscious. SEVEN OF NINE: Seven of Nine to the Doctor. INTERCUT: 27 INT. SICKBAY DOCTOR: Go ahead. SEVEN OF NINE: Lieutenant Paris has left his stasis unit. He's unconscious. DOCTOR: I'll be right there. TIME CUT TO: 28 INT. STASIS ROOM Seven of Nine and the Doctor have just finished loading Tom back into his container and are closing the lid. The Doctor is wearing his mobile emitter. DOCTOR: Apparently he's more claustrophobic than I thought. But he doesn't seem to have suffered any ill effects. He makes an adjustment to the controls. SEVEN OF NINE: Is this likely to happen again? DOCTOR: It's not unheard of for people to come out of stasis and start wandering. (beat) Leave it to Mister Paris to be just as much trouble now as when he's awake. SEVEN OF NINE: You knew this might happen. Why complain about it? And now we sense that these two are beginning to get on one another's nerves. As they make adjustments to the controls... DOCTOR: If you had even the slightest sense of humor, you'd realize I was making a small joke. SEVEN OF NINE: Very small. He shoots her a glance, annoyed. DOCTOR: Give me his vital signs, please. SEVEN OF NINE: Pulse, forty-two. Body temperature, ninety-seven-point-six. Blood pressure one hundred over fifty. DOCTOR: Good. SEVEN OF NINE: I'll continue on my rounds. DOCTOR: I think not. We're paying a visit to the Holodeck. SEVEN OF NINE: I have no time for frivolous pursuits. DOCTOR: It's not frivolous - it's essential. She looks at him, questioning. DOCTOR: You've been getting more irritable and short-tempered with each passing day. SEVEN OF NINE: So have you. DOCTOR: Only because I'm having to put up with you. You need a little brush-up course in getting along with people. SEVEN OF NINE: (puzzled) There's no one here to get along with. DOCTOR: I'm here. (beat) This isn't a suggestion and it's not a request. It's an order. She gives him an icy look, but acquiesces. She turns on her heel and EXITS; he follows. 29 INT. MESS HALL (OPTICAL) As before, crowded with people in a festive mood. The Doctor is momentarily chatting with Janeway and Chakotay. Seven of Nine stands to one side, sullenly alone, working at a PADD, ignoring the others. NEELIX approaches her. NEELIX: Join the party, Seven. It's no fun to stand here by yourself. SEVEN OF NINE: I have no desire to "have fun." NEELIX: (puzzled) No? SEVEN OF NINE: I am attempting to recalibrate the warp field in order to resist the nebula's radiation. She eyes Neelix briefly, then gets an idea which will turn the Doctor's order to her own ends. SEVEN OF NINE: I believe you have some knowledge of warp field theory. (beat) Perhaps you can help me. She has purposely tapped into Neelix' desire to be useful. He takes her PADD, peers at it. NEELIX: I'd be happy to give it a try. (reads) Let's see... the subspace field matrix looks right. Hmmm... Janeway approaches. SEVEN OF NINE: Captain... perhaps you could help as well. We are attempting to find a stronger warp field calibration. Janeway is immediately intrigued. The Doctor is watching in the background. JANEWAY: Interesting. Maybe if you vary the EM stress parameters, the warp field dynamic would increase. NEELIX: Excellent idea, Captain. And if the warp coils were re-phased, it would increase power to the nacelles. SEVEN OF NINE: There is an additional problem. We must compensate for a subspace induction drag on the engines... DOCTOR: Computer, freeze program. The figures FREEZE and the Doctor grabs Seven of Nine's arm, pulls her away. DOCTOR: You're completely missing the point of this exercise. You're supposed to be mixing and mingling - not working on Engineering problems. SEVEN OF NINE: You ordered me to participate in this program. You did not specify the topic of conversation. The Doctor is definitely getting irritated. The nature of their conflict escalates during the next. DOCTOR: You're splitting hairs. You know very well what purpose this program is supposed to serve. SEVEN OF NINE: I find that it serves no purpose whatsoever. DOCTOR: You're being intentionally perverse. SEVEN OF NINE: Holodecks are a pointless endeavor, fulfilling some human need to fantasize. I have no such need. DOCTOR: What you need is a means of curbing that tongue of yours. I don't want to put up with your crankiness for the next month. SEVEN OF NINE: We can arrange to avoid each other. DOCTOR: I wish it were that simple. Unfortunately, you have to report to me four times a day to keep me informed about the crew. SEVEN OF NINE: We can minimize those reports- But before she can finish, the ship TREMBLES. They react. COMPUTER VOICE: Warning. Emergency procedures in effect. DOCTOR: (alarmed) Computer, what is the nature of the emergency? COMPUTER VOICE: The antimatter storage tanks are failing. This is a crisis. Seven of Nine and the Doctor rush out. 30 INT. CORRIDOR Seven of Nine accesses a wall panel. SEVEN OF NINE: A cascade effect is in progress. The warp field coils are compromised... primary deuterium tank is rupturing... plasma conduits are ready to breach. DOCTOR: This is awful! SEVEN OF NINE: We have to eject the antimatter tanks. DOCTOR: We've got to coordinate the effort. You go to Engineering, I'll go to the Bridge. She nods and they hurry off in opposite directions. 31 INT. BRIDGE as the Doctor runs in and goes to an aft Engineering station. He quickly pushes controls, looks stricken. DOCTOR: Doctor to Seven... INTERCUT: 32 INT. CORRIDOR as Seven of Nine hurries toward Engineering. SEVEN OF NINE: Yes, Doctor? DOCTOR: It's worse than we thought. Engineering is flooded with plasma. You'll never get in. SEVEN OF NINE: I believe I can survive long enough to eject the assembly. DOCTOR: It's too late. Sensors show plasma conduits rupturing on Decks Seven and Thirteen... Seven of Nine is near the doors to Engineering. SEVEN OF NINE: I can do it. DOCTOR: (reacting to something on sensors) Seven - there's been another plasma discharge in Engineering! The hull is breaching! Get out of there! But Seven of Nine is at the doors, which slide open. She reacts in surprise. 33 INT. ENGINEERING - HER POV It is pristine. No gas, no explosions. The warp core churns comfortingly. DOCTOR: Seven? Do you hear me? SEVEN OF NINE: It's all right, Doctor. (beat) False alarm. And off the mystery FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO ACT THREE FADE IN: 34 INT. ENGINEERING (VPB) The Doctor is now there, wearing his emitter, and has called up an Okudagram of the neural gel-pack schematic. They are both studying it. DOCTOR: I think I've found the problem. (beat) There are malfunctions in a number of neural gelpacks. As a result, false readings were fed to the sensors which detected an emergency where there was none. SEVEN OF NINE: We must repair them. DOCTOR: They seem to be in sequence six-theta-nine. We'll need replacement packs and a repair kit. Seven of Nine collects an Engineering kit and another which contains the gel-packs. They move to the Jefferies Tube and ENTER. 35 INT. JEFFERIES TUBE - HORIZONTAL Seven of Nine and the Doctor crawling. The Doctor doesn't enjoy this. DOCTOR: These tubes certainly weren't designed with creature comfort in mind. It seems to me the shipbuilders should've created a space in which one can walk upright. SEVEN OF NINE: But they didn't. And it doesn't help to complain about it now. DOCTOR: I'll complain if I want to. It's comforting. SEVEN OF NINE: (ignoring him) We can access sequence six-theta-nine from there. They stop at a panel and open it. 36 ANGLE ON GEL - PACK (OPTICAL) They see one of the packs, clearly damaged. The Doctor takes a tricorder from the Engineering kit and scans. DOCTOR: Odd... I've never seen this kind of neural activity in the gel-packs... SEVEN OF NINE: In what sense? DOCTOR: The neurodes are discharging in random bursts... (beat) I would imagine the nebular radiation is causing it. I want to take this pack to Sickbay for further study. SEVEN OF NINE: I'll reroute the command processor to bypass this series. Seven of Nine begins working controls. DOCTOR: This journey certainly hasn't lacked for excitement. I can't complain about being bored. SEVEN OF NINE: But since you find it comforting, you'll undoubtedly find something else to complain about. The Doctor isn't offended by this, and smiles slightly. DOCTOR: Undoubtedly. You really should try it- But suddenly the Doctor FRITZES. Seven of Nine looks quickly back at him. SEVEN OF NINE: What's happening? He FRITZES again. DOCTOR: My program is degrading. SEVEN OF NINE: The mobile emitter? DOCTOR: I don't know. I have to get back to Sickbay! Seven of Nine has finished the replacement. She puts the damaged pack into the kit and they begin crawling headlong out of the tube. DOCTOR: Hurry. SEVEN OF NINE: I am hurrying. DOCTOR: If the mobile emitter goes off-line while I'm out of Sickbay, my program may be irretrievable! SEVEN OF NINE: Don't panic. It's counterproductive. DOCTOR: That's easy for you to say - you're not in danger of being decompiled! They reach the end of the Jefferies Tube and EXIT. 37 INT. JEFFERIES TUBE - VERTICAL (OPTICAL) as they emerge into the vertical tube and the Doctor stands, he FRITZES again - this time very badly. SEVEN OF NINE: Doctor. Finally he stabilizes. DOCTOR: If that happens again, I'll be gone! They race out the door. 38 INT. CORRIDOR The two of them running toward the Sickbay doors, which OPEN; they dash in. 39 INT. SICKBAY The Doctor, gasping with anxiety, draws deep breaths. Then he straightens up, realizing he's safe. DOCTOR: Home sweet Sickbay... I never thought I'd be so glad to see these walls... SEVEN OF NINE: Give me the emitter. He takes it off and she picks up a tool and begins tinkering with it. SEVEN OF NINE: The electo-optic modulator is damaged. He takes it from her and inspects it. DOCTOR: You're right. It's as good as useless... He looks at her, realization sinking in. DOCTOR: There's no way I can risk using it now. (beat) I'm stuck here. SEVEN OF NINE: The nebula is having a deleterious effect on all the ship's technology. DOCTOR: And we still have weeks to go. He looks at her, assessing their situation. DOCTOR: It's up to you to keep the ship running. We can't afford to break down in the middle of this nebula. Seven of Nine hesitates. For the first time, we see a glimmer of doubt, of uncertainly, pass over her. But she finally lifts her chin with determination. SEVEN OF NINE: I won't disappoint you. And off their worsening plight FADE TO BLACK. FADE IN: 40 CLOSE ON SEVEN OF NINE (OPTICAL) She is turning slowly, against a white background. Gradually the camera pulls back and up... revealing a barren, icy environment... the snow- swept tundra... the top of a glacier... desolate. Seven of Nine is the only living thing visible. Camera pulls back until she is a tiny speck in the frozen wasteland. COMPUTER VOICE: Oh-six-hundred hours. Regeneration sequence complete. 41 INT. CARGO BAY - CLOSE ON SEVEN eyes opening in response to the computer voice. She moves out of the alcove and proceeds to the console where she activates the recording device. SEVEN OF NINE: Personal Log, Seven of Nine, Stardate 51932.4. The twenty-ninth day in the Mutara-class nebula. (beat) I believe I'm beginning to feel the effects of this prolonged isolation. My dreams have been disturbing. But I'm determined to fulfill my responsibilities. (beat) With the Doctor confined to Sickbay, I have taken on increasing responsibilities. Ship's systems are beginning to require constant maintenance in order to avert disaster. This morning I must purge the auxiliary plasma vents. (beat) End log. 42 INT. BRIDGE as Seven of Nine goes to the conn, inspects the readouts. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, trim heading by point-three-one degrees port. No response. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, respond. Nothing. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, trim heading by point-three-one degrees port. Now, finally, the computer voice responds, but cuts out intermittently as though there's a power problem. COMPUTER VOICE: Attempting to make correction... stand by. attempting to make correction... A moment of static CRACKLE, then- COMPUTER VOICE: Unable to comply. SEVEN OF NINE: Manual override. She enters the course correction in the conn, then moves toward the Turbolift. As she goes... SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, initiate a level-four diagnostic of your command processors. There's a beat, then- COMPUTER VOICE: Diagnostic in progress. 43 INT. TURBOLIFT SEVEN OF NINE: Astrometrics. COMPUTER VOICE: Diagnostic complete. SEVEN OF NINE: Analyze. The computer voice is still cutting out. COMPUTER VOICE: Quantum failures are present in thirty-three percent of gel-pack relays. SEVEN OF NINE: Reroute all functional relays through subprocessor chi- one-four. Now the voice is normal again. COMPUTER VOICE: Rerouting complete. Relay failures bypassed. 44 INT. ASTROMETRICS LAB (OPTICAL) Seven of Nine ENTERS, goes to her console. SEVEN OF NINE: Display Voyager's current position within the nebula. She views the display, which now shows Voyager about two-thirds of the way through. SEVEN OF NINE: How long to complete passage through the nebula? COMPUTER VOICE: Six days, five hours. There is a long beat as Seven of Nine stares up at the image of tiny Voyager, so near and yet so far. SEVEN OF NINE: Six days. Finally, she EXITS. 45 INT. CORRIDOR as she walks along. The corridor seems a little darker... shadows play on the bulkheads. Seven of Nine seems anxious, preoccupied. Then she hears- PARIS' VOICE: Seven... help... She looks down the darkened corridor and sees- 46 TOM PARIS disappearing around a corner. She follows. She rounds the corner and doesn't see Tom. She moves to the doors of the Stasis Room, and they open. 47 INT. STASIS ROOM as she ENTERS. She looks around... doesn't see Tom. SEVEN OF NINE: Lieutenant...? Then she moves to his container and looks in. 48 PARIS - HER POV still in stasis, sleeping deeply. She looks around the room, and feels chilled suddenly. Then- COMPUTER VOICE: Proximity Alert. Vessel approaching. This is surprising. COMPUTER VOICE: The vessel is hailing. SEVEN OF NINE: Open a channel. As she talks, Seven of Nine moves to the door and EXITS. 49 INT. CORRIDOR She continues the conversation as she walks the corridor. COMPUTER VOICE: Channel open. SEVEN OF NINE: This is the Federation Starship Voyager. State your identity. TRAJIS' VOICE: I'm Trajis Lo-Tarik. I'm trying to get through this nebula and I'm in need of a microfusion chamber. Would you consider a trade? SEVEN OF NINE: Why are you in this nebula? TRAJIS' VOICE: Trying to get through it, as I imagine you are. She considers, then- SEVEN OF NINE: Do you have liquid helium? TRAJIS' VOICE: You're fortunate. I have an ample supply. SEVEN OF NINE: I'll beam you directly to our Cargo Bay. TRAJIS' VOICE: I look forward to it. Seven of Nine rounds a corner. 50 INT. CARGO BAY Seven of Nine with TRAJIS, a creepy-looking alien with a ferret-like face. She is going through cargo containers, looking for the microfusion chamber. TRAJIS: Seven of Nine... that's an unusual name. How did you get it? SEVEN OF NINE: It was my Borg designation. TRAJIS: Borg? Never heard of them. She doesn't reply. He tries another tack. TRAJIS: Are you alone on this ship? SEVEN OF NINE: No. The entire crew is here, in stasis. And our Doctor is in Sickbay. TRAJIS: I'm both pilot and crew on my ship. Fortunately, I'm resistant to the effects of the nebula. SEVEN OF NINE: What about your technology? The radiation is causing damage to ours. TRAJIS: I've had to rebuild my engines twice already. If you've been in the nebula for three weeks - you're doing well. SEVEN OF NINE: I am hopeful that our propulsion system will remain operative for the next six days. TRAJIS: I'll admit I was surprised to find another ship heading toward me. No one has ever managed to cross the nebula. SEVEN OF NINE: If it weren't necessary, we wouldn't be attempting it. TRAJIS: I'm here by choice. I'm determined to be the first to get through. I've failed five times before... but this time I'm sure I'll make it. I want to see what's on the other side. SEVEN OF NINE: There is nothing remarkable. TRAJIS: But I'll be the first of my kind to see it. (beat) Tell me... how are you handling the loneliness? She gives him a glance. SEVEN OF NINE: What do you mean? TRAJIS: You know what I mean. No matter what you say - you're alone here. Seven of Nine doesn't answer. She withdraws a device from the container. SEVEN OF NINE: The microfusion chamber you requested. Trajis takes it and inspects it, then looks back at Seven of Nine. TRAJIS: I've heard that Drones can't stand to be alone. They're too used to the Collective. She gives him a curious look. SEVEN OF NINE: How could you know that? TRAJIS: It's true, isn't it? SEVEN OF NINE: You said you'd never heard of the Borg. TRAJIS: Don't take offense. I've got no grudge with them. Seven of Nine eyes him, suspicious. SEVEN OF NINE: You have what you asked for. Now leave. Trajis seems dismayed. TRAJIS: I thought we could keep each other company for a while... maybe have something to eat... SEVEN OF NINE: No. TRAJIS: And if I want to stay longer? Seven of Nine pulls a phaser from the container. SEVEN OF NINE: You will not be accommodated. He lifts his arms slightly, in acquiescence. She gestures him out of the Cargo Bay. 51 INT. CORRIDOR Seven of Nine keeps the phaser trained on Trajis as they walk along. He is carrying the microfusion chamber. TRAJIS: There's no need for this, you know. I don't mean you any harm. She doesn't answer. TRAJIS: I think maybe you're a little paranoid. That's what loneliness can do to you. No reply. TRAJIS: You'd be a lot better off if you spent some time with me... we could get to know each other... SEVEN OF NINE: Quiet. Seven of Nine is stoic, keeps walking. Then- PARIS' VOICE: Seven... help me... help... Seven... Her head snaps around in the direction of the call; she's thoroughly distracted. Then she turns around - and Trajis isn't there. She starts after him, rounds a corner. 52 DOWN THE CORRIDOR - HER POV She sees Trajis scuttling around the corner at the far end of the corridor. He's gone. 53 BACK TO SEVEN OF NINE She hits her combadge. Grimly- SEVEN OF NINE: Seven of Nine to the Doctor. We have an intruder on board. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE ACT FOUR FADE IN: 54 INT. SICKBAY as Seven of Nine and the Doctor confer over this newest calamity. They are working at the free-standing console. DOCTOR: He must have a cloaking device. Sensors show no alien lifesigns... and no evidence of a ship. They ponder the situation. DOCTOR: I've been working on my mobile emitter. I think I'm making progress, but I still can't leave Sickbay. (beat) You'll have to try to track him down. Arm yourself and use extreme caution. The computer voice interrupts, and it is distorted, electronically SLOWED. COMPUTER VOICE: Warning. Deuterium tank levels are fluctuating beyond acceptable tolerances. DOCTOR: The computer sounds like it needs a stimulant. SEVEN OF NINE: It's been experiencing relay failures. I haven't been performing my maintenance duties. DOCTOR: Do what you have to, but keep your eye out for the alien. We have to assume he's up to no good. Seven of Nine acknowledges, but is clearly troubled. The Doctor sees this. DOCTOR: (gently) Seven... are you frightened? There is a brief moment where Seven of Nine might admit this: she's unnerved by the voices and apparitions she's experienced. But once again, she summons her strength. SEVEN OF NINE: I am Borg. He gives her an encouraging smile. 55 INT. CORRIDOR Seven of Nine on the prowl, armed with a phaser rifle. The corridors seem more sinister now: shadows flicker on the walls... faint thumps and bumps are heard - each of them producing a reaction in Seven of Nine, who stops, turns, raises the rifle, expecting to see the alien. 56 ANOTHER ANGLE Ahead, there is only darkness. SEVEN OF NINE: Who's there? No answer. Seven of Nine lowers the rifle. Then she hears a voice. Faint, whispery, unreal, but it's unmistakably Trajis'. TRAJIS: Seven... help me... Seven... She turns in the corridor as though to locate the voice, but there's nothing. Steeling herself, she continues to walk. 57 ANOTHER CORRIDOR as she approaches the stasis room. As she gets nearer, she hears a voice... then another is added... then another, until it's a chorus, a cacophony. PARIS: Seven... help me... KIM: Help, Seven... I need help... CHAKOTAY: We need you, Seven... TUVOK: Assist us... NEELIX: I'm dying, Seven... don't let me die... JANEWAY: The lives of the crew are on your shoulders... This chorus of ghostly voices is a thundering roar in her ears by the time she reaches the stasis room. The doors slide open and she looks in. 58 INT. STASIS ROOM - HER POV Suddenly, there is silence. The comatose crew sleeps peacefully in their strange sarcophagi. There are no voices calling for help. Seven of Nine finds herself breathing deeply. Is that fear? Seven of Nine moves into the room, checks readings. She constantly looks behind her, around her, as though expecting someone to jump out at her. Then, having done what she had to, she EXITS. 59 INT. CORRIDOR as she resumes her rounds. Then, cutting through the silence like a fierce Klaxon, the voice of Trajis on the corn. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: Trajis to Seven of Nine... that's an unusual name. How did you get it? Seven of Nine doesn't answer. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: Don't want to answer me? That's all right, I don't mind. I know you're not yourself today. Seven of Nine marches stoically ahead. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: But you might be interested in what I'm doing now... Apparently not. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: I know your sensors can't detect me... so if you want to know where I am, you'll have to ask. She doesn't. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: Playing stubborn? That's a mistake, it could lead to an unfortunate accident... No answer. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: Just to prove I'm willing to give you a fair chance... I'll ask you - what would happen if the structural integrity around the warp coils collapsed? Seven of Nine stops dead in her tracks. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: You wouldn't have much time to keep them from rupturing... Seven of Nine takes off running. 60 INT. ENGINEERING Seven of Nine dashes in and looks. 61 WARP CORE - HER POV No one there. 62 RESUME She moves to a console, checks controls, looks puzzled. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: I couldn't bring myself to destroy your ship... And with that, the lights go out in Engineering. Only the ghostly blue of the warp core illuminates the room. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: I hope you're not afraid of the dark... Seven of Nine takes a breath, speaks as calmly as she can. SEVEN OF NINE: Where are you? TRAJIS' COM VOICE: Finally! I'm glad you're responding. It's going to be much more interesting if we play this game together. SEVEN OF NINE: (firm) Your location. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: A long way from you - on the bridge. Command center of your ship, I believe. I can do just about anything from here. Seven of Nine is about to enter a command when a voice from above makes her stop. PARIS' VOICE: Seven... help me... Seven of Nine looks up to see - 63 TOM AND HARRY - HER POV collapsed over the railing on the second level, extending their hands to her, nothing but shadowy forms in the darkness. 64 RESUME SCENE Seven of Nine runs for the ladder and starts climbing. 65 INT. ENGINEERING - UPPER LEVEL (OPTICAL) as she emerges from the ladder, she sees Tom and Harry, sprawled on the floor, moaning. Suddenly, they burst into FLAME. She gets an idea, turns to a console. Then she hits her combadge. SEVEN OF NINE: Seven to Trajis. Are you still there? TRAJIS' COM VOICE: Of course. Do you think I'd leave now? Seven of Nine begins entering commands. SEVEN OF NINE: I'm enjoying this game. What's next? TRAJIS' COM VOICE: That's better! Well... let's just imagine... that one of the photon torpedoes was activated... but not ejected... SEVEN OF NINE: I'd have to get to the Torpedo Bay quickly. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: And even then you might be too late. But of course you have to try... She is still working controls. SEVEN OF NINE: Let's play another game. Let's imagine... that the oxygen on the Bridge has been depleted. A hesitation. TRAJIS' COM VOICE: What? SEVEN OF NINE: What do you suppose the results might be? From the com, there's a rasping sound, a wheezing... someone trying desperately to breathe. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, seal the Bridge with a level three forcefield. COMPUTER VOICE: Bridge sealed. She waits a moment, hears nothing more. She taps her combadge. SEVEN OF NINE: Seven of Nine to the Doctor. INTERCUT: 66 INT. CORRIDOR The Doctor, wearing his mobile emitter, on the move. DOCTOR: I'm here. SEVEN OF NINE: I have incapacitated the alien. He will not trouble us again. DOCTOR: Good work. I have my mobile emitter back on line. Where are you now? SEVEN OF NINE: In Engineering. DOCTOR: I'll be right there. I have interesting news about the neural gel-packs. SEVEN OF NINE: Acknowledged. She goes back to the ladder and descends. 67 INT. ENGINEERING as Seven of Nine emerges from the top level. She turns to move toward the doors, and sees- 68 TRAJIS - HER POV standing in Engineering, near the doors, looking smug. 69 ANGLE ON BOTH (OPTICAL) as Seven of Nine stares at him in amazement. TRAJIS: In your heart, you knew you'd see me again. Seven of Nine lifts the phaser rifle and fires. It hits him squarely - to no effect. He begins walking slowly toward her. TRAJIS: You can't defeat me. You're too weak. SEVEN OF NINE: Don't come closer. TRAJIS: You couldn't stand being alone, could you? You felt vulnerable... afraid. SEVEN OF NINE: Stop... TRAJIS: Because you know what you are. (beat) At first you thought you could become human... but now you know that's impossible, don't you? Seven of Nine stares at him, like a bird watching an advancing serpent, mesmerized. TRAJIS: You're Borg... that's what you were meant to be. One of many. Now there's a change in the lighting in Engineering... instead of the cold blue light of the warp core, a Borg-like green pervades everything. Seven of Nine glances at the warp core. 70 WARP CORE - HER POV (OPTICAL) Now pulsing to a Borg green. 71 BACK TO SCENE Trajis continues to advance. TRAJIS: But your days of power are gone you're alone now. Weak. Pathetic. 72 INT. CORRIDOR as the Doctor, wearing his mobile emitter, hurries along. He reaches the doors to Engineering, which slide open. We hear Seven of Nine's voice. SEVEN OF NINE'S VOICE: Don't come any closer. 73 INT. ENGINEERING toward the Doctor, standing in the door, looking puzzled. SEVEN OF NINE'S VOICE: I can kill you with my bare hands. DOCTOR: Seven. 74 ANGLE TOWARD SEVEN OF NINE She is pointing the phaser rifle toward thin air, talking. SEVEN OF NINE: And I will if you don't leave... Then she turns around, sees the Doctor. SEVEN OF NINE: Doctor - be careful. He's dangerous. The Doctor looks from her to the blank space back again. DOCTOR: Seven - who are you talking to? And now we see real fear on Seven of Nine's face. She lowers the rifle, stares at the Doctor. Then she looks back where Trajis was. 75 HER POV He's gone. 76 RESUME SCENE (OPTICAL) Seven is disoriented, not sure what's happening. SEVEN OF NINE: Where did he go? DOCTOR: There's no one here. SEVEN OF NINE: But he was... he was right here... DOCTOR: Seven, you're hallucinating. SEVEN OF NINE: No... I saw him... DOCTOR: (firm) There was no one else in this room. She stares at him, trying to accommodate this notion... SEVEN OF NINE: You mean... I imagined him? DOCTOR: Yes. She takes a breath, trying to absorb this. SEVEN OF NINE: I heard Mister Paris... calling for help... I saw him, and the others... was I imagining them as well? DOCTOR: I believe so. (beat) When I studied the gel-pack, I discovered the radiation was producing a degradation in the synaptic relays. (beat) I'm guessing there's been a similar effect on your Borg implants. He glances at her, but she doesn't answer. She isn't even looking at him, but seems thoroughly preoccupied with her own thoughts. DOCTOR: The radiation could be destroying the neurotransmitters in your sensory nodes. That would explain why you're hearing voices... seeing hallucinations. SEVEN OF NINE: They seemed real... DOCTOR: Hallucinations usually do. That's what makes them so frightening. She looks up at him for the first time. Makes an admission. SEVEN OF NINE: Once, when I was a Drone... I was separated from the Collective for two hours. (beat) I experienced panic and apprehension. (beat) I am feeling that way now. He realizes what an admission this is. He's affected. DOCTOR: I'll do everything I can to help you. She nods, but doesn't speak. DOCTOR: We'll get you to Sickbay. An antipsychotic might help... at least until I determine just what neural functions are being affected... He starts toward the door and she follows - when suddenly there's a huge FLASH in Engineering, and the sound of systems SIZZLING. The Doctor stops. SEVEN OF NINE: What was that? COMPUTER VOICE: Warning. Primary EPS system is overloading. Now the Doctor FRITZES badly. DOCTOR: I tied my mobile emitter into the EPS system! Seven of Nine rushes to a console. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, reroute all available power to the EPS system. The computer voice is still distorted. COMPUTER VOICE: Unable to comply... DOCTOR: My program's going off-line... SEVEN OF NINE: No- COMPUTER VOICE: Warning. Primary EPS system is overloading. Secondary systems are failing. DOCTOR: Seven - you've got to hang on. Repair the EPS system... everything depends on you. SEVEN OF NINE: I'm unable to function alone- The Doctor FRITZES again. DOCTOR: You have to! You're the only one who can save us now! And he DISAPPEARS. SEVEN OF NINE: No... 77 SEVEN OF NINE FROM ABOVE In a shot which reminds us of her "dream" on the tundra, camera LIFTS up, until Seven of Nine is a small figure in Engineering. Utterly alone. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR ACT FIVE FADE IN: 78 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) still in the nebula. 79 INT. ASTROMETRICS LAB (OPTICAL) Seven of Nine is working controls. SEVEN OF NINE: Display Voyager's current position within the nebula. KIM'S VOICE: It doesn't matter - you won't make it. She ignores this voice and views the display, which now shows Voyager near the far edge of the nebula. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, how long until Voyager is out of the nebula? The computer voice is still slowed down, elongated. COMPUTER VOICE: Seventeen hours, eleven minutes. 80 WIDEN TO INCLUDE KIM He is standing next to her, gazing up at the dome. His hands and face have horrible burns on them. KIM: That's an eternity. SEVEN OF NINE: Go away... KIM: You can try to shut me out, but it won't work. COMPUTER VOICE: Warning. Propulsion system failure in progress. Seven of Nine turns and walks out. 81 INT. CORRIDOR The corridor, like Engineering, has a faintly green hue. It's dark and smoky, and shadows play on the walls. Gradually, a chorus of voices is heard, moaning, crying... souls in torment. Then a BORG DRONE steps out in front of her. BORG DRONE: Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One. She stares at him. BORG DRONE: You have left the Collective. She turns and walks away from him, but he follows, inexorable. BORG DRONE: It was a foolish decision. Now you are alone. She walks a bit faster. He keeps pace. BORG DRONE: You have lost the many. You are only one. She tries to shut out the sound of his voice. BORG DRONE: You have become human. Weak. Pathetic. He lets this sink in. BORG DRONE: Humans do not have our strength. They are imperfect. Now you are imperfect as well. SEVEN OF NINE: No. BORG DRONE: You will not survive. You cannot survive without the Collective. SEVEN OF NINE: I will adapt... BORG DRONE: By becoming weaker. Less perfect. Seven now begins mouthing a "mantra" to herself, trying to keep a grip on reality. SEVEN OF NINE: I will adapt as an individual. BORG DRONE: One. One alone. A Borg cannot be one. SEVEN OF NINE: I will become stronger... BORG DRONE: A Borg cannot be one. She will die. Seven is heading for a Turbolift. The Borg is right behind her. BORG DRONE: Weak... detached... isolated... one Borg cannot survive. A Borg needs the strength of the Collective. SEVEN OF NINE: (overlapping) I am an individual... I will survive alone... The Turbolift door opens and she gets on. BORG DRONE: No. You are weak. 82 INT. TURBOLIFT as she turns around and faces outward, he is standing just outside. BORG DRONE: You will die alone. The doors shut in front of him and Seven of Nine draws a breath. TRAJIS' VOICE: He's right. She whirls to see him with her in the Turbolift. TRAJIS: You're in pain, Seven. I can help you. She turns away from him. SEVEN OF NINE: Bridge. The Turbolift starts up. TRAJIS: You don't have to beg me... you don't even have to ask. All you have to do is make a choice. SEVEN OF NINE: I can survive alone The Turbolift stops and the doors open. 83 ANGLE ON DOORS (OPTICAL) Through the doors we see the interior of a vast Borg Cube (as seen in "First Contact"). TRAJIS: That's home. That's where you belong. SEVEN OF NINE: No. TRAJIS: End your pain. just walk through that door. You'll never be alone again. SEVEN OF NINE: This isn't real. From the interior of the Cube, the Borg voice begins to speak. BORG VOICE: Resistance is futile... you live to serve us. Seven of Nine takes a breath. SEVEN OF NINE: (insistent) Bridge. She looks again. The doors are open to the Bridge, and she walks out. 84 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL) There, the entire Bridge Crew awaits her. All have burns on their faces. Their casual, almost carefree mood is in sharp contrast to their appearance and the import of their words. JANEWAY: Seven of Nine - you look a little worse for wear. KIM: I didn't know she was still on board... CHAKOTAY: I never wanted her here in the first place. TUVOK: She won't be here long. She can't survive alone. PARIS: I'm taking bets on how long she'll last... CHAKOTAY: She'll fall apart before we leave the nebula. KIM: And then everybody will die. JANEWAY: Well, blame me. I put my trust in her. I should've known better. COMPUTER VOICE: Warning. Propulsion system failure in progress. (The computer voice is still slowed.) Seven of Nine goes to an aft station and begins keying controls. The others begin moving closer to her. Throughout this sequence, Seven of Nine's mouth is moving faintly... she's whispering her "mantra" mostly to herself. TUVOK: What is she doing now? CHAKOTAY: She's trying to keep the engines on line. PARIS: Place your bets. Anyone think she can do it? KIM: I'll lay odds she can't. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, how long until the ship is out of the nebula? COMPUTER VOICE: Forty-one minutes. JANEWAY: That's too long. She won't make it. KIM: That's an eternity. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer, reroute available power from weapons, sensors and environmental controls to the engines. COMPUTER VOICE: Warning. Propulsion system failure in progress. SEVEN OF NINE: Reroute all available power to the engines. COMPUTER VOICE: Propulsion systems have failed. All engines are off line. KIM: She's got herself a real problem now. CHAKOTAY: I'll say. She's taken power from every available system and it's still not enough. TUVOK: But if she fails to get this ship moving, everyone on board will die. PARIS: What do you think she'll do? JANEWAY: I know what she's thinking. She's thinking if she could take power from the stasis units on Deck Fourteen... she might be able to get those engines back on line. KIM: But that would mean sacrificing some of the crew. CHAKOTAY: I don't think that would bother her too much... TUVOK: What matters to Seven is efficiency. Sacrificing a few, to save many, would be an efficient plan. JANEWAY: She's already killed millions - what would a few more matter? Seven of Nine has been staring at the controls, whispering her lullaby to herself. Finally... SEVEN OF NINE: Computer... divert power from stasis units one through ten... reroute to propulsion systems... A brief beat, then- COMPUTER VOICE: Engines are back on line. SEVEN OF NINE: Resume course. KIM: Look at that. She did it. JANEWAY: But those people she disconnected are going to die. PARIS: I win! I knew she didn't care about them. But Seven of Nine is on the move, off the Bridge and into the Turbolift. 85 INT. CORRIDOR Seven of Nine hurrying through the green-lit corridor. She is nearing the Stasis Room. Burned Janeway is standing at the door. JANEWAY: Come to watch them die? The doors open and Seven of Nine hurries in. 86 INT. STASIS ROOM Alarms are flashing on the containers. Nitrogen is venting from several of them. COMPUTER VOICE: Warning. Power to stasis units has failed. She runs to look into the one that has Tom Paris in it. Burned Janeway is standing next to it, peering in. Tom is unconscious but gasping, twitching. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer... how long to complete passage through the nebula? COMPUTER VOICE: Eleven minutes... JANEWAY: They won't last that long. (beat) What do you do now, Seven? It's all up to you. Seven of Nine stares at her. SEVEN OF NINE: Computer... cut life support from all decks and reroute available power to the stasis units. JANEWAY: That will keep them alive... but what about you? No oxygen... no heat... Janeway looks at her matter-of-factly. JANEWAY: Good-bye, Seven. Seven of Nine backs up to the wall and, sliding her back down it, sits down. SEVEN OF NINE: I am Seven of Nine... Breathing is getting harder now. SEVEN OF NINE: I am alone... She struggles for oxygen. SEVEN OF NINE: But I will adapt... She begins to fail. With her last gasps. SEVEN OF NINE: I will... And off that FADE TO BLACK. FADE IN: 87 INT. SICKBAY - SEVEN OF NINE'S POV Looking up: Janeway, Chakotay and the Doctor are peering down in concern. They are their normal selves. DOCTOR: She's coming around... 88 ANGLE INCLUDING SEVEN OF NINE who looks momentarily confused, struggles to sit upright. DOCTOR: Not so fast... get your bearings first. Seven of Nine relaxes a bit, takes some deep breaths. SEVEN OF NINE: The crew... JANEWAY: We came through the nebula in fine shape - thanks to you. CHAKOTAY: You were the one we almost lost. When the ship cleared the nebula, the Doctor came back on-line and found you unconscious. He reinitiated life support and woke the crew. JANEWAY: He tells us you had quite an adventure... Seven of Nine assesses this statement. There's a lot for her to think about. SEVEN OF NINE: It was... interesting. Janeway puts a hand on her shoulder. JANEWAY: When you're rested, Id like to hear about it. She and Chakotay turn and EXIT. The Doctor turns to Seven of Nine. DOCTOR: I'm proud of you, Seven. You performed admirably. SEVEN OF NINE: I am glad... I was able to help. But we sense she is still troubled by the ordeal. 89 INT. MESS HALL Some of the crew, including Harry, Tom and B'Elanna, are having dinner. The doors OPEN, and Seven ENTERS. She stands at the door for a moment, looking around. She seems more hesitant than normal. KIM: Neelix... this soup is great. What is it? NEELIX: That's my secret recipe. I've never told anyone what's in it. PARIS: Why does that make me nervous? TORRES: Come on, Tom - where's your spirit of adventure? PARIS: Not in my stomach. Finally, Seven of Nine spots the table with Harry and Tom, and heads toward it, stops and stands there a bit awkwardly. SEVEN OF NINE: Lieutenants Paris and Torres. Ensign Kim. KIM: Seven - I'm surprised to see you here. SEVEN OF NINE: May I join you? There's a brief moment of surprise - this isn't like Seven. PARIS: Sure... have a seat. Seven sits. TORRES: Do you want some soup? It's actually edible. SEVEN OF NINE: I don't require nourishment at this time. (beat) I... felt the need for... companionship. Everyone stares at her. This is the most vulnerable admission she's ever made. There's a moment of sympathy, and then, to break the tension- PARIS: After a month with only the Doctor for company... I can understand it. KIM: Yeah... what was that like, anyway? Just the two of you... After a beat... SEVEN OF NINE: The Doctor was quite helpful. I cannot fault him. TORRES: Well, we all owe you. PARIS: Yeah, just think - we would've died in those coffins... SEVEN OF NINE: I suspect you would've found a way out before that, Lieutenant. KIM: What do you mean? SEVEN OF NINE: Mister Paris would not stay confined. On four separate occasions, the Doctor and I had to put him back into his stasis unit. Harry is tickled by this image. To Tom- KIM: Were you locked in dark closets as a child or something? PARIS: I just don't like closed spaces. Never have. I don't know why. SEVEN OF NINE: Perhaps... you dislike being alone. And on that note- FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END