You wish to see me captain? I've made a decision about species 8472. I'm going to
return it to fluidic space. In order to do that I need you to open a quantum
singularity. I don't believe that is a prudent course of action I realize it
may be difficult for you to help save this creatures life but part of becoming
human is learning to have compassion for those who are suffering even when
they're your bitter enemies. Why? I remember when I was a lieutenant it was
during a Cardassian border conflict my way team was cut off while we were
defending a Federation outpost we've been exchanging phaser fire with a group
of Cardassians for about three days. A stalemate one night during a break in
the fighting we could hear this low moaning sound coming from somewhere in
the brush. We knew that none of our people were out there so it had to be a
wounded - Cardassian. You have to understand we've been killing each other
for weeks on this fly it was brutal
but our commanding officer decided they we couldn't just sit there and listen to
that poor man suffer. So he ordered me and an ensign to crawl out there and
bring that Cardassian back to our camp. I thought he was crazy he was risking our
lives for someone who would have shot us without hesitation but we did it
and the Cardassian lived. Three days later we secured the outpost it was a
major victory we were all decorated by Starfleet Command but in retrospect the
thing I'm most proud of was the night we saved that man's life.
Explain
a single act of compassion can put you in touch with your own humanity you are
trying to justify your present decision you know. I'm trying to help you see this
as an opportunity to grow.I know you don't want to do it seven but. I'm
telling you as your captain and as your friend you won't regret it. No your
decision is tactically unsound we will be surrounded by Hirogen ships in
approximately two hours if we do not surrender the creature they will destroy
us. A lesson in compassion will do me little good if I am dead. It is wrong to
sacrifice another being to save our own lives. I have observed that you have been
willing to sacrifice your own life to save the lives of your crew yes but
that's different that was my choice this creature does not have a choice it
invaded our ship put our lives at risk to save its own in my view it has
already forfeited its freedom I'm giving you an order
report to deflector control and begin working on creating a singularity.
I will not comply I have agreed to remain on Voyager.I have agreed to
function as a member of your crew but I will not be a willing participant in my
own destruction or the destruction of this ship. Objection noted we'll do this
without you. You will fail and you have just crossed the line end of debate
report to the cargo bay and remain there until this is over is that understood.