[Bridge] (Music)
(Voyager returns to the planet.) Hail them.
LEUCON [on viewscreen]: We didn't expect to see you again, Captain.
We'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind.
YIFAY [on viewscreen]: Questions? Regarding Icheb and the circumstances of his
assimilation. LEUCON [on viewscreen]: We've already discussed
that. The story you told me was inconsistent with
our data. YIFAY [on viewscreen]: We don't owe you any
explanations. In that case, I'd like to talk to Icheb.
LEUCON [on viewscreen]: He's not here. Where is he?
YIFAY [on viewscreen]: That's not your concern. Scan for his bio-signs.
He is not in the settlement. I'm detecting a Brunali transport vessel,
distance, nine million kilometres. It's heading for the coordinates of the transwarp conduit.
According to these readings that ship is travelling at warp nine point eight.
It only looks that way. It's been designed to emit a false warp signature strong enough
to penetrate subspace. They're using it as bait to attract the Borg.
Icheb's on that vessel, isn't he? YIFAY [on viewscreen]: He's fighting for his
people. Alone, on an unarmed transport?
LEUCON [on viewscreen]: We don't have particle weapons or powerful starships at our disposal.
We're forced to use the only resource we have. Your children?
YIFAY [on viewscreen]: No. Our genetic expertise. Icheb's not bait. He's a weapon. The first
Cube that captured him was infected by a pathogen. Icheb was the carrier, wasn't he?
LEUCON [on viewscreen]: Every time we try to rebuild, begin to make progress, the Borg
come and take it away from us. Tom, set a course for that transport vessel.
Full impulse. Aye, Captain.
LEUCON [on viewscreen]: You have no right to interfere.
YIFAY [on viewscreen]: We're trying to save our civilisation.
By taking away Icheb's future. YIFAY [on viewscreen]: If we don't stop the
Borg, the Brunali have no future. LEUCON [on viewscreen]: Captain, a Borg ship
will emerge from that conduit at any moment. You'll be destroyed.
We'll take our chances. End transmission. Red alert. Battle stations.
(Voyager leaves orbit.) We're coming within range, Captain.
I'm picking up Icheb's life signs. Bio-scans indicate he's unconscious.
Transport him to Sickbay. I can't. There's some kind of interference.
It's the conduit. By my estimate, a Borg vessel will emerge in less than forty seconds.
Transfer auxiliary power to the transporters. I still can't establish a lock, not at this
distance. Thirty seconds.
Tom, get us closer to that ship. (Dramatic music)
Yes, ma'am. The conduit's opening. Twenty seconds.
Seven? Still out of range.
You heard her, Tom. When that Borg ship comes through I'm going
to have a hell of a time getting away from it.
One problem at a time. Ten seconds, nine, eight.
I've got a lock. Seven.
Transport in progress. Five.
He's in Sickbay. Three, two, one.
Get us out of here, maximum (Whumph! The Borg Sphere grabs Voyager and
the Brunali shuttle.) Target their tractor beam generator.
Phasers targeted. Fire.
No effect. (Dramatic music)
BORG [OC]: We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
Perhaps not. There is a way to get a weapon through their shields.
I'm listening. Transport a photon torpedo to the Brunali
vessel. Set it to detonate soon as it's inside the Sphere.
That will occur in approximately twenty seconds. However, Voyager will be inside less than
three seconds later. Tom, full reverse thrusters. It might buy
us a couple more seconds. Do it. Transport complete. Detonation in ten, nine.
(Voyager turns on a sixpence.) Five.
Tom, go to warp on my mark. Three, two.
All hands, brace for impact. (The shuttle explodes in the entrance, funnelling
the shockwave outwards.) Now, Mister Paris!
The Borg vessel has taken heavy damage. They are not pursuing.
(Music)