[Bridge] (soft music)
They're firing on us, Captain.
It's a small vessel, fifteen lifeforms aboard.
Low warp capacity, limited armaments.
They pose no threat.
Open a channel.
Good day, sir.
Have we offended you in some way?
KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: You will reverse course immediately.
This region is in dispute.
You have no business in Krenim space.
I was under the impression we were entering Zahl territory.
KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: The Zahl have no legitimate claim here.
They have taken what is ours.
Reverse course or be destroyed.
With all due respect, unless you've got something a little bigger in your torpedo tubes, I'm
not turning around.
But I'm certainly willing to discuss this issue with you.
KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: No discussion!
No compromise!
(Transmission ends.)
They are in retreat.
His bark's obviously worse than his bite.
He seems rather intent.
Let's go to yellow alert.
Maintain our course.
Maybe the Zahl can give us some answers.
Day 4 [Briefing room]
(Voyager hangs nose to nose with two large spaceships.
Unlike the Krenim and their severe uniforms, the Zahl go for a more casual look.)
As long as you travel in Zahl territory you travel among friends.
I apologise for your mishap with the Krenim.
It was hardly traumatic, but I am curious.
The Krenim claim this region as their own.
The Krenim dominated this space many years ago.
They possessed deadly weapons based on temporal science, and it kept them in power for a long
time.
But a generation ago we fought the Krenim.
We defeated them and took back the planets that they had annexed, dismantled their military
forces.
Their ships still wander our territory making grandiose claims.
Don't let them trouble you.
Now, tell me about Voyager.
A single ship alone, half a galaxy from home.
How exciting for you.
KIM [OC]: Bridge to Captain.
Sorry to interrupt, but the Krenim vessel is back.
They're demanding to speak with you.
[Bridge] Hello again.
KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: You've ignored our warnings, and now you consort
with our enemy.
Leave this space or I'll seize your vessel and send you home in a cargo container.
Gentlemen, please.
Believe me, we're not conspiring against you.
Captain, there's a spatial distortion heading towards us.
Whatever it is, it's huge.
Five light years across and it's expanding.
Tracking it's origin.
A vessel near the Zahl homeworld.
What?
It appears to be a massive build-up of temporal energy.
Some kind of space-time shock wave.
Tom.
It's destabilising our warp field.
I've lost engines.
Shields to full.
Secure primary systems.
All hands, brace for impact.
(The shock wave makes the Zahl ships vanish and the small Krenim ship turns into a big
battle cruiser.
As it passes through Voyager, the Zahl official disappears and Ms Lang is lying on the deck.)
She's dead.
Shields at seventy percent.
The Krenim are firing again.
We're being hailed.
It's about time.
On screen.
We've done nothing to provoke these attacks.
KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: Your presence in our space is provocation enough.
We've been trying to communicate with your vessels but the only answer I get is weapons
fire.
KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: State your identity.
Captain Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager.
KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: And your reason for violating our borders?
We're simply trying to get home.
If you'd kindly allow us to pass through KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: No.
You will submit to the Krenim Imperium.
I would prefer to seize your vessel before it is too badly damaged.
Surrender now and I will forego the execution of your crew.
I don't respond well to threats.
KRENIM COMMANDANT [on viewscreen]: Then prepare to be boarded.
(Transmission ends.)
(Music) All hands, battle stations.
This is turning into the Week of Hell.