Captain's log, supplemental. The Maquis ship and Voyager have encountered a debris
field where sensors have detected a small vessel. One humanoid life form is on board.
[Bridge] Hail them.
(The viewscreen is covered in metal debris. Someone with spots and a
mohican hair cut clears it.) NEELIX [on viewscreen]:
Whoever you are, I found this waste zone first. We're not interested in this debris, Mister
NEELIX [on viewscreen]: Neelix. And since you're not interested in my debris,
well, I'm delighted to know you. Captain Kathryn Janeway of
the Federation starship Voyager. NEELIX [on viewscreen]: A very impressive title.
I have no idea what it means, but it sounds very impressive.
Do you know this area of space well, Mister Neelix?
NEELIX [on viewscreen]: I am famous for knowing it well. How may I be of service?
Do you know anything about the array that's sending energy pulses to the fifth planet?
NEELIX [on viewscreen]: I know enough to stay as far away from it as possible. Wait. Let me guess.
You were whisked away from somewhere else in the galaxy, and brought here against your will.
Sounds as though you've heard this story before. NEELIX [on viewscreen]: Sadly, yes. Thousands
of times. Well, hundreds of times. Maybe fifty
times. But the Caretaker has been bringing ships here for months now.
The Caretaker? NEELIX [on viewscreen]: That's what the
Ocampa call him. They live on the fifth planet. Did he kidnap members of your crew?
As a matter of fact, he did. NEELIX [on viewscreen]: It's not the first time.
Do you know where he might have taken them? NEELIX [on viewscreen]: Just that they're
brought to the Ocampa. Nothing more. We'd appreciate any help you could
give us in finding these Ocampa. NEELIX [on viewscreen]: I really
wish that I could help you, I do, but as you can see, there's just there's so much debris for me
to investigate today. You'd be surprised the things of value some people abandon.
Of course, we'd want to compensate you for your trouble.
NEELIX [on viewscreen]: Well, there's really very little that you could offer me.
Unless. Yes?
NEELIX [on viewscreen]: Unless of course, you had water.
If you help us find our missing crew members, you can have all the water you want.
NEELIX [on viewscreen]: That sounds like a very reasonable arrangement.
Good. We'll beam you over and tow your ship into our shuttle bay. Mister Tuvok, go to Transporter
Room two and meet our guest. NEELIX [on viewscreen]: Beam?
We have a technology which can take you instantly from your ship to ours.
It's quite harmless. May we? [Transporter room]
Energise. (Neelix checks that he is in one piece.)
Astonishing! You Federations are obviously an advanced culture.
The Federation is made up of many cultures. I am Vulcan.
Neelix. Good to meet you! (Neelix gives Tuvok a bear hug.)
Interesting. What, what exactly, what exactly does all this, all this do?
I assure you that everything in this room has a specific function. However,
it would take several hours to explain it all. I suggest we proceed to your quarters.
Perhaps you would care for a bath. A what?