Please remain still so that i can treat your injuries. Thank you. Im sorry. Did that hurt . Ill try to be more careful. Thanks for being a patient patient. Have a pleasant afternoon this is absurd. Not at all. Keep going. Youre doing fine. This vernacular is not applicable to my duties. We can tailor the vocabulary to your specific situations a little later. Right now, its the sentiment that counts. I dont see the relevance. I created these exercises three years ago to familiarize myself with the social graces. I found that if i repeated them several times each day the words became almost second nature. Lets continue. Exercise two the workplace encounter. Kes used to help me with this one. Now ill be the nurse. You be the doctor. sighs please hand me the hypospray. Of course, doctor, immediately. Thank you. Looks at instrument. Excuse me, nurse. This is the wrong hypospray. Would you mind finding the correct one . Not at all. Thank you. Did i mention you look lovely today . Oh, doctor, youre so charming. This lesson is terminated. I know its awkward. For me it was even painful but youll find the rewards worth the effort. Rewards. The ability to put others at ease. Make them feel more comfortable around you. Youre a lot like me when i was first activated. If id had a mentor things would have gone a lot more smoothly. Im willing to share my wisdom but, if youre not interested. Fine. Ill stick to your physiological maintenance. I will examine your data. Oh, good. Pay special attention to exercise 17 have a pleasant day. Hmm . Verify. Monotanium hull plating dicyclic warp signature the vessel is definitely hirogen. Theyre moving to intercept. Evasive maneuvers . No. We need to settle our differences here and now. Hard about, full impulse. Red alert. Theyre in visual range. On screen. Janeway hail them. Theyre closing. 50,000 kilometers. Fortyfive. Forty. Maintain course, mr. Paris. Curious. They are not charging weapons. Paris theyre slowing, sir. Life signs . Only one. And its erratic. Theyve stopped, captain. Their engines just went offline. This could be a trap. None. Take us within transporter range. You intend to board their ship. Yes. The hirogen vessel is a potential threat. We should destroy it. Seven, what you call a threat i call an opportunity. To Gain Knowledge about this species and in this case, maybe even show some compassion. A wounded pilot over there. Our experience with the hirogen indicates that compassion would not be reciprocated. And all of my experience says weve got to take that chance anyway. Janeway chakotay. Looks like there was a fight. Im reading bones, muscle tissue. From at least nine different species. Its all being broken down by some sort of enzyme. Perhaps this is their method of denaturating their prey. Either that or its dinner. sighs screams commander. Im not picking up any weapon residuals. Id say he was physically torn apart. Im picking up the life signs. This way. wheezing massive internal bleeding. Lets get him to sick bay. Chakotay the data we downloaded from the ships computer included navigational records. Can you give us a map this is the hirogen vessels flight path over the past five years. Theyve certainly covered a lot of space. This ship alone has visited over 90 star systems in the last year. I analyzed their logs. From what i can tell, this is a hunting species. We saw the skeletal remains from dozens of alien races displayed like trophies. Theres also evidence they may be using some of their victims for food. The entire culture seems to be based on the hunt social rituals, art, religious beliefs. Theyre nomadic. Its carried them across huge distances. There is no evidence of a home planet. Their ships travel alone or in small groups. On occasion several will join forces in a multipronged attack. Like wolves. Hows our wolf in sick bay . Still unconscious. Behind a levelfive force field. You were right, seven. This species is a threat. You were correct, captain. It was worth the risk. This time. So, theres one question remaining. I was trying to remove his body armor to treat the internal injuries when he suddenly regained consciousness. Hes not happy to be here. Can you sedate him . Ive already tried. His immune system neutralizes everything. I could synthesize a more potent compound but that would take hours. He could be dead by then. His wounds are severe. Your crewmate is dead. And your ship has been damaged beyond repair. I brought you here to treat your injuries. What happened to your ship . Who attack you . The first time i met your species it wasnt on the best of terms but that doesnt mean you and i cant find a way to change that. Our prey. You were on a hunt. Yes. A formidable alien. We captured it two days ago but it broke free of its restraints. Attacked us. Not without your ship and not in this condition. Youll die without treatment. Let us help you. Doctor . All right. Im going to enter the force field now and start with a few scans of your midsection. You should know im a hologram and cant be bent, spindled or mutilated so dont bother trying. Hmm. Please lie down. Or remain standi. Captain, weve detected six more hirogen ships. Theyre converging on us from all directions. The one in sick bay may have sent a distress call from his vessel. How long do we have . Tom, analyze their approach pattern. Evade them as long as you can. Yes, maam. I want to buy the doctor time to treat our hunter. If i gain his confidence, he might call off his friends. Good oldfashioned diplomacy could get us out of this yet. From what i found in their database diplomacy isnt a part of their lifestyle. They dont see us as equals. To them were simply game. Its time we convince them otherwise or like any other cornered animal, well show our teeth. Theres been a hull rupture on deck 11, section three. Damage is minor. It appears a plasma conduit overloaded. Increase power to the Structural Integrity field. rumble a bulkhead has collapsed in jefferies tube 84. Another overload . Kim the Plasma Network is stable. This wasnt caused by any power surge or system failure. Harry, tuvok, get to deck 11. This was no overload. Indeed. Commander. Its a dense mixture of dna and polyfluidic compounds. Tuvok to bridge. Janeway go ahead. Ave an intruder on board. Im analyzing what could be a sample of its blood. The readings are consistent with species 8472. Intruder alert. Bridge to security. Seal off decks ten through 12. Internal sensors arent detecting any intruders. The last time we ran into this species it was impervious to our scanners. Well have to track it visually. Paris how did it get you have the bridge, commander. Ill be on deck 11. Ive erected a levelten force field around engineering. Good. Set up secondary force fields around every hatch, jefferies tube and conduit leading into this room. I want every one of these consoles secured authorized command codes only. Im going to lock down the warp core. Ensign, realign the dilithium matrix to a frequency of 3. 69. Report. Four crew members are wounded, two seriously. Through the antimatter injector. Our phaser fire was insufficient. It attacked us then escaped through jefferies tube 17alpha. Janeway to tuvok. Tuvok here. The intruder just left engineering. Seal off t area. Understood. Secure. Yes, captain. Seven. It would seem that the hirogen underestimated their latest prey. Yes. When the borg were fighting species 8472 did they ever engage in physical combat . On many occasions. Can you recall anything that might help us here . Each time they boarded a borg vessel they went directly to the Central Power matrix and disabled it. The creature was just in engineering. It didnt touch any of our power systems. Its obviously adjusted its strategy. Species 8472 is devious and highly intelligent. Doctor i thinshes going toe justine, capta. Is it alone . Have you seen any others like it . Why . Six months ago, this species invaded our galaxy with thousands of ships. We were barely able to fight them off. Your prey could indicate another invasion. How many ships have you seen . Only one. Damaged. We tracked it across 50 lightyears. We thought that we had killed the creature but this prey is unlike any other. It has many lives. Lower the force field and i will finish the hunt. Your attempt to destroy it will fail. Species 8472 is highly resistant to all technology. Microscopic weapons that can attack the species on a cellular level. Weve tried it before and it worked. Ill modify the phaser rifles to fire nanoprobe discharges. I want you to incapacitate the creature, not kill it. Can you make that modification . Yes, but it would require additional time. We must stop it as soon as possible. Shes right. Not until we know why it returned. You will be exposing this crew to unnecessary risk. I disagree. Captain. You have your orders, seven. Six of your vessels will be here in under four hours. I hope youll let them know that we saved your life and that we want to avoid any further conflict with your people. Then let me resume the hunt, and i will grant your request. We have enough problems on this ship as it is without him running around. I spent six months studying this preys behavior. I know how to track him. Let me continue tuvok to janeway. Go ahead. Were Holding Position in section 94 but thre has accessed the environmental controls. Deck 11 is losing life support. Artificial gravity has also been compromised. Evacuate the deck. Regroup on deck ten. Aye, captain. Hes trying to barricade himself. He did the same thing to us. You want to be part of the hunt . Nows your chance. Hell be under your supervision, commander. force field buzzing my weapon. Chakotay temperature gradient. Paris affirmative. Engaged. Is your body armor designed to handle rapid pressure fluctuations . It can defeat most hostile environments. I once tracked a siliconbased lifeform through the neutronium mantle of a collapsed star. I once tracked a mouse through jefferies tube 32. Chakotay to tuvok, were ready to go. phaser rifles whining proceed to deck 11. Keep your com links open. Understood. Activate the nanoprobe charges. Level five should be sufficient to stun the creatures. Hatcpressurizing. Hes here. I said maintain your position. This is my hunt. Im at point. My knowledge of this prey is superior to yours. But youre on unfamiliar terrain. I know this ship. You dont. The prey will likely attack the man at point. You would not survive. Ill take that chance. Now, fall back. I will remain in second position. No problem. sevens phaser rifle firing you missed. Since species 8472 invaded the ship youve become increasingly agitated. They were the only species to offer true resistance to the borg. They destroyed millions of drones hureds of our worlds. I have reason to be agitated. Paris what is it . Its blood. The prey is wounded. This corridor ends about 20 meters ahead. The onlyhing down there is deflector control. Hes not planning to run. Hes waiting. Hell attempt to slip around us, attack from behind. Chakotay to tuvok. Tuvok here. Weve cornered the intruder in section 59. On our way. The prey is resilient. He will strike with his dying breath. We must kill him now. That may not be necessary. Hold your fire. Mr. Neelix, i must ask you to exchange your spatula for a phaser rifle. Sir . We have two intruders onboard and six hirogen vessels on the way. I need additional security personnel. Right away, sir. Whats my assignment . Join the security detail on deck ten, section 12. Youll receive further instructions there. Ill expect gasping lieutenant . Are you all right . You have your orders. Report. The hirogens back in sick bay within a force field. And species 8472 . Weve established a security perimeter. Weve turned this section into a brig. As an added precaution, have belanna start working on a way to lock onto the creature in case we need to beam it off the ship. In what way is it injured . I wish i could tell you for certain. Ctric field making it impossible tocan so i could only make a visual diagnosis. Its conscious but immobile. Its epidermis displays any number of injuries punctures, energy burns and its demeanor is that of a wounded animal. The hirogens said theyd been chasing it for several months. Is there anything you can do . I dont know enough about its physiology to treat the surface wounds let alone any internal damage. Frankly, im at a loss. Captain, just before we cornered it ive analyzed the transmission protocols. It was attempting to open a singularity into its realm but it failed. It was trying to get home. Thats what it looks like. Tuvok . The creature initiated telepathic contact with me. Whats it saying . Its ship was damaged during the conflict with the borg. When the other members of its species retreated into fluidic space. It was left behind. It has been trapped in the delta quadrant ever since. It has no desire for further conflict. It only wants to return to its domain. It is dying, captain. You have nothing to be afraid of. Were going to help you get back to your realm. Does it understand . It does. It will take time to open a singularity and we have no way of treating your injuries but if theres anything you can tell us about your. groaning it has lost consciousness. Where is my prey . Lying at the end of a corridor on deck 11. Nearly dead thanks to you. Take me to it. No. Take me to it in less than three hours, your ships will arrive. By that time species 8472 will no longer be on voyager. What do you mean . Im sending it back where it came from. R the creature to me and you will not be harmed. This isnt a hunt; its a slaughter. And im calling it off right now. We will not be denied our prey. Give us the creature. Or your crew will take its place. Have seven of nine report to my ready room. You intend to ask her to open a rift into 8472s realm. Shes the only one on board who knows how. Given her feelings towards the species she may not want to cooperate. Well see. You wish to see me, captain . Ive made a decision about species 8472. Im going to return it to fluidic space. That, i need you to open a quantum singularity. I dont 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 theyre your bitter enemies. Why . I remember when i was a lieutenant. My away team was cut off while we were defending a federation outpost. Wed 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. Understand wed been killing each other for weeks on this planet. It was brutal. But our Commanding Officer decided. That we couldnt 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. On. 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 im most proud of was the night we saved that mans life. Explain. A single act of compassion can put you in touch with your own humanity. You are trying to justify your present decision. No. Im trying to help you see this as an opportunity to grow. I know you dont want to do it, seven but im telling you as your captain 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 thats different. That was my choice. This creature it invaded our ship put our lives at risk to save its own. In my view it has already forfeited its freedom. Im 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 well 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 . Shields down to 84 . Return fire. Three more ships are closing from port and starboard. All escape trajectories have been cut off. Our weapons are having little effect on their hull plating. Im scanning for weaknesses in the molecular structure. Shields at 79 . Tuvok they are hailing us. Better late than never. Open a channel. Youve taken our prey and one of our hunters. Surrender them. Call off your attack and well return your crewman. As for your prey its under our protection now. It belongs to us. It belongs to no one. Order your ships to withdraw and this can end peacefully. All vessels are firing. Any luck finding a crack in their armor . Doctor to bridge. Species 8472 appears to be regenerating. Im no exobiologist but id say this fellow is becoming highly agitated. It could be sensing the hirogen attack. Doctor, can you sedate it . I believe so but ill need another dose of borg nanoprobes. Stand by. Bridge to seven of nine. Yes. Report to deck 11 immediately with a supply of nanoprobes. Understood. Hows it going down there . Transporters are ready. I can establish a lock on the creature at any time but i still havent duplicated the deflector protocols to open a singularity. How long . I need another hour. Maybe two. Captain, we can outmaneuver the ships for a few more minutes, but beyond that. N force fields on all decks are offline. Switch to auxiliary power. Done. Force fields have been restored but i dont know how long theyll hold. Bridge to doctor, report. Its all right, captain. The creature is contained. Bridge to sick bay. Security respond. Security, dispatch teams to deck five. The hirogen may be loose. Direct hit to our port nacelle. Now, theyve taken out our starboard nacelle. Theyve crippled us. Tuvok, divert warp power to the phaser banks. Maybe thatll help us penetrate their hull plating. The nanoprobes . Armed and ready. Give me the prey. Lower your weapon or i will destroy you. I dont think you will. You want me to destroy this creature. I saw it on your face earlier in the medical bay. Its a look ive seen a thousand times. Stand aside. What are you doing . Someones accessing the transporter system from deck five. Lock them out. I cant. Theyre overriding my commands. Janeway report, mr. Kim. 8472 and the hirogen. Theyve been beamed to one of the attacking ships. All six vessels are moving away at high warp. Tom, can we pursue . Im sorry, captain. Warp engines are still offline. Resume our previous course. Full impulse. Seven of nine. Its been 12 hours and our sensors show no sign of any hirogen vessels and something tells me that the hunt for voyager is far from over. Captain. Step down, please. Seven, you disobeyed my direct orders and as a result you condemned a sentient being to its death. By doing so, i also diverted the hirogen attack s. The creature broke through the force field. I had no choice. I didnt come here to debate your decision. I came here to inform you of the consequences. When you first came to voyager i decided to grant you the same liberties and freedoms of any