Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001): Season 2, Episode 13 - Prototype - full transcript

It's extraordinary.

I must remind you that it is also
a potential security risk.

I'd like to see if I can repair it
before the power drains completely.

I suggest we allow the power to drain.
We should examine it while it is idle.

Then we can decide
whether to repair it.

This thing has a completely
unfamiliar power source.

Once it stops working
I may never get it going again

and we'll have lost a chance
to study a new technology.

This is a ship of exploration, Mr Tuvok.

The power is surging.

We have to find a way to stabilise it,
or we'll lose it.



What about an interface
with an EPS power conduit?

The energy signatures are incompatible
but it might buy us some time.

Let's give it a try.

Two-second burst,
5% maximum output.

On my mark... Now.

- We're losing it.
- Maybe we're overloading its systems.

- Try a longer burst at lower power.
- Got it.

Five seconds at 3%. On your mark.

Now.

I think it's working.
EPS flow is holding steady.

- EM field leakage is minimal.
- Watch the pressure on the connector.

Let's try to keep it below 85%.

Flux capacitance is spiking
intermittently but I think it's OK.

Reinforce the power
on the coupling to make sure.



It's suffered a lot of damage

but I think the EPS charge
will keep it running for 18 hours.

It's not a cyborg. It's completely robotic.

No organic components of any kind.

This looks like a programming centre.

I can't find any pathways
for transmitting information.

It's got arms. Legs.

We saw it move its head.

It's designed to perform motor functions.

Where do the commands come from?

Maybe it needs to interface
with an outside source.

Speaking of sources,

this energy module seems to power
the entire mechanism.

It isn't designed to run on EPS energy.

It runs on some kind
of super-conducting plasma.

If we keep charging it,
we may end up destroying it.

- It's trying to communicate.
- It may just be a recording.

Pralor! Pralor!

Pralor! Pralor! Pralor! Pralor!

What are you trying to say?
What's "Pralor"?

If you can hear me,
try to move your arm.

B'Elanna, we don't even know
if it can see you,

much less understand
a word you're saying.

- We've got to fix it.
- We've been trying for hours.

We need a break.
The EPS charge should hold.

You go ahead.
I could use some time alone to think.

- If you're staying, I'm staying.
- Get some rest, Harry.

You may think you're tougher
than everybody else,

but I can go without sleep, too.

Don't make me laugh, Starfleet.

And don't make me
pull rank on you, either.

If you insist.

But let me know if you come up
with anything... Lieutenant.

Chief engineer's log,
supplemental.

I've tried 13 methods of reinitialising
the robot's power source, without luck.

I've decided to go to the mess hall
to recharge my own energy reserves.

Neelix, I need another pot of coffee.

Breakfast isn't officially served
for another hour

but I'll pour you
a glass of Traggle nectar.

I'll even fix you my special
Jibalian seven-spice omelette.

Just coffee.

Sorry, but two pots of Landras blend
is the absolute limit.

You're cutting me off?

I guess you're right.
It was starting to taste almost palatable.

Still no idea how to revive
our mechanised guest?

I've only managed
to postpone the inevitable.

The constant power depletion
is like a bleeding artery.

And I haven't got a tourniquet.

I remember when I was trying to perfect
the recipe for my Jibalian omelette.

I tried a little more Spith basil, a little
less prishic, but I couldn't get it right.

Finally, I fell asleep from exhaustion,
right at the counter.

And then, in a dream, it came to me.

I was using six spices
but the omelette needed seven.

Let me guess. Leola root.

- Nimian sea salt, actually.
- Salt?

The most common spice in the galaxy.
But I was too tired, so I couldn't see it.

That is... a very
interesting story, Neelix.

- Now how about some more coffee?
- To bed.

- I said, to bed.
- I'm going.

I'm going.

Anybody home?

What's that?
You think I should go to bed, too?

Well... I guess I'm outnumbered.

Computer, activate Emergency Medical
Holographic program.

Please state the nature...

I wish someone had informed me
of the change in the dress code.

I didn't have time to change.

I see. May I assume your haste
indicates you have a medical problem?

An engineering problem
but you might have some insight.

- You should know I'm a doctor.
- Not an engineer.

But this isn't a typical
engineering problem.

I've been trying to repair a robot.

The mechanical man.
Kes told me about it. Fascinating.

He's about to die...
stop functioning... whatever...

unless I can sustain
his main energy source.

What kind of energy source?

A chromodynamic module
powered by a tripolymer plasma.

But the plasma is contaminated.
It's decaying.

Like diseased blood.

It can't retain enough energy
to run the module.

- Have you considered a transfusion?
- You mean replacing the plasma?

That was one of my first ideas.

But where do I get a plasma made
of elements I didn't know existed?

Aren't Voyager's engines
powered by warp plasma?

It's a very different substance.
It's too highly charged.

It would burn out the robot's systems.

It would be like giving a Bolian
a blood transfusion from a Vulcan.

Which ordinarily would kill
the unfortunate Bolian.

But if artificial blood is unavailable,

blood cells can be altered
for interspecies transfusions.

It's a good idea but you can't alter
warp plasma electrochemically.

- Unless...
- Goon.

I could modify a series
of anodyne relays,

attach them directly
to the robot's power module.

They could make the warp plasma
compatible with the energy matrix.

That's what I was going to suggest.

- That's the last of the relays.
- Plasma injector is sealed.

This is your show.
Whenever you're ready.

Activating the relays.

Harry, start the infusion.
20% nominal flow.

Initiating plasma flow.

- Energy levels are up 14%.
- The relays are holding.

- Give it a little more juice.
- Got it. I'm taking it to 30%.

35%.

Wait. The energy levels
are rising too fast.

- But it needs more plasma.
- Increase the relays' capacitance?

It's stabilising. Hold the flow right there
and see what happens.

The plasma is circulating.

The programming centre is activated.
I think we may have done it.

Please identify yourself.

I'm Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres
of the Federation starship Voyager.

I'm Automated Unit 3947.

Thank you for reactivating me,
Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres.

Chief engineer's log,
supplemental.

The robot's power module
is continuing to function normally.

Repairing it has taught me
more about robotics

than I ever learned
at Starfleet Academy.

- I think we're past the critical stage.
- I concur.

According to my self-diagnostic systems,
Automated Personnel Unit 3947

is functioning at 68%
of peak operating capabilities.

Automated Personnel Unit 3947
is an extremely well-designed machine.

Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres
is an extremely proficient humanoid.

How did you end up floating
in space, so badly damaged?

I was operating an asteroid mining pod.
It exploded.

- What caused the explosion?
- I cannot access that information.

My memory cells are not functioning
at optimal efficiency.

- Do you remember where you're from?
- I am stationed aboard a Pralor vessel.

We'll do our best to find your ship
and return you to your people.

I hope the memory loss is temporary.

Once the new plasma integrates into
your systems, you'll be close to optimal.

- New plasma?
- I adapted your power module.

It will accept our warp plasma as energy.

You repaired my power module.
Are you a Builder?

A Builder?
I guess you could say that.

I'm an engineer. I repair and maintain
all the systems on the ship.

Only the Builders could construct
or repair power modules.

The Builders are
the people who created you?

- Yes.
- And they're humanoids like me?

Yes. Like Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres.

You could create a new power module.

You don't need a new module.
The one I fixed will work fine.

It would not be for me.

It would be a prototype
for additional Automated Units.

- Can't the Builders make them?
- The Builders no longer exist.

Thousands of them were built
as service modules.

But the race who created them,
the Builders, were killed off in a war.

- Leaving the Automated Units alone.
- Now they're wearing out.

They've learned to make repairs
to themselves

but the construction of a power module,
the device which sustains them,

is beyond their grasp.
It's an incredible challenge, Captain.

But with enough time,
I might be able to do it.

I don't doubt your abilities, B'Elanna.

But helping them reproduce is a clear
violation of the Prime Directive.

The desire to procreate
is basic to any life-form.

I'm not saying they don't have
the same rights as other species.

Suppose they were organic
but they had become sterile,

and we had a treatment that would
enable them to reproduce.

- Would you withhold that treatment?
- Maybe. I'd have to know more about it.

But we're not talking about
treating a disorder here.

What's the difference?

Unlike a species that's become sterile,
these robots could never reproduce.

You want to give them new abilities,

which is like altering
their genetic structure.

- To correct a flaw.
- This is the way they were designed.

- I want to save them from extinction.
- It's the natural end of evolution.

You'd let their society die off?

That may not happen. If they're
adaptable and capable of learning,

they might build
a power module themselves some day.

Some day could be too late.
There are only a few hundred left.

I feel for the robots' plight.

But this is the kind of tampering
the Prime Directive prohibits.

We know almost nothing
about these creatures.

What would be
the consequences of this,

to their own civilisation and others?

Who are we to play God without
considering the long-term effects?

B'Elanna,
I share your scientific curiosity.

And I admire your compassion.
But the answer is no.

- I do not concur with her decision.
- She's following our Prime Directive.

Define "Prime Directive".

It forbids us to interfere in the natural
development of other cultures.

The Automated Units
were not created naturally.

We were built.
You can help us build more.

- The Captain thinks that's a bad idea.
- But B'Elanna Torres doesn't.

Maybe. I don't know.

I'd like to try. But I can't.

Without your help, we will not survive.

I thought Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres
was a Builder.

So did I.

We've located your ship. We'll be in
communications range in an hour.

Thank you.

The alien vessel
is entering visual range.

Yellow Alert. Slow to one quarter
impulse. Put them on screen.

Magnify.

- We're being scanned.
- Let them take a look. Open a channel.

Pralor Automated Personnel Unit 6263
requests you identify yourselves.

I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway
of the Federation starship Voyager.

What are your intentions,
Captain Kathryn Janeway?

We rescued one of your crew members
and we'd like to return him to you.

We'll prepare to receive the Unit.
Thank you for your assistance.

Very polite, these Automated Units.

Captain Janeway said I could
give you some warp plasma

in case the plasma we infused
into your system degrades.

Thank you.

Remodulate
the anodyne relays periodically.

- You are repeating instructions.
- I'm just making sure.

I guess this is goodbye.

What are you doing?

There's a chromodynamic
energy discharge in transporter room 2.

Bridge to transporter room 2.
Janeway to Torres.

Someone's initiating a transport.

- It's Torres and the robot.
- Override.

I can't. Their patterns
are already in the buffer.

They're gone, Captain.

- Transport her back now, Mr Kim.
- I can't get a lock on her.

There is a defence field
around their vessel.

- Our scanners cannot penetrate it.
- Hail them.

- They're not responding.
- Open a channel on wideband.

- Channel open.
- This is Captain Janeway.

This abduction
is a clear act of aggression.

If you do not return her immediately,
we will be forced to retaliate.

Have they've received
the transmission?

They heard us.
They're just not answering.

Mr Tuvok,
power the forward phaser banks.

- What the hell is going on here?
- You'll assist in creating the prototype.

I told you I can't help you.

- Now return me to my ship.
- That is not possible.

- Torres to Voyager.
- The device has been deactivated.

- I do not wish to injure you, B'Elanna.
- I helped you. Why are you doing this?

We require additional Automated Units.

- You won't get away with this.
- It would be inadvisable to provoke us.

- Still no response.
- Have you penetrated their defences?

- Negative.
- Are they preparing to attack?

I can't get clear readings. I don't even
know their weapons capabilities.

Mr Tuvok, don't hit their ship,

but open a hole in their shielding
wide enough to transport through.

Match the scanners
to the coordinates of the phaser fire

and stand by to beam B'Elanna back.

- Phasers calibrated.
- Fire.

- Their field strength is down to 80%.
- That's progress. Fire again.

Initiating evasive pattern Omega 6.

They're firing
quantum resonance charges.

- Our aft shields are down to 53%.
- Rerouting power to aft shields.

- Down to 24%.
- Switching evasive pattern to Theta 1.

Load torpedo bays 1 through 4
and stand by to fire on my order.

Your Captain has made an error
by attacking us.

Our weapons are
substantially superior to yours.

Your shields are failing.
Your weapons pose no threat to us.

- Aft shields have been penetrated.
- We must get out.

Agreed. We'll come back for B'Elanna.
Do it, Mr Paris. Warp 3.

Propulsion systems are off-line.

- Hull breach on deck 6.
- Initiating emergency containment field.

Environmental control is failing. Oxygen
levels on decks 3 through 7 are critical.

- We've lost artificial gravity on deck 8.
- Injuries on all decks.

- Stop this.
- Your ship opened fire.

- We must defend ourselves.
- They're helpless!

- Our enemies must be destroyed.
- We are not your enemies.

You are not my enemy but your Captain
is, and your crew follows her commands.

She backed me when I wanted to
reactive you, over security objections.

You wouldn't be here
if it weren't for her.

All right. If that's what it'll take
to stop this, I'll do it.

I'll build your damned prototype.

We're losing life support, Captain.

They've powered down their weapons.

- They're hailing us, Captain.
- On screen.

- Is everybody OK?
- We'll be all right. What about you?

I've agreed to help them
build their prototype.

- Lieutenant...
- I know. I don't like it either.

But if I don't do it,
they'll destroy Voyager.

What choice do I have?

These are the materials
necessary to construct a prototype Unit.

You will be provided with
whatever else you require.

You may access our database
from this computer terminal,

but you may not interface
with critical systems.

You will have no contact with your
ship, nor will you leave this room.

I will remain here
to supervise your work.

You may proceed.

Proceed. Right.

But where do I proceed from?

Let me ask you this.

Have any of you
ever tried to build a prototype?

We have tried and failed.

- What was the problem?
- I am unable to explain.

We duplicated an exact power module
on several occasions.

But the energy output of the new module
was insufficient to operate a Unit.

You're sure you reproduced
the module exactly?

This is a schematic of a power module
from a terminated Unit.

This one is from a failed prototype.
They are identical.

There is no reason
why one shouldn't function.

Unit 3947, what can you report?

We've been working for five minutes
so we don't have a lot to report.

The humanoid vessel will require
approximately 140 hours to repair.

You must complete work
on the prototype before that time.

Why? We don't seem to be
any match for you.

Our tactical subprocessors
indicate a 79% likelihood

that a rescue will be attempted
once repairs are completed.

Your engines
are more powerful than ours.

And these humanoids may not base
decisions on tactical probabilities.

Their cognitive process
is unpredictable.

We will remain on full tactical alert.

The humanoid may delay completion
of the prototype, hoping for rescue.

Promises mean something to us.

I gave you my word
that I'd do my best, and I will.

The humanoid is operating
at optimal efficiency.

Thank you. But I have to tell you,
there are no guarantees here.

Building a prototype is different
to repairing a power module.

- I don't know if it's possible.
- If you fail, you will all die.

B'Elanna Torres,
6263 is a designated command Unit.

- He's merely following his programming.
- I don't need to be threatened.

- I told you I'd do my best.
- I believe you. But Unit 6263 does not.

He does not know
Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres as I do.

Let me see one of those terminated
power modules.

We have no power
on decks 3 through 7.

Aft shields are non-functional.

And the dilithium matrix is destabilised
so we can't run the warp engines.

- We need another six days.
- We're not staying that long.

I want to get B'Elanna off that ship
before she finishes the prototype.

Then warp drive is our priority. Rescue
will necessitate a rapid departure.

Agreed. Can you give me an estimate
on repairing the dilithium matrix?

- How does 72 hours sound?
- Like 24 hours too long.

Dismissed.

Hand me the sub-micron scanner.

Phase coil resonator.

I know why your other prototypes failed
but I'm not sure what to do about it yet.

- Explain.
- Automated Units are modular.

Your parts are interchangeable.
So if you lose an arm...

you can replace it with another one.

And you've learned to make new arms
because they're all the same.

Your programming allows you
to reproduce what you see.

But each power module has
a slightly different energy signature.

So even if you copy
this guy's module exactly,

it wouldn't work in any other Unit.

Every Automated Unit has a power
module with a unique energy code.

Can you reprogram the energy codes
to make the modules interchangeable?

- I don't think so.
- You have failed. I will inform 6263.

Do you all give up the minute
you hit a bump in the road?

You have an alternative idea?

We've got to design
a standardised module

with a uniform energy code
that can power any Unit.

There is now sufficient reason
for greater optimism.

You took the words
right out of my mouth.

Due to their defence field
and our power shortage,

we cannot modify the transporters
to beam Lieutenant Torres out.

- But from inside the field...
- Our transporters could do it.

- Is that viable?
- For a shuttlecraft.

A shuttle would be even more
vulnerable than Voyager.

We could create a diversion
to distract them from the shuttle.

- Attack them again?
- I won't risk that.

I don't need a diversion.
I'll get her out of there.

Can we help?
I'd hate to lose another shuttle.

Your concern for my welfare
is heart-warming.

In 12 hours our warp engines will be
back on-line. I want a diversion by then.

So far so good. I'm not getting any
feedback from the motor circuits.

You're going to be the obstetrician
of this Unit?

Please rephrase the question.

If this works,
will you assemble the new Units?

I am a ship's maintenance Unit.

I have no knowledge of design,
nor do any of the others.

You've just volunteered for new duty.

- I hope you're watching.
- I am observing.

But I do not possess
your improvisational capabilities.

Once we have the prototype,
all you'd have to do is copy it.

Tell me something, 39...
Can I call you 397

- I am Automated Unit 3947.
- Fine, 3947.

Did you wake up on a bench like this?
How long have you been alive?

I have been in service
1,314,807 hours and 33 minutes.

I was activated by a Builder
from the Pralor Homeworld.

Tell me more about these Builders.
Were they like us?

I have insufficient knowledge of your
culture to know. Provide information.

Only fair you should ask
about my culture.

Does your culture include
artificial life-forms?

As a matter of fact, it does.

Are they similar to
the Automated Personnel Units?

They come in
different shapes and sizes.

- Most don't have cognitive abilities.
- Are they your servants?

I guess you could say they're
servants, in a manner of speaking.

But they aren't sentient like you.

In fact, we have only one
sentient artificial life-form

and he is treated the same
as any human.

The same? He is equal to a Builder?

That's right.
He works on a ship just like you and I.

- He wears the same uniform I do.
- What is his designated number?

He has a name like the rest of us.

- Data.
- I would like to meet this Data.

This standardised power module
is working pretty well.

- You will succeed.
- Don't send me flowers yet.

I've got to see
whether it will power a Unit.

I believe it will.

We're making progress on the dilithium
matrix. It'll be ready in six hours.

What about our diversion?

In the Maquis, B'Elanna once linked
a holo-emitter to a deflector array

and projected an image
of a ship into space.

I like it. But do we have enough power?

We will by the time
the warp core's on-line. I have...

- Tuvok to Captain Janeway.
- Go ahead.

An unidentified alien ship on long-range
sensors is heading for our coordinates.

We're on our way.

It fits. Cross your fingers.

So far so good.
Let's hope it can interface with the Unit.

- It does not function correctly.
- It does not function correctly yet.

The Builders should have programmed
you with more patience.

I'm going to try adjusting
the flux capacitance...

Prototype Unit 0001
is ready to accept programming.

We did it.

- We actually did it!
- You did it, B'Elanna Torres.

I knew this task would not
exceed your capabilities.

Prototype Unit 0001
is ready to accept programming.

- What are you doing?
- Congratulating you.

You're a father!

No sign of organic life
aboard that ship either.

They're manned by Automated Units
like those operating the first ship.

Have we stumbled into the middle
of some kind of robotic war?

We've got to get Torres back.

Yes, but I want to show them
this isn't our fight.

Ease us back
on manoeuvring thrusters.

- The second ship is hailing us.
- On screen.

Cravic Automated Commander 122
requests you identify yourself.

I am Kathryn Janeway
of the Federation starship Voyager.

- Withdraw from this area immediately.
- I can't do that.

One of my crew members is being held
hostage aboard the Pralor vessel.

Remain at your present coordinates
and do not attempt to intervene.

- This new ship could be...
- The diversion we've wanted.

What's the status of our warp engines?

- We're still an hour away.
- We may not have an hour.

Get down to engineering. Be ready to
give me as much power as you can.

If those two ships keep each other
busy, we may not need warp.

Mr Paris, report to the shuttle bay.
Chakotay, you have the conn.

- Who are they?
- Cravic Automated Personnel Units.

Robots from another world?
Why are they attacking you?

They were programmed to do so.

Prototype Unit 0001
is ready to accept programming.

Were the Cravic Builders
and the Pralor Builders enemies?

That is correct.

Captain Janeway could convince
the Cravic leaders to stop the fighting.

That is not possible.
The Cravic are also extinct.

I'm approaching the perimeter
of the defence field.

Synchronise your shield harmonics
with the field.

Shields synchronised. I'm going in.

Then again, maybe not.

He bounced right off the field.

Mr Paris, reset your heading
for coordinates 105, mark 40.

That would take me into
a direct line of fire with a Cravic ship.

Precisely. The fire is opening a rift
in the Pralor defence field.

Which I might be able to sneak
through if I can dodge disruptor blasts.

Changing heading.

If both sides were annihilated,
why continue your war?

We were programmed
to achieve victory.

Prototype Unit 0001
is ready to accept programming.

- They have penetrated our defences.
- Has anyone tried to stop this war?

The Pralor and the Cravic
called a truce.

Then why didn't they
stop you from fighting?

- They attempted to do so.
- And?

We terminated the Builders.

I'm approaching the entry point.

Showing a rift in the defence field
off your starboard bow.

I'm on it.

When the war was ending,
the Builders no longer required us.

They attempted to terminate us,
so they became the enemy.

We must destroy the enemy.
It is necessary for our survival.

With the prototype, we will soon
outnumber the Cravic Units.

We will achieve victory.

This is 3947. Fire units report
to reconstruction bay 1.

The individual energy codes -
is that why the Builders added them?

To prevent
the procreation of these Units?

My God, what have I done?

Prototype Unit 0001
is ready to accept programming.

- You have terminated the prototype!
- Yes. I have.

- You will build another.
- Never.

Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres,
I told 6263 you were not our enemy.

I never wanted to be your enemy.

I'm sorry.

Voyager,
I've got her but she's injured.

Tell the Doctor to stand by. Beam her
out when I clear the defence field.

- Acknowledged.
- The ships are still exchanging fire.

They are ignoring the shuttle.

Bridge to engineering.
Stand by warp engines.

One pot of Landras blend,
compliments of the chef.

- Neelix's coffee tastes so good.
- I'll tell him you said so.

I don't know what to say.

As far as I'm concerned,

you did what you thought was
necessary to ensure our safety.

Thank you.

- It must have been difficult.
- Difficult?

To destroy what you created.

It was necessary.

I've read your report. It was
no small achievement, B'Elanna.

You gave that Unit life.

You should have seen it, Captain.
It was incredible.

I installed that module
and the prototype looked up at me

and asked me for programming.

As I said, it must have been difficult.

It was necessary.