Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001): Season 2, Episode 17 - Dreadnought - full transcript

B'Elanna confronts her Maquis past when Voyager discovers a Cardassian super-weapon in the Delta Quadrant with artificial intelligence that B'Elanna once modified.

I've considered
naming him after my husband.

It's been a tradition
in his family for five generations.

I'm sure he'd be very pleased.

My husband's name is Greskrendtregk.

He's Ktarian.

Choosing a name is no easy matter.
I speak from experience.

Have you had any progress?

I've reviewed historical
and literary databases

from 500 worlds
and have yet to find a suitable name.

However, I may want to give
some thought to "Greskrendtregk".

To be honest, I've been thinking
of something simpler.



- What do you think of "Cameron"?
- I like it.

"Cameron". From the ancient Celtic
term for "one whose nose is bent".

- What about "Frederick?
- "Frederick". Very distinguished.

But it bares a close resemblance to an
impolite term on the Bolian homeworld.

It doesn't have to be a human name.
I like "Sural". It's Vulcan.

It was also the name of a dictator
on Sakura Prime,

famed for beheading his rivals...
and his parents.

- He won't object to "Benaren".
- I've never heard that name.

I think it's lovely. Is it Ocampan?

"Benaren” was my father's name. He
was the greatest inspiration of my life.

All science officers,
please report to your stations.

- Your scans look fine, Ensign.
- Thank you.

"Greskrendtregk" would make
a good middle name.

You never suggested
your father's name to me.



I thought you wanted a human name.

You were mistaken.

If you like "Benaren", use it.
I'm sure she won't mind.

Won't mind that I just
usurped her baby's name?

Thank you but no thank you.

My uncle's name was "Elram”.
I once knew a boy named "Tarek".

There's not much left
of whatever it was.

From the amount of debris,
I'd guess it was a small ship,

no bigger than a shuttlecraft.

I'm not reading any organic material.
It must have been unmanned.

- What happened to it?
- The energy signature indicates

repeated weapons fire.

The wreckage is composed primarily
of duritanium polyalloy.

- Duritanium?
- Few weapons can damage it.

Transport some samples
of the debris to engineering.

Continuous scans.
We don't want to be caught by surprise.

- Any conclusions?
- Afraid so.

We've identified
the signature left by the weapons fire.

There's no question. It was Cardassian.

Could Seska be responsible?

No, Captain. I am.

The probe was destroyed by an
experimental Cardassian weapon.

Sorry.

I recognise its signature

because I know this weapon well.

Chakotay and I got it
when we were fighting the Cardassians.

- How did it get here?
- The same way we did.

We saw it last in the Badlands,

where we were picked up.

The Cardassians sent it

to destroy a Maquis munitions base.

We called it "Dreadnought.”
It's a self-guided missile

carrying 1,000 kilos of matter
and another 1,000 of anti-matter.

Enough to destroy a small moon.

And one of the most sophisticated
computer systems I've ever seen.

The missile is adaptable, evasive,
armed with defensive weaponry.

- In other words, unstoppable.
- So how did you stop it?

We didn't. It got through our defences.

Worked like it was supposed to
except for one detail - it didn't go off.

Rely on the Cardassians
to build such an advanced weapon

and arm the warhead
with an old detonator.

It skipped off into the atmosphere
and went into orbit.

I got inside it

and reprogrammed the computer.

I didn't just reprogram it.
I changed its identity.

It wasn't Cardassian.
Now it was working for the Maquis.

We made its mission to destroy the
Cardassian fuel depot on Aschelan V.

But it never made it. We thought it had
been destroyed in a plasma storm.

So how do we stop this weapon?

Dreadnought masks its warp trail
with a randomised EM field.

I can modify our sensors
to cut through that.

- What are we going to do with it?
- I get back inside it.

I know all the security codes.
I installed them myself.

Paris can assist you
with the navigational sensors.

Keep me informed. Dismissed.

Lieutenant.

I expect everyone to show up
on time and properly dressed.

Yes, sir.

There's a lot of distortion
in the upper frequencies.

Better. Now let's try
filtering out the ion radiation.

You must be really worried
about catching this thing.

Chakotay wasn't telling the whole truth.

We didn't sent Dreadnought on
a mission against the Cardassians.

I was the one who sent it.
Without asking him.

You were afraid he'd say no.

After I did it, he pulled me aside
and I was ready to defend myself.

I was so sure that I'd anticipated
everything that could go wrong.

I programmed it to warn Federation
ships to stay away... in my own voice.

Your voice?

That Cardassian computer's voice
drove me crazy.

I don't blame you.

Anyway, Chakotay looked at me...
I didn't know him very well yet...

and all he said,
in that damned soft voice of his,

was that I'd hurt him.

That he thought he'd earned
my trust and loyalty.

I was so glad when it disappeared
into the Badlands.

I remember thinking,
"Thank God, it's over."

But it's not.

And if anything happens here because
of Dreadnought... it's my fault.

No one else's.

You took a risk. You were thinking like
a Maquis. That was a different life.

Tell me about it.

You know, I've been surprised at
how well you've been able to fit in here.

A little envious, too.

What's been going on with you lately?

Going on? How?

- People are starting to talk.
- Are they?

- People like who? Chakotay?
- No, I mean people like me.

Like today. Look at yourself.

Coming to a briefing late?

And is it true that you had a fight
with Lieutenant Rollins?

He was unhappy that my conn reports
weren't punctuated properly,

according to Starfleet protocol.
I didn't like his attitude.

- Was he right about your reports?
- We're in the Delta Quadrant!

Nowhere near Starfleet.
What difference...

Yeah. He was right.

I'm the one who's been wrong.
Wrong about a lot of things.

Why don't we run a multiphasic sweep?

I'm picking up the trail again.
New heading 196, mark 4.

This course is erratic.
Are we following a single warp trail?

The navigational system has been
operating for longer than intended.

No, it's following one of the evasive
patterns I programmed into it.

It must have observed us following.

- I've got it on long-range sensors.
- No, that's only a sensor echo.

It deflects its image up to
100,000 kilometres from its location.

The next time you get a heading, look
for a brief surge in neutrino emissions.

That will be the real thing.

Got it. Elevated neutrino levels.
Locking in coordinates.

- It's within visual range.
- On screen.

Its targeting scanners
have been activated.

It's not supposed to do that
until it's locked on to its final target.

It's heading for a planet
ten light years away.

At its current speed,
it will get there in about three weeks.

The planet is Class-M. I'm reading
several heavily populated areas.

Seska will want to know
about this missile.

Mr Jonas,
your enthusiasm is appreciated.

But I want to know more about it
before I tell Maje Cullah.

If I could just talk to Seska...

As I explained, I have now
been assigned to be your control.

Does she know
how much I've helped you?

What the maje shares with her
is none of my concern.

But you are in good hands, my friend.

Now tell me more about
this weapon you've found.

Just tell Seska that it's better armed
than the entire Kazon-Nistrim sect.

That's very interesting.
What more can you tell me that...

Someone's about to make
a transmission. They may detect us.

I have to terminate.

I am Captain Kathryn Janeway
of the Federation starship Voyager.

First Minister Kellan, Captain.
What is it you want?

Your world
has long-range tracking abilities.

We have been observing your course.

Have you detected the missile on
a parallel course off our starboard bow?

We haven't been able to identify
what it is, but yes.

You should know that this missile
has a significant destructive force.

- Is this some sort of threat?
- On the contrary. We want to help.

I find that hard to believe.
Your reputation precedes you, Captain.

You've threatened many races
since your arrival here.

We're aware the Kazon
have been telling that to people.

They'd like to prevent us
from making allies. You've been misled.

And yet you are sending
this missile toward us.

The missile arrived here
due to a very unusual accident.

We can't determine
why it's targeting Rakosa,

but we're preparing to disarm it
before it reaches you.

You may be telling me this
to delay our defensive response.

I could have maintained silence
and not warned you at all.

That's true. Nevertheless,
I am placing our defence force on alert.

- I'd do the same in your place.
- We will be watching you closely.

Janeway to Torres.
When will you be ready?

Dreadnought has responded
to my codes. I'm ready now.

- Proceed.
- Energise.

Entry detected. Initiating DNA scan.

B'Elanna Torres confirmed.

Hello, B'Elanna. Your last systems
access was on stardate 47582.

Current date is 49447,

Time, 0840 hours.
Did you sleep well last night?

Not so well, really.
Activate programmer interface.

Your presence wasn't anticipated.
Please explain.

Something's gone wrong
with your programming.

- Display targeting schematic.
- Self-diagnostics are conducted.

No malfunctions have been detected.

Maybe there's a fault
in your diagnostic systems, too.

- Identify target.
- Aschelan V.

What targeting parameters
are you using?

Size, radiothermic signature,
atmospheric composition...

Enough. Dreadnought,
you're nowhere near Aschelan V.

Based on available data,
you are mistaken.

Let me check out
your navigational systems.

Access to primary navigational systems
is denied at stage-3 alert status.

- Was that my idea?
- Affirmative.

OK. We'll have to go at this
in a different way then.

Do you know what happened to you
the day after my last systems access?

Please be more specific.

Did you encounter
a coherent tetryon beam?

Confirmed. All attempts to avoid
the phenomenon failed.

It carried you into the Delta Quadrant.

I'm not surprised
it damaged your sensors.

Reinitialise your navigational systems.

- Computer.
- Reinitialisation sequence is complete.

Now verify our current position.

Based on relative position
to known markers,

this vessel is currently located
in the Delta Quadrant.

And is Aschelan V located
in the Delta Quadrant?

- Negative.
- Then reconfirm your target lock.

Unable to verify.
Standing down from stage 3.

Target lock has been deactivated.
Re-establishing stage 4.

Janeway to Torres.

Can you confirm a shut-down
of all your engines?

That and more.
I'll be ready to transport back soon.

Acknowledged. Good work, B'Elanna.
Janeway out.

Dreadnought, return to stage 5.

Initiate power-save program.

- Acknowledged. Goodnight, B'Elanna.
- Sweet dreams.

The torpedoes could be
made compatible with our launchers.

- And its engine components?
- Easily converted.

- We'll have spare parts for years.
- We should also download some files.

Begin the salvage operation first...

Paris to Janeway.

- The missile is going into warp.
- Stay with it, Tom.

- Engaging warp drive.
- Impossible! It was shut down!

It's heading to Rakosa V.

- Increasing speed to warp 9.
- It will reach the planet in 51 hours.

It's still on course
for the planet at warp 9.

Bring us parallel within ten kilometres.
Bridge to Torres. Your status?

Dreadnought is not
recognising my security code.

- We can't initiate transport.
- Get back up here.

Aye, Captain.

Let's take a shot at
disabling its drive systems.

Ready photons. Red Alert.

Torres programmed the missile
to adjust to all weapons, even ours.

Voyager wasn't in service then.

Our type-6 photon torpedoes
may just get through. Fire.

No discernible damage.

It must have scanned our weapons,
adapted its shields.

It's maintaining course and speed.

- We're being hailed by the missile.
- Let's hear it.

Unidentified Federation ship.

This Cardassian vessel
has been appropriated by the Maquis.

Please stand down your weapons.

You stand down yours
and I'll stand down mine.

You are interfering with
a tactical mission against Cardassia.

This vessel is programmed
to respond with all necessary force

to prevent any disruption to its mission.

Why have you resumed course?

Course was resumed
once you departed from this vessel.

It was a necessary response
to your deception.

My deception?

- The Delta Quadrant deception.
- Explain, Dreadnought.

False information has been entered
into Dreadnought's navigational array.

When a bomb talks about itself
in the third person, I worry.

Why would I enter false information?

Probability assessment indicates
you are being coerced by Cardassia.

Voyager is a Federation ship,
Dreadnought.

This is not a Cardassian crew.

You are operating within the parameters
of the Cardassian-Federation Alliance,

as described in the treaty of 2367,
a treaty rejected by the Maquis.

So when I was just there and you shut
yourself off, you were lying to me?

Acknowledged.

- I never taught it to do that.
- That is not correct, B'Elanna.

Your subroutine
instructed Dreadnought

to prepare responses
for 39 potential Cardassian threats.

The possibility of your capture
and coercion was No.7.

Is there any way we can prove to you
that you are in the Delta Quadrant,

that this is not a deception?

The probability
of being 75,000 light years

from last confirmed location
is negligible.

The target is located
in the Alpha Quadrant.

Targets are locked.
There will be no further warnings.

Terminating communications link.

The one possible vulnerability I
remember is in the thoron shock emitter.

If we can get it to fire at full power

it should destabilise
the reactor core for 30 seconds.

A single sustained tachyon beam
might penetrate and destroy that core.

How can we make Dreadnought fire?

Once we go after it with an all-out
assault, the emitter should fire.

Mr Tuvok, set your target.

- Ready photons.
- Ready, Captain.

Fire.

Its thoron shock emitter has fired.

Initiate the tachyon beam.

We have penetrated its shields.
Direct hit to the core.

Energy build-up in its reactor.
It should overload in 30 seconds.

Wait a minute... There's a plasma surge
coming from its core. What the hell...?

Report.

It sent a plasma burst
into our main power system.

It's burnt out our EPS relays.

No response from the warp
or impulse drives.

Even the manoeuvring thrusters
are out.

The missile was not damaged.
It has maintained its course.

Our engines will be back on-line
in an hour, then we'll try again.

- Did you sustain any casualties?
- A few. A broken arm and leg.

- Fortunately that's all.
- I'm pleased to hear that.

We are projecting casualties
of two million if the worst occurs.

I have deployed our fleet
to intercept this missile within hours.

First Minister, we've analysed
your offensive capabilities.

They're no match
for what you're facing.

What would you have me do?
Wait for death to fall from the sky?

I'm sorry. We haven't had much sleep.

We weren't prepared for this.
We are not a war-like race.

We haven't devoted resources
to building weapons.

- First Minister...
- Please. I hate that title.

My name is Kellan. I prefer that.

Our chief engineer
is trying to return to the missile.

She's our best chance at disarming it.
There's no reason to send your fleet.

I appreciate your efforts. Truly.
But the decision has been made.

We have some good pilots.
Perhaps they will surprise you.

Blocked again.

- We don't have time for this.
- We'll find a way to get you there.

I should have done my job right before.

- You couldn't guess its every move.
- Why not? It guesses mine.

- It's only as smart as you made it.
- I'm not sure.

It's been accumulating data all this time.

It thinks about new strategies,
new probabilities.

And it doesn't think about
what it could have done differently.

All right, Starfleet.
Let's give it another try.

Unauthorised entry
detected. Initiating DNA scan.

Hello, B'Elanna. Your last systems
access was today at 0840 hours.

Current time is 1931 hours.

- Have you had a pleasant day?
- Yeah, swell day.

Access to programmer interface
has been denied.

Access to programmer interface
has been denied.

Access to circuit pathways
has been denied.

The intensity of the shock
will increase if you try that again.

I'm disappointed in you, Dreadnought.

If I really was a Cardassian agent,
you should have killed me.

Probability assessment indicates that
you are being coerced by Cardassians.

Somehow I expected you
to put up more of a fight.

Computer?

Stage-2 alert has been activated.

- What's happening?
- 15 priority targets are approaching.

All weapons systems at full readiness.
Speed, full impulse.

The Rakosan fleet.

- Hail the lead ship.
- Channel open. Audio only.

This is Captain Janeway.

Break off your attack.
My crewmember is aboard the missile.

Get your crewman out.
Time to intercept is 90 seconds.

- We're trying to disarm it.
- Talk to my superiors. Rakosa-1 out.

Janeway to Torres. The Rakosan fleet
is planning to attack.

Don't beam me out.
I may not be able to get here again.

I'm making progress. The Rakosan
ships have created a diversion.

I've already disarmed
the security codes.

If I can get to the central processor,
I can disable the system.

We'll keep a transporter lock on you.
Janeway out.

- The Rakosan attack is commencing.
- Move us into weapons range.

Give them some cover fire. Red Alert.

Firing phasers.

All control functions have
been rerouted through backup circuits.

Your attempt to compromise weapons
control has been blocked.

Those ships aren't your enemy.

They are not Cardassian.
Can't you recognise that?

This vessel is programmed
to respond with force

to prevent any disruption to its mission.

- Shields are holding.
- We are drawing minimal fire.

It is focused on the Rakosan vessel.

More fighters are starting an attack run.

We've got to draw more of the missile's
fire. Make us a more serious threat.

- Shields at 40%.
- Damage on decks 3 and 4.

- Repair crews responding.
- Rakosan vessels are withdrawing.

Move us away from the plasma wave.

Janeway to Torres.
The Rakosan ships have retreated.

We have one hour
till the missile reaches the planet.

Dreadnought's
replaced the systems I disabled.

Do you have any other ideas?

I'm reluctant to discuss them
in present company. But could you...

Captain?

Communication terminated.
Transporter lock disengaged.

What took you so long?

There was a tactical advantage in
monitoring your communications.

It's just you and me now.

You are accessing
the detonation control circuit.

Probability suggests you are
trying to detonate the explosive

before it reaches its target.

That wouldn't make much sense.
I'd be killing myself in the process.

Probability suggests you are
trying to detonate the explosive

before it reaches its target.

If I'm being coerced by Cardassians,
why would I sacrifice myself for them?

Answer that one.

Unable to respond.
Reassessing probabilities.

Gotcha.

Why don't we reassess them together?

Remember how we played
hypothetical games?

- Affirmative.
- Let's play one now.

Here's a hypothetical situation.

Suppose I've been telling you
the truth all along,

and you really are
in the Delta Quadrant.

Probability of being 75,000 light years
from last confirmed location is small.

Hypothetical, Dreadnought.
It's a game.

- Assume it's true.
- Assumption entered.

We're heading for the wrong target.

Millions of innocent people about to die
when you detonate.

Explain to me how this might happen.

If key sensor programs
were damaged or deleted,

data banks would be compromised.

Just for the fun of it,
let's have a look at those data banks.

See if anything looks
at all compromised.

Is this a complete file directory?
There seem to be a few missing.

Files about the weapons
and tactical systems

are not necessary
to verify sensor accuracy.

I'm hurt. You don't trust me.

Hold on. Pause the display.

What's that? Computer, identify
the Cardassian file on screen.

Unable to identify.

Looks like a backup file.

Computer, when was this file created?

Stardate 46437.5.

That was before you and I ever met.

Hypothetical game terminated.
Probability reassessment complete.

- A new conclusion?
- Affirmative.

Probability of being in the
Delta Quadrant remains negligible.

New probability assessment indicates
that you have changed loyalties.

You are cooperating with
the Cardassian-Federation Alliance,

as described in a treaty which
has been rejected by the Maquis.

Humanoid life support
has been terminated.

Approaching target at full impulse.

Stage-1 alert has been activated.
Initiating final detonation sequence.

People are trying to get off the eastern
continent. There aren't enough ships.

There are still 41 minutes
for us to prevent this.

What can be done in 41 minutes?

I'll use this ship to detonate
the warhead before it reaches you.

Use your ship?

- To collide with it?
- Something like that.

- Do you think that would work?
- I'm not sure.

You would sacrifice yourselves to
benefit a people you don't even know?

To save two million lives?
That's not a hard decision.

Your reputation in this quadrant
isn't deserved.

For what it's worth,
you have made a friend here.

I still hope we'll have a chance
to celebrate our friendship together.

All key systems are secured.
You will not gain access.

I'm not interested
in your key systems any more.

That is an unlikely assertion, B'Elanna.

Seriously. Check for yourself.

You are attempting to access
the obsolete Cardassian file. Why?

Just killing time.

Life support has been terminated.
It is advisable to return to your ship.

I believe our best chance
at stopping Dreadnought now

is to set off a large antimatter explosion
directly in its path.

It would take more energy
than all our photons.

More to the point,
it would take a warp core breach.

You'll be in charge of the evacuation.

- I'm not leaving you.
- Captain's prerogative.

Get the rest of the crew to the escape
pods. I'll send the senior officers.

We don't have time to debate this.

Everyone except senior officers
with me.

Computer,
initiate the self-destruct sequence,

authorisation Janeway Pi-110.
Set it at 20 minutes.

Warning, self-destruct
sequence has been initiated.

Warp core overload in 20 minutes.

Attempting to activate systems.

I never thought I'd be glad
to hear that voice again.

Voice analyser functioning.
Unable to identify.

Attempting to activate systems.

Check those diagnostics, Dreadnought.
You're talking to yourself.

I believe you're having an identity crisis.

Accessing central processor memory.

Engaging counter-virus response.

Attempting to override program.

Computer, identify the target.

The Maquis munitions base.

The Cardassian command post.

Malfunction detected
in the targeting system.

Negative.
Target lock has been confirmed.

The Maquis are now...

Self-destruct sequence
has been initiated.

Warp core overload in 11 minutes.

I've broken through the interference.

I'm not sure how
but we have communications.

Checking on transporter signal.
I have a lock on her.

Voyager to Torres.
I need to get you out of there.

I'm going to overload the warp core
in the missile's flight path.

I may be able to detonate the warhead
by breaching the containment field.

- Can you access the core?
- I'm already in it.

I'm using my phaser
to burn through the casing now.

- Are you all right, B'Elanna?
- Fine.

- The air's just a little thin.
- Keep me advised. Janeway out.

Mr Kim, transfer control to the conn
and report to your escape pod.

- Captain...
- That's a direct order.

Mr Paris, I'm relieving you.

Now.

The starboard thrusters
are a little sluggish.

Understood.

Captain... thanks for everything.

Warning. Self-destruct sequence
has been initiated.

Warp core overload in seven minutes.

You too, Tuvok.

It is logical to have a second
in command in case you are injured.

I request permission to remain.

Permission granted.

The Cardassian virus
has been neutralised.

Good for you.

Containment field integrity at 40%.

Estimated time to breach.

This vessel is programmed
to respond with force

to prevent any disruption to its mission.

Unless I'm mistaken,
you're out of options, Dreadnought.

Analysis suggests
you will lose consciousness.

I'm not going anywhere
until I'm finished.

Stop trying to breach
the containment field

- and life support will be restored.
- No deal.

Warning.
Warp core overload in three minutes.

Increasing velocity. Preparing
to adjust our heading to intercept.

Janeway to Torres.

B'Elanna, I have to launch
the last escape pods.

I understand, Captain.
I'm almost finished. Let me stay.

Self-destruct sequence
has been initiated.

Warp core overload in two minutes.

Containment field integrity at 20%.

Perhaps your Delta Quadrant
hypothesis deserves consideration.

Nice try.

Who would have thought
two years ago,

after all those weeks we spent together
perfecting your program...

that we'd end up out here,
trying to kill each other.

Probability assessment
did not anticipate this outcome.

- The containment field is collapsing.
- Beam her back. Hang on.

Self-destruct sequence
has been initiated.

Warp-core overload in one minute.

Terminate self-destruct sequence,
authorisation Janeway Pi-110.

Confirmed. Sequence terminated.

- Janeway to Torres. B'Elanna...
- She's here in sickbay.

Turn to your Emergency Medical
Holographic channel.

- Doctor, I forgot about you.
- How flattering.

I took the liberty of beaming Torres
from the transporter room to sickbay.

She is somewhat singed around the
edges, but should completely recover.

Very good, Doctor. Janeway out.

Mr Tuvok,
prepare to retrieve our escape pods.

- Let's bring our crew home.
- Aye, Captain.