Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001): Season 4, Episode 16 - Prey - full transcript
Helping a wounded Hirogen, Janeway finds that their prey has boarded Voyager, a member of species 8472.
The prey's course has become erratic.
I will intercept to kill.
No. Maintain distance.
His ship is damaged.
He's injured. Let him bleed.
This prey is resilient.
We will lose the moment.
The way a creature behaves when it is
wounded is the key to its destruction.
Maintain distance.
- Direct hit. Our hull armour is stable.
- His weapons must be weakening.
The prey is heading for an asteroid belt.
Vector 168.9.
- We are losing him.
- He hasn't come here to hide.
He's come to make a final stand.
Tracking.
He's holding position above an asteroid
and he's left his ship.
Follow him.
The prey is scattering our sensors.
Impressive. He counters
our pursuit to the final moment.
- Compensating.
- No. Disengage sensors.
- For what reason?
- I want to take him with my own eyes.
Follow.
I'll draw his attack.
Prepare to target his thoracic crest.
A flawless kill.
"Remain still so I can treat your injuries.
"Thank you. I'm sorry. Did that hurt?
"I'll try to be more careful.
"Thanks for being a patient patient.
"Have a nice afternoon." This is absurd.
Keep going. You're doing fine.
This is not applicable to my duties.
We can tailor the vocabulary later.
Right now it's the sentiment that counts.
I don't see the relevance.
I created these exercises
to familiarise myself with social graces.
If I repeated them several times a day,
the words became second nature.
Let's continue. Exercise two.
The workplace. Kes helped me with this.
I'll be the nurse. You be the doctor.
"Please hand me the hypospray.”
"Of course, Doctor."
"Thank you. Looks at instrument.”
Don't read that part. Only the dialogue.
"This is the wrong hypospray. Would you
mind finding the correct one?"
- "Not at all."
- "Thank you.
"Did I mention you look lovely today?"
"Doctor, you're so charming."
This lesson is terminated.
I know it's awkward.
For me, it was even painful.
But the rewards
are well worth the effort.
- Rewards?
- The ability to put others at ease.
Make them feel more comfortable
around you.
You're like me
when I was first activated.
If I'd had a mentor, things would have
gone a lot more smoothly.
I'm willing to share my wisdom,
but if you're not interested...
Fine. I'll stick to
your physiological maintenance.
I will examine your data.
Good. Pay special attention
to exercise 17.
"Bridge Banter For Beginners."
Have a pleasant day.
- Verify.
- Monotanium hull plating.
Dicyclic warp signature.
The vessel is definitely Hirogen.
- They're moving to intercept.
- Evasive manoeuvres?
We'll settle our differences.
Hard about. Full impulse.
Red Alert.
- They're in visual range.
- On screen. Hail them.
- No response.
- They're closing.
50,000 kilometres.
45..40...
- Maintain course, Mr Paris.
- They're not charging weapons.
They're slowing.
- Lifesigns?
- Only one and it's erratic.
They've stopped, Captain.
Their engines just went off-line.
This could be a trap.
Harry, run a long-range scan. Are there
any other Hirogen ships out there?
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.
There seems to be
a wounded pilot over there.
Experience indicates that
compassion would not be reciprocated.
All of my experience says we've got
to take that chance anyway.
- Commander.
- Tuvok, Paris, you're with me.
Looks like there was a fight.
Search for the lifesigns.
Commander.
I'm reading bones, muscle tissue,
from at least nine different species.
It's all being broken down
by some sort of enzyme.
Perhaps this is their method
of denaturating their prey.
Either that or it's dinner.
Looks like somebody lost their helmet.
Commander.
I'm not picking up any weapon residuals.
I'd say he was physically torn apart.
I'm picking up the lifesigns. This way.
Massive internal bleeding.
Let's get him to sickbay.
The data from the ship
included navigational records.
Can you give us a map of this region?
This is the vessel's path
over the past five years.
They've covered a lot of space.
This ship has visited over
90 star systems in the last year.
I analysed some of their logs.
This is a hunting species.
We saw skeletal remains from dozens
of alien races, displayed like trophies.
They may be using some
of their victims for food.
The entire culture is based on the hunt.
Social rituals, art, religious beliefs.
They're nomadic,
driven by the pursuit of prey.
It's carried them across huge distances.
There is no evidence of a home planet.
Their ships travel alone
or in small groups.
On occasion, they join forces
in a multi-pronged attack.
Like wolves.
How's our wolf in sickbay?
Still unconscious,
behind a level 5 force field.
You were right, Seven.
This species is a threat.
But despite the risk
of sending an away team,
we know more about them.
You were correct, Captain.
It was worth the risk... this time.
So there's one question remaining.
Who's hunting the hunters?
I was trying to remove his armour
to treat the internal injuries,
when he regained consciousness.
He's not happy to be here.
- Can you sedate him?
- His immune system neutralises it.
Synthesising a more potent
compound 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 attacked you?
The first time I met your species
it wasn't on the best of terms,
but that doesn't mean you
and I can't 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.
Release me. I must continue the hunt.
Not without your ship
and not in this condition.
You'll die without treatment.
Let us help you.
Doctor?
All right. I'm going to enter
the force field now
and start with a few scans
of your mid-section.
I'm a hologram and can't be bent,
spindled or mutilated,
so don't bother trying.
Please lie down.
Or remain standing.
Six more Hirogen ships are
converging on us from all directions.
The one in sickbay may have sent
a distress call from his vessel.
- How long do we have?
- Four hours at most.
Tom, analyse their approach pattern.
- Evade them as long as you can.
- Yes, ma'am.
I want to buy the Doctor time
to treat our hunter.
Gain his confidence
and he may call them off.
Diplomacy could get us out of this.
Don't count on it.
Diplomacy isn't a part of their lifestyle.
They don't see us as equals.
To them, we're game.
Time we convinced them otherwise. Like
a cornered animal, we'll show our teeth.
There's been a hull rupture on deck 11,
section 3.
Damage is minor.
A plasma conduit overloaded.
Increase power
to the structural integrity field.
A bulkhead has collapsed
in Jefferies tube 84.
- Another overload?
- Negative. Plasma network is stable.
- This wasn't caused by a system failure.
- Get to deck 11 and check it out.
- This was no overload.
- Indeed.
Commander.
It's a dense mixture of DNA
and polyfluidic compounds.
Tuvok to bridge.
We may have an intruder on board.
I'm analysing what could be
a sample of its blood.
The readings are consistent
with Species 8472.
Intruder alert. Bridge to security,
seal off decks 10 through 12.
Internal sensors
aren't detecting intruders.
The last time we ran into this species,
it was impervious to our scanners.
We'll have to track it visually.
- How did it get past our shields?
- Worry about it later.
You have the bridge, Commander.
I'll be on deck 11.
I've erected a level 10 force field
around engineering.
Set up force fields around
every hatch, Jefferies tube
and conduit leading into this room.
I want every console secured.
Authorised command codes only.
I'll lock down the warp core.
Realign the dilithium matrix
to a frequency of 3.69.
- Report.
- Four crew wounded. Two seriously.
Get them to sickbay.
Species 8472 accessed engineering
through the antimatter injector port.
Our phaser fire was insufficient.
It attacked us, then escaped through
Jefferies tube 17-alpha.
Janeway to Tuvok. The intruder just left
engineering. Seal off the area.
- Understood.
- Secure the warp core.
Seven.
It would seem the Hirogen
underestimated their latest prey.
You believe they were hunting it?
When the Borg fought Species 8472,
did they engage in physical combat?
- On many occasions.
- You recall anything that might help us?
When they boarded a Borg vessel,
they went to the central power matrix
and disabled it.
The creature didn't touch
our power systems.
It's adjusted its strategy.
Species 8472 is highly intelligent.
It will seek the most efficient means
of destroying us.
Let's get to sickbay.
She's going to be just fine, Captain.
Is it alone?
- Have you seen any others like it?
- Why?
Six months ago, it invaded
our galaxy with thousands of ships.
- We barely fought them off.
- Your prey indicates an invasion.
If it does, we're all in trouble.
How many ships have you seen?
Only one. Damaged.
We tracked it across 50 light years.
We thought that we had killed it,
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, all but one.
- Borg nanoprobes.
- Nanoprobes?
Microscopic weapons that attack
the species on a cellular level.
We've tried it and it worked.
I'll modify phasers
to fire nanoprobe discharges.
Incapacitate it. Don't kill it.
Can you make that modification?
It will require additional time.
We must stop it as soon as possible.
- She's right.
- Not until we know why it returned.
You'll expose the crew
to unnecessary risk.
I disagree. You have your orders.
Six of your vessels will be here
in under four hours.
I hope you'll let them know
we saved your life
and that we want to avoid
conflict with your people.
Let me resume the hunt
and I will grant your request.
We have enough problems
without him running around.
I spent six months studying
this prey's behaviour.
I know how to track him.
Let me continue
or I will have the others destroy you.
- Tuvok to Janeway.
- Go ahead.
We're holding position in section 94,
but the creature has accessed
the environmental controls.
Deck 11 is losing life-support.
- Artificial gravity compromised.
- Evacuate.
Regroup on deck 10.
He's trying to barricade himself.
He did the same thing to us.
You want to be part of the hunt?
Now's your chance.
He'll be under your supervision.
If he steps out of line, shoot him.
My weapon.
- Temperature gradient.
- Affirmative.
- Atmospheric recyclers.
- Engaged.
Is your body armour designed to handle
rapid pressure fluctuations?
It can defeat most hostile environments.
I once tracked a silicon-based life-form
through the neutronium mantle
of a collapsed star.
I once tracked a mouse
through Jefferies tube 32.
Chakotay to Tuvok. We're ready to go.
- As are we.
- Proceed to deck 11.
- Keep your com-links open.
- Understood.
Activate the nanoprobe charges.
Level 5 should be sufficient
to stun the creature.
Depressurising hatch. Magnetise.
Maintain your position.
- He's here.
- I said maintain your position.
This is my hunt. I'm at point.
My knowledge of this prey
is superior to yours.
But you're on unfamiliar terrain.
I know this ship. You don't.
The prey will likely attack
the man at point.
You would not survive.
I'll take that chance. Now fall back.
No problem. I'll take up the rear.
You missed.
Since Species 8472 invaded the ship,
you've become increasingly agitated.
They were the only species to offer
true resistance to the Borg.
They destroyed millions of drones,
hundreds of our worlds.
I have reason to be agitated.
- What is it?
- It's blood. The prey is wounded.
This corridor ends
about 20 metres ahead.
The only thing down there is deflector
control. It's got nowhere to run.
He is not planning to run. He is waiting.
He'll attempt to slip around us,
attack from behind.
- Chakotay to Tuvok.
- "Tuvok here.'
We've cornered the intruder
in section 59.
On our way.
- It's hurt.
- This prey is resilient.
He will strike with his dying breath.
We must kill him... now.
That may not be necessary.
Hold your fire.
I said lower your weapon.
Mr Neelix, I must ask you to exchange
your spatula for a phaser rifle.
- Sure.
- We have two intruders on board.
And six Hirogen vessels on the way.
I need security personnel.
Right away, sir. What's my assignment?
Join the security detail on deck 10,
section 12.
You'll receive further instructions there.
I'll expect tactical updates every...
Lieutenant, are you all right?
You have your orders.
- Report.
- The Hirogen's back in sickbay.
- And Species 84727
- We established a security perimeter.
We turned this section into a brig.
Have B'Elanna work on a way
to lock onto the creature,
in case we have to beam it off the ship.
It's injured in what way?
I can't say for certain. Its body
is generating a bio-electric field,
making it impossible to scan.
I made a visual diagnosis.
It's conscious, but immobile.
Its epidermis displays injuries -
punctures, energy burns - and its
demeanour is that of a wounded animal.
The Hirogens chased it for months.
Anything you can do?
I don't know enough
to treat the surface wounds,
let alone any internal damage.
Frankly, I'm at a loss.
Before we cornered it, it accessed
deflector control from this panel.
I analysed the transmission protocols.
It attempted to open a singularity
into its realm, but failed.
- It was trying to get home.
- That's what it looks like.
Tuvok?
The creature initiated
telepathic contact with me.
What's 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.
Alone, pursued by
Hirogen hunting parties.
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.
We'll 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 there's anything
you can tell us about your...
It has lost consciousness.
Our telepathic link has been severed.
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?
- I'm sending it to where it came from.
Surrender the creature to me
and you will not be harmed.
This isn't a hunt. It's a slaughter.
And I'm calling it off right now.
We will not be denied our prey.
Give us the creature.
Or your crew will take its place.
Tuvok.
Have Seven of Nine report to me.
You intend to ask her to open
a rift into 8472's realm.
- She's the only one who knows how.
- She may not want to cooperate.
We'll see.
You wish to see me, Captain?
I've made a decision
about Species 8472.
I'm going to return it to fluidic space.
In order to do that, I need you
to open a quantum singularity.
That is not prudent.
I realise it may be difficult for you
to help save this creature's life.
But part of becoming human is having
compassion for those who are suffering,
even when they're you're bitter enemies.
Why?
I remember when I was a lieutenant.
It was during a Cardassian
border conflict.
My away team was cut off while we
were defending a Federation outpost.
We'd been exchanging phaser fire
with the Cardassians for 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 Cardassian.
You have to understand, we'd been
killing each other for weeks.
It was brutal.
But our commanding officer decided
that we couldn't 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.
He was risking our lives
for someone who would have
shot us without hesitation.
But we did it. And the Cardassian lived.
Three days later we secured
the outpost. A major victory.
We were all decorated
by Starfleet Command.
But, in retrospect,
the thing I'm most proud of
was the night we saved that man's life.
Explain.
A single act of compassion can put you
in touch with your own humanity.
You are trying to justify
your present decision.
I'm trying to help you see this
as an opportunity to grow.
I know you don't want to do it, Seven.
But I'm telling you, as your captain
and as your friend, you won't regret it.
No. Your decision is tactically unsound.
We will be surrounded by Hirogen ships
in 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.
You have been willing to sacrifice
your own life to save the crews' lives.
But that was my choice.
This creature does not have a choice.
It invaded our ship, put our lives at risk
to save its own.
In my view, it has already
forfeited its freedom.
I'm giving you an order.
Begin working on creating a singularity.
I will not comply.
I have agreed to remain on Voyager
and function as a member of your crew,
but I will not be a participant
in my own destruction
or the destruction of this ship.
Objection noted.
We'll 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.
Understood?
- Shields down to 84%.
- Return fire.
Three more ships closing
from port and starboard.
All escape trajectories cut off.
Our weapons have
no effect on their hull plating.
Scanning for weaknesses
in the molecular structure.
- Shields at 79%.
- They are hailing us.
Better late than never. Open a channel.
You have taken our prey and
one of our hunters. Surrender them.
Call off your attack
and we'll return your crewman.
As for your prey,
it's 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.
- Found any cracks in their armour?
Not yet.
Doctor to bridge. Species 8472
appears to be regenerating.
I'm no exobiologist, but I'd say
he is becoming highly agitated.
- It could be sensing the Hirogen attack.
- Can you sedate it?
I believe so, but I'll 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.
- B'Elanna, how's it going?
- Transporters ready.
I can establish a lock
on the creature any time,
but I still haven't opened a singularity.
- How long?
- I need another hour. Maybe two.
We can outmanoeuvre the Hirogens for
a few more minutes, but beyond that...
Direct hit to the EPS manifold.
Main power down.
- Force fields on all decks off-line.
- Switch to auxiliary power.
Done. Force fields have been restored,
but I don't know long they'll hold.
- Doctor, report.
- It's all right. The creature is contained.
Bridge to sickbay. Security, respond.
Security, dispatch teams to deck 5.
The Hirogen may be loose.
Direct hit to our port nacelle.
- Now our starboard nacelle.
- They've crippled us.
Divert warp power to the phaser banks.
Maybe that'll penetrate their hull plating.
- The nanoprobes?
- Ready.
Not a moment too soon.
Give me the prey.
Lower your weapon or I will destroy you.
I don't think you will.
You want me to destroy this creature.
I saw it on your face in the medical bay.
It's a look I've seen 1,000 times.
Stand aside.
What are you doing?
Someone's accessing
the transporter from deck 5.
- Lock them out.
- I can't.
They're overriding commands
with Borg encryption codes.
Report.
8472 and the Hirogen have been
beamed to an attacking ship.
- All six vessels are moving away.
- Tom, can we pursue?
I'm sorry, Captain.
Warp engines are still off-line.
Resume our previous course.
Full impulse.
Seven of Nine.
Seven of Nine.
Captain's log, stardate 51652.3.
It's been twelve hours and there is
no sign of any Hirogen vessels.
But they are scattered
throughout this region
and something tells me the hunt
for Voyager is far from over.
- Captain.
- Step down, please.
Seven, you disobeyed my direct orders.
As a result, you condemned
a sentient being to its death.
I also diverted the Hirogen attack,
which would have destroyed us.
In any case,
the decision wasn't yours to make.
It broke through the force field.
I had no choice.
I didn't come to debate your decision.
I'm informing you of the consequences.
When you came to Voyager,
I decided to grant you
the same freedoms
of any crew member,
because I wanted you
to be a part of this family.
And I've been willing to accommodate
your unique way of doing things,
even when you violated protocol.
But this time I can't accommodate you.
From this point forward,
you will no longer have access
to any primary systems on this ship,
not without my direct authorisation.
If you circumvent me,
I'll throw you in the brig.
I need your expertise in
the astrometrics lab if you're willing.
If not, you can spend your time here
in the cargo bay. Is that understood?
Yes.
- It is puzzling.
- What's that?
You made me into an individual,
encouraged me not to think
like a member of the collective,
to cultivate my independence
and my humanity.
But when I assert that independence,
I am punished.
Individuality has its limits, especially on
a starship with a command structure.
I believe you are punishing me because
I do not think the way that you do.
Because I am not becoming
more like you.
You claim to respect my individuality,
but, in fact, you are frightened by it.
As you were.
English (en)
I will intercept to kill.
No. Maintain distance.
His ship is damaged.
He's injured. Let him bleed.
This prey is resilient.
We will lose the moment.
The way a creature behaves when it is
wounded is the key to its destruction.
Maintain distance.
- Direct hit. Our hull armour is stable.
- His weapons must be weakening.
The prey is heading for an asteroid belt.
Vector 168.9.
- We are losing him.
- He hasn't come here to hide.
He's come to make a final stand.
Tracking.
He's holding position above an asteroid
and he's left his ship.
Follow him.
The prey is scattering our sensors.
Impressive. He counters
our pursuit to the final moment.
- Compensating.
- No. Disengage sensors.
- For what reason?
- I want to take him with my own eyes.
Follow.
I'll draw his attack.
Prepare to target his thoracic crest.
A flawless kill.
"Remain still so I can treat your injuries.
"Thank you. I'm sorry. Did that hurt?
"I'll try to be more careful.
"Thanks for being a patient patient.
"Have a nice afternoon." This is absurd.
Keep going. You're doing fine.
This is not applicable to my duties.
We can tailor the vocabulary later.
Right now it's the sentiment that counts.
I don't see the relevance.
I created these exercises
to familiarise myself with social graces.
If I repeated them several times a day,
the words became second nature.
Let's continue. Exercise two.
The workplace. Kes helped me with this.
I'll be the nurse. You be the doctor.
"Please hand me the hypospray.”
"Of course, Doctor."
"Thank you. Looks at instrument.”
Don't read that part. Only the dialogue.
"This is the wrong hypospray. Would you
mind finding the correct one?"
- "Not at all."
- "Thank you.
"Did I mention you look lovely today?"
"Doctor, you're so charming."
This lesson is terminated.
I know it's awkward.
For me, it was even painful.
But the rewards
are well worth the effort.
- Rewards?
- The ability to put others at ease.
Make them feel more comfortable
around you.
You're like me
when I was first activated.
If I'd had a mentor, things would have
gone a lot more smoothly.
I'm willing to share my wisdom,
but if you're not interested...
Fine. I'll stick to
your physiological maintenance.
I will examine your data.
Good. Pay special attention
to exercise 17.
"Bridge Banter For Beginners."
Have a pleasant day.
- Verify.
- Monotanium hull plating.
Dicyclic warp signature.
The vessel is definitely Hirogen.
- They're moving to intercept.
- Evasive manoeuvres?
We'll settle our differences.
Hard about. Full impulse.
Red Alert.
- They're in visual range.
- On screen. Hail them.
- No response.
- They're closing.
50,000 kilometres.
45..40...
- Maintain course, Mr Paris.
- They're not charging weapons.
They're slowing.
- Lifesigns?
- Only one and it's erratic.
They've stopped, Captain.
Their engines just went off-line.
This could be a trap.
Harry, run a long-range scan. Are there
any other Hirogen ships out there?
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.
There seems to be
a wounded pilot over there.
Experience indicates that
compassion would not be reciprocated.
All of my experience says we've got
to take that chance anyway.
- Commander.
- Tuvok, Paris, you're with me.
Looks like there was a fight.
Search for the lifesigns.
Commander.
I'm reading bones, muscle tissue,
from at least nine different species.
It's all being broken down
by some sort of enzyme.
Perhaps this is their method
of denaturating their prey.
Either that or it's dinner.
Looks like somebody lost their helmet.
Commander.
I'm not picking up any weapon residuals.
I'd say he was physically torn apart.
I'm picking up the lifesigns. This way.
Massive internal bleeding.
Let's get him to sickbay.
The data from the ship
included navigational records.
Can you give us a map of this region?
This is the vessel's path
over the past five years.
They've covered a lot of space.
This ship has visited over
90 star systems in the last year.
I analysed some of their logs.
This is a hunting species.
We saw skeletal remains from dozens
of alien races, displayed like trophies.
They may be using some
of their victims for food.
The entire culture is based on the hunt.
Social rituals, art, religious beliefs.
They're nomadic,
driven by the pursuit of prey.
It's carried them across huge distances.
There is no evidence of a home planet.
Their ships travel alone
or in small groups.
On occasion, they join forces
in a multi-pronged attack.
Like wolves.
How's our wolf in sickbay?
Still unconscious,
behind a level 5 force field.
You were right, Seven.
This species is a threat.
But despite the risk
of sending an away team,
we know more about them.
You were correct, Captain.
It was worth the risk... this time.
So there's one question remaining.
Who's hunting the hunters?
I was trying to remove his armour
to treat the internal injuries,
when he regained consciousness.
He's not happy to be here.
- Can you sedate him?
- His immune system neutralises it.
Synthesising a more potent
compound 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 attacked you?
The first time I met your species
it wasn't on the best of terms,
but that doesn't mean you
and I can't 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.
Release me. I must continue the hunt.
Not without your ship
and not in this condition.
You'll die without treatment.
Let us help you.
Doctor?
All right. I'm going to enter
the force field now
and start with a few scans
of your mid-section.
I'm a hologram and can't be bent,
spindled or mutilated,
so don't bother trying.
Please lie down.
Or remain standing.
Six more Hirogen ships are
converging on us from all directions.
The one in sickbay may have sent
a distress call from his vessel.
- How long do we have?
- Four hours at most.
Tom, analyse their approach pattern.
- Evade them as long as you can.
- Yes, ma'am.
I want to buy the Doctor time
to treat our hunter.
Gain his confidence
and he may call them off.
Diplomacy could get us out of this.
Don't count on it.
Diplomacy isn't a part of their lifestyle.
They don't see us as equals.
To them, we're game.
Time we convinced them otherwise. Like
a cornered animal, we'll show our teeth.
There's been a hull rupture on deck 11,
section 3.
Damage is minor.
A plasma conduit overloaded.
Increase power
to the structural integrity field.
A bulkhead has collapsed
in Jefferies tube 84.
- Another overload?
- Negative. Plasma network is stable.
- This wasn't caused by a system failure.
- Get to deck 11 and check it out.
- This was no overload.
- Indeed.
Commander.
It's a dense mixture of DNA
and polyfluidic compounds.
Tuvok to bridge.
We may have an intruder on board.
I'm analysing what could be
a sample of its blood.
The readings are consistent
with Species 8472.
Intruder alert. Bridge to security,
seal off decks 10 through 12.
Internal sensors
aren't detecting intruders.
The last time we ran into this species,
it was impervious to our scanners.
We'll have to track it visually.
- How did it get past our shields?
- Worry about it later.
You have the bridge, Commander.
I'll be on deck 11.
I've erected a level 10 force field
around engineering.
Set up force fields around
every hatch, Jefferies tube
and conduit leading into this room.
I want every console secured.
Authorised command codes only.
I'll lock down the warp core.
Realign the dilithium matrix
to a frequency of 3.69.
- Report.
- Four crew wounded. Two seriously.
Get them to sickbay.
Species 8472 accessed engineering
through the antimatter injector port.
Our phaser fire was insufficient.
It attacked us, then escaped through
Jefferies tube 17-alpha.
Janeway to Tuvok. The intruder just left
engineering. Seal off the area.
- Understood.
- Secure the warp core.
Seven.
It would seem the Hirogen
underestimated their latest prey.
You believe they were hunting it?
When the Borg fought Species 8472,
did they engage in physical combat?
- On many occasions.
- You recall anything that might help us?
When they boarded a Borg vessel,
they went to the central power matrix
and disabled it.
The creature didn't touch
our power systems.
It's adjusted its strategy.
Species 8472 is highly intelligent.
It will seek the most efficient means
of destroying us.
Let's get to sickbay.
She's going to be just fine, Captain.
Is it alone?
- Have you seen any others like it?
- Why?
Six months ago, it invaded
our galaxy with thousands of ships.
- We barely fought them off.
- Your prey indicates an invasion.
If it does, we're all in trouble.
How many ships have you seen?
Only one. Damaged.
We tracked it across 50 light years.
We thought that we had killed it,
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, all but one.
- Borg nanoprobes.
- Nanoprobes?
Microscopic weapons that attack
the species on a cellular level.
We've tried it and it worked.
I'll modify phasers
to fire nanoprobe discharges.
Incapacitate it. Don't kill it.
Can you make that modification?
It will require additional time.
We must stop it as soon as possible.
- She's right.
- Not until we know why it returned.
You'll expose the crew
to unnecessary risk.
I disagree. You have your orders.
Six of your vessels will be here
in under four hours.
I hope you'll let them know
we saved your life
and that we want to avoid
conflict with your people.
Let me resume the hunt
and I will grant your request.
We have enough problems
without him running around.
I spent six months studying
this prey's behaviour.
I know how to track him.
Let me continue
or I will have the others destroy you.
- Tuvok to Janeway.
- Go ahead.
We're holding position in section 94,
but the creature has accessed
the environmental controls.
Deck 11 is losing life-support.
- Artificial gravity compromised.
- Evacuate.
Regroup on deck 10.
He's trying to barricade himself.
He did the same thing to us.
You want to be part of the hunt?
Now's your chance.
He'll be under your supervision.
If he steps out of line, shoot him.
My weapon.
- Temperature gradient.
- Affirmative.
- Atmospheric recyclers.
- Engaged.
Is your body armour designed to handle
rapid pressure fluctuations?
It can defeat most hostile environments.
I once tracked a silicon-based life-form
through the neutronium mantle
of a collapsed star.
I once tracked a mouse
through Jefferies tube 32.
Chakotay to Tuvok. We're ready to go.
- As are we.
- Proceed to deck 11.
- Keep your com-links open.
- Understood.
Activate the nanoprobe charges.
Level 5 should be sufficient
to stun the creature.
Depressurising hatch. Magnetise.
Maintain your position.
- He's here.
- I said maintain your position.
This is my hunt. I'm at point.
My knowledge of this prey
is superior to yours.
But you're on unfamiliar terrain.
I know this ship. You don't.
The prey will likely attack
the man at point.
You would not survive.
I'll take that chance. Now fall back.
No problem. I'll take up the rear.
You missed.
Since Species 8472 invaded the ship,
you've become increasingly agitated.
They were the only species to offer
true resistance to the Borg.
They destroyed millions of drones,
hundreds of our worlds.
I have reason to be agitated.
- What is it?
- It's blood. The prey is wounded.
This corridor ends
about 20 metres ahead.
The only thing down there is deflector
control. It's got nowhere to run.
He is not planning to run. He is waiting.
He'll attempt to slip around us,
attack from behind.
- Chakotay to Tuvok.
- "Tuvok here.'
We've cornered the intruder
in section 59.
On our way.
- It's hurt.
- This prey is resilient.
He will strike with his dying breath.
We must kill him... now.
That may not be necessary.
Hold your fire.
I said lower your weapon.
Mr Neelix, I must ask you to exchange
your spatula for a phaser rifle.
- Sure.
- We have two intruders on board.
And six Hirogen vessels on the way.
I need security personnel.
Right away, sir. What's my assignment?
Join the security detail on deck 10,
section 12.
You'll receive further instructions there.
I'll expect tactical updates every...
Lieutenant, are you all right?
You have your orders.
- Report.
- The Hirogen's back in sickbay.
- And Species 84727
- We established a security perimeter.
We turned this section into a brig.
Have B'Elanna work on a way
to lock onto the creature,
in case we have to beam it off the ship.
It's injured in what way?
I can't say for certain. Its body
is generating a bio-electric field,
making it impossible to scan.
I made a visual diagnosis.
It's conscious, but immobile.
Its epidermis displays injuries -
punctures, energy burns - and its
demeanour is that of a wounded animal.
The Hirogens chased it for months.
Anything you can do?
I don't know enough
to treat the surface wounds,
let alone any internal damage.
Frankly, I'm at a loss.
Before we cornered it, it accessed
deflector control from this panel.
I analysed the transmission protocols.
It attempted to open a singularity
into its realm, but failed.
- It was trying to get home.
- That's what it looks like.
Tuvok?
The creature initiated
telepathic contact with me.
What's 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.
Alone, pursued by
Hirogen hunting parties.
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.
We'll 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 there's anything
you can tell us about your...
It has lost consciousness.
Our telepathic link has been severed.
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?
- I'm sending it to where it came from.
Surrender the creature to me
and you will not be harmed.
This isn't a hunt. It's a slaughter.
And I'm calling it off right now.
We will not be denied our prey.
Give us the creature.
Or your crew will take its place.
Tuvok.
Have Seven of Nine report to me.
You intend to ask her to open
a rift into 8472's realm.
- She's the only one who knows how.
- She may not want to cooperate.
We'll see.
You wish to see me, Captain?
I've made a decision
about Species 8472.
I'm going to return it to fluidic space.
In order to do that, I need you
to open a quantum singularity.
That is not prudent.
I realise it may be difficult for you
to help save this creature's life.
But part of becoming human is having
compassion for those who are suffering,
even when they're you're bitter enemies.
Why?
I remember when I was a lieutenant.
It was during a Cardassian
border conflict.
My away team was cut off while we
were defending a Federation outpost.
We'd been exchanging phaser fire
with the Cardassians for 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 Cardassian.
You have to understand, we'd been
killing each other for weeks.
It was brutal.
But our commanding officer decided
that we couldn't 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.
He was risking our lives
for someone who would have
shot us without hesitation.
But we did it. And the Cardassian lived.
Three days later we secured
the outpost. A major victory.
We were all decorated
by Starfleet Command.
But, in retrospect,
the thing I'm most proud of
was the night we saved that man's life.
Explain.
A single act of compassion can put you
in touch with your own humanity.
You are trying to justify
your present decision.
I'm trying to help you see this
as an opportunity to grow.
I know you don't want to do it, Seven.
But I'm telling you, as your captain
and as your friend, you won't regret it.
No. Your decision is tactically unsound.
We will be surrounded by Hirogen ships
in 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.
You have been willing to sacrifice
your own life to save the crews' lives.
But that was my choice.
This creature does not have a choice.
It invaded our ship, put our lives at risk
to save its own.
In my view, it has already
forfeited its freedom.
I'm giving you an order.
Begin working on creating a singularity.
I will not comply.
I have agreed to remain on Voyager
and function as a member of your crew,
but I will not be a participant
in my own destruction
or the destruction of this ship.
Objection noted.
We'll 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.
Understood?
- Shields down to 84%.
- Return fire.
Three more ships closing
from port and starboard.
All escape trajectories cut off.
Our weapons have
no effect on their hull plating.
Scanning for weaknesses
in the molecular structure.
- Shields at 79%.
- They are hailing us.
Better late than never. Open a channel.
You have taken our prey and
one of our hunters. Surrender them.
Call off your attack
and we'll return your crewman.
As for your prey,
it's 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.
- Found any cracks in their armour?
Not yet.
Doctor to bridge. Species 8472
appears to be regenerating.
I'm no exobiologist, but I'd say
he is becoming highly agitated.
- It could be sensing the Hirogen attack.
- Can you sedate it?
I believe so, but I'll 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.
- B'Elanna, how's it going?
- Transporters ready.
I can establish a lock
on the creature any time,
but I still haven't opened a singularity.
- How long?
- I need another hour. Maybe two.
We can outmanoeuvre the Hirogens for
a few more minutes, but beyond that...
Direct hit to the EPS manifold.
Main power down.
- Force fields on all decks off-line.
- Switch to auxiliary power.
Done. Force fields have been restored,
but I don't know long they'll hold.
- Doctor, report.
- It's all right. The creature is contained.
Bridge to sickbay. Security, respond.
Security, dispatch teams to deck 5.
The Hirogen may be loose.
Direct hit to our port nacelle.
- Now our starboard nacelle.
- They've crippled us.
Divert warp power to the phaser banks.
Maybe that'll penetrate their hull plating.
- The nanoprobes?
- Ready.
Not a moment too soon.
Give me the prey.
Lower your weapon or I will destroy you.
I don't think you will.
You want me to destroy this creature.
I saw it on your face in the medical bay.
It's a look I've seen 1,000 times.
Stand aside.
What are you doing?
Someone's accessing
the transporter from deck 5.
- Lock them out.
- I can't.
They're overriding commands
with Borg encryption codes.
Report.
8472 and the Hirogen have been
beamed to an attacking ship.
- All six vessels are moving away.
- Tom, can we pursue?
I'm sorry, Captain.
Warp engines are still off-line.
Resume our previous course.
Full impulse.
Seven of Nine.
Seven of Nine.
Captain's log, stardate 51652.3.
It's been twelve hours and there is
no sign of any Hirogen vessels.
But they are scattered
throughout this region
and something tells me the hunt
for Voyager is far from over.
- Captain.
- Step down, please.
Seven, you disobeyed my direct orders.
As a result, you condemned
a sentient being to its death.
I also diverted the Hirogen attack,
which would have destroyed us.
In any case,
the decision wasn't yours to make.
It broke through the force field.
I had no choice.
I didn't come to debate your decision.
I'm informing you of the consequences.
When you came to Voyager,
I decided to grant you
the same freedoms
of any crew member,
because I wanted you
to be a part of this family.
And I've been willing to accommodate
your unique way of doing things,
even when you violated protocol.
But this time I can't accommodate you.
From this point forward,
you will no longer have access
to any primary systems on this ship,
not without my direct authorisation.
If you circumvent me,
I'll throw you in the brig.
I need your expertise in
the astrometrics lab if you're willing.
If not, you can spend your time here
in the cargo bay. Is that understood?
Yes.
- It is puzzling.
- What's that?
You made me into an individual,
encouraged me not to think
like a member of the collective,
to cultivate my independence
and my humanity.
But when I assert that independence,
I am punished.
Individuality has its limits, especially on
a starship with a command structure.
I believe you are punishing me because
I do not think the way that you do.
Because I am not becoming
more like you.
You claim to respect my individuality,
but, in fact, you are frightened by it.
As you were.
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