Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001): Season 4, Episode 7 - Scientific Method - full transcript

Sorry.

I didn't realize

that you'd been
assigned here today.

I wasn't.

This space was unoccupied,

so I came here to work.

On what?

I'm reconfiguring
the power couplings

in this section.

Why?

The Astrometrics Lab
requires additional energy.



I see.

So you're rerouting power
from other locations

like...Engineering.

They are minor adjustments.

Primary systems
will not be affected.

Unless, of course,
someone is trying

to do a warp core diagnostic,

which my crew has been
trying to do all morning.

We have lost hours of work
because of this.

There is no need for anger.

I had no intention
of causing a problem.

What,"sorry" isn't
in the Borg vocabulary?

You need to check with me

before you touch
the power systems.



Understood?

Understood.

I am unaccustomed
to working in a hierarchy.

In the collective,

there was no need
to ask permission.

If you're going to be
a member of this crew,

get used to it.

Procedures exist for a reason.

We've got to work together.

We follow
the same set of rules...

Lieutenant?

I was given that lecture once,

by Captain Janeway
when I first joined this crew.

If I could adjust
to Starfleet life...

so can you.

Of course.

I am...

sorry for the inconvenience.

Doc, I've got to go
run a few errands.

I'll be back soon.

Not so fast, Mr. Paris.

Can't these errands wait

until the end
of your duty shift?

Uh...well, it's my conn report,
actually.

I just realized
I forgot to turn it in

and Chakotay gives me
a hard time when it's late.

You've been here all afternoon.

Didn't this occur to you before?

Well, we've been so...busy

that I guess it just
slipped my mind.

I see.

Well, since it's an emergency,
don't let me stand in your way.

Thanks.

Sir.

Computer, lock on
to these coordinates.

I need
a site-to-site transport.

No, wait.

Access the central
replicator files first.

Ah...

perfect.

Are those supposed to make up
for canceling on me last night?

I got stuck with an extra shift
on the Bridge.

What could I say--

"Sorry, Captain,
I've got a date with B'Elanna"?

And what about right now?

Aren't you supposed
to be working in Sick Bay?

I said I had to go
deliver a conn report.

Not bad.

But he'll be expecting you back.

He can wait.

What is it?

I just had the feeling
that somebody was watching us.

I must be completely paranoid

about getting caught in
a compromising position.

Kind of exciting, isn't it?

Your trapezius
is hard as a rock.

You haven't been following

the relaxation regimen
I prescribed for you.

I've been too busy.

The usual story.

Have you been getting
enough sleep?

More or less.
Mostly less.

Mm-hmm. And have your headaches
been getting any worse?

No, but they're not getting
any better either.

They're like hot needles
driving into my skull.

These symptoms are
hardly surprising, Captain.

You work absurdly long hours

under constant stress,
eating on the run,

without sufficient
exercise or rest.

Your body is crying
out for mercy.

It certainly is right now.

There must be some easier
way to do this, Doctor.

A hypospray, maybe?

Always looking
for the simple fix.

Sometimes there's
no substitute for

intensive osteopathic
pressure therapy.

You're fortunate
to have a masseur

who can work all day
without tiring.

Bridge to the Captain.

Commander, unless
this is an emergency

my patient is unavailable.

I'm here, Chakotay.
What is it?

We've reached the source
of those energy readings

and I thought you'd like
to see what we've found.

On my way.

Captain...

I know what you're
going to say, Doctor,

but I can't neglect
my responsibilities.

Actually, I was going to
suggest a change of outfit.

Binary pulsars.

The gravitational forces
between them are so intense

that everything
within 50 million kilometers

is getting pulled in.

Don't worry.
We're well out of range.

Gamma radiation levels are high,
but as long as we're careful

I think we can collect
some invaluable data.

Captain, am I boring you?

I'm sorry.

I guess I'm a little
too tired to concentrate

on stellar phenomena
right now.

I'll leave this project
in your capable hands, hmm?

You wanted to see me,
Lieutenant?

Yes. I'm trying to increase

the efficiency
of the impulse drive,

but I wanted to make sure

that I wasn't compromising
helm control.

Sensible precaution.

I'd be glad to help.

Good. All of the specs
are at my upper workstation.

Then let's get started.

Did you hear something?

You always think
you hear something.

Commander.

Lieutenant.

Here is the power usage data
you requested.

Right. Of course.

I didn't expect it
quite so...promptly.

Which I guess I should
have, uh, coming from you.

I mean, I'm grateful

that you got the data
to me so quickly.

Thanks.

Tuvok.

Tuvok, I guess that was
kind of embarrassing.

I don't experience
embarrassment.

Right.

Well, then I guess
there's no harm done.

It's not like there was

a security violation
or anything.

None that I am aware of.

So, I guess there's nothing

that would have to go
on any kind of report.

You want me to conceal
what I've observed

of your relationship
with Lieutenant Torres.

Well, I'd certainly
never ask you

to be dishonest.

Certainly not.

Do you think he'll say
anything to the Captain?

I don't know.

Well, how did he sound?

Annoyed? Amused?

He sounded Vulcan.

What more can I tell you?

Deck 1.

We have got to be more
careful with appearances.

We shouldn't go into the
briefing at the same time.

Good idea.

Okay, you go in first.
I'll come in a minute later.

No. That'll look
even more suspicious.

Listen to us.

We're acting like criminals

when we haven't done
anything wrong.

Well, I'm not saying
that we have.

I just thought we wanted to keep
this relationship to ourselves.

We do, right?

Do you?

If you do.

Computer, halt turbolift.

Let's figure out how we're
going to handle this.

Well...

I don't think that it's
anybody else's business

how we feel about each other.

Neither do I.

Right, then we're agreed.

We're just a little
more careful in public

and we don't say
anything to anybody.

At least for now.

Now?

Sounds like you see
a future in this.

I would never be
so presumptuous.

Smooth recovery, Lieutenant.

I thought so.

Computer, resume.

So I'll go first,
and you follow.

Right.

Here's the plan.

We'll circle the two pulsars

at a minimum distance
of 80 million kilometers.

That might not be far enough.

We've been detecting
some random proton bursts.

A strong one could
knock out our shields.

Tom, go to 90.

Keep it a safe distance.

Yes, sir.

Tuvok, keep our shields
at maximum strength.

Divert auxiliary power
if you need it.

I want to take every precaution
on this survey.

Report any problems immediately,
no matter how small.

Dismissed.

Lieutenants Paris and Torres,

I'd like to speak
with you for a moment.

Thanks.

I don't usually pry

into the personal lives
of my crew, but in this case,

I have to question
your recent conduct.

I guess Tuvok...

Tuvok?

I haven't heard a word
from Tuvok.

But you two have been making
enough of a public display

that half the ship
is gossiping about it.

Believe me, that wasn't
our intention...

You are senior officers

and I expect you
to maintain the standard

for the rest of the crew.

But this adolescent behavior

makes me question my faith
in you both.

If you choose
to pursue a relationship,

that's your business.

But you consider yourselves
under orders

to use better judgment about it.

Is that understood?

- Yes, ma'am.
- Yes, Captain.

Dismissed.

Computer, hot coffee--black.

Commander Chakotay is suffering
bone decalcification,

tissue necrosis,
decreased visual acuity--

all classic signs of aging--

but they've developed
within hours.

Any theories?

There's a rare genetic
disorder called progeria,

which causes children
to age prematurely.

But there's never
been an adult case

and it was supposedly
eradicated two centuries ago.

Even so, I took a close look
at your DNA.

These segments regulate
your body's metabolism.

My scans

indicate that they've been
hyper-stimulated somehow.

What's the prognosis?

I can't speculate on that
until I've identified the cause.

There's no sign
of an infectious agent.

We spent several hours
near a binary pulsar

that was emitting
intense gamma radiation.

Our shields were operating.

I don't see how I could
have been exposed to it.

At this point, we can't
rule out anything.

I'm going to take a closer look
at the data we collected.

We should also run
scans of my quarters,

as well as my office
and the Bridge--

everywhere I've been today.

I'm not prepared

to send you back
on duty yet, Commander.

I may look pretty strange,

but my mind is perfectly clear.

I'd rather stay busy
than just sit here.

I have no idea how your symptoms
will progress.

You should remain
in Sick Bay for observation.

He's right, Chakotay.

I'll keep you informed.

Whatever's affecting
the Commander's DNA

is working
at a submolecular level.

I'd like to set up
an electron resonance scanner

in the Science Lab
to get a closer look.

Use whatever you need.

And ask B'Elanna
to give you a hand.

Still having headaches, Captain?

I don't need any more lectures
about working too hard, Doctor.

Chakotay's the one who needs
your attention right now.

I'll get to work
on the scanner right away.

"Under orders
to use better judgment"?

Well, that's pretty harsh.

I hope I can manage it.

Well, she does have a point.

You could have been
more discreet.

Oh. I forgot I was talking

to the most upstanding
Ensign in Starfleet.

Good morning.

Neelix.

I was just about to whip up

a fresh batch
of scrambled eggs.

Would you like some?

Actually,
I was hoping you might have

some leftover pleeka rind
casserole from last night.

For breakfast?

I like it.

I'm sure I can
find some for you.

So, I guess your relationship
isn't exactly a secret anymore.

Do you think anybody on this
ship can keep a secret?

Neelix!

Aah...aah...
What's...

what's happening?

Paris to the Doctor.

I'm bringing Neelix to Sick Bay.

It's an emergency.

Now pay attention, Mr. Paris.

These scans should indicate
whether...

Hmm.

What is it?

It seems that your DNA
has been hyper-stimulated

just like Commander Chakotay's.

But Neelix doesn't
seem to be aging.

No. The effects
are quite different.

If anything, I look...
like a Mylean.

They occupy a region
of space near Talax.

Interesting.

Do Talaxians and Myleans
share a common ancestry?

Not that I know of.

Do the two races
ever intermarry?

Yes. As a matter of fact,
my great-grandfather was Mylean.

Then one-eighth
of your genetic material

was inherited from him.

Those must be the genes
which have become stimulated.

Too bad my great-grandfather
wasn't a little better-looking.

Hmm. As far as I can tell,
his condition seems stable.

I'm going to leave you
in charge of Sick Bay

so I can continue
the DNA analysis.

If anyone else comes in,
I'll run a cellular scan.

Is there anything else I can do?

Do your best
to keep them comfortable.

Until we have more information,

that's the best
either of us can do.

Thought you might be thirsty.

Thanks.

Do you smell something strange?

I...I'm...

I'm afraid that's me.

I seem to be developing
Mylean sweat glands.

Sorry.

It's not so bad.

Well, whatever happens,
I...I try to keep in mind

that things could be worse.

I still have my home
here on Voyager,

my friends...

Your hair.

True, but I'd gladly lose it

if I could have
my taste buds back.

At least you're not
losing your eyesight.

See that display over there?

It's nothing but a blur.

You think that's bad?

The Doctor tells me my pupils
have dilated 60 percent.

I can't even look at that
display, it's so bright.

Yeah? Well, I've got
chronic arthritis in my fingers.

I can barely
keep this glass steady.

That's nothing.

My spinal column
is fusing together.

In a matter of days,
I won't be able to walk.

Got you beat.

I can barely walk now.

Lieutenant, can we help?

I don't think so.

I'm releasing you both
back to your quarters.

I've just gotten reports
of more patients on the way.

It's going
to get crowded in here.

How's the scanner?

Almost ready.

Good. This disorder seems
to be spreading rapidly

among the crew.

Does that mean
we'll all be affected?

Right now, it only means
that we need

to find some answers
as quickly as possible.

All right.
Give the scanner a try.

I'll start
with Commander Chakotay.

How's the resolution?

Very nice.

Now, let's focus in
on the hyper-stimulated

segments of his DNA.

Can you give me
more magnification?

Coming up.

That's odd.

What is?

There seems to be
some kind of contaminant

on the base pair sequence.

It didn't show up
on the first scan.

I need a closer look.

I'm going to maximum
magnification.

What do you see?

I'm not exactly sure.

Well, what does it look like?

See for yourself.

I'm no microbiologist, but...

that doesn't look
like it belongs there.

Believe me, it doesn't.

I've never seen
anything like it.

This level
of submolecular technology

is well beyond anything
Starfleet has developed.

What are those markings?

Some kind of alien writing?

I wish I knew.

They might help us
determine where it came from.

But who could have put this
into Chakotay's cells

without his knowledge?

Let me try
a compositional analysis.

It's in Mr. Neelix's DNA
as well.

Is this what's causing
the mutations?

A good scientist never jumps
to conclusions, Lieutenant,

but I'd say
it's a distinct possibility.

I'm having trouble getting a
clear reading from this sample.

It looks almost like the, um--
whatever it is--

could be slightly out of phase.

That must be why my initial
scans didn't reveal it.

I'm compensating
for the phase variance.

You're not going
to believe this,

but I'm picking up
an energy signature.

This thing is transmitting
some kind of a signal.

- To where?
- I don't know.

It's too weak
to travel very far.

Access the internal sensors

and set them
to a phase variance of. 15.

Right.

Lieutenant.

Your program is being deleted.

How?

I don't know.

I'm transferring you
back to Sick Bay.

B'Elanna...

Science Lab to the Bridge.

This is the Doctor.

In the last hour,
three more patients have come in

with genetic mutations.

The effects are starting
to become life-threatening.

What happened to B'Elanna?

The alveoli in her lungs

suddenly stopped
processing oxygen.

I've got her
on respiratory support.

She almost died.

What about the Doctor?

The computer logs
in the Science Lab

show that he was trying
to transfer himself to Sick Bay.

Something must have gone wrong
while he was in transit.

Could the Doctor's program...?

Seven of Nine,
this is the Doctor.

Can you hear me?

It's me, the Doctor.

I've tapped
into your audio implants

so only you can hear me.

It's imperative
that you tell no one.

Make any excuse
to get out of there

and report to Holodeck 2.

I'm hiding
in the da Vinci simulation.

I'll explain everything
when you get here.

Seven was checking that.

Seven?

Seven?

About the Doctor's research.

Yes. I examined their work area.

There was no record
of any findings.

The electron resonance scanner
appeared to be malfunctioning.

I...could return
to the Science Lab

and attempt to repair it.

Keep me informed.

Hold your head this way,
Carlotta.

I can only conclude
that someone has implanted

these microscopic tags
in the DNA of the crew

to cause genetic mutations.

For what purpose?

I don't know,
and I get the feeling

they don't want us to find out.

Explain.

When Lieutenant Torres
and I started making progress

in our investigation,
we were both incapacitated.

Call me paranoid,

but I don't think
that is a coincidence.

If you're correct,

perhaps our actions
are being monitored.

That's why I couldn't risk
contacting anyone

over the com system.

Our first course of action

should be to collect
more information.

My thinking exactly.

B'Elanna wanted to adjust
the ship's internal sensors

to a phase variance of. 15.

I'd like to do the same
to your Borg sensory nodes.

Proceed.

Computer, give me
a type-4 micro-inducer.

Hmm.

Now, take a look around,
and tell me what you see.

Do you see anything...

unusual?

Energy signatures...

or perhaps something that might
be transmitting a signal?

No.

That's one room down,

256 to go.

I suggest a deck-by-deck survey.

If you need to contact me,
use com frequency Epsilon 2.

I've isolated it
from the rest of the system.

Understood.

And be careful.

Someone out there
could be watching.

Deck 5.

Computer, frequency Epsilon 2.

Doctor, the aliens
are here on the ship.

I can see them everywhere.

This is worse than I imagined.

You've got
to let the Captain know.

Yes? Yes?

Good morning, Captain.

That's a matter of opinion.

What is it?

Internal scans haven't revealed
anything

about the genetic mutations.

The Doctor?

Still off-line.

We are investigating
the possibility...

Inform me of any progress.

Understood.

There's one more thing.

The incident
with Tom and B'Elanna

started me thinking
about ship's protocol

or lack thereof.

Captain?

It seems to me that people
have been getting

a little too comfortable
around here lately.

They're late
for their duty shifts,

taking Mess Hall privileges
during non-designated hours

and a lot of people are spending
more time on the holodeck

than they are at their posts.

You are Security Chief.

Don't 13 department heads
report to you every day?

Yes.

Well, straighten them out.

Shall I flog them as well?

Maybe the Doctor was right.

I think I do need a vacation.

You do seem unsettled.

Crazed is more like it.

I haven't felt this anxious
since my first day of command.

Remind me to lower
the volume on that door.

Come in.

Captain, I wish to speak
with you...

What's wrong?

My attempts to repair the
resonance scanner have failed.

I require assistance.

Ask Ensign Kim
to lend you a hand.

Yes, Captain.

Is that all?

When this mutation crisis

is over, I think
I'll spend a few days

in Renaissance Tuscany.

There's a little inn
outside Sienna

I've been wanting to try.

I will join you
for a glass of wine.

How many?

I've observed 56 of the aliens.

There could be more.

Have you seen any pattern
to their behavior,

any hint as to what they're
trying to accomplish?

They seem to be conducting
experiments on the crew

and monitoring the results.

As if Voyager were
one big petri dish.

I may be among them.

In the turbolift, one of them

probed me
with a medical instrument.

We cannot allow them
to continue.

I've been analyzing
their energy signatures.

I believe there's a way

to make them visible
to everyone.

How?

Using a precisely modulated
phaser beam.

If we expose them, the crew
may be able to fight back.

But what if the aliens
retaliate

by inflicting lethal mutations
on everyone?

It's too risky.

What do you suggest?

The key to the aliens' control
is the genetic tags.

I believe a neuroleptic shock
would disable them.

Unfortunately, it would be
rather...painful.

Will the crew recover?

Yes, they will.

The hard part
will be administering the shock

to everyone simultaneously.

The power relays could be
reconfigured to do it.

Good. I assume
you know how to do that?

You assume correctly.

But I will have to bypass
several safeguards.

It will take time.

Then you'd better get started.

Tuvok to Seven of Nine.

Yes?

Why have you accessed
the EPS relay system?

There is a malfunction.

I'm attempting to repair it.

Perhaps you should leave that
to the Engineering crew.

Normally, I would.

However, they are all occupied
with other tasks.

You are compromising
the power safety protocols.

Stop what you're doing at once.

I assure you, there is
no cause for concern.

Move away from the console.

As I told you,
I am conducting repairs.

You are attempting
to deceive me. Why?

I can't explain what I'm doing,

but you must allow me
to continue.

Your actions could result
in an energy discharge,

which would be
harmful to the crew.

I realize that.

Don't move.

If your people attempt
to incapacitate me,

I will kill you.

I believe you.

What do you intend to do now?

You will come with me
to speak to the Captain.

I am certain she will have
questions for you.

Keep on trying
to disable the tags.

Let me know when you're ready.

Understood.

I'll attempt to modify
the internal sensors

to detect the aliens.

Good.

Keep me informed.

Who are you?

And what the hell
are you doing to my crew?

My team has been observing you
and conducting tests.

Tests?

I'd call them mutilations.

I can understand
why you're angry.

I don't like causing
people to suffer,

but sometimes it's
a necessary part of my work.

What kind of work is that?

Medical research.

We're scientists, like you.

From where I stand,
you're a hostile invasion force.

I want to know
how long you've been here

and exactly what
you've been doing to us.

I can't answer those questions.

It's a breach of protocol

for me to be speaking
to you at all.

Oh, how convenient.

That way you never
have to face your victims.

Captain, please.

You're exaggerating
the situation.

Our techniques are as benign
as we can make them.

What I have been through
for the last few days

certainly hasn't felt benign!

Please understand that there's
a purpose to our actions.

The data we gather from you

may help us cure physical
and psychological disorders

that afflict millions.

Isn't that worth
some discomfort?

I'm sure you'd see
things differently

if your people were the ones

being subjected
to these experiments.

Just as your perspective
would change

if your people were the ones

to live longer
and healthier lives as a result.

Don't forget, we've been
observing you, Captain.

I know the most important
thing to you

is the welfare of your crew.

You'd even kill to protect them.

If necessary.

Of course you would.

You take care of your own,
just as we do.

We're really more similar
than you care to admit.

That's where you're wrong.

What you're doing
isn't self-defense.

It's the exploitation
of another species

for your own benefit.

My people decided a long time
ago that that was unacceptable,

even in the name
of scientific progress.

You're a remarkably
strong-willed individual.

I've been very impressed
by your self-control

over the past several weeks.

We've been increasing
your dopamine levels,

stimulating various
aggressive impulses

to test
your behavioral restraints.

There's been a great
difference of opinion

about how much more strain

you can bear.

Not much.

I had hoped you might be
more cooperative

once you realized
the importance of our work.

Sorry.

These lab rats
are fighting back.

I'm afraid
that will be pointless.

We're monitoring your attempts
to break our control over you.

You won't succeed.

Well, you may find that
you've underestimated us.

Consider what's in the best
interests of your crew.

We will be continuing
our research.

If you make no further attempts
to interfere, I assure you

If you make no further attempts
to interfere, I assure you

that the fatality rate
will be minimal,

though there may be
some deformities.

And I would be willing to share
our final data with you.

You can't possibly expect me
to accept that.

If you don't,

then the entire experiment,
and its subjects

will be terminated.

Are you telling me

there is no way
to disable the tags?

My attempts to use
the EPS relays

to induce neuroleptic shock
have failed.

The aliens may be responsible.

I've encountered
similar difficulties

in my efforts to modify
the internal sensors.

They appear to have gained
access to our key systems.

They can't be everywhere
all the time.

We have got to find
an advantage.

We'd better find one soon.

Sick Bay is being filled
with new patients

with increasingly
severe symptoms.

We have the ability
to make them visible.

If we could modify enough
sensors, we could resist them.

They are still capable
of manipulating our DNA.

A direct conflict
would be inadvisable.

Bridge to Doctor.

Medical emergency!

She's in hypertensive shock.

20 milligrams lectrazine.

Her blood pressure is 360/125.

How is that possible?

Severe adrenal stress.

No effect.

Her arterial pathways
are rupturing.

She's in cardiac arrest.
We're losing her.

Captain, I'm afraid
that won't help.

There's too much
internal bleeding.

Then try something else.

We'll transport her to Sick Bay.

Her entire circulatory
system has collapsed.

There's no way to repair
that kind of damage.

Brain death has occurred.

I'm sorry.

There was nothing more
we could have done.

This ends right now.

You're relieved.

Captain, what are you doing?

I'm running a little
experiment of my own.

Red Alert!

Captain, one of the aliens
has just entered the Bridge.

Understood.

We're less than a million
kilometers from the pulsars.

We must change course

immediately to avoid being
caught in their gravity.

No! Keep going.

This is a far
more reckless course of action

than I've come to expect
from you, Captain.

It certainly is.

Hull stress is at 30 teradynes
and rising.

I'm transferring more power

to the structural
integrity field,

but I don't know
how long it can hold.

What do you hope
to accomplish by this?

Flying into a binary pulsar?

It seems like I'm trying
to crush this ship

like a tin can.

It's more likely

that you're trying
to intimidate us.

You're welcome
to stick around and find out.

Hull stress is at 45 teradynes.

Our course is locked in.

Only my authorization
can release it.

You're not behaving
very rationally.

That's what you were trying
to accomplish, wasn't it? Hmm?

Pumping up my dopamine levels
to push me to the edge?

Keeping me awake
for four days straight

with the constant pain
of your devices

drilling into my skull?

Well, this is the culmination
of your work, and guess what?

You're going to be right here
to collect the final data.

Shields have failed.

Structural integrity is down
to 20 percent.

Enter the authorization code
and change course immediately!

I don't think you realize

that you are not
in control here anymore.

I can kill you and your crew
in an instant.

Go ahead.

Without us, you won't be able
to prevent this ship

from being torn apart
by the pulsars.

And even with my crew
working together,

I'd say the odds of us
getting through this

are what? One in ten?

One in 20, at best, Captain.

I'm willing to take that chance.

Are you?

Outer hull temperature
has reached 9, 000 degrees.

The hull is beginning to buckle!

Two alien vessels are attempting
to disengage from Voyager.

I can't break us free
of the gravitational forces!

Then let's divert all power
to the shields!

No. If we go in,
we go in full throttle.

Captain?

Assuming we survive,

we're going to need
all the momentum we can get

to reach escape velocity
on the other side.

Everyone, hang on.

I hope you were

exaggerating
about those odds, Tuvok.

I was not.

Hull stress has exceeded
maximum tolerance!

There are breaches
on Decks 4, 7, 8 and 12.

Emergency force fields
are holding.

I've lost helm control!

Main power is off-line!

Well, let's hope
we've got enough speed.

I don't believe it.

We're alive.

I never realized you thought
of me as"reckless," Tuvok.

A poor choice of words.

It was clearly
an understatement.

Captain's Log, Stardate 51244. 3.

With the aliens gone,
the Doctor has been able

to remove their devices
from the crew

and neutralize the genetic tags.

It was nice you could
get the night off.

"Nice" had nothing
to do with it.

I switched shifts
with Ensign Wildman,

which means tomorrow

I'll pull a double-duty
on the Bridge and with the Doc.

Well, I appreciate
the sacrifice.

Tell me about the wine.

Ah, Ktarian merlot, 2282.

You might want
to let it breathe first.

We've got all night
to let it breathe.

Engineering
to Lieutenant Torres.

Torres here.

We are having a problem
with the plasma manifold.

I thought you'd want
to take a look.

I don't.

Lock it down for now.

I'll deal with it
in the morning.

Torres out.

Sometimes it's nice to be
the Chief Engineer.

Try the salad, Chief.

Hmm.

This is really delicious.

Well, thanks.

I replicated it myself.

Mm, you're too good for me.

lgnore it.

Right.

I'll get rid of them.

Oh, hi.
Uh, sorry to interrupt.

Hi, B'Elanna.

Harry, I'm not home.

I-I just wanted to return this.

Thanks.

Smells good.

That's it.

No more interruptions.

You know, I've been thinking
about what the Captain said.

Thinking maybe she was right?

Me, too.

We have been...

a little out of control lately.

Do you think we really were?

What?

Out of control?

Those aliens could have
just been messing around

with our hormones
just to see what would happen.

You're right.
They could have.

And we don't know how long
they were on board.

They could have been
tampering with us for months.

Well, when you think about it,

you did have a pretty abrupt
change of heart

a couple of weeks ago.

What made you realize that
you loved me all of a sudden?

Just a feeling.

So, our whole relationship
might be based on some...

alien experiment.

You never know.

Well, I think that explains it.

I guess we should just...
call it off, then.

I think so.

Thank God we found out in time.

Thank God.

I don't know about you, but...

I'm curious to see
how this experiment turns out.