FADE IN:
12 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) 12
Warp speed, now with 3 alien spaceships following alongside.
JANEWAY (V.O.)
Captain's log, supplemental. Lieutenant Torres has still not been able to recover the Doctor. Two more Okreepon vessels have now joined in our escort, and some more of their crew have beamed over to visit Voyager. Their home world is only a day's journey away now. I'm looking forward to seeing it. If the images of it they've shown us capture even half its beauty, it will be a difficult place to leave behind.
13 INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM 13
Janeway, Pleetos and Arginess sit talking, sipping coffee.
Pleetos
Thank you for allowing my wife to join me over here, Captain. I am such better company with her at my side.
JANEWAY
Oh, nonsense. If only more of the people we've met so far in this part of the galaxy were as cordial as you have been. But, you're welcome all the same.
Pleetos
I am merely returning the kindness that you and your people have shown to us.
ARGiness
Does your husband not travel with you, Captain?
JANEWAY
I'm not married, Arginess. Even if I was, it's not likely he would be here with me. I was engaged to be married back home, but... Well, that would be difficult now.
ARGiness
Oh, how very unfortunate. I am sorry if I have brought up a painful memory.
JANEWAY
No, no. Not at all. I've learned to live with the cards I've been dealt. But I won't deny a twinge of envy though. That you two have each other, and a home so close by. I'm starting to forget what those things are like.
PLEETOS
(sets down cup, leans forward with intensity) If I may be so bold, Captain. Arginess and I have been talking. You may consider staying with us. Our preliminary scans show that our races are very compatible; more alike than different. If you cannot get back to your home in reasonable time, you may think about staying with our people. I cannot speak for my government, but I can't imagine that such enlightened and charming people as yourselves would be unwelcome to stay as long as you wished.
JANEWAY
That's very kind of you, Captain Pleetos. I will certainly give that the fullest consideration when the time comes. I'm sure you can understand the gravity of that decision, and it wouldn't be one to be taken lightly.
PLEETOS
Oh, of course, Captain, of course. Please take all the time you need to decide. In the meantime, you may stay as long as you desire. But I'm almost willing to guarantee you, Captain, once you set foot on our beautiful world, you won't find yourself able to leave it.
14 INT. HOLODECK; VULCAN HOUSEHOLD SCENE 14
Tuvok, holding a book, sitting next to a bed in which lies a young Vulcan child of about 10 years. The Doctor sits in the background, watching.
CHILD
What book do you bring tonight, Master Tuvok?
TUVOK
It is an ancient Terran text, attributed to a human named Homer. It is called "The Odyssey."
CHILD
What is it about?
TUVOK
It concerns a man named Odysseus... his long search for his home after a distant journey to sea, and the many obstacles he overcomes along the way.
CHILD
That sounds like you and your adventures aboard Voyager.
TUVOK
You are astute for one so young. Yes, I am aware of the semblance.
CHILD
Did you ever read this book to your children, Master Tuvok?
TUVOK
No. (seems almost sad) No, I had not.
CHILD
Then why read to me a book you would not read to your own kin?
TUVOK
That is a valid question. The answer is complex. You see, the last time I had the opportunity to read to my own children was many years ago. At that time, I considered most human works of literature to be folly; full of pointless emotional abstractions. They often said in thirty words what could have been said in three, all in pursuit of a notion they call artistic expression. I considered such things to be an affront to logic, and therefore unworthy of my children's ears.
CHILD
Yet not unworthy of mine?
TUVOK
You misunderstand. It is the book that has been elevated in my convictions. As you have noted, my situation on Voyager in not unlike the plight of this book's protagonist. As you will discover as I read it to you, he begins his long journey with a closed mind. His opinions of himself are unjustifiably inflated. He fancies himself superior to other people and other cultures, even to his own gods.
CHILD
It is illogical to believe in gods.
TUVOK
Perhaps. But it is also illogical not to believe in them. This is the paradox of the logical mind. You cannot prove everything, neither can many things be disproved. Therefore, it is important to keep a mind open to ideas that fall outside the realm of pure logic. As much as we Vulcans may find it distasteful, the universe often presents us with illogical situations. I have run into more of these situations during my years on Voyager than I have in my entire existence prior. It has been this experience with illogical events that has broadened my understanding of the universe, and my place within it.
CHILD
So you now see this human book as more significant than you once did?
TUVOK
Correct. Although written in words that are confusing and self-contradicting, I have found this book, and similar works written by emotion-centered races, to have value beyond entertainment. They provide insights into the sentient mind that an equation cannot.
CHILD
It is too bad you did not know this before you were separated from your children. Is that why you have conjured up my image?
TUVOK
Possibly. It is regretful that I will never have the chance to read such books to my own children. I hope they are able to find, without my guidance, the enlightenment I would share with them.
CHILD
Do not be concerned thus, Master Tuvok. They will do well for themselves. How can they do otherwise? They carry within them the best that is you, the best that is Vulcan. They will live long, and they will prosper. And perhaps someday, with what the humans call luck, you will read to your grandchildren as you would have read to your own; As you would read to me now.
TUVOK
That would be a fortunate outcome; a fortunate outcome indeed. Shall I begin?
CHILD
Proceed, Master.
TUVOK
(opens book and reads) "Tell me, Muse, of that man, who wandered far and wide, after he sacked the sacred citadel of Troy, and many were the men whose towns he saw and whose minds he learned, and many were the woes he suffered in his heart upon the deep, striving to win back his own life, and to return to his family."
15 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) 15
Warp speed, with 3 alien spaceships following alongside.
16 INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM 16
Janeway at desk, looking at computer screen. Door chime.
JANEWAY
Come in.
Neelix enters.
NEELIX
You asked to see me, Captain?
JANEWAY
Yes, Neelix, please... have a seat.
NEELIX
(sits) Thank you, Captain. What are you looking at there? They look like the images of the Okreepon home world.
JANEWAY
Yes, they are. I can't believe how lovely their world is. The colors are so vivid, they hardly look real. Like something from a dream.
NEELIX
Yes. It does seem like a lovely place. I'm looking forward to seeing it. I hope we can stay awhile.
JANEWAY
We'll stay as long as we need to. I don't think the Okreepons will mind; or the crew.
NEELIX
So what did you want to see me about, Captain?
JANEWAY
Oh yes. First, let me thank you for your help today.
NEELIX
(modestly) Oh, Captain... Just being the best ambassador I can be, that's all.
JANEWAY
The Okreepon's were very impressed with you. In fact, they've specifically invited you over to their vessel. They've sent some more of their people over here, so it's only fair that we send someone else to visit them. Of course it's up to you to go or not.
NEELIX
Me? really? Oh, sure, that would be wonderful! They are such nice people, Captain. I suppose we shouldn't let the Commander have all the fun now, should we? Uhhh, when do I go?
JANEWAY
Whenever you're ready. Just report back on a regular basis. You know the routine.
NEELIX
Oh yes, of course, of course... Commander Tuvok has instructed me extensively on away mission protocols. Well, I'll get started then. This is so exciting! (stands, moves toward exit) Oh, I'd better pick up something from the mess hall. It would be ill-mannered to pop over without a... a... fruit basket or something. Oh, I wonder if the Doctor would mind if I borrowed his holo-camera. Since he's not using it right now. (muses to self) Do I even know how to use that darn thing?
Neelix exits, still muttering to himself.
JANEWAY
(quietly to self, smiling) Dismissed, Mister Neelix.
Janeway returns to looking at pictures. After a moment, she pauses, sighs, stands up, walks over to a mirror on wall, and gazes into it.
17 INT. HOLODECK; EMPTY 17
Doctor is working at control panel.
DOCTOR
Computer, can you display the Bridge for me? (image of Bridge appears). Excellent! Can you put me through to it?
COMPUTER
Unable to Comply. Holo-characters cannot operate beyond Holodeck parameters. (Doctor silently mimics along with the computer's words in a mocking gesture.)
DOCTOR
I don't see the Captain on the bridge. I wonder where she is?
Holodeck doors open. Janeway enters.
JANEWAY
Computer, initiate program Janeway-5, password 3452GX.
Old-fashioned psychiatrist's office appears. DR. FREUD sits in chair holding pad and pencil. A couch is nearby.
JANEWAY
Hello, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Captain! You can see me! Thank goodness, I was beginning to think I'd never...
Janeway walks right through the Doctor, like a ghost.
FREUD
Kathryn. It's good to see you. You haven't been by in awhile.
JANEWAY
I know. Sorry, Doctor Freud. Things have been kind of hectic of late.
DOCTOR
(turns, sees Freud, disappointed) Oh.
FREUD
You're in luck, my appointment for this hour didn't show up, so if you like, you can catch me up on things. (gestures toward couch) Let me get your file. (pulls file from nearby drawer and opens it.) So tell me Kathryn, what is the latest in (glances at file) the Delta Quadrant?
JANEWAY
(sits on couch) Oh, the usual; galactic intrigue, temporal anomalies, hostile aliens.
FREUD
You have been facing these things for some years now, yes? With some measure of success, it would seem.
JANEWAY
Yes. Yes, I have, I suppose. But now I'm facing something that's even more of a challenge. And frankly, it's got me worried.
FREUD
And this is?
JANEWAY
Friendly aliens.
FREUD
Friendly aliens? This is an undesirable thing? Tell me more about these friendly aliens.
JANEWAY
We met them just this morning. I have to confess Doctor, they seem to be the most pleasant beings we've met so far in our travels. They've invited us to stop by their home planet. A beautiful place.
DOCTOR
(standing behind Janeway) Oh really? Well for such pleasant people, their scanners sure have an attitude problem.
FRUED
So what troubles you about this, Kathryn?
JANEWAY
What troubles me is that my crew is tired, Doctor. Very tired. We've been away from Earth, lost over here in the Delta Quadrant for nearly 6 years now. They've barely had any contact with home, and I believe most of them have all but given up any real hope of Voyager ever getting back. At least not before they grow old or die. They try to put up a brave facade, but I can see it. In their eyes. They're exhausted; emotionally, mentally. That's why hostile aliens are easier to deal with.
FRUED
Easier? I don't think I understand.
JANEWAY
When Voyager is in danger, or under attack, the crew is single-minded in their determination to survive. They follow my orders not because they have to, but because they want to. Because the good of the ship depends on it. But when we come across a welcoming race, or a planet that is a lot like Earth, I know many of them think about staying; about abandoning the long journey home. About putting down roots in a new place and about starting fresh. At first I saw it only in the faces of those who don't have strong ties back home, but more and more I see it the eyes of the others. They're giving up hope of seeing their families and friends again, Doctor. They're so very tired of being bottled up in this ship. They need a real home. They deserve a real home. And tonight, I saw that same look in the eyes of someone I've never seen it in before.
FRUED
And this was?
JANEWAY
A woman I saw in the mirror.
FRUED
You are thinking of settling with these friendly aliens?
JANEWAY
Well, it's a bit early to make a decision of that magnitude. I mean, we haven't even seen their planet yet, except in pictures. But they invited us to stay with them as long as we wish. Forever, if we want. I haven't told the crew that yet. But I owe it to them to tell them. And to let them decide. I got us lost here, and I want to get them home, but I can't force them to stay in this ship for the rest of their lives. They need to decide their own fate. The Federation once gave me command of their lives. But that was long ago, and the Federation is so very far away now.
DOCTOR
Don't worry, Captain. We would follow you to the edge of galaxy and back. Most of us anyway. The crew doesn't follow you because of regulations or rank. We follow because we want to follow. Because we believe in you.
JANEWAY
I just think it's time I...
TORRES' com VOICE
(interrupting) Torres to Captain Janeway.
JANEWAY
(taps badge) Janeway here, go B'ellana.
TORRES' com VOICE
Captain, I've got something on the Doctor. I think you'll want to see this.
JANEWAY
Very good, I'll be right there. Janeway out. (to Freud) Sorry doctor, I'm afraid we'll have to continue another time. How much do I owe you?
FREUD
It's all right, Kathryn. Don't worry about the fee for today, our session was so short.
DOCTOR
(to Janeway, gleeful) Tell B'ellana that if she gets me out of here soon, I'll pay her a hundred strips of latinem!
JANEWAY
(to Freud) Thank you, doctor. Thanks for listening. It's good to be able to talk to someone about these things.
FREUD
That's what I'm here for, Kathryn. And don't wait so long before coming again.
JANEWAY
(standing) I'll try doctor.
Janeway walks toward exit, but halfway to door she accidentally kicks over a pile of small metal bars on the floor. She picks one up and examines it.
FRUED
What is it, Kathryn?
JANEWAY
Latinem strips. They're all over the place. There must be a hundred of them. I wonder why these are here? They aren't part of this program. (shakes head) Oh well, no time to investigate now. I'll have to run a diagnostic later.
Janeway drops latinem, continues toward exit. Doctor kneels down, picks up a piece of latinem and examines it, astounded.
JANEWAY
Computer, end program.
Everything vanishes, including latinem in Doctor's hand. Janeway exits.
OFF Doctor's astounded reaction...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO