[Ready room]

JANEWAY [OC]: Admiral's personal log, stardate 62091.1. The Protostar crew are behind enemy lines on Solum. as we're awaiting communication, but it's been silent ever since. It was an impossible situation with no easy answers. Huh. But are there ever? After so many years in Starfleet you'd think nothing could surprise me. I'm starting to wonder if it's becoming too much.
JANEWAY: Still no word.
CHAKOTAY: This isn't your first rodeo. You, of all people, know it takes time and patience.
JANEWAY: You've been away too long. Have you forgotten I'm not a fan of either?
CHAKOTAY: Speaking of time, with all this waiting you forgot something. The anniversary of your first command. It's been over a decade.
JANEWAY: Fourteen years, to be exact.
CHAKOTAY: That long, huh?
JANEWAY: With what you and I have been through, it does take patience. But they're so young. Were we ever that young?
CHAKOTAY: The extra ten years on an island didn't help.
JANEWAY: Look at the initiative of those cadets, what they've endured.
CHAKOTAY: You don't have to tell me. I'm standing here because of them... and you.
JANEWAY: Now that we've got you back, that farm waiting in Indiana is starting to look better and better.
CHAKOTAY: You're really thinking of early retirement?
TYSESS [OC]: Admiral to the bridge.

[Bridge]

JANEWAY: Ilthuran. And... Wesley Crusher?
WESLEY: I know, I should really stop dropping in like this.
(Collapses.)
JANEWAY: where are the others? Are they...?
WESLEY: In danger. We're all in danger, and I don't know what happens next.

[Sickbay]

ILTURAN: I am sorry, Admiral. If Gwyndala had not tried to rescue me...
WESLEY: I couldn't see it coming.
EMH: His neural pathways have been considerably damaged by Asensia's mind extractions. This level of neurolytic shock would have taken down anyone else. You being you, Mister Crusher, you'll survive. This cortical stimulator should rebuild your neuropeptides. As for your unique abilities, I'm afraid they won't be returning any time soon. But time will tell.
WESLEY: It always does.
JANEWAY: What happened down there? Where is the Protostar crew, and why were you there in the first place?
ILTHURAN: Wesley allowed himself to be caught so Asencia could finish her temporal weaponry.
JANEWAY: He what?
WESLEY: I nudged events so those kids could use her tech to create a wormhole and send the Protostar back. We couldn't do it without her weapon. It had to happen that way. Now that Asencia's captured them, we're in uncharted territory. For the first time in... in a while, I'm in the dark like everyone else.
TYSESS: Admiral, there's a subspace message coming from Solum. Asencia's broadcasting on all frequencies.
ASENCIA [on PADD]: People of Solum, I bear disturbing news. I have captured alien spies. Proof that off-world enemies have infiltrated our city, sowing discord among us. I say this to the so-called Federation. Let us see if Starfleet's Admiral has the courage to come herself, or will her pawns pay the price in her stead.
TYSESS: She's clearly baiting you. Going is unwise. As much as it pains me, a vice admiral is far more valuable than a few would-be cadets.
JANEWAY: That doesn't change the fact that the crew would suffer if I don't. And I'm not about to let that happen.
CHAKOTAY: Neither am I.
EMH: Count me in as well. You may need medical assistance down there.
WESLEY: I should go too. I may not know the future, but I know what Asencia is capable of.
JANEWAY: Very well. Looks like we have an away team. Let's get back in the saddle.

[Transport]

POG: Forget it, short and slimy. There's no getting out of these. Jankom almost melted his Mitt trying.
DAL: Gwyn, what's wrong?
GWYN: My planet's survival could be decided on one misstep. We shouldn't have split up. What if I've sealed their fate. Civil war.
ZERO: Uncertainty is the predecessor to hope.
MAJ'EL: If Asencia had Wesley and Ilthuran, Starfleet and Solum would be at war right now. That is the fate Wesley wished us to avoid, and that was accomplished by you.
ROK: Sure, this isn't part of Wesley's plan, but even good things can come out of bad situations.
GWYN: You're right. And we've gotten out of worse. We control our fate.
(Transport stops.)
POG: You sure about that?

[Protostar]

(Building a replica Vau N'Akat ship.)
ILTHURAN: Your hologram has been quite helpful in replicating it.
JANEWAY: I can see that. I know a thing or two about ships.
TYSESS: Since Gwyn's team was caught, Asencia has initiated transporter scramblers planet-wide.
CHAKOTAY: Which means no beaming in or out.
JANEWAY: so we're sneaking in the old-fashioned way. Fitting.
ILTHURAN: Perhaps I should join. The fate of Solum and my daughter are at stake.
JANEWAY: Your survival is paramount to a peaceful future on Solum, Ilthuran. Your daughter did a lot to get you here. Remaining in asylum is the best chance they have.
ILTHURAN: Then I will do what I can from here. I've uploaded coordinates to where the prison transport is headed. The rest is up to you.
EMH: I must admit, I'll never quite get used to working with Kathryn's holographic twin.
HOLO-JANEWAY: We have our differences. For one, life experience. I've never left the Protostar. You're lucky, you can go with that mobile emitter.
EMH: Truth be told, I'm a little nervous to be out in the field after so long, but I suppose if nothing else it's good inspiration for my next holo-novel.
HOLO-JANEWAY: I'm eager to read it. I've read all your work. I'm a big fan.
EMH: Oh you have? You are?
HOLO-JANEWAY: You must have many admirers.
EMH: Of course, but there's always room for one more.
TYSESS: Voyager is in good hands, Admiral.
JANEWAY: I know it, Commander. Keep my chair warm until I get back.
NOUM: I'll make sure he doesn't do anything too crazy. What?
CHAKOTAY: Just like old times.

[Vau N'Akat ship]

JANEWAY: Steady as she goes, Mister Crusher.
WESLEY: I'm sorry. It's just... it's been a while since I piloted anything.
JANEWAY: Seems you haven't lost your touch. By the way, I had a chance to speak with your mother.
WESLEY: How... how is she?
JANEWAY: You should ask her yourself.
WESLEY: We're here.
CHAKOTAY: Incoming hail, Admiral.
ATC [OC]: Identify your destination.
EMH: Requesting permission to land at sector 3142.5.
ATC [OC]: Those coordinates are restricted. Dred-units must land elsewhere. Sector 3140.5 is where the off-worlders will be terminated.
EMH: Ooo can't wait. Should be a real humdinger. I mean. Sounds acceptable. I will save you a seat.
ATC [OC]: Proceed.
JANEWAY: Humdinger? I'll save you a seat?
EMH: What do you want? I'm a doctor, not a covert operative.
JANEWAY: Aside from that, nice work, Doctor. Mister Crusher, take us down.

[Planet surface]

CHAKOTAY: I've located them. Two klicks east.
JANEWAY: Well, then. Nowhere to go but up.

[Building]

POG: Now this is cheery décor.
MAJ'EL: It appears to be ruins.
GWYN: An ancient city from Solum's past.
ZERO: It's been repurposed so that no one can escape.
DAL: Escape what?
GWYYN: This is a mistake, Asencia. We need to get our ship back to Tars Lamora or else we're all doomed.
ASENCIA: Oh, did my pet Traveller tell you that? I pried a few secrets from him too, but I suppose you'll see that soon enough. I make my own future. Let it in.
POG: Huh? Murf, you're supposed to be security.
ROK: Nuh-uh. It can't be. No way.
(A Loom.)
DAL: How? How did she catch one?
GWYN: It doesn't matter. She wants to erase us.

[Planet surface]

EMH: A fresh breeze blows beneath an alien sky, quickening the senses as our mission looms head. Invigorating. Inspiring, even.
JANEWAY: You all right, Mister Crusher?
WESLEY: I'm so used to stepping through temporal rifts, I forgot what it's like to use your quads.
(Overlooking the building.)
WESLEY: If I had my abilities, I could get us there right now. If they die because of me...
JANEWAY: Before you were a Traveller, you were a Starfleet officer, and from what I hear, a heck of a good one . That's who we need now, Mister Crusher.
WESLEY: Okay. What's next, Admiral?
JANEWAY: Wesley, Chakotay, circle around back and see if there are any weaknesses in her forces guarding that dome. Doctor, you're with me.
CHAKOTAY: Where are you going?
JANEWAY: Asencia wanted to bait an admiral? Well, it's time she got one.

[Building]

GUARD: Asencia, we've caught someone on the perimeter.
ASENCIA: Admiral Janeway. You've come a long way from Earth, and yet somehow even more pathetic and predictable than I remembered.
JANEWAY: And you were far from a model ensign. But enough of this. I'm here to negotiate the release of the prisoners, and you'll find my terms to be rather enticing.

[Outside the building]

WESLEY: It's blocked.
CHAKOTAY: But it's a useful entrance. We'll wait for the guards to finish their patrol, then move in. I may have been a little harsh back in sickbay. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be marooned on that planet.
WESLEY: It's hard sometimes to understand why I do what I do, even for me, but you're welcome.
(Alarm sounding.)
CHAKOTAY: That's our opening. Let's move.

[Building]

DAL: Split up. Distract it.
POG: What's the plan? Ah!
DAL: To stay alive is the plan.
ROK: Leave him alone.
GWYN: I'm the one you want.
(The Loom scrapes the restraint around its neck while trying to get at Gwyn, and energy zaps it.)
POG: Where is it? Pog doesn't like this.
ROK: Something's off. It looks like... it's sick.
ZERO: I sense something. Fear, loneliness.
GWYN: Because it is trapped in here, like us.
JANEWAY: Consider the intel an admiral could provide. Strategies. Classified defences. I'd make quite a bargaining chip in the war with the Federation you so clearly want.
ASENCIA: Mmm, the thought of prying information out of you is something I truly relish. But you misunderstand. You see, I lured you here because I know that you're alone, and Starfleet sent no other ships to stop me. And we both know Voyager without your command is like a fire snake without a head. So... I'd rather just cut it off. Bye.
(Shoots her.)
ROK: Maybe we don't have to fight it.
POG: Whoa, whoa. Just because it's sad and lonely doesn't mean it won't eat us, kid. Aw, Zee. What did Jankom just say? That thing doesn't want to be friends.
ZERO: No, I sense... Admiral Janeway.

[Outside the building]

JANEWAY: Come on, we have to hurry. U don't know how long the doctor can stall.

[Building]

EMH-JANEWAY: Pulse weakening. Unable to stabilise heart rate. Cardiomyopathy worsening. The rest... is silence.

[Outside the building]

CHAKOTAY: Phasers are useless.
WESLEY: It must open remotely. If only I could disable the containment field.
JANEWAY: Wait. Zero is speaking to me. The Loom in there is a prisoner too. They're saying it wants out as much as they do.
CHAKOTAY: Could be a helpful distraction.
JANEWAY: Time to improvise. As we used to say back on the farm, let's free the chicken from the coop.
(Sets her comm-badge to overload and puts it on the door lock.)

[Building]

(Explosion. The power goes down, along with the Loom's restraint collar. It leaves the building. Asencia spots the mobile emitter.)
ASENCIA: What is this?
EMH: Ah, it appears I've made a miraculous recovery.
ASENCIA: No.
(Power has returned, weapons are targeting the Loom.)
EMH: Got to go.
(The Loom reenters.)

[Outside the building]

ROK: Wesley, you made it!
ZERO: I cannot convey how happy we are to see you.
JANEWAY: Glad you're all safe, but we're not out of the woods yet.
CHAKOTAY: Security's on high alert and we're flanked on all sides.
GWYN: We can't beam out of here, can we?
JANEWAY: And we can't get back to our ship.
WESLEY: If we can't get to the ship, maybe I can bring the ship to us.
(Remote control.)
EMH: How's our getaway coming along?
WESLEY: Right on time.
(The shuttle lands between them and approaching guards.)

[Building]

(The Loom has Asencia cornered, then suddenly leaves.)
ASENCIA: Blast them out of the sky! Now! No.
DREDNOK: Asencia, we must return to the city. The people are revolting against us.
ASENCIA: What?
ILTHURAN [on screen]: People of Solum, do not embrace Asencia's war. I have met the off-worlders. They're not the enemy. Look around at what she's done to our once peaceful planet. The fear in our streets. Rise up. Let our voices be heard. There is no barrier we cannot overcome, for we are Vau N'Akat.

[Vau N'Akat ship]

POG: Not gonna lie, Admiral. Jankom was pretty impressed with your percussive maintenance.
JANEWAY: Just an old trick from my Academy days.
CHAKOTAY: (to Murf) I'm gonna guess and say, you're welcome?
ROK: The way you rigged that tricorder into a remote terminal was so cool. Am I talking too much? You know you can tell me if I'm talking too much.
MAJ'EL: that is certainly a title.
GWYN: No matter what's changed, Solum's fallen into civil war.
DAL: This isn't over yet.
GWYN: Admiral, I'm beyond grateful for the rescue, truly, but as you said down there, we're not out of the woods yet. I can't leave my people in the hands of that monster.
DAL: We have to finish what we started. Save Solum and complete our mission.
JANEWAY: Agreed.
GWYN: I know you won't... wait, really?
CHAKOTAY: Whatever you need, we'll make it happen. We'll find a way to get the Protostar back too.
DAL: Wow. Thanks, but er... why?
JANEWAY: Because I've been reminded that boldness isn't only for the young. And when Starfleet is united, we can always overcome.