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===Teaser===
 
===Teaser===
 
[[File:Paris-and-Kim-Test-Delta-Flyer-II.jpg|thumb|left|Paris and Kim test the ''Delta Flyer II'']]
 
[[File:Paris-and-Kim-Test-Delta-Flyer-II.jpg|thumb|left|Paris and Kim test the ''Delta Flyer II'']]
[[Lieutenant junior grade|Lieutenant]] [[Tom Paris]] and [[Ensign]] [[Harry Kim]] are in the newly-completed ''[[Delta Flyer II]]''. Paris is piloting with great speed and extreme maneuvering, coursing madly through an [[asteroid|asteroid field]]. Kim nervously complains, but a grinning Paris insists that the [[shuttle]]'s capabilities must be tested fully.
+
[[Lieutenant junior grade|Lieutenant]] [[Tom Paris]] and [[Ensign]] [[Harry Kim]] are in the newly-completed ''[[Delta Flyer II]]''. Paris is piloting with great speed and extreme maneuvering, coursing madly through an [[asteroid|asteroid field]]. Kim nervously complains, but a grinning Paris insists that the [[shuttle]]'s capabilities must be tested fully.
   
A ship comes up off [[starboard]]. It pulls up alongside and begins to scan them. Paris hails and politely asks the pilot for identification. A female voice answers, but instead of identifying herself, the speaker compliments Paris on the ''Flyer'' in a manner that pleases him greatly. She invites him to race her to a [[comet]] on the other side of the asteroid field. Kim is horrified; surely he will not accept? However, Paris insists that this will be a great test for the ''Flyer''. The vessel hares off and Paris immediately follows.
+
A ship comes up off [[starboard]]. It pulls up alongside and begins to scan them. Paris hails and politely asks the pilot for identification. A female voice answers, but instead of identifying herself, the speaker compliments Paris on the ''Flyer II'' in a manner that pleases him greatly. She invites him to race her to a [[comet]] on the other side of the asteroid field. Kim is horrified; surely he will not accept? However, Paris insists that this will be a great test for the ''Flyer''. The vessel hares off and Paris immediately follows.
   
 
===Act One===
 
===Act One===
 
The other vessel proves even more maneuverable than the ''Flyer II''. Paris begins to lag, but his pilot's ego refuses to accept defeat so easily and he pursues her avidly. Kim, despite his trepidation, wants to see the ''Flyer II'' win, now that they are actually racing the other ship. Much to Paris' delight, he really gets into it and suggests using the new impulse thrusters. A pair of six-nozzle [[impulse thruster]]s fold out from the ''Flyer II''{{'}}s stern and glow to life. The ship surges forward and passes the other vessel. Now both [[officer]]s grin.
 
[[File:Irina.jpg|thumb|right|Irina the Terrellian]] But then the other vessel's starboard [[nacelle]] catches fire. Paris immediately has the [[computer]] [[transporter|beam]] the pilot aboard. An alien woman materializes. Her name is [[Irina]]. Her species is called the [[Terrellian (Delta Quadrant)|Terrellians]]. They offer to take her back to {{USS|Voyager}} and she gladly accepts.
   
 
In [[sickbay]], a pleading Lieutenant [[B'Elanna Torres]] tries to get [[The Doctor]] to part with his scheduled [[holodeck]] time ration. She has successfully bartered with other crew-members for theirs, accumulating almost enough time to span a weekend that she wants to spend with Paris and she needs The Doctor's holodeck time to have enough hours. However, The Doctor is resolute, telling her that ordinarily he would happily oblige, but that he has been looking forward to his scheduled time on the holodeck so that he could take up a sport long favored by [[Earth]] [[MD]]s for centuries: [[golf]]. However, Torres doesn't give up, manipulating The Doctor to let her have his time, with a sad, disappointed look that she knows will get to him. Fortunately, it works and The Doctor relents.
The other vessel proves even more maneuverable than the Flyer II. Paris begins to lag, but his pilot's ego refuses to accept defeat so easily and he pursues her avidly. Kim, despite his trepidation, wants to see the ''Flyer'' win, now that they are actually racing the other ship. Much to Tom's delight, he really gets into it and suggests using the new impulse thrusters. A pair of 6-nozzle [[impulse drive|impulse drive thrusters]] fold out from the ''Flyer''{{'}}s stern and glow to life. The ship surges forward and passes the other vessel. Now both [[officer]]s grin.
 
[[File:Irina.jpg|thumb|right|Irina the Terrellian]] But then the other vessel's starboard [[nacelle]] catches fire. Paris immediately has the [[computer]] [[transporter|beam]] the pilot aboard. A blonde woman with pointy ears materializes. Her name is [[Irina]]. Her species is called the [[Terrellian (Delta Quadrant)|Terrellian]]s. They offer to take her back to {{USS|Voyager}} and she gladly accepts.
 
   
 
On their return to ''Voyager'', Ensign Kim helps Irina make repairs to her vessel. They talk about its capabilities and where she is from. Paris comes and joins the conversation. He comments that her [[warp drive]] is rather weak. She responds somewhat disdainfully that warp drive is for straight lines, not for the kind of piloting she likes. Paris, with a smile, says he totally understands. When Irina mentions the upcoming race she was practicing for, this instantly seizes Paris and Kim's attention and they can't wait to find out more.
In [[sickbay]], a pleading Lieutenant [[B'Elanna Torres]] tries to get [[The Doctor]] to part with his scheduled [[holodeck]] time ration. She has successfully bartered with other crew-members for theirs, accumulating almost enough time to span a weekend that she wants to spend with Tom and she needs The Doctor's holodeck time to have enough hours. However, the Doctor is resolute, telling her that ordinarily he would happily oblige, but that he has been looking forward to his scheduled time on the holodeck so that he could take up a sport long favored by [[Earth]] [[MD]]s for centuries: [[golf]]. However, B'Elanna doesn't give up, manipulating the Doctor to let her have his time, with a sad, disappointed look that she knows will get to him. Fortunately, it works and the Doctor relents.
 
   
On their return to ''Voyager'', Ensign Kim helps Irina make repairs to her vessel. They talk about its capabilities and where she is from. Paris comes and joins the conversation. He comments that her [[warp drive]] is rather weak. She responds somewhat disdainfully that warp drive is for straight lines, not for the kind of piloting she likes. Paris, with a smile, says he totally understands. When Irina mentions the upcoming race she was practicing for, this instantly seizes Tom's and Harry's attention and they can't wait to find out more.
 
 
===Act Two===
 
 
[[File:Antarian Trans-stellar Rally Course Map.jpg|thumb|left|The Antarian Rally course]]
 
[[File:Antarian Trans-stellar Rally Course Map.jpg|thumb|left|The Antarian Rally course]]
At a meeting with [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway|Janeway]], [[Commander]] [[Chakotay]] and [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Tuvok]], Paris and Kim mention the race Irina was talking about. It is called the [[Antarian Trans-stellar Rally]], which covers two billion kilometers. Paris and Kim express their desire to enter the Flyer II into this race. They argue that it would be the ultimate test of ship design and piloting skills. Tuvok, as one would expect, sees no purpose in it and points out the drain on the ship's resources such an undergoing would cause. Chakotay points out that even if they were to enter, the fuel requirements of the race are incompatible with that of the ''Flyer''. However, Paris and Kim press their case further, arguing that this is about more than just skill and victory, and that participating in it would be a chance to bolster interstellar [[diplomacy]] and make new friends; something they could never have too many of, being alone in [[Delta Quadrant|the quadrant]]. The race is an attempt to commemorate and bolster the fragile peace that came after a century-long war between the species that inhabit this area. Everything this race stands for, Paris and Kim argue, are [[Starfleet]] ideals that ''Voyager'' should be supporting. As for the fuel, Irina has agreed to lend them a converter.
+
At a meeting with [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway|Janeway]], [[Commander]] [[Chakotay]], and [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Tuvok]], Paris and Kim mention the race Irina was talking about. It is called the [[Antarian Trans-stellar Rally]], which covers two billion [[kilometer]]s. Paris and Kim express their desire to enter the ''Flyer II'' into this race. They argue that it would be the ultimate test of ship design and piloting skills. Tuvok, as one would expect, sees no purpose in it and points out the drain on the ship's resources such an undergoing would cause. Chakotay points out that even if they were to enter, the fuel requirements of the race are incompatible with that of the ''Flyer II''. However, Paris and Kim press their case further, arguing that this is about more than just skill and victory, and that participating in it would be a chance to bolster interstellar [[diplomacy]] and make new friends; something they could never have too many of, being alone in [[Delta Quadrant|the quadrant]]. The race is an attempt to commemorate and bolster the fragile peace that came after a century-long war between the species that inhabit this area. Everything this race stands for, Paris and Kim argue, are [[Starfleet]] ideals that ''Voyager'' should be supporting. As for the fuel, Irina has agreed to lend them a converter.
   
To the great surprise of Paris, Kim and Tuvok, Captain Janeway not only approves, but also shows enthusiasm for the idea as a good break and an opportunity for some much deserved [[Rest and Relaxation|R&R]] for the crew. But, she warns them, grinning as they hurry to prepare, that now that they are in it, they are representing Starfleet and the [[Federation]] and should win and make everyone proud. The two elated officers assure her that they will be successfully coming out of this.
+
To the great surprise of Paris, Kim, and Tuvok, Captain Janeway not only approves, but also shows enthusiasm for the idea as a good break and an opportunity for some much deserved [[Rest and Relaxation|R&R]] for the crew. But, she warns them, grinning as they hurry to prepare, that now that they are in it, they are representing Starfleet and the [[Federation]] and should win and make everyone proud. The two elated officers assure her that they will be successfully coming out of this.
   
Paris, on his way to [[Main Engineering]], stops by sickbay to inform The Doctor about this news. He finds him practicing golf putts using a beaker in place of a hole. Before he can say anything, however, the Doctor tells him that he has already approved his time off. This surprises Paris and he wonders if the Doctor already knew about the race, but the Doctor does not know of anything and just tells him that he was referring to his romantic getaway with Lt. Torres. Paris is thunderstruck because he had completely forgotten about that. He warns him to expect an emergency call from engineering, anticipating Torres' fiery temper after he tells her that he won't be able to make their date.
+
Paris, on his way to [[main engineering]], stops by sickbay to inform The Doctor about this news. He finds him practicing golf putts using a beaker in place of a hole. Before he can say anything, however, The Doctor tells him that he has already approved his time off. This surprises Paris and he wonders if The Doctor already knew about the race, but The Doctor does not know of anything and just tells him that he was referring to his romantic getaway with Lt. Torres. Paris is thunderstruck because he had completely forgotten about that. He warns him to expect an emergency call from engineering, anticipating Torres' fiery temper after he tells her that he won't be able to make their date.
   
Arriving in engineering, he approaches Torres quietly. She is elated that he has come early, but then he despondently informs her about the race and that he committed himself to it, and can, therefore, not join her for their planned weekend together. She takes the news quietly even though it is clear that she is quite disappointed. He remorsefully tells her how sorry he is and offers to cancel his participation in the race, but she insists that it is okay and that he should go ahead with it. Thankful, Tom leaves as she soberly watches him go.
+
Arriving in engineering, he approaches Torres quietly. She is elated that he has come early, but then he despondently informs her about the race and that he committed himself to it, and can, therefore, not join her for their planned weekend together. She takes the news quietly, even though it is clear that she is quite disappointed. He remorsefully tells her how sorry he is and offers to cancel his participation in the race, but she insists that it is okay and that he should go ahead with it. Thankful, Paris leaves as she soberly watches him go.
   
===Act Three===
+
===Act Two===
 
[[File:Torres-Considers-Breakup.jpg|thumb|Torres decides to break up with Paris]]
 
[[File:Torres-Considers-Breakup.jpg|thumb|Torres decides to break up with Paris]]
Later, Torres sits alone and forlorn at a table in the [[mess hall]]. [[Neelix]], the chef and [[morale officer]], approaches her and tries to cheer her up, but fails. She tells him about Paris. The [[Talaxian]] is very surprised that he forgot, considering all the efforts she made to get all those extra hours on the holodeck. He wonders why she is not talking to him about it, but she responds that he should be allowed to do what makes him happy. However, she concludes, this has made her finally see that she and Paris do not belong together. She loves him, but perhaps that is not enough. They have had much fun together, and that seems enough for him but, unfortunately, it is not enough for her. After the race, she will end their relationship.
+
Later, Torres sits alone and forlorn at a table in the [[mess hall]]. [[Neelix]], the chef and [[morale officer]], approaches her and tries to cheer her up, but fails. She tells him about Paris. The [[Talaxian]] is very surprised that he forgot, considering all the efforts she made to get all those extra hours on the holodeck. He wonders why she is not talking to him about it, but she responds that he should be allowed to do what makes him happy. However, she concludes, this has made her finally see that she and Paris do not belong together. She loves him, but perhaps that is not enough. They have had much fun together, and that seems enough for him but, unfortunately, it is not enough for her. After the race, she will end their relationship.
   
Captain Janeway and Chakotay hold a meeting with the [[Antarian]] [[Ambassador]], [[O'Zaal]], in Captain Janeway's [[ready room]]. He has a very serious problem, illustrated by a message he gets during the meeting: one of the species in the race - the [[Aksani]] - wants to host the post-race ceremony, and will break the peace if refused. But it has already been agreed that another species, the [[Chessu]], would host it. This, he tells Janeway sadly, is his problem; the peace is quite fragile, and every decision he makes regarding the race is seen as symbolic. If he makes a concession to one species, another is offended. Janeway offers a solution: ''Voyager'' is neutral territory. Nobody could object to any of the ceremonies being held on her, so she suggests holding all ceremonies aboard ''Voyager''. Relieved, O'Zaal gratefully accepts.
+
Captain Janeway and Chakotay hold a meeting with the [[Antarian]] [[Ambassador]], [[O'Zaal]], in Captain Janeway's [[ready room]]. He has a very serious problem, illustrated by a message he gets during the meeting: one of the species in the race – the [[Aksani]] – wants to host the post-race ceremony, and will break the peace if refused. But it has already been agreed that another species, the [[Chessu]], would host it. This, he tells Janeway sadly, is his problem; the peace is quite fragile, and every decision he makes regarding the race is seen as symbolic. If he makes a concession to one species, another is offended. Janeway offers a solution: ''Voyager'' is neutral territory. Nobody could object to any of the ceremonies being held on the ship, so she suggests holding all ceremonies aboard ''Voyager''. Relieved, O'Zaal gratefully accepts.
   
The opening ceremony is held in the mess hall. Pilots mix and mingle while refreshments are served. Not all are interested in mixing, however. One particular individual, [[Assan]] - of a species called the [[Imhotep]] - has nothing to do with anyone. When Paris tries to introduce himself, he is coldly brushed off. Irina warns Paris and Kim about him, telling them that he was a ruthless fighter pilot during the war and is not above using questionable tactics to win. Then Irina's co-pilot [[Joxom]] comes over to the three, and Irina introduces him to Paris and Kim.
+
The opening ceremony is held in the mess hall. Pilots mix and mingle while refreshments are served. Not all are interested in mixing, however. One particular individual, [[Assan]] – of a species called the [[Imhotep]] – has nothing to do with anyone. When Paris tries to introduce himself, he is coldly brushed off. Irina warns Paris and Kim about him, telling them that he was a ruthless fighter pilot during the war and is not above using questionable tactics to win. Then Irina's co-pilot [[Joxom]] comes over to the three, and Irina introduces him to Paris and Kim.
   
Torres goes to the [[Astrometrics|astrometrics lab]] and finds [[Seven of Nine]] there as usual. What is not usual is that she is involved in ''Voyager''{{'}}s race preparation: she is analyzing the course to find ways to cut time. Torres, aware of Seven's usual attitude toward things of this sort, voices her surprise at her involvement. Seven responds that she believes her involvement would help her improve her relationship with Paris. She has learned that if she embraces some of his interests, supports him in his personal goals, they are able to function more efficiently as crewmates.
+
Torres goes to [[astrometrics]] and finds [[Seven of Nine]] there as usual. What is not usual is that she is involved in ''Voyager''{{'}}s race preparation: she is analyzing the course to find ways to cut time. Torres, aware of Seven's usual attitude toward things of this sort, voices her surprise at her involvement. Seven responds that she believes her involvement would help her improve her relationship with Paris. She has learned that if she embraces some of his interests, supports him in his personal goals, they are able to function more efficiently as crewmates.
 
[[File:Voyager-Starts-Antarian-Rally.jpg|thumb|left|''Voyager'' starts the race]]
 
[[File:Voyager-Starts-Antarian-Rally.jpg|thumb|left|''Voyager'' starts the race]]
This resonates well with Torres who appears to have an epiphany.
+
This resonates well with Torres, who appears to have an epiphany.
   
In the shuttle bay, Paris is in the ''Flyer'', wearing a pilot's uniform designed for the race. The starting time is at hand. He makes final preparations while he waits for Harry who is to be his copilot. He is surprised when the hatch opens and B'Elanna comes in, wearing the same uniform. She informs him that she is replacing Harry as his co-pilot; the race is important to him, and so she wants to help him with it. He is extremely pleased. They start the engines and leave the bay to join the other waiting racers at the starting point.
+
In the shuttlebay, Paris is in the ''Flyer II'', wearing a pilot's uniform designed for the race. The starting time is at hand. He makes final preparations while he waits for Harry who is to be his copilot. He is surprised when the hatch opens and Torres comes in, wearing the same uniform. She informs him that she is replacing Kim as his co-pilot; the race is important to him, and so she wants to help him with it. He is extremely pleased. They start the engines and leave the bay to join the other waiting racers at the starting point.
   
With the racers ready, on ''Voyager''{{'}}s [[bridge]], Ambassador O'Zaal asks Janeway to signal the start. At her command, Tuvok launches a low-yield [[photon torpedo]], which detonates a few hundred meters in front of the starting point. The race begins and the ships hare off.
+
With the racers ready, on ''Voyager''{{'}}s [[bridge]], Ambassador O'Zaal asks Janeway to signal the start. At her command, Tuvok launches a low-yield [[photon torpedo]], which detonates a few hundred meters in front of the starting point. The race begins and the ships hare off.
   
===Act Four===
+
===Act Three===
 
Neelix goes to astrometrics and asks Seven, who is monitoring the race, for an update. When she tells him, he complains that her delivery is very unexciting. He shows her how to do it, activating a ship-wide comm. With great gusto and excitement, he updates the crew on the positions of the racers. All over the ship, crewmembers pause in their duties to listen, their excitement evident. Seven, incapable of purveying such excitement, leaves the update announcements to Neelix. A smiling Janeway enters and joins them.
 
Neelix goes to the astrometrics lab and asks Seven, who is monitoring the race, for an update. When she tells him, he complains that her delivery is very unexciting. He shows her how to do it, activating a shipwide comm. With great gusto and excitement, he updates the crew on the positions of the racers. All over the ship, crew-members pause in their duties to listen, their excitement evident. Seven, incapable of purveying such excitement, leaves the update announcements to Neelix. A smiling Janeway enters and joins them.
 
 
[[File:Möbius Inversion.jpg|thumb|The Möbius Inversion]]
 
[[File:Möbius Inversion.jpg|thumb|The Möbius Inversion]]
Tom Paris' skills put the ''Flyer'' in third place, behind Irina who is second and Assan who is first. Torres is happily confident that they will soon take the lead, but Paris tempers her confidence because they are about to enter a phenomenon called the [[Mobius Inversion]], which is a small, tight [[wormhole]] with level-6 [[subspace distortion]]s and [[gravimetric shear]]. As they near it, Paris points it out to her; she gazes nervously at its swirling [[event horizon]].
+
Tom Paris' skills put the ''Flyer II'' in third place, behind Irina who is second and Assan who is first. Torres is happily confident that they will soon take the lead, but Paris tempers her confidence because they are about to enter a phenomenon called the [[Möbius Inversion]], which is a small, tight [[wormhole]] with level 6 [[subspace distortion]]s and [[gravimetric shear]]. As they near it, Paris points it out to her; she gazes nervously at its swirling [[event horizon]].
   
Off-duty crew-members trickle into Astrometrics to watch the progress of the race on the lab's huge [[viewscreen]], until the lab is quite crowded. Excitement is palpable. Janeway had been joined by Chakotay. Tuvok enters and gives Captain Janeway his weekly [[Security|security report]]. The Captain takes it, but tells him they will talk about it later, returning her attention to the race. Tuvok tries to press the matter, telling her that there are some things on it they should discuss, but Chakotay firmly reiterates what the Captain told him.
+
Off-duty crewmembers trickle into astrometrics to watch the progress of the race on the lab's huge [[viewscreen]], until the lab is quite crowded. Excitement is palpable. Janeway had been joined by Chakotay. Tuvok enters and gives Captain Janeway his weekly [[Security|security report]]. The captain takes it, but tells him they will talk about it later, returning her attention to the race. Tuvok tries to press the matter, telling her that there are some things on it they should discuss, but Chakotay firmly reiterates what the captain told him.
   
Then the ships disappear into the Mobius Inversion. Seven informs them that the phenomenon's radiation is blocking their [[sensor]]s. Thus, they have no idea who will emerge as leader on the other side; the phenomenon is certainly capable of altering positions. The uncertainty even catches Tuvok. When Janeway offers to talk about the report until the ships emerge, he asks, with permission, that it be deferred until later. Janeway smiles ironically.
+
Then the ships disappear into the Möbius Inversion. Seven informs them that the phenomenon's radiation is blocking their [[sensor]]s. Thus, they have no idea who will emerge as leader on the other side; the phenomenon is certainly capable of altering positions. The uncertainty even catches Tuvok. When Janeway offers to talk about the report until the ships emerge, he asks, with permission, that it be deferred until later. Janeway smiles ironically.
 
[[File:Voyager-Crew-Watches-Antarian-Rally.jpg|thumb|left|''Voyager'' officers and crew watch the race]]
 
[[File:Voyager-Crew-Watches-Antarian-Rally.jpg|thumb|left|''Voyager'' officers and crew watch the race]]
The racers dash through the Inversion. The ''Flyer'' is still coming in third place, but Paris brings it within striking distance of the first two. Torres gets an idea on how to pass them, but Paris insists that they wait because now is not the time. But, she doesn't listen and executes it, adjusting the engines and [[Deflector shield|shields]]. The ''Flyer'' surges ahead, 'scraping' the shields of Irina's and Assan's ships, knocking both vessels out of the way. Aboard ''Voyager'', in Astrometrics, the watching crew erupts in a great cheer as they see ''Flyer'' emerge first from the Inversion. Neelix announces the change shipwide; the rest of the crew joins in the cheering.
+
The racers dash through the Inversion. The ''Flyer II'' is still coming in third place, but Paris brings it within striking distance of the first two. Torres gets an idea on how to pass them, but Paris insists that they wait because now is not the time. But she doesn't listen and executes it, adjusting the engines and [[shields]]. The ''Flyer II'' surges ahead, 'scraping' the shields of Irina's and Assan's ships, knocking both vessels out of the way. Aboard ''Voyager'', in astrometrics, the watching crew erupts in a great cheer as they see ''Flyer II'' emerge first from the Inversion. Neelix announces the change ship-wide; the rest of the crew joins in the cheering.
   
On the ''Flyer'', however, Paris is very displeased that Torres did not listen to him. She protests that she saw the chance and took it, but he firmly insists that he will do the flying from now on because he is the pilot. Just then, an announcement comes in: there has been an accident. All racers are instructed to stop and hold their positions. Torres looks rather guilty, thinking that perhaps her action caused the accident. They find out that the accident happened to Irina's ship and that she is fine, even though Joxom, her co-pilot, suffered burns from an exploding console. He is treated in ''Voyager''{{'}}s sickbay, as Irina, Assan, Paris and Torres report on the accident to Janeway and O'Zaal in the briefing room. Irina angrily blames Assan's aggressive 'scraping' of her shields as the cause of the accident. Assan does not deny it but he also could not care less, responding that the only thing he is guilty of is coming up second place; something which he intends to rectify in the next leg. Torres admits that she may also have caused the accident by her 'scraping' of Irina and Assan, but Paris covers, saying that everyone was flying aggressively; "scraping" was inevitable in such a confined space. Irina quickly absolves them of responsibility.
+
On the ''Flyer II'', however, Paris is very displeased that Torres did not listen to him. She protests that she saw the chance and took it, but he firmly insists that he will do the flying from now on because he is the pilot. Just then, an announcement comes in: there has been an accident. All racers are instructed to stop and hold their positions. Torres looks rather guilty, thinking that perhaps her action caused the accident. They find out that the accident happened to Irina's ship and that she is fine, even though Joxom, her co-pilot, suffered burns from an exploding console. He is treated in ''Voyager''{{'}}s sickbay, as Irina, Assan, Paris, and Torres report on the accident to Janeway and O'Zaal in the briefing room. Irina angrily blames Assan's aggressive "scraping" of her shields as the cause of the accident. Assan does not deny it, but he also could not care less, responding that the only thing he is guilty of is coming up second place, something which he intends to rectify in the next leg. Torres admits that she may also have caused the accident by her "scraping" of Irina and Assan, but Paris covers, saying that everyone was flying aggressively; "scraping" was inevitable in such a confined space. Irina quickly absolves them of responsibility.
   
Tuvok enters. He has news that change the nature of the incident entirely: he has examined Irina's vessel and found evidence of tampering. A component was rigged to explode, thus making it obvious that this was no accident, but sabotage. This is very unpleasant news for O'Zaal who sees this as a possible terrorist action aimed at reviving hostilities and ending the peace.
+
Tuvok enters. He has news that change the nature of the incident entirely: he has examined Irina's vessel and found evidence of tampering. A component was rigged to explode, thus making it obvious that this was no accident, but sabotage. This is very unpleasant news for O'Zaal, who sees this as a possible terrorist action aimed at reviving hostilities and ending the peace.
   
===Act Five===
+
===Act Four===
Janeway, however, is not so alarmed, not believing that one act of sabotage could threaten the peace. But O'Zaal informs her that this was only one of a series of threats of violence that have been received. These threats come from those opposed to the peace, such as arms dealers, isolationists and political extremists. He sadly makes a decision to call off the race, stating that it is not worth risking lives and the peace over. Irina objects, stating that if he does that, then the opponents win; a view shared by Assan and the Starfleet officers. Seeing the consensus, O'Zaal, therefore, decides that the race will continue. However, since ''Voyager'' is neutral, he tells Captain Janeway, that he understands if she wants to withdraw. But Janeway says that she has no intention of taking the ''Flyer'' out of the race.
+
Janeway, however, is not so alarmed, not believing that one act of sabotage could threaten the peace. But O'Zaal informs her that this was only one of a series of threats of violence that have been received. These threats come from those opposed to the peace, such as arms dealers, isolationists and political extremists. He sadly makes a decision to call off the race, stating that it is not worth risking lives and the peace over. Irina objects, stating that if he does that, then the opponents win; a view shared by Assan and the Starfleet officers. Seeing the consensus, O'Zaal, therefore, decides that the race will continue. However, since ''Voyager'' is neutral, he tells Captain Janeway, that he understands if she wants to withdraw. But Janeway says that she has no intention of taking the ''Flyer II'' out of the race.
   
In the shuttle bay, Paris and Torres prep the ''Flyer''. Harry comes to see them. With Joxom injured, Janeway has allowed him to serve as Irina's copilot. The announcement for the racers to take their positions is heard, and Kim leaves to rejoin Irina. The ships fall into position and the race resumes.
+
In the shuttlebay, Paris and Torres prep the ''Flyer II''. Kim comes to see them. With Joxom injured, Janeway has allowed him to serve as Irina's copilot. The announcement for the racers to take their positions is heard, and Kim leaves to rejoin Irina. The ships fall into position and the race resumes.
   
On the ''Flyer'', Torres thinks heavily about Kim and Irina. Harry told them that he and Irina seem to be hitting it off quite well and really getting along, without even trying. This now has Torres considering herself and Paris and their complicated relationship in the light of her decision to break the relationship off because she believes that they do not belong together. She cannot help but mention the ease of how well Kim and Irina get along together to Tom, though she is unwilling at this time to discuss their own relationship. But Paris, on hearing her, immediately senses that she might mean something else. He asks her if she is talking about them, but she quickly ends the conversation, suggesting they concentrate on the race.
+
On the ''Flyer II'', Torres thinks heavily about Kim and Irina. Kim told them that he and Irina seem to be hitting it off quite well and really getting along, without even trying. This now has Torres considering herself and Paris and their complicated relationship in the light of her decision to break the relationship off because she believes that they do not belong together. She cannot help but mention the ease of how well Kim and Irina get along together to Paris, though she is unwilling at this time to discuss their own relationship. But Paris, on hearing her, immediately senses that she might mean something else. He asks her if she is talking about them, but she quickly ends the conversation, suggesting they concentrate on the race.
   
Irina and Kim begin to fall behind. Kim reads malfunctions in the [[EPS relay]]s even though he checked them thoroughly the night before. He suggests trying to reroute power through the [[impulse manifold]], but Irina insists that he do not, pushing him back in his seat. Harry, confused, asks her why he should not and she gives all manner of weak, nonsensical reasons.
+
Irina and Kim begin to fall behind. Kim reads malfunctions in the [[EPS relay]]s even though he checked them thoroughly the night before. He suggests trying to reroute power through the [[impulse manifold]], but Irina insists that he not do this, pushing him back in his seat. [[File:Irina-Holds-Gun-on-Kim.jpg|thumb|Irina holds Kim at gunpoint]] Kim, confused, asks her why he should not and she gives him all manner of weak, nonsensical reasons.
  +
[[File:Irina-Holds-Gun-on-Kim.jpg|thumb|Irina holds Kim at gunpoint]] Harry is even more confused now, wondering why she does she not want to win. He tells her that it appears that for every solution he comes up with, she finds a reason to reject it. Then his console beeps - the same one Joxom had been sitting at. It is an overload; the console is about to explode, but Kim manages to leap away before it does, escaping injury. He turns to Irina, commenting on the coincidence, pointing out that this is the second time this console has exploded.
+
Kim is even more confused now, wondering why she does not want to win. He tells her that it appears that for every solution he comes up with, she finds a reason to reject it. Then his console beeps - the same one Joxom had been sitting at. It is an overload; the console is about to explode, but Kim manages to leap away before it does, escaping injury. He turns to Irina, commenting on the coincidence, pointing out that this is the second time this console has exploded.
   
 
And finds her leveling a hand weapon at him.
 
And finds her leveling a hand weapon at him.
   
 
===Act Five===
Kim is shocked; why, he asks her, did she sabotage her own ship. She says nothing. He suddenly dashes to a button and hits it, causing the ship to shake a bit and throw Irina off-balance. Then he rushes her. A struggle ensues, which he wins, relieving her of the weapon. Holding her at bay with it, he tries to contact ''Voyager'' but fails. He decides to wait, keeping the weapon trained on her. He makes her check on the status of the ''Flyer''. It is still in the lead.
+
Kim is shocked; why, he asks her, did she sabotage her own ship. She says nothing. He suddenly dashes to a button and hits it, causing the ship to shake a bit and throw Irina off-balance. Then he rushes her. A struggle ensues, which he wins, relieving her of the weapon. Holding her at bay with it, he tries to contact ''Voyager'' but fails. He decides to wait, keeping the weapon trained on her. She asks Harry to check on how the race is going. Although a bit perplexed, Harry does so and confirms the ''Flyer II'' is still in the lead.
   
On the ''Flyer'', Paris again returns to the subject of his and B'Elanna's relationship, persisting despite her attempts to change the subject. Finally, she speaks up, saying that she thought that if they could do something together that really interested him, it would help their relationship. This surprises Paris who wasn't aware that it needed help.
+
On the ''Flyer II'', Paris again returns to the subject of his and Torres' relationship, persisting despite her attempts to change the subject. Finally, she speaks up, saying that she thought that if they could do something together that really interested him, it would help their relationship. This surprises Paris, who wasn't aware that it needed help.
This is part of the problem, she stresses. She finally tells him what she told Neelix earlier, namely that merely having a good time is not enough for her. To her great surprise, he cuts the engines.
 
   
 
This is part of the problem, she stresses. She finally tells him what she told Neelix earlier, namely that merely having a good time is not enough for her. To her great surprise, he cuts the engines.
Kim and Irina see the ''Flyer'' stop. Irina shows inordinate interest in how far they are from the finish line. This makes Kim very suspicious. He demands to know why she is so interested in this. Then he realizes that whomever she is with, planned an attack. He tells her that there are hundreds of innocent people there and how she could do that. Irina reveals herself to be one of the isolationists who oppose the peace. She and her group do not believe in the mixing of the species that the peace has brought; by destroying it, they hope to end this intermingling. Kim recalls that it was Irina who told them about the race and gave them the fuel converter so that they could participate. A flash in her eyes on his saying this reveals the plan: the converter is the bomb and she and her terrorist group intend to use the ''Flyer'' to deliver it upon crossing the finish line.
 
   
 
Kim and Irina see the ''Flyer II'' stop. Irina shows inordinate interest in how far they are from the finish line. This makes Kim very suspicious. He demands to know why she is so interested in this. Then he realizes that whomever she is with planned an attack. He tells her that there are hundreds of innocent people there and how she could do that. Irina reveals herself to be one of the isolationists who oppose the peace. She and her group do not believe in the mixing of the species that the peace has brought; by destroying it, they hope to end this intermingling. Kim recalls that it was Irina who told them about the race and gave them the fuel converter so that they could participate. A flash in her eyes on his saying this reveals the plan: the converter is the bomb and she and her terrorist group intend to use the ''Flyer II'' to deliver it upon crossing the finish line.
But, with the comm down, there is not way to warn Paris. Unless...
 
   
 
But, with the comm down, there is not way to warn Paris. Unless...
Harry gets an idea. Still with the weapon trained on Irina, he begins tapping a button on a console with his free hand.
 
  +
 
Kim gets an idea. With the weapon still trained on Irina, he begins tapping a button on a console with his free hand.
 
[[File:Paris-and-Torres-Discuss-Relationship.jpg|thumb|left|Paris and Torres discuss their relationship]]
 
[[File:Paris-and-Torres-Discuss-Relationship.jpg|thumb|left|Paris and Torres discuss their relationship]]
Assan speeds past the ''Flyer''. Torres agitatedly asks Paris why they have stopped. He looks at her, telling her that if they have a problem, they are going to resolve it, here and now. Frustrated, she tells him that she never wanted him to throw the race, to stop being himself. That does not matter, he insists, leaning close to her. The only self he wants to be is the man she loves. She is shocked, not knowing he felt this way. He responds that he never told her because he did not think she would appreciate the 'mushy stuff'. He sees that this assumption was not correct, He kisses her, whispers endearments... and prepares to pop a certain question.
+
Assan speeds past the ''Flyer II''. Torres agitatedly asks Paris why they have stopped. He looks at her, telling her that if they have a problem, they are going to resolve it, here and now. Frustrated, she tells him that she never wanted him to throw the race, knowing how much it meant to him however Paris insists that she means more to him than anything else. B'Elanna is shocked, not knowing he felt this way. He responds that he never told her because he did not think she would appreciate the "mushy stuff". He sees that this assumption was not correct, He kisses her, whispers endearments... and prepares to pop a certain question.
   
He is interrupted by beeping from the console. He checks it; it is a modulating pulse from Irina's ship, but the pattern of the beeps is familiar to him. He suddenly realizes that it is a [[Morse code]], which he taught Harry as part of their "[[Captain Proton]]" adventures. The message is a warning about the converter and that it must be ejected at once. Paris checks the converter that is leaking. Within a minute, the leak will [[warp core breach|breach the warp core]], causing a huge explosion. B'Elanna tries to eject the core, but discovers that the subroutines controlling that procedure have been tampered with. She quickly works to fix them, as Tom re-engages the engines and hurries the ''Flyer'' toward a nearby [[nebula]]. They reach the nebula and B'Elanna manages to get the ejection subroutines back on line and eject the core while Tom takes the ''Flyer'' far enough away from it.
+
He is interrupted by beeping from the console. He checks it; it is a modulating pulse from Irina's ship, but the pattern of the beeps is familiar to him. He suddenly realizes that it is a [[Morse code]], which he taught Kim as part of their "[[Captain Proton]]" adventures. The message is a warning about the converter and that it must be ejected at once. Paris checks the converter, which is leaking veridium isotopes. Within a minute, the leak will [[warp core breach|breach the warp core]], causing a huge explosion. Torres tries to eject the core, but discovers that the subroutines controlling that procedure have been tampered with. She quickly works to fix them, as Paris re-engages the engines and hurries the ''Flyer II'' toward a nearby [[nebula]]. They reach the nebula and Torres manages to get the ejection subroutines back online and eject the core while Paris takes the ''Flyer II'' far enough away from it.
 
[[File:Paris-Torres honeymoon.jpg|thumb|"Just Married"]]
 
[[File:Paris-Torres honeymoon.jpg|thumb|"Just Married"]]
He also finally asks her to marry him, which she accepts with joy and surprise. However, he cannot get the ''Flyer'' far enough and it is caught by the shockwave. On ''Voyager'', a disappointed Janeway and crew witness Assan passing the finish line first, winning the race. Then the shockwave from the explosion rocks the ship, and Janeway orders a report from the [[bridge]]. Tuvok informs her of an [[antimatter]] explosion. The ''Flyer'', scorched from the explosion, hangs dead in space. But aside from the burns, it is undamaged. Paris again proposes and Torres again accepts.
+
He also finally asks her to marry him, which she accepts with joy and surprise. However, he cannot get the ''Flyer II'' far enough and it is caught by the [[shock wave]]. On ''Voyager'', a disappointed Janeway and crew witness Assan passing the finish line first, winning the race. Then the shock wave from the explosion rocks the ship, and Janeway orders a report from the [[bridge]]. Tuvok informs her of an [[antimatter]] explosion. The ''Flyer II'', scorched from the explosion, hangs dead in space. But aside from the burns, it is undamaged. Paris again proposes and Torres again accepts.
   
Later on, the repaired ''Flyer'' is seen cruising leisurely while Paris and Torres are again aboard, this time sipping [[champagne]]. A ring is on her finger. The ''Flyer'' is seen trailing lines of storage containers, tied together, and a sign reading "Just Married" painted on the [[stern]].
+
Afterwards, ''Voyager''<nowiki/><nowiki>'s crew are invited to join in a post-race celebration. Meanwhile the repaired </nowiki>''Flyer II'' cruises leisurely while Paris and Torres are aboard finally enjoying their delayed vacation, sipping [[champagne]] and discussing if B'Elanna will take Tom's name... or possibly Tom could take B'Elanna's. A ring is on her finger. The ''Flyer'' trails lines of storage containers, tied together, with sign reading "Just Married" painted on the [[stern]].
   
== Log Entries ==
+
== Log entries ==
 
*''Captain's log, stardate 54058.6. Our request to enter the Delta Flyer into the rally has been accepted. I'm meeting with the race coordinator, Ambassador O'Zaal, to work out the details. ''
 
*''Captain's log, stardate 54058.6. Our request to enter the Delta Flyer into the rally has been accepted. I'm meeting with the race coordinator, Ambassador O'Zaal, to work out the details. ''
   
Line 128: Line 128:
   
 
== Memorable Quotes ==
 
== Memorable Quotes ==
 
 
"''Keep a lock on my bio-signs, will ya' doc."''<br />
 
"''Keep a lock on my bio-signs, will ya' doc."''<br />
 
"''What for?''"<br />
 
"''What for?''"<br />
"''Because, in about five minutes, there's going to be a medical emergency in Engineering.''"<br />
+
"''Because, in about five minutes, there's going to be a medical emergency in engineering.''"<br />
: - '''Tom Paris''' and '''The Doctor''' talking about meeting '''B'Elanna'''.
+
: - '''Tom Paris''' and '''The Doctor''' talking about meeting B'Elanna Torres
   
   
Line 139: Line 138:
   
   
"''No, no, actually, I was gonna congratulate you. I mean, she's not a Borg, she's not--a hologram, and she's not dead? Looks like you might have finally found yourself the perfect woman!''"
+
"''No, no, actually, I was gonna congratulate you. I mean, she's not a Borg, she's not &ndash; a hologram, and she's not dead? Looks like you might have finally found yourself the perfect woman!''"
: - '''Tom Paris''', commenting on Harry Kim's latest crush.
+
: - '''Tom Paris''', commenting on Harry Kim's latest crush
   
   
 
"''I can't get the ejection subroutines on line.''"<br />
 
"''I can't get the ejection subroutines on line.''"<br />
[Computer voice] "''Warp core breach in 20 seconds.''"<br />
+
[Computer voice] "''Warp core breach in twenty seconds.''"<br />
 
"''So what's your answer?''"<br />
 
"''So what's your answer?''"<br />
 
"''My answer?''"<br />
 
"''My answer?''"<br />
 
"''Will you marry me?''"<br />
 
"''Will you marry me?''"<br />
[Computer voice] "''Warp core breach in 15 seconds.''"<br />
+
[Computer voice] "''Warp core breach in fifteen seconds.''"<br />
 
"''You're proposing now?''"<br />
 
"''You're proposing now?''"<br />
 
"''It's as good a time as any.''"<br />
 
"''It's as good a time as any.''"<br />
 
: - '''B'Elanna Torres''' and '''Tom Paris'''
 
: - '''B'Elanna Torres''' and '''Tom Paris'''
   
  +
"Damn."
+
"''Damn.''"
:- '''Kathryn Janeway''' after Assan crosses the finish line first.
+
:- '''Kathryn Janeway''' after Assan crosses the finish line first
  +
   
 
"''"B'Elanna Paris". That has a nice ring to it.''"<br />
 
"''"B'Elanna Paris". That has a nice ring to it.''"<br />
Line 163: Line 164:
   
 
== Background Information ==
 
== Background Information ==
  +
* Filming for this episode began on {{d|14|July|2000}} {{brokenlink|http://www.startrek.com/production/voyager7/articles/071300.html}} and finished on {{d|24|July|2000}} {{brokenlink|http://www.startrek.com/production/voyager7/articles/072100.html}}.
* Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres are married at the end of the episode. This marriage should not be confused with the marriage that took place in {{e|Course: Oblivion}}, where the [[Biomimetic lifeform|biomimetic]] copies of Paris and Torres are the ones to actually get married.
+
* Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres are married at the end of the episode. This marriage should not be confused with the marriage that took place in {{e|Course: Oblivion}}, in which the [[Biomimetic lifeform|biomimetic]] copies of Paris and Torres are the ones who actually got married.
* [[Cyia Batten]], [[Brian George]] and [[Patrick Kilpatrick]] have all appeared on ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. They played [[Tora Ziyal]], [[Richard Bashir]] and [[Reese (AR-558)|Reese]] respectively.
+
* [[Cyia Batten]], [[Brian George]], and [[Patrick Kilpatrick]] have all appeared on ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. They played [[Tora Ziyal]], [[Richard Bashir]], and [[Reese (AR-558)|Reese]], respectively.
* One of the ships seen was a re-use of the [[Coaxial warp ship]] seen in {{e|Vis à Vis}}. This design was seen again in the season six episode {{e|The Voyager Conspiracy}} and the season seven episodes {{e|Workforce}} & {{e|Workforce, Part II}}.
+
* One of the ships seen was a re-use of the [[coaxial warp ship]] seen in {{e|Vis à Vis}}. This design was seen again in the season six episode {{e|The Voyager Conspiracy}} and the season seven episodes {{e|Workforce}} and {{e|Workforce, Part II}}.
*This was the second marriage on Star Trek between main characters. The first was between [[Worf]] and [[Jadzia Dax]]. Worf and B'Elanna are also both the only main characters who are also Klingons. The marriage between [[Miles O'Brien]] and [[Keiko O'Brien|Keiko]] occurred on [[TNG]] when O'Brien was not yet a main character. [[Odo]] and [[Lwaxana Troi]] were also married during {{e|The Muse}}.
+
*This was the second marriage on ''Star Trek'' between main characters. The first was between [[Worf]] and [[Jadzia Dax]]. Worf and Torres are also both the only main characters who are also Klingons. The marriage between [[Miles O'Brien]] and [[Keiko O'Brien|Keiko]] occurred on [[TNG]] when O'Brien was not yet a main character. [[Odo]] and [[Lwaxana Troi]] were also married during {{e|The Muse}}. [[Deanna Troi]] and [[William T. Riker]] were later married in {{film|10}}.
   
 
=== Video and DVD releases ===
 
=== Video and DVD releases ===
*UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 7.2, <!--catalogue number x, -->{{d|7|May|2001}}.
+
*UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 7.2, <!--catalog number x, -->{{d|7|May|2001}}
*As part of the [[VOY Season 7 DVD]] collection.
+
*As part of the [[VOY Season 7 DVD]] collection
   
 
== Links and references ==
 
== Links and references ==
=== Guest Stars ===
+
=== Starring ===
  +
* [[Kate Mulgrew]] as [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway]]
  +
  +
=== Also starring ===
  +
* [[Robert Beltran]] as [[Commander]] [[Chakotay]]
  +
* [[Roxann Dawson]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[B'Elanna Torres]]
  +
* [[Robert Duncan McNeill]] as [[Lieutenant Junior Grade]] [[Tom Paris]]
  +
* [[Ethan Phillips]] as [[Neelix]]
  +
* [[Robert Picardo]] as [[The Doctor]]
  +
* [[Tim Russ]] as [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Tuvok]]
  +
* [[Jeri Ryan]] as [[Seven of Nine]]
  +
* [[Garrett Wang]] as [[Ensign]] [[Harry Kim]]
  +
  +
=== Guest stars ===
 
* [[Cyia Batten]] as [[Irina]]
 
* [[Cyia Batten]] as [[Irina]]
 
* [[Brian George]] as [[O'Zaal]]
 
* [[Brian George]] as [[O'Zaal]]
 
* [[Patrick Kilpatrick]] as [[Assan]]
 
* [[Patrick Kilpatrick]] as [[Assan]]
   
=== Co-Stars ===
+
=== Co-stars ===
 
* [[Robert Tyler]] as [[Joxom]]
 
* [[Robert Tyler]] as [[Joxom]]
* [[Chris Covics]] as [[Unnamed Antarians#Assistant|Assistant]]
+
* [[Chris Covics]] as an [[Unnamed Antarians#Assistant|Assistant]]
* [[Majel Barrett]] as [[Computer Voice]]
+
* [[Majel Barrett]] as the [[Computer Voice]]
   
=== Uncredited Co-Stars ===
+
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
*[[Steve Chvany]] as [[Unnamed Imhotep#Assan's Copilot|Assan's Co-Pilot]]
 
*[[Steve Chvany]] as [[Unnamed Imhotep#Assan's Copilot|Assan's Co-Pilot]]
 
*[[Tarik Ergin]] as [[Ayala]]
 
*[[Tarik Ergin]] as [[Ayala]]
  +
*[[Carter Edwards]] as [[Unnamed USS Voyager command division personnel#Command division officer in mess hall (2378)|command division officer]]
 
*[[Chris Evans (actor)|Chris Evans]]
 
*[[Chris Evans (actor)|Chris Evans]]
  +
*[[Sue Henley]] as [[Ensign]] [[Brooks (Ensign)|Brooks]]
 
*[[Kerry Hoyt]] as [[Fitzpatrick (Crewman)|Fitzpatrick]]
 
*[[Kerry Hoyt]] as [[Fitzpatrick (Crewman)|Fitzpatrick]]
 
*[[Richard Sarstedt]] as [[William McKenzie]]
 
*[[Richard Sarstedt]] as [[William McKenzie]]
* [[Star (actress)|Star]] as [[Unnamed Imhotep#Female civilian|female Imhotep]]
+
*[[Linnea Soohoo]] as a [[Unnamed USS Voyager sciences division personnel#Female science officer (2378)|science division officer]]
  +
*[[Keith Rayve]] as a [[Unnamed USS Voyager command division personnel#Human officer|command division officer]]
*[[Unknown actress]] as [[Unnamed_USS_Voyager_personnel#Female_ensign|Unnamed ensign]]
 
  +
*[[Star (actress)|Star]] as a [[Unnamed Imhotep#Female civilian|female Imhotep]]
  +
*[[Unknown actress]] as an [[Unnamed USS Voyager command division personnel#Female ensign|unnamed ensign]]
   
 
=== References ===
 
=== References ===
[[Aksani]]; [[Aksani vessel]]; [[Antarian]]; [[Antarian Trans-stellar Rally]]; [[asteroid field]]; [[beach (formation)|beach]]; [[Captain Proton]]; [[Chessu]]; [[Chessu ship]]; [[class J nebula]]; [[class K anomaly]]; [[comet]]; [[Darla system]]; [[deflector]]; [[deuterium]]; [[driver coil]]; [[dwarf star cluster]]; ''[[Delta Flyer II]]''; [[EPS relay]]; [[exhaust port]]; [[fuel converter]]; [[gas giant]]; [[Gedi Prime]]; [[golf]]; [[gravimetric shear]]; [[holodeck]]; [[hyper spanner]]; [[Imhotep]]; [[Imhotep ship]]; [[impulse manifold]]; [[impulse thruster]]; [[injector port]]; [[Irina's ship]]; [[Möbius Inversion]]; ''[[mok'tah]]''; [[mood reef]]; [[Morse code]]; [[nyocene gas]]; [[parsec]]; [[phase inverter]]; [[photonic interference]]; [[power transformer]]; [[pulsar]]; [[reactor coil]]; [[red giant]]; [[Risa]]; [[Saint Andrews]]; [[scraping]]; [[shield generator]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[subspace distortion]]; [[Terrellian (Delta Quadrant)|Terrellian]]; [[Terrellian ship]]; [[terrorism]]; [[veridium]]; [[veridium injector]]; [[warp core]]; [[warp core breach]]; [[warp plasma]]; [[waterfall]]
+
[[Aksani]]; [[Aksani vessel]]; [[Alpha Quadrant]]; [[Antarian]]; [[Antarian Trans-stellar Rally]]; [[asteroid field]]; [[beach (formation)|beach]]; [[Captain Proton]]; [[Chessu]]; [[Chessu ship]]; [[class J nebula]]; [[comet]]; [[Darla system]]; [[deflector]]; [[deuterium]]; [[driver coil]]; [[dwarf star cluster]]; ''[[Delta Flyer II]]''; [[EPS relay]]; [[exhaust port]]; [[Federation]]; [[fighter pilot]]; [[fuel converter]]; [[gas giant]]; [[Gedi Prime]]; [[golf]]; [[gravimetric shear]]; [[holodeck]]; [[hyper spanner]]; [[Imhotep]]; [[Imhotep ship]]; [[impulse manifold]]; [[impulse thruster]]; [[injector port]]; [[Irina's ship]]; [[K class anomaly]]; [[kilometer]]; [[Klingon]]; [[L'Naan]]; [[meter]]; [[Möbius Inversion]]; ''[[mok'tah]]''; [[mood reef]]; [[Morse code]]; [[nyocene gas]]; [[parsec]]; [[phase inverter]]; [[photonic interference]]; [[power transformer]]; [[pulsar]]; [[reactor coil]]; [[red giant]]; [[Risa]]; [[Saint Andrews]]; [[scraping]]; [[shield generator]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[subspace distortion]]; [[Terrellian (Delta Quadrant)|Terrellian]]; [[Terrellian ship]]; [[terrorism]]; [[veridium]]; [[veridium injector]]; [[warp core]]; [[warp core breach]]; [[warp plasma]]; [[waterfall]]
   
 
{{VOY nav|season=7|last={{e|Imperfection}}|next={{e|Repression}}}}
 
{{VOY nav|season=7|last={{e|Imperfection}}|next={{e|Repression}}}}
 
   
   
 
[[de:Das Rennen]]
 
[[de:Das Rennen]]
 
[[es:Drive]]
 
[[es:Drive]]
[[fr:Drive]]
+
[[fr:Drive (épisode)]]
 
[[nl:Drive]]
 
[[nl:Drive]]
 
[[Category:VOY episodes]]
 
[[Category:VOY episodes]]

Revision as of 17:26, 27 July 2015

Template:Realworld

Tom Paris enters the new Delta Flyer in an interstellar starship race.

Summary

Teaser

File:Paris-and-Kim-Test-Delta-Flyer-II.jpg

Paris and Kim test the Delta Flyer II

Lieutenant Tom Paris and Ensign Harry Kim are in the newly-completed Delta Flyer II. Paris is piloting with great speed and extreme maneuvering, coursing madly through an asteroid field. Kim nervously complains, but a grinning Paris insists that the shuttle's capabilities must be tested fully.

A ship comes up off starboard. It pulls up alongside and begins to scan them. Paris hails and politely asks the pilot for identification. A female voice answers, but instead of identifying herself, the speaker compliments Paris on the Flyer II in a manner that pleases him greatly. She invites him to race her to a comet on the other side of the asteroid field. Kim is horrified; surely he will not accept? However, Paris insists that this will be a great test for the Flyer. The vessel hares off and Paris immediately follows.

Act One

The other vessel proves even more maneuverable than the Flyer II. Paris begins to lag, but his pilot's ego refuses to accept defeat so easily and he pursues her avidly. Kim, despite his trepidation, wants to see the Flyer II win, now that they are actually racing the other ship. Much to Paris' delight, he really gets into it and suggests using the new impulse thrusters. A pair of six-nozzle impulse thrusters fold out from the Flyer II's stern and glow to life. The ship surges forward and passes the other vessel. Now both officers grin.

Irina

Irina the Terrellian

But then the other vessel's starboard nacelle catches fire. Paris immediately has the computer beam the pilot aboard. An alien woman materializes. Her name is Irina. Her species is called the Terrellians. They offer to take her back to USS Voyager and she gladly accepts.

In sickbay, a pleading Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres tries to get The Doctor to part with his scheduled holodeck time ration. She has successfully bartered with other crew-members for theirs, accumulating almost enough time to span a weekend that she wants to spend with Paris and she needs The Doctor's holodeck time to have enough hours. However, The Doctor is resolute, telling her that ordinarily he would happily oblige, but that he has been looking forward to his scheduled time on the holodeck so that he could take up a sport long favored by Earth MDs for centuries: golf. However, Torres doesn't give up, manipulating The Doctor to let her have his time, with a sad, disappointed look that she knows will get to him. Fortunately, it works and The Doctor relents.

On their return to Voyager, Ensign Kim helps Irina make repairs to her vessel. They talk about its capabilities and where she is from. Paris comes and joins the conversation. He comments that her warp drive is rather weak. She responds somewhat disdainfully that warp drive is for straight lines, not for the kind of piloting she likes. Paris, with a smile, says he totally understands. When Irina mentions the upcoming race she was practicing for, this instantly seizes Paris and Kim's attention and they can't wait to find out more.

Antarian Trans-stellar Rally Course Map

The Antarian Rally course

At a meeting with Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay, and Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, Paris and Kim mention the race Irina was talking about. It is called the Antarian Trans-stellar Rally, which covers two billion kilometers. Paris and Kim express their desire to enter the Flyer II into this race. They argue that it would be the ultimate test of ship design and piloting skills. Tuvok, as one would expect, sees no purpose in it and points out the drain on the ship's resources such an undergoing would cause. Chakotay points out that even if they were to enter, the fuel requirements of the race are incompatible with that of the Flyer II. However, Paris and Kim press their case further, arguing that this is about more than just skill and victory, and that participating in it would be a chance to bolster interstellar diplomacy and make new friends; something they could never have too many of, being alone in the quadrant. The race is an attempt to commemorate and bolster the fragile peace that came after a century-long war between the species that inhabit this area. Everything this race stands for, Paris and Kim argue, are Starfleet ideals that Voyager should be supporting. As for the fuel, Irina has agreed to lend them a converter.

To the great surprise of Paris, Kim, and Tuvok, Captain Janeway not only approves, but also shows enthusiasm for the idea as a good break and an opportunity for some much deserved R&R for the crew. But, she warns them, grinning as they hurry to prepare, that now that they are in it, they are representing Starfleet and the Federation and should win and make everyone proud. The two elated officers assure her that they will be successfully coming out of this.

Paris, on his way to main engineering, stops by sickbay to inform The Doctor about this news. He finds him practicing golf putts using a beaker in place of a hole. Before he can say anything, however, The Doctor tells him that he has already approved his time off. This surprises Paris and he wonders if The Doctor already knew about the race, but The Doctor does not know of anything and just tells him that he was referring to his romantic getaway with Lt. Torres. Paris is thunderstruck because he had completely forgotten about that. He warns him to expect an emergency call from engineering, anticipating Torres' fiery temper after he tells her that he won't be able to make their date.

Arriving in engineering, he approaches Torres quietly. She is elated that he has come early, but then he despondently informs her about the race and that he committed himself to it, and can, therefore, not join her for their planned weekend together. She takes the news quietly, even though it is clear that she is quite disappointed. He remorsefully tells her how sorry he is and offers to cancel his participation in the race, but she insists that it is okay and that he should go ahead with it. Thankful, Paris leaves as she soberly watches him go.

Act Two

Torres-Considers-Breakup

Torres decides to break up with Paris

Later, Torres sits alone and forlorn at a table in the mess hall. Neelix, the chef and morale officer, approaches her and tries to cheer her up, but fails. She tells him about Paris. The Talaxian is very surprised that he forgot, considering all the efforts she made to get all those extra hours on the holodeck. He wonders why she is not talking to him about it, but she responds that he should be allowed to do what makes him happy. However, she concludes, this has made her finally see that she and Paris do not belong together. She loves him, but perhaps that is not enough. They have had much fun together, and that seems enough for him but, unfortunately, it is not enough for her. After the race, she will end their relationship.

Captain Janeway and Chakotay hold a meeting with the Antarian Ambassador, O'Zaal, in Captain Janeway's ready room. He has a very serious problem, illustrated by a message he gets during the meeting: one of the species in the race – the Aksani – wants to host the post-race ceremony, and will break the peace if refused. But it has already been agreed that another species, the Chessu, would host it. This, he tells Janeway sadly, is his problem; the peace is quite fragile, and every decision he makes regarding the race is seen as symbolic. If he makes a concession to one species, another is offended. Janeway offers a solution: Voyager is neutral territory. Nobody could object to any of the ceremonies being held on the ship, so she suggests holding all ceremonies aboard Voyager. Relieved, O'Zaal gratefully accepts.

The opening ceremony is held in the mess hall. Pilots mix and mingle while refreshments are served. Not all are interested in mixing, however. One particular individual, Assan – of a species called the Imhotep – has nothing to do with anyone. When Paris tries to introduce himself, he is coldly brushed off. Irina warns Paris and Kim about him, telling them that he was a ruthless fighter pilot during the war and is not above using questionable tactics to win. Then Irina's co-pilot Joxom comes over to the three, and Irina introduces him to Paris and Kim.

Torres goes to astrometrics and finds Seven of Nine there as usual. What is not usual is that she is involved in Voyager's race preparation: she is analyzing the course to find ways to cut time. Torres, aware of Seven's usual attitude toward things of this sort, voices her surprise at her involvement. Seven responds that she believes her involvement would help her improve her relationship with Paris. She has learned that if she embraces some of his interests, supports him in his personal goals, they are able to function more efficiently as crewmates.

File:Voyager-Starts-Antarian-Rally.jpg

Voyager starts the race

This resonates well with Torres, who appears to have an epiphany.

In the shuttlebay, Paris is in the Flyer II, wearing a pilot's uniform designed for the race. The starting time is at hand. He makes final preparations while he waits for Harry who is to be his copilot. He is surprised when the hatch opens and Torres comes in, wearing the same uniform. She informs him that she is replacing Kim as his co-pilot; the race is important to him, and so she wants to help him with it. He is extremely pleased. They start the engines and leave the bay to join the other waiting racers at the starting point.

With the racers ready, on Voyager's bridge, Ambassador O'Zaal asks Janeway to signal the start. At her command, Tuvok launches a low-yield photon torpedo, which detonates a few hundred meters in front of the starting point. The race begins and the ships hare off.

Act Three

Neelix goes to astrometrics and asks Seven, who is monitoring the race, for an update. When she tells him, he complains that her delivery is very unexciting. He shows her how to do it, activating a ship-wide comm. With great gusto and excitement, he updates the crew on the positions of the racers. All over the ship, crewmembers pause in their duties to listen, their excitement evident. Seven, incapable of purveying such excitement, leaves the update announcements to Neelix. A smiling Janeway enters and joins them.

Möbius Inversion

The Möbius Inversion

Tom Paris' skills put the Flyer II in third place, behind Irina who is second and Assan who is first. Torres is happily confident that they will soon take the lead, but Paris tempers her confidence because they are about to enter a phenomenon called the Möbius Inversion, which is a small, tight wormhole with level 6 subspace distortions and gravimetric shear. As they near it, Paris points it out to her; she gazes nervously at its swirling event horizon.

Off-duty crewmembers trickle into astrometrics to watch the progress of the race on the lab's huge viewscreen, until the lab is quite crowded. Excitement is palpable. Janeway had been joined by Chakotay. Tuvok enters and gives Captain Janeway his weekly security report. The captain takes it, but tells him they will talk about it later, returning her attention to the race. Tuvok tries to press the matter, telling her that there are some things on it they should discuss, but Chakotay firmly reiterates what the captain told him.

Then the ships disappear into the Möbius Inversion. Seven informs them that the phenomenon's radiation is blocking their sensors. Thus, they have no idea who will emerge as leader on the other side; the phenomenon is certainly capable of altering positions. The uncertainty even catches Tuvok. When Janeway offers to talk about the report until the ships emerge, he asks, with permission, that it be deferred until later. Janeway smiles ironically.

File:Voyager-Crew-Watches-Antarian-Rally.jpg

Voyager officers and crew watch the race

The racers dash through the Inversion. The Flyer II is still coming in third place, but Paris brings it within striking distance of the first two. Torres gets an idea on how to pass them, but Paris insists that they wait because now is not the time. But she doesn't listen and executes it, adjusting the engines and shields. The Flyer II surges ahead, 'scraping' the shields of Irina's and Assan's ships, knocking both vessels out of the way. Aboard Voyager, in astrometrics, the watching crew erupts in a great cheer as they see Flyer II emerge first from the Inversion. Neelix announces the change ship-wide; the rest of the crew joins in the cheering.

On the Flyer II, however, Paris is very displeased that Torres did not listen to him. She protests that she saw the chance and took it, but he firmly insists that he will do the flying from now on because he is the pilot. Just then, an announcement comes in: there has been an accident. All racers are instructed to stop and hold their positions. Torres looks rather guilty, thinking that perhaps her action caused the accident. They find out that the accident happened to Irina's ship and that she is fine, even though Joxom, her co-pilot, suffered burns from an exploding console. He is treated in Voyager's sickbay, as Irina, Assan, Paris, and Torres report on the accident to Janeway and O'Zaal in the briefing room. Irina angrily blames Assan's aggressive "scraping" of her shields as the cause of the accident. Assan does not deny it, but he also could not care less, responding that the only thing he is guilty of is coming up second place, something which he intends to rectify in the next leg. Torres admits that she may also have caused the accident by her "scraping" of Irina and Assan, but Paris covers, saying that everyone was flying aggressively; "scraping" was inevitable in such a confined space. Irina quickly absolves them of responsibility.

Tuvok enters. He has news that change the nature of the incident entirely: he has examined Irina's vessel and found evidence of tampering. A component was rigged to explode, thus making it obvious that this was no accident, but sabotage. This is very unpleasant news for O'Zaal, who sees this as a possible terrorist action aimed at reviving hostilities and ending the peace.

Act Four

Janeway, however, is not so alarmed, not believing that one act of sabotage could threaten the peace. But O'Zaal informs her that this was only one of a series of threats of violence that have been received. These threats come from those opposed to the peace, such as arms dealers, isolationists and political extremists. He sadly makes a decision to call off the race, stating that it is not worth risking lives and the peace over. Irina objects, stating that if he does that, then the opponents win; a view shared by Assan and the Starfleet officers. Seeing the consensus, O'Zaal, therefore, decides that the race will continue. However, since Voyager is neutral, he tells Captain Janeway, that he understands if she wants to withdraw. But Janeway says that she has no intention of taking the Flyer II out of the race.

In the shuttlebay, Paris and Torres prep the Flyer II. Kim comes to see them. With Joxom injured, Janeway has allowed him to serve as Irina's copilot. The announcement for the racers to take their positions is heard, and Kim leaves to rejoin Irina. The ships fall into position and the race resumes.

On the Flyer II, Torres thinks heavily about Kim and Irina. Kim told them that he and Irina seem to be hitting it off quite well and really getting along, without even trying. This now has Torres considering herself and Paris and their complicated relationship in the light of her decision to break the relationship off because she believes that they do not belong together. She cannot help but mention the ease of how well Kim and Irina get along together to Paris, though she is unwilling at this time to discuss their own relationship. But Paris, on hearing her, immediately senses that she might mean something else. He asks her if she is talking about them, but she quickly ends the conversation, suggesting they concentrate on the race.

Irina and Kim begin to fall behind. Kim reads malfunctions in the EPS relays even though he checked them thoroughly the night before. He suggests trying to reroute power through the impulse manifold, but Irina insists that he not do this, pushing him back in his seat.

File:Irina-Holds-Gun-on-Kim.jpg

Irina holds Kim at gunpoint

Kim, confused, asks her why he should not and she gives him all manner of weak, nonsensical reasons.

Kim is even more confused now, wondering why she does not want to win. He tells her that it appears that for every solution he comes up with, she finds a reason to reject it. Then his console beeps - the same one Joxom had been sitting at. It is an overload; the console is about to explode, but Kim manages to leap away before it does, escaping injury. He turns to Irina, commenting on the coincidence, pointing out that this is the second time this console has exploded.

And finds her leveling a hand weapon at him.

Act Five

Kim is shocked; why, he asks her, did she sabotage her own ship. She says nothing. He suddenly dashes to a button and hits it, causing the ship to shake a bit and throw Irina off-balance. Then he rushes her. A struggle ensues, which he wins, relieving her of the weapon. Holding her at bay with it, he tries to contact Voyager but fails. He decides to wait, keeping the weapon trained on her. She asks Harry to check on how the race is going. Although a bit perplexed, Harry does so and confirms the Flyer II is still in the lead.

On the Flyer II, Paris again returns to the subject of his and Torres' relationship, persisting despite her attempts to change the subject. Finally, she speaks up, saying that she thought that if they could do something together that really interested him, it would help their relationship. This surprises Paris, who wasn't aware that it needed help.

This is part of the problem, she stresses. She finally tells him what she told Neelix earlier, namely that merely having a good time is not enough for her. To her great surprise, he cuts the engines.

Kim and Irina see the Flyer II stop. Irina shows inordinate interest in how far they are from the finish line. This makes Kim very suspicious. He demands to know why she is so interested in this. Then he realizes that whomever she is with planned an attack. He tells her that there are hundreds of innocent people there and how she could do that. Irina reveals herself to be one of the isolationists who oppose the peace. She and her group do not believe in the mixing of the species that the peace has brought; by destroying it, they hope to end this intermingling. Kim recalls that it was Irina who told them about the race and gave them the fuel converter so that they could participate. A flash in her eyes on his saying this reveals the plan: the converter is the bomb and she and her terrorist group intend to use the Flyer II to deliver it upon crossing the finish line.

But, with the comm down, there is not way to warn Paris. Unless...

Kim gets an idea. With the weapon still trained on Irina, he begins tapping a button on a console with his free hand.

Paris-and-Torres-Discuss-Relationship

Paris and Torres discuss their relationship

Assan speeds past the Flyer II. Torres agitatedly asks Paris why they have stopped. He looks at her, telling her that if they have a problem, they are going to resolve it, here and now. Frustrated, she tells him that she never wanted him to throw the race, knowing how much it meant to him however Paris insists that she means more to him than anything else. B'Elanna is shocked, not knowing he felt this way. He responds that he never told her because he did not think she would appreciate the "mushy stuff". He sees that this assumption was not correct, He kisses her, whispers endearments... and prepares to pop a certain question.

He is interrupted by beeping from the console. He checks it; it is a modulating pulse from Irina's ship, but the pattern of the beeps is familiar to him. He suddenly realizes that it is a Morse code, which he taught Kim as part of their "Captain Proton" adventures. The message is a warning about the converter and that it must be ejected at once. Paris checks the converter, which is leaking veridium isotopes. Within a minute, the leak will breach the warp core, causing a huge explosion. Torres tries to eject the core, but discovers that the subroutines controlling that procedure have been tampered with. She quickly works to fix them, as Paris re-engages the engines and hurries the Flyer II toward a nearby nebula. They reach the nebula and Torres manages to get the ejection subroutines back online and eject the core while Paris takes the Flyer II far enough away from it.

Paris-Torres honeymoon

"Just Married"

He also finally asks her to marry him, which she accepts with joy and surprise. However, he cannot get the Flyer II far enough and it is caught by the shock wave. On Voyager, a disappointed Janeway and crew witness Assan passing the finish line first, winning the race. Then the shock wave from the explosion rocks the ship, and Janeway orders a report from the bridge. Tuvok informs her of an antimatter explosion. The Flyer II, scorched from the explosion, hangs dead in space. But aside from the burns, it is undamaged. Paris again proposes and Torres again accepts.

Afterwards, Voyager's crew are invited to join in a post-race celebration. Meanwhile the repaired Flyer II cruises leisurely while Paris and Torres are aboard finally enjoying their delayed vacation, sipping champagne and discussing if B'Elanna will take Tom's name... or possibly Tom could take B'Elanna's. A ring is on her finger. The Flyer trails lines of storage containers, tied together, with sign reading "Just Married" painted on the stern.

Log entries

  • Captain's log, stardate 54058.6. Our request to enter the Delta Flyer into the rally has been accepted. I'm meeting with the race coordinator, Ambassador O'Zaal, to work out the details.
  • Captain's log, supplemental. The Antarians have invited us to participate in the post-race festivities. Which has allowed me to give two of my senior officers time off for a well-deserved romantic getaway. The Delta Flyer still needs a new warp core, but I don't think they're in a hurry to get anywhere.

Memorable Quotes

"Keep a lock on my bio-signs, will ya' doc."
"What for?"
"Because, in about five minutes, there's going to be a medical emergency in engineering."

- Tom Paris and The Doctor talking about meeting B'Elanna Torres


"Say Qapla'!"

- B'Elanna Torres, upon taking a holo-image of Tom Paris


"No, no, actually, I was gonna congratulate you. I mean, she's not a Borg, she's not – a hologram, and she's not dead? Looks like you might have finally found yourself the perfect woman!"

- Tom Paris, commenting on Harry Kim's latest crush


"I can't get the ejection subroutines on line."
[Computer voice] "Warp core breach in twenty seconds."
"So what's your answer?"
"My answer?"
"Will you marry me?"
[Computer voice] "Warp core breach in fifteen seconds."
"You're proposing now?"
"It's as good a time as any."

- B'Elanna Torres and Tom Paris


"Damn."

- Kathryn Janeway after Assan crosses the finish line first


""B'Elanna Paris". That has a nice ring to it."
"Thanks, but I already have a ring. Anyway, I kind of like the sound of 'Tom Torres'."
"I hope you're kidding."
"Hey... it is the 24th century."

- B'Elanna Torres and Tom Paris

Background Information

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Co-stars

Uncredited co-stars

References

Aksani; Aksani vessel; Alpha Quadrant; Antarian; Antarian Trans-stellar Rally; asteroid field; beach; Captain Proton; Chessu; Chessu ship; class J nebula; comet; Darla system; deflector; deuterium; driver coil; dwarf star cluster; Delta Flyer II; EPS relay; exhaust port; Federation; fighter pilot; fuel converter; gas giant; Gedi Prime; golf; gravimetric shear; holodeck; hyper spanner; Imhotep; Imhotep ship; impulse manifold; impulse thruster; injector port; Irina's ship; K class anomaly; kilometer; Klingon; L'Naan; meter; Möbius Inversion; mok'tah; mood reef; Morse code; nyocene gas; parsec; phase inverter; photonic interference; power transformer; pulsar; reactor coil; red giant; Risa; Saint Andrews; scraping; shield generator; Starfleet Academy; subspace distortion; Terrellian; Terrellian ship; terrorism; veridium; veridium injector; warp core; warp core breach; warp plasma; waterfall

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Star Trek: Voyager
Season 7
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