| Ki: |
We've analyzed the data. So far, our sensors have detected four
separate scans of the micro-probe. Each one on a progressively
narrower band. Someone on the other end of that wormhole is
definitely interested in that probe.
|
| Tu: |
We cannot preclude the possibility that there is a microscopic entity
within the wormhole, curious about an intruder.
|
| Ki: |
That's possible. But you'd think our probe would have detected something
like that.
|
| Ja: |
What's the condition of the probe now?
|
| B: |
I've been monitoring it from Engineering. It's still embedded in the
gravitational eddy. But within 72 hours it will be crashed.
|
| Ki: |
But until then, it should continue to transmit telemetry.
|
| Ja: |
If we're reading scans from the other side, it's possible the
probe is acting as a relay. If that's true, we should be able to use
it to transmit a message to whoever is executing the scan.
|
| Ki: |
Yes. I can modify our subspace communications band to accept the probe
as a booster.
|
| Ja: |
Let's try it, Mr. Kim.
|
| B: |
I'll give you a hand.
|
| Ki: |
OK. I've boosted power to the communications bandwidth. Now all we have
to do is reconfigure the signal generator so it's compartible with the
probe's long-range sensors.
|
| B: |
I'm on it. Just a few minutes more.
|
| Ki: |
This has to work. It'll mean so much to people back home, to
know we're alive and headed for the federation space.
|
| B: |
We haven't been gone that long. People won't give up on us so soon.
They probably just think we're lost.
|
| Ki: |
It's still gonna be hard on my folks. I always called them once a week
even when I was on my training missions. I've never been out of contact
for so long.
|
| B: |
Well, it is going to work, Starfleet? So pretty soon they're gonna
know you are all right.
|
| Ki: |
How about you? Any family?
|
| B: |
I haven't seen my father since I was five. He and my mother separated.
He went back to Earth. And that was the last I saw of him.
|
| Ki: |
And your mom?
|
| B: |
I think she's on the Klingon home world.
|
| Ki: |
You think?
|
| B: |
We didn't get along very well. OK. The signal generator should be
tuned to the probe's long-range sensors.
|
| Ki: |
Isn't there anyone back home who would be worried about you?
|
| B: |
The Maquis are as close a family as I've ever had. Most of my
friends are here... on the ship. So... No. There's no one back home
who's going to care one way or another whether I'm alive. We are
ready to transmit.
|
| Ki: |
Engineering to Bridge.
|
| Ja: |
Janeway here.
|
| Ki: |
We have a communications link with the micro-probe. We're gonna try
sending a preliminary test signal. A series of subharmonic pulses.
They stand the best chance of transmission through the wormhole.
|
| Ja: |
Acknowledged. Proceed.
|
| Ki: |
Aye, Captain.
|
| Ch: |
I'm reading transmission of the test signal. The probe has received
it and relayed it.
|
| Pa: |
How will we know if the signal reaches somebody?
|
| Ja: |
The only way is if that somebody answers.
|