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Archer is thrilled to be within
ten light years of a hypergiant star. As the crew prepares to
study the phenomenon, they make first contact with another
species — the Vissians, who are also in the area to study the
hypergiant. After the Vissian captain, Drennik, explains that
meeting new species is one of their primary goals, Archer
invites him and his crew onboard Enterprise for dinner. Once
there, Drennik and Archer hit it off, and Drennik invites Archer
to join him when he takes the Vissian stratopod deep into the
hypergiant the following day. Archer enthusiastically accepts
the invitation. Meanwhile, other crewmembers are mingling with
the Vissians. Reed hits it off with a female Vissian tactical
officer, while Trip meets the Vissian chief engineer and his
wife. Trip is intrigued by a third individual the couple has
with them, a member of the species' third gender known as a "cogenitor."
The cogenitor is a nameless individual who somehow makes
pregnancies among Vissians possible — the engineer and his wife
are trying to have a baby.
The Vissian engineer invites
Trip to explore the engineering department on the Vissian ship.
But, while there, Trip can't help but ask questions about the
cogenitor. In an effort to learn more, he accepts a dinner
invitation from the engineer and his wife. As they talk over
dinner, Trip can't help but feel that the cogenitor is
mistreated. The Vissians seem to think of it as something less
than a pet, and it is not allowed to attend school or learn.
With help from Dr. Phlox, Trip surreptitiously scans the
cogenitor, and learns that it has the same mental capacities as
the other Vissians.
Meanwhile, other Enterprise crewmembers are forming close bonds
with their new Vissian acquaintances. Archer and the Vissian
captain come to be friends as they pilot a small Vissian craft
through the hypergiant, while Reed forms a romantic attachment
to the Vissian tactical officer.
Trip, however, is becoming close to the cogenitor. After
determining that it has the same mental capacity as other
Vissians, he attempts to help it by secretly teaching it to
read. He tries to encourage it, telling it that it has the same
abilities and rights as other Vissians. He even goes so far as
to invite it onboard Enterprise for a tour, and introduces it to
such concepts as movies and games. The more the cogenitor
learns, the more excited it is about the prospect of being able
to live a fuller life. Unfortunately, the other Vissians don't
feel the same way. Once they learn of Trip's secret encounters
with the cogenitor, they inform him that he is no longer welcome
on their ship. The cogenitor, meanwhile, asks Trip for refuge on
Enterprise.
When Archer returns from his adventure with the Vissian captain,
he is furious at Trip for interfering in Vissian affairs.
However, he knows that he must take the cogenitor's plea for
asylum seriously. After a meeting with the Vissians and further
thought on the matter, he eventually decides that he must send
the cogenitor back to the Vissian ship. As the captains bid
farewell, the Vissian captain mentions that he hopes the
incident won't tarnish the two species' future relationship.
Then, a few days later, tragedy strikes. The Vissian captain
contacts Archer — the cogenitor has committed suicide. Angrily,
Archer expresses his displeasure at Trip's actions. Trip
realizes that his role in the cogenitor's education means that
he is responsible for her death. Shaken, he can only ponder his
actions and their consequences. |
