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Returning from a diplomatic
mission with Neelix, Tuvok picks up readings of a cloaked being
within their shuttle, but while scanning it with a tricorder he
is attacked. Once back on Voyager, Tuvok is rushed to sickbay
suffering from neuroleptic shock. The Doctor treats the officer
but cannot reverse the damage until he understands the nature of
the weapon used against him. Captain Janeway questions Naroq of
the Kesat species with which Neelix was negotiating, and the
visitor feels certain the mythical Ba'Neth — or "shadow people"
— were the ones who attacked Tuvok. Legend has it the Ba'Neth
attempt to assess foreigners' technology, but stay cloaked
because of an obsession with hiding their identity.
After gathering particles from
the cloaking field, Naroq uses a photolitic converter to
illuminate the isotopes and reveal what the alien looks like.
Using the same idea with Voyager's deflector array, they are
able to uncloak nearby Ba'Neth ships. In fact, there is an
entire fleet surrounding Voyager and they begin to fire when
hailed. Unfortunately, they are soon out of range and disappear
again. Meanwhile, Tuvok's Vulcan brain has begun to rewire
itself. When Neelix leads him on a tour of the ship to jog his
memory, he speaks for the first time.
Although Tuvok is speaking and recognizing people again, his
cognitive functions are still very simple. Experiencing volatile
emotions, he tries to come to grips with the damage he
sustained. When Naroq questions him about the cloaking
frequency, Tuvok has a flashback but cannot remember any
details. Soon, he becomes angry. After studying his personnel
file and realizing how different he is from the Vulcan he used
to be, Tuvok lashes out at Neelix.
Neelix realizes that instead of pushing Tuvok to be who he was,
he should encourage him to discover who he can become. With this
in mind, the two begin to have fun together. Tuvok discovers the
joy of smiling and even tries his hand at baking desserts. When
Janeway questions him again about the cloaking frequency, Tuvok
cannot find the words to express what he saw. Instead, he draws
it out in icing on his latest cake creation. Using that pattern,
the Voyager crew begins scanning for the cloaking frequency.
Voyager discovers the hidden spacefaring civilization of the
Ba'Neth, and Janeway demands information about their weapon.
Once she threatens to transmit their coordinates to the Kesat,
the Ba'Neth captain is willing to negotiate. However, he learns
that Naroq is on board and prepares to fire. In a show of
generosity, Naroq offers to give the Ba'Neth his photolitic
converter in exchange for the information Voyager wants. After
analyzing the weapon, the Doctor is able to devise a procedure
that will restore Tuvok's Vulcan personality. Although he is
quite fond of his crewmate's new demeanor, Neelix knows they
need Tuvok at his post on the bridge more than they need a
playmate. After the procedure, Tuvok resumes his logical and
subdued manner, but he has learned to appreciate the word play
of Neelix's riddles. |
