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While on shoreleave, Chakotay and
Torres attend a Tsunkatse match in a nearby alien world. In the
meantime, Captain Janeway is off touring a planet in a
neighboring system. However, before Chakotay can attend another
match, he first must get another crewmember to cover his duties.
Meanwhile, Seven of Nine and
Tuvok ask Chakotay if they can study a micro-nebula on an away
mission. Chakotay grants them permission, telling them that they
can spend their shoreleave in whatever manner they choose.
While in the shuttle, Seven of Nine and Tuvok are captured by an
alien vessel. An alien named Penk welcomes Seven of Nine to
Tsunkatse, telling her that she is going to be a very popular
attraction. Seven demands to see Tuvok, who was injured when
their shuttle was hit.
While attending to Tuvok, Seven of Nine tells Penk that she has
no intention of participating in his game. However, Seven agrees
to fight for Tuvok in exchange for his medical care.
Back on Voyager, Chakotay, Kim, Paris and Torres engage in a
conversation about boxing and fighting matches. And the Doctor
tries to get Neelix to go with him to the Norcadian Museum of
Entomology instead of attending the Tsunkatse matches with
Chakotay.
At the match, Chakotay, Kim, Paris and Neelix are shocked to
discover that Seven of Nine, dressed in an alien fight suit, is
the challenger of the Tsunkatse match. Seven tells her opponent
in the ring that she doesn't want to fight. Meanwhile, Chakotay
leads the others through the crowd, struggling to get closer to
the pit.
From Voyager, Torres calls Chakotay looking for an update on the
match. Chakotay tells her what's going on and instructs her to
beam Seven out. However, Torres is unsuccessful because she
thinks that Seven's lifesigns are masked somehow.
Torres tells Chakotay that the figures in the pit are photonic,
or holographic projections that are being transmitted from a
different location. Drawing back his arm, the Champion swings at
Seven who falls to the ground.
In the meantime from the Delta Flyer, Captain Janeway asks
Chakotay and Torres for an update. And while Seven of Nine is
nursing her injuries, Penk tells her that he is entering her in
the Red Match, where only one of the opponents leaves the ring
alive. Penk's sidekick The Hunter promises to train Seven for
the match. He reminds her that there are no individuals in
Tsunkatse, only prey.
Continuing the effort to rescue Seven of Nine, the Norcadian
Ambassador tells Neelix that he will begin an immediate
investigation. However, Neelix is not convinced that the
Ambassador has nothing to do with the fact that friendly aliens
are being forced to compete in Tsunkatse matches against their
will.
Torres tells Chakotay that they were having trouble isolating
the source of the transmissions because they never seemed to be
coming from the same place. They realized that the transmissions
are emanating from a ship that is protected from neutronic
weaponry.
Back on the alien ship, Seven is instructed to rest before her
match. Just as the match is about to begin, Seven is shocked
when The Hunter enters the ring. The Hunter tells Seven that he
was training her so that she could kill him and give him an
honorable death.
Meanwhile, Voyager finally tracks down the Tsunkatse Vessel.
Chakotay tells Penk that they only have 30 seconds to return
Seven and Tuvok before Voyager begins firing. Back in the ring,
Seven tries to convince The Hunter that they both should refuse
to fight. Voyager and the Tsunkatse Vessel begin to exchange
fire, allowing the crew to beam Tuvok over. However, they are
unable to get a lock on Seven's individual positioning, and
instead beam both Seven and The Hunter onto Voyager.
Back on Voyager, Paris instructs The Hunter to step away from
Seven. Chakotay tells The Hunter that a Hirogen hunting party
has agreed to meet with them. The Hunter discloses his
gratefulness to the crew and tells them that he plans to look
for his son. |
