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Neelix is assigned to collect a
sample of proto-matter from a nearby nebula. However, he is
struck by an energy discharge from the nebula and killed. As
Janeway prepares to conduct a Talaxian burial ceremony, Seven of
Nine announces that her Borg nanoprobes can be used to revive
Neelix. Although skeptical, Janeway allows her to try the
procedure, and Neelix is brought back to life.
Neelix is very distraught over
his experience. As he explains to Chakotay, his people believe
in an afterlife that centers on "The Great Forest." When a
Talaxian dies, his ancestors supposedly meet him by the "guiding
tree." Neelix has always taken comfort in believing that all of
his family would one day be together again, but now he realizes
he did not experience anything like that in death.
As the crew gathers for the annual celebration of Prixin, the
Talaxian observance of familial allegiance, Neelix visits Ensign
Wildman's daughter, Naomi. He goes through their nightly ritual
of putting her to bed, but he is troubled by her request to hear
his usual story of the Great Forest. Later, Neelix unleashes his
frustration on Seven, arguing that his life is no longer worth
living now that his deepest beliefs have been shattered.
Suddenly, Neelix cries out in pain; his cells are reverting to a
necrotic state. Neelix's tissue is rejecting the Borg nanoprobes,
but Seven makes the necessary modification to compensate. Still
troubled, Neelix asks Chakotay to help him take a vision quest
so he can look inside himself and come to some sort of
resolution. As the quest begins, Neelix encounters his beloved
sister and members of the crew, who all tell him that the
afterlife is a lie, and that he has no reason to live. Neelix
comes out of the vision determined to end his life.
After recording his goodbyes to the crew, Neelix tries to beam
into the nebula. Chakotay rushes to stop him, but Neelix
protests that the vision quest convinced him he'll be better off
dead. Chakotay explains that the imagery is not easily
interpreted and that it was probably just an expression of his
anxiety over his beliefs. Neelix is unconvinced until Ensign
Wildman summons him to help put Naomi to bed. He realizes that
the crew — who have become his family — needs him, and that is
his reason to live. |
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