October 19, 2032: Ares IV, the first manned mission to Mars, is going smoothly until an unknown spatial anomaly consumes the orbiter. The mission is lost to a total enigma, all hands are presumed dead, and NASA’s Mars program is almost brought to a halt for good.
Stardate 53292.7: An unknown spatial anomaly nearly consumes Voyager. Seven of Nine recognizes the anomaly thanks to previous encounters with the Borg, but later study of the phenomenon reveals that it is still hauling the wreckage of Ares IV through the Delta Quadrant. Chakotay and Paris quickly devise a plan to retrieve Ares IV, but Seven of Nine insists on warning the crew of the dangers of attempting to explore a gravimetric ellipse. Trying to inspire her, Janeway assigns Seven to join the mission into the ellipse. But once the Delta Flyer is inside, B’elanna discovers that the anomaly is on course for a violent collision with a dark matter asteroid. Janeway orders Chakotay to abandon the salvage operation immediately, but he disobeys, ordering Tom to tow the Ares IV in a tractor beam. This decision slows down the Delta Flyer’s escape enough to trap it inside the ellipse – lost to a total enigma…all hands presumed dead.
teleplay by Mike Wollaeger & Jessica Scott
and Bryan Fuller & Michael Taylor
story by Mike Wollaeger & Jessica Scott
directed by Robert Picardo
music by Paul BaillargeonGuest Cast: Phil Morris (Lt. John Kelly), Majel Barrett (Computer voice)
Notes: The Doctor mentions a visit to the planet Arrakis Prime, an in-joke reference to the spice planet in Dune. One of Phil Morris’s first film roles was the ensign who asked Admiral Kirk if the Enterprise crew would return to a hero’s welcome at the beginning of Star Trek III.
LogBook entry by Earl Green