In this thrilling episode, the crew of the USS Protostar finds themselves facing a critical challenge. They need to find a rare compound to recreate the protostar core, which is essential for their journey back to the Alpha Quadrant. With time running out, Holo Janeway (voiced by Kate Mulgrew) uses the ship’s advanced sensors to identify an M-class planet rich in the compound. The crew, led by Captain Chakotay (Robert Beltran), beams down to the surface to gather the necessary material.
Upon arrival, Chakotay has an uneasy feeling about the planet. Despite its lush and vibrant appearance, something feels off. As the team begins their search, they quickly realize that the compound isn’t as abundant as they initially thought. Dal (Brett Gray), ever resourceful, reconfigures his tricorder and detects a massive deposit located a little further away. Encouraged by this discovery, the team, including Zero (Angus Imrie), Rok-Tahk (Rylee Alazraqui), and others, embarks on a trek through the dense alien jungle.
During their journey, they come across an unexpected and amusing sight: a Tribble. At first, Rok-Tahk is delighted by the cute, furry creature and informs the others about its infamous rapid replication and voracious appetite. However, the amusement quickly turns to concern as more Tribbles appear, swarming around Rok-Tahk. One of them bites her, cutting the fun short and highlighting the potential danger these creatures pose.
The situation escalates when the crew discovers that the entire planet is overrun by Tribbles, and, to their shock, some are much larger than the typical size, complicating their mission significantly. Forced to retreat, they make their way back to the shuttle, but Zero is injured during the escape and must be rushed back to the Protostar.
Before they leave the planet, the crew encounters a new surprise: a Klingon scientist. Rok-Tahk, ever curious and eager to learn, is excited by this discovery. The Klingon scientist explains that he was experimenting with the Tribbles, attempting to control their replication rate. Unfortunately, his experiment went awry, resulting in the giant-sized Tribbles that now plague the planet.
Rok-Tahk, displaying her scientific acumen, identifies the error in the Klingon scientist’s calculations. She persuades him and the rest of the crew to collaborate on developing a retrovirus to reverse the Tribbles’ size and replication problems. During the process, Rok-Tahk inadvertently creates a new form of Tribble, which Dal humorously names a “Bribble.” This new creature is unique, possessing unusual intelligence and traits. However, Rok-Tahk is not amused by the unintended creation, as it serves as a living reminder of her mistakes, leading her to second-guess her scientific abilities.
The team attempts to deploy the new retrovirus, hoping to restore the planet to its natural state. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew heads into the caves to transport a significant quantity of the compound needed for the protostar core. However, their efforts are hampered as they become rapidly overrun by the ever-growing swarm of Tribbles.
Frustrated and angry that the retrovirus didn’t work as planned, the Klingon scientist suggests a drastic measure: igniting the compound to destroy the Tribbles and the entire planet. Rok-Tahk vehemently opposes this idea and engages in a tense standoff with the Klingon. Just when tensions are at their peak, Bribble, the intelligent Tribble hybrid, communicates with the crew, offering a peaceful solution that ultimately saves the day. Bribble’s intervention allows the crew to complete their mission without further destruction, showcasing the power of understanding and cooperation.
Back on the Protostar, in sickbay, Holo Janeway tends to Zero, whose leg is not healing as expected. Despite the advanced medical technology, Janeway is puzzled by Zero’s condition. Zero, ever philosophical, remarks that his Medusan body was never meant to last, accepting his physical limitations with grace and wisdom.
With the entire crew safely back on board, the protostar is fully charged and ready for departure. Chakotay, feeling a sense of accomplishment and relief, orders the crew to set course for the USS Voyager, their ultimate destination. As the Protostar jumps to warp, the crew reflects on their adventure, strengthened by their experiences and the bonds they’ve formed along the way.
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