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The scoutship seemed to twist violently, then simply disappeared. At once, the ship rocked, but easily, like a seafaring vessel of old on a large but gentle swell.

"We made it," breathed Paris.

"In a manner of speaking," said Kim glumly. "We've lost all weapons systems, all shields, and life-support is down thirty percent. The amount of dark matter now present in us and in the ship has jumped from fourteen to twenty-six percent."

"But we're still here, Ensign Kim," said Janeway. "We're still here. Bridge to engineering. How's mat installation of the warp core coming?"

"We're close, Captain," said Torres. "But we're not mere yet."

"Let me know the minute we have warp capability. In the meantime, Ensign Paris, proceed on course to the Shepherd planet. Ensign Vorik, what happened?"

"There was an exploding console," Vorik replied calmly. "Permission to go to sickbay."

"Granted. Ensign, Commander, Dr. R'Mor, that was good work. Doctor," she added, "you may join me here on the bridge. I imagine you'd like to be one of the first to see mis Shepherd planet."

"Thank you, Captain" Telek replied, inclining his head. "I'm honored. But I find myself quite fatigued. If you have no immediate need of my services, I'll escort Ensign Vorik to sickbay and then retire to my quarters."

Janeway's eyes searched his. Then she nodded. "Of course, Doctor. We'll notify you the minute we are within sensor range of the planet."

Telek hadn't lied. He was tired, very tired. But he had no intention of resting. He first went to sickbay, to assist the brave ensign as well as to honor the dead and see if the other centurion was still clinging to life.

Even knowing what to expect, Telek winced as he saw the Doctor still engaged in the autopsy. The EMH glanced up and frowned as they entered. Telek helped Vorik onto a bed and the Doctor began to scan the Vulcan.

"Nothing a dermal regenerator won't repair. You're very lucky, Ensign Vorik," he said, picking up the aforementioned instrument and shining the warm red light on the ensign's burned eyes.

"How is the other centurion?" Telek asked, deliberately not looking at the body of the dead Romulan, graphically exposed in every possible manner.

"He's still alive, though I don't expect him to last much longer."

The door hissed open again and Naomi Wildman entered, her face wet with tears. The Doctor moved to block her view of the autopsy in progress.

"Naomi, what are you doing here? What's wrong?"

"Doctor, please let me see him," said the girl, her voice thick. "I can't believe I forgot him, but I just now remembered. Please."

"You remember the centurion? Your playmate?" Telek asked.

"Yes," she replied, "Mr. Ghost. At least, I thought he was a ghost. He was invisible."

"I'm afraid you can't speak with him, Naomi," said the Doctor gently. "He's very ill from the dark matter, and it could be transmitted to you. I can't let you past the forcefield."

Her face screwed up and turned red. "Oh, please, if he's dying, I especially need to see him!"

Telek felt unexpectedly moved by the girl's distress. He had hoped someday to see his* daughter grow to become such a fine child, but....

"At least let her approach the forcefield, Doctor," he urged.

"We don't even know how much, if any, good the forcefield does. She shouldn't even be in sickbay!" protested die Doctor.

"Naomi?"

The voice was rough, and so faint that Telek wasn't even sure he hadn't imagined it. But upon turning, he saw that the centurion was conscious and trying to lift his head. Even as Telek watched, parts of the Romulan faded in and out of sight

The Doctor immediately went to him, causing a buzzing sound as he stepped through the forcefield that would have stopped Telek cold. He snapped open the tricorder and began to analyze the centurion.

"I low do you feel?" the Doctor asked.

The Romulan ignored him, propping himself up on one elbow and trying to focus his gaze on Naomi. The girl went as close