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"None of us does," said Janeway. "But it sounds like that's a risk we're going to have to take in order to completely accomplish our goal. Give it to me in detail, B'Elanna."

Torres did. Once the warp core was off-line, all its energy could be harnessed in the purple sphere. The radiation would increase proportionally. The more energy, the larger the sphere. In theory, with enough energy, the sphere could expand thousands of kilometers, easily large enough to embrace an entire moon or planet. The radiation would purge the planet's plants, inanimate objects, and lesser life forms of dark matter; they would have to transport the rest. It would be time-consuming, risky to the shin, and exhausting-but it was doable.

"We'll need to run some tests," finished Torres, "and engineering is continuing to transport the Kwaisi."

"Ulaahn has been asking me about his vessels and his homeworld," said Janeway. I've been stalling until now. The holodeck is of course at your disposal for any simulations you need to run. The minute you think you've got something, let me know. We can try our first test on Ulaahn's ship."

As she rose, anxious to begin the holodeck simulations, B'Elanna's gaze fell on Harry. He had never been particularly good at biding his emotions, and he looked like a kicked puppy right now. Khala was seated as far away from him as she could get and still be in the room, and her attempt at casualness around Harry only revealed mat whatever was going on, or not going on, between them was anything but casual.

Torres swallowed her impatience and lingered long enough to speak to Harry. "What's up, Starfleet? You look pretty-" Torres bit her lip. She had been about to say "blue," but mat was clearly not a good color to remind Harry of right now.

"I don't want to talk about it" Kimspeak for something really bad is going on and I'm in a lot of pain.

"Lunch at twelve hundred," said Torres. "On me."

"I'd rather not"

"That's an order, Ensign. I outrank you, remember?" She tried to soften it, make it teasing, but Harry was too miserable for any jest to reach. For the millionth time, she wished Tom were here, and not just for her own selfish pleasure. Tom could get

a smile out of Harry when no one else could. Kim was not smiling as he nodded and pushed past her.

Janeway was beginning to think she liked Ulaahn better with dark matter inside him.

He had been suicidal and despondent, but there had been a sorrow about him and a sluggishness that Janeway had been able to use to both their advantages. Now, treed of the influence of dark matter on his mind and body, Ulaahn was brash, all quick moves and loud demands. As he stormed onto her bridge, head held high, Janeway braced herself.

"Captain Janeway," said Ulaahn, "You must hasten this process. A full fifth of my crew are still infected with dark matter. And my ships! When are you going to purge my ships? There is an entire system affected with this dreadful plague, and we have to reach them and help them!"

"Commander Ulaahn," replied Janeway in as soft and mild a voice as she was capable of at that moment, "We are working as fast as we can within safety parameters. Chief Engineer Torres-"

"Is frustratingly slow and inefficient!" railed Ulaahn. "And what kind of safety parameters are we talking about? Are you telling me you don't know what you're doing?"

"I'm telling you," said Janeway, stretching her lips into a grimace of a smile, "that we are working with alien technology that is almost as new to us as it is to you. The last thing we want is casualties from rushing the process."

"Dead is dead. Captain." said Ulaahn. stepping in

close and trying to use his height to appear more imposing. "I doubt that a corpse cares if it dies because of an error or because the dark matter has ravaged its brain!"

"Perhaps not." Oh, her voice was so calm. "But the living being who is next in line might care a great deal. What you are failing