Script segments                                            4-15-97
Star Trek Voyager                             Episode: Coda
Adaptation by Patti Keiper          Written by Jeri Taylor

                              Chapter Two
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En route in the shuttle Sacajawea conversation was lively.


   Chakotay manned navigation and casually adjusted
their flight while he talked,  "Harry's clarinet solo was o.k.
I could have done without Tuvok's reading of Vulcan
poetry... But, the highlight of the evening was definitely
Kathryn Janeway portraying the dying swan."

   The so complimented captain could barely contain an
embarrassed giggle,  "I learned that dance when I was
six years old. I assure you it was the hit of the beginning
ballet class."

   Chakotay grinned, "I don't doubt it. If Neelix has
another talent night, I hope you reprise it."

   "Oh, no.. Not until other people take their turn... the
ship's first officer, for instance?"  she suggested.

    Chakotay was barely ruffled, though he managed,
"Me? Get up in front of people and perform? I don't think
so."

    Janeway didn't let up for one instant,  "Come on,
Chakotay.  There must be some talent you have that
people might enjoy.." she bit her lip, thinking...."Maybe
I could stand with an apple on my head and you could
phaser it off."

    Her second chuckled at the idea, "Sounds great. If I
miss, I get to be captain."

    Janeway laughed stretching in her chair...

      Sacajawea unexpectedly weaved off course.

   Chakotay's quick check identified the problem,
"Atmospheric turbulance. We might be in for a rough
landing."

    She frowned."Funny, a minute ago there wasn't
any indication of rough weather."

    "I'm reading even more severe storms near the surface."
he reported.


    An intense bolt of blue light across their viewport windows
made both Starfleet officers wince painfully.

    Janeway read her sensors, "Ion lightning. Maybe we better
try the fifth planet instead. Come back here when things have
cleared up."

    Another bolt assaulted their eyes as well as the shuttle.
Sparks flew and a klaxon began to sound from their stations
panel. Smoke issued from a fused conduit, filling the air with
the stench of ozone.

   Chakotay hunched down but maintained his place at the
con, "I think we took a lightning hit. Attitude control is out."

  "I'm switching to manual." Janeway countered.

   The shuttle rocked wildly and once more the bluish fire
gripped them. A thick plume of chemical fog erupted from one
bulkhead, obscuring their view. More warning indicators
flashed on.
   Chakotay became worried, realizing that they were now
in over their heads. He shouted to be heard over the hissing
gases behind them, "The navigational system is out!" he
yelled in frustration.

    Janeway's concentration was absolute, "Reverse engines!
Full thrusters!"

    The main computer activated, "Warning! Hydrozine gas leak."

    Janeway clung to her console, "Altitude twelve kilometers.
Hull temperature four thousand degrees. We have to reduce
speed!"

    Chakotay nodded, finding a green light at last, "I'll try the
emergency anti-grav thrusters!"

    Outside,  the angry, boiling gray clouds disgorged their
prize over a jagged mountain range. The shuttle resisted the shear
feebly, fishtailing as she fell out of the sky.

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    The murky lifted, spitting dry lightning which cut through
the gloom revealing that Sacajawea was intact and on the ground.
Violated com panels flickered eerily in the dark interrupted only
by the bolts of energy erupting in the sky.  Vapor continued to
seep into the cabin. It was the only sound inside.
   Commander Chakotay awoke sprawled across his console.
He shook his head to clear it and suddenly remembered where
he was.  He glanced over to the other pilot's chair but found it
empty.  Looking behind him, he felt a thrill of dread.

   Captain Janeway was lying on the floor and ugly gash on
her head.  She was directly beneath the jet of escaping gas.
That wasn't a good thing.
   Chakotay tried to stand and instantly regretted it for countless
aches and bruises made themselves known.  He bit down his
pain and called out to her.  "Kathryn..."

   He crawled to her side, feeling for signs of movement. "Kathryn!"
Her skin was sweaty making in difficult to find a heartbeat at her
wrist.  He placed a hand at her neck, searching. He wasn't even
sure if she was breathing.  "Kathryn!"  She remained still and
silent.

    Alarmed, he hastily reached for the medkit on the wall.
Fumbling with the catches, he snatched out a medical tricorder
and scanned her.  All reading were registering at zero. No
vital signs. She was dead.   "No!" he cried.