Welcome to EPISODE SWAPS. The premise is simple: take an episode from one Star Trek TV series and swap it out with characters and story beats from another Star Trek TV series. I do this by taking the episode synopsis at Memory Alpha and first just replacing names but then modifying it slightly so that actions taken are true to the characters in the story. The big character and story moments need to be the same but small details are allowed to change. It's best to think of this as occurring in it's pocket universe where some of the events of the original universe might have occurred alongside events needed for the new universe to take place. Placement of aliens and events might have moved and time and distance between points might have changed. This is only for fun and for experimentation with seeing how ideas translate across the different Star Treks. This time it is giving DS9's "A Time to Stand" to Star Trek Voyager. In Memory of Brandon Tartikoff LAST TIME ON STAR TREK VOYAGER... A Borg transwarp conduit rips open allowing a fleet of Borg vessels to enter the local area of the Delta Quadrant. In Voyager's briefing room the crews of both Federation ships debate what can be done about the Borg incursion. Janeway tells the crews she has a plan. USS Equinox initiates a strike on a Borg throne ship, killing it's Queen. As expected, the loss of the Queen causes the breakdown of the hive and individuality to spread. With Valerie Archer's help Janeway contacts Species 8472 to arrange for them to construct a quantum singularity in front of the transwarp aperture, cutting off this hive from getting reinforcements from Borg space. The indivualised Borg have stabilised and now allied with the Kazon under Maje Culluh and Seska, send a fleet to capture Voyager. Chakotay, having been left in command of Voyager, realises that Culluh is never going to stop until he captures the Federation starship. Knowing he won't be able to convince his captain, he stuns Janeway and orders the Starfleet officers to evacuate to Equinox, while the Maquis buy time for their escape. Equinox, the Delta Flyer, Neelix's shuttle and the remaining six Voyager shuttles escape while Voyager provides a distraction. B'Elanna Torres and Tom Paris share a goodbye as she is ordered by Chakotay to run Equinox's engine room and Tom leaves with Harry Kim to take command of the Delta Flyer, promising they'll see each other again. Chakotay activates a computer program created by Seven of Nine that sabotages Voyager's systems, destroying the main computer core and powering the ship down. The Borg and Kazon board Voyager and Two of Nine, Culluh and Seska are greeted by Chakotay, Seven and Neelix. AND NOW THE CONTINUATION... TEASER The combined allied resistance fleet, Omega Task Force, moves through space, with several ship's hulls aflame. The war against the Borg and Kazon is not going well. Three months have passed since the Borg took control of USS Voyager and hostilities began. The USS Equinox, home now to the Starfleet officers who evacuated Voyager, has been on the run from the Borg for 36 hours now. Everyone on board is tense and exhausted. On the Equinox's bridge, Icheb gets anxious that news of Epsilon Task Force's counter-assault has not arrived, while B'Elanna Torres is sick and tired of running from the Borg. In the Equinox's small sickbay The Doctor is treating Tuvok for a shoulder injury he suffered in the ship's last battle. The Doctor, having added a calculation subroutine to his program matrix during the last month, estimates their chances of survival at 32.7%. Tuvok is not impressed. The Equinox and Delta Flyer rendezvous to resupply the smaller vessel, bringing Tom Paris, Harry Kim, Joseph Carey and Samantha Wildman to their former crewmates. Tom and Harry are asked for a quick debriefing with Captain Kathryn Janeway in the Equinox's conference room. Here Tom is reunited with his fiancée B'Elanna Torres. After a joyous hello, Paris reveals that he is disappointed that Torres hasn't given any feedback on his suggestions of the song to play during their first dance as husband and wife. Torres acquiesces and says she will put some thought into it. When Torres realises that organising wedding plans is all Paris has been doing in his spare time, Harry deadpans, “Tell me about it.” As Paris and Torres leave, Captain Kathryn Janeway wryly suggests Frank Sinatra. Torres glares and drags Paris out of the room. The Doctor enters and says they've been asked to head immediately for the Nacene Array, and he has word of Epsilon Task Force's engagement near the Nekrit Expanse: out of forty-two ships, only four ships have returned. Among the losses were the shuttlecraft Tereshkova and three Starfleet crewmen manning it who had been attached to the Task Force since the exodus from U.S.S. Voyager. The Doctor expresses his regret to be the bearer of such bad news. Janeway quietly thanks the doctor and says that will be all. After The Doctor leaves, an angry Janeway hurls her coffee cup at the wall, shattering it. ACT ONE On U.S.S Voyager's bridge Maje Culluh sits in the captain's seat while he narrates his own log entry, laughing as he parodies the Starfleet tradition. Seska grins and laughs from the first-officer's seat. Reports of victories arrive daily and with the enemy retreating on nearly every front, "it is a good time for the Kazon… and the Borg." The former Two of Nine of Unimatrix Zero One, Lansor, notes that the Borg have successfully repaired the sabotage inflicted on ship's systems when Janeway evacuated and they and the Kazon have brought the ship to operational status, now serving as the Kazon flagship. Escorted onto the bridge by Kazon guards Chakotay addresses Lansor, Culluh and Seska. He wants the Maquis still aboard to be either no longer confined to quarters or perhaps dropped off on some planet where they'd be able to have some kind of life. Culluh is concerned about the implications of allowing Maquis access to Voyager systems and potential sabotage. Lansor agree and believes that even stranded on a planet the Maquis could still be a threat. He reminds Chakotay that as leader he is afforded a few freedoms compared to his compatriots and should be grateful. Chakotay is led away and Culluh inquires about the slow progress by the Borg on removing the quantum singularity blocking the local transwarp aperture, preventing reinforcements from getting through from Borg Space. Lansor explains that closing the quantum singularity is difficult because it's power source derives from fluidic space and any objects entering, even energy weapons, are never seen again. He assures Culluh that Borg ingenuity will eventually get it done. The messhall is busy with patrons. Neelix is working in the kitchen whilst Kazon sit eating and drinking and several tables of Borg Drones simply scan and watch. Chakotay and Seven have been recruited by Neelix as waiters and make their way back to the kitchen where Neelix gives Chakotay a glass of water. He and Seven are discussing the takeover. Neelix says that all things considered, right now things aren't so bad. Seven chides him on the appearance of his narrow view, considering their current menial status and potential future as Kazon slaves or Borg drones. Neelix reminds her that he's seen true suffering and hardships in the war with Haakonians. He wants Starfleet back as much as they do, but encourages them to keep in mind that "things could be a lot worse." Seven reluctantly agrees and that the Borg are for the moment treating the Maquis better than most. Chakotay asks, if that's true, why are the Maquis still confined to quarters. The Equinox arrives at the Nacene Array, now operating as a Resistance forward base. Many Resistance ships hang around it or are docked to it's super structure. Captain Garon of the Nygean military, the commander of ships in this area of space, meets with Janeway and informs her that any plans they have to attack and reclaim Voyager will have to wait. They have other plans in mind for Janeway and the Equinox, so for right now they are being taken out of the fight. ACT TWO While waiting for the Resistance's plan to be revealed to her, Janeway is met with by Tanis. The leader of the Ocampans living aboard the array is upset that Kes is still on Voyager, and an argument about responsibility and personal choice arises. Janeway says that staying behind was Kes' choice, but Tanis doesn't care about this, worried for Kes' safety with the Borg and Kazon. Janeway promises that she's going to take back her ship or die trying. Tanis then asks if it's possible to have peace with the Borg and Kazon. She thinks it's possible but unlikely with the Kazon at the moment, as they've reached a position of power that they'd never before attained. The Borg's new individuality has made them unpredictable. She thought she knew how it would unfold when the Queen was killed, and that they'd crumble and splinter, but it didn't work out that way. Those in power just keep seeking more and more power and will trample over the Delta Quadrant. Tanis needs to get back to work, but wishes Janeway luck on getting her ship and crew back. Meanwhile in Voyager's conference room, Lansor activates a terminal, making contact with Kes, who is still confined to quarters. She asked to speak to him about access to the communications systems so that the Maquis crew members can contact their loved ones to let them know they're all okay. Lansor humours her for a few moments, suggesting there could be an arrangement made, with allotted sessions of equal time given to those who want it and that Kes could be put in charge of arranging it. But he wonders if she thinks he's really naïve to think that they won't use it to help Janeway in the fight against the Borg. He can see through the facade she puts on and as a follower of Janeway Kes would do everything in her power to stop them if she could. However, he invites her to consider the unique position she's in compared to the assimilated races of the Delta Quadrant and enjoy the freedom of individuality she still has. Back at the Nacene Array, Garon reveals his plan for Janeway and the Equinox crew. They're to destroy a new super-sized vinculum under construction deep in Kazon territory, that when activated the Borg are going to use to rid themselves of the independence forced on them since the death of the previous Queen. Instead of the Equinox, they're to use the Borg scoutship Janeway captured last year from the Sakari mining colony to infiltrate Kazon space. "How on Earth are we even going to to fly that thing?" The Doctor asks Janeway. The captain responds, "I don't know – but we're going to find out." ACT THREE Two weeks later and Janeway's crew have begun to master the controls of their new vessel. Icheb has been working close with Torres, Tuvok and Vorik in understanding how it works. A continuing source of annoyance for the crew are the lack of amenities they took for granted on even a small ship like Equinox: no chairs, no food replicators, no viewscreen on the bridge, and no infirmary. As the ship prepares for departure, Icheb plugs into the ships systems through his assimilation tubules whilst Janeway puts on a specially designed ocular interface. They are cleared to leave and Janeway orders the ship to be taken out and to head for the Kazon border at warp six. On Voyager, Seska is amusing herself in Captain Janeway's office by playing with Janeway's trinkets. Chakotay enters having being summoned and asks why. Seska notes their only interactions have been for business concerning the Maquis still onboard and reminds how close they used to be once upon a time. Chakotay used to confide in her until he became Janeway's lackey. Chakotay is disgusted by Seska, and moves to leave, but Seska demands he stay. Chakotay confronts her about her history, how her joining the Maquis was nothing but a ruse, how she wormed her way into the Kazon's good graces, and led a culture too stupid to understand the risks to sacrifice their future as pawns to the Borg. She tries to convince him that she was doing her best to survive, that Janeway trapped her in the Delta Quadrant and that she couldn't risk the chance that the crew would ever forgive her for her deception. Her deal between the Kazon and Borg have made them a first-rate power in the Quadrant and they will find a way for her to return home. Chakotay is skeptical that will happen. Seska says she can be patient with both the Borg and Chakotay, who now understands Seska clearly expects an intimate relationship at some point. Chakotay says that he'd inject himself with Borg nanoprobes before he'd let that happen. He leaves and Seska smirks at Janeway's framed picture of Mark and Mollie. Janeway's Borg scout ship is still en route to Borg-controlled Kazon space. Icheb is still focused on navigation whilst the other crew members maintain the ship. At Tuvok's suggestion Janeway allows him to take over using the ocular interface so that she can mentally ready herself for the next stage of their mission. Suddenly an alert sounds. The ship has been discovered by an allied Rakosan starship. Just as they are about to cross the Kazon border, the Rakosan ship fires on them. ACT FOUR With the communication system down, Janeway orders Icheb to make a run for the border. However, the Rakosan starship is still on them, damaging a guidance thruster. Janeway orders Tuvok to fire back, targeting the Rakosan starship's weapons array only. Luckily, two Borg spheres enter the fray and the Rakosan starship warps away. They ignore the scout ship, Vorik revealing that the modified identity codes they are passively transmitting have made the spheres think they are a friendly. The scout ship resumes course. Chakotay urges Seven to take advantage of her history as a member of Unimatrix Zero One with Lansor to request less restrictions for the other Maquis still confined to quarters. Seven is reluctant, believing that there is no chance Lansor will agree to freedom of access to the former terrorists and saboteurs. Chakotay suggests they start off with something simple, like access to the hydroponics bay so they can be put to work growing crops. Seven finally agrees. She presents her demand to Lansor, who dismisses it as inefficient compared to the possibility of solving replicator energy shortages, but after pressing by Seven he agrees. Culluh objects, but Lansor tells Culluh to stay out of it as it is an issue between Borg. Lansor tells Seven that the deal will come with terms for her to abide by: he wants Seven to be the Maquis' representative to Lansor and Culluh, taking part in meetings concerning ship safety. Later in the kitchen when Seven tells Chakotay about Lansor's request, he is concerned that Lansor may try to manipulate her, but Seven counters that she understands what she is getting herself into. It's not enough to look at things theoretical, at some point they have to take risks. Although unsure, Chakotay agrees. Meanwhile, Janeway's Borg ship arrives at the vinculum construction site, orbiting a gas giant planet. The plan is to pass through the security zone and beam a canister containing a synthetic pathogen aboard, that when released will spread through the vinculum like a virus, causing it's cellular pathways to degrade. The vinculum will simply die. The scout ship enters the security zone and transportation commences. The scout ship continues on it's arc and prepares to exit the security field. However warning systems begin activating and Janeway realises they have been detected. ACT FIVE A Borg sphere is moving in on their position. Janeway asks for options.Tuvok says they would have little success in performing an attack. Torres tells her they can retreat but the sphere's top speed is faster than theirs. The Doctor asks if they can use the vinculum against the sphere. It's infected but still able to be activated, for a short time before it expires. If they can focus it's effects on the sphere, they might be able to disorientate the Borg command units enough to buy an escape. Janeway tells them to make it happen. Vorik and Torres work their consoles. The sphere locks on a tractor beam to the scout ship. Tuvok tells them their shields will be drained in a few seconds. Vorik tells Janeway it's ready. Janeway orders it activated and the vinculum springs to life. The sphere falters and the tractor beam begins to fail. Vorik says that sensors indicate that an uncontained power buildup is occurring on the sphere. It is going to explode and take the scout ship with it. The tractor beam fails and Janeway orders them to go to warp. The sphere explodes as the scout ship escapes, suffering damage. The mission is a success but after a few seconds the scout ship drops out of warp. The core matrix is fried and warp drive is gone. Torres wonders how long it would take to reach allied space and Tuvok drily suggests that The Doctor will undoubtedly have the answer. “Twelve years, three months, and two days – plus or minus an hour,” he helpfully replies. As the rest of the crew look in horror at him, his smile quickly fades. Janeway's crippled Borg scout ship, now without warp capacity, starts the long journey back. END CREDITS