Equinox - Question

[T'Girl]

Who said "Wake up, time to die?"

Leon in Blade Runner?

 

[The_Baroness]

Forget what Janeway would have done had Ransom survived, what did Ransom expect to happen when he returned to the Alpha Quadrant - especially had he done so after meeting Voyager as he so attempted.

Would he expect Starfleet Command to welcome him back with open arms after murdering dozens of aliens, and leaving Voyager for dead?

Course, he'd likely delete the computer records, and try to hide what he'd done anyway he could, but questions would be asked about how he got home, and why so much data was missing..

And lets face it, if Voyager can find out what happened within a few hours Starfleet Command wouldn't have any problems doing so.

I'm assuming also that the aliens would still be attacking him, all the way home? Given the distance Equinox had travelled with them attacking him, it's a safe bet that they're not restricted to one region of space, especially considering that their from another dimension.

How'd he explain that to Starfleet, when they start trying to kill everyone in the Federation!?

Starfleet would have far too many questions for Ransom to be able to get out of it that easily.

"Why's your doctor had his ethical subroutines deleted?"

Ok, so maybe he reinstalls them, then what's stopping him from spilling the beans?

So delete the Doctor..

"Why was he deleted? / How did you survive without a medic?"

Every answer would just lead to another question.

I suppose he figured being sent to a penal colony within the Fedaration was better than being free as a bird in the Delta Quadrant.

 

[Michael]

^ You know, that would make an interesting Trek novel. A "What if ... ?" story about the Equinox returning home and having to cover their crimes.

 

[CobraCommander]

I didn't care for the holier than thou approach Janeway took with the Equinox. It reminded me of how Sisko became obsessed with the Maquis and Eddington. Janeway herself was offering aid to the Borg to destroy a race so that she could get home quicker and hopefully not get everyone in her crew assimilated. Janeway did not understand Species 847-2 as Ransom had failed to understand the Beasties.
From Ransom's viewpoint, they were one barely intact ship with most of its crew dead. In the end, he knew he would have a price to pay but he was ready sacrifice himself for his crew. I feel that Janeway should have left the Equinox alone. She should have noted their actions and transmitted that data to Starfleet for their court-martial when the Equinox got home.

Cobra

 

[CobraCommander]

I regret that the Equinox crew wasn't shown again in future episodes. It would have been interesting to see how they had integrated with the crew (or not). I wish that Voyager would have shown lower level crewmen and how they interacted with each other. The Starfleet/ Maquis tension was lacking. Cobra

 

[kimc]

I didn't care for the holier than thou approach Janeway took with the Equinox.

"Holier than thou?" They were killers! I'm just disappointed we didn't get to see Janeway bitch-slap Ransom and the rest of his degenerate crew.

Janeway herself was offering aid to the Borg to destroy a race so that she could get home quicker and hopefully not get everyone in her crew assimilated.

At the time 8472 was the larger threat. "The weak shall die" isn't exactly an olive branch...

Janeway did not understand Species 847-2 as Ransom had failed to understand the Beasties.

Yeah, the beasties were a peaceful race that didn't care much for being killed for fuel. Oops! Just a misunderstanding...

From Ransom's viewpoint, they were one barely intact ship with most of its crew dead.

It seems mainly due to Ransom's bad decisions. After all, Ransom was captain and the condition of his ship and crew were ultimately his responsibility. Janeway was obviously the better diplomat and tacticial planner.

In the end, he knew he would have a price to pay but he was ready sacrifice himself for his crew.

And that in the end was his one redeeming feature.

I feel that Janeway should have left the Equinox alone. She should have noted their actions and transmitted that data to Starfleet for their court-martial when the Equinox got home.

Cobra

After which she would have been court marshaled herself for not taking any action.

 

[Praxius]

I've just re-watched Equinox and I've been wondering.

If Ransom had followed Janeway's suggestion towards the end of the episode, activated the auto pilot and beamed back to Voyager, what would have been his position? We would have had two captains. Janeway stated that "In a combat situation involving more than one ship, command falls to the vessel with tactical superiority". I assume that would also make her the acting captain. But what would have happened to Ransom? He obviously was higher in rank than Chakotay, but wouldn't have been the acting captain....so what would his position have been? First Officer? I don't think he would have been thrilled about losing a pip.

Losing a pip?

Based on his previous actions, regardless if he turned a new leaf at the last minute, he would have either been tossed in the brig for the remainder of the trip, or busted down to crewman with the rest of his crew.... but considering his past actions and the loyalty of his remaining crew, I'd suspect he would have been tossed into the brig or confined to quarters like Crewman Suder was.

And Janeway, based on all evidence and explained protocol, could do any of the above.