stardate 51781.2. The crew is mystified when Janeway begins an important and highly secretive operation in response to a strange subspace disturbance. The molecule, known as the Omega, has the power to destroy space and is to be destroyed upon its encounter. Seven of Nine disagrees with its destruction, putting her in conflict with Janeway's Starfleet mission.

stardate 51813.4. Chakotay leads an away mission to a damaged ship to help an alien known as Kellin, someone who claims that she and Chakotay have met before. Not only that, but she claims she was once a crewmember aboard the U.S.S. Voyager where the pair fell in love. Now fleeing her home planet's repressive government, she seeks asylum aboard the starship. Chakotay, though drawn to her, is skeptical.