While employing his holo-imaging device, The Doctor discovers that his short term memory buffer has been tampered with and fervently initiates an investigation to find the person or thing responsible for the corruption.

Armed conflict erupts when aliens from the Fifth Dimension mistakens a holo-novel "Captain Proton" for reality. The aliens consider the main character, Dr. Chaotica, to be a threat and knocks Voyager's controls off-line. Janeway is forced to assume the role, Queen Arachnia to infiltrate Chaotica's Fortress of Doom and The Doctor assumes the role, President of Earth to help the aliens defeat him.