| Universe : |
Prime Timeline |
| Location of Event : |
Delta Quadrant [1] |
| Stardate : |
48439.7 [1] |
| Nature of Event : |
Time Loop [1] |
Whilst on course for the Alpha Quadrant in 2371, the Starship Voyager encountered a Type-4 quantum singularity. Sensors indicated a ship trapped near the event horizon which was emitting a garbled message. The ship did not respond to any attempt at communications. Subspace interference prevented the use of a tractor beam to rescue the ship, though Torres suggested that they may be able to remodulate the tractor emitter to match the subspace interference. The beam was able to penetrate the quantum singularity's event horizon but was not powerful enough to pull the ship clear; instead, Voyager was pulled towards the singularity. The ship managed to break free but had to abandon rescue attempts, instead proceeding to the Ilidaria system to seek assistance. [1]
En route they encountered another Type-4 quantum singularity identical to the one encountered earlier - in fact, sensors indicate that it is the exact same singularity. Any attempt to retreat from the anomaly failed; the ship simply found itself approaching the same anomaly again no matter what course was set. The crew began to suffer physical symptoms of being near the singularity, including headaches and fainting. [1]
Torres suggested modifying the deflector dish to project a localized dampening field around the external sensors, theorising that this would help them to contact the other ship. The idea worked, but the message received was the exact same one which Janeway herself had transmitted earlier - the ship in distress was none other than the USS Voyager herself. [1]
Torres suggested that the crew were seeing a time delayed image from their own past, reflected off the event horizon of the singularity. She suggested that they might be able to find a 'crack' in the event horizon to escape. Janeway suggested that they might have made such a crack when they first entered the singularity, and they agreed that warp particles may be able to make it visible. The Deflector dish was used to emit warp particles, but the hole located was too small for the ship to pass through. Janeway and Torres took a shuttle to use a Dekyon beam to expand the hole. The attempt was successful, but the shuttle found itself confronted by two Voyagers when it returned. Janeway guessed correctly as to which vessel was the "real" Voyager, and the ship managed to force it's way through the gap and escape the singularity. [1]
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