- Tom Paris: So, how'd it go with B'Elanna today?
- Tuvok: Our meditation sessions are confidential.
- Tom Paris: [scoffs] No, I'm not asking for sordid details. I just wanna know if you think you can help her.
- Tuvok: Her training will be a challenge, for both of us.
- Tom Paris: [sniggers] Take it from me: getting B'Elanna to control her temper is like convincing a Ferengi to leave his estate to charity.
- [Torres and Tuvok are in a meditation session]
- Tuvok: The flamed grows hotter. A point of white light. Follow it backward through the years, to a time when you were younger - a child.
- [Torres sniggers]
- Tuvok: Is there something amusing, Lieutenant?
- B'Elanna Torres: I'm sorry, an image just flashed through my mind. You as a child - those pointy little ears. You must have been cute.
- Tuvok: B'Elanna is unpredictable, Captain. Under these circumstances, her volatile nature could compromise the mission.
- Captain Kathryn Janeway: Your concerns are noted, but if I send you over there, I'd be sending the wrong message, that I don't have faith in her, but I do.
- Tuvok: Your faith is admirable, but logic suggests...
- Captain Kathryn Janeway: This isn't about logic, it's about trust. She'll come through for us.
- Seven of Nine: Commander. The Captain's plan B. I've calculated the inertial force required to divert the freighter. Plan C - shield modulations that should reduce the structural damage of Voyager. It will also help protect the crew against theta radiation poisoning, if we fail.
- Tuvok: A wise precaution. With any luck, we won't be needing it.
- Seven of Nine: I didn't think Vulcans believed in luck.
- Tuvok: As a rule, we don't, but serving with Captain Janeway has taught me otherwise.
- Seven of Nine: She does seem to succeed more often than random chance would allow. I'll factor it into my calculations.
- Tuvok: [tentatively] Is there a plan D?
- Seven of Nine: No.
- Tuvok: A flame, like emotion, is a primitive force. Left unchecked, it's chaotic, destructive, but if controlled, it can be a powerful tool. The lamp controls the flame, as you must learn to control your emotions.
- B'Elanna Torres: I suppose it's always gonna be like this.
- Tom Paris: Like what?
- B'Elanna Torres: Me against the galaxy.
- Tom Paris: Well, the galaxy doesn't stand a chance.
- B'Elanna Torres: [on board a garbage scow flooded with radiation] Structural integrity's holding.
- [coughs]
- B'Elanna Torres: I wish I could say the same for my lungs.
- Chakotay: B'Elanna, I need your expertise on this mission, not your bad mood.
- B'Elanna Torres: I'll see what I can do.
- Neelix: The next time I volunteer to board a Malon freighter, check me into sickbay and have my head examined.
- [Neelix finds B'Elanna kneeling in solitude]
- Neelix: If you need to rest...
- B'Elanna Torres: [tetchily] I said I'm fine!
- [pause]
- B'Elanna Torres: [calmer] I was... meditating.
- Neelix: Meditating?
- [cackles]
- Neelix: You?
- B'Elanna Torres: Do me a favor. Don't tell Tuvok.
- B'Elanna Torres: I feel like I'm ready to explode.
- Neelix: We'll get through this together. I got a knack for diffusing explosive situations.
- Chakotay: Maybe the meditation's working.
- B'Elanna Torres: What makes you say that?
- Chakotay: From what Neelix told me, you kept your temper in check over there.
- B'Elanna Torres: Don't expect me to make a habit of it.
- Fesek: I don't know how I'm going to explain what happened.
- B'Elanna Torres: Tell them the truth. Tell them the Vihaar is no myth.
- Tuvok: You have a long history of emotional volatility. The point of this exercise is not to atone for past transgressions, but to prevent future ones.
- B'Elanna Torres: You can't order someone to meditate.
- Tuvok: Commander Chakotay thinks otherwise.