Stardate 52081.2: On the long way back to the Alpha Quadrant, Voyager has to cross the "Void", a region 2500 light-years across that is devoid of star systems. Additionally, theta radiation blocks any light from outside the Void. The morale on the ship hits a low, and Janeway, who is stricken with guilt for stranding her crew in the Delta Quadrant, locks herself up in her quarters. Suddenly Voyager loses power and drops out of warp. Alien intruders board the ship, one of whom is disabled by Seven of Nine. After firing a photon torpedo to illuminate the surrounding space, it becomes clear that Voyager has been surrounded by alien vessels. Then a different alien ship appears, upon which the attackers retreat. The commander of that ship introduces himself as Controller Emck of the Malon. He says that he is on a transport mission. He offers Voyager to lead them to a spatial vortex that could cut two years of the voyage through the void but demands the extradition of the intruder in return. The Doctor finds out that the alien in his sickbay is indigenous to the Void and that he is dying from theta radiation poisoning, radiation that is caused by antimatter waste that Emck dumps in his realm. Janeway returns the alien to his people and meets with Emck to offer him a solution to recycle the antimatter waste so no further harm is done to the aliens. But Emck refuses, as this would make his waste disposal business expendable. Janeway assembles the crew, to reveal a plan that would allow Voyager to escape through the vortex, while she herself would stay behind in a shuttle to close the vortex. The members of the bridge crew, however, do not follow her orders. Instead of leaving the captain behind, they propose to destroy the vortex while Voyager is already inside, and to enhance the aft shields to withstand the explosion. Emck, however, uses his ship to block the entrance and damages Voyager's warp drive. The indigenous aliens arrive and distract his vessel. Janeway orders to take the opportunity and target his cargo hold, whereupon the Malon ship explodes. Voyager proceeds to the vortex, and as the torpedoes detonate behind the ship, it reaches the far end even without warp drive, by "riding the shockwave".

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