Stardate 52136.4: Chakotay and Tuvok investigate a space station with a perfect replica of Starfleet Headquarters, complete with a man who looks like groundkeeper Boothby, as well as many humans, Vulcans, Bolians, Ferengi and other Alpha Quadrant species. The two officers disable one of the "human" Starfleet officers and take him to Voyager. He commits suicide upon his exposure as an impostor. The Doctor manages to revert the dead alien to his actual form: Species 8472! After their heavy losses in the war against the Borg and Voyager one year ago, it seems that Species 8472 is planning a full-scale invasion of the Alpha Quadrant. In order to learn more about their intentions, Chakotay returns to the station where he has a date with a fake member of his species, Valerie Archer. Their good-night kiss, however, provides Species 8472 with the evidence that Chakotay is not one of them. They arrest Chakotay and take him to Boothby, their leader, for interrogation. In the meantime on Voyager, Janeway has Seven prepare nanoprobe-enhanced weapons to attack the station, but she remains open for negotiations. When Voyager approaches the station, she is greeted by Boothby. Both affirm that they could destroy the other side but Janeway proposes to negotiate a truce. To Species 8472's surprise, Janeway reveals that Voyager is Starfleet's only ship in the Delta Quadrant, and she deactivates her ship's weapons to prove her good will. Although Boothby is not certain he can convince his superiors of the peaceful intentions of the Federation, the war is averted for now.

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