EXT. SPACE – JUST OUTSIDE THE VOID – HOURS LATER
The coalition convoy drifts beyond the aperture, into normal space. Stars return—cold, distant, beautiful. The first starlight they've seen since entering the Void.
Voyager leads the formation.
INT. SICKBAY – U.S.S. VOYAGER
Superman sits shirtless on a biobed while the DOCTOR calibrates a scanning arch over him. 7 of 9 stands nearby, analyzing incoming data streams.
Zod's environmental suit sits in a corner, folded up and powered down. His Superman uniform is also off, and lying next to it. He is wearing light examination clothing.
The Doctor runs a tricorder over his chest, "Fascinating. A complete lack of cellular degradation, even at your age. And your musculature is… well, the term 'impossible' comes to mind.
Zod smirks, "alien fitness."
"His body has absorbed and stored stellar energy at a density far beyond even Klingon or Vulcan potential," 7 marvels.
The Doctor looks up, "Meaning?"
"We have no baseline for the upper limit. In theory…(beat), he could remain at his current level indefinitely… or continue growing until he approaches power comparable to Q-level entities if the input conditions exist.
"What's a 'Q level' entity?" Zod looks curiously.
"A being of unimaginable power, capable of doing almost anything. Everything in the universe has its limits except for the things that don't. You may be one of those things," 7 responds with a raised eyebrow.
The Doctor switches displays, "There's more. During your EVA earlier, your body began shedding damaged cells and replacing them in real-time. Faster than even nanoprobes."
7 OF 9 tilts her head, "A living regenerative matrix. His system appears to heal through internal bio-directed reconstruction."
Zod frowns, "So if I get hurt…"
"You would likely recover before I could finish saying, 'You're in trouble,'" the Doctor responds dryly.
Zod's mouth twitches, "Well, that's good."
The Doctor's tone shifts, "Unfortunately… we also found anomalies. Certain radiation bands produce a stress response in your cells and rapid destabilization."
Zod sits forward, "What kind of radiation?"
7 OF 9 shakes her head, "Unknown. Outside Federation classification. We might logically conclude that somewhere in your home universe, there exists a naturally occurring radiation lethal to your biology."
Zod rubs his jaw, "Good to know. Bad to learn."
The Doctor gives a weak smile, "Better here than in the middle of a firefight."
7's console beeps. Her eyes widen by precisely a millimeter. "…Zod."
"What?"
7 turns to him and whispers so that only he can hear, "Check your system monitor."
Zod does as instructed, surprised by the notification blinking hard on his monitor. The Doctor is unable to see the system monitors.
ALERT: MISSION VALUE IMBALANCE DETECTED PARTICIPANT "SEVEN OF NINE" MUST BALANCE EXCHANGE.
Zod stiffens, "Not now…"
The Doctor finishes and shuts off the monitors and has the information linked to a PADD that he hands to Superman, "That concludes our examination. All of our findings are on this PADD. You may go about your day." The Doctor goes to another medical bed and examines another patient.
"Let's see the Captain," 7 of 9 whispers to Zod, who nods his response.
INT. READY ROOM
Janeway stands behind her desk, eyebrows already raised, "You're telling me… that because Voyager benefited from your aid… our ship now owes you something?"
7 of 9 answers calmly, clipped and precise, "Correct. The original terms were for a standard biological examination. Instead, he fought alongside us, risked destruction multiple times, destroyed boarding parties, and helped save coalition vessels."
Janeway's dry tone is unimpressed, "I was there, Seven."
7 OF 9 defends the request, "He contributed far beyond the negotiated parameters. This isn't something that Zod asked for. When he learned of the request, he attempted to have the requested additional payment voided. However, it would seem this matter isn't up to either of us. We are both bound to something far more powerful than possibly even the Q Continuum."
Janeway folds her arms. "Zod, what exactly are you asking for?"
Zod takes a breath, "7 and I discussed this on the way to see you. I understand your situation, so I won't request anything that makes things difficult for you. Not energy, supplies, or anything Voyager needs for the journey. I need knowledge. Schematics. Technical archives."
Janeway frowns, "Why?"
"I can't stay here forever. And when I get home… I'll face threats I can't beat with what I have. I need a ranged weapon—phaser designs. I need replicator technology because I eat too much to afford my own diet. And… (softly) I want warp theory. I may never build it. But if I learn it… maybe I'll find a way home from wherever I end up."
Janeway considers him for a long moment. "Transporters?"
ZOD (shudders), "Respectfully, ma'am… no. Dying and being reassembled atom-by-atom gives me nightmares."
A beat.
7 OF 9 continues her efforts like a concerned wife…or girlfriend, "Captain, I believe granting this trade could benefit Voyager as well."
Janeway's eyes narrow, "How so?"
7 glances at Zod, then back to Janeway, "Zod is from 21st-century Earth… but not our timeline. He is from another universe. And we can communicate or—under extremely limited circumstances—travel between universes.
Janeway blinks slowly, "Do you understand what you're telling me?"
7 OF 9 doesn't hesitate, "I do. I cannot provide further technical clarity. Zod was sent to Earth by an alien race far beyond its technology. He and I have talked about the pod that brought him to the planet.
He has speculated that the technology on Voyager is hundreds of years more advanced than Earth's current technology. He feels his pod is thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years beyond 21st-century Earth technology.
If he can use our technology to open his pod, we might discover a way home, to the Alpha Quadrant. He has already promised to share this technology with us.
Janeway sits (rueful, low), "You two have just given me the most absurd, unprovable, scientifically incomplete argument I've ever heard. And… I believe you both."
Zod blinks, and 7's eyebrow rises one millimeter.
Janeway stands and taps her console.
I'll authorize the trade. LIMITED release—no ship-grade power cells, no classified tactical protocols. But schematics for phaser emitters, warp coils, and replicator subsystems can be duplicated for your personal reference. We can also provide you with tricorders and other equipment to examine the pod.
Zod exhales in relief, "Thank you."
Janeway smiles faintly, "Just… try not to conquer your Earth with them."
Zod grins, "If 7 and the Doctor's examination is correct, eventually, I might be able to conquer the universe with just my power one day."
Janeway froze for a second and looked at 7 who nodded and finally said to the Captain, "There are a lot of variables involved in that conclusion, but given what we discovered…there's a strong possibility that his race could have the potential of 'Q' level entities.
Janeway looks blankly at the pair, "Then who am I to limit the technology? Just give him whatever he wants."
7 and Zod look at the Captain, both shocked.
"Do you think I'm serious? Give him what he requested," Janeway smirked regaining her composure.
CUT TO:
INT. ENGINEERING – LATER
Torres hands Zod a PADD, "Here. Warp theory basics, sustainability regulations, and enough safety protocols to keep you from vaporizing yourself. Plus background knowledge on the various technologies. It should keep you busy for a while."
Zod accepts it carefully, "Thanks. I'll try not to blow up my barn."
TORRES (smiling), "It's hard to imagine that someone as powerful as you is a farmer."
"I'm not…well, maybe a part-time farmer," he laughs. Although no one else got his joke.
Across the room, TUVOK steps forward, "Your assistance was statistically measurable in improving our survival odds. Admirable."
Zod nods deeply, "Coming from you, that's a compliment."
Tuvok almost smiles, "Indeed."
The Doctor steps up, "I've assembled your medical dossier. If you ever find another species of physicians, try not to make them jealous."
Zod hides a laugh, "Thanks. Really."
COMMS – PARIS
"Zod, bridge. Captain wants you for the official send-off."
Zod turns to 7, "You coming?"
7 OF 9 gives her fractional smile, "Affirmative."
INT. BRIDGE – U.S.S. VOYAGER
Janeway stands at the center. The bridge crew watches Zod step forward, "I speak for all of us, Mr. Zod, when I say that you've made a difference here. You saved us and helped us back on our journey home."
Zod smiles lightly, "You all helped me more than I helped you."
Janeway gestures to helm, "Paris—open comm frequency."
Paris responds, "Aye."
Janeway looks out at the stars, "To all coalition vessels: Zod, The Superman, departs with our thanks. And should fate ever bring his path near ours again…" She glances at him. "He has a starship's welcome."
Zod swallows and nods, "If I ever find a way to this universe again… I'll bring coffee from Earth."
Janeway's eyes sparkle, "You'd be a hero."
A final beat. Zod turns to 7, "I'll wait to hear from you."
7 OF 9 nods, "Understood."
He looks around once more.
Then—
EARTH – ZOD'S CAMPER – NIGHT
Zod reappeared, boots settling onto the familiar scuffed linoleum of his camper's floor. The smell of old books, engine oil, and instant ramen returned at once, home, in its humble way.
The cabin was quiet. The cracked vinyl bench, the tiny fold-out cot, the little heater humming in the corner. No starship engines. No tactical alerts. No, Janeway was issuing calm orders while the universe shook around them.
Zod sat slowly on the cot, letting out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding. He set the stack of PADDs beside him, Federation knowledge compressed into alien technology that had no business existing in a camper in rural America.
Warp coils. Replicator. Phaser emitter schematics.
He ran a hand through his hair.
He'd gone into space a mystery to himself. He had returned… still a mystery, but less lost.
His biology could grow forever, or stay as he was. Somewhere out there was a type of radiation that could kill him. And in his cells lay energy from stars older than the Federation itself.
He smiled to himself, quietly, almost sheepishly.
He already missed them: Torres's smirk, the Doctor's theatrical bedside manner, Janeway's unshakable command, Tuvok's logical steadiness… and Seven's steady presence, always watching, always analyzing, always understanding more than she said. And then he thought about her in a completely different way. Was there something between them? He thought he sensed a little something develop, but he could be wrong. She was hard to read, but he could hear her heartbeat. That's what made him think she thought more of him than as a chat friend or colleague.
They'd meet again, hopefully soon.
But the connection was still there, through the mysterious system that tied them across universes.
He leaned back on the cot, staring up at the little camper ceiling. He felt at peace.
With that final thought, he drifted off to sleep.