The "BIG P" owns him, I just get into his mind and find out what he's thinking (and no, I don't manipulate him. He gets enough of that from the Delta Quad). I'll bring him back, dimples and all.
It would stand to reason. He was a trader before we met him, and he knows this quadrant. Kathryn called him to the bridge.
Neelix said it was a Haakonie vessel, that his people had been at war with them and they had conquered Talaxia.
"Any idea what the Haakonie want with you now?" I asked.
"None at all," Neelix said. I think he was surprised, by the appearance and had no way of explaining it.
When we finally contacted the vessel, the lone occupant wanted to talk to Neelix in private. Neelix demanded to know who he was. Dr. Jetrel, he said. I could see Neelix begin to shake. He turned and strode off the bridge, without a word. I've never seen him so angry. The usually good natured Neelix was upset. I watched him enter the turbo lift. And of course, Kathryn was concerned too.
So concerned Kathryn was, she followed him to his quarters to get the story.
This cascade that destroyed that moon had some side effects that are proving to be fatal. Jetrel wants to see if Neelix has it. Neelix didn't want to know if he had it or not. He finally relented after Kathryn and Kes outflanked him.
Jetrel found that Neelix had this fatal disease. All was rather quiet, no one knowing what to say and all. Jetrel came to the bridge to see Kathryn and they adjourned to her ready room. After a few minutes, Kathryn called me and had me set a course for the Talaxian system. Quite a bit out of the way. I figured she'd tell me in her own time why. I usually don't second guess her. Something I've learned. But if it means saving Neelix's life, then what's a slight detour?
We arrived and Kathryn contacted Neelix to let him know we'd arrived. He didn't seem, well, lucid. As we entered orbit, Neelix came onto the bridge.
He talked of before, during and after the cascade. I felt for him, something brimming with life suddenly gone. B'Elanna cut in that they were ready down in Engineering for whatever it was they were going to do. The reverie was still not broken. Kathryn's voice broke when she said 'acknowledged.' And Neelix left the bridge again.
Neelix never had the affliction. Dr. Jetrel had lied, because he did have it and needed to try one last thing for retribution before he died. He almost made it.
Dr. Jetrel died. His ideals may have basis someday. I don't know how this will effect Neelix, but maybe it will make him to become better for it.
**End Log**