The impostors arrange a dilithium-bolomite trade with the miners, citing "helping orphans" as their philanthropic goal.
Back aboard their ramshackle ship (which they call the "Delta Flyer" though it looks nothing like Voyager's souped-up shuttle), "Janeway" then claims that an approaching storm prevents delivery and rapidly flies off.
She takes off her wig, revealing an attractive bald humanoid head. "Janeway" is a bit annoyed at "Tuvok" for improvising in negotiations with the Telcians, but the two of them, and a third conspirator, a bald man, seem to have successfully bilked the aliens. All laugh.
Voyager. The real
received a few weeks earlier through barter with a Sister Dala, who was seeking goods to help orphans.
The bridge. On screen, an angry alien -- Mr. Orek, Chief of Mining Operations on Telcius Prime -- is demanding the dilithium that his people had been promised.
Voyager's conference room. Orek is on board, still angry. Janeway looks at a very fuzzy tape of "Janeway," and denies it was her. Understandably skeptical, Orek complains about "Janeway's" claim to be helping "orphaned children."
That rings a bell with Janeway, and she asks Neelix about this "Sister Dala."
Somebody spoke and I went into a dream
Flashback. Neelix and
were recently on a planet, prospecting in a cave, when they came across what appeared to be reclusive clerics. We recognize these robed figures as the con artists. After some chanting and candlelight, the "clerics" pay a visit to the nearby Delta Flyer.
During a supposed meditation session, the artist who soon would be known as "Tuvok" waved a talisman around the Flyer. In retrospect, it is apparent that he was downloading the shuttle's database. "Gentlemen, I believe you've been had," Janeway tells the crestfallen Neelix and Tom.
Orek still has some doubts about all this, but agrees to share data with Voyager so the starship can track down the impostors.
Meanwhile, aboard the fake "Delta Flyer," the phony "Janeway" is convincing an alien ship captain to join the "Federation." He'll have to hand over considerable resources in exchange for a military alliance.
Voyager's mess hall. Tom and Neelix are distressed at having been taken for fools. They prefer fooling others, but when they try to trick the
in a shell game-type ruse, his optical sensors easily discern where the terranut lies (in Neelix's left palm).
The horror of psoriasis
Back to the "Delta Flyer," which is embroiled in a dispute with the alien ship captain. The alien ship puts a tractor beam on the "Flyer," just as Voyager arrives. There is considerable confusion. Voyager and the alien ship exchange fire, while the "Flyer" tries to escape. Voyager manages to beam to its brig one of the con artists -- "Janeway," a.k.a. Sister Dala.
Janeway confronts the attractive prisoner. She demands restitution for Dala's victims, but gets no cooperation, so instead the captain threatens to send Dala to a Telcian penal camp.
Even after Janeway prompts Tuvok to describe the alleged horrors thereof -- which he awkwardly says include "several incurable forms of psoriasis" -- but the prisoner won't break. Thwarted, Janeway and Tuvok go off to engage in further planning.
Bad cop, worse cop
Later, Neelix comes to the brig bearing an attractive tea service and claiming to be disregarding Janeway's orders that Dala receive only bread and water. Dala and Neelix discuss ethics.
Neelix talks about how being on Voyager made him a less self-seeking being. Dala seems impressed, but then smashes him over the head and rushes away.
Next, she is taking off in the real Delta Flyer. On the bridge, Janeway and Chakotay monitor this departure. They look serious -- but not surprised. Could this all be part of the plan?
Aboard the "Delta Flyer," an argument breaks out. "Tuvok," who seems to slipping a bit too deep into character, says it would be "logical" to try to rescue Dala. The bald man disagrees. Then the real Delta Flyer arrives. "Tuvok" is delighted to see "Janeway," but the bald man is suspicious -- how'd she escape?
Sneak, sneak, sneak
On the Flyer, Tom slides out of a hidden compartment. We see him activate the Doctor.
After some hesitation, the bald man lowers shields so "Janeway" can board. But suddenly Tom is on screen, demanding the thieves surrender. The "Flyer" tries to run off, but the thieves' actions are confused, due to an apparent lack of trust among them.
There is a chase and exchange of fire, and soon Tuvok and "Tuvok" stand face to face, phasers drawn. "Tuvok says this looks like an equal standoff. Tuvok disputes this, and shines a light in "Tuvok's" face, then stuns him. Meanwhile, the bald man fires at "Janeway," who turns out to be not Dala but the Doctor in holographic disguise. Dala, meanwhile, is on the Flyer with Tom, who has drugged her.
Voyager. Janeway is worried that the Federation's reputation may have been damaged by all these shenanigans. Meanwhile in the mess hall, Tom and Neelix successfully engage in a shell game against the Doctor, who walks off angrily.
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