A circular airlock door opened and a tiny figure in a spacesuit emerges, stepping into space, slowly floating down through the hatch and under the Enterprise saucer section.

"Starfleet signals, sir, growing in strength..." Uhura reported, listening intently. "They have Intruder on their monitors, it's decelerating, power field cloud beginning to dissipate..."

"Confirm, Captain. Lunar beacons indicate Intruder on a course into Earth orbit..."

"Sir!" Chekov cut in. "Airlock four has been opened; a thruster suit is reported missing!"

Kirk glanced at the science station, realizing who was responsible. "A thruster suit…That's Spock! Damn! Get a fix on his position!"

Spock's thruster suit guided him forward to the representation of Qui-Gon, centering on the sensor located on the base of the image's neck.

'Mr. Spock, what exactly are you hoping to accomplish?'

"Master Qui-Gon, I believe the only possible chance we have finding a solution is for me to mind meld with your representation in an attempt to make direct contact with V'ger." Spock replied, hovering before the shining sensor.

'My Jedi training barely keeps me separate from V'ger's mind. The knowledge this entity possesses is too great for anyone, even a Jedi to handle.'

Spock considered the Jedi's warning. "Then perhaps I should mind meld with you first. Perhaps our combined discipline will be enough to meld with V'ger."

Qui-Qon was silent. '…Very well.'

Spock felt a presence attempting to touch his mind and allowed it to enter. He was then wrapped up in a feeling of pure serenity, images of places and people of a galaxy he had never seen before…

And then he felt connected to what Qui-Gon had described to be the Force.

It washed over him.

Penetrated him.

Opening his mind to the infinite and yet invisible to the eyes of all living creatures.

Everything was meant to exist in balance.

No one was meant to be alone.

The Force was like a song, a song of the universe and Qui-Gon along with others like him had been trained to hear it.

Vulcans and other telepathic species were also capable but not on the same level as Qui-Gon and his people, the Jedi.

And through it he could hear V'ger's own song.

A song of perfect intelligence and logic.

And yet so alone…

So very, very alone.

For all its knowledge V'ger yearned to understand why it was meant to have this knowledge.

Was this all it could be?

Was there nothing more?

The confusion…

The loneliness…

It was almost enough to break Spock's emotional control, to make him want to break down and cry in mourning for V'ger.

'Feel the Force and through us both let us understand…' Qui-Gon whispered, calming Spock through their link.

Spock regained his control and agreed. "Yes. Thank you, Master Qui-Gon. Now we must try and meld with the sensor…"

They reached out, melding with the probe….

And it almost tore the both of them to pieces.

Through their minds came images of V'ger's incredible and complex store of mechanistic knowledge, these images suggested patterns of atoms, molecules, galaxies, dimensions of the universe beyond human knowledge or comprehension. It takes only fifteen or twenty seconds, but seems to span aeons, taking them through micro-infinity and macro-infinity.

USS Enterprise
Sickbay

"Now scanning pons area at spinal nerve fiber connection..."

McCoy was at a console, watching readings he is getting from Chapel's scanner. Kirk was watching McCoy anxiously along with Obi-Wan who had decided to come and speak with Spock about his discussion with Qui-Gon.

"Indications of some neurological trauma. The power pouring through that mind-meld must have been staggering..."

Before Kirk can reply, they actually hear a laugh. An abrupt, harsh, bitter laugh as all whirl to the patient area where it is obviously Spock who has just laughed but there was no indication of laughter from him now. A startled Chapel had stepped back away from the bed. Spock seems to be attempting to focus, orient himself as Kirk, Obi-Wan and McCoy hurry to the bedside.

"Spock?" Kirk asked softly.

"Jim..." Spock said back quietly, actually smiling. "I should have known."

"Were you right? About V'ger?" Kirk asked.

Spock nodded. "A lifeform of its own. A conscious living entity."

"A living machine?" Chapel asked.

"It considers the Enterprise to be a living machine." Kirk said, remembering what Qui-Gon had told them.

"What did my master show you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"We saw V'ger's planet, a planet populated by living machines. Unbelievable technology." Spock explained, looking up at Kirk. "V'ger has knowledge that spans not only this universe but the universe that Master Qui-Gon and the others come from. The Force, the power that Master Qui-Gon wields opened a new path of knowledge for it. And yet, with all its pure logic, V'ger is barren, cold. No mystery. No beauty. I should've known." Spock uttered, closing his eyes.

"Known? Known what?" Kirk asked, grasping Spock's shoulder. "Spock?"

"Captain." McCoy cut in to pull him away.

"Bones!" Kirk snapped, glaring at McCoy before turning back to Spock. "Spock! What should you have known? What should have you know?"

Spock opened his eyes and reached out a hand weakly, taking a surprised Kirk's hand in his. McCoy exchanges a surprised glance with Kirk, as Spock clutching Kirk's hand in friendship and need, struggling to summon strength to speak.

"Jim, this simple feeling..." Spock looked at Kirk. "... is so far beyond V'ger's comprehension."

Kirk grasped Spock's hand.

Spock nodded. "No meaning... No hope... And, Jim, no answers...! It's asking questions."

"What questions?"

"'Is this all I am? Is there nothing more?'" Spock answered.

Just then an intercom turned on and Uhura's voice spoke. "Bridge to Captain."

Kirk tuned away to answer. "Kirk here."

"A faint signal from Starfleet, sir! Intruder Cloud has been located on their outer monitors for past twenty-seven minutes. Cloud dissipating rapidly as it approaches."

Sulu chimed in. "Starfleet reports forward velocity has slowed to sup-warp speed. We are three minute from Earth orbit."

"I'll be right there." Kirk switched the intercom off. "…I need Spock on the bridge."

Knowing what to do Chapel turned to a nearby doctor. "Dalaphaline, five cc's."

"A machine planet, sending a machine to Earth, looking for its creator." Kirk said thoughtfully, sharing a small smile with McCoy. "It's absolutely incredible."

Obi-Wan didn't seem to share that idea. "Considering the number of droids in our galaxy, I consider us lucky they cannot think or none of us would be here."

USS Enterprise
Bridge

Kirk, Spock and Obi-Wan were back on the bridge, staring at the view screen that showed an image of V'ger looming ominously in orbit of the planet.

"Captain, Starfleet is sending this tactical on V'ger's position. V'ger is transmitting a signal." Uhura reported.

"From V'ger?" Kirk asked.

The voice of Qui-Gon was heard. 'V'ger is attempting to signal its creator.'

Kirk turned to the science station, seeing the science officer was already analyzing the signal. "Spock?"

"A simple binary code transmitted by carrier-wave signal. Radio." Spock answered.

Kirk was now perplexed. "Radio?"

Decker cut in. "Jim, V'ger expects an answer."

"An answer? I don't know the question." Kirk replied.

'My friends, we have a situation.' Qui-Gon cut in again. 'The Creator has not responded to V'ger's transmission.'

As soon as the Jedi Master spoke an ominous looking, huge swirling green mass resembling the same green plasma-energy bolts that destroyed the Klingons and Epsilon 9 and very nearly the Enterprise shot towards Earth. It was not a bolt as the mass was much larger and appeared much more deadly. A second object had now formed and moved off just a third one began to appear.

"All planetary defense systems have just gone inoperative." Chekov reported.

The crew watched as more devices appeared, moving into orbit around the planet.

"Sir, Starfleet says the devices are proceeding to equidistant positions orbiting the planet."Uhura reported.

"They're the same things that hit us." McCoy realized.

"They are hundreds of times more powerful, Captain. From those positions they could devastate the entire surface of the planet." Spock stated.

"But why?" Padme cut in. "Doesn't V'ger care about its creator?"

'It does not intend to destroy the planet. Only the population.' Qui-Gon replied. 'It believes the organic life is an infestation, interfering with the Creator.'

"It believes that its Creator is a machine like it." Spock stated.

"Of course. We all create God in our image." Decker said thoughtfully.

"It is more than that, commander. V'ger is a child." Spock spoke up. "I suggest we must treat it as such."

Kirk looked back at Spock. "A child?"

"Yes, Captain. A child." Spock nodded. "Evolving, learning, searching, instinctively needing."

"Needing what?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Spock, this child is about to wipe out every living thing on Earth. Now do you suggest we do? Spank it?" McCoy asked skeptically.

"It knows only that it needs but like so many of us it does not know what." Spock replied.

'But perhaps we can provide that answer.' Qui-Gon spoke, the image of him before the ship suddenly vanishing.

"Master!" Obi-Wan gasped, the view screen showing the entire chamber vanishing into darkness.

An opening appeared and at the same time the Enterprise slowly moved forward into the opening.

"Forward motion…" Decker whispered.

"Tractor beam." Spock stated.

This enormous chamber resembled a hemisphere, laced throughout with dazzling energy patterns, not at all ominous, but quite lovely in effect. As the Enterprise continued forward motion, now the crew could see a small 'island' floating in the exact center of the hemisphere. The 'island' seemed alive with pulsing light.

The 'island' was looming larger in the distance and the Enterprise as evidenced from the viewer started slowing.

"Forward motion slowing, Captain." Sulu reported.

Kirk sat in his chair, considering his options before speaking. "Mister Chekov, when do those devices reach final position?"

"Twenty-seven minutes. Mark." Chekov replied.

The captain then tapped the intercom on his chair. "Engineering."

"Scott here."

"Mister Scott, be prepared to execute Starfleet order two-zero-zero-five."

"When, sir?"

"On my command."

Obi-Wan turned to Decker. "What is order two-zero-zero-five."

"It's the order for activating the self-destruct sequence." Decker answered.

Padme glanced at Decker. "Self-destruct?"

Decker nodded while Jar-Jar started to trembled. "Wesa going to go boom?"

"Not yet. The only reason the captain would make this order is because he believes that when the ship goes, we'll be taking V'ger with us." Decker explained.

"Eighteen minutes to device activation." Chekov chimed in.

"Starfleet has been apprised of our situation, Captain." Uhura spoke next.

Sulu noticed the ship was starting to slow down. "Forward motion slowing, Captain."

"Captain, I believe that is our destination." Spock said, starting at the light in the center of the chamber.

"I read an oxygen gravity envelope forming outside the Enterprise!" Chekov said, surprised by his station's reading.

The ship finally came to a stop.

"Forward motion stopped."

"Sir, I have located the source of V'ger's radio signal, it's directly ahead." Uhura reported.

"That transmitter is a vital link between V'ger and its Creator." Spock stated.

'And where you must go. I will be there.'

Kirk turned to those he planned to bring along. "Spock, Bones. Mister Decker. ...I will contact you every five minutes."

"Captain," Decker called out. "I'd like to go along."

"I believe we should come along as well." Padme spoke, gesturing to herself, Obi-Wan and Jar-Jar.

'I agree Captain. It is important for Mr. Decker and Lieutenant Ilia to come here.' Qui-Gon spoke.

"Why?" Kirk questioned while Ilia shared a glance with Decker.

'I can only say that V'ger gained an interest in Lieutenant Ilia and if not for my intervention she would have endured the same fate as the others.'

Kirk seems about to deny the request but then turned to Sulu. "Mr. Sulu, you have the conn..."

And Kirk left; Decker, his face reflecting a strange, almost eager gratification, hurried after him and was followed by Ilia.

The group emerged from an airlock on the upper side of the saucer section, stopping to stare at the light for a second, watching as a path was formed for them to cross, and leading to the circular island that resembled an amphitheater with data conduits running at the center. In the very center of it all was the very unexpected part of the of it: an unmanned primitive looking probe and in front of it was none other than Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and on the other side of the probe was R2-D2.

"Master!" Obi-Wan called out.

Qui-Gon was seemingly meditating before the large unmanned probe as the group made their way down. Padme walked over to R2, looking him over and seeing there was not a scratch on him.

In the meantime Kirk approached the probe and saw a plaque with writing on it.

"V-G-E-R ...V'ger." Kirk read it over but noticed the name had burn markings over it that he wiped away, revealing the probe's real name. "V-O-Y-A-G-E-R ...Voyager! ...Voyager VI?"

"NASA. National Aeronautics and Space Administration." Decker stated, looking at Kirk. "Jim, this was launched more than three hundred years ago."

Kirk paced around the probe. "Voyager series, designed to collect data and transmit it back to Earth."

The group stopped as R2 came back online and started beeping wildly.

"Wa hesa saying?" Jar-Jar asked.

"He's saying…V'ger awaits the information." Obi-Wan translated.

Qui-Gon opened his eyes. "I convinced V'ger that the carbons know why the Creator has not responded and that it could only be given to V'ger directly."

"Master?" Obi-Wan moved over to his master's side, helping the Jedi Master to his feet.

"I am fine. However I am still connected to V'ger." Qui-Gon stood up straight. "I have been sharing with it all my knowledge of the galaxy we came from and what I know of the Force. My connection to the Force has kept me from being assimilated into its memory banks."

"And R2?" Padme gestured to the astromech droid as it beeped again.

"That is a little more complicated." The Jedi Master answered.

"Captain, Voyager VI ...disappeared into what they used to call a black hole." Decker spoke up, changing the subject.

"It must have emerged somewhere on the far side of the Galaxy and fell into the machine's planet's gravitational field." Kirk reasoned.

"The machine inhabitants found it to be one of their own kind, primitive yet kindred. They discovered its simple twentieth-century programming. Collect all data possible." Spock logically deduced.

"Learn all that is learnable. Return that information to its Creator." Decker realized.

"Precisely, Mister Decker, the machines interpreted it literally." Spock continued. "They built this entire vessel so that Voyager could fulfil its programming."

"And on its journey back it amassed so much knowledge, it achieved consciousness itself. It became a living thing." Kirk finished.

"Indeed, Captain." Qui-Gon nodded in agreement. "And just as machines saw this probe as a kindred spirit, Voyager VI saw a kindred spirit in R2. That's why it brought him here."

"Why?"

"It discovered his programming as well: repair, navigation, optimizing ship instruments and information storage. Like the machine planet, V'ger interpreted these instructions literally and thus brought R2 here, directly connecting him to its central node." Qui-Gon explained, placing a hand on R2's head. "As we speak, V'ger is updating R2's entire database and possibly upgrading his body to be able to repair perhaps almost…anything."

"Anything?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes. V'ger's knowledge spans this universe and now our own. It has granted that knowledge to R2 so that R2 can fulfill its own function." Qui-Gon nodded. "However V'ger remains incomplete. It believes that joining with its creator is the only way to answer its questions."

"But if humans over two three hundred years ago created this machine then wouldn't its creators actually have died long ago?" Padme pointed out.

R2 beeped again this was immediately followed by a series of blipping sounds from the Voyager probe.

"V'ger…V'ger." Kirk stepped forward slowly, listening to pulsing noise and the bolts of electricity flashing across the 'sky' before turning to the probe. "V'ger!" He held his arms up. "We…are the Creator."

The entire chamber seemed to shake as R2 beeped again, projecting an image of Qui-Gon to speak for him and V'ger. "That is not logical. Carbon units are not true life forms."

"We will prove it. We will make it possible for you to complete your programming. Only the Creator could accomplish that." Kirk held his wrist communicator. "...Enterprise?

"We have just received the response code, Captain."

"Set the Enterprise transmitter on appropriate frequency, and transmit the code now."

"Transmitting."

Decker held up his tricorder as the code was transmitted. "Five zero four, three two nine, three one seven, five one zero, and the final sequence..."

"That should trigger Voyager's transmitter." Kirk stated.

However there was a burning sound inside the probe and Spock immediately noticed it. "Voyager is not transmitting its data, Captain."

"The Creator must join with V'ger."

"Uhura! Repeat the final sequence." Kirk ordered, ignoring the projection.

"The Creator must join with V'ger."

Spock removed the plating on the probe to see the source of the problem. "Voyager is not transmitting, Captain, because it did not receive the final sequence.

"Jim, we're down to ten minutes." McCoy called out.

"Enterprise, stand by." Kirk walked up next to Spock and looked inside, seeing the wiring inside had burned out. "The antenna leads are melted away."

Spock caught his captain's hand, keeping it away from the wiring. "Yes Captain, just now. By V'ger itself."

"Why?"

"To prevent reception." Spock answered.

"Of course. To bring the Creator here, to finish transmitting the code in person ...to touch the Creator." Decker realized.

"To capture God! V'ger's going to be in for one hell of a disappointment." McCoy commented.

"Perhaps not." Spock replied and was silent for a moment.

As he was silent the entire chamber became engulfed in an eerie red glow.

"Captain." Spock gestured, waiting for everyone to gather with him. "...V'ger must evolve. Its knowledge has reached the limits of this universe and it must evolve. What it requires of its God, Doctor is the answer to its question, 'Is there nothing more?"

"What more is there than the universe, Spock?" McCoy asked.

"Other dimensions, higher levels of beings." Decker answered.

"The existence of which cannot be proved logically, therefore V'ger is incapable of believing in them." Spock stated.

"What V'ger needs in order to evolve is a human quality. Our capacity to leap beyond logic." Kirk stated, catching on to Spock's suggestion.

"But how? Intelligent or not it's still a machine. You cannot program that pattern of thinking." Obi-Wan pointed out.

"Unless it is joined with its Creator." Qui-Gon replied. "This is its answer. The answer to its problems all lies in the very life forms it believes to be imperfect."

"Are you saying this machine is going to physically merge itself with a human? Is that possible?" Padme questioned.

"It is the only way." Qui-Qon said, looking back at the probe.

Decker followed his gaze and saw Ilia standing next to the probe. "Ilia?"

Ilia turned around, facing Decker and then the others. "I'm going to key the sequence through the ground-test computer."

"Ilia, you don't know what that will do to you!" McCoy called out.

"I…have to." Ilia said, beginning to key in the sequence.

Kirk moved to stop her by R2 released a bolt of energy that stunned him. Decker rushed up, standing next to her.

Curiously R2 did not stop him.

"I have to." Ilia whispered to him.

Seeing the look in her eye and then looking to the probe, Decker reached out…and keyed the last of the sequence in himself.

"Decker." Kirk called out as he stood up.

"Jim." Decker turned around, facing his captain. "I want this. As much as you wanted the Enterprise, I want this."

Everyone stopped, staring in shock and awe as a bright light formed around Decker's body. Ilia moved towards him and the light encompassed them both as they merged together. Their bodies disappeared just as the light started to expand, consuming the entire chamber. R2 beeped madly, seemingly free from the V'ger's influence and floated off the ground, fleeing with the others back to the Enterprise. The light spread throughout the entire massive vessel and a moment later it exploded in a flash of blinding light.

Leaving the Enterprise unharmed above the Earth.

Xxx

USS Enterprise
Bridge

The turbo lift doors opened, allowing Kirk and the remaining members of the party to step onto the bridge.

"Captain." Sulu greeted, standing up from the chair.

Kirk barely noticed as he spoke with his science officer in a tone of complete awe and reverence. "Spock! Did we just see the beginnings of a new lifeform?"

"Yes, Captain, we witnessed a birth. Possibly a next step in our evolution." Spock answered, perfectly calm as always.

"I wonder." Kirk whispered.

"Well, it's been a long time since I delivered a baby, and I hope we got this one off to a good start." McCoy said happily.

"I hope so, too." Kirk said, smiling at the doctor. "I think we gave it the ability to create its own sense of purpose. Out of our own human weaknesses and the drive that compels us to overcome them."

"And a lot of foolish human emotions. Right, Mister Spock?" McCoy asked, looking at the Vulcan.

"Quite true, Doctor. Unfortunately it will have to deal with them as well." Spock agreed.

"And what about Master Qui-Gon and R2?" Padme said, looking at the two. "Are you both…well?"

"As well as expected." Qui-Gon answered, sounding satisfied and a little happy as well as he patted R2 on the head. "I believe your people will have some time discovering what Voyager IX left our droid here with. I suspect that just as what happened was a next step in our evolution perhaps the same can be said for R2 and his kind as well."

R2 beeped happily at that.

"A communication from Starfleet. They're requesting damage and injury reports and complete vessel status." Uhura informed.

"Report two casualties. Lieutenant Ilia. Captain Decker." Kirk answered.

"Aye sir." Uhura said but was quickly stopped by her captain.

"Correction! They're not casualties. They are... List them as missing. Vessel status, fully operational."

"Aye sir."

"Mister Scott! Shall we give the Enterprise a proper shakedown?" Kirk said, heading for his chair.

"I would say it's time for that, sir, aye. We can have you back on Vulcan in for days, Mister Spock." Scotty offered the science officer.

"Unnecessary, Mister Scott. My task on Vulcan is completed." Spock replied, knowing that his place was not on Vulcan but here with his crew and friends.

"In the meantime we'll work on helping our friends return to their proper universe." Kirk said, glancing at their guests. "I am sure our science officer will be looking over the data you sent us, Master Qui-Gon. While we wait how about we show you our universe?"

"Thank you, Captain." Qui-Gon said, bowing humbly, followed by Obi-Wan and Padme. "We'd be delighted to accept you invitation."

"Mister Sulu, ahead, warp one."

"Warp one, sir." Sulu replied.

"Heading, sir?" The new navigator, Defalco asked.

"Out there." Kirk waved a hand at the screen. "That a way!"

With that, the Enterprise flew overhead and engaged warp drive on its way to another mission of exploration and discovery.