Factoring Primes

"Factoring Primes" is the fifth chapter of The Mysterious Case of Neelix's Lungs, written by StarSword and Worffan101. It is an adaptation of the canon episode VOY: "Prime Factors".

Summary

At Deep Space 9, Julian Bashir and Elim Garak discuss the implications of the disappearances of USS Voyager and CDS Vetar.

Meanwhile in the Delta Quadrant, the ships in question arrive at Sikaris for rest and resupply, which the locals are only too happy to grant. But discipline problems rapidly crop up, with Celes Tal assaulting Hogue Marritza, insulted by the Cardassian officer asking her on a date.

Things become even more tense when Harry Kim discovers that the Sikarians have a technology called the spatial trajector capable of transporting matter up to 40,000 light-years. Veronica Stadi and Aman Evek attempt to bargain with Magistrate Gathorel Labin for the device, but are rebuffed: the Sikarians have a Prime Directive-equivalent law on the books.

At the subsequent meeting the cast discusses the ramifications of the Prime Directive and hit upon the idea of trading the contents of Voyager's shipboard library for the device. Evek suggests making an end run around Labin to seek a better offer but Stadi convinces him to let her try it through channels.

On the surface, Seska Harani, B'Elanna Torres, and Kalar are doing inventory. Seska suggests making the trade themselves, and chance brings them Jaret Otel, with whom they had previously visited, as a contact.

The Sikarian Canon rejects Stadi's proposal to have the Sikarians use the trajector to transport Voyager and Vetar, and the ships prepare to leave. The lower-ranked crewmembers try to make the trade with Otel but are interrupted by Tuvok, who makes the deal himself. The trajector proves incompatible with ship systems and the relevant crew members own up to their COs.

Memorable quotes

"I can't believe you didn't like The Never-Ending Sacrifice! It's the greatest piece of art ever created by a Cardassian!"

"Well, after the first two acts, I rather got the idea of where the rest were going."

— Glinn Emil Tarak and Jaret Otel

"Fourth year at the Academy I did my senior project on the Prime Directive, how it keeps us from doing irreparable harm to other cultures, even through no fault of our own. But now that we're on the other side of it…"

"Now you see how my people felt."

— Captain Veronica Stadi and Crewman Apprentice Celes Tal

References

Characters

Alina t'Aimne • Lindsay Ballard • Julian Bashir • Celes Tal • Eudana • Aman Evek • Elim Garak • Kalar • Harry Kim • Amnell Kree • Gathorel Labin • Hogue Marritza • Neelix • Kerani Ocett • Jaret Otel • Tom Paris • Seska Harani • Veronica Stadi • Tar • Emil Tarak • Daran Taril • B'Elanna Torres • Tuvok

Referenced only

Akorem Laan • V. Raiuhes Athaevthe • Fyodor Dostoyevsky • Ebrin Gesh • Kathryn Janeway • James Leyton • Murasaki Shikibu • Nirymer • Surak • J.R.R. Tolkien • sh'Vanthadaris

Events

Referenced only

Occupation of Bajor

Locations

Bajoran system • Deep Space 9 • Delta Quadrant • Sikarian system • Sikaris

Referenced only

Starfleet Academy

Races and cultures

Bajoran • Betazoid • Cardassian • Human • Klingon • Romulan • Sikarian • Talaxian • Trill • Vulcan

Referenced only

Kazon

Ranks and titles

captain • commander • controller-commander • chief petty officer • crewman • crewman apprentice • dalin • doctor • ensign • gil • glinn • gul • lieutenant • lieutenant junior grade • magistrate

Referenced only

admiral

Starships and vehicles

CDS Vetar (Galor-class) • USS Voyager (Intrepid-class)

Referenced only

Aeroshuttle • Ali Qushji (shuttlecraft) • Maquis raider • Peregrine-class fighter • runabout • Shen Quo (shuttlecraft) • Tyson (shuttlecraft)

States and organizations

Cardassian Central Command • Cardassian Guard • Sikarian Canon • Starfleet • United Federation of Planets

Referenced only

Dominion • Kazon-Nistrim • Maquis

Technology and weapons

fertilizer • hydroponics • spatial trajector • transporter

Referenced only

micro-torpedo launcher • tetryon beam • tricobalt device

Other references

Epic of Sundiata • Jane's Navy International • library • The Lord of the Rings • The Never-Ending Sacrifice • non-judicial punishment • The Peach Blossom Fan • Prime Directive • repetitive epic • "The Second Legate's Ode" • Serenity • Surak's Analects • Taer'thaiemenh • Thok moll Tun

External links

• "Factoring Primes" at FanFiction.net
• Prime Factors (episode) article at Memory Alpha, the canon Star Trek wiki.