AsStarfleet ships are being destroyed all around them, theUSSProtostar crew tries to find a solution to stop the carnage. WhenDal R'El states that the only viable solution to destroy the ship,Jankom Pog points out that the destruction of theproto-core would destroy the entirestar system. However,Rok-Tahk counters that if they detonate the core at the same moment that theyproto-jump, then the blast's effect will be minimal since it will be distributed equally in space along the trajectory of the jump. However, since theself-destruct is off-line the core will need to be detonated manually. Dal volunteers to go down with the ship, butHologram Janeway declares that she should be the one to stay behind. When the crew balk, she assures them that she can load a copy of her program onto anisolinear chip.

While Jankom prepares the proto-core to self-destruct, Rok uses thevehicle replicator to build a bare-bonesshuttle for their escape. Unfortunately, Holo-Janeway discovers that she won't be joining them – her program has grown too much and there isn't enough space on the chip to save a copy. Not sharing this with the kids, Holo-Janeway gives them the isolinear chip, which only contains a holo-recording of her, and says goodbye to the crew and tells them what an honor it's been to serve with them. With the crew safety on board the shuttle, Holo-Janeway takes command of theProtostar and orders it to "go fast." As expected, theProtostar explodes as it proto-jumps. When the kids try to activate Holo-Janeway, they learn, to their sadness, why she had to stay behind, and are left with her final words of encouragement. With theProtostar gone, the Starfleetarmada is able to regain control of their systems. However, there is no sign of the escape shuttle.

Act Two[]

One month later,Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway is being debriefed atStarfleet Headquarters. Thanks to Holo-Janeway, theProtostar's path acrossspace-time created awormhole that duplicated the one that sentCaptain Chakotay and his crew52 years into the future. This created an interspatial flexure to approximately the same space-time coordinates – in an alternate future. From the wormhole, they are able to pick up adistress call from Chakotay. When she is told that Starfleet is talking about sending a ship through the wormhole to find Chakotay, Janeway states that she wants to be on that ship. Just then, an officer enters and announces that the young crew of theProtostar has been found. The kids managed to find their way toEarth and landed their shuttle inSan Francisco Bay, where shuttles arrive to retrieve them.

Starfleet conducts atribunal regarding the criminal charges facing the young crew, such as stealing aFederation starship and impersonating Starfleetofficers. Personally acting as their advocate, Janeway argues that the kids did everything in an effort to warn Starfleet. The judges are dismissive of Janeway's idea for the kids to be accepted straight intoStarfleet Academy, especially theAugment. One judge argues that the Academy is not a space camp for children, but a serious, disciplined institution designed for only the brightest, while another judge argues that there are protocols to enroll in the Academy and states that "good intentions do not make up for Federation crimes." Janeway argues passionately on the kids' behalf, stating that the interviews andpsychological evaluations can't stand up to what the crew has been through and points out that the "Augment" (who she points out is not "enhanced" in any way) contains theDNA of 26 of the Federation's 150 member species, asking the judges if there was a better example of what their alliance represents.

Act Three[]

Soon after, Janeway tells the kids that while the tribunal did drop all the criminal charges, they will not allow them to be fast tracked to Starfleet Academy, stating that it's not fair to the more-qualified applicants. However, five of them will be permitted to serve under her aswarrant officers-in-training, on her new assignment. When the group asks why only five,Gwyn states that she's decided to forgo Starfleet and travel to present daySolum in the hope of unifying theVau N'Akat in an effort to prevent the civil war.

TheProtostar crew begin undergoing training, with Zero receiving a new containment suit and a science officer suggesting that Rok become axenobiologist given her affinity forMurf. As Gwyn and Dal say goodbye to one another, they share a very sweetkiss. After Gwyn departs on a shuttle, Janeway shows the remaining crew the newestProtostar-class ship; but says that it won't be their ship, stating that she has a much bigger plan for them.

Log entries[]

Memorable quotes[]

"How soon until we can jump?"
"It'd take any engineer at least a day, but-- Jankom ain't any engineer"

-Dal andJankom Pog

"Jankom, how we doing on that razzle-dazzle?"
"She's primed and ready to jump-- jump and explode, that is. Jankom's not just an engineer. He's a miracle worker."

-Dal andJankom Pog

"Ack! All this time, all this love we put into it, and we're just going to blow it up? I, uh, it just doesn't feel right."
"Think of it as letting a young star become what it's meant to be."

-Jankom Pog andRok-Tahk

"On my mark. Ready? Go fast!"

-Hologram Janeway, activating the proto-drive and sacrificing herself and theProtostar

"We are no longer locked out."
"Any sign of the USSProtostar?"
"No, Admiral. I've tracked their warp signature, but read no signs of life."
"Send a search party."
"But, Admiral, the distance they crossed -- it would take months to scan that many star systems."
"That crew just saved Starfleet. If they're out there, I want to know."

-Janeway andTysess

"You got this far. Wherever you are, don't give up now."

-Janeway, silently encouraging the missingProtostar crew

"I bet right now Jankom is wondering why I'm not a hologram and just a prerecorded message. I imagine you have questions. I'm sorry, but I lied to you. There was no way for me to leave. Over the course of my time with you, I've grown. Literally -- my program has become too large, too rich, and complex for some tiny, little chip. It just wasn't possible to remove me from the computers in time. And knowing how stubborn you all are, especially you, Jankom, I did what I had to, so that you could fulfil your potential. I'm truly proud to have seen how far you've all come. My only regret is not being there when you arrive at the steps of Starfleet Academy. You may think you need me to get there, but after seeing everything you've accomplished, I have full confidence you'll find your way. Because together, your potential is infinite. Now, go boldly."

-Hologram Janeway's last message

"Mayday. Mayday. It's day 72 since the Vau N'Akat captured theProtostar. They're planning to launch it back through the wormhole with a weapon aboard. Half my crew's gone, but I'm trying to hang on."

-Chakotay's second distress call broadcast through the wormhole that Hologram Janeway opened

"I know my prior statements about my experience with the accused were unusual to say the least, but one year ago, not one of them had ever heard of the United Federation of Planets. Yet through fate, engineered by their own ingenuity, they set their compass for Starfleet. And without their intervention, I cannot say with certainty if all of us would be sitting here right now."

-Janeway, defending theProtostar crew against a Starfleet tribunal

"TheProtostar, named after the early stage in the formation of a star, powered by it; we designed a ship that could explore the far reaches of our understanding in hope of finding others who share our ideals, so that we may create a stronger alliance. Stack up those tests, the psych evaluations, interviews. The don't hold a candle to what this crew has been through. And concerning the Augment, whose name you've conveniently forgotten. His name is Dal R'El. Is he genetically engineered? Yes. Was he enhanced in every way? Look at him, of course not. But his heart is bigger than any in this room. I should know. The Federation is made-up of over 150 member species. Dal's DNA includes 26 of those. So, I ask you, is there a better living embodiment of what our alliance represents?"

-Janeway, defending theProtostar crew against a Starfleet tribunal

"Gwyndala, The Unifier."

-Zero, naming Gwyn for her new goal of making peaceful first contact with the Vau N'Akat

"I have the unique privilege to have grown up with Starfleet. But there are parts of our universe still unexplored. Those uninitiated who have never been under the protection of an alliance or pursued dreams beyond their scope. Today, the crew of theProtostar has been given a chance. A chance to discover who they are. A chance to prove what they're capable of. A chance to improve themselves. And finally, a chance of finding their place in an endless universe."

-Janeway

"It's perfect."

-Zero, on their new containment suit

"Your previous ship was a prototype, but Starfleet's now approved a newProtostar-class."
"Magnificent!"
"So... are we, uh -- Is that our ship?
"Oh, I have a much bigger plan for us. Well, are you coming or not?"

-Janeway,Zero andDal

Background information[]

Title[]

The title was announced byParamount+ on25 October 2022.[1]

Production[]

The episode was released on26 November 2022 on CANAL+ online in Poland and on23 December 2022 onParamount+ in Brazil, ahead of US release.

Continuity[]

When creating their bare-bones escape shuttle, Gwyn references Holo-Janeway's favorite feature from theRunaway, the"hold-on-to-your-butt"grab handles.
Through a message from Chakotay, the episode establishes that the events which concluded with the original crew of the USSProtostar ending up stranded on Solum in a now alternate future took place 52 years from2384, thus in2436.
The crew of theProtostar end up crash landing their escape shuttle in San Francisco Bay after saving the Federation, echoing how theHMSBounty crash-landed in the same bay while saving the Federation in2286. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Following the species' introduction inPRO: "All the World's a Stage", anEnderprizian can be seen in the same class inStarfleet Academy asRok-Tahk.
Although there is no officialstardate within the episode itself, anentry by Janeway on the "Star Trek Logs" Instagram account dated the episode to Stardate 61408.8.[2]
Erin Macdonald was previously mentioned inLD: "First First Contact" prior to her appearance in this episode.