A strange energy disturbance detected by the crew turns out to be a swarm of space-dwelling life forms whose electrophoretic emissions cause sudden hormonal maturation in Kes. She spontaneously enters the Elogium in preparation to have a child, which she desperately wants. Neelix is troubled by the thought of becoming a father and seeks the advice of Tuvok. Kes' condition causes Janeway to wonder about the implications of raising families aboard Voyager, but the crew's immediate concern is the dominant member of the swarm, which views the ship as a rival for mates.
