Janeway and most of the crew, abandoned with none of their technology on the volcanic planet by the Kazon Nistrim, struggle to survive against both the elements and a group of primitive cave-dwellers. Aboard the captured Voyager, the Doctor and recovering sociopath Lon Suder form an alliance to try to wrest control back from Cullah's boarding party while Tom Paris seeks help from a distant group of Talaxians. Suder makes the greatest sacrifice of all as he finds he must release the dark side of his psyche in order to save the ship. Chakotay establishes the rudiments of communication with the tribesmen on the planet. And Paris convinces a reluctant Commander Paxim to use his Talaxian fleet in an attack which depends on timing to avoid disaster.
