Stardate: 50348.1 An injured Ilari named Tieran, brought on board Voyager before his ship explodes, transfers his consciousness into Kes' mind moments before he dies. The alien gains control over her and uses her abilities to steal a shuttlecraft. The warlord returns to his home world to attempt a political coup.

Stardate: 50425.1 Captain Janeway and Neelix return from a difficult first contact and trade mission with the Tak Tak to find Voyager disabled and adrift in space with the crew barely alive. They soon learn that alien macroviral lifeforms overran the ship and grew rapidly in size. After Neelix becomes infected, Captain Janeway and The Doctor must retake the ship.