In 2372, Tuvok uses the antimatter maneuver against the Vidiians while he is acting captain of the U. S. S. Voyager NCC-74656. For nearly three months, acting Captain Tuvok overcomes the difficulties of commanding an emotional crew. His colleagues are understandably troubled after they have been forced to abandon Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay on an unexplored planet where the two have been infected with an incurable viral toxin. Acting against Janeway's last direct orders, Tuvok is finally persuaded by the crew to request medical assistance from the Vidiians. Arriving at the rendezvous point, Voyager is caught in a Vidiian ambush. Tuvok finds the Voyagers defensive power limited: no matter how well he uses the aft or forward torpedo bays, he is still outnumbered. Tuvok's plan requires split second timing. Engineering will eject a small container of antimatter towards the pursuing Vidiians. As soon as it is clear, Harry Kim will detonate it with an aft torpedo. The antimatter container will be just forward of the encroaching Vidiians. Simultaneously, Tom Paris will jump the Voyager to full impulse, so avoiding the full brunt of the explosion.

The U. S. S. Voyager is ambushed by three Vidiian ships. The Voyager is clearly outgunned and her shields cannot hold out indefinitely. Tuvok is in command, and realizes that the ship stands little chance of defeating the Vidiians with just phasers and photon torpedoes. He calls Lieutenant Torres in Engineering and asks her to prepare an antimatter container to be used of a weapon.

After explaining his plan, Tuvok orders Torres to realize the antimatter container. Tuvok’s plan calls for Ensign Kim to fire a photon torpedo that will detonate the container while Lieutenant Paris jumps the ship to maximum impulse, taking themselves out of range of the ensuing explosion. Split-second timing is essential, or the U. S. S. Voyager will also be caught in the explosion.

As the Vidiian ships approach the antimatter container Tuvok orders Ensign Kim to fire the photon torpedo. As soon as it has been fired, Paris takes the ship to maximum impulse. At this point, the Vidiians only defense is to change course and head away from the inevitable explosion, however, in the few seconds available to them, it is unlikely they will realize what is happening.

With the Voyager safely out of range, the torpedo strikes the antimatter container, which explodes disabling the Vidiian ships. The U. S. S. Voyager has escaped from her attackers and can set a course to safety. The Vidiian ships will make repairs, but by the time they are fully functional again the Voyager will be far away. At a safe distance, the Voyager repairs the limited damage she has sustained.