Check out this nutty dialog. Season 1 Episode 6
JANEWAY: I know you're disappointed, Harry, we all are. It seemed we were so close. But clearly we can't go back. It would pollute the time line to such an extent that the consequences would be unimaginable. I'm afraid we'll have to send you back alone and ask that you not reveal anything that has happened here.
TELEK: I can assure you, Captain, that I would not do anything that might contaminate the future and perhaps harm the Romulan Empire, but, in twenty years I could alert Starfleet not to launch the mission which sent you here.
CHAKOTAY: I'm afraid that's not possible either. We've already had a huge impact on this quadrant. People and events here would be drastically affected.
JANEWAY: I'm afraid we're left with our original request. In twenty years, would you relay our personal messages to Starfleet?
-----------------------
These guys are 'afraid'. All of them.
-----------------------
a·fraid
əˈfrÄd
adjective
feeling fear or anxiety; frightened.
"I'm afraid of dogs"
synonyms: frightened, scared, terrified, fearful, petrified, scared witless, scared to death, terror-stricken, terror-struck, frightened out of one's wits, scared out of one's wits, shaking in one's shoes, shaking like a leaf;
More
worried that something undesirable will occur or be done.
"he was afraid that the farmer would send the dog after them"
unwilling or reluctant to do something for fear of the consequences.
"I'm often afraid to go out on the streets"
--------------------
S2E20
NEELIX: Well, that's good news, I-I'm delighted you've decided to become a contributor. But I'm afraid I don't have time to discuss it right now.
EMH [on monitor]: But I've already prepared today's topic. How to keep your nostrils happy.
NEELIX: That is fascinating, but I'm afraid there's a more important story I have to work on today.
S3E11
EMH: I'm afraid that's not possible. We'd risk infecting the crew.
GARAN MINER: You can't leave me. Please.
EMH: Commander Chakotay. Perhaps if we established a force field around sickbay and beamed victims directly to
CHAKOTAY [OC]: I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we can't take the chance.
-----------------------------
Ok, we get that the Voyager crew is 'afraid'. But here we have a case where even the aliens are 'afraid'.
-----------------------------
KASHYK: I'm afraid Prax isn't impressed. He's solely concerned with his work, aren't you, Prax?
PRAX: As you say, sir.
KASHYK: Yes, he's curious why you entered this sector. You're aware it's restricted.
JANEWAY: We were planning to study a supernova remnant not far from here.
KASHYK: You strayed a full light year from your course in order to observe an astronomical phenomenon?
JANEWAY: We're explorers.
KASHYK: Yes, I remember. I also remember warning you about going where you don't belong.
JANEWAY: Exploring can sometimes be hard to resist, Inspector.
KASHYK: Well, it's a romantic notion, Captain, but one I can't allow you to indulge. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave our space immediately. Prax, why don't you check on our teams while I reiterate our protocols for Captain Janeway.
S6E25
NEELIX: Is that so? I'm afraid that gaseous anomalies were never really my specialty. Come on, gather round. I've brought toys and stories and games and I thought that later we might even have a little sing-along.
ICHEB: I should go to Astrometrics. Seven may need my help.
NEELIX: I'm afraid that Astrometrics is shut down, too.
----------------------------------
The Ambassador is 'afraid'.
----------------------------------
S7E20
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: I'm afraid we can't do that.
JANEWAY: Why not?
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: It was erected by aliens hundreds of years ago. They haven't been back. The technology is a mystery to us.
TUVOK: Why did these aliens build the barrier?
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: To protect the Ventu.
JANEWAY: From whom?
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: Us. Our ancestors fought them, polluted their habitat. I'm afraid we weren't very enlightened back then.
JANEWAY: Earth went through its dark periods too, Ambassador. Would you have any objections if we tried to lower the barrier, just to scan for our people?
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: I told you, it's not possible.
TUVOK: Perhaps if you gave us information about the barrier's power source?
AMBASSADOR [on viewscreen]: The generator is inside. There's no way to access it. Even if your people did survive, I'm afraid there's no way to get them out.
-------------------------------------
Obviously there was a writer for this show who was hung-up with the term "I'm afraid". It occurs dozens of times in the show. I only posted here when the term was used back-to-back. But there are many, many, more examples. I don't get it but, to each his own. If whoever wrote this this show likes to be 'afraid', then more power to them.
