Naomi of Borg
Summary: In an alternate reality where Voyager didn't make it home, the partially-assimilated Starfleet vessel roams the universe, run by a crew of drones as the inadvertent result of a last-ditch effort by Seven of Nine to save Naomi's life. Among the Voyager Collective, one spark of individuality remains in the heart of Naomi of Borg, Queen of Voyager. This is a tale from her perspective as she goes about the task she set out for herself, and the mandate of the Voyager Collective: To seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.
Prologue
"I'm sorry, Ensign, but there's nothing else I can do for her." The Doctor told Ensign Samantha Wildman and the entire senior staff of Voyager, who had gathered in sickbay out of concern for Voyager's youngest crewmember, who had been injured in a Borg attack. A Borg torpedo had penetrated the shields and detonated against Voyager's hull, scattering assimilation nanoprobes throughout a large amount of the deck where the Wildmans' quarters were. Naomi had gotten a double-whammy: injured by the explosion and infected by the nanoprobes.
"You've had no luck in reversing the assimilation process?" Ensign Wildman asked, concern evident in her tone.
"More than that, everything I've tried has only exacerbated her condition. If i keep fighting the nanoprobes, they're going to kill her fighting back."
"What if we wait for the process to be completed, and then reverse it? We've severed drones from the collective before and restored their humanity." Janeway asked
"It's not that simple. These nanoprobes are . . . much more advanced than anything I've ever seen before. My analysis indicates that, as long as even one nanoprobe remains in her body, it can make a complete comeback and re-assimilate her. And their hold is only going to get stronger. I hate to say this, but it's already too late for her. The only option I can think of besides consigning her to life as a drone is . . . I don't even want to say it." he said, the distress in his voice obvious and conveying exactly what he didn't want to outright say.
"You're not going to kill my daughter!" Ensign Wildman said firmly.
"I doubt she could be considered your daughter anymore. And I am sorry. I don't know what else I can do, unless you want me to ease her suffering while she slips away and becomes a mindless drone!"
"Perhaps we can make life as a drone . . . acceptable for her." Seven said abruptly.
Every eye in the room turned to face her.
"Seven, what are you suggesting?" Janeway asked.
"If we can find a way to isolate her mind from the Collective, we may be able to allow her to retain her individuality despite her assimilated state."
"How would we do that?" the Doctor asked, puzzled.
"There is a procedure the Collective uses in the event of a Queen's death that can convert a pre-existing drone into another Queen. With a slight modification, I may be able to alter Naomi's assimilation so that she is transformed into a Queen and, as she will be the only member of this Collective's consciousness, her individuality should remain intact. ."
"What are you waiting for? Do it!" Ensign Wildman exclaimed, clearly distressed and almost hysterical.
Janeway looked at Seven. "Get to work, Seven. Good luck. Ensign Wildman, we need to leave them alone now."
Samantha numbly allowed herself to be led away, casting a single backward glance at her daughter, lying unconscious and unmoving on that biobed.
The only thought that had been going through Seven's head was that she could save Naomi. Had she known the consequences of her suggestion and subsequent actions, she may have reconsidered making it.