Category: Star Trek Voyager - C/7
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager and all things contained therein are the property of Paramount and Viacom. I will receive no profit from this story.
Title: Tempus Fugit
By: Raven
Author's note: This is my post Endgame story. It's a collaboration of two crews fighting together to save humanity.
ACT ONE
FADE IN.
EXT. SPACE - U.S.S. VOYAGER (OPTICAL)
The U.S.S Voyager enters Earth's atmosphere and is lead by a Starfleet escort to San Francisco Bay where it touches down on Earth's soil for the first time in over seven years.
KATHRYN JANEWAY
(V.O.)
"Personal Log Stardate... After more than seven years in the Delta Quadrant, we're home, but not without incident. As expected, we're under intense scrutiny and investigation for our acts while in the Delta Quadrant...
Surprised, each of us has been taken into custody, questioned, or should I say interrogated one by one. After weeks of interviews, we're released on our own recognizance and await trial for violating the infamous Prime Directive...
The Maquis and Equinox crews have been under the most fire and have been treated more like criminals than Starfleet personnel. Surprisingly, our former drone, Seven of Nine has had the easiest transition. Her debriefing proved to be beneficial to Starfleet, which are eager to incorporate her Borg expertise into the Federation's technology. As for myself, I've had to answer to a number of accusations and have assumed responsibility for all charges brought against Voyager..."
(beat)
"After months of ongoing testimony, it has been determined that we acted within our rights and the circumstances we faced could not be measured by Federation guidelines. As a result, the Maquis crew have received pardons and have been reinstated into Starfleet. As for the Equinox crew, they've also been pardoned, but will not be allowed in Starfleet due to their actions in following their former leader, Captain Ransom. As for myself, all charges have been dismissed and I've even been offered a promotion to Admiral. Our homecoming hasn't been easy, but with the help of a few new friends and long lost relatives, we're finally home..."
EXT. EARTH - STARFLEET HEADQUARTERS (OPTICAL)
INT. FEDERATION ASSEMBLY HALL
Many of Starfleet's elite is gathered to pay tribute to several of Voyager's officers. Guests present to honor the crew include Lieutenant Barclay, Admirals' Paris, Hays, McKinley and Patterson, Captain Picard, and several friends and family members of Voyager's crew. The only crewmember not present is Commander Tuvok, who has returned to his home world to undergo the Vulcan ritual fal-tor-voh to treat his degenerative neurological disorder.
Admiral Paris approaches the podium and begins to address the room.
ADMIRAL OWEN PARIS
After seven years in the Delta Quadrant, the
U.S.S. Voyager has returned home. After an
intense investigation it is the recommendation
of this counsel to rescind all charges brought
against Kathryn Janeway and her crew including
pardons for both Equinox and Maquis members.
Tom and B'Elanna look at each other with astonishment. The admiral continues his speech.
ADM. PARIS
It has also been suggested that the crew of Voyager
has acted beyond the call of duty and be reinstated
into Starfleet with retroactive compensation for the
past seven years. With the exception of the Equinox
crew, the request has been approved unanimously
by the Federation of Planets.
B'Elanna looks to Chakotay who is seated on the other side of Tom.
LIEUTENANT B'ELANNA TORRES
Is he for real?
LIEUTENANT TOM PARIS
Leave it to my old man...he's full of surprises.
COMMANDER CHAKOTAY
(smiling)
This is one surprise I don't mind.
Janeway, who is sitting next to Picard on the opposite end of the assembly hall, gets supporting words from her new ally/friend.
CAPTAIN JEAN-LUC PICARD
I told you it would work out.
ADMIRAL JANEWAY
This would have never happened if it weren't
for your efforts...Thank you...I owe you one.
PICARD
(smiling)
You can thank me later over dinner.
JANEWAY
Oh? Are you asking me out Jean-Luc?
PICARD
It does appear that way. Do you accept?
JANEWAY
(smiling)
How could I turn down the Captain of the
Enterprise?
PICARD
Well you do out rank me, Admiral.
JANEWAY
(smirking)
Hey, you're the one who turned down the
promotion three times. By all means, Admiral
Paris and I should be saluting you.
PICARD
(smiling)
...And miss all the fun on the Federation's flag
ship. No thank you. James Kirk once told me,
"never let them promote you or take you away
from the bridge of the Enterprise because when
you occupy that role, you can make a difference".
JANEWAY
I see your point. But for myself...Voyager's been
fun and all, but it's sure nice to be home again.
Admiral Paris resumes his speech.
ADM. PARIS
...It is with great honor to introduce the newly
promoted Admiral Kathryn Janeway.
Janeway excuses herself from Picard and approaches Admiral Paris. The audience rises to their feet and applauds as Janeway approaches the podium.
JANEWAY
Thank you everyone, please take your seats. I have
a huge agenda to go over. First of all on behalf of
my crew, thank you for your ongoing support. It's
sure nice to be home again. Like Dorothy once
said, "There's no place like home". Second of all, as
the Captain of a vessel alone in the Delta Quadrant,
I want to recognize a certain crewmember who
showed bravery and commitment; that has in a sense
grown up on Voyager. If it weren't for this individual's contributions, we wouldn't have made it home.
Mr. Kim, I know you've waited a long time for this,
I hereby promote you to Lieutenant with all its rights
and privileges.
Harry, who is seated with his proud parents and friend Libby receives hugs and kisses, then joins Janeway at the podium. Janeway gives Harry a brief hug and hands him a wooden box containing a pip.
JANEWAY
Well Harry, you finally got your wooden box,
is there anything you'd like to say?
LIEUTENANT HARRY KIM
(barely able to contain himself)
Thank you Capt...I mean Admiral. It was an
honor serving under your command. If I had
the choice, I would do it all over again.
JANEWAY
You would? I wouldn't. But you're welcome
anyway.
The crowd laughs at Janeway's remark as Harry returns to his seat.
JANEWAY
There's one other person I'd like to recognize
for their contributions. Severed from the Borg
more than four years ago, she's struggled to
reclaim her humanity and has become a valuable
member of our crew. This individual was never
a part of Starfleet but has now been offered a
commission due to her time spent on Voyager
and extensive knowledge of Starfleet protocols...
As Janeway continues her speech, an uncomfortable looking Seven of Nine turns to the side and looks at a smiling Chakotay who holds her hand tightly. The Doctor who is seated behind them notices the physical contact.
DOCTOR
(whispering in Seven's ear)
I see you decided to go for the real McCoy.
How does the Commander compare to your
hologram?
Seven acknowledges the Doctor with a quick smirk then returns her attention to Janeway's speech.
PARIS
Looks like someone else is about to receive a
wooden box.
SEVEN OF NINE/ANNIKA HANSEN
Explain.
CHAKOTAY
You've earned it Seven.
SEVEN
I've already informed Starfleet I have no
intention of joining their Academy.
PARIS
It looks like you won't have to. You're about to
receive an honorary commission.
Looking confused, Seven looks at Janeway who continues her speech.
JANEWAY
(smiling proudly)
...It is with great honor to introduce my friend
and Starfleet's newest ranked science officer,
Ensign Annika Hansen, or to most of us, Seven
of Nine.
Seven is congratulated by her shipmates and motioned to approach the podium.
SEVEN
I don't understand.
TORRES
Go on up, accept your commission. You deserve it.
Even I think so.
SEVEN
I cannot accept this.
DOCTOR
Seven, we're all proud of you. Go on up.
Seven stands, receives encouragement from her crewmates and reluctantly approaches the podium where she is greeted by Janeway, who extends her arms around the former drone. Unsure of how to respond, Seven remains still and accepts the embrace. Janeway pulls away and hands the ex-drone a wooden box.
JANEWAY
(whispering to Seven)
Welcome to humanity.
SEVEN
Thank you.
The audience applauds until Janeway motions for all to be quiet as an incoming transmission is re-routed to the main screen. The room's lighting goes dim as the image of a familiar face fills the screen.
JANEWAY
Ambassador Neelix wanted to be here, thanks to
Lieutenant Barclay's Pathfinder project, this is
the best we can do.
AMBASSADOR NEELIX
(O.S.)
It's so good to see all of you. How's Earth?
JANEWAY
Wonderful...how are things in the Delta Quadrant?
NEELIX
(O.S.)
Quiet. Things aren't the same without Voyager.
I hear congratulations are in store for some of
you on your promotions. Admiral Janeway...it
has a nice ring to it. Harry...its about time and
Seven...you've earned it. ...for the rest of you,
you're all well deserving of your pardons and
commendations.
SEVEN
I hear a congratulations is in store for you as well.
NEELIX
(O.S., smiling)
Yes...Dexa and I were married last week and
I've adopted Brax as my son. We're truly a
family now.
JANEWAY
That's wonderful Neelix. Please give your family
our best.
Just as Neelix is about to respond there's a loud explosion. The rocky structure that houses the Talaxians is rocked by weapon's fire. The assembly hall goes silent as pandemonium takes over the transmission.
***
EXT. SPACE - TALAXIAN HOME (OPTICAL)
Back in the Delta Quadrant in an asteroid-field, where hundreds of Talaxians reside, an attack by an unknown armada consisting of cloaked vessels is taking place.
INT. TALAXIAN COMMAND CENTER
NEELIX
Take cover! Where are they coming from?
Why can't our sensors detect them?
JANEWAY
(O.S.)
Neelix, what's happening? Who's attacking you?
NEELIX
I'm not sure. But we're losing containment and
our shields are failing.
SEVEN
(O.S.)
Send us your data. We may be able to scan
from here.
NEELIX
I'll try, but we're a little busy.
The weapon's fire stops as an eerie silence takes over.
JANEWAY
(O.S.)
Neelix, what's going on?
NEELIX
I don't know. They've stopped firing on us.
***
INT. FEDERATION ASSEMBLY HALL
Back at the assembly hall, the giant screen continues to display the peaceful Talaxians under attack.
JANEWAY
Who has?
NEELIX
(O.S.)
Our sensors aren't detecting them. They seem to
be using some kind of stealth technology and
they're not answering our hails.
(beat)
No! It can't be! Admiral! It's not possible!
The transmission is cut off.
JANEWAY
Get him back!
LIEUTENANT REGINALD BARCLAY
I'm working on it Admiral.
After several minutes of static, the screen begins to clear, showing a dark background with the sounds of people screaming in the distant.
JANEWAY
What the hell is going on? Neelix...respond!
There's no reply.
JANEWAY
Neelix!
Still no response.
JANEWAY
Seven...what's their status?
Harry joins Seven in scanning the Talaxian home. As the screams subside, both look up with shocked expressions.
KIM
They're gone. The complex has been completely
destroyed.
SEVEN
I concur...I'm not registering any life signs... they're...(hesitating)...gone.
Chakotay approaches Janeway and Seven.
CHAKOTAY
Who could have done this?
SEVEN
I'm not certain.
Moments later the dark screen is filled with a dimly lit landscape with a greenish glow.
Janeway and Seven look at each other in horror as the main screen displays an image of a technologically advanced Borg Queen resembling an aged Admiral Janeway.
JANEWAY
(whispering)
I thought you said the Unimatrix compound was
destroyed along with the transwarp hub.
SEVEN
Our sensors indicated it was.
BORG QUEEN
(O.S.)
The news of our obliteration is overly exaggerated.
JANEWAY
Admiral?
QUEEN
(O.S.)
The individual that once occupied this life form
is now part of the Hive Mind. All of her
experiences and knowledge are part of us now.
We have assimilated your neural pathogen and
technology. Thanks to your future self, introducing
us to Starfleet's newest defenses, we are stronger
then we've ever been.
JANEWAY
How can this be? What have you done to the
Talaxians?
QUEEN
(O.S.)
Order from chaos...Their essence has been added
to the Collective. They will serve the Borg and
make excellent drones just as humanity will.
The screen goes blank as the lights go on.
As the assembly hall empties, most of Voyagers officers remain behind and congregate in the center of the hall. Admiral Paris and other higher ranked officials join the group as well as Captain Picard.
PARIS
What do you think they're up to?
JANEWAY
I'll give you one guess.
CHAKOTAY
Do you think they're planning an invasion of Earth?
KIM
Why warn us. Why don't they just do it already?
SEVEN
I believe I know why.
JANEWAY
Well, lets have it Seven.
SEVEN
When I was re-captured by the Borg a couple years
ago, I was linked to the Hive Mind and was made
aware of the Borg's intentions on assimilating
humanity. It would be gradual and take place over
a long period of time. More recently during the
Queen's visit during my regeneration, we were
warned to stay out of her nebulae or pay the
consequences. Admiral, I believe we were allowed
to return.
TORRES
What are you saying? That we may be carriers of
some Borg plague?
SEVEN
I'm not certain but that is a possibility.
KIM
If we're carrying some form of nanovirus, wouldn't
it have shown up in our medical examinations?
SEVEN
Not if the nanoprobes were dormant.
DOCTOR
Seven is correct. My examinations were thorough
and didn't detect anything out of the ordinary.
I recommend a follow up for all of Voyager's crew.
We should also examine those who have come in
contact with crewmembers.
ADM. PARIS
Hold on Doctor, lets not jump to conclusions. We
don't even know what their intentions are.
JANEWAY
Their only intention is to assimilate humanity...
at any cost.
PICARD
She's right...The Borg are persistent and without
remorse. Look what they've done to the Talaxians.
So far they've been unsuccessful in their attempts
to assimilate Earth. We should take any and all
precaution. We must never underestimate the Borg.
Janeway and Seven acknowledge Picard's comments.
ADM. PARIS
Okay, we'll go to yellow alert. Doctor, I want you
to work with Starfleet medical and report to me as
soon as the examinations are complete.
DOCTOR
Yes Admiral. I'll begin right away.
JANEWAY
Thank you Owen. I want each of you to see the
Doctor as soon as possible, myself included. I also
want to know whom you've come in contact with
since you've been back. If what Seven says is true,
the Borg may have won the battle...but not the war.
As everyone leaves, Picard remains behind with Janeway.
JANEWAY
It was too easy. We should have never come back.
Picard positions himself in front of Janeway. He takes her by the shoulders and forces her to look at him.
PICARD
You couldn't have known. Kathryn...before, you
were alone in the Delta Quadrant. This time you
have the support of the entire Federation behind
you. With our experiences with the Borg and
our combined efforts, we will prevail.
JANEWAY
I hope your right.
Just as Picard is about to escort Janeway to the exit, two unidentified men appear before them and attach small metallic devices to their arms. In a matter of seconds all four individuals vanish.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
To be continued...
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager and all things contained therein are the property of Paramount and Viacom. I will receive no profit from this story.
Title: Tempus Fugit
By: Raven
Author's note: This is my post Endgame story. It's a collaboration of two crews fighting together to save humanity.
ACT ONE
FADE IN.
EXT. SPACE - U.S.S. VOYAGER (OPTICAL)
The U.S.S Voyager enters Earth's atmosphere and is lead by a Starfleet escort to San Francisco Bay where it touches down on Earth's soil for the first time in over seven years.
KATHRYN JANEWAY
(V.O.)
"Personal Log Stardate... After more than seven years in the Delta Quadrant, we're home, but not without incident. As expected, we're under intense scrutiny and investigation for our acts while in the Delta Quadrant...
Surprised, each of us has been taken into custody, questioned, or should I say interrogated one by one. After weeks of interviews, we're released on our own recognizance and await trial for violating the infamous Prime Directive...
The Maquis and Equinox crews have been under the most fire and have been treated more like criminals than Starfleet personnel. Surprisingly, our former drone, Seven of Nine has had the easiest transition. Her debriefing proved to be beneficial to Starfleet, which are eager to incorporate her Borg expertise into the Federation's technology. As for myself, I've had to answer to a number of accusations and have assumed responsibility for all charges brought against Voyager..."
(beat)
"After months of ongoing testimony, it has been determined that we acted within our rights and the circumstances we faced could not be measured by Federation guidelines. As a result, the Maquis crew have received pardons and have been reinstated into Starfleet. As for the Equinox crew, they've also been pardoned, but will not be allowed in Starfleet due to their actions in following their former leader, Captain Ransom. As for myself, all charges have been dismissed and I've even been offered a promotion to Admiral. Our homecoming hasn't been easy, but with the help of a few new friends and long lost relatives, we're finally home..."
EXT. EARTH - STARFLEET HEADQUARTERS (OPTICAL)
INT. FEDERATION ASSEMBLY HALL
Many of Starfleet's elite is gathered to pay tribute to several of Voyager's officers. Guests present to honor the crew include Lieutenant Barclay, Admirals' Paris, Hays, McKinley and Patterson, Captain Picard, and several friends and family members of Voyager's crew. The only crewmember not present is Commander Tuvok, who has returned to his home world to undergo the Vulcan ritual fal-tor-voh to treat his degenerative neurological disorder.
Admiral Paris approaches the podium and begins to address the room.
ADMIRAL OWEN PARIS
After seven years in the Delta Quadrant, the
U.S.S. Voyager has returned home. After an
intense investigation it is the recommendation
of this counsel to rescind all charges brought
against Kathryn Janeway and her crew including
pardons for both Equinox and Maquis members.
Tom and B'Elanna look at each other with astonishment. The admiral continues his speech.
ADM. PARIS
It has also been suggested that the crew of Voyager
has acted beyond the call of duty and be reinstated
into Starfleet with retroactive compensation for the
past seven years. With the exception of the Equinox
crew, the request has been approved unanimously
by the Federation of Planets.
B'Elanna looks to Chakotay who is seated on the other side of Tom.
LIEUTENANT B'ELANNA TORRES
Is he for real?
LIEUTENANT TOM PARIS
Leave it to my old man...he's full of surprises.
COMMANDER CHAKOTAY
(smiling)
This is one surprise I don't mind.
Janeway, who is sitting next to Picard on the opposite end of the assembly hall, gets supporting words from her new ally/friend.
CAPTAIN JEAN-LUC PICARD
I told you it would work out.
ADMIRAL JANEWAY
This would have never happened if it weren't
for your efforts...Thank you...I owe you one.
PICARD
(smiling)
You can thank me later over dinner.
JANEWAY
Oh? Are you asking me out Jean-Luc?
PICARD
It does appear that way. Do you accept?
JANEWAY
(smiling)
How could I turn down the Captain of the
Enterprise?
PICARD
Well you do out rank me, Admiral.
JANEWAY
(smirking)
Hey, you're the one who turned down the
promotion three times. By all means, Admiral
Paris and I should be saluting you.
PICARD
(smiling)
...And miss all the fun on the Federation's flag
ship. No thank you. James Kirk once told me,
"never let them promote you or take you away
from the bridge of the Enterprise because when
you occupy that role, you can make a difference".
JANEWAY
I see your point. But for myself...Voyager's been
fun and all, but it's sure nice to be home again.
Admiral Paris resumes his speech.
ADM. PARIS
...It is with great honor to introduce the newly
promoted Admiral Kathryn Janeway.
Janeway excuses herself from Picard and approaches Admiral Paris. The audience rises to their feet and applauds as Janeway approaches the podium.
JANEWAY
Thank you everyone, please take your seats. I have
a huge agenda to go over. First of all on behalf of
my crew, thank you for your ongoing support. It's
sure nice to be home again. Like Dorothy once
said, "There's no place like home". Second of all, as
the Captain of a vessel alone in the Delta Quadrant,
I want to recognize a certain crewmember who
showed bravery and commitment; that has in a sense
grown up on Voyager. If it weren't for this individual's contributions, we wouldn't have made it home.
Mr. Kim, I know you've waited a long time for this,
I hereby promote you to Lieutenant with all its rights
and privileges.
Harry, who is seated with his proud parents and friend Libby receives hugs and kisses, then joins Janeway at the podium. Janeway gives Harry a brief hug and hands him a wooden box containing a pip.
JANEWAY
Well Harry, you finally got your wooden box,
is there anything you'd like to say?
LIEUTENANT HARRY KIM
(barely able to contain himself)
Thank you Capt...I mean Admiral. It was an
honor serving under your command. If I had
the choice, I would do it all over again.
JANEWAY
You would? I wouldn't. But you're welcome
anyway.
The crowd laughs at Janeway's remark as Harry returns to his seat.
JANEWAY
There's one other person I'd like to recognize
for their contributions. Severed from the Borg
more than four years ago, she's struggled to
reclaim her humanity and has become a valuable
member of our crew. This individual was never
a part of Starfleet but has now been offered a
commission due to her time spent on Voyager
and extensive knowledge of Starfleet protocols...
As Janeway continues her speech, an uncomfortable looking Seven of Nine turns to the side and looks at a smiling Chakotay who holds her hand tightly. The Doctor who is seated behind them notices the physical contact.
DOCTOR
(whispering in Seven's ear)
I see you decided to go for the real McCoy.
How does the Commander compare to your
hologram?
Seven acknowledges the Doctor with a quick smirk then returns her attention to Janeway's speech.
PARIS
Looks like someone else is about to receive a
wooden box.
SEVEN OF NINE/ANNIKA HANSEN
Explain.
CHAKOTAY
You've earned it Seven.
SEVEN
I've already informed Starfleet I have no
intention of joining their Academy.
PARIS
It looks like you won't have to. You're about to
receive an honorary commission.
Looking confused, Seven looks at Janeway who continues her speech.
JANEWAY
(smiling proudly)
...It is with great honor to introduce my friend
and Starfleet's newest ranked science officer,
Ensign Annika Hansen, or to most of us, Seven
of Nine.
Seven is congratulated by her shipmates and motioned to approach the podium.
SEVEN
I don't understand.
TORRES
Go on up, accept your commission. You deserve it.
Even I think so.
SEVEN
I cannot accept this.
DOCTOR
Seven, we're all proud of you. Go on up.
Seven stands, receives encouragement from her crewmates and reluctantly approaches the podium where she is greeted by Janeway, who extends her arms around the former drone. Unsure of how to respond, Seven remains still and accepts the embrace. Janeway pulls away and hands the ex-drone a wooden box.
JANEWAY
(whispering to Seven)
Welcome to humanity.
SEVEN
Thank you.
The audience applauds until Janeway motions for all to be quiet as an incoming transmission is re-routed to the main screen. The room's lighting goes dim as the image of a familiar face fills the screen.
JANEWAY
Ambassador Neelix wanted to be here, thanks to
Lieutenant Barclay's Pathfinder project, this is
the best we can do.
AMBASSADOR NEELIX
(O.S.)
It's so good to see all of you. How's Earth?
JANEWAY
Wonderful...how are things in the Delta Quadrant?
NEELIX
(O.S.)
Quiet. Things aren't the same without Voyager.
I hear congratulations are in store for some of
you on your promotions. Admiral Janeway...it
has a nice ring to it. Harry...its about time and
Seven...you've earned it. ...for the rest of you,
you're all well deserving of your pardons and
commendations.
SEVEN
I hear a congratulations is in store for you as well.
NEELIX
(O.S., smiling)
Yes...Dexa and I were married last week and
I've adopted Brax as my son. We're truly a
family now.
JANEWAY
That's wonderful Neelix. Please give your family
our best.
Just as Neelix is about to respond there's a loud explosion. The rocky structure that houses the Talaxians is rocked by weapon's fire. The assembly hall goes silent as pandemonium takes over the transmission.
***
EXT. SPACE - TALAXIAN HOME (OPTICAL)
Back in the Delta Quadrant in an asteroid-field, where hundreds of Talaxians reside, an attack by an unknown armada consisting of cloaked vessels is taking place.
INT. TALAXIAN COMMAND CENTER
NEELIX
Take cover! Where are they coming from?
Why can't our sensors detect them?
JANEWAY
(O.S.)
Neelix, what's happening? Who's attacking you?
NEELIX
I'm not sure. But we're losing containment and
our shields are failing.
SEVEN
(O.S.)
Send us your data. We may be able to scan
from here.
NEELIX
I'll try, but we're a little busy.
The weapon's fire stops as an eerie silence takes over.
JANEWAY
(O.S.)
Neelix, what's going on?
NEELIX
I don't know. They've stopped firing on us.
***
INT. FEDERATION ASSEMBLY HALL
Back at the assembly hall, the giant screen continues to display the peaceful Talaxians under attack.
JANEWAY
Who has?
NEELIX
(O.S.)
Our sensors aren't detecting them. They seem to
be using some kind of stealth technology and
they're not answering our hails.
(beat)
No! It can't be! Admiral! It's not possible!
The transmission is cut off.
JANEWAY
Get him back!
LIEUTENANT REGINALD BARCLAY
I'm working on it Admiral.
After several minutes of static, the screen begins to clear, showing a dark background with the sounds of people screaming in the distant.
JANEWAY
What the hell is going on? Neelix...respond!
There's no reply.
JANEWAY
Neelix!
Still no response.
JANEWAY
Seven...what's their status?
Harry joins Seven in scanning the Talaxian home. As the screams subside, both look up with shocked expressions.
KIM
They're gone. The complex has been completely
destroyed.
SEVEN
I concur...I'm not registering any life signs... they're...(hesitating)...gone.
Chakotay approaches Janeway and Seven.
CHAKOTAY
Who could have done this?
SEVEN
I'm not certain.
Moments later the dark screen is filled with a dimly lit landscape with a greenish glow.
Janeway and Seven look at each other in horror as the main screen displays an image of a technologically advanced Borg Queen resembling an aged Admiral Janeway.
JANEWAY
(whispering)
I thought you said the Unimatrix compound was
destroyed along with the transwarp hub.
SEVEN
Our sensors indicated it was.
BORG QUEEN
(O.S.)
The news of our obliteration is overly exaggerated.
JANEWAY
Admiral?
QUEEN
(O.S.)
The individual that once occupied this life form
is now part of the Hive Mind. All of her
experiences and knowledge are part of us now.
We have assimilated your neural pathogen and
technology. Thanks to your future self, introducing
us to Starfleet's newest defenses, we are stronger
then we've ever been.
JANEWAY
How can this be? What have you done to the
Talaxians?
QUEEN
(O.S.)
Order from chaos...Their essence has been added
to the Collective. They will serve the Borg and
make excellent drones just as humanity will.
The screen goes blank as the lights go on.
As the assembly hall empties, most of Voyagers officers remain behind and congregate in the center of the hall. Admiral Paris and other higher ranked officials join the group as well as Captain Picard.
PARIS
What do you think they're up to?
JANEWAY
I'll give you one guess.
CHAKOTAY
Do you think they're planning an invasion of Earth?
KIM
Why warn us. Why don't they just do it already?
SEVEN
I believe I know why.
JANEWAY
Well, lets have it Seven.
SEVEN
When I was re-captured by the Borg a couple years
ago, I was linked to the Hive Mind and was made
aware of the Borg's intentions on assimilating
humanity. It would be gradual and take place over
a long period of time. More recently during the
Queen's visit during my regeneration, we were
warned to stay out of her nebulae or pay the
consequences. Admiral, I believe we were allowed
to return.
TORRES
What are you saying? That we may be carriers of
some Borg plague?
SEVEN
I'm not certain but that is a possibility.
KIM
If we're carrying some form of nanovirus, wouldn't
it have shown up in our medical examinations?
SEVEN
Not if the nanoprobes were dormant.
DOCTOR
Seven is correct. My examinations were thorough
and didn't detect anything out of the ordinary.
I recommend a follow up for all of Voyager's crew.
We should also examine those who have come in
contact with crewmembers.
ADM. PARIS
Hold on Doctor, lets not jump to conclusions. We
don't even know what their intentions are.
JANEWAY
Their only intention is to assimilate humanity...
at any cost.
PICARD
She's right...The Borg are persistent and without
remorse. Look what they've done to the Talaxians.
So far they've been unsuccessful in their attempts
to assimilate Earth. We should take any and all
precaution. We must never underestimate the Borg.
Janeway and Seven acknowledge Picard's comments.
ADM. PARIS
Okay, we'll go to yellow alert. Doctor, I want you
to work with Starfleet medical and report to me as
soon as the examinations are complete.
DOCTOR
Yes Admiral. I'll begin right away.
JANEWAY
Thank you Owen. I want each of you to see the
Doctor as soon as possible, myself included. I also
want to know whom you've come in contact with
since you've been back. If what Seven says is true,
the Borg may have won the battle...but not the war.
As everyone leaves, Picard remains behind with Janeway.
JANEWAY
It was too easy. We should have never come back.
Picard positions himself in front of Janeway. He takes her by the shoulders and forces her to look at him.
PICARD
You couldn't have known. Kathryn...before, you
were alone in the Delta Quadrant. This time you
have the support of the entire Federation behind
you. With our experiences with the Borg and
our combined efforts, we will prevail.
JANEWAY
I hope your right.
Just as Picard is about to escort Janeway to the exit, two unidentified men appear before them and attach small metallic devices to their arms. In a matter of seconds all four individuals vanish.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
To be continued...