Author's Notes: We are here, beginning a new chapter and a new story; I trust my loyal readers shall continue to enjoy where I'm going with this series, I also hope you'll be able to enjoy reading Al and Amy moments, because this story's just loaded with'em.
The typical disclaimer doth apply in this wonderous situation; Paramount owns most all, I own nothing, Amy is my own creation though the child her character sprang off of is part of Star Trek lore and thus susceptible to the Paramount rule, so to speak. Ensign Alain Desrochers is my own character, Shadok former Lord Emperor of the Draconian Empire, now Borg Hunter designated Deathsaurus is mine; though the name's origins stem from Takar's Transformers line if you happen to know anything about the Japanese Exclusive Transformers toylines that existed back in the day, I had to borrow that name because it just sounds so cool. I make no claims to owning anything else; they belong to whoever I borrowed them from, borrowed not stole... Well I think that covers all; and I trust you shall enjoy this story as it goes on, please read & review folks I'd love to get your reactions to my darling daughter... Er I mean; the fictional darling daughter I created. 'Chuckles'
Prologue
I was very surprised when I regained my senses to discover a young eight-year old alien girl crouched on all fours not more then two feet away instead of the infant girl I'd been expecting. When I was assimilated I did not grow older, but then again I was already considered to be an adult; she, a mere child of approximately a year old, probably didn't have all the necessary elements the nanoprobes required. There was a slight throbbing in my head that deftly and incessantly called for my attention, but I did my best to ignore it; upon seeing me once again conscious the child beamed a fang filled smile my way.
"Hello Daddy." She spoke up in greeting; her voice was tiny and melodious, and I felt an odd pull upon my heart when I first heard it. It suited her so nicely; just as every part of her furthered the cuteness factor I was feeling as I eyed her obviously in shock judging by her sudden bewildered expression.
"Oh boy." I thought to myself; her mouth hadn't moved when she spoke so I failed to notice that there was another presence inside my mind, her presence to be exact and she had actually heard that. She frowned slightly; before she could answer any questions however I chose to speak up, not realizing that our conversation was internal. "Wh-what did you call me?" I asked her still very much out of it since the assimilation process had finalized.
"Daddy of course." She returned as if it should be obvious. You brought me into this world after all; or should I call you Mommy?" She asked innocently tilting her head to one side in her confusion.
"Doctor to Seven of Nine and the Captain; would you both please report to Sickbay immediately." I faintly heard the Doc request, but I put it aside to address this new development.
"Certainly not." I hastily replied to her query. "It's just… Well I'm not your biological father." I pointed out; finding some difficulty in speaking to this child, she exuded so much innocence that I just couldn't find the right way to connect to her.
"What difference does that make?" She demanded falling back on her haunches as tears began to well up in her eyes. "You gave me new life; I was dead for point seven seconds." She added; scaring me with the level of intelligence she was displaying, I shook my head trying to clear out the annoying throbbing and hastily moved to comfort her wrapping her up into an awkward embrace.
"Oh no, no, no child; please there's no reason to cry." I began rocking her back and forth. "You just took me by surprise is all; if… If you want to consider me to be your father, then I am both flattered and honored." I returned sharing a warm and tender smile with the girl; she beamed once again and proceeded to bury her face into my chest nuzzling me much like a cat might, my smile widened at the affectionate display and my heart instantly seemed lighter.
"Ensign Desrochers; what is the meaning of this?" A very upset voice demanded snapping me from my internal thoughts; leaping to my feet, the girl clutched tightly in my arms I swayed almost drunkenly as I whirled to face the Captain.
"Captain Janeway." I began fear clouding my thoughts; the girl tried to bury herself deeper into me to hide from this imposing authority figure. "I…I; Doc, why don't you fill her in I'm still…" I trailed off as vertigo took hold of me and I swiftly sat on the nearest biobed so I could lift a hand to my head, this strange throbbing was causing me a new world of hurt and demanded attention.
"Yes Doctor; please inform us as to why you summoned us here, what happened to the baby? And who is this?" Seven asked promptly arriving at that moment; the Doctor looked anything but willing to share, however he was a professional, or at least programmed to be one.
"The baby developed further complications upon my arrival; Ensign Desrochers was here looking in on her, I did everything in my power to correct the oversight." The Doc trailed off as a pained look crossed his features. "I, I couldn't save her Seven; she would have been lost if not for Ensign Desrochers' timely intervention, although I'm afraid Captain it violates one of the very principles of the Federation." The Doc revealed eyeing me briefly; both women turned to me now as I sat trying desperately to overcome the intense wave of fear that kept digging into my brain uprooting my emotions, why was I being so adversely affected by the Captain's sudden arrival.
"Where is the child; I wish to pay my respects." Seven stated not fully realizing what the Doc meant; the Captain shook her head, having grasped the obvious much quicker then the former drone.
"Seven; I don't think you understand." She spoke gently now her expression one of indecision and slight fear of all things. "That is the baby." She added indicating the girl in my lap.
"That's impossible." Seven returned her voice filled with unwavering certainty. "The only possible way that this young girl could be that infant is if Ensign Desrochers utilized his…" She trailed off instantly as realization finally hit and a look of horror flashed across her features for the merest fraction of an instant before a mask of calm collectiveness snapped back into place.
"I…" I tried to start, but paused briefly to shake my head and clear it once more re-asserting myself. "I had no choice; this child… She called to me like nothing I've ever felt before, I… I just couldn't let this innocent life slip away when it was within my power to prevent it." I finally managed to get out.
"How could you possibly have known she wouldn't just be destroyed?" Seven demanded startling me with the vehemence in her words. "You are not like them." She added. "The Borg are as different from you as night is to day; how could you be certain your nanoprobes wouldn't have caused further problems?" Her voice was filled with such emotion that it startled me; it was almost as if Seven's usual demeanor was being pushed aside by the mere thought that I could have harmed one of the children she helped save, I smiled softly despite the inappropriateness of it all.
"I knew." I returned simply brushing the cowering child's hair. "She's so beautiful." I whispered losing myself in the sudden moment; though the fear was slowly subsiding my emotional center was currently somewhere in the far left field or something and I was starting to feel it.
"Ensign." The Captain snapped bringing me out of my thoughts. "Perhaps we should let Seven take charge now while we discuss this." She added her tone clearly stating she would brook no argument; and yet I could not bear to let her go, I shook my head.
"She's mine." I spat in a possessive tone. "My own… My precious…" The girl looked up at me with fear and finally I realized what was causing my mental instability; with a very firm shove I managed to regain total control. "Forgive me little one." I began speaking to her with strong endearment in my tone. "I didn't realize we were linked." I added.
"I beg your pardon?" The Captain spoke up; we both turned to her before the child turned back to me an expression of apology in her eyes.
"Sorry Daddy; I didn't know either." She stated speaking openly now. "I'll try to keep our link safer from now on." She added with a big smile.
"Link?" Seven and the Captain repeated as one.
"Telepathic." I hastily explained. "There's nothing Collectivey about it." I added feeling a little foolish for creating a Buffy-esque term to describe the hive mind mentality of the Borg Collective.
"I believe Ensign Desrochers means that her species is telepathic and that she's been openly communicating with him since he first regained consciousness." The Doctor further explained for the benefit of those who didn't understand what I was trying to say. "I did detect the possibility that she would develop telepathic abilities when she grew older." He added by way of further explanation.
"Her mind is so chaotic." I admitted. "She's still only an infant after all biologically speaking, her newfound gifts are a mystery to her and I'm afraid that her strong emotions overpowered my logic circuits for a time." I added with a quirky smile. "Now why don't you go with Seven for a few minutes while Daddy talks to the Captain; she'll get you something functional to wear until I can pick out something prettier." I added not caring if the others didn't care for my presumptions; however it made sense that I should be the one to take charge of her, she was my responsibility after all and their weren't any more regeneration alcoves in the cargo bay for her special needs.
"Ok Daddy, but promise me she won't take me far." The girl requested with a pout; I sighed and glanced to Seven.
"We shall go into the Doctor's Office." She reluctantly agreed; hopping from my lap the girl tentatively approached Seven, who took her by the hand and led her out.
"Please; let's step outside to discuss this." The Captain requested; I nodded in understanding and indicated she should lead the way; together we slipped outside the sickbay doors and moved to one side so as not to trigger their automatic responses.
"You place me in a difficult situation Ensign." She began.
"I know." I sighed feeling a loss even at this small distance from her; part of me seemed to realize I shouldn't be so attached just yet, but a larger part of me just accepted it. "I assimilated her without your consent; I gave her the same curse the Borg saw fit to bestow upon me, and who knows what's going to happen when we find her people." I added a sharp feeling of possessiveness clouding my mind once again; boy was this ever going to take some getting used to.
"You're confined to quarters until I can discuss this with the rest of the senior staff; your replicator rations are revoked for the next three months and your holodeck privileges are limited to accompanying your friends only if they invite you." She stated forthrightly; I nodded sub-consciously standing up straighter as I accepted her decision. "Now; about this daddy business." She added a smile flashing across her face briefly; I squirmed nervously as a sheepish smile spread across my own features, I had the distinct feeling this was defiantly going to take some getting used to.
Those who are dead usually have no thought for the living world, they accept their fate and exist in whatever afterlife their species believes in. But Shadok; Lord Emperor of the Draconian Empire could not forget how Hunis tricked him, he could not forget how his life and his rule was taken by one man, and he could not quell his desire for vengeance. What he did not know; what he couldn't possibly have foreseen was that Hunis, or rather Q; was not yet finished with him.
Q smiled mischievously as he did something the Continuum would most certainly frown upon if they were to find out; he took the essence of Shadok and instilled him into a new vessel soon to be born to this world. Q couldn't help himself; he regretted the fact that his current pet project, his Padawan if you will, had never had the chance to face Shadok in personal combat. And so; Shadok was destined to be a pawn once again; for one final cruel twist of fate, he was about to get his chance for revenge.
Bright light flared suddenly all around and he began to see shapes again; his past life forgotten a new life began, turning his head he failed to process everything he could see quickly enough and so felt as though the world was swimming in murky depths.
"What is your designation?" A dark feminine voice asked rather sultry.
"Deathsaurus of Borg." Came the clipped reply; though a tiny fraction of his essence wondered where he'd plucked that name from.
"And what is your function?" She asked cool hands touching him slightly in ways that reminded the brief shard of a soul within of his mother's loving caress.
"Retrieve the mate." He stated with absolute resolve.
"Good." She whispered seductively into his ear; and a brief charge struck the essence within before quickly being dashed aside by the cold and impartial Deathsaurus. He knew his mission would succeed; failure was not an option, the mate would rejoin his mistress or the mate would die.
Star Trek Voyager
War Against the Collective
The Captain and I returned to Sickbay; I felt decidedly better, but my body was starting to suffer from energy depletion, glancing at the wristwatch I wore at all times I sighed. Apparently assimilating someone took up a lot of energy; just item number eight hundred and seven on my differences between Borg and Technorganic Borg list it would seem, with a tiny sigh I knew I had to regenerate. The question was; could the child understand this and accept it, sure she had seemingly upgraded her intellectual capacity, but that didn't mean her acceptance levels would match her newfound maturity.
"She's going to need a name Ensign." The Doctor suddenly spoke up startling me. "Remember we couldn't find one; and since she seems to have bonded with you it seems only fitting you become her legal guardian and find a suitable name for her." He continued; I cocked my head briefly in thought as Seven and the child rejoined us, she was currently wearing a rather unflattering silver one piece.
"Seven; I know you mean well, but your taste in wardrobe leaves much to be desired." I remarked.
"If that is all; I shall bring her to cargo bay two." Seven returned.
"I'm afraid not Seven; Ensign Desrochers has agreed to assume full responsibility for her, besides if memory serves we currently have more Borg children then we do Regeneration alcoves." The Captain spoke up; I felt a shudder pass down my spine and I turned a great smile on my lips as the little kit leapt into my arms happy to see me unscathed.
"I'm ready to see the ship now Daddy." She stated; I sighed gently and fought the urge to yawn.
"I'm afraid that's going to have to wait until tomorrow little one." I returned. "Daddy's been confined to quarters; and he needs to regenerate." I added; she pouted slightly, but accepted my words resting her head on my shoulder.
"I must admit you've certainly taken to that." The Doc remarked. "And it's a good sign." He added with a smile; the Captain had to smile as well, while Seven remained silent. I suddenly had an epiphany as I stood there gently stroking the child's hair; she glanced up to me expectantly seeming to sense what I was about to say.
"Amy." I whispered. "I believe the name Amy suits you." I stated a little louder now for all to hear; Amy giggled and squealed with delight her link flaring openly and a swarm of bubbling joy assailing my mind.
"Oh Daddy it's perfect." She exclaimed with unbridled joy. "Amy…" She paused as though searching her memory. "Amy Desrochers." She added with a smile; I was so stunned by her words I nearly dropped her and had to choke back the urge to shout out my emotions still slightly off-kilter due to her joyful burst. Amy instantly began to cry; picking up on my discomfort easily and I rocked her gently in my arms.
"Oh no, no, no please don't cry." I pleaded searching for the right words to follow and coming up blank.
"You… don't… want…me." She hiccoughed through the tears; her words cut deeply into me, if only she knew just how wrong she was, but her innocent mind could understand only so much.
"You are wrong my little one; so very wrong." I spoke softly, soothingly; continuing to rock her back and forth. "I just wasn't expecting you to want my name; it… Flatters me." I added shooting her a winning smile. "I'm just afraid that your old man has a bit of a problem with tact." I admitted chuckling lightly at my own joke; Amy stopped crying almost at once and buried her face into my neck.
"Promise me you won't ever leave me." She pleaded taking me by surprise yet again; I glanced towards the Captain, Seven and good old Doc, they were watching this with quiet smiles of their own, well except Seven who's face remained a stoic mask.
"I'll do my best little one." I returned softly. "Now what say we show you your new home." I suggested; she sighed and nodded quietly. Without any further words I quietly and very tiredly left sickbay and headed for the nearest turbo lift; Amy still clutched in my arms, she was so filled with innocence… I sure hope God doesn't mind if I take a passenger with me when I leave here to resume my training.
"Parenthood indeed suits young Ensign Desrochers." The Doctor remarked after the two had left; Janeway nodded her smile still showing.
"Captain is it wise to leave her with him?" Seven wondered. "When all is said and done; he is ultimately responsible for turning her into another Technorganic Borg." She added; Janeway sighed as she turned her attentions on Seven.
"Not only do I believe it's a good idea for all parties involved; I think we're going to see a decidedly calmer Ensign Desrochers from now on." She returned. "That man has been through a lot; more so then you might realize if his latest report is to be believed, and I think he deserves the chance to give happiness to himself and that little girl." Captain Janeway finished with strong conviction; Seven deferred to her wisdom with a slight nod.
"I will still keep an eye on him." She stated before taking her own leave; the Captain acknowledged her words with a tiny sigh.
"Doctor I'll need you to look over something for me before our next strategy meeting." She began turning to the EMH.
"Certainly." He returned. "What can I do for you?" He wondered.
"I need all the medical exams for Crewman Serpen on my desk at oh nine hundred." She said; the Doctor nodded, Janeway took her leave then quietly thinking over everything that had happened this evening.
Deathsaurus of Borg stood facing his assigned forces and felt the emotion disgust; disgust that these creatures would serve under him, they were limited in certain respects. They believed their collective intelligence made them perfect, but they were nothing of the kind; he was perfection, the Mate was perfection, She was perfection, these were merely rough copies. Pale imitations of true perfection playing at perfection; he needed so few implements to perform his task, but they needed a ship. And not just any ship; no, it had to be special; the first of its' kind, and so the Triangular vessel took shape rapidly before them in the confines of the space faring vessel construction facility.
"This task will prove troublesome." He whispered; the voices inside his head could faintly be heard, for he too was a part of the Collective in some small way, but much like Locutus of Borg he was special.
Unseen by all a creature watched; vigilant, merciless in certain respects. This was Ratbat; a fictional entity given life through holographic manipulation and programming, a Decepticon with a purpose and a mission. He watched the preparations and began to consider all options for transferring his latest report to his master; for indeed he must be told, and soon.
The doors to our quarters flew open and Amy rushed in eager to explore her new home, I smiled as she dashed about wonder in her eyes; I was now officially a father and my soul at last felt whole. That would probably sound corny to a lot of people, but I'd come from a large family my self; and although I only had one brother I had more then enough cousins, aunts and uncles to make up for a lack of siblings. That made me desire a family all the more; I wasn't about to kid myself with thinking Serenity wanted to become Amy's mother, no our relationship was purely physical in nature. But someday I would find a woman I could be with for as long as we both shall live… Shaking aside my inner thoughts before I depressed myself with remembrances of nigh-immortality and ten-million years expected life-span; I moved over to the bed and began to prepare it for my much needed regeneration.
Her emotions pounded in my head; driving me to distraction, but I said nothing she deserved some fun after all. Removing my shirt I used my tendrils to hang it up in the 'To Be Cleaned' section of the closet. A strange sensation crept over me and I turned to regard Amy; who was looking at me with intense eyes shooting her pupils from me to the shirt I'd just put away.
"Can I do that?" She wondered hopefully.
"I'll teach you if you like." I replied; she nodded in eagerness a large smile plastered on her face, and once again I saw the fangs. She was going to require special nourishments; being a carnivore and all, promptly she turned back to my shelf laden with replicated High-End Transformers.
I removed my pants while she was thusly pre-occupied and slipped into the refresher; going through the motions of rest preparation I spent seven point nine-three seconds brushing my teeth, washing my face and flossing. I'd gotten into the habit prior to my assimilation; access to the far advanced dental hygiene equipment alone making me put aside my carefree attitude towards proper care.
Reaching over I slapped one of my emitters to my shoulder and activated it; this one had been programmed to give the outward illusion that I was wearing pajamas, rather then take further chances with having to leave my room in my boxers during an emergency. I chose to program several emitters with clothing specifications; though so far I'd only tested out the standard Starfleet Uniform once, during one of my shifts at Tactical.
With a little tweaking I even managed to make it possible that everyone else felt fabric when they touched the hologram, but that I couldn't feel anything save the sensation of air on my skin; I simply had an aversion to clothing in the privacy of my own home and that small quirk had never really left me.
"Daddy; can I get that new outfit now?" Amy asked as I turned the lights off and returned to the main room; I sighed softly and shook my head.
"Sorry little one; you'll have to wait until the morning, my replicator rations are revoked and I don't have enough juice to power them independent of ships systems." I replied in an apologetic tone; she frowned.
"But." She protested silently pleading with her eyes; I wondered what was so wrong with it, Seven may not have much taste when it came to fashions, but she was more then capable of creating something functional. Until it hit me; before she'd been wearing anything I distinctly recalled a tail, afterwards the tail vanished.
"Insufficient time to program the computer for that I'd wager." I muttered more to myself then Amy; kneeling next to her I gave a gentle tug and a distinct ripping sound could be heard.
"Much better." She cooed her tail unfurling and wrapping me in a half-embrace. "Thank you Daddy." She added reaching up to peck my cheek; I smiled as a great sense of pride and accomplishment filled my very soul, someone was calling me Daddy and I could definitely get used to it.
"If you're not going to sleep right now." I began yawing as I made my way back to the bed. "Try not to be too loud ok." I requested slowly lowering myself under the covers; she tilted her head once more looking ever more like a cat with that expression and I smiled as my eyes began to feel so heavy.
Surprisingly; Amy slipped under the covers with me and nuzzled up against me once more kissing me lightly on the cheek.
"Good night Daddy." She whispered; I murmured something already drifting off, in fact I was out like a light before I knew it. Amy watched her sleeping father brushing her tiny hand through his close cropped hair; she couldn't remember much about her biological parents, but now that she was like him she had more memories then one might expect. She could remember a few snatches of details; the gentle caress of her mothers' arms, the brief touch of her fathers' lips upon her head, but that was about it.
This man however; this soul was real, tangible and already he cared for her deeply, she could tell as much from their telepathic bond, a bond she'd created when she first spoke to him. With another tiny smile she kissed him once again on the cheek before settling down in the crook of his arm, which had moved to enfold her and prepared to go to sleep herself.
"Thank you for giving me new life Daddy." She spoke ever so softly. "I hope I can keep you." She added innocently; knowing that one day the adults on this ship would most likely at least try to locate her biological relatives, it was something she'd picked up through the link. Closing her eyes she soon fell asleep; completely unaware that two individuals happened to be watching them, Ravage growled softly and Rumble shushed him afraid he might wake the child up.
"I don't know." He whispered to the Decepticon panther. "But if the boss is startin' to find himself a family who are we to complain; maybe she'll play with you." He added with a chuckle; Ravage made an indignant sound as if outraged at the mere thought of such a mundane action, but secretly he hoped.
To Be Continued; AWWW, SO CUTE! That's about all I have to say about this chapter and what you should expect in many chapters to follow, for although this story is called War Against the Collective, it really centers around Alain and Amy and their growing bond of love, family and careing. And once I got started on the character of Amy I found it most difficult to tone down on the sappy family stuff and revert to action mode all of the time. 'Chuckles'