A More Acceptable Outcome, Part 2

In a conference room, in Unimatrix 01, the Borg Queen paced around the table where she had summoned her best drones. "Okay, people. Janeway and Janeway are attempting to deal a major blow to the Collective and we need to stop them. Ideas?"

One of the drones spoke up. "We could send a bunch of cubes after them and assimilate the entire Voyager crew?"

The Queen scowled. "We've tried that, Three of Four." She snapped her fingers. "Drones! Disassemble this unit- it's not operating at peak efficiency." She slammed her hands on the table as the defective drone was carried off. "C'mon, you worthless automatons, THINK!"

Two of Four hesitated, then said, "Well… that one former drone, Seven of Nine, is still aboard Voyager, right?"

The Queen narrowed her eyes. "You know I despise being reminded of that fact, but yes. Go on…"

Two of Four started to sweat. "W-Well… I-I know you already tried it once, but why don't we use her presence on Voyager to our advantage? We can still send a signal to her cortical node, and if we keep it vague enough we won't be detected…"

The Borg Queen straightened and stroked her chin. "I'm listening…"

Two of Four felt a surge of confidence. He continued enthusiastically, "Well, Seven of Nine apparently has a close relationship with Captain Janeway. And our previous encounters with Voyager suggest that Captain Janeway has a close relationship with her first officer, perhaps even a romantic interest."

The Queen narrowed her eyes. "You know I despise mention of…" she grimaced, "relationships… This had better be good."

"W-Well! All we need to do is send a signal to Seven of Nine- just not a strong one so she thinks it's her own idea- to initiate a romantic relationship with the first officer. Then both Janeways will be distraught on two counts- feeling betrayed by both Seven of Nine and the first officer- thus turning the situation in our favor."

The Borg Queen considered. "Well… I don't like the idea of a former drone being tainted with something as vile as romance, but I do like the idea of both Janeways being distraught…"

Four of Four finally had an idea that felt worth contributing. "My Queen! I have it on good authority that the first officer might be susceptible to our signals as well. Previous scans of Voyager indicate he was once part of a hive mind."

The Queen grinned. "Excellent…"

~

Admiral Janeway was dying. Still. She had expected something… more clever. "That was your grand plan? That was the best the Borg Collective could come up with?"

The Queen was also dying. But she wouldn't be insulted by her arch enemy without a fight. "Emotions are humanity's greatest weakness. I was certain it would work."

"Ah, I see your error. You see, the alternate me channeled all her feelings of rage and betrayal into defeating you."

The Queen blinked. "…what."

Admiral Janeway grinned. "It's a more 'efficient' and productive use of energy, certainly you can understand that. So congratulations. You owe your defeat to yourself."

~

Back on Voyager, Captain Janeway had wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and clutched a mug of fresh, hot coffee close to her chest. She pouted, looking at Earth, but still feeling the bitter sting of betrayal. "From this point onward I will be fueled by caffeine and spite."

~

In the cargo bay, two crewmembers could swear they felt a mild shock go off in their skulls.

Seven and Chakotay simultaneously blinked, looked at their hands clasped together, then forcefully yanked them away in horror.

"WHAT is happening here?!" Chakotay's horror only grew as he took in the picnic blanket they were sitting on and the half-empty bottle of champagne. "Are… Are we on a…?"

Seven stiffened, trying to maintain her composure even as her face turned noticeably red. "We most certainly are not." She looked away and resisted the urge to gag. "Perhaps our memories were altered."

Chakotay chuckled nervously. "You're right. Yes, that makes sense. I mean, no offense, Seven, but we barely know eachother and we have zero chemistry. Not to mention I'm in love with the captain."

"And I have developed feelings for-" She paused. "Someone else." She stood abruptly, wanting to be anywhere else in the universe but there. "I shall report to Sickbay for-" She paused again."…For a neurological scan."

Chakotay stood as well. "Yeah… Yeah! That's a good idea. I should get my head checked out too. But not yet. First I need to find Kathryn." He grimaced. "And quell any rumors Tom might be spreading already."

Seven nodded and started to leave. She paused at the door. "This never happened."

Chakotay was already gathering up the evidence. "Oh, I'm about to toss all of this in the incinerator right now. Don't worry."