Chapter 10
Now
"What do you mean we can't get our systems back on line?" Janeway demanded angrily, glaring at the black viewscreen.
She heard Z'Mor sigh. "Captain, the Demori have stolen your on line systems. Your ship will loose you artificial gravity in two hours and your life support systems in 4. At least you're still alive. You should be grateful we came along and pulled you into our territory."
Chakotay rubbed his eyes, feeling tired. "That still doesn't explain why we can't get our-"
"Listen, young man." Z'Mor snapped, as if talking to a child. "You've got no weapons, no way of maneuvering. You'd be fighting blind. You'd be destroyed before you even saw them."
"Do you know who we could get our systems back?" Janeway retorted, not feeling to happy with their 'rescuers' at the moment.
"Well, yes. But its not going to work. Nor will you agree to it, I'm afraid."
Janeway looked over at Tuvok, who nodded. "Like it or not, I'd like to hear it." She commanded.
"You must destroy their ship." Z'Mor said simply.
In the back, Kim, who had returned from Engineering, groaned. Janeway knew why-it was impossible without weapons, warp or impulse power, initial dampers, and shields. She looked at Chakotay, who shook his head.
At that moment, the turbolift doors flew open and 7 of 9 tumbled to the ground. Tuvok was quickly by her side, helping her up. Besides being bruised and battered, she didn't seem to bad off, and kept her cool, calm manner.
Janeway turned and looked at her. "Are you alright?"
"I am…fine, Captain. However, I do wish to know what has happened."
Janeway explained (with a few interruptions from Z'Mor) and waited for 7 to respond.
"The Demori." She commented.
"You know of them?" Chakotay wanted to know.
"A Borg cube encountered a single ship that had drifted from its sector. They attempted to drain the cube's power. They were unsuccessful."
"Were they assimilated?" Tuvok asked.
"Yes."
"So you know about some of their systems. Weapons, warp drive capabilities-"
7 cut Kim off. "I am equipped with that knowledge, yes."
Janeway was smiling. "7, you're alcove has not lost power, has it?"
"No captain." 7 cocked her head. "Am I assuming you have a plan?"
"You assumed right. Z'Mor, we have an idea and we need your help."
"What is taking them so long?" B'Elanna growled, glaring at the doors.
"Is it just me, or is it getting a little hot in here?" Tom asked, ignoring her question.
"It's just you." B'Elanna snapped, although Tom could see she looked hotter than normal. "Environmental controls are out." She finally muttered, glancing down at her tricorder.
"Oh." There were a few minutes of silence that passed between them. What was going on up on the bridge?! Tom wished he had some way to communicate with the Captain.
He stared down at the dark console in front of him and started to turn away when he noticed a small green flashing dot in the corner. Hesitating, he pushed it. A long line of green lines filled the console.
It was Borg.
"B'Elanna, check this out."
B'Elanna walked over and she frowned as she ran her tricorder over the console. "Defiantly Borg." She concluded. "They must have a plan. Either that or 7's trying to take over Voyager again."
Tom rolled his eyes. "You really don't like her, do you?"
B'Elanna scowled. "She reminds me too much of a Vulcan."
"Not exactly your favorite species, huh?"
"My roommate at the Academy was a Vulcan. She drove me crazy." She fingered a few things on her tricorder and sighed. "This would normally take about an hour to decipher." She sighed again. "But without the proper equipment, it'll take a whole lot longer."
