DISCLAIMER: You all know the drill - Paramount is God.  All hail Paramount.  They own everything in the Star Trek Universe - I'm just using my overactive imagination to take their characters where they refuse to go.  All in the name of fun, not profit (I wish).

ORDER AND CHAOS

CHAPTER SIX: AFTERMATH

Instead of the Captain behind the forcefield in the surgical bay, Chakotay saw a Borg drone…and it took him a long minute before he could even trace a resemblance to Kathryn in the facial features.  The skin was white, she had tubes and implants all over, and she was wearing the typical Borg outfit of fitted black metal.  She had some kind of implant over her right eye, and an instrument instead of her left hand.

She was looking mechanically around at her surroundings, then stuck the implant on her left hand into the forcefield.  When it sparked at her, she stepped back and turned her head to the side in confusion. 

"Doctor?"

He was standing near the surgical bay, scanning her with a tricorder through the forcefield.  "She's curious, but not hostile."

"Does she know who we are?  Where she is?"

"I don't know.  I had to treat some of the crew's injuries and I just began scanning her.  You'll have to ask her."

Chakotay stepped tentatively closer to the forcefield.  "Kathryn?  It's Chakotay."

She turned her head sharply to look at him.  "You will return this drone to the Borg," she commanded.  Her voice was grossly distorted by a subvocal processor, and despite all his preparing for the worst he was shocked beyond his wildest beliefs.

"Do you know where you are?" he continued after a few seconds, taking another few steps towards her.

She looked around the room, her movements sharp and robotic.  "Federation vessel.  USS Voyager.  Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own."

"Can you tell me your name?"

"Our designation is Four of Seven, secondary adjunct of Unimatrix 425."

He plowed on.  "Do you know who I am?"

She looked him up and down.  "Species 5618.  Human."

He turned to the Doctor, who walked through the forcefield and began more scans of the Captain.  "Will you be able to remove her implants?"

Captain Janeway observed him with a detached gaze.  "Starfleet medical hologram.  Primitive technology."

The Doctor ignored her.  "I won't know until I run some more detailed micro-cellular scans…but I should be able to remove most of them."

Seven stepped up to the forcefield.  "She's only been assimilated for four weeks.  The Doctor was unable to remove all of the Borg technology from Icheb and I because we were assimilated as children."

"The Captain will be an entirely different matter," agreed the Doctor.  "Her physiology won't be nearly as dependent on the cybernetic implants."

"Is she still connected to the Collective?" asked Chakotay.

"Yes.  I didn't want to disconnect her until I was sure it would be safe."

"Leaving her in contact with the hive mind is dangerous," said Seven.  "The Queen could use her to track our position."

"I'll disconnect her now if you think it's best," he replied, not sounding at all convinced.  "But I won't take responsibility for the consequences."

"You will return this drone to the Borg!" insisted the Captain.  They ignored her.

"I recommend we sedate her first," said Seven.  "She will object to being separated from the Collective."

"Very well."  The Doctor passed through the forcefield and loaded a hypospray before crossing the forcefield again.

The Captain grabbed his arm when he approached the hypospray to her neck, but as a hologram he had unlimited strength and he was able to overpower her.  She slumped in his arms as the sedative took effect.  Seven deactivated the forcefield, and Chakotay helped the Doctor position her on the bed.

He stayed beside her for a moment, then moved closer to her head.  At this distance, he could tell it was Kathryn under all the Borg technology.  Her pale face was peaceful, and he recognized her at last.

"We'll get you back," he said quietly, taking her hand and placing it on her waist.  "I promise."  He moved out of the surgical bay and Seven reactivated the forcefield.

"I'm isolating the frequency," she said as she worked.  "It will take a few seconds."

The Doctor exited the surgical bay and grabbed another instrument.

"How long will it take to remove the implants?" Chakotay asked him.

He sighed.  "I can't even give you an estimate, Commander.  It could be a long process.  It could take days, weeks…even months until I've restored her physiology.  And it will no doubt take longer for her psychological damage to heal."

"I've isolated the frequency," said Seven.  "I'm disrupting it now."

One of the implants in the Captain's temple squealed, and she flinched and tensed before falling limp again.

Seven watched in silence.  "She is no longer in contact with the Collective."

Bridge to Seven of Nine, came Harry's voice over the comm.

"Go ahead, Ensign."

The cube  is hailing us.  M'Ahrel is asking to speak with you.

"Route the transmission to Sickbay," said Seven, moving over to a monitor on the nearby console.  M'Ahrel appeared on the other end.  Seven frowned when she saw her expression.  "What's wrong?" she demanded.

M'Ahrel looked upset.  "It's Axum.  He was injured when we were attacked in the transwarp corridor."

The color drained from Seven's face.  "Seriously?"

"He insisted he was fine…but then he just collapsed.  Some of his implants are damaged beyond repair.  We're trying to replace them."

Seven was becoming agitated.  There was an unpleasant twisting feeling in her stomach that she had never experienced before.  "Can't you remove them?"

M'Ahrel was surprised.  "We've tried removing implants before.  We've never been successful."

"Beam him to our Sickbay," Seven insisted urgently.  "Our Doctor might be able to remove the damaged components."  M'Ahrel hesitated.  "It's the only way to save him," Seven pleaded, emotion slipping into her voice.

Chakotay and the Doctor finally noticed her agitation.  She was leaning forward on the console, gripping the edges fiercely with her hands.

"Seven?" prompted the Doctor.

She snapped her head around to look at him.  "Axum's been injured.  Many of his implants are damaged.  Will you help him?"

"Of course," he assured her.

Seven turned back to the screen.  "Let us help him."

M'Ahrel nodded her acceptance.  "Give us a few minutes to prepare him for transport.  We'll contact you when we're ready."

*   *   *

First Officer's log, Stardate 54092.4  Voyager has resumed course for the Alpha quadrant, and there are no signs of any Borg ships pursuing us.  I can only hope the Queen decided to cut her losses and let us go.  The Doctor has managed to stabilize Axum and has begun to remove some of the Captain's implants as well.

M'Ahrel and Kor stood next to Seven as they observed Axum's motionless form on the biobed.

"You're sure he'll be all right?" asked M'Ahrel, looking at Seven.

"Our Doctor has a great deal of experience in the removal of Borg technology.  He could not be in better hands."

She nodded, satisfied.  "That's good enough for me."

"He'll be angry that we left before he recovered," said Kor, "But we're scheduled to rendezvous with another sphere under the control of the resistance.  It can't be delayed or we'll be discovered."

"I'm sure he'll understand that you had other obligations," said Seven.

"Tell him his presence will be missed and that we'll do everything we can to keep the resistance alive," Kor instructed her.

"I will."

M'Ahrel smiled.  "You only get so many lucky breaks in life, Seven.  Cherish them -- and don't ever throw them away.  That goes for Axum, too -- you can tell him I said that."

Seven bristled.  "You believe Axum's injuries are a 'lucky break?'"

Her smile widened.  "I think there could have been worse things than him remaining on Voyager with you."

Seven's expression was unreadable.  "I hope Axum shares that opinion."

*    *    *

Neelix entered the darkened kitchen with an armful of vegetables.  "Computer, lights," he ordered as he began unloading the container.  He turned on the burners and reached for his apron, attaching it around his neck.

"Breakfast," he muttered to himself.  "Breakfast…ah!"  He rooted around in the fridge and retrieved a case of large eggs they had obtained from a trading vessel a few months ago.  He set them on the counter, then reached for the case of vegetables he had carried in.  He quickly chopped the vegetables and threw them into one of his skillets. 

As they were simmering, he moved towards the darkened mess hall.  "Computer, lights," he ordered again.

He was surprised to see Seven of Nine standing next to one of the windows, her hands clasped behind her back.  She turned around when the lights came on.

"Seven!" said Neelix, moving towards her as he dried his hands off on his apron.  "You're up early."

"I…had trouble regenerating."

He moved to stand behind her.  "Can I get you some breakfast?"

"No.  Thank you."

She turned back to the window, and he observed her for a few seconds.  "How's your friend doing?" he asked.

"The Doctor has managed to stabilize Axum's condition.  He was forced to remove nearly a quarter of his implants.  If Axum's physiology attempts to take over he will need to remove even more."

Neelix watched her expression with interest.  "Does that bother you?"

She turned to face him.  "I believe Axum will be…angry with me."

He frowned in concern.  "For what?"

"For asking the Doctor to remove his implants.  It's my fault that he will no longer be able to command his vessel."

"But you saved his life."

"The resistance movement is his life.  I have taken that away from him."

"Do you think you should have let him die?"

"No," she admitted.

 He tried a different tactic.  "Do you remember how you felt when the Captain removed your implants?"

Seven raised an eyebrow.  "I felt weak.  Small.  I was angry with the Captain for what she had done to me.  I believed she should have let me die."

"And do you still feel that way?"

"No.  I have come to…appreciate my individuality."

"So even though you were angry at losing your Borg abilities…you gained something else."

She smiled.  "Yes."

Neelix leaned towards her.  "Then I'm sure Mr. Axum will see things the same way."

"Perhaps.  However, I still feel guilty that he will not be able to return to his vessel."

"I don't mean to pry…but didn't you want him to stay on Voyager?"

"I asked him to remain.  He wasn't willing to leave his ship."  She paused.  "I believe my desire for him to stay on Voyager may have influenced my decision to have the Doctor remove his implants."

Neelix smiled.  "That's only human, Seven."

"I should have been objective," she insisted.  "I should not have allowed my…personal feelings to interfere."

"You did what was needed to save his life.  That sounds objective to me.  Anyone would have done the same for a friend."  He watched her for a few seconds.  "Unless he's…more than a friend?"

Seven smiled self-consciously and looked out the window.

Neelix clasped his hands on his chest.  "Well…"  He reached over and patted her on the shoulder.  "Come on.  Why don't I make you one of my famous omelets?"

Seven raised an eyebrow but accepted his offer with a nod.

Neelix made his way into the kitchen and pulled out a pair of large eggs from the crate on the counter.  He cracked them into a skillet and began stirring as Seven took a seat on the other side of the galley.  "My grandmother used to make these back on Talax," he told her as he stirred.  "The secret is the seasoning.  I use twelve different spices."

Seven cocked an eyebrow and eyed the cooking eggs warily.

"Oh, don't worry," he said, catching her expression.  "Nothing too zesty."  He leaned forward conspiratorially.  "I had to cut out three of the spices after a few crewmen ended up in Sickbay."

"A wise precaution," Seven smirked.

The flame under the skillet with the vegetables in it flared up, and Neelix grabbed the pot to avoid scorching the contents.  "Ooh!" he exclaimed as one of his hands got a little too close to the flame.

"What vegetables would you like in your omelet?" he asked, stirring the skillet.  "Talaxian tomatoes?  Jibalian mushrooms?  Some asparagus?  I've still got some lovely Norcadian peppers left."

"You may choose whatever you feel is appropriate."

He was more than happy to be given free reign, and gleefully dumped the vegetables in with the eggs as he continued stirring.

The mess hall doors slid open, and Seven looked over her shoulder to see Chakotay enter.

"Good morning," she greeted him.

"What can I get for you, Commander?" asked Neelix.

He joined Seven at the window looking in on the galley.  "Just some coffee, thanks."

"Coming right up," he replied, brushing his hands off on his apron and turning around to find the coffee pots.

Chakotay turned to Seven.  "Do you have a minute?"

"Of course, Commander."

Neelix returned with a pot of coffee and poured the steaming liquid into a mug. 

"Will you join me for breakfast?" she suggested.

"A splendid idea!" exclaimed Neelix.  "I'm just making Seven one of my Jibalian twelve-spice omelets."

Chakotay leaned over the ledge.  "Smells great.  Maybe I will have some."  He looked back at Seven.  ""You're sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all."

Neelix scooped the omelet onto two plates and placed them on the counter.  "There you are."

"Thanks, Neelix," said Chakotay.  They picked up the plates and moved towards the tables.

When they were seated, Seven eyed the food warily and poked it with her fork.

Chakotay smirked.  "Thinking you should have stuck with your nutritional supplements?"

She raised an eyebrow and took a bite.  She chewed slowly, her expression thoughtful.  "It is…different."

Chakotay stabbed at the omelet with his fork and tentatively took a bite.  "Mmm," he mumbled.  "Not bad," he pronounced after he swallowed.

Seven grimaced.  "It is…"

"Spicy?"

"Yes."

"That's nothing.  You should have seen his attempts at chili."

Seven smirked and took another bite of the omelet as Chakotay took a sip of coffee.

"What did you wish to speak to me about?" she asked after a few minutes.

Chakotay's expression became somber.  "I wanted your opinion about the Captain."

"About anything in particular?"

He thought for a moment.  "The Doctor is confident he'll be able to remove all her Borg implants...but I'm worried about her…"  He searched for the right word.  "Personality.  The possible psychological damage."  He pushed the food around his plate with his fork.  "Starfleet only has reports of a few cases where drones have been separated from the Collective."

"The Borg assimilated one of your Federation Captains before the battle at Wolf 359," said Seven.  "He was later rescued by his crew and separated from the Borg."

"That's not the same.  Captain Picard was only assimilated for a matter of days.  Any psychological trauma was probably due more to his participation in the events at Wolf 359 than his assimilation."  He paused and took another bite of his omelet.  "A few months before you came on board, we encountered a group of Borg who had been separated from the Collective.  They had developed a society, they had personalities…but I have no way of knowing whether they were different from before their assimilation.  I wanted to get your insights on what you think we might expect with the Captain."

Seven considered this for a minute.  "I was assimilated at a young age.  By the time I was separated from the Collective, I had almost no memory of my…personality.  I had to develop an entirely new one.  I do not believe my insight would be of any use to you."

"That makes sense, I guess.  What about Icheb?"

"He and the other Borg children were also assimilated at a young age."

"Isn't there anything you can think of to use as a reference?"

She frowned as something occurred to her.  "The three members of my original Unimatrix."

"The ones who came on board last year?"

"Yes.  When our sphere crashed and we were separated from the Collective…their individuality began to reassert itself within a matter of hours.  I doubt the Captain's recovery would be so rapid, but I believe it's a promising sign that they were able to differentiate from the Collective so quickly."

"What about their personalities?"

"I have no basis to compare their behavior to.  They may have been radically different from the people they were before their assimilation…although I do not believe that was the case."

He sighed.  "I'm just worried that we're not going to get her back."

"You have said yourself that the Captain is a strong person.  I have no doubt she will fight to regain her individuality."

He smiled.  "I hope so."  He took another bite of his omelet as crewmen started filtering into the mess hall before the day shift.  "The Doctor tells me Axum's condition is stable."

"Yes.  We may need to remove more of his implants, but he should recover."  Seven stared down at her plate for a few moments before she looked up again.  "Commander…now that Axum is no longer able to help the resistance…I think it is likely he will request to stay on Voyager."

"He's more than welcome.  We can always use another set of hands around here."

She smiled.  "Thank you."