Maternal Manipulations
Black, metallic eyes, as black and cold as the void of space, tracked a lone human figure as it moved from console to console, manipulating information, absorbing it. Almost…. assimilating it. Of course, Seven of Nine could no longer assimilate information in the efficient way that the Borg could. No longer a drone, she had to rely on cumbersome human methods, and this limited her.
The Queen almost regretted needing Seven of Nine as an individual and making her a promise when she had implemented the punishment protocol a few hours ago. However, it was essential that she kept that promise. Breaking it could easily turn Seven of Nine against her true people, and the Queen had expended too much effort to let that happen.
As a drone, it was true that Seven of Nine would be part of the Many once more, that infuriating resistance washed away, obeying every order. However, it would be such as waste, her favourite drone had so much potential, and it was easier to draw it out while the thoughts of Seven of Nine were her own.
The Queen's observations of Seven of Nine were cut short by the voice of the collective echoing through her mind.
Warning! Designation Seven of Nine, former drone, is attempting to access the central plexus of this Unimatrix. Countermeasures in place, but are being overcome. Deploying Four of Six and Two of Six to physically block access to Unimatrix systems.
Two drones, who had been scanning for any signs of Voyager from the other side of the Queen's chambers, stepped away from their own consoles and began to make their way towards Seven. A faint smirk of amusement curled the Queen's lips.
Her head twitched, minutely, and the two drones halted.
No. I shall block her myself before she reaches anything damaging. We shall see how good her skills are.
The Queen watched Seven's hands racing over the console, her tense posture betraying that she knew she was doing something forbidden, and was wary about being found out. One by one, the electronic defences that protected the Collective's most critical knowledge were being worn down. As Seven overcome a key firewall, the Queen became more alert.
Impressive, but time to end this.
Her right hand clenched into a fist, and Seven cried out in surprise and pain as a mild electric shock surged from the console and struck her, causing her to stumble backwards. Seven shuddered as her balance was restored by a solid entity behind her, holding her up, metallic fingers clutching her shoulder. Seven attempted to orient herself, her hands stinging and her implants buzzing unpleasantly. A soft, amused voice murmured;
"You are so impatient Seven of Nine. Such forbidden fruit is not yours for the taking. Not yet…"
The knowledge that the Queen might permit her to access such restricted information was surprising, but welcome. If she was still so highly valued, she might be able to disrupt the Collective from within somehow. At least the Queen did not seem angry at her intrusion.
Pulling Seven around so that they were face-to-face, the Queen said:
"You have had the chance to study species 10026. What is the greatest biological benefit they possess?"
Clasping her sore hands behind her back and trying to ignore the static fading from her optical implant, Seven replied:
"Their lifespan. They are able to live for three or four centuries unless killed by accidents or disease."
"Biological weakness?"
"Because of their lifespan, they have very few children, so if they were to become sterile, their race would become extinct."
"Very good, precisely the conclusions we also came to."
Releasing Seven's shoulder, the Queen waved a hand towards the former drone's alcove.
"Get some rest, you will be very busy in the coming cycle."
It would have been easy to reject such an order, to respond with an insolent comment about what the Queen would want her to do. However, Seven was now very wary about doing so. The Queen was clearly in no mood to have her authority questioned, and Seven had no wish to experience another punishment protocol so soon after the first one.
She went where she was told, grimacing as she flexed her sore fingers. Seven winced as a note of censure entered the Queen's voice as she stepped into her alcove.
"The pain in your hands will remain as a warning, stay out of areas that do not concern you!"
Before she could begin the regeneration sequence, the Queen held up a hand, arresting the action. Stepping up to Seven, she ran a gentle hand along her face, cupping her chin. The irritation that Seven had heard just a moment before had melted away, as she purred:
"You have done so well in the last few hours; it seems a shame to spoil things with further recriminations. Rest well, there will be much for you to learn when you wake."
As she began the regeneration cycle, Seven was startled and very disturbed to feel a pair of warm lips brush her forehead as the Queen whispered into her mind:
Rest well, my child.
The Queen considered her errant drone as the regeneration cycle took hold. She had previously decided to put Seven of Nine in charge of modifying an assimilation virus to infect humanity. However, after recent developments, that course of action might have to be changed. There were still many things that had to be done in order to manipulate Seven into embracing her Borg upbringing, but the Queen could afford to be patient. As long as Voyager and the interfering Janeway did not make an appearance, she would succeed in this endeavour. Seven of Nine would give in eventually, she clearly felt isolated in this location. As long as the Queen continued to present herself as a benevolent maternal figure, her efforts would produce the desired result.
If she could keep her former drone focussed on rare knowledge, on knowledge she wouldn't be able to access on Voyager, she would be less likely to think about escape. It was almost stimulating for the Queen to observe Seven of Nine's stubborn nature and clear superior intellect to other humans. If she got this right, she might even be a successor if something…fatal occurred to herself.
Of course, Seven of Nine's individuality would be likely to cause some rebellion. As long as she demonstrated the soft spot she had for her 'favourite' drone, Seven of Nine would not resent this rebellion being quashed. It might even be worthwhile to allow Seven of Nine to believe that she had some illusion of control.
The Queen was interrupted once again from her musings by the voice of the Collective.
A vessel has been detected in spacial grid 436, trajectory 3361. Identification: modified Federation shuttle, designation 'Delta Flyer'.
The Queen's eyes narrowed as she snarled mentally:
Janeway! Once again, she is attempting to interfere in our operations! Move the octahedron into the middle of the Unicomplex. I do not want Janeway to be able to influence Seven of Nine!
The Collective replied to this declaration somewhat cautiously:
Designation One who is Many, former drone Seven of Nine should be re-assimilated. Her experiences would be added to our own directly. She is an individual now, that is an unacceptable state.
Closing her eyes in exasperation at the Collective's failure to grasp the subtleties of her plans, the Queen snapped:
Enough! I have my reasons for keeping her apart! As an individual she can contribute so much more to the Collective. She will be part of the Many when she is ready for such a thing, and when I decide the time is right.
The reply from the Collective was slightly contrite.
Designation One who is Many, there is consensus.
The Queen smiled slightly as she opened her eyes. Her children could be infuriatingly slow to understand the aims of her thoughts and actions, but their thoughts always became one in the end.