Game Theory
Chapter 3 – Sayuri Yoshida
There was a palpable feeling of excitement on the bridge, which bustled with more activity than it had seen for many months. After weeks of chomping at the bit with nothing to do, Voyager's crew were eager for action of any kind. Janeway had ordered all her senior staff and the heads of each department to the alpha shift in preparation for their rendezvous with the artefact. If everything went smoothly, she'd need their practical and scientific expertise to help investigate the strange object, and if things went badly…well, she wanted her best and brightest on hand to help keep Voyager in one piece.
"Thirty seconds to visual range," Tom Paris called out, his fingers dancing across the helm controls as he prepared to bring Voyager back to below light speed.
"Once we're there, slow to one half impulse and bring it up on the main viewer," Janeway smiled, enjoying herself despite the fatigue in her bones. She'd slept poorly again last night, although this time it was probably due to the fact that she'd drifted off on the couch rather than in her bed. The achy back and sore limbs which had greeted her when she awoke were also painful reminders that she wasn't as young as she used to be. Nevertheless, the potential for scientific discovery had lightened her mood, and allowed her to temporarily put her personal problems on the back burner. Here, on the bridge, she was in her element, and even the sight of Seven at the aft science station, as beautiful as ever, had not quite been enough to shake her.
"Three…two…one," Tom disengaged the engines, and the streaks of white on the bridge viewscreen resolved once more into individual stars. Voyager shuddered slightly as they dropped out of warp, its hull creaking as it settled into their new speed.
Off in the distance was a barely visible shape. Janeway could only distinguish it by the stars it blocked from view.
"Magnify," she ordered, and the image on the screen jumped closer.
The artefact was a perfect cube, made of what appeared to be a dull, dark metal. Symbols adorned its surface, but nothing Janeway could immediately recognise. It tumbled end over end, seemingly drifting at random with no means of propulsion.
"How big is it Tuvok?" she asked, glancing at her dark-skinned security officer who manned the tactical station.
"The cube is slightly larger than one of our shuttlecraft. It measures approximately ten metres in each dimension."
"Are you able to get a clear scan of its interior?" until they could ascertain what was inside, there was no way to know how safe it was.
"Negative, we are not yet close enough. We will need to be within five kilometres, although I cannot guarantee a result."
"Take us in Mr Paris," Janeway turned back to the viewscreen, eyes fixed on the prize. "But be ready to get us out of here at a moment's notice. We've had too many run-ins with hostiles for me to be sure this won't be another."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Seven," Janeway said, thankful that the Borg's position meant she wasn't expected to turn and look at her. She needed to be focused for this. "Those markings on the surface. Do they match anything the Borg have encountered before?"
"The Borg do not keep records of the written languages of the races they assimilate," Seven replied with characteristic precision and efficiency. "However they do retain images of space vessels for the purpose of visual identification. This 'craft' and its insignias do not match any design known to the Collective."
"The hull appears to be some sort of tritanium composite alloy mixed with whatever it is that's blocking our sensors," Harry Kim interjected from the navigation console. "Whoever built this, they built it to last."
"That would imply its creators had a level of technology comparable to our own," Tuvok added.
"Indeed." Janeway nodded. They had to be careful. People in the Delta quadrant tended to get annoyed when you interfered with their stuff. "Seven, did astrometrics chart any inhabited systems in the vicinity?"
"No, Captain. This area of space is mostly deserted, with the nearest star systems composed exclusively of gas giants. It seems improbable that the object originated near here."
"We'll be able to find out soon enough." Tom said. "We're clearing the five kilometre threshold now."
"Hold position." Janeway stood up, wincing imperceptibly at the tension in her spine.
"Aye, Ma'am, full stop."
"Tuvok?" the Captain asked, waiting for him to report on the results of the sensor sweep. After a few moments, the Vulcan nodded.
"Our sensors are able to reach the interior, owing to Seven's modifications."
Janeway smiled instinctively, and sensed, rather than saw, Seven do the same. She didn't dare turn to face the other woman.
You've got it bad. Kathryn chuckled. Can she really undo you with just a smile? Whatever happened to the aloof, inhuman Captain Janeway?
The Captain ignored her persistent internal voice. Although she'd managed to talk herself down last night, that moment of weakness had given new strength to her more personal desires, and it was getting harder to shut them out. Pointedly, she focused on Tuvok's report.
"I am reading no life signs, however we were correct; there is a considerably strong power source within. It appears to be segregated into two distinct parts, however I cannot discern what it is powering. The cube does not possess weapon systems, shields, or life support."
"Is it dangerous?"
"I do not believe so," Tuvok responded. "The power source is stable, and the radiation we detected is not inherently harmful. There is some form of computer system on board, however it is impossible to determine more without a direct interface."
"Direct interface? You're saying we should bring it onto the ship?" the idea sounded crazy, but then, Tuvok was always logical in his assessment. Janeway reminded herself that this knee-jerk reaction to the unknown was simply the result of the many bad experiences they'd had in this quadrant; a distinctly emotional response that Tuvok did not share. It was true that, if there was no danger to the vessel, it would be easier to study the device on board rather than remotely.
"Caution is paramount, but if we wish to learn more about the object, it will be necessary."
Janeway weighed the pros and cons in her mind. This wasn't a decision to be taken lightly, and not one that she should dictate by herself.
"We need to draw up a plan of action," Janeway tapped her comm-badge and opened up a ship-wide channel. "All senior staff, report to the conference room."
Once the last of her officers had sat down and the chatter had died away, Janeway rose from her chair, and activated the table's holo display. A 3D image of the cube appeared, slowly rotating; enigmatic and inscrutable.
"I'm sure you're all aware of the alien artifact we have stopped to investigate," she began, looking around and seeing a few nodding heads. "We have made visual contact and performed an initial sensor sweep. As far as we can tell, the object is abandoned. There are no inhabited systems for many light-years, and no life signs from the object itself. However, on board, we have detected a strong power source and computer systems of an unknown purpose. There are also inscriptions on the faces of the object that are unfamiliar, but appear to be writing of some kind."
Pausing momentarily to make sure everyone was up to speed, she continued.
"We have learnt as much as we can from here. Our sensors are able to penetrate the shielding but only to a limited degree. The way I see it, we now have two options. We can continue, leaving the artifact where it is, or, we can bring it on board for further study." Sitting back down, Janeway steepled her fingers, and let her words sink in. "So, people, opinions and ideas. Let's hear them."
B'Elanna was the first to speak.
"Practically speaking Captain, even if we do intend to bring this…thing onto the ship, where are we going to put it? It's too big to transport."
"Well, the shuttle bay is just about the only place we can put it then," Tom said. "It should be able to fit through the doors, and there's enough space in the empty docking cradle to store it."
"Yeah but, can we do this?" Harry asked nervously. The young man was still rather green around the edges, and was sometimes reluctant to speak up in staff meetings. "I mean, it may be abandoned, but it's not ours. Doesn't taking it go against the Prime Directive?"
"Technically, yes," Janeway replied, sensing that this wasn't going to be as clear cut as she first thought. "And in the alpha quadrant, no doubt a dedicated science vessel would be dispatched to investigate the artifact where it lies. Unfortunately, we are not equipped for such a task nor do we have the luxury of being able to stop for long. We'll have to take it with us if we think there's something to be learnt from it."
"The extra power source could definitely be useful, regardless of anything else," B'Elanna added. "Assuming it's safe and I can find a way to integrate it into Voyager's systems. I'd need to study it further to be sure."
"Assuming it's safe," Chakotay cut in. "Tuvok, would this thing be a danger to Voyager if brought on board? Do we even know enough about it to be sure?"
"As I said before, the power source is stable; however there are always potential risks," the Vulcan replied impassively. "We would need to take every precaution possible to ensure the safety of this vessel. Were it to be brought on board, we would need to maintain a level ten force field around it at all times as well as a constant security detail, until we are able to ascertain that it does indeed pose no threat."
"That's a big drain on resources," Chakotay said, scratching the tribal tattoo on the side of his head; a gesture he tended to make when he was pensive or nervous. "Is it worth it? Curiosity aside, we have to think how this would benefit Voyager, and aside from the extra power, we don't know if this cube has anything useful."
"The cube would have been constructed for a purpose," Seven pointed out, glancing at the Captain. "A species intelligent enough to create such a device would not do so for no reason. It is possibly a probe, in which case, it may contain valuable astrometric data."
It was a good point, although Janeway resisted saying as much. The past couple of days had made her wary of how she acted around Seven. She was very cognizant of how much she favoured the young woman sometimes, and she was suddenly nervous of what the other members of her senior staff thought about it.
"Captain. There may be a way around this," Tom's brow furrowed as he worked over an idea in his head. "We're assuming we have to bring the cube to us, but what if we went to it? I could take a small science team with pressure suits out on the runabout. If Voyager could tractor beam the cube, they may be able to land on it and get a closer look. That way, we could see if it seems dangerous or not and if it's worthwhile bringing it with us for further study."
"A logical suggestion," Tuvok agreed, his eyebrows rising slightly as if he were surprised that the idea had come from Paris.
Janeway mulled it over. It minimised the risk to the ship, and it would give them a better idea of what they were dealing with.
"Very well. I think that's our best bet, unless anyone has any objections?"
When no one spoke up, she continued.
"Okay. Tom, I want you to pilot the shuttle. Tuvok, you go too and do a thorough risk assessment of the device. B'Elanna, Seven, I want you two in charge of the science team. Consult with the relevant group heads and get their suggestions on which officers are the most qualified to take with you. No more than five; let's keep this expedition as small as possible until we're sure it's safe. Once we know more, we can decide whether or not to bring it onto the ship."
Janeway hesitated about assigning Seven to the team. There was always a certain degree of risk involved in any initial away mission; crew members had been severely injured, and even killed before. She didn't doubt Seven's abilities for a moment, but there was so much that could go wrong; that was out of their hands and impossible to predict until the worst had already been done. The idea of that happening to Seven was…she didn't think she could live with the guilt if her orders resulted in the young woman's death.
Which was a big problem.
She was the Captain, and she couldn't let her fondness for the Borg override the fact that Seven was one of the most obvious choices to send. Her technical and scientific knowledge would be invaluable during the initial assessment.
That's why you can never be with her. Janeway repeated to herself. It would distort your command perspective.
It already has. Kathryn pointed out.
Clearing her throat, the Captain addressed the room again, hoping to shift her mind back to the situation at hand and away from her beguiling astrometrics officer.
"Alright people, let's get to work. I want the shuttle ready to go within two hours. Dismissed."
Ensign Sayuri Yoshida gulped, swallowing down her apprehension and clutching her case full of data padds nervously as she entered the shuttle bay. From her position on the raised catwalk, the voluminous room looked like a great insect hive, with crewmembers bustling about all over the place in preparation for the shuttle's launch. She paused, trying to pick out the rich blue of the other science team members' uniforms amongst the crowd. After thirty seconds of fruitless searching, she finally located them, right next to the runabout. It looked like they were getting prepped to embark.
Damn it, I'm already late.
The diminutive woman hurried along the walkway, forgoing the wait for the elevator in her haste, and instead opting to take the ladder. It immediately occurred to her that she may have made a mistake, as she tried desperately to keep the case she carried from slipping out from under her arm while she climbed awkwardly down. She'd nearly made it to the bottom when it worked loose.
"Ah!" she cried, trying to catch it again with her one free hand and somehow managing to get her limbs tied in a knot. With all the dignity of a beached whale, she fell the length of the last couple of rungs, landing on her back with enough force to knock the air from her lungs. At the same time, the case she'd been carrying impacted against the deck with an almighty crash, spilling padds everywhere and drawing the alarmed gazes of most of the crew in the room.
Oh god.
Sayuri jumped to her feet as quickly as she could, breathless and blushing furiously. Her embarrassment only intensified when she looked up to see that the nearest crewmember was none other than Commander Tuvok, who was now regarding her with the same sort of scrutiny with which she might have observed an alien insect.
"Ensign Yoshida, are you injured?" he enquired, approaching her while carefully avoiding the padds which covered the floor.
"N-No Sir," she mumbled, having extreme difficulty meeting his eye, yet knowing it would be rude and unprofessional to look away.
"Very well. Once you have…recovered your personal items, report to shuttle dock two. We will be departing in ten minutes."
"Yes Sir," she said quickly, already stooping over and grabbing the nearest padds, stuffing them back into her case as fast as she could. She could feel her cheeks burning red hot under the Vulcan's gaze.
Tuvok turned to go, before adding.
"I trust you will display more coordination during your examination of the alien artifact."
Feeling like she was back in her first day at the academy, all Sayuri could do was nod mutely. It seemed to be enough for Tuvok, who left to join the others at the shuttle.
Way to make a good first impression. She thought, feeling something akin to disgust, directed at herself. Late and clumsy. Commander Tuvok must think really highly of you.
The Vulcan security officer had always scared her, or perhaps it was Vulcans in general. They were so impassive, yet it always seemed that they could tell everything about you from the briefest of glances. Around Tuvok, she felt like she was wearing a giant neon sign which listed all her inadequacies and failings. Now she had probably just confirmed his suspicions.
Needless to say, it had been something of a shock when she'd been told to report to the shuttle bay and suit up. Being picked for the away mission was the last thing she had expected. Normally, the only times she got to leave the ship were during shore leave, or on a particularly big scientific expedition where all the science officers were needed. Now, she was part of a select team of the five 'most qualified' individuals on the ship. She wouldn't be surprised if it was some kind of mistake. Perhaps her personnel file had been mixed up with someone else's; Lieutenant Parker's for instance.
Grabbing the last of the padds, she was dismayed to find that her rush in returning them to the case meant she was unable to shut it. There was no time to take them all out again now though. Feeling her blush return full force, Sayuri picked up the case and hugged it to her chest to prevent it from bursting open, then half-walked/half-ran to the others.
When she arrived, the rest of the team were already pulling on their pressure suits, with the exception of Tom Paris who would be sealed in the cockpit for the duration of the mission. They acknowledged her arrival with a few nods, but nothing more. Sayuri was used to that. She wasn't exactly the most social person in the world, and was the only person there from her department; xenobiology. Aside from the other science officers, there was B'Elanna Torres and, Sayuri felt her stomach spasm slightly in panic, Seven of Nine.
If there was one person on board who scared her more than Tuvok, with the possible exception of the Captain herself, it was Seven of Nine. The ex-Borg possessed the same, unnerving perceptiveness that Vulcans displayed, but whereas Tuvok seemed completely unfazed by everything, Seven seemed actively critical. On the few occasions her and Sayuri had worked together, she had been able to sense the Borg's acute annoyance at everything she did. It was no secret that Seven disliked working with others, preferring to do things in her own, more 'efficient' way; a fact which apparently brought her into frequent conflict with the Captain. Sayuri wondered how formidable Janeway must be when angry, if she was able to outmatch Seven in a battle of wills.
"Ensign Yoshida," the blonde said impassively, fixing Sayuri with a gaze which made her feel about two inches tall. "You should consider practicing your punctuality."
"Sorry, Ma'am. I-It won't happen again," Sayuri wondered just how often she'd be apologising on this mission. Probably a lot.
The Borg woman had finished donning her spacesuit, and now stood in her customary pose; at rigid attention with her hands clasped firmly behind her back. At her full height, she towered over the smaller Asian woman by a full foot.
"Let us hope not. Do not make me withdraw my recommendation that you accompany us on this mission."
"You put my name forward?!" Sayuri blurted out before she could stop herself.
Seven regarded her quizzically.
"Indeed. You are a specialist in xenobiology, with additional expertise in xenolinguistics, are you not?"
"Y-Yes," Sayuri said uncertainly, thankful that her sudden outburst hadn't drawn a reproach from Seven. "But…last time we worked together…you didn't like…that is to say…you didn't seem to find me satisfactory…Ma'am."
Sayuri's eyes almost burst out of their sockets in surprise when Seven looked away, cheeks colouring imperceptibly with…embarrassment?!
"I believe I may have been mistaken," the Borg woman said stiffly. "After consulting with the Captain, and reviewing your work, I found it…acceptable."
Sayuri had no idea what to make of any of what she'd just seen, but she was glad to hear that Seven didn't just consider her dead weight. Before she could say anything more however, the rest of the group started making their way onto the shuttle. Seven nodded at her, and followed the others, as Sayuri put her case on the floor and quickly scrambled to get her suit on.
What just happened?
Seven had been…nice, at least by the Borg's standards. She'd apologized too. That was very different to how Sayuri remembered her from the last time they worked together. Then again, that had been six months ago at least. It seemed that Seven was continuing to adapt to her humanity, and Sayuri suddenly felt a pang of compassion for the other woman. She had never disliked Seven per-se, but she had seen her as utterly intimidating and unapproachable. Perhaps that was beginning to change.
Quickly, she finished doing up her suit, grabbed her case, and rushed onto the shuttle just before the doors began to close. Taking the last available seat, she fastened the harness over her chest, and let out a brief sigh of relief. All she had to do for the next ten minutes was sit still. Even she couldn't screw that up, right? There was a quiet murmur of excitement throughout the shuttle, as everyone eagerly anticipated what they were about to find. Sayuri couldn't help but feel a bit exhilarated too, despite her nerves. Even though she felt out of her depth among all these strangers and superior officers, she could still feel the lure of the unknown calling to her. This was, after all, exactly what she had signed up for.
"Helmets everybody," B'Elanna said, and the chatter was replaced with the clicks and hisses as people locked their headgear into place and suits pressurised.
Sayuri could hear faint conversation from the cockpit as Tom Paris reported to the Captain. Then, with a jolt, the shuttle lifted off the deck, and they were away.
To boldly go where no terrified young science officer had gone before.
Seven regarded the young officer across from her; Ensign Sayuri Yoshida. She was a short, lean woman of Japanese descent, with straight, shoulder-length, raven-black hair and, to coin a phrase that Kathryn had used once, big 'doe eyes'. Before, the physical appearance of the Ensign would have been irrelevant, but since her talk with the Doctor, and the revelation that it was okay to be attracted to the same sex, Seven had spent a great deal of time re-assessing the female members of the crew, and documenting her body's reaction.
Many of them were attractive, and Seven considered that Ensign Yoshida could fall into that category. Her high cheekbones, button nose, and timid, hazel gaze were all aesthetically pleasing. Yet, like with others she had deemed acceptable, she found herself unable to reproduce the emotions which she felt when she looked at the Captain. It appeared then, that there were two forms of attraction; physical, which depended solely on the individual's body structure and facial features, and emotional, which was influenced by the individual's personality or some other, unknown factor that Seven was not aware of. It was the only explanation for why she considered females like Ensign Yoshida attractive, but did not feel the urge to copulate with them like she did with Kathryn; at least, not to the same degree. The same was true of B'Elanna Torres. That also demonstrated that it was possible for physical attraction to exist without any form of emotional compatibility, since her and the half-Klingon were almost always…'disagreeing' seemed too mild a term.
Perhaps she could use this shuttle ride to gather some data. She had done some research on Voyager, but she needed more practical experience in how to approach others on a romantic level. The science officer opposite her seemed a suitable starting point.
"Ensign Yoshida," she began, remembering the importance of manners, especially when dealing with someone she did not know well. "May I ask you a question?"
The younger woman looked at her with surprise; a common expression for her, Seven noted.
"Yes Ma'am, what do you want to know?" her voice was muffled by her helmet, or perhaps she was just speaking quietly. Seven had observed that the Ensign was often 'shy', and reluctant to talk unless addressed directly.
"Are you attracted to females?" Seven asked.
Sayuri continued to demonstrate her impressive ability to modify the colour of her facial skin. This time, it turned pale, although a rosy still hue clung to her cheeks and neck.
"I…I…Ma'am, I…" she stammered. Seven observed the phenomenon with interest. Would Kathryn behave the same when she approached her?
"W-Why do you want to know…Ma'am?" Sayuri finished eventually, glancing around the cabin furtively. Seven noted that they were separated enough from the others that their conversation would be inaudible over the sound of the engines.
"I am trying to ascertain an acceptable manner for discovering this information," Seven explained. "Was my query sufficient?"
"I…well, it was a bit, erm…blunt." Sayuri seemed very uncomfortable. Seven did not understand why. She had simply asked a question.
"Does this inquiry trouble you?" she asked. If it did, then perhaps she would have to reconsider her method for approaching Kathryn.
"It's…it's quite a private topic. M-Most people may feel uncomfortable talking about it."
"Why? Is attraction to the same gender a cause for embarrassment?" Seven got the feeling that, like with so many other aspects of socialisation, there was more to this than she had originally anticipated. Why did humans persist on making their interactions so inefficient?
"N-No, not at all Seven, uh, Ma'am," the Ensign squirmed in her seat. "People just like to keep their private lives, um, private. I-I mean, if you have to ask, then it's not public knowledge, which means the person probably wants to keep that side of their life to themselves."
"I see," Seven grimaced slightly. This was a setback. It appeared she would have to ascertain Kathryn's preferences through some means other than directly asking. "So you do not wish to tell me if you are attracted to females."
"W-Well, if you must know." Ensign Yoshida's face turned a darker shade of red, and Seven wondered if the woman might have some form of circulatory problem. "I…I have been, in the past."
"So do you identify yourself as heterosexual or homosexual?" Seven felt like she was making progress. If Ensign Yoshida tended to be attracted to males, but had in the past been attracted to females, it was proof that such an outcome was theoretically possible for her and Kathryn.
"I've never really thought about it." Sayuri frowned. "I mean…I don't think it makes that much difference. I-If you like someone, then you like them, regardless of gender."
"I understand. And did these women return your attraction?" Seven pressed on.
"No…I don't know. I-I never asked them," Sayuri's eyes were downcast, and Seven got the impression that she had upset the other woman, although again, she was not sure how. "If I had to guess though, probably not. I don't think they ever even noticed me."
Seven was about to say more when Tuvok's voice cut through the cabin.
"Perform final suit checks. We are nearing the target."
Sayuri was glad of the sudden bustle of activity, as everyone double checked their pressure seals and gathered their equipment. Her conversation with Seven had been awkward to say the least, and was heading into territory she didn't like to visit too often. Namely her own, non-existent love life.
Maybe it was better when she simply found me a nuisance.
That wasn't really fair, Sayuri thought. The ex-Borg was clearly still unsure about a great many things. Sayuri herself had difficulty socialising and fitting in, and she'd had a whole lifetime to practice, whereas Seven had only had a few short years. If she could help the other woman, she should, regardless of how embarrassing it might be. At least Seven had made the effort to speak to her about something other than ship business, unlike pretty much everyone else.
Tuvok approached the rear hatch of the shuttle craft, magnetic boots clanking as they engaged and disengaged from the hull.
"Release harnesses and attach safety lines," he said, switching to the comm to issue orders to everyone clearly.
Sayuri did as she was told, struggling to keep a lid on the butterflies in her stomach. Although she was certified for zero-gravity, extra-vehicular work, this would be the first time she'd done so outside the holodeck. Of course, the chances of anything going wrong were minimal, and even if she did somehow come loose, Voyager could simply beam her back aboard. She tried to remember that, although it wasn't quite enough to quell her irrational fear.
Seven glanced at her, and Sayuri realised she had been breathing rather loudly in an effort to stay calm.
"Do not be concerned Ensign," the Borg said, and Sayuri swore she could detect an edge of softness to her otherwise hard tone. "Based on the available data, I have calculated our odds of termination to be as low as 1.3%."
"Wow. 1.3%? That little, huh?" Sayuri didn't feel particularly reassured, but she appreciated Seven's effort to comfort her. It was another surprise, coming from someone who had previously deemed all emotion irrelevant. The thought was what counted, although next time, perhaps Seven could steer clear of using words like 'termination'.
"I've got us as close to the artefact as I can," Tom's voice sounded over the loudspeaker in the rear compartment. "Which is pretty damn close, if I do say so myself. Voyager's tractor beam is holding it steady. She's all yours."
"Popping the hatch," B'Elanna warned.
The back door opened, and a rush of air surged past Sayuri as the shuttle's atmosphere escaped into space. The science team stood firm, magnetised to the deck. Once the roar of the wind had died down, Sayuri was greeted with the deathly silence of the vacuum. The only noises she could hear were her own breathing, and the muffled clang of boots on metal which were transmitted from the floor and up through her suit. Slowly, the occupants of the runabout shuffled towards the exit.
When it was Sayuri's turn to jump, she felt her breath leave her lungs in a startled gasp.
It was beautiful.
She'd spent most of her life on starships…and yet looking at a viewscreen, or even through the big windows of the mess hall did not compare to being truly surrounded by the endless emptiness of space. Now, she was standing on the precipice of a bottomless chasm, hanging on to a tiny piece of metal for dear life. Even Voyager seemed minuscule compared to the crushing expanse around her; one minute fleck of grey against the star-studded night.
Looking down, she could see the alien artifact a few metres below, wreathed in the ethereal blue haze of Voyager's tractor beam. The members of the away team who had already disembarked clung to its surface like limpets as they began their scans. It was like something out of an Escher painting, watching people walking along one face, at complete right angles to those on another. The lack of gravity was disorienting, so Sayuri just focused on the small spot where she intended to land.
She jumped.
For one nerve-wracking moment, the irrational fear of losing herself in this eternal nothingness returned, and she wasn't jumping, she was falling; falling forever into the uncharted depths of an uncaring universe. Then her feet touched down on the cube, and she both heard and felt the reassuring whir of her boots attaching firmly to the surface.
Time to get to work.
Captain Janeway paced around her ready room. It had been several hours now, and her restlessness was beginning to return. If there was one thing that agitated her more than doing nothing, it was doing nothing while the ship stood still.
The latest report from the team on the cube had stated that Seven and some of the science team had discovered a possible way to open the artifact. Another report was due soon; the final one before they made the decision on whether or not to take the cube with them. Janeway found herself hoping; irrational, wild hopes that gnawed at her patience. What if the object could be used to power Voyager? How might they be able to upgrade their systems with what would be, essentially, a second warp core? What if it contained even more than that? Blueprints for alien technology? What if, somehow, it could get them home?
Of course, such thoughts were foolish at best and self-destructive at worst. It was far more likely that the artefact, while interesting, would not be able to benefit them in any tangible way. As Captain, she had to take the pessimistic approach; to be ready for the worst, when it inevitably came. It wouldn't do to pin her hopes on wild speculations.
"Captain, the science team is hailing us," Chakotay's urgent voice came over the comm. "They sound pretty excited."
Odd. Janeway thought, even as she purposefully strode onto the bridge. They weren't supposed to report for another fifteen minutes.
"On screen," she ordered.
B'Elanna's face, partially obscured by her helmet, appeared on the main viewer. She was back on board the shuttle, and behind her, Janeway could make out various science team members eagerly scurrying about.
"Captain," the half-Klingon said, her own voice slightly breathless. "Sorry for contacting you guys early, but we've found something that we thought you'd want to see."
"Not a problem Lieutenant," Janeway replied, feeling her own anticipation building. "What is it?"
"We were able to open a small section of the cube's hull, and, well, switch to my helmet cam and I'll show you. It's probably easier than trying to explain."
Janeway nodded at Chakotay, who tapped in a few commands on his terminal. The view on the screen abruptly shifted to a first person-perspective of what B'Elanna was seeing. The engineer turned and made her way out of the shuttle, hopping back onto the cube with practiced ease, and headed towards a tall figure that could only be Seven. The Borg was surrounded by several members of the science team, who were all intently studying something on the cube's surface.
"Coming through," B'Elanna said as she got closer, squeezing past the others. "I've got the Captain on the line."
Janeway rose out of her seat, and took a few steps forward to get the best possible view. B'Elanna bent over to observe what the others had been looking at, and Janeway couldn't help but let out a small gasp of surprise.
Some panelling on the outer face of the cube had been slid back to reveal a window into its interior. There were only a few flashing lights inside, but B'Elanna's suit torches illuminated the cavity well enough to make out its contents. Within, buried back in the alcove and partially hidden by what looked like piping, was a humanoid face. The rest of the figure wasn't visible, but it was unmistakable; there was someone, or something, inside the cube.
"The figure appears to be in some form of stasis," Seven said. "However there does not seem to be a way to open the object without exposing him to the vacuum of space. If we wish to revive him, it must be done on board Voyager."
"That's what the power source must be for," B'Elanna added. "Keeping this guy alive. This doesn't seem like a ship though; more like a giant coffin or escape pod."
"Are we even sure he is still alive?" Janeway asked.
"Too much shielding to get a clear reading," B'Elanna replied. "But the cube's systems are all still functioning. This seems like an awful lot of tech to support a dead person, and if he was alive when he went in, I'd say there's a very good chance he still is now."
Janeway drew in a deep breath. This changed the situation. Regardless of anything else, they now had a duty to ensure the survival of this individual. She could see little alternative.
"Very well," she said. "Tuvok, have you completed your risk assessment of the object?"
"I have Captain," the Vulcan replied, and B'Elanna turned to face him. "I can detect nothing which could constitute a threat, beyond possibly the individual himself. He will need to be kept under guard once revived."
"Naturally," Janeway glanced at Chakotay, who nodded his approval. "In that case, pack up and return to Voyager. Once you're aboard, we'll tractor in the cube. In the meantime, start reviewing your findings and find me a way to get it open."
Two hours later, the science team and the senior officers were assembled in the shuttle bay. Before them, the dark cube sat on the deck, looking distinctly out of place and alien amongst the sterile whites and greys of Voyager. Despite some people's fears, it hadn't suddenly exploded or flooded the room with toxic gas. In fact, it was just as inert as when they found it. However, all that would change once they began the activation sequence which the other researchers had deduced. Sayuri just hoped they knew what they were doing.
Captain Janeway stepped forward, although Tuvok had insisted on keeping a protective wall of security officers between her and the cube, in case its occupant was hostile. The yellow-shirted guards were arranged around the object, phasers drawn and ready to fire. Off to the left, the Doctor waited nervously; also ready to step in if whoever came out of the cube required medical attention.
"Do it," the Captain's voice was firm, and Sayuri trembled slightly. She never wanted to be on the receiving end of a lecture from Janeway, that was for sure.
B'Elanna tapped in some commands, and the whole room waited with baited breath.
For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, a series of clanks and whirs resonated from deep within the cube. The noises echoed around the room, until the entire shuttle bay was filled with the sounds of heavy, grinding machinery. Plates on the surface of the cube began to shift, sinking deeper into the structure then sliding apart. As they did, smoke billowed from within, cascading over the artefact's faces and covering the floor like dry ice. Some of the assembled crewmembers, including Sayuri, looked around nervously, but the Captain held her ground, eyes fixed on the opening which had been created in the cube's surface.
Once the smoke had cleared a bit, Sayuri got her first glimpse of their guest. Pistons shifted, bringing him forward from within the confines of his chamber and out into the light. It was only then that she realised it was not a man at all, or even an alien.
He was a machine.
The figure was held in a crucified position by a mass of tubes and clamps which locked into his chromed metal skin. He was impossibly shiny, reflecting the shuttle bay and the crewmembers in a warped image, like a funhouse mirror. Overall, his form was humanoid, although four arms emerged from his torso, held in place like Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. His head too was elongated and noble, with crest-like protrusions fanning out from the top.
It was a sight to behold. The science team's initial tests had placed the cube at over 60,000 years old. This mysterious figure was a remnant, perhaps the sole-surviving remnant, of a bygone age. An age which, from the looks of it, had been far more advanced than their own.
With a series of popping sounds, the tubes disengaged, bursting loose and leaking the remnants of some viscous, blue fluid onto the floor. The figure began to stir, his arms flexing in their constraints. As if it had been choreographed, everyone present took a small step back.
Suddenly, the man's eyes snapped open, and the last clasps holding him in place disengaged. Now free, he fell the several metres to the deck, landing on his hands and knees with a crash which shook the entire room, and left a sizeable dent at the point of impact. Sayuri could see the nearest security officers clutch their weapons more firmly, keeping them trained on the new arrival.
Slowly, the figure rose, residual smoke cascading from his muscular frame, and stretched his arms experimentally. Aside from that, nobody moved a muscle. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife, and it was several, agonising moments before the Captain finally spoke.
"I am Captain Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager," she greeted. If she was at all scared, she did an exceptional job of hiding it. "On behalf of myself and my crew, I would like to welcome you to our vessel, and extend an offer of medical aid."
Abruptly, light burst from the figure's eyes. A two dimensional, holographic grid extended from them in arc and swept across the room. After repeating the process several times, it disappeared again. Still without saying a word, the synthetic man took two steps forward, to where B'Elanna stood at her console. The half-Klingon seemed unsure of what to do, but at a small gesture from Janeway, she backed away slowly.
Sayuri watched, half in fascination, half in terror, as a long, thin, metal spike emerged from one of the man's many finger tips. He inserted it into the console like a needle, the point sliding effortlessly through the panel's casing as if it were wet paper. Janeway still made no move to respond, but another small movement of her hand sent Harry to a terminal on the opposite wall; no doubt to investigate what their visitor was doing and stop him if need be.
After less than ten seconds however, the figure withdrew the needle, retracting it into his body. Then, at long last, he spoke.
"Language identified: Earth, English. Cultural assimilation complete," his voice was neutral, but not as inhuman as Sayuri might have expected. It reminded her of Commander Data; the android serving aboard the Enterprise, whom she had seen in vids.
Then, to the astonishment of everyone in the room, the figure began to transform. Even the stoic Captain Janeway recoiled slightly, mouth parted in surprise. The plates which made up his skin began to shift, rearranging themselves into a new form. Two of his arms folded down into his sides and were swallowed into his torso. His head too shrunk in size, crests retreating into his brow. By the time the mesmerizingly complex process was complete, he resembled a hairless, androgynous human, albeit with an Adonis-shaped body structure.
Sayuri stood rooted to the spot, in utter awe of what she had just seen.
"Captain Kathryn Janeway," he stated, his voice carrying more inflection than before; almost melodious in its tone. "My name is…Mordecai."
"Mordecai," Janeway repeated. When the figure made no move to speak further, she prompted: "What do you require?"
The metal man smiled, and pointed directly at Janeway's chest. Sayuri saw Tuvok take a step forward, tensing in preparation in case he needed to defend the Captain.
"I want what you wear," Mordecai said, his hand beginning to tremble. "I want…a uniform."
Then he collapsed to the deck.