Chapter 6 – The Gift
"Where's Annika and Chakotay?" Kes said sitting up quickly as she woke from a fitful sleep. "I need to speak with them."
Captain Janeway was startled at first, but then leaned closer. "They're still on Voyager," she said soothingly. "I can send for them if you wish."
"Yes!" Kes replied, but then shook her head and placed her hands in her lap. She blinked her eyes several times. "I don't know. I'm…" She looked about, suddenly realizing where she was. They were on a planet's surface, outside and it was night, perhaps with a hint of twilight on the horizon. A short distance off a bonfire was casting both light and heat. There were a few people about the fire and a larger group working about the other side. Kes was sitting on a cot or bed of some sort with her legs covered with a blanket. Captain Janeway was seated in a chair next to her.
"We're erecting some structures now," Janeway explained. "It's getting colder, but we'll get you inside one of them as soon as they're ready. Due to the… unusual effects you're having on our power systems and technology, we're having to improvise."
Kes looked up and saw the nighttime sky. The stars, which were so crisp against the blackness while in space, were somewhat muted here. Different, and yet held their own beauty as they twinkled and appeared to struggle to be seen. "Where are we?" Kes managed, still trying to absorb her new surroundings, but now calm.
"On a planet that was nearby," Janeway replied. "Near the coast on a large mid-southern latitude continent. The transformation you are going through was disrupting Voyager's systems. We decided to bring you here so we could remain with you. Help you through this."
"I vaguely remember that," Kes whispered. "Being led through the corridor." She looked at her hands, perhaps half expected them to be glowing or distorted in some way. Janeway had been watching over her for the past few hours and had noted periods where something like that had indeed taken place. Being away from the power systems on Voyager, however, had seemed to slow the progress of these transformations, or at least regulate them. Kes then turned sharply to face Janeway. "Captain, you shouldn't put your ship in jeopardy just for my sake."
Janeway reached out and took Kes's hand. "That's for me to decide," she said with a smile and then waved her other arm vaguely behind them. "Voyager is safe and sound resting on the surface about a kilometer from here. It was a bit of a rough landing. A few bumps and bruises, but no serious damage to the ship or the crew."
Kes sighed and laid back down. "What is happening to me Captain?" she asked aloud.
"We don't know," Janeway replied bluntly. "We can only speculate as to what will happen next." Kes had a better idea of that than anyone else. The two of them sat in silence for a time. The twilight glow on the western horizon was fading and a soft breeze off the ocean scented the air. It was moist and soft, quite different than the recycled and processed air within the confines of Voyager. Janeway had almost forgotten how much she enjoyed it.
"I didn't mean to do it," Kes suddenly said. "It just happened."
Janeway was momentarily confused by the statement, but then tried to think of exactly what Kes was referring to. "Bringing those Borg drones back to Voyager?"
Kes turned to the Captain wide-eyed. "That happened too? I didn't realize. I…" She paused to regain her composure. "I was referring to Annika and Chakotay. I did something. Inadvertently. A switch in their mind."
"Are you referring to their link?" Janeway asked. "Whatever you did, their minds are still linked together, although I think they are able to manage it better with each passing hour."
Kes shook her head. "No. The memories that were locked up inside. Blocked. I freed them."
Now Janeway nodded in understanding. "Annika's memories of Unimatrix Zero. You are right, she does remember now."
"I need to tell them I'm sorry. They had asked me not to interfere, I..."
Janeway placed a finger on Kes's lips. It was clear Kes was getting upset about it. "I think they're fine," the Captain assured her, "but I can have them come here if you wish."
"Please."
Janeway sat up and touched her comm badge. "Janeway to Chakotay."
There was a moment's pause. "Go ahead."
"Could you and Annika come to the encampment when you get a chance? Kes would like to speak with you."
"We're finishing up a late lunch now. After a stop by sickbay, we'll be right there."
Janeway nodded. After power was disrupted in sickbay, the Doctor had suspended the procedures for the time being. Most of the work had been completed, but they would proceed individually at a more reasonable pace. "How are our… new arrivals?"
"Conscious and asking questions. I'm working with Tuvok to assign them quarters, I hope you don't mind."
Technically, she had relieved Chakotay of his First Officer duties, not knowing if she could trust him being linked to Annika, a former Borg drone. The more she observed the two of them, however, the more she realized her caution was perhaps misplaced. "Carry on," she said, and then added with a smile, "we'll see about restoring your command codes later."
"Once I'm off probation?" Chakotay joked.
"Exactly."
"We could skip sickbay if you need us right away, but thought it would be good for Annika to be there to answer some of their questions. A familiar face and all."
"That sounds reasonable," Janeway responded. "Take your time and we'll see you when you get here. Janeway out."
Janeway turned to Kes and smiled. Kes nodded back. She again seemed sleepy. Whatever was happening to her also taxed her energy. "How many came back with us?" she asked, referring to the Borg drones.
"Six," Janeway said and closed her eyes as she recalled their names. "A human from Star Fleet, Lieutenant Laura Hernandez; a Klingon,,General Korok, and four from here in the Delta Quadrant, let me see, Siral, Axum and… I think the other two were, Ial and Eal."
Kes nodded slowly. "They were the ones closest to us in the construct," she said. "Their threads must have been swept up with the three of us when we returned to Voyager." She closed her eyes. "I can still see them. Thousands of them," she whispered. As she spoke, her hands began to glow softly.
"Are you controlling that?" Janeway asked. She was still clutching one of Kes's hands and could see her own hands red from the glow. The light quickly died away and Janeway turned to Kes, but she was unconscious again and didn't answer. Janeway leaned back in her seat. Her forehead was furrowed with a growing concern.
#
Annika licked her lips and cleaned off her fingers with the napkin Chakotay had provided. She then placed her hand on her stomach and nodded. "The discomfort has subsided," she announced. "Thank you."
"So you're not hungry anymore," Chakotay replied with a smile.
"That's what I just said," Annika said. She licked her lips again. "Strawberries. I had forgotten their name."
"Ah, but you did remember how much you liked them as a little girl," Chakotay replied. "I haven't had them in years. It was quite a treat. How about the rest of the meal?"
Annika shrugged. "Satisfactory." In truth, it was quite good, but Chakotay already knew that. She wondered idly if his preferences and her preferences and tastes were altered due to their mental link. In essence, she could taste what they had both eaten if she wanted to, although it was easier to concentrate on her own senses and keep their minds separate.
"The Doctor said now that your human physiology is reasserting itself, you'll have to start eating and sleeping and…"
"I understand all the various bodily functions that will be required," Annika interrupted. She stood up and brushed off her uniform. Picking up the empty bowl, plate and utensils, she moved over to the replicator and placed them in for recycling as Chakotay had done with his items earlier. They were in their quarters, having spent much of the day in Engineering helping to get the engines back online. It was getting more natural and easy being together. "I believe you told the Captain we'd be on our way after a visit to sickbay. Let's get going."
They stepped out of their quarters and into the corridor. "Love and Responsibility," Annika suddenly said.
Chakotay's mind had been wandering and he was caught off guard. "What was that?"
"Love and Responsibility," Annika repeated. "A book you read when you were young. You found it in your mother's library."
Chakotay nodded slowly. "I do vaguely recall reading it."
"Very vaguely, I would say," Annika confirmed. "But what you do remember intrigues me. I could not find the text in the ship's computer."
"Mid twentieth century, I think," Chakotay replied. He then made a sideways glance towards Annika. If he remembered correctly, the book was about love and responsibility in marriage. "The author was someone my mother greatly admired. What exactly do you find interesting?"
"It shaped your views on marriage. It's why you never considered marriage with Seska," Annika said bluntly.
"My relationship with Seska was never like that," Chakotay countered.
"Precisely," Annika replied. "Don't disillusion yourself. In all relationships, you imagine a future with that person, and you couldn't with Seska, even when you thought she was a Bajoran who grew up in the Vallor refugee camp."
"Are you sure we're ready to talk about all this?"
"Talking or thinking. For the two of us, it's the same thing."
Fair enough. Chakotay hadn't thought of Seska in a long time, but what Annika was saying was true. His whole life, his relationships, his triumphs and failures, all of it was open to Annika. As was her self to him. They approached the turbo lift and the doors opened. Ayala stepped out and nodded as the two of them entered.
I'm not frightened by that. In a way, it's liberating, for I agree with you. Marriage should not simply be individuals deriving pleasure and contentment from the other, but a deeper union, a complimentary team serving and facing the universe shoulder to shoulder. A love that consists of a commitment to the other and a giving of the self to limit one's freedom on behalf of the other.
Chakotay wrestled with his memory, trying to recall the details of the book.
Exactly. That's why I would like to re-read the text. Understand it more deeply for myself. Re-experience the impact it had on our view of marriage.
Chakotay remained silent, still absorbing what Annika had said. In a way, he wasn't sure he was ready to dissect his feelings in this way on this particular subject. Talking or thinking.
You cannot deny your thoughts have also considered the implications of our… predicament.
"I know what we've both been thinking," Chakotay finally replied. "It's only been three days…"
They exited the turbolift and started down the corridor towards sickbay.
Eighty-seven hours, to be exact, although we were unconscious for some of that time. But whether three days or three years, what does it matter. As we both know and have done, we can envision a future together. If our minds stay linked, we are already de facto married in a sense. It is only logical we should formalize the union.
"And even if they don't stay linked," Chakotay replied, completed a thought that Annika had had before but didn't articulate. Or had they both had the same thought? The two of them glanced at each other and one of Annika's eyebrows was raised. Something else suddenly occurred to Chakotay. "As I recall, one of Wojtyła's foundations of marriage was procreation and an openness to children. Are we ready for that?"
He had said these last sentences as the doors to sickbay opened and the two of them stepped inside. The six former drones all turned to face them. Tuvok and the Doctor were also present and whatever conversations they had been having were silenced by their entrance. I suspected you would get in trouble doing that, sooner it appears rather than later.
Lieutenant Hernandez stepped forward. She was in her Star Fleet uniform and the Borg appendage on her left hand had not yet been removed. Her skin, however, was back to a normal color and she also had a short crop of dark brown hair. She glanced back and forth between Annika and Chakotay, but then settled on Annika. "Annika, I can't believe we're here. Have you spoken with Kes? How did this happen?"
General Korok stepped up with a scowl. He was already dressed in a Klingon uniform, apparently recently replicated just for him. There was still a Borg imaging implant over his right eye, but other than that, he appeared back to normal. "Yes. How did we get here? We weren't physically in Unimatrix Zero, and yet we were somehow whisked off of our individual Borg vessels scattered about the Galaxy to end up here?"
"The Borg must know we have gone missing," Siral added. He spoke softly with this hands in front of him and fingertips touching. He was dressed in a standard issue sickbay jumpsuit. It was unclear what implants, if any, remained, although they could be covered by the outfit.
"Not if this is some sort of construct as well," Korok countered. "How do we even know this is real?"
Suddenly Chakotay stepped forward and punched Korok on the shoulder. Something he wouldn't normally have done, but a fleeting thought had passed through their minds and he couldn't help himself. Annika has always wanted to do that. Korok glared at him in surprise. "You seem real enough," Chakotay remarked.
Korok slowly grinned and then chuckled, slapping Chakotay on the back. "I think I'm going to like you Commander."
"Kes has been unconscious since our return and Chakotay and I haven't had a chance to speak with her," Annika said, answering Laura's question. "It's unclear exactly how she brought you all here."
"What of everyone else we left behind in Unimatrix Zero?" Siral asked.
"We can't just leave them there," Axum stated, speaking for the first time. He had been examining both Annika and Chakotay closely, but had now stepped forward and was standing beside Annika. He appeared to have no remaining Borg implants.
Annika noticed him next to her. We need to clear this up. "Before we continue, there is something else you all must be made aware of," she said aloud, and turned to look at the former drones all in turn. "Voyager used a neural interface to connect Commander Chakotay and my minds to serve as a distraction so they could then disconnect my link to the Hive Mind. It worked, but the procedure has had an unintended consequence in that our two minds have stayed linked."
"So you can read each other's thoughts?" Korok asked.
Annika nodded. "For the past four days."
Axum looked down, realizing the implications. "If you were to remove your neural…" he began.
"It has already been removed," Annika interrupted. "The link is not the result of Borg technology." She again looked about the group and purposefully met Axum's gaze. "As you can imagine, this has… changed things dramatically for both Chakotay and myself."
There was an awkward silence for a moment and then Tuvok stepped forward to join the group. "It is not uncommon for humanoid species to have such mental connections," he stated. "For example Vulcans, my species, have the ability to meld minds. For married couples, that ability leads to a bond similar to what Commander Chakotay and Crewman Hansen are experiencing."
"You and your wife T'Pel," Annika suddenly said, struck by a revelation. Why had that not occurred to them before? "Do you still experience this bond with her?"
Tuvok became thoughtful. "Vulcan telepathy is enhanced by proximity and physical contact, although this is not strictly necessary. As such, however, there exists a limitation to the bonding if the two are far removed from each other."
"And with T'Pel in the Alpha Quadrant and you here in the Delta Quadrant," Chakotay prompted.
Tuvok nodded. "In deep meditation, I sometimes believe I can sense T'Pel's presence. But nothing for certain. Clearly not the bond we have when close."
Chakotay moved over and placed a hand on Tuvok's shoulder. "I'm sorry Tuvok. It never occurred to me before how you must feel separated from your wife." The loss he must feel.
"Your concern is appreciated but unnecessary Commander," Tuvok replied stiff lipped. "As a Vulcan, I have no feelings on the matter."
Both Chakotay and Annika couldn't imagine that truly being the case.
"Is this bond common in humans as well?" Axum asked tentatively.
Tuvok frowned as he considered the question. "There have been cases where a Vulcan and human have been bonded in this way, so the human mind is obviously capable of it. The bond that existed between Ambassador T'Pol and President Archer comes readily to mind and is well documented. However, this is the first instance I have heard of where there is a melding of minds between two humans."
The twins, Eal and Ial, had stepped forward to be with the group during the recent interchange. There was an identical Borg implant remaining on each of the left temples, and they had chosen to wear similar outfits as well, so it was essentially impossible to tell them apart. "In our species, identical twins often share a telepathic bond," one of them said. They glanced at one another and then turned to face Tuvok. "We've noticed, however, this bond has been greatly reduced now that we are here," the other continued. "We suspect something about the Borg technology that was implanted in our brains might be interfering or has caused some damage. Might you be able to help us repair it?"
Tuvok placed his hands behind his back. "I could perhaps lead you in meditation, or even serve as a bridge between your two minds to help strengthen your link. I will, of course, have to get permission from the Captain before we proceed."
Eal and Ial bowed in unison. "Thank you Commander Tuvok," they said simultaneously.
Korok was getting impatient. "This is all well and good, but what of our comrades in Unimatrix Zero. What is your Captain going to do?"
"Can Kes bring more of our friends from Unimatrix Zero here?" Laura added, also apparently anxious to start planning something.
"Right now Kes and the Captain are on the planet's surface," Annika replied. They were relieved in a way the conversation was moving away from a discussion of their mental link. They had enough to think about it themselves and didn't need to involve everyone else.
"We're in orbit about a planet? What planet?" Korok bellowed. "Why weren't we informed?"
"Korok," Axum countered, "we have all just been awakened after surgery. Patience." He had moved away from Annika slightly, apparently acknowledging the changed circumstances of his relationship with her.
"Voyager is not in orbit, but has in fact landed on a planet," Tuvok replied. "The transformation Kes is going through has had a detrimental effect on Voyager's systems, and so the Captain decided to find a place where Kes could be removed from Voyager safely."
"For Kes to do what?" Siral asked.
"To complete the metamorphosis that is taking place with her," Tuvok explained.
"Metamorphosis? Is this dangerous?" Korok said.
"The full nature of Kes's transformation is completely unknown to us," Tuvok replied.
"It is not something natural to her species?"
Tuvok shrugged. "We have limited knowledge of her species to make that assessment."
"What species is she?" Laura asked.
"Ocampa," Tuvok replied.
"Never heard of it," Korok grumbled.
"More to the point," Siral observed. "It is a species unknown to the Borg as well. Which is curious in and of itself."
"They've been isolated underground for generations," Chakotay said, as a way of explanation. "And each generation is only about five years, for they age only to nine. The Borg have obviously never assimilated an Ocampan before."
"Nine years?" Axum said incredulous. "How old is Kes now?"
"About four."
Axum shook his head, and the other former drones were equally perplexed by this revelation.
"Regardless," Laura said. "We must speak with her. With the Captain too. We need to plan what to do about the others stuck in Unimatrix Zero. If Kes could help them escape too."
The other ex-drones nodded their heads. All seemed to be in agreement.
"It so happens Chakotay and I were about to go to Kes ourselves," Annika said. She turned to the Doctor who had been uncharacteristically quiet for the entire conversation. "Doctor, would it be alright for your patients to leave sickbay for a time and accompany us to the planet's surface?"
The Doctor shrugged and then waved his hand as if dismissing them. "I will need to see them all within the next twenty-four hours. Only Axum has completed his required surgeries. The rest will require more procedures to remove the remaining Borg implants."
"You will be able to remove all their Borg components?" Annika said. She didn't sound too pleased.
The Doctor nodded. "Some inert structural pieces, ones that have replaced bones, will have to remain, of course, but for the most part, yes."
"What about Annika?" Laura said, asking the question that was on her friend's mind. Everyone turned to now face the Doctor. His holomatrix shifted as if he was uncomfortable.
The Doctor frowned. "Her assimilation as a child has complicated matters," he said. "The experience I'm gaining from working on the rest of you, however, may give me the insight I need to do more for Annika." He looked at Annika sheepishly. "Time will tell."
"I'm sure you are doing your best Doctor," Annika replied sharply. She then turned to the group. "If you will follow us, we can escort you to the planet's surface to meet with Kes and the Captain."
She turned quickly on her heel and left abruptly, Chakotay right after her.
He is doing his best.
I know. It's just… frustrating. Having the Borg still inside me.
Tuvok left sickbay with them, but turned in the opposite direction to attend to his duties on Voayger as the rest of the group walked to the seldom used door that led to a ramp that extended from Voyager to the planet's surface. Annika remained at the head of the group while Chakotay fell back to take up the rear. It was night on the surface, but their way was illuminated by a trail of lights. The lights ended about halfway to what appeared to be temporary shelters built near a cluster of trees. Several fires were lit to mark the rest of the path.
"Kes's transformation is affecting all electrical power sources," Annika explained.
They walked the kilometer in relative silence. At one point General Korok made his way beside Annika and then lifted up three fingers such that only she could see. "How many fingers am I holding up Commander?" he said quietly.
"Three!" Chakotay called from the back.
Annika shook her head slightly and Korok chuckled and fell back again to walk beside Axum and Siral.
It's a beautiful night for a walk, don't you think?
Annika peered up at the stars. I concur. Although I would prefer not to have such a crowd.
Cathal O'Donnell stepped off the side of the path. He appeared to be monitoring the perimeter of the encampment. Undoubtedly Tuvok had alerted him of their arrival. "The Captain and Kes are in there," he said to Annika. "They're expecting you." He pointed towards one of the temporary structures that had been erected. They all stepped into the single room structure with Cathal entering last and positioned himself by the side of the door. The rest formed a semicircle about the bed where Kes was on the back wall. She was sitting up and alert while the Captain sat in a chair beside the bed. The only light came from several candles set up in the corners of the room. The candles flickered and cast long shadows within the room.
Upon seeing them, Kes became distressed. "Annika, Chakotay, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do it."
The switch in our mind.
Yes, the memories.
"Think nothing more of it," Annika replied. "It has proved advantageous to us."
"What are you talking about?" Korok asked, confused.
"It is nothing," Chakotay insisted. "Kes, we are all here to ask you a different question. About those who remain in Unimatrix Zero."
Kes nodded. "Captain Janeway and I were just discussing that very thing."
"Kes can… see the connections the inhabitants of Unimatrix Zero have between the Borg Hive Mind and the construct," Janeway continued. "Beyond the subatomic," she added, but in a tone where it was evident she was not quite convinced of the veracity of that interpretation herself.
Korok snorted, but was ignored.
Kes closed her eyes. "I can see them all clearly, just as I can see the remnant connections you all have to the construct. It was Annika and Chakotay's connection that led me there in the first place."
"And so you could bring some more of them here as well?" Laura asked. "As you did for us?"
Kes frowned. "In truth, I'm not certain how I did that for you. We could visit there, as I did with Annika and Chakotay earlier. Perhaps we could then figure out what to do."
"Before we proceed further," Janeway interjected, "I have to be convinced these incursions have not and do not alert the Borg to our presence. We are in no position to defend ourselves from the Borg if they find us."
"The Borg are still years off in discovering Unimatrix Zero," Kes said confidently.
"Perhaps not when drones start inexplicably disappearing," Janeway countered. "We have no assurances the Borg haven't taken notice to the absence of our six new arrivals."
Siral stepped forward. He still held his hands out in front of him, his fingertips touching. Perhaps this was customary for his species when interacting with others. "It this transformation you are experiencing a natural occurrence for your species?"
"I don't know," Kes replied, suddenly breathless. A look of concern passed over her expression. "I know the Ocampa have mental abilities that have been suppressed for generations. Telepathy. Telekinesis. But I've never heard of anything like this."
"Preposterous," Korok opined.
"Whatever is happening to me," Kes replied. "I want to see it through to the end. I feel as if I'm on the verge of a great transition." She lifted her hands, and again they began to glow slightly, but then quickly went back to normal. "As if I'm emerging from a chrysalis and about to experience a new level of consciousness."
The group all exchanged looks, uncertain what to say.
"Surely there is someone on your homeworld who knows what is happening to you. Some record you could access," Korok finally suggested.
Kes's eyes widened. "Of course, that's it." She closed her eyes and opened her mouth slightly. "That's what I need to do." Slowly, as if in response to her sudden revelation, her skin began to glow. Did she have control over the transformation after all? Janeway thought and stood up. The rest took an involuntary step backwards. The candles in the corner of the room guttered and then went out, but the light from Kes flooded the room, illuminating it all. After a second, she was too bright to look at directly. Everyone covered their faces and turned away.
"A gift," Kes said, although her voice now seemed to come from the very air around them and not from the bright light.
As the light began the dim, there was a sensation of movement. Sounds and vision were distorted for several seconds and most in the small group dropped to one knee to avoid falling over because of the resulting diorientation. It was only after several seconds more that their senses returned, but now everything was still. Only some vague and indistinct noises reached them from the outside.
"She's gone," Korok remarked, breaking the silence. Indeed, the bed was now empty.
The candles were out but the room was still lit from two skylights in the room and the slightly open door. Cathal opened the door fully, and sunshine beamed in. In fact, it was no longer night and the sun was high in the deep blue sky. They all filed out of the structure. A flock of flying creatures, possibly birds, squawked overhead, evidently perturbed by the sudden change in the environment. The wind blew from one direction, and then the other, seemingly unable to make up its mind. In the distance, Voyager still stood against the horizon, well above the line of trees behind it. Everyone's eyes, however, were drawn to the ground between Voyager and the encampment. It was no longer an empty desert as it had been just moments before. Several thousand Borg drones milled about, forming groups and appearing as perplexed as the rest of them. Captain Janeway was about to draw her weapon, but then hesitated. One of the drones had spotted their small group and was making his way towards them, limping terribly, but still able to make progress. As he drew closer, it became evident t was a Hirogen hunter and he went directly to Korok.
"General," the Hirogen said with difficulty. The Borg sub-vocalizer within his throat was obviously malfunctioning. "What has happened? Where are we?" Korok was too shocked to answer.
Janeway looked about. Many of the Borg drones were now moving in their direction, but not in a threatening manner. She considered the Hirogen, who was now being helped to the ground by Korok, apparently unable to stand any longer on his malfunctioning Borg legs. Could these really be all the drones from Unimatrix Zero?
"What's that in the sky?" Laura said pointing. Everyone looked up. Close to the sun was a bright crescent. A moon, or perhaps even a nearby planet from the size of it. Had there been another object in this solar system that close by?
Captain Janeway shook her head. They could worry about all of that later. She touched her comm badge. "Doctor, come to the encampment immediately. We have multiple Borg drones who need your assistance. Bring Tom and T'Vora and anyone else you need." She then turned to those around her. "Sift out amongst the Unimatrix Zero survivors and start doing triage. We need to separate out those drones who require immediate assistance from those who can wait. Bring the worst cases directly to the encampment."
The group snapped out of their daze. Even Korok, who had completed helping his Hirogen friend get comfortable, moved off quickly to follow Janeway's orders.
#
Author's Note: Thanks to scifiromance, lizzy74656, Juddysbuddy, SeShat-Ra and the Guest reviewer for the reviews of the last chapter. I have something in mind for the next chapter to employ SeShat-Ra's suggestion of Chakotay drawing on Borg knowledge.