Data let Naseema lead him back to the table where he lay down willingly. The Borg drones moved in again, ready to continue their project, and mercifully, didn't attempt to restrain him again. Naseema stood next to him, and took his hand, stroking it gently. "Do not be afraid," she told him. "This will not hurt, and when it is over, you will be a new man, and then we can be together." He nodded and squeezed her hand, trying to control the fear that was creeping it's way back in. Once more she seemed to know he was afraid, and softly caressed his cheek. "Shh, it is alright," she soothed. "Just keep your eyes on mine." She sat there with him, his hand in hers, while the drones did their work. They replaced half the skin on his face with fresh, pink, organic flesh, and gave him a human eye, a blue one, at her request.
She tried to re-enter his mind again, but she was too exhausted. The internal battle had drained her nearly completely, and even the voracious predator inside her knew it would need to hibernate soon. She needed the energy she had left to remain conscious. Besides, the predator already gotten what it wanted for the time being, and there was nothing left to gain by forcing herself back in.
The queen had seemed pleased up until this point, when her demeanor suddenly darkened, and both the Feeonix, and the android could tell something had happened. Something to seriously upset her plans. She'd been slowly circling the table, carefully watching the drones transform Data's face before she abruptly turned to Naseema.
Our plan to bring the others here has failed. He is attempting to destroy the ship. You must bring me Locutus.
Highness, he is human, I cannot- She glanced back at Data, still lying on the table, his handsome face now a strange blend of human skin, and glittering, gold bioplast sheeting. He looked at her expectantly, his one blue eye seemed to suit him, shimmering with his wonderful, gentle personality, while his dark brown hair, now tousled on one side, fell across his forehead. She blinked once as a sudden awareness crept in. The drug was wearing off.
What the hell had she helped these monsters do to him?! The predator was receding back to it's cave, and the ambassador was horrified by what it had done! She remembered everything she'd said to him, everything she'd stolen from his unconscious. She'd violated his mind, and nearly forced him to- Oh, Data, please forgive me, I never wanted it to happen like this- Wait...there was something she was forgetting. There would be time to beg him for his forgiveness later, right now she had to remember...there had been a plan. She had to remain calm, control her thoughts, and keep the queen on board.
Locutus cannot hear me, highness, I am not of the collective, but Data, he is a machine. He can contact Locutus, and bring him here, she said, turning back to the queen. The malevolent Borg leader nodded, and looked past the Feeonix at the android, lying mutilated, and vulnerable on the table.
"Data, there has been a change of plans," she told him. "Your captain is attempting to destroy the ship. You must bring him to me." His eyes widened at the sudden demand, and he glanced at Naseema, who returned his gaze with just the slightest touch of panic in her black eyes. It was what he'd been looking for from her through this entire ordeal, a hint of the Naseema he knew, and there it was.
He sprang from the table, and moved quickly, with Naseema at his side, to the far end of engineering. Taking a quick peek over his shoulder, he saw the queen silently issuing instructions to the drones. He turned back to the Feeonix. "Naseema?" he whispered.
She looked up at him, and said nothing, but her still black eyes quickly filled with tears. He knew if the queen saw her emotion it would threaten his plan so he grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her into him as he spun around. He moved his face down to hers, as if he were going to kiss her, and whispered, "Naseema, you must not cry."
Her voice was shaking as she whispered back, "Data, I am so terribly sorry, I cannot seem to fight her. Please forgive-"
"I have a plan, but you must convince the queen you are still under her control," he said. "Do as you are told, and I will ensure the rest." She gave him a subtle nod, and he abruptly released her. She watched him as he stepped into the Borg pod, and relaxed back. Their eyes met, and she saw no malice from him, but she found she couldn't look him in the face after what she'd done, and quickly lowered her gaze shamefully before returning to the queen's side.
You have served us well, Feeonix, the queen told her. Data is now one with us, and when Locutus arrives, our ultimate goal will nearly be complete. The humans will be ours, and we will complete the android's transformation. Then he will be yours.
Naseema smiled, and returned the queen's assertion with a polite nod. This has been a most illuminating experience, highness. Your wishes for this endeavor have proven fruitious. You have my respect as well as my gratitude, she replied.
The queen smiled back at her.
Using the Feeonix had proven to work spectacularly. Naseema had turned Data for her, awakened something inside him that he would be unable to set aside, and now Locutus would return to her. It was a shame she no longer needed him. She had the android now. He understood her, and appreciated what she could give him. He would make an excellent partner, and once she convinced him to kill the Feeonix, the galaxy would be theirs, but first, she would make Locutus beg her to return, and then make him watch while she destroyed his precious humanity's future.