A/n: Telepathic thoughts between Borg are written in bold italics.
Riley's statement sent them all reeling but it was Seven who spoke first in incredulous anger. "The likelihood of the Collective ever being destroyed is minimal, but with only four vessels it would be a self destructive and pointless mission!"
Riley responded before the Captain could get a word in. "Our plan is more detailed than that. Unimatrix Zero approves of it Seven of Nine."
The Captain was intrigued, "You know about Unimatrix Zero and Seven of Nine?"
"We are in deep collaboration with them Captain. We have the same goal, as I'm sure Seven of Nine, the famous liberator of so many drones, does also." If Seven wasn't mistaken she saw a small smirk cross Riley's features and heard a hint of sarcasm in her voice as she spoke of her.
"We certainly would want to destroy the Collective, but my first priority has to be Voyager and its crew…"
"We fully understand that Captain, we are not asking you to risk yourself without gain, we believe we can help you in your mission to return to the Alpha Quadrant."
Everyone on the bridge expecting Seven, Chakotay and Tuvok shot the Captain hopeful glances and she felt her own suspicion fade slightly, could all this really be possible? "I assume you wish to come aboard to discuss it?"
"Yes Captain, if you would permit it, cubes are efficient but not particularly cosy…" she laughed. "It would only be me and two others, you need not fear…"
The Captain gave a still shell-shocked Chakotay a quick glance for support. He felt her gaze and nodded slowly, fighting the urge to turn and look at Seven to see if she was taking this any better than he was. "Alright, you may beam aboard whenever you wish." Said the Captain graciously.
"Thank you Captain. It will take us a few minutes to prepare." Replied Riley with a smile.
"You can beam straight into our briefing room if you wish."
"We will do so, thank you." She turned her gaze to Chakotay, "I will see you soon Chakotay and hopefully we will have time to catch up."
Chakotay just stared at her dumbstruck for a moment before shakily replying, "Yes…" It was hardly a conversational reply but it seemed to satisfy Riley she smiled at him and then the comm. line disconnected.
Tom broke the ice between the stunned bridge crew. "Well, she remembers you alright Chakotay!"
Chakotay flushed and frowned, irritated that the past had been brought up and that it still affected him so much. He found his eyes travelling to Seven's face, but she stood expressionless and unreadable. Hurt prickled him but the rational part of his brain kicked in. Well what do you want her to feel? You haven't made your feelings clear to her yet and everything's just got a hell of a lot more complicated…not that it wasn't before.
Seven's face may have given nothing away but inside her brain was working hard to rationalise the unease which was oppressing her. As she tried to mentally examine their motives from every angle the Captain's voice broke her concentration. "Seven do you think it's possible they really do have a way to destroy the Collective and get us home?"
Seven forced herself to formulate an appropriate answer as she swiftly turned to face the Captain. "I cannot be certain Captain; they may have knowledge of which I am uninformed."
"What you're basically saying is you have no idea." Said B'Elanna shortly, the whole situation making her impatient.
Seven gripped the edge of the console to maintain her composure. "Yes, that is what I am saying Lieutenant."
Chakotay frowned at B'Elanna for the unnecessary jibe, he knew Seven was probably having an even harder time dealing with this than he was and that aggravating her was unfair. "Well we'll all have an idea if we go into the briefing room and meet them won't we?" said the Captain, making her intentions clear as she made for the turbolift. The senior officers understood and they all, some more reluctantly than others, followed her.
They were all heading towards their regular seats in the briefing room when the green light of a Borg transporter filled the room. Chakotay stepped back in shock at what he saw; it was Riley but the human not the drone. She appeared more as she had on the planet where he'd met her, a knee length blue dress, human skin tone rather than the Borg's customary sickly white, the same blonde wig she had worn and although some implants could be seen her face was unmarred. She smiled widely at his reaction. "I thought you would prefer to see me as you knew me."
"You were right." He replied softly, the memories of their connection making themselves known.
Her satisfaction at his response was evident in her face as she turned to the Captain. "Thank you for allowing us to come aboard Captain. May I introduce you to Heldan…" she indicated to the man beside her, also dressed in human clothing. "…and Zina." A young girl around Icheb's age stepped into view.
"Very nice to meet you all." Said Heldan with polite ease before making a beeline for Seven. "You're Seven of Nine?" He forcefully grabbed her hand and Chakotay bristled at his nerve, not liking the way the man was leering at her.
"Correct." Seven stated coolly, freeing her hand before continuing, "You are Species 5789."
"Valtarian, yes. You are very famous in liberated Borg circles."
Seven frowned; he made being a freed drone sound like a lifestyle choice or a social club. "That was never my intention, fame is irrelevant."
"She is correct Heldan." Stated Zina.
Riley seemed to have had enough of this line of conversation. "That is a matter of opinion Zina. Give everyone the information."
The Captain nodded in agreement as Zina gave everyone a Borg information pad. "Let's sit and talk then shall we?"
Everyone made themselves comfortable, the crew in their normal seats, Heldan and Zina together and Riley next to Chakotay, much to his discomfort and Seven's irritation, though she tried to suppress and hide it. Riley began confidently, "The Cooperative met with representatives of Unimatrix Zero soon after their release and we have discovered that we are very similar in our values and goals, to destroy the Collective and we believe we've found a way."
"Enlighten us please." Said the Captain with a smile, approving of the heartfelt speech.
Zina spoke up. "We have found a transwarp hub, if we use the correct methods the network will collapse."
"A transwarp hub?" asked the Captain wide eyed as she turned to Seven. "I thought you told me there were only six in the galaxy!"
"There are." Replied Seven quietly.
"I'm sorry but one of you is going to have to tell me what a "transwarp hub" is because I'm not following any of this." Said Tom honestly.
"A transwarp hub is an essential part of the network, if one is destroyed the Borg will be cut off from that part of the galaxy, it's like the centre of a web." Heldan explained.
"And we all want to cripple the spider…" murmured the Captain.
"Exactly, now if we rendezvous with our allies and go to the hub we can destroy it…" Riley began in excitement.
Seven cut her off. "A transwarp hub is one of the most heavily fortified areas in the galaxy; even the whole Collective would have difficulty destroying one."
"We will have the Collective at our disposal, we are going to interrupt the mental link and free the drones, make them part of our Cooperative."
"If your plan is so good then why do you require Voyager?" asked Seven harshly, the Captain frowned at her in warning but she ignored her.
Riley sighed, not hiding the fact that she was annoyed at the line of questioning. "Require is such a Borg word, why can't you say that we need your help?" she replied icily. "Voyager would be helpful as a group of non Borg affiliated individuals, if something goes wrong the Queen won't be able to hack into your minds will she?" She gave Seven a significant look bordering on a glare.
Harry cleared his throat awkwardly, "You said you might have a way to get Voyager back home…"
Riley smiled brightly at him. "Yes Harry we do. When we have control of the hub Voyager can use it to return to the Alpha Quadrant."
As this information sunk in the Captain made a decision. "I'm willing to consider it, you may remain here for the time being or return to your ship while I make my decision, I warn you now that it may take some time…"
"Of course Captain, we anticipated that. Thank you for your hospitality. Perhaps Chakotay can give us a tour of Voyager, I'm sure things have changed since I was last here."
Everyone in the room including Chakotay sensed the intention behind the request but the Captain saw no reason to do anything other than allow it. "I'm sure he'd be happy to."
Chakotay ignored the knowing smiles he received and looked to Seven who had her eyes fixed on her hands. Seeing there was no escape he nodded his head slowly and rose to leave with the drones following, Riley standing a bit too close for comfort.
As soon as they were gone the room broke into snickers and innuendo. Feeling her emotions pressing down on her Seven stood abruptly to leave but the Captain held her back before dismissing everyone else. "I know how you're feeling Seven."
"You do?" asked Seven doubtfully.
"I know that you find it difficult to trust…"
"None of us should trust them Captain!" She burst out, unable to hold herself back.
The Captain sighed, "I'm not saying that you should… completely, but their offer is irresistible Seven. I know it must be a wrench for you to meet people who seem to live in both of the two worlds you've had to choose between for so long…but it doesn't downgrade your achievements Seven…"
Seven swallowed. Even the Captain thinks they are more successful at being human than I am and they're not even disconnected! Why have I gone through all this if I'm not any more human than semi individuals? "I know Captain." She murmured submissively, she would have said anything to leave that room. The Captain seemed to accept this and let her go; as soon as she was out of the Captain's line of sight she fled to Astrometrics.
Seven poured over her scans and they proved that there were signs of a transwarp hub within the boundaries of the coordinates the Cooperative had provided. This made her feel worse rather than better, killing the hope within her that they had been lying. 1855 hours, only five minutes until her shift ended and her appointment on the holodeck with Chakotay, if he still remembered or cared. "Seven?" the sound of his voice behind her filled her with hope but then she saw Riley, Heldan and Zina standing in the doorway.
"Commander?"
"I…I can't take you to the holodeck tonight Seven…"
Seven felt the need to free him from his obligations. "I understand Commander; you have other duties and companions."
Companions? The word stung Chakotay, what ideas had the crew been filling her head with? He leaned over her shoulder, took her arm and whispered, "Duties maybe but not friends. We'll reschedule when they're gone I promise."
Seven allowed a small smile to grace her features. "That would be an agreeable arrangement."
"It seems you have a rival Riley." Heldan said telepathically to Riley.
"Her! She is as far from being human as a rock is. People assimilated as children remain drones forever, look at Zina."
"Don't be so sure…perhaps he finds naivety attractive."
"We'll see about that! Zina, attract their attention."
Zina obeyed her orders, speaking up. "This is an interesting facility."
Chakotay and Seven turned to face her. "It is. Perhaps Icheb can show you during his shift." Seven said.
"Chakotay I was thinking about the Captain's offer for us to remain on board, we would need to regenerate, can you arrange that?"
Chakotay paused, not really wanting her to stay aboard. "Well there are spare alcoves in Cargo Bay 2…"
"Great!"
Heldan intervened, "We will need to return to the ship to consult with the Cooperative…"
"That won't take long." Said Riley coldly.
Chakotay tried to tell Seven with his eyes to deny them in any way she could think of but she avoided his eyes as she said, "I will prepare your alcoves" and left the room without another word.
When Riley returned to her cube a familiar voice forced itself into her mind. "You have found Voyager quicker than we anticipated, we are pleased but do not forget your mission."
Riley immediately replied, "I have not, but it is proving more complicated than we anticipated…"
"Your human emotions towards the First Officer are irrelevant."
"I am human, I'm not like you!"
"You only remain human because it is useful to us. Your Cooperative would have been fully assimilated if not for the failure of our normal techniques in completing this mission. Do not delude yourself that you are not Borg, we are the same Riley and so is Seven of Nine."
"Why is she so important to you?"
"We have reassimilated all other rogue elements but she and Janeway will create more .We cannot allow that to happen."
"We are to kill her?"
"If reassimilation becomes impossible."
"What about the crew of Voyager?"
"A low priority, without Seven of Nine they are not a threat to us."
"Understood my Queen." Riley disconnected again from the Hive. Killing her was definitely the preferable option, she didn't want to share her thoughts with Chakotay's replacement of her. She smiled at the thought of being with him again as she beamed back onto Voyager.
A/n: What do you think? Please review!