Chapter 8 – War with the Stewards
Captain Janeway fumed at the head of Voyager's conference room table. Around the table were her First Officer, Commander Tuvok, Mister Sudar, Seven of Nine, and the Borg Queen. Voyager was still in a high orbit about the planet where Seven had escaped to when she fled Voyager. The Borg had beamed the away team directly to Voyager from the planet's surface and then surrounded her ship with a hundred or more Borg cubes in a tight formation. Shortly afterwards, wave after wave of attacking vessels arrived in system. Inexplicitly, all the attacking ships were Vidiian.
"The Vidiian forces are still attacking the periphery cubes," the Queen stated. She was apparently getting updates through the Hive Mind. "More ships continue to arrive in system from unknown origin." She had taken a seat next to Seven with the rest of them and seemed a bit incongruent with the group in Janeway's estimation.
"I did not think the Vidiians had such a fleet," Commander Tuvok responded as he also examined the Borg sensor readings which had been patched into Voyager's own at Janeway's request. Voyager's sensors were useless inside the Borg envelope of cubes.
"They do not commander," the Queen replied. "We estimate the current Vidiian force is thirty-seven times the size of their total assessed fleet from yesterday."
"How's that possible?" Captain Janeway interjected.
The Queen hesitated, as if consulting other sources through the Hive Mind. "We suspect the Stewards are meddling with the timeline somehow," she finally responded. "This is our second direct experience with them in this timeline, the first being on the planet's surface. We did gain some information about them and their capabilities, however, when we assimilated the rouge Steward that precipitated the current events."
"But we're protected," Seven said, both a statement and a question. "These Stewards can no longer affect us?"
"That is correct," the Queen replied. "The Borg has deployed and activated on all our vessels the dampening field used in the timelines of those other universes where a different rouge Steward encountered Voyager. If you recall, it is the timeline where you and Commander Chakotay hid on a moon of that Steward's homeworld after you staged your death. It is evident that the dampening field is working as intended. With Voyager enclosed inside our defenses, we are quite safe from both the Stewards hijacking one of us or eavesdropping on our discussions. Outside of the Borg, however, it appears they have somehow augmented the Vidiian forces from the surrounding systems and are attempting to destroy us. Currently, our defenses are projected to hold and more Borg vessels are in route, but new Viidian forces are also appearing from nowhere."
Janeway rubbed her eyes. The Borg Queen appeared to be taking direction from her First Officer and Seven. Something about forging a new direction for the Borg in order to ensure its continued existence. The details didn't matter, seeing that the situation was spiraling out of any of their control. The critical piece of the puzzle were these Multiverse Stewards. "Tell me what else you know about these Stewards," Janeway asked.
The Queen turned to face her. "They are apparently creatures who once existed in one of any number of universes and were recruited into the Steward Hierarchy that exists in a subspace manifold of higher dimensional space outside of our space and time. This Hierarchy of Multiverse Stewards are driven by a mission to channel all timelines to a convergence point, known as the End State."
"What is the end state?" Chakotay asked.
"Unclear," the Queen responded. "Possibly the collapse of all universes back to a single timeline, but the Steward we assimilated did not have a full understanding of the Hierarchy's origins or final goal. Ultimately, the immediate goals for individual universes were this Steward's purview. To achieve these ends, the Multiverse Stewards subtly influence the flow of time in universes within the greater multiverse. There is, however, a dissident movement and a civil war of sorts playing out between the Hierarchy and a group who seeks to be aligned with the Guidance of the Highest Dimension."
Janeway shook her head. There was a lot of information to absorb. "The Guidance of the Highest Dimension," she repeated.
The Queen nodded. "This group believes in even higher dimensional manifolds and creatures beyond those of the Hierarchy culminating in a singular being of the highest dimension, which is not a creature but creation itself."
"Their god," Tuvok interjected.
The Queen nodded. "In essence, yes. Similar, in ways, to many cultures within our own universe with monotheistic religions. The Steward we assimilated was a dissident. We believe he intended to be assimilated to allow the Borg an opportunity to diverge from the Hierarchy's intended path for this timeline. To create a branch of timelines independent of the Hierarchy's influence."
"But these Multiverse Stewards of the Hierarchy supposedly monitor all the timelines," Janeway said with a sour look on her face. "And so know what happens anywhere."
"Apparently not only monitor," Chakotay replied, "but influence in various ways to direct individual universes to a particular purpose. We've been thrust into the center of their civil war and now are being forced to their purpose."
"Their purpose for this universe is clear," Seven interjected. "They intend to terminate us."
"The Vidiians have stopped their attacks," Tuvok said. He had returned to examining the readings. There was something else showing up on the Borg sensors that Tuvok couldn't interpret. Suddenly there was a bright white flash of light near the far end of the conference table. Everyone turned to look, and standing there was seemingly a Borg drone, but unlike any Borg drone Janeway had seen before.
The Borg Queen was the first to speak. "Q!" she exclaimed slamming her hands onto the conference room table. "We should have known you were behind this. Our treaty has clearly been violated."
Q lifted up his arms defensively, one hosting an elaborate Borg appendage of unknown purpose. "Au contraire, your eminence," he said with a hint of a Borg sub vocalizer in his voice and a slight patronizing bow. "I have just stopped whatever it is that was happening outside this Borg fortress of yours." He then turned to face Janeway. "I was quite surprised to learn who was lurking inside the Borg cube moat. Captain? Cavorting with the Borg?"
"Enough of your games Q," Janeway responded. "You're telling us that you had nothing to do with the multiplication of the Vidiian forces?"
"Remember Q," the Queen added. "The Borg know of the continuum's Achilles heel. This breach of the treaty will not go unanswered."
Q looked at her sharply. "If it comes to that, it will be a mutually assured destruction, as you fully know. That is why we have the treaty, and why our visits together, your grace, are few and far between. The Q would never dream of breaking our treaty with the Borg."
"Then what is happening out there?" Janeway asked.
Q shrugged and one of his Borg components whirred. "Well, I have put an end to it, mind you, but apparently a Q went a bit rouge. But he has been disciplined. He doesn't remember exactly what happened, but he may have inadvertently created the forces that, until recently, had been attacking."
The Borg Queen turned back to Janeway and the others. "The Multiverse Stewards must be able to influence individual Q as well," she said with alarm. "This did not occur to us. We may not be safe after all."
This got Q's attention. "What is this nonsense," he interjected. "The Q are controlled by no one. It is the continuum who does the controlling, when it fancies us."
Janeway was nodding, ignoring Q and answering the Borg Queen instead. "You said that one of them took over Tuvok's body on the planet. It's possible that is the only way they can influence the events in a particular universe. This dampening field is preventing them from doing this to any one of us, but the Q are fair game."
There was another flash of light and Q disappeared only to reappear not as a Borg drone but as a Star Fleet admiral. He stood over Janeway disapprovingly. "The Q cannot be taken over so easily as you suggest," he said with authority. "Who are these Multiverse Stewards you speak of?"
"The Vidiian's have resumed their attacks," Tuvok said. "Their forces have nearly doubled."
Q glared at him with a frown, but then seemed to be distracted by something else. He suddenly waved his hand and disappeared again in a flash of light.
The Borg Queen looked troubled. "If they are indeed using the Q, we project it is only a matter of time before our forces are overwhelmed." She turned to face Seven and Chakotay. "I'm sorry. We could possibly save this timeline if the Borg violates the treaty with Q and destroys the continuum."
"You could destroy the continuum?" Janeway asked incredulous.
"Yes," the Queen responded. "As Q said, however, it would possibly mean our own destruction as well. Perhaps the destruction of the Hive Mind is inevitable."
Seven and Chakotay had been whispering to one another during this interchange. Seven looked at Chakotay and then back to the group. "That might not be necessary," she said. "I think we have an idea."
###
Lon Suder and the Borg Queen were the only two remaining in Voyager's conference room. The others were preparing to execute Seven and Chakotay's plan and would return shortly for the events to play out. The Borg had drones to handle those details with the Queen's direct involvement unnecessary.
Suder shifted uncomfortably. The Queen sat motionless, and he couldn't tell if she was breathing or not. He had no part to play and had been asked to remain in the conference room with the Queen during the preparations. He felt the ever-present consciousness of the Hive Mind, but there was something else too. He cleared his throat, but that elicited no reaction. For all intents and purposes, it was as if she was a machine and turned off. "Do you think this plan will work?" Suder finally asked idly.
The Queen moved her head mechanically to face him, but then also appeared to become more animated overall. She tilted her head slightly. "It all hinges on Q," she responded. "The actions of the continuum can be… unpredictable. As such, we cannot say for certain."
"That's what I was afraid you'd say," Suder replied. She was back. Apparently activated again.
"The Borg will have our part to play as well," the Queen said, "and we assure you it will be executed flawlessly."
"I have no doubt." Curious the Borg even considered his unease and attempted to console him.
The Queen narrowed her eyes. "You have seemed to become more comfortable with our presence here. It has surprised us. Even Captain Janeway accepts our presence."
Sudar shrugged. "You have had ample opportunity to assimilate us or destroy us. A little while ago you suggested sacrificing the Hive Mind to save Voyager. As you said yourself on the planet, your actions have convinced me."
The Queen allowed a slight smile to show. "Not as altruistic as it may have sounded. We would have attempted to save a portion of the Hive Mind, despite what Q thinks."
"Can I ask you something?" Sudar asked suddenly.
The Queen waved her hand. "Of course."
"Do you remember your life from before you were assimilated?"
The Queen raised her eyebrows, but then paused in thought, as if reaching for a distant memory. "As the Borg Queen and nominal head of the Hive Mind," she finally said, "it does not afford me much opportunity to think about anything else but what are the most important thoughts of the Collective. I am, however, a drone as any other, and have a history that includes memories from when before I was assimilated."
"I think I sense this part of you," Sudar said, closing his eyes. "More so a few minutes ago. It is a confusing duality. To sense both the complex and almost overwhelming consciousness of the Hive Mind, but also the mind of an individual drone."
"It is, of course, necessary for the individual consciousness to remain," the Queen replied matter-of-factly. "Bodily functions like breathing are maintained by the individual drone, and the higher order consciousness is suppressed. The Borg… from before, would have said it is irrelevant. Resistance is futile and the Hive Mind is supreme." The Queen paused and became more thoughtful.
Suder sensed the change immediately. "What is it?"
The Queen looked at him more closely. She seemed confused and looked about the room. "I believe…" she began, and then turned back to face him. "I believe the Hive Mind has allowed me to speak."
Suder leaned closer. He could clearly sense the stronger individual presence, and if the Hive Mind had quieted and stepped out of the way.
"I think, recent events, have made us reconsider everything," she said tentatively. "I've been a drone for so long, it's hard to remember my life from before I was assimilated. It was difficult, even before the Borg arrived to take what was left after the wars." She laughed and then shook her head. "In a strange way, the Borg saved me."
"How long ago was that?" Suder asked.
"I was a child," she whispered. She looked about the room again. "But no longer. Now I'm mostly machine. No lungs. No heart." She closed her eyes. "I'm scared."
Suder reached out and grabbed her hands. Perhaps not biological any more, but it relayed the same sensations to her brain. "It's okay," he reassured her. "Life can be… challenging. All of us have issues. It's okay."
The Queen focused her eyes on Suder's own. He sensed both the Hive Mind and the individual consciousness of the Queen looking at him intently. "Perhaps it is possible for the individual and the Hive Mind to coexist," she said. Was it the Hive Mind speaking, or the woman in front of him? He couldn't tell. "Perhaps in the new age of the Borg, fundamental changes can be made."
Just then the conference room doors opened and Captain Janeway and the others filed in. "We're set," she said abruptly. "The cubes on the far side of the planet have been evacuated and Voyager is secured inside one of the spheres."
As the others were taking their places, the Queen extracted her hands from Suder's. No one appeared to notice. "Another time," she said quietly, and then turned her attention to the others.
"The message has been sent to the continuum," Seven said. "Q will be here any minute."
The Borg Queen turned to Seven and nodded. "Then let us begin."