Set during Season 6's Collective. Is it just me? or was anyone else wondering what in HEAVENs happened to that cute little Borg baby? Some of the dialogue from the episode is the same, but I've modified some of the scenarios a bit. Enjoy!
This is what I was afraid of when we got involved. This is exactly the situation that terrifies me in my nightmares. He's been captured. By the Borg no less!
It was supposed to be a routine shuttle run! Dammit, Kathryn – pull yourself together. Fix the situation. This isn't the worst you've ever been up against and Chakotay can take care of himself. These are children, after all. At least for now, I know he's somewhat safe; they haven't assimilated him nor is he dead.
We've tried transporters. They're not working. Now, they want to negotiate. We've dealt with the Borg before, but this time I smell a rat. We have to get our crew members back.
"We'll exchange your crew members in exchange for specific technology" The harmonized Borg voice demands. What technology? The Borg is already technologically superior to us!
"What technology?"
All I hear is "navigational deflector". Absolutely not. We have to stall them. Chakotay resurfaces in my mind. We've scanned the ship and picked up human life signs. Cognitively, I know he's alive, but the need to confirm it with my own eyes becomes unbearable.
"I'll consider the exchange" my voice is strong and adamant, "but first we want to confirm that our crewmembers are unharmed and alive".
"You have scanned our vessel".
"Our scans were inconclusive. We want to see them for ourselves". Please. Let me see him!
Seven has transported over to the cube. This is no time for me to fall apart,
"Tuvok. Continue running additional scans. I'll be in my ready room."
The doors hiss shut behind me – my feet hurt. My bladder is aching. 7 months now. I pull at my uniform. My pants are being held up by what Sam calls a "belly belt". I've had to replicate a shirt and jacket size larger. Other than that, my body hasn't changed much. From the back I still don't look pregnant. But she's there. She's growing – waiting to make her grand appearance. I run my hand over my distended belly and I feel a kick, "shhhh little one" I coo quietly. "We'll get him back," I say more for my benefit than for hers.
"Tuvok to Captain Janeway"
"Go ahead, Tuvok."
"Captain, Seven has returned from the Borg cube".
"Acknowledged".
"Janeway to Seven" my heart speeds up, is he OK? How are the others: Tom, Neelix, and Harry?
"Yes, Captain. I'm on my way to the bridge."
"Meet my in my ready room. Janeway out."
The door chimes.
"Enter"
"Captain," her face shows little emotion, "the hostages are safe – Commander Chakotay is safe and unharmed as are Neelix and Mr. Paris." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, "and Harry?"
"He is not among the hostages."
"He escaped?"
"I am unsure. The only thing that Commander Chakotay said to me in this regard was, 'give my regards to Harry'. Presumably he has not been captured".
"Janeway to Tuvok."
"Yes, Captain"
"See if you can scan the cube and determine the location of Harry Kim. Use a Borg interlink frequency; they shouldn't be able to detect it."
"Aye, Captain."
"What else, Seven?"
" They are demanding the deflector. I told them that I am not authorized to trade in technology. I was also able to beam aboard an adult drone."
"Alive?"
"No. All adult crewmembers are dead. I beamed the body to Sickbay. The Doctor is running scans to determine the cause of death."
"Good thinking, Seven."
I stood thinking for a moment, "Captain, if I may, I'd like to get down to Sickbay and assist the Doctor in running the scans."
"Very well, Seven. Keep me informed".
/
"Sickbay to Captain Janeway"
"Go ahead, Doctor".
"We've determined the cause of death of the adult drones. You may want to come down here".
"On my way. Tuvok, you're with me. B'Elanna, you have the bridge".
"Aye, Captain".
/
"A pathogen?" That's unusual.
"Yes, Captain, a space-born virus."
"Why didn't it attack the juveniles?" Tuvok asked.
"The children," Seven explained, "were in maturation chambers. These chambers are designed to protect the developing drones and keep offending pathogens out – much like a womb".
"Does this virus only target the Borg?" I can hear the wheels of thought turning in Tuvok's question.
"Yes – the Borg and other cybernetic organisms that it encounters."
Yes. Yes. We could use this to target the Borg children. I was prepared to do anything to get him – to get them back.
"Doctor, modify the virus. I want it as an option."
/
The children have allowed me to beam aboard. I promised the Doctor I would not use that biological weapon unless I was sure that a compromise with these Borg children wasn't an option.
I hate these Borg ships! What is this- the third time I've been on one? Hopefully it's my last. They're all the same: bad lighting reminiscent of a Ferengi nightclub and only two colours – grey and green. And that smell! I swear, there's nothing worse that the smell of a Borg ship - this one especially. And now I see why: the effect of the virus has been widespread. There are dead drone carcasses strewn about the ship; they fell where they stood. These poor children, I think in a moment of compassion. They must be terrified.
Dealing with them is harder than I expected. They're erratic and unyielding, just as Seven warned. We've got to find a way out of this and I'd like not to resort to biological weaponry. I was scared for a minute there with One's plated arm against my neck. I'm sorry little one, I whisper inwardly. I can't always keep you safe, but I'll sure as hell die trying.
"I bought us another two hours. Is the virus ready?"
"It should be, Captain."
"Good."
"Celes to Janeway" Oh, Tal! She must be worried sick.
"Janeway here."
"I know you're busy, Ma'am but have you heard from Harry and the rest of the away team?"
"Yes we-"
"Captain," B'Elanna interrupted, "we're receiving an incoming transmission from the Borg cube."
"I'm sorry, Crewman. I'll inform you in a bit. Janeway out."
"The transmission is from Ensign Kim."
"Put it through, Tuvok"
"We're receiving you, Ensign. Where are you?"
I breathed a sigh of relief. Harry is still in the flyer, but he can make it to the shield generator. Things are looking up. Before he commed out, "Captain – will you tell Tal I'm OK. I know she worries." I smile, "of course Harry."
/
"Sickbay to the Captain"
"Go ahead, Doctor"
"You might want to come down here for this"
"On my way, Janeway out."
/
"What is it Doctor?"
"See for yourself. Somebody left a bundle on our doorstep."
A baby. Instinctively, my hand goes to my abdomen. She's so little. She looks burdened by the heavy weight of the Borg armour. Compassion and love suddenly overwhelm me as a stare at her little body. She's so pale, almost translucent against the pink of her blanket. She's crying. I'm still lost in the moment as the Doctor places her in my arms. She weighs almost nothing. Her crying subsides, but she's still moaning. Is she in pain? Is she OK? I wish Chakotay were here. Chakotay. I need him. As much as I don't want to harm those poor children, I'll do what I have to in order to save him.
/
In an instant, I think to myself - is this how Ransom got started down his destructive path? No. I won't think that way. This is no time for philosophical quandaries. We'll find another way to get them back. Yes. I've got it, "B'Elanna, use the deflector to send a feedback pulse along the beam. It'll disrupt their shields." B'Elanna is skeptical, but I'm sure it'll work.
"Prepare to fire".
The moment is right, "fire!"
"It worked, Captain" I hear a distinct tone of relief in her voice.
"Lock on transporters and beam our crew aboard."
"We've got three life signs – Neelix, Mr. Paris, and Chakotay. They are in Transporter Room 2."
Oh thank God. He's safe. Within 20 minutes we've reclaimed Seven and Harry. We've also gained 5 new crewmembers.
I can hardly wait to get to Sickbay. I leave the bridge to Tuvok and practically run to see him. It's these moments I hate how unwieldy I've become. I can't seem to get there fast enough.