RAGNAROK 1
Author: Rocky
The EMH picked up the culture dish and ran the scanner over it with a practiced eye. Good; the bacteria were growing nicely and soon would be ready to-
He stopped abruptly when a sound let him know he was no longer alone in Sickbay. He looked up and saw Seven standing there.
"You were not at the farewell party in the Mess Hall this evening," she said, somewhat accusingly.
"Well, yes, I've never been much of one for that sort of thing," the Doctor said somewhat lamely.
"I'm sorry that you weren't there."
"Why?"
"I wished to speak with you."
"About what?" he asked curiously. Seven was leaving in the morning with Axum, embarking on a new life far from Voyager, with others of her own background; he couldn't imagine what she needed to say to him now.
She licked her lips nervously. "I would like to thank you for everything you've done for me, over the years. Your lessons on socialization and behavioral norms..." The ghost of a smile flickered across his features, then faded at her next words, "And of course your friendship. It truly meant a great deal to me."
"It was one of the more rewarding experiences in my life," he said gruffly. Not for the first time he cursed himself for his weakness at wishing to exceed the limits of his original limited programming. He shook himself mentally-yes, that was it; his emotional algorithms undoubtedly were in need of a major diagnostic.
Her eyes softened, as if she realized what he really meant, as if she'd heard in his voice the declaration of love he'd never admitted aloud. "I'm sorry," she said and he could hear the ring of honesty, and regret in her voice.
He turned away slightly, so she wouldn't see his hands tremble. "I didn't really expect-you deserve much better than a hologram. You deserve to be with someone who is... real."
"No," she said sternly. "You are mistaken. You should not disparage yourself like that." She came closer, her eyes intent on his. She spoke slowly, as if to give her words more emphasis. "I have never thought of you as anything less than a fellow sentient being. Whether someone is composed of flesh and blood, or photons, does not change the essence of what he is. You *are* real, as real as I, a human raised as a Borg, of both worlds but truly belonging to neither." Her head was bowed; he thought he saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes. "You gave me what I needed most, a friend, as well as the example of how to be a friend when I didn't know how." Her voice broke for a moment. "I'm only sorry I could never give you what you needed."
For the first and last time he held her in his arms. Then she slipped away, leaving him alone.
Epilogue
They stood in the transporter room, as the moment of departure was at hand. The drones from the Tikvah had already beamed over to Axum's ship.
In the center of the room, about to step onto the transporter pad, was a tall blonde woman. In contrast to the uniforms worn by most of the others present, she was dressed in a pink tunic and slacks. Her loose hair fell to her shoulders in gentle waves. Seven of Nine, tertiary adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One, had already left. Now, Annika Hansen was going home.
The captain's eyes were suspiciously bright as she hugged her protégée, but she quickly stepped back and allowed others to take her place.
Finally, all of the farewells had been said. Seven took her place on the transporter pad.
"Live long and prosper," Tuvok intoned. He raised his hand in the ritual Vulcan salute.
"Peace and long life," Seven said, giving the correct answer. Her eyes went from Tuvok to Janeway, then to the rest of those assembled: Kim, Paris, Torres, Neelix, Naomi and Sam Wildman, and Icheb. "It is thanks to everyone here that I do indeed have that opportunity."
"Goodbye," Janeway said softly. Then, turning to Torres, who had moved behind the transporter controls, said, "Energize."
As he watched the sparkles vanish, Neelix felt a hand slip into his own. Sarexa stood next to him.
"Did I tell you how happy I am that you're staying?" he asked quietly, as the rest of the crew filed out of the room.
"I wasn't going to lose you again," Sarexa said emphatically. She laid her head on his shoulder and returned his embrace. "Seven is home now, and so am I."
/Captain's log, supplemental. Axum and his ships left the vicinity 12 hours ago. Lieutenant Torres assures me that the problem with the engines should be corrected within the next day and we will at last be able to achieve warp. In a way, this forced layover has-/
Janeway broke off dictating her log at Kim's hail. "Captain, receiving incoming message from the Taj."
"Just a moment, Lieutenant," Janeway said. She quickly exited her Ready Room, preferring to take it on the bridge with her officers present. As she took her seat, she nodded at Kim. "Let's hear it."
The heavyset Klingon appeared on the main viewscreen. "Voyager, this is Korok."
"General, we didn't expect to hear from you again so soon," Janeway began.
Korok shook his head. "Nor did I. Unfortunately, the tidings I bear are not good." He paused, looking at something out of their line of vision, and continued, "I have received a message from the long range scouts I sent out some time ago. They report an armada of vessels is coming our way."
"Borg?" Chakotay asked quietly.
"Yes. They reported the presence of over 40 ships, at a distance of 75 light years away. But that's not all. Scouts even further out indicate this is just the first installment-there have been sightings of additional cubes."
Janeway's mouth tightened almost imperceptibly, but otherwise her expression didn't change. "Thank you for apprising us of the situation, Korok."
Korok nodded, then said bluntly, "I was surprised to find you still at your last coordinates, Captain. If you truly don't wish to be involved in the coming battle, you should have left long ago. Now it may be too late. Korok out."
"The trajectory of Korok's ships suggests that they are planning to rendezvous very near our position, Captain," Tuvok said. "It would appear that he is planning on making his stand here."
"Set a course out of here, Captain?" Paris asked. "We've still got impulse power."
Chakotay shook his head impatiently. "Even if we could go to warp this minute, we would still be overtaken within a short time. We can't outrun vessels traveling at transwarp. Those cubes will be here in less than 16 hours."
"And even if we managed to avoid this confrontation, there is another fleet besides," Janeway said slowly. She stood and walked over to the main viewscreen, then turned so she was facing her crew. "Our worst fears have been realized. This is no longer a petty squabbling with pirates, or other renegade drones. These are the combined forces of the Collective, out to crush any opposition, once and for all."
As if to underscore her words, Tuvok said suddenly, "Captain, a conduit is opening almost immediately off our port bow. I'm picking up multiple signatures."
Almost before it had fully emerged, the lead cube fired on their position. Voyager shuddered under the assault.
Janeway grabbed the railing next to her in an attempt to remain upright. "Battle stations! Return fire!"