Chapter 3 – Resistance

Chakotay stepped into his regeneration alcove and closed his eyes. Almost immediately he was transported to Unimatrix Zero. It was strange, not really needing sleep. Much of the day he observed his actions as a drone on the cube and then he returned to this refuge. He looked forward to his time in Unimatrix Zero. It was peaceful and comfortable… and of course Annika was waiting there for him. She was alone this time sitting on a flat rock at the edge of the clearing.

"Where's Axum?" Chakotay asked. For the past five days, he had never been far from Annika. Close, but not together. Chakotay suspected that Axum and Annika were in some sort of relationship, although it was never mentioned and appeared strained. It was perhaps due to their differing opinion on the future of Unimatrix Zero. Axum and a few others were not convinced establishing a link with the real world was desirable and didn't want to upset the balance and possibly expose Unimatrix Zero to the Hive Mind while Annika and the rest were willing to take that chance. With billions of drones killed during the war with Species 8472, thousands of drones with the recessive mutation were also killed, and thus disappeared from Unimatrix Zero. People would end their regeneration and never return. It was a harrowing time, accentuated by their lack of control. The people here could do nothing but wait and possibly be next.

Annika didn't answer at first, but there was sadness in her eyes. She and Axum had apparently been together for six years. At least as close as you could get to someone else in Unimatrix Zero. "He's with the others," she finally said. "At the gathering place."

"It's good to see you," Chakotay responded. "I have some news."

"We do too," she said, perking up. "A new development. We're not sure what it means. Come, let's go to the others." She reached out and took hold of Chakotay's hand, having him help her up..

Chakotay wondered again if everyone's perception was the same and how exactly the details of Unimatrix Zero were controlled. Not consciously, but obviously each of them had some sort of control. After the first day, he no longer dressed in a Star Fleet uniform but rather some casual clothes that were his preference when off duty. He must have made this choice on some level. Also, where he happened to enter Unimatrix Zero stayed the same, although why he would appear there each time while others appeared in different places remained unknown. In any event, it was a few minutes' walk to the gathering place.

There was a group of several hundred when they arrived. Ever since Chakotay's appearance in Unimatrix Zero and link to the real world, the numbers were swelling, but for today not as many as usual. Chakotay also noticed that Laura was not there for the first time since his arrival in Unimatrix Zero. They had served together when fresh out of the Academy and it was quite a shock for Chakotay to meet her here. Tarps were hung between trees to provide shade, and lights set up underneath for when it was night. It was evening twilight now and the lights had yet to come on.

"Ah, Chakotay," Korok said with a grin when Chakotay and Annika moved through the crowd and arrived at the central area. Korok was one of the leaders in Unimatrix Zero. The Klingon warrior was dressed in his full battle armor. "What news do you bring?" Other conversations about the compound quieted and peopled moved in closer to hear.

"I've located Annika in my cube," Chakotay said and Annika turned to him quickly, her eyes beaming. Axum was nearby leaning up against a tree at the perimeter of the area, and didn't seem pleased with the news. With Annika at Chakotay's shoulder, it suddenly occurred to Chakotay that it was possible Axum was jealous.

"Excellent!" Korok bellowed and slapped Chakotay on the back. "What of the Central Plexus? Have you discovered its location on your cube?"

"Not yet."

Murmurs began amongst those gathered as they discussed this development.

"If we're going through with this," Axum interjected, "we need to not only know the location of the Central Plexus but be sure that Chakotay has access to it." He didn't step any closer, but the crowd kept their distance enough for him to be part of the central group.

"I have been a drone for eighteen years," Annika interjected, obviously excited by the news. "When I am able to retain my memories between Unimatrix Zero and the real world, I am certain I will know the location and I can do it."

"We are close," Korok said and turned to Axum. "Chakotay should inject Annika with the virus first, and then the two of them can proceed to the Central Plexus on their cube. Have you instructed Chakotay how to develop and deliver the virus you designed?"

"Not yet," Axum replied quietly. "We were waiting for him to locate Annika."

"We must hurry," Annika said. "While Chakotay still knows where I am."

Axum frowned. "I will try to teach him during this cycle," he finally agreed. "It is a complicated procedure and it might take several cycles to learn."

"I'm a quick study," Chakotay replied.

"We need to tell the others," Korok said and turned to a few in the crowd who were standing close. "It's possible the virus will be deployed by next cycle. Go to the bay, and to the desert, and to the mountains. We need to spread the word so everyone in Unimatrix Zero is prepared when the time comes."

Chakotay looked around again. Not only was Laura missing, but also Siral, a friend of hers and another of the inner circle and regular at the gathering place during this cycle. "Where are the others?" he asked.

Annika stepped up closer. "It's the new development I was speaking of," she replied. "In the past few hours, thirty or more babies of a variety of species have entered Unimatrix Zero. Most all of them down by the harbor. A number of our group are down there caring for the infants." Chakotay reacted to this news with concern, for she added, "What is it?"

"I think I know why," he responded, but hesitated. The murmurings in the crowd ceased and some stepped closer to hear what this latest news might be. "I'm not quite sure how to say this. Where I found you. On the cube. The Borg are apparently impregnating female drones and then placing the babies into maturation chambers when they are ready."

Annika's eyes widened.

"The Borg have no honor!" Korok thundered. "We must act immediately."

"It's worse," Chakotay added, struggling to gather his thoughts. "I have this feeling. I just know, They're preparing for an invasion. Into the Alpha Quadrant to assimilate more drones."

"What!"

"Not right away," Chakotay clarified. "They're building their strength internally for now. In a year, or two."

"Are you certain?"

"I haven't heard the Hive Mind's thoughts directly, as you sometimes do, but… It's hard to say. I just know."

Chakotay moved over to Annika. She looked stunned. He reached out his hands and held her shoulders. It seemed to break the spell. "I'm pregnant?" she whispered.

"I don't know for certain," Chakotay replied. "You are one of the drones I saw."

"Who's the father?" she asked and is now holding her abdomen. How could Chakotay possibly know? He regretted revealing this so bluntly and chided himself for not being more sensitive. He guided her to one of the seats under the tarps and helped her sit.

Korok followed and grabbed Chakotay's shoulder. "Go with Axum. Now. It is time to act boldly. I will comfort her." Chakotay was reluctant to go, but Annika looked up, her eyes pleading. He was overcome by one thought. He must learn the procedure so he could free her from the Hive Mind, such as it was, as quickly as he could.

Chakotay turned and saw Axum staring in his direction. He stepped up quickly to him. "Teach me the procedure."

Axum hesitated at first, but then turned towards the forest and motioned for Chakotay to follow. He walked quickly and into an area unfamiliar to Chakotay. As they walked, Chakotay wondered if Axum's relationship with Annika and apparent jealously was going to be an issue. He and Axum didn't seem to get along with each other. Chakotay could never get the image of Axum slashing his throat on that first day out of his mind. They ended up a great distance from the gathering place. It was getting dark, but up ahead Chakotay saw a clearing with lights. When they arrived, no one else was there. In the clearing, under the lights, were several flat stones, and on these stones a script. Symbols and diagrams.

"I was a genetic engineer, before being assimilated," Axum murmured.

"Is that how you developed this virus?"

He nodded. "Over the years, it's kept me busy. Made me feel I was doing something. For whatever reason, I decided to scratch out the code on these stones."

"You never expected to use it?" Chakotay said, guessing at the answer. Axum turned to Chakotay and narrowed his eyes.

"You're right," he confessed. "I never expected we'd get the chance."

"You don't seem happy about it."

He shook his head. "I'm conflicted," he replied. "I don't want to lose Annika, but I'm afraid I already have."

"I'm not your competition Axum," Chakotay said.

Axum looked at Chakotay sharply. "It's not that," he finally said. "We've been drifting apart ever since the disappearances began."

"The war with Species 8472."

He nodded again. "I don't want things to change, but it's also clear they must."

"Show me how," Chakotay said, trying to encourage him. "Show me how to free the others from the Hive Mind."

Axum turned and pointed to three of the stones. "As a drone, some of this you can simply do on your own. Program your own nanoprobes. Other commands you'll have to memorize and use a pillar console to enter in the appropriate programming."

Chakotay looked more closely at the script. "This is Borg," he commented.

"It's funny the snippets we remember from the real world and what is inaccessible to us when here in Unimatrix Zero."

Chakotay motioned to a spot on the second stone. "These are the Borg commands I need to memorize?"

"Yes." Axum pointed to the first stone. "Before that, you need to program your own nanoprobes. It's possible we could simply do that now, and it would be retained in the real world. Otherwise, you'll have to memorize this sequence as well. After using the pillar, you finalize the virus with this set of instructions." He pointed to a spot on the final stone.

"Won't that attract attention?"

Axum shrugged. "Possibly. But you are one of thousands of drones on that vessel. One of billions in the Borg. It is likely your actions will go unnoticed."

"There are periods when drones are idle. I imagine any extraneous actions I do during those times might not register with other drones or the Hive Mind."

"I would suggest then to choose an opportune time. Once you memorize the commands, I imagine you could enter them into the pillar in about five or six minutes."

"And then I find Annika and inject her with the nanoprobes?"

"Yes." Axum turned to face Chakotay. "The effect should be immediate. When the time comes, one of you will have to inject the Central Plexus in your cube. That will distribute the virus throughout the Collective and allow all of us to retain our memories after regeneration."

"And after that, each of us attempts to destroy the Vinculum on our vessels and release the other drones from the Hive Mind. Try to take over the vessel. We'll be starting an insurgency, or perhaps even a civil war."

"That's the plan," Axum said. Despite the prospects of finally being free of the Borg, he sounded defeated.

Chakotay could see Axum's dilemma. "Perhaps when this is over, you and Annika will meet in the real world. Perhaps it's not too late for the two of you."

"Perhaps," Axum responded, noncommittal.

It took most of Chakotay's regeneration cycle to memorize the procedure. When Chakotay had been a cadet, he often used this talent to cram for exams. They went through the initial procedures, in case it would carry over, but Chakotay memorized these steps as well just in case. Axum ended his cycle as they were finishing up. Chakotay still had about an hour left in his cycle, so he returned to the meeting place. There were some there he didn't recognize, their cycles being out of sync for the most part or perhaps just arrived from other parts of Unimatrix Zero. Word that they were close to deploying the virus must have spread for the crowd had grown even larger.

"Is it true?" one of those Chakotay didn't recognize asked as he approached the area. Many others around him waited expectantly for the answer.

"I have the procedures memorized," Chakotay responded. "I will try during this next cycle."

This set many into motion and they went to distribute the information. The atmosphere was electric.

Chakotay was surprised to see Annika still sitting under one of the tarps when he finally reached the gathering place. She usually ended her cycle even before Axum. It was fully dark and the lights were on. Korok was gone. Chakotay made his way to her. "Did Korok offer you any comfort?" he asked with a grin.

"In his own way," Annika replied. "I imagine my regeneration cycle has been extended because of the pregnancy."

She was probably correct. During crises, a drone's cycle might be disrupted, but typically the Borg kept to a strict schedule. Something different was obviously going on with her now. There were perhaps many others in the crowd experiencing the same thing. "Are you okay?"

She nodded and reached out to squeeze his hand. He sat down beside her. "Are you ready to program the virus?" she asked, hopeful.

"I'll find a time during this next cycle," he said. "And then I'll find you."

Annika breathed in deeply and nodded. "Chakotay. Thank you."

Chakotay was overcome by an unexpected sensation. He didn't want to let go of her hand. For her part, Annika seemed content having her hand lay in his. The assimilation of Voyager was tragic and devastating, and yet, Chakotay almost felt relieved they had been assimilated such that he could now help all those in Unimatrix Zero. More specifically, to help Annika escape. Knowing her now, he couldn't imagine it any other way.

A thought then crossed his mind. Perhaps he was Axum's competition after all.

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Author's note: Thanks to all those who have left reviews and/or favorited/followed the five "Possibilities" stories. I'd love to hear from you some more and from others too! :)

I particularly want to thank the C/7 community leader scifiromance. I really appreciate your reviews and encouragement. I'd like to urge everyone who is not a member to join "The Commander and the Borg" community. I wonder if we could push the numbers to the top of the Star Trek Voyager community list...