I'm not going to lie, I'm having the hardest time with last names/first names here. I naturally think of characters by their first name and not their last. Regardless of the fact that's how other people do it (last name) I'm just going to be referring to everyone by their first name. I'm sorry! We're all family here. LOL
I hope you enjoy this next part. If you do, please let me know!
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"Dr. Spalen isn't going to stop. He's really rather poetic about things, and he's managed to write his proposals in such a way that they're being accepted."
"How is that possible?" Raffi asked, her chest aching. It was difficult to breathe. She felt like she wasn't getting enough air into her lungs—like she needed medical intervention just to draw a decent breath. "You can't tell me that any reasonable being, from any species, could read even a word of what that man has to say and not realize that he's…that he's stark-raving mad!"
"He's not mad, actually," Deanna offered. "That's what makes him so dangerous. He is short-sighted, single-minded, obsessive, and clearly xenophobic, but he's not actually mad. He's also rather eloquent, when it comes to written proposals and, for that reason, he has a certain skill in winning over those who review his work."
"The Federation can't be OK with him just hunting Borg," Raffi said. "Dismembering them and studying them like lab rats. Worse! We wouldn't even allow him to do to lab rats what he wants to do to Borg. They're sentient beings."
"Of course, that's not at all how Dr. Spalen is presenting his study pursuits," Beverly said. "He's presenting things in the name of safety for the Federation. And, given past encounters with the Borg…"
"The Federation is not entirely prepared to dismiss his claims of concern for safety," Kathryn said, interrupting Beverly and apologizing to the woman with her eyes.
"What about the safety of Seven?" Raffi asked.
"What about the safety of my child?" Seven asked. Raffi quickly put her hands on Seven's shoulders, soothing her as best she could. Rori was currently in the care of her brother and several young ladies who were "assisting him," in caring for her.
They'd been called down to sickbay for a discussion—a discussion that, to some degree, Raffi had already had, in a hypothetical manner, with Beverly Crusher. She had hoped the discussion would remain forever hypothetical, but as soon as they'd brought them to an empty private room off of the sickbay and locked the doors behind them, Raffi had known they were moving beyond the hypothetical.
It made her stomach churn, too, to see everyone gathered into the room. The space was large—plenty large enough for all of them—and it was designed to function as something of an intensive care unit in the case of a serious medical emergency. For now, it would offer them privacy.
Raffi hadn't had the hypothetical conversation with Seven. She'd wanted to save her from it. Now, she knew that Seven was about to learn about Spalen's proposals.
"He can't just go harvesting parts off of Borg drones!" Seven said. "Or—Borg—or whatever it is that you want to call us. Those of us who remain will be mutilated."
"Killed," B'Elanna said. "You don't have spare parts. All of those were removed as your human body healed as much as possible. Anything that was superfluous threatened to become infected and it was all removed."
"We don't know enough about Rori, yet, to say so with any absolute certainty," Beverly said, "but I'm fairly certain that she was only born with parts that she requires. They're a part of her genetic make-up, and they're necessary to her survival."
"There's no way that the Federation will approve what is, essentially, an act of murder," Seven said, shaking her head. "And if they do? We'll take Rori and we'll…we'll leave. We'll leave Federation space. We'll go somewhere where they can't find us."
"There's another way," Beverly said. "Where you and Rori don't have to leave, and whatever Borg drones are liberated—now and later—from the Collective can be safe from Spalen and anyone else who wants to run similar studies in the name of saving the world from the dangers of disconnected Borg."
Seven laughed ironically and a bit angrily. Raffi felt her pulse pick up.
"And just how do you propose we do that?" Seven asked. "Keep everyone safe from Spalen and others like him?"
"We offer them a Borg drone to dissect," Beverly said. "We give them the samples and the pieces that they want."
"Are you suggesting we commit murder?" Seven asked.
"More of a…partial sacrifice," Beverly said.
Raffi's pulse felt uneven. Her breathing felt labored. She hadn't thought about indulging in any substance enough to lose touch with her current reality in a long time, but the thought flitted across her brain at the moment. She wondered if Seven understood yet. She wondered if she knew why they were all here.
She felt Seven's muscles tense under her fingers. She didn't let go of her.
"A sacrifice…?" Seven said.
"The Doctor has a very good understanding of how to restore a drone to human form," Beverly said. "Or—as close as possible. B'Elanna has a great deal of practice managing the care of ex-Borg, and she's already learning how to care for Rori. Her skills are…adaptive and truly remarkable."
Seven was shaking her head as she let her eyes settle on each of those present for a half a second before letting them flit to someone else.
"I don't understand…" she said.
"If someone were assimilated in a controlled environment," the Doctor offered, "then, theoretically, they could be controlled. The assimilation would only go as far as we allowed it to go, and then they could be sedated and the work to restore them could begin almost immediately. Our understanding of Borg physiology means that we already have some ideas of which parts are superfluous. The obviously unnecessary parts could be removed, along with tissue and fluid samples, and those samples could all be presented to the anthropological team for their studies. Once they're able to get the answers that they crave, they will have no choice except to withdraw the request for further tests, and if they don't, they can be discredited on the basis that they've already been given the opportunity for the studies they claim are so critical for the continued safety of the Federation, and anything else is nothing more than the product of a dangerous obsession."
"I can make sure that the Federation knows about the exchange," Kathryn said. "And with nothing but absolute cooperation, there will be no room for Dr. Spalen, or anyone else, to say that they were denied any opportunity. They can even send some of the samples back to the Alpha Quadrant for further testing."
"And you and Rori will be safe," B'Elanna said. "Along with any other Borg drones that were at risk, or that would be at risk, if we're able to liberate more, in the future."
"I don't understand…" Seven said again, this time with less conviction than before.
"We'll do a recording first," Beverly said. "That way, everyone can say what they need to say. They can weigh in on the situation and absolve anyone of fault. We'll make sure that there's no way that this can come back on you. My assimilation will be my choice. You'll only be complying with my wishes."
"No," Seven said. "It's too dangerous. You may not survive assimilation."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take," Beverly said.
"It is not one that I am willing to take," Seven said without hesitation.
"I am healthy, Seven," Beverly said. "The odds of me surviving assimilation are better than the odds of me not surviving it."
"And the process to restore you?" Seven asked. "Many do not survive."
"I'll take my chances," Beverly assured her. "I have a wonderful doctor, and B'Elanna will help. I'll be in good hands."
"You will be sacrificing your humanity," Seven said.
"I've known a few restored Borg in my life," Beverly said with a laugh. "A few androids. Some photonic beings. Now, I'm blessed to be Mémé to the first biologically born Borg-hybrid that we know of in existence. The Doctor will bring me back, and I'll be in good company. I'll find a way to hold on to my humanity."
"You could face repercussions in your career," Seven said.
"I'll retire, completely, if I have to," Beverly said with a convincing smile. "The Château is nice. I can do a bit of travelling. You may even find you need a dedicated babysitter for Rori while you're both working."
"I cannot help but notice that…Picard is not here," Seven said. "You expect that he would not approve."
"I don't imagine that he would," Beverly said. "But—Jean-Luc will understand, when I explain it to him."
"If you survive," Seven said.
"I fully intend to do that," Beverly countered.
"Why?" Seven asked.
"Because I'm not done living," Beverly offered, laughing quietly.
"I mean—why would you do this? Sacrifice yourself for…me? Rori? For Borg that you don't even know?"
"Because it's the right thing to do," Beverly offered. "And because I feel a strong conviction to do it."
"There's no need to argue with her," Kathryn said. "I've already tried."
"I can't believe you support this idea," Seven said to Kathryn.
"I don't," Kathryn said. "But—I think it has a good chance of stopping Spalen and anyone else who might think like him. The samples can be sent back to the Alpha Quadrant, and they can be stored for further use."
"And, in the meantime, we sacrifice a human being," Seven said.
"I think that Dr. Crusher can make her own decisions," Kathryn said. "I also believe in the abilities of the Doctor."
"I won't do it," Seven said. "I will not comply. I will not assimilate you…or anyone."
"Seven—I have nanoprobes," Beverly offered. "I can inject myself, if that's what needs to be done. You have a much better understanding than any of us, though, of just how many nanoprobes are necessary. You can control the flow of your nanoprobes. You could save me from some of the complications—possibly even fatal ones—that could arise from my attempts to do it myself with a less perfect understanding of the process."
"I do not wish to be the one who…" Seven said. She stopped.
"I'd rather it be you than anyone else," Beverly offered. "Please?" Seven gave something of a nod of acceptance. "First—let's make the recording. I want to be absolutely sure that nothing at all can come back on anyone present."
Kathryn went first. She recorded herself, gave her information, and then clearly stated what was about to take to place, why it was taking place, and what they hoped to accomplish. She stated that the video was for use in a court of law, since they would be pursuing legal avenues if there were any future attempts to do any of the things currently being proposed by Spalen.
Deanna went next. After stating her qualifications, she cleared Beverly's mental state, declaring that Beverly was of sound mind, and had made this choice willingly.
The Doctor followed, declaring that he believed Beverly was healthy enough to undergo both the process of assimilation and the process of restoration, and that she understood all the possibilities of what might happen to her in the process. He declared that he would use his previous knowledge and understanding of the Borg to help him restore her to as fully human as was possible.
B'Elanna went next, also declaring that she would offer her services to help make sure that only non-vital implants were removed, and that vital ones were functioning well enough to sustain life after Beverly was restored to being mostly human.
Raffi's voice shook when she gave her qualifications and stated that Beverly had discussed the plan with her previously, as something entirely hypothetical, if anything should arise that made it seem as though Spalen wouldn't be satisfied without a Borg to harvest for parts.
"I promise that…if…after this…anyone threatens my wife, or my children, or any other Borg that has been severed from the Collective or…however they've become an individual? I will personally do whatever is necessary to see that they are prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law. All concerns should be handled here and now, and this entire worry should be laid to rest."
When it was Seven's turn to speak, she frowned deeply and sincerely.
"I am Seven Musiker. Former Annika Hansen. Former Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01. I would like to state, for the record, that I am against this entire plan. I would like to state that nobody present would be present, if it were not for the insistence of a xenophobic anthropological team sent to study the species of the Delta Quadrant, which has become…obsessed…with the danger of the Borg. I would like to state that this plan would not be in place, if it weren't for the very real fear that their fear may cause the torture and death of countless ex-Borgs and, apparently, biological Borgs in the future. I have not assimilated anyone since being severed from the Collective, and I will never do so again. I am doing so, now, against my will, and my compliance is only in the interest of attempting to preserve the life of someone that…that I consider family. I would like the record to state that, though she says that she enters into this willingly, I know that she only does it out of concern for others and, therefore, I consider this assimilation nothing less than coerced on my part and a violation of Dr. Beverly Crusher."
Beverly reached for Seven and took her into her arms for a hug. Nobody moved or interrupted them, figuring that Seven probably needed the embrace as much as, if not more, than Beverly did.
When she pulled out of the hug, Beverly caught Seven's face affectionately and smiled at her.
"Is it easier for you if—you're not facing me?" Beverly asked.
Seven laughed nervously.
"There will be nothing easy about this for either of us," Seven said. She looked at the Doctor. "How soon can you stop the assimilation process?"
"We'll need to give it time for the implants to begin to form."
"We need enough to have a supply of superfluous ones," B'Elanna said. "And from our understanding, those would be the last to form. Without the presence of other drones, though, she should be spared a lot of the more irreversible mutilation. We'll stop it as soon as we're sure we have enough parts to satisfy Spalen and anyone else who might want to study them."
"How will we proceed?" Seven asked.
"You'll inject me with the nanoprobes," Beverly offered, a hint of a smile on her face that Raffi recognized as something put there merely to help Seven feel at ease. She explained everything with the air of detachment that she might use for a major surgery. "Raffi and Kathryn will see you out of the room. I don't want you to watch the process. The Doctor will place a forcefield around me, to be sure that I'm not a threat to anyone, and he and B'Elanna will monitor me until it's time to proceed from there."
"You will stay?" Seven asked Deanna.
Deanna nodded.
"I will stay," she said with a sigh. "To support Beverly."
"She will not be aware of your presence or your support," Seven said. Raffi winced at the coldness of her tone. She understood that this hurt Seven on a level that none of them could possibly understand except, perhaps, the half-Betazoid woman in front of her.
Deanna gave her something of a reassuring smile.
"And yet, I will stay," Deanna said. "Just the same."
"It will hurt you, too," Seven said.
"There are sacrifices we make for our best friends," Deanna said. "For any comfort that we might be able to offer them. I will want to talk to you about this, in the future, if you're willing to talk with me."
Seven looked at her coldly, but then she softened a little and nodded.
"I want you to leave as quickly as you can," Beverly said. "And—when you feel like you can, I want you to give my love to Rori. Tell her I'll see her soon."
"And—Jean-Luc?" Seven asked, swallowing and using Beverly's familiar name for him. Beverly smiled.
"He'll understand," Beverly said. "But—tell him that I wouldn't mind a visit, when he's ready."
Beverly looked around. She wrapped Deanna in a hug, but she didn't offer any other hugs and nobody else moved to ask for one. Maybe they all thought it would seem like they were doubting her ability to live through the whole process, if they made a big deal of saying goodbye.
Still, no matter what, they were saying goodbye, in a sense. Even if she were restored, and she lived through everything well, something in her would be forever changed—no matter how far below the surface that change happened to be.
Raffi knew that, in a moment, something would be forever changed in Seven, too. She only hoped that she was strong enough to help Seven through it, and that nothing went badly enough to worsen what Seven would already have to process about the assimilation experience.
"I'm ready when you are," Beverly said. "Should I—sit or stand?"
Seven looked almost ill.
"Lie down," Seven said, gesturing toward a bed. "It will be painful. You will lose control of your muscles, at least momentarily. You shouldn't add a fall to the damages you suffer."
Beverly nodded and got situated on the bed.
"I'm going to close my eyes," she said. "But—just so it might help you." She reached a hand out and Deanna took it without question or request. Raffi found that she naturally sought Seven's right hand and held it in her own. She winced when Seven's tubules emerged, and Seven turned her head and looked at Raffi instead of Beverly as soon as they made their mark and punctured the woman's neck. Raffi didn't hold the sounds that Beverly made against her, nor did she fault Deanna for her outburst, since her empathic connection to the woman was obviously overpowering her a little.
Raffi did find herself, however, moving to cover Seven's ears as thought that might somehow save her from the experience, and as soon as her tubules retracted, Raffi pushed Seven from the room with Kathryn pushing both of them toward the door.
None of them stopped until, her knees shaking, Raffi had led Seven to the midway mark of the sickbay area, and the door to the private room was closed behind them with the soundproof walls containing what was taking place inside.
"Come on," Kathryn said, her voice coming out strained. "Let's go to my office and have something to drink. We'll contact Starfleet and send the recording."
"I want my baby," Seven managed.
"I'll have Kaya bring her," Kathryn assured Seven, putting a hand on each of their shoulders to lead them from the room.