USS Emissary.

part 6.

I'Borg.

CHAPTER :

Sovagg eagerly showed off his latest find, to the Ferengi crewmen of the Dominion Starship Carrier. They were, as was common, in a debate about the benefits of hoarding "valuable" artifacts, versus having an economic currency.

There was an I'Borg Ferengi with them... who was curious as to the point of collecting anything. Be it material goods, or economic.

She had a sleek, metallic, body, made of mostly nanobots. With a few hundred, discreet, implants, to help her fulfill her role to the Vessel. Less then 30% of her body was made up of organic cells. However, even those could be altered, and moved around by the nanites... rearranged into near any shape, to her liking. While this could be used to disguise her species, it was mostly used to transform her limbs into tools or weapons.

As a result, it wasn't normal to wear clothes, just change the style and color of her skin to resemble such things. But for this occasion, she wore long flowing robes of varying colors... with a large metal collar, so big it had shoulder pads and a board behind her head. This was an estimation of Time Lord formal attire, as worn by their gods. They only wore it for special occasions, and various ceremonies.

Her name was Mother Board... as the younger I'Borg had come to naming their children after computer parts and techno babble, old and new. More often then not, babies born too the Cooperative, were often named based on what role they were outfitted for. Though the unit was allowed to change position at any time, they rarely did.

Complicated scans were taken of the babes physical and mental potential. As well as that of anyone who wished to assimilate. From their they were uploaded with the skills they were most suited for. Of course, children spent their early years, before their maturity, running around playing. Then, once they reached their teens, were assigned to their clutch, as Apprentice Drones. Though, even then, the I'Borg made sure to give them plenty of time to play.

All I'Borg, learned easily how to balance recreation with work. Though they, you may describe it as "Having an instinct", felt the task they were assigned as very fulfilling... as if their was purpose behind it... as if it gave their life meaning. This was, of course, by design. Much like how the AIs operated for the Federation. However, few I'Borg took issue with the moral dilemmas of this. After all, who wanted to do a job they didn't enjoy?

Mother Board was just curiously watching both the Federation and Dominion Ferengi.

"How can you judge if something has value without an economy!!!" Gita, the Dominion Ferengi, sneered. They talked so passionately about things that didn't even register to her as a priority. It was Fascinating.

"By how much of a contribution the item makes to society." Sovagg insisted, holding up the chunk of metal, "Look at this. This artifact is a remnant of an ancient, and formerly LOST, technology. A piece of a Mass Effect Engine early star travelers used. The Discovery of this resulted in my team of scientists reverse engineering the Mass Warp Engine, which we will use towards our joint mission. A moment that has united our entire galaxy! This artifact is truly PRICELESS. No amount of useless Latinum could equal the mark of sheer achievement this one artifact possesses!"

The Dominion Ferengi seemed offended by the thought, "Sentimental attachment is for suckers, and not worthy of a Ferengi!"

Mother, as her friends called her, tilted her head. She had been born to the Cooperative, what I'Borg called the hive mind of their specific vessel. As a result, all her other instincts were repressed, in favor of the voices of the billions in her head... she really didn't feel a need to give into her species powerful hoarding instinct. Though she found the idea that others were so compelled by such things... truly fascinating. Especially to hear the Ferengi bicker so passionately about how to express them.

"My Queen." A worker drone caught her attention... though he was no where in sight.

Much like their unenlightened brothers, I'Borg chose the Queen of their Dyson Sphere's, based on the individual's cognitive capacity. Then assigned them a Cooperative, once they finished their apprenticeship. Usually releasing millions of drones, from various cooperatives, to the new Queen.

However, unlike their Unenlightened Brothers, those re-assigned were selected from volunteers.

She was fairly new to the position. Like all of the millions of possible candidates. As Borg Queen were not willing to leave their cooperative, only a new Queen could be assigned to a new vessel.

She felt honored to be selected, as the best for an inter galactic mission. With trillions of units being reassigned to her... It was a bit overwhelming to be the command mode for such high levels of traffic. Though she wasn't exactly "In charge" of them.

Borg, even I'Borg, where the truest form of democracy. They voted, and debated, everything. From the most complicated of tasks, to the simplest of choices. All in less then a nano second.

While she was the face of this Cooperative, she only had one vote, same as anyone else. Her purpose was to bring order to chaos. To direct the voting process, but she had no real influence over it. Regardless, she was honored for having such a position, given much respect and treated like a real Queen. Despite not having any more real authority then any other Drone.

Only in situations of absolute danger, could she be given emergency power, to direct the actions of all in the Cooperative. However, to allow that had to be voted on by all in that Vessel... she hoped she would never need to have such a burden placed on her shoulders.

"You're broadcasting, my Queen." Another drone informed, and Mother hid her wide eyed blush from the organics.

The Drones had heard her internal rant. Hearing it all as clearly as if she spoke. However, unlike the Borg, the I'Borg had to consciously broadcast their thoughts into the link. Though they could occasionally pick up the more passionate surface thoughts...

The young Queen had been broadcasting the debate of the Ferengi, to the rest of the Cooperative, and was discussing it with the other I'Borg... though it seems a few of her more private thoughts were sent out as well.

Still blushing, Mother observed the broadcast of the first drone. He was showing the entire Cooperative, through his thoughts, and his eyes, just who was walking out of one of the shuttles that just boarded.

"Excuse me," She said to the Ferengi, "As compelling as this debate is. I have duties to perform." she gave a bow of her head. To which both Ferengi acknowledged her leaving, only to immediately get back in their debate.

"Though it could more accurately be called an 'argument'," she felt one of her drones think at her.

She did her best not to laugh out loud. The organics would think her strange, if she burst out laughing for apparently no reason. Then get all nervous and shy if she explained someone thought something funny.

Organics didn't approve of the sheer level of cybernetic alterations I'Borg had... it scared them a good deal. Which was only understandable, given how the Borg were.

The idea of a Cooperative, was too close to a Collective, for organics to be comfortable.

The I'Borg didn't share all thoughts, only the surface thoughts. It was actually less invasive then organic Telepaths... part of what drove the Borg insane, was that they heard everything... every single firing neuron within the brain.

Mother frowned, realizing her thought was causing a few of the others to become depressed. Such was a frequent occurrence, when thinking about their brothers... trapped in madness.

"This is a party people!!!" One drone thought, "Stop being so emo!"

This resulted in all the drones starting to either bicker or laugh. So Mother Board willed some order in the Cooperative, to calm them, and remind them not to get so distracted by themselves, while the organics were on board. It was just rude.

Many a drone sent her an apology, before going back to mingling with the organics... who were now staring at the ones who laughed out loud for apparently no reason... and the ones who suddenly looked upset, again for no reason...

By the organics reactions, they must think themselves were the cause for either of the outburst... this caused many an awkward conversation...

Though a few of the organics, were considerate enough to ask if the Cooperative said something. That mostly came from the higher ranked crewmen. Probably the ones that had dealings with I'Borg before... but who can say. Purely organic, or even purely synthetic, lifeforms were hard to guess the motivations of. They weren't in the Cooperative, after all. Made it hard to relate to them.

"You just need practice." Assured one of the drones, that had been assimilated later in life... which got a few drones thinking back at her, "That's easy for you to say!" Mostly coming from those who had been born as I'Borg. Like herself.

Mother Board momentarily, froze, as one of the older drones started walking over to Data's family, intent on making a scene. His thoughts loud and clear, due to his sheer anger. With everyone in the Cooperative begging him to stop.

"Hugh!" Geordi grinned, seeing the old drone, with the young face, walk up. With the sheer number of Nanites in the I'Borgs body, they were effectively immortal.

Hugh, ignored him, walking right up to Lore. "You have a lot of nerve coming here!" he snapped.

Lore blinked, "Do I know you?"

Hugh immediately punched the older Android, startling many of the guest... and getting everyone in the Cooperative panicking about scaring the organics, when so many were on their ship.

"Forgive me," Lore rubbed his jaw. "I've pissed off so many people. Would you like me to repeat the question?"

"Lore..." Data eyed his brother, disapprovingly. "This is Hugh. You enslaved his developing I'Borg Cooperative. Right before you forced me to deactivate you."

Lore looked thoughtful, looking Hugh up and down, "No still can't place the face. Maybe you should add a few ugly implants too it."

Although the truth was, some of his memory anagrams, from that time Period, had been severely damaged, and subsequently removed. He knew the gist of what happened, but many of the details were lost on him.

Hugh went to hit him again, only for the fist to stop mid punch. Hugh struggled to move for a moment, with the Cooperative joining forces to restrain him. All quickly asking the Queen to stop the old Drone, until he calmed down... which she seemed reluctant to do, until it was clear Hugh had no intention of stopping himself.

Hugh continued to struggle against his mental restraints, before scoffing and relaxing his body. Once he appeared to calm down, suddenly he could move again. Hugh put his balled fist at his side, and just turned around. He started to storm off, finally agreeing to respect the Cooperative's 'ignore him' ruling of how to handle Lore.

"Told you we should have left him on the Emissary." Geordi whispered to Data.

"Hugh was it?" Lore walked over to him, before the others could stop him.

Hugh looked ready to punch him again.

"I know plenty about you I'Borg." Lore informed, "If you wanted to actually hurt me, you would have turned that fist of your's into a blade or mace... I honestly expected you lot to understand better then most about faulty programming. How many people did you 'assimilate' back when you were a regular Borg..."

The Cooperative gave their permission to hit him again... but before Hugh could...

"Believe it or not, I know how that feels." Lore got strangely serious, "To be trapped in your own head, to commit... such horrible acts, and not being able to stop yourself... too not WANT to stop. To have your every thought twisted into something deadly... Hugh..." Lore put his hand on the Drone's shoulder. "Would you insult one of your own victims by saying 'I'm sorry'... doesn't really measure up to their pain..."

Hugh just looked at Lore... seeing him... for perhaps the first time... "So... Data really fixed you?"

"Looks like," Lore nodded.

Hugh sighed, "Speaking from experience... you're going to have one hell of a time coming to terms with all the shit you did."

"So I'm learning." Lore acknowledged.

Hugh nodded looking back at Data, "Let me escort your family to the Queen. She's waiting to meet you."