Star Trek: "The Mudd Collective…"
Summary: After using illegally…(Sir, knowledge should be free to all!)…Acquired genetic tech to reverse his aging, Harry Mudd sets his sights on bringing… "Mudd"…To the Galaxy through the Federation's deadliest foe. That'll show James T. Kirk. And that Burnham. And he don't like that Picard chap much either, at that, even if he hasn't met him.
2383…Just a bit into the Delta Quadrant, beyond Federation well-charted space…
Part III…
A fine, light Vergilian meal pronounced excellent by both the host, "Captain" Mudd and his guest, Callia, former (local node) Borg queen, now recovering, Mudd had restated his intent to boldly go where few dared go and liberate the enslaved of Callia's homeworld, Vergilis III and its colonies…Nay, perhaps even the Borg themselves, on the Borg homeworld, those who'd never wished to be engulfed in the horrors of the Collective. For after all, he noted solemnly…They too were victims.
"Hard for me to see them that way…" Callia sighed. "I suppose some opposed the Collective at first…But…"
"'There will always be those who mean to do us harm. To stop them, we risk awakening the same evil within ourselves. Our first instinct is to seek revenge when those we love are taken from us. But that's not who we are.'" Nobly courageous pose.
Ah, Jamie-boy, it's wonderful how you provide me with this stuff…She's eating it up. He thought.
Wow…Callia stared at Mudd as he eyed her, setting down his glass.
"Of course, that should not be taken to mean you should have no resentment towards the Borg for what they've done to you, your friends, your homeworld." Mudd noted, solemnly. "But we must not become them in seeking to stop their evil."
"I don't know, Harry…" Callia sighed. "I feel so unworthy listening to you. It's so hard for me to avoid becoming furious as I think about what they did to me and made me do to others. I don't know how you can manage your feelings like that. I'm sure you've had reason to hate and be angry."
"Oh, so many times, my dear" sad shake of head. "But as my dear friend Kirk said and I just quoted 'we must not become them'. However justifiable our rage." Slight wince.
"In the end, the better angels of our nature shall triumph." He smiled.
My…Callia blinked…Suppressing a yawn.
What a candidate for Administrator he'd have made…
Could make, if we really could free Vergelis…
But, I suppose a man like him…No doubt a hero of his people, with endless other duties…Probably retired from some high Federation position, president of their Council or the like, to go exploring and saving the Galaxy?
A pity his friend, Mr. Kirk, is long dead, together, these two would be unstoppable either in war or politics.
On the other hand…I've always wanted to explore new worlds and new civilizations. And if Harry's not mated…But clearly has an eye for lovely females, shyly eyeing him. Another yawn overcoming her…
"My dear…" Harry smiled at her. "I fear I may have overtaxed you the first night."
"Oh…No…Just a bit sleepy." She noted. "Please don't think…I've so enjoyed tonight."
"As have I…Although my Stellas are dear creatures, one does occasionally get lonely for organic, human or humanoid companionship."
Oh? She brightened. Damn, why do I have to be so tired?
"I'm so sorry…" yawning again. "I must look terrible."
"My dear Callia…" Harry, gallantly. "You are the most beautiful creature I have seen in many a year."
Oh…She blinked. "That's so sweet. Harry, I know I should ask about the others, try to see them."
"All in good time…Tomorrow if you like. And then we can discuss plans for dealing with your homeworld. But, you must first get some rest, Callia…Stella 45!" he called.
A Stella Mark I, features a bit softened, in waitress uniform came through the portal of the restaurant cabin. "Yes, my Captain?"
"Please fetch a mobile chair so we can escort our guest Miss Callia back to sick bay. She's a bit overtired and needs to rest and regenerate." Mudd noted.
"At once, sir." The Stella turned and went back through the portal.
"Oh, I think I can walk…" Callia suggested. "If you could help me…?" shyly coy smile.
"No, no…Wouldn't hear of it. But if I may accompany you back to your room…?" gallant look.
"Please do…" she beamed as the Stella returned, a hover chair following behind her.
…
Mudd, with the Stella Mark II who tended Callia earlier, both in sick bay eyeing the sleeping Callia in her regeneration chamber/sick bay bed…
"Poor thing, quite exhausted…" he noted. "You are being careful with the sedative dosage, Stella? I don't want her injured."
"Of course, Harry, just enough to slow her cognition and activity. She's quite an energetic, independent type by nature. No doubt the Borg chose her in part for that as a local node Queen."
"Yes. She's perfect. Sharp, intelligent, resilient, rather affectionate, in addition…And quite lovely. What a consort she'll make." He beamed. "The new directive is being laid down carefully? She seems quite taken with me, I'd say."
"We are proceeding as you directed. You've seen the effect, though we are keeping it as natural-seeming as possible. She would be attracted to her rescuer in any case. And of course…" Stella beamed. "You are Harcourt Fenton Mudd. A manly man among men, like unto a god. My own and only true love."
"Yes, yes…But please tone those sentiments down around the lady. She might find it a bit much at this point." Harry frowned.
"Yes, Captain."
"But I am a far better man than…?" he waited, expectantly.
"That wretched…Kirk." Stella growled out the name. "Or that…Lorca." She fumed, face turning red with rage. "I'd kill the two of them if they were here, rip out their throats! To think they should ever…"
"Enough, dear, thank you." Mudd, hastily. "Don't want to disturb our guest. It's enough that you have expressed such noble sentiments, I thank you."
"Of course, dearest Captain." Stella nodded, immediately calm, smiling warmly.
"We'll had her meet her former comrades, a few, tomorrow. We don't want her or they questioning our motives. I mean it's not as if I didn't fully intend to liberate her homeworld and soon, all of theirs. Even the Borg homeworld." Mudd smiled. "Whatever the risk." He struck a noble pose.
"You may express your admiration, Stella." He eyed her, holding pose.
"You are such a hero, Harcourt." Stella beamed. "Those worthless Starfleet cowards of the Federation can't compare."
…
Another infirmary, farther down the Excelsior, the next mid-morning…Several Stella Is and a Stella II acting as head medical staffer tending to several human/humanoids in various regeneration chambers/beds as Mudd in a slightly more subdued uniform entered, leading a nervous Callia in a blue uniform somewhat like Starfleet regulation.
She hesitating…He turned to her. "My dear, if you're not up to this…"
"Oh, I should, Harry. I owe it to them. I'm just…Terrified they'll blame me." She eyed him, eyes full of tears.
"Now, now. If I held myself responsible for every little thing I did wrong in my life…" Harry smiled reassuringly. "And you were a victim, just as much as any of them. Just show them you're concerned about them. And let me handle anyone with a bit of displaced resentment."
"Harry…You are too good." She cooed, leaning against him.
True enough…He thought. Just go on believing it more every day, girl.
They entered, one pale-skinned young humanoid, most implants removed, eyeing them.
"You are the Queen!" he noted, fearfully recoiling.
"No, please!" Callia backed away, keeping in the crook of Mudd's extended arm.
"Sir…The lady is not Borg any longer." Mudd addressed him. "She's not to blame for their actions…As you are not."
"No…" the young fellow calmed, raising hand. "Forgive me, Miss. I know you weren't responsible."
"It's quite alright. I'm just so sorry." Callia stepped forward. "I don't want to search my memories, but what's your name…"
"Four of…No! Hent…Hent Ma Le of Circous. I was an engineer on our ship. The Borg…" he sighed.
"I know…" Callia, gently. "They captured my world and assimilated us all."
"Did they take Circous? My family?" Hent looked anxious. "I can't…"
"Don't try." Callia patted his arm. "It's painful and may be dangerous till the ladies here…" she eyed the Stellas. "…Have removed all the implanted directives and tech."
"Yes. But I'm concerned for them. I can't remember how long ago the Borg attacked…" he paused.
"Over a century…" a female, in what may pass in humans as early 30s called over. "I remember, I helped invade your ship. I'm sorry." She sighed.
"No, you couldn't help yourself." Callia called. "Please, none of you must blame yourselves. Captain Mudd here…" she beamed at Harry who offered gallant smile. "Has saved us and hopes to free our worlds…"
"He does?" the other female stared. "That's…Wonderful. But do you realize the Borg are still very powerful in the Delta Quadrant? I know the Federation people are brave…The Borg actually fear you." she eyed Harry who shrugged.
"Well, dear…I'm not exactly…Shall we say? Federation. Though I was born on Earth." Harry noted. "But as you experienced, the technology my ship here carries is quite far advanced. And my crew of androids quite impossible to assimilate under current Borg technology."
"The Borg will adapt." The first young man shook head. "It's what they do. They know of your ship and if they can't assimilate it, they'll capture and disassemble it, destroy it if they can't."
"They'll find that a bit difficult, laddie." Harry noted proudly.
"They'll assimilate you, sir. You shouldn't take such a risk." The other female shook head.
"No, I'm quite assimilation-proof right now." he smiled. "Believe me, I've considered this enterprise carefully and taken many precautions. Your Borg…Associates…Never obtained much information on the Excelsior, did they?"
"No, we…They…Couldn't penetrate your shields or access your computers…" the first male to speak agreed, nodding. "That's never happened before, that I know of…They don't have any knowledge from you." He smiled. "Maybe you can defeat them. That Federation Captain…Janeway…Infected and shattered their unimatrix, killed the last Hive Queen…And she didn't have your technology."
"Can you help my people? On Pedrax?" the other female asked. "I know it's much to ask but we've been enslaved by the Borg since gods know when."
"And Encinor? The fifth planet in Encinor system? We had a hundred colony worlds, they were all taken." The last patient in the beds, further back spoke up, a middle-aged, fairly human, though very pale, male spoke up. "If you could give me a small ship, with this technology…?"
"Friends, friends…" Harry raised a hand.
"I want to help you all. But first, we must see to you and your comrades aboard that cube ship. You're still all early in recovery, you know. But I must say I'm impressed to see such eagerness for the fight. The Borg may have oppressed you, but they've not broken your spirits. I promise you, I shall not rest, till your worlds are liberated. And, We, shall prevail!" he raised a hand. All four and Callia cheering him in varying degrees as their conditions allowed, all earnestly eyeing him with devotion.
"Cheers for Captain Mudd!" Callia called.
Various forms of cheers…
"Thank you all, dear friends. Now, you must all rest, get your strength back, listen to our fine nurses Stella. Soon, we'll talk more." Harry beamed.
"Captain…" the other female asked, raising hand, shyly. "My son is still on that Borg ship. A drone…"
"No longer, my dear. Stella?" Harry turned to a Stella I in nurse uniform. "Have the young lady's boy brought over to see his mother asap." The Stella nodding. "Anyone else have a relative on the cube?"
"My lover, Sand." The last male to speak…
"See to it, Stella." Harry noted to the Stella.
"Oh, thank you…Thank you, Captain." The man beamed. "You are a great man!"
"How wonderful we can arrange such fine reunions, eh Callia?" Harry turning to her. As the other female, in her bed wept for joy, bowing head. The other patients eyeing her sympathetically.
"Wonderful, Harry." She beamed. "Just wonderful." Burying head in his chest.
Yes, indeed…Harry thought, arm round Callia. All going beautifully.
Rather nice actually, I see why Kirk lapped up this hero thing so much.
…