A Walk in the Delta Quadrant

Chapter 6 of Ardra

Helmsman Tom Paris could not believe his eyes. "Captain to the bridge!"

Janeway hurried out of her ready room to regard the woman standing just outside the view screen. She wore a form-fitting black dress and tights, having piled dark hair. "Analysis, Mr Tuvok."

The dark-skinned Vulcan played his hands across his board. "A humanoid female with Ventaxian features. I am unable to explain her presence here."

A tinny voice came through the view screen. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here. Are you going to invite me in? I'm not a nervy Q who just pops in."

Indeed. Q had once appeared beside Janeway in her bed, causing her to jump out of it. Then there were childhood stories of vampires needing to be invited in order to come in. But that was kid stuff. "May I ask your intent?"

"I understand you like coffee."

"By all means," Janeway said. "Come on in."

The woman walked through the viewer, stepping on air until she came to stand next to Janeway. "I had to play tricks on Picard before he'd take me seriously. But you're a sister—you've got nothing to worry about."

Janeway wasn't so sure. This woman had the same lofty confidence of Q, and might have the same kind of power. "Why don't we get acquainted. I'm—"

"I know who you are, Katy. You may call me Ardra, ruler of Ventax II." She produced a standard file module and sent it slowly spinning toward the science officer. "Catch, Ears! This will tell the whole sordid story."

"Ardra . . ." Janeway searched for words. "Surely you've haven't come so far to talk about coffee."

"Bullies. There are a lot of them in big black cubes."

"The Borg? I'd welcome anything you can tell me about them. Let's go to the conference room. You have the bridge, Tuvok."

Voyager's conference room was different than that of Enterprise. A long white sofa ran along ribbed windows, which admitted white light from a nearby star, brightening the space. Janeway headed for the oval mahogany table, but Ardra went to the sofa.

"This is such a cozy little room!" She patted the spot next to her. After Janeway was seated: "Would you like to see the chrome domes go away?"

"No. It isn't for us to judge an entire society. I'm guessing you have the power to accomplish such a feat?"

"No." Ardra looked conspiratorial. "There is only so much even I can get away with. But you're as bad as Picard. I gave him some new toys, and he won't even use them."

This had potential. "I wouldn't object to enhanced weapons and shielding, as long as they don't get out of control." Janeway paused. "You mentioned coffee."

"Ah yes." Into Ardra's hand came a restaurant style white china mug, filled with a brew whose aroma tested Janeway's will power. "It stays hot to the last. All you have to do is say 'refill'. I think I'll limit you to four cups a day. We can't have you on the ceiling with a caffeine high."

"I'll try to pace myself." Janeway took the cup and sipped, eyes closed in bliss. "Mm. Best I've ever tasted. You have my thanks, Ardra." She took another drink. "About the Borg . . ."

"Right. Now that I've sensed their trace on your ship, I know the location of your arch nemesis. I'm going to bring her here for a little social."

Janeway rose carefully so as not to spill the drink. "The Borg queen? That would give away our location."

"Precisely the point, Katy. You don't have to hide from them anymore. There's plenty of room for everyone out here." Ardra got up and moved a few feet away. "Wait here for a few minutes." She flashed out of sight.

Janeway eased back down. "If not for the coffee, I'd call this a nightmare."

Aboard a Borg cube:

Ardra flashed onto the command deck, ready for action. Curiously, the black-garbed zombies ignored her. "Fine with me. It isn't you I came to see." She raised a hand.

A panel in the cable-clogged overhead slid open. Wires lowered the Borg queen's upper half, the exposed metal spine undulating indolently. She was deposited in a chamber that soon opened to allow her to regally step out, headed straight for the intruder.

"Not too bad looking," Ardra said. What she mistook for a topknot was actually a coil of wire, similar to tubules sprouting from a freshly-picked onion. "You should have given yourself a bigger chest."

The Borg queen stabbed with a finger probe, which snapped off.

"Now, now, none of that," Ardra said. "What do I call you?"

"You will identify yourself."

"All right, if that's how it is. We'll call you Queenie. I am Ardra, ruler of . . .well, we don't need you messing around my neighborhood."

"Species Ventaxian. This does not explain how you come to be here."

Wonderful. Now she knew where Ventax was. Well, just let them show their gray faces.

"You can get answers from Captain Janeway. Your safe return is guaranteed."

"Janeway." The queen's features darkened.

Not a chatty type, this one. "I can force the issue, but I like to be fair, Queenie."

"Agreed."

Such a cool kitty. It was hard not to like her.

Instantly the three women were aboard Voyager. Ardra had to grin at how Janeway had already drained the cup, but the captain looked ill at ease with her foe so close.

"I'll let you two chat," Ardra said. "Queenie—you be a good girl, and don't try to zombify the captain." As usual, she walked through the door rather than let it open.

The two enemies waited to see who would make the first move.

Janeway opened. "It's ironic. As a guest on my ship, you're perfectly safe. How different it would be if I were on your ship."

"The Ventaxian said you would supply answers."

"I'm as mystified as you. She appeared on the bridge claiming to help us against the Borg. I've reviewed a file she supplied. The Enterprise vaporized a fully-shielded Romulan with a single shot."

"Files are easily faked."

"Refill." Janeway took a small drink, noting the Borg queen was unimpressed with the apparent magic. This made two cups in half an hour. She'd really have to pace herself. "I'd hate for you to find out the hard way. We're done hiding from you."

The queen actually smiled. "I have thousands of cubes. Some are on the way to Ventax. You will have to make good on your boast."

"So be it. Ardra." When Ardra came back in: "She's decided to put you to the test. And I hope you have a way to defend Ventax."

"Child's play." Ardra made a flippant hand wave. "Every cube that enters our system will have its crew revert to their native cultures. They will then have a cube to play with."

"The Borg queen," Janeway said, "can destroy cubes no matter where they are."

"Well that's not nice." Ardra crossed arms. "I'll save you the trouble, Queenie. Waste as many as you want."

Undeterred, the Borg queen moved on to the next item. "Specify enhancement."

"Is that wise?" Janeway asked.

"Why not?" Ardra said. "A never-ending supply of torpedoes that penetrate any shields, on a sliding scale from firecracker to supernova. Shields that never lose power. Immunity to tractor beams. Top that."

Janeway held the queen's gaze. "I suppose you'll need proof."

"We will not be bluffed," said the Borg queen.

"Very well," Janeway decided. "Ardra will return you to your ship. Come and get us."