Worlds Without End, Part XXXI

Main Unity Worlds Without End

Seven was in Science Room 1, setting up for the meeting Captain Picard had called. The room was to be completely bug-proof for their conversation, and given what they'd learned, she could understand that fully. She sealed the room just to be safe, but there are some things that even the best locks can't keep out.

"And how are you holding up, little drone?" Q asked as he materialized behind her.

Seven didn't even bother turning to face him. "You are wasting your time with me, Q. You should recall the Borg are not a source of amusement."

"Yes, they're not... but you're not a Borg. Oh, everyone likes to call you one, but underneath all those enhancements you're just a human." He brought his mouth down by her ear. "That means this is your test as much as anyone's," he said quietly.

"I am not interested in the opinions of the Continuum," Seven said.

"Really? What a shame, considering how much interest we have in you." Seven slowed a little in her work. "You're an interesting specimen for humanity... something of a blank slate, with their lessons being stenciled onto you. Some things you embrace so wholeheartedly, and others, well, you seem rather conflicted."

"I don't wish to speak with you," Seven said; there was clear annoyance in her tone.

Q hopped up on the table nearby. "What's it like when you think about your Rebel friend?" he asked casually. Seven ceased her work, knowing concentration would be impossible. "Do you get a little funny feeling in your belly? A little pain, but it feels good too?"

"The Q have the ability to traverse all of time and space," Seven said, turning to face him. "I fail to understand why you persist in giving the Enterprise your attention."

"Perhaps they are simply amusing?" Q said. "Or I've taken a shine to them -you'd appreciate that." He leaned forward. "Or maybe that in all of time and all of space, I am paying attention to something that's actually important."

"Taunting me-"

"Not taunts, Ms. Hansen, no no. I want to understand you... you're far more important than you might think."

"How?" Seven asked.

"I can't tell you that, but you'll discover it in time," Q said. "Getting back to my question-"

"My thoughts are none of your concern," Seven said sharply.

"So you do think about him," Q said. Seven fumed and turned back to her work. "Tell me, which of your secrets do you most fear him discovering? They can both be potentially embarrassing. First impressions are lasting ones, they say, and to think that his first impression of you wasn't really you at all."

"Leave me alone," Seven growled.

"But then again," Q went on, "that other secret is interesting. People think they know everything about what the Borg do to you. They add things to your body, implants and probes and devices, enhancing your strength and stamina and reflexes and thought processes, and they take away your individuality..." he leaned back to Seven's ear again. "...along with other things." Seven closed her eyes and hung her head a little. "Not a well-known fact about what happens to the female of the species, is it? That's why you call yourself Borg, yes? Because no matter how far you ever get from the Collective, that change can never, ever, be undone. How does that make you feel inside, to know they destroyed your chance to-" Seven whirled around and punched Q hard across the face. She was seething where she stood. He touched his cheek, and a grin spread across his face. "It seems I've hit a nerve," he said in a low voice.

"Get out," Seven said in a voice that would cause a berserker Klingon to pause.

"You may want to rethink the Rebel," Q said. "He has a secret too, though you'd never believe it."

"With reason," Seven said darkly.

"His file that you read is incorrect... he knows who his biological father is."

"Irrelevant."

"I don't think so... his father's name is.... well, let's just say that when the offer came for him to join the Empire, daddy thought it was a chance to get involved in the family business."

"You expect me to believe he's the son of Lord Vader?"

Q grinned. "Everyone has secrets, Ms. Hansen. You may want to reconsider your little crush on him... I promise you, even if you overcame your stifling inhibitions and brought all your adolescent fantasies to life, he'll still cause you more pain than you can possibly imagine." He turned and walked away. "You might just be better off letting her handle things from now on," he said. "She seemed to manage well enough." Then he disappeared through the wall.

Deanna Troi nodded as Seven finished telling her about the event. "Q is very good at knowing the right words to cause the maximum anguish," she said. Seven nodded distantly. "How long have you felt this way? About this man?"

"For some time," Seven said. "I- I did not wish for others to know."

"I'll keep this between us, Seven, I promise," Troi said. "I can sense, however, that there's something you're not telling me. I don't wish to pry, but it may provide some insight into your reaction."

Seven nodded, but a dark shadow seemed to hover over her. "Q is correct, I do have a secret, one known only to the captain, Dr. Crusher, and the Doctor on Voyager."

"Something medical," Troi said. "Something the Borg did to you." Seven nodded as she bit her lip. "Is it embarrassing? Is that why it's a secret?"

"No." She covered her eyes as she looked down. "It's..." Her shoulders shook. "How could he ever want someone like me?" she said quietly. "A drone..."

"You're not a drone, Seven," Troi said. "You're an individual now."

"I am," Seven insisted. "And that means there's one thing I could never give him."

Troi had a feeling Seven knew as much as she did that Q was right, that this was just a little crush, but Seven had never had that experience before. It was dredging up her sexual anxieties; it was just a catalyst for something that obviously had been bothering her for a long time. That it could drive the normally withdrawn Seven to literally lash out at Q said it was something serious. "Seven," she said. "You are beautiful and intelligent and loyal; most men would fall over themselves to be with you. And clearly you have the capacity in you to love someone."

"I am a drone," Seven said.

"No you're not," Troi said emphatically.

"You know nothing!" Seven shouted at her. "I-" The word seemed to crack in her throat. "I am not a queen... I am... just a part of the hive."

Troi was about to respond when the implication started shifting through her mind. Hive... not a Borg hive, but like a hive with bees or ants. The drones serve the queen, serve the hive... Things clicked into place. Female. The drones were female... and they were- "Oh Seven," she said, her heart going out to the poor girl.

Seven nodded bitterly. "I am a drone," she said.

"There's nothing they can do?" Troi asked.

"My reproductive system has been irreversibly damaged," Seven said. "There is nothing that can be done. No matter how human I may ever become, that part will never change." She shivered. "And as I move closer towards re-embracing my humanity, the thought of never bearing a child of my own fills me with despair."

"Seven," Troi said, "we're talking about your body, and the Borg have performed an abominable violation of it. Your feelings are understandable, natural. But at the same time, don't become so focused on it that you refuse to see what else is out there. Anyone who loved you -truly loved you- will see beyond this. Look at me." Seven did so. "You are still capable of having a complete emotional, physical, and spiritual relationship with someone. Don't let the Borg take that away as well." The alarm sounded and Troi cursed herself for not turning it off.

"Thank you, Counselor," Seven said, getting up. "I will reflect on what you have said."

"Seven," Troi said getting up, "you..." but Seven walked double time out the door. She decided to go after her; the doors opened, and she let out a small cry of shock. "Data," she said eventually. "Sorry, I didn't sense you coming. Is something wrong with your emotion chip?"

"I have deactivated it temporarily," Data replied. "In the wake of my experience with Starfleet Command, I have found myself experiencing a great deal of powerful emotions. While they are intriguing sensations, it was interfering with my duties, so I have decided to deactivate it until I was better able to resolve them."

"Data," Troi replied, "you can't just rationalize your feelings away. If you ever turn on your emotion chip again you'll be in exactly the same position. Part of being human is coping with your emotions. I think the best thing you can do is reactivate your emotion chip right now."

Data thought about this. "Very well," he said. "When I go off duty."

"All right," Troi said compromising, "but I want you to come see me then. What was it you wanted?"

"Lieutenant Commander Sullice asked me to inform you that she will be unable to join you on the holodeck at 1400 hours as you had planned. The integration of the new equipment into the Enterprise is demanding more time than she had anticipated."

"Very well," Troi replied with a sigh. The alarm not only interrupts the session, but for no good reason. "I suppose I'll go and have fun by myself, unless you'd like to come Data?"

"I'm afraid I also have duties," Data replied.

Troi blinked. "What did you say?"

"I am afraid I also have duties," Data repeated.

"No, Data, you said, 'I'm'."

Data thought for a moment. "No Counselor, I have a full memory of our conversation, and I said 'I am'."

"Are you sure?" Troi asked. Data stared, unblinking. "Nevermind." Data nodded and left. Troi shook her head; with all that was happening, she was spending a great deal more time seeing to the emotional well-being of the crew. It wasn't surprising that the stress was getting to her. Maybe a little solitude is just what I needed, she thought as she grabbed a bathing suit and headed for the holodeck.

Han walked into the small room where Leia was resting between discussions with the other officials. The past two months had been draining for all of them, but Han knew the weight must have been especially heavy on her shoulders. He wished she could find someone else to help her with this job, but it didn't look like that would be happening any time soon. The nearest help was on the other side of an Imperial-guarded wormhole. He looked down and saw her sitting on the floor in meditation. He debated whether or not he should disturb her. Her eyes popped open. "What's the news," she asked suddenly, making Han jump.

"We managed to save thirteen of the Cardassian ships gathered in... 'Sector something something in the something system'. Anyway, not only did they arrive safe and sound, but two more Federation ships decided to join the good guys."

Leia nodded as she stood up. "I was speaking with Capt. Price earlier," she said, "and apparently we're gaining more and more support amongst the Federation. We can expect more defections, and possibly even a coup."

"Good," Han replied, taking a seat. "Now all we have to do is survive that long."

Leia could sense the remark carried more than just his usual cynicism. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Han said with a dismissive wave, "just a war that's all."

Leia took his hand and held it tightly. "Hey, who are you talking to here?"

Han looked into her face and then looked away. Finally, he began speaking. "I remember when I landed on Yavin. I took a look around, and all I could think was that just one hit, and all of this would be gone. Just one second, and..." he made a motion like he was blowing dust out of his hand. "I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable on the ground while one of those things are flying around up there, pointing superlasers at us."

"With good reason," Leia admitted. No one could appreciate a Death Star like she could, but Han came about as close as anyone. "Fortunately, Price thinks she has a line on some Federation sympathizers that could deal with that thing once and for all."

"Who?"

"She wouldn't say; said security was too great an issue on this, but she said that if anybody could do it, these people could."

Captain Picard sealed the door to Science Room 1. Data, Seven, and Riker were already waiting for him. "Is the room secure, lieutenant?"

"Yes sir," Seven said. "I have eliminated all possible ways for anyone to monitor us, and a thorough examination has revealed no hidden means." She ran a tricorder over Picard. "And it appears none of us have unwittingly brought any in with us," she said, closing it up.

"What about command override?" Picard asked.

"I have physically bypassed all command overrides," Seven said.

"Well done," Picard said. "Until further notice, I want this room kept sealed so that no one but the four of us may enter. This is critical, especially while we're still in Spacedock. Anyone can be wandering around the ship, and we dare not risk being found out."

"What about Starfleet Command, sir?" Data asked. Members of the group were on board the Enterprise. Officially, it was to see the refits in person. Unofficially, it was to keep an eye on Picard. "They may wish to inspect this room."

"Yes, well, we'll cross that bridge if we have to," Picard said, his tone making it clear he hoped they never would.

"Sir," Riker said, "what's so important that we need to take these kinds of precautions? Are you planning a defection?"

"Let's hope it never comes to that, Number One," Picard said in the same tone. "But no. I'm asking you to- Look, let's make no mistake. What you're told now will be the greatest secret you'll ever be asked to keep. You can never discuss it outside these walls, ever, and if anyone discovered what you were doing, it'd likely mean the end of your careers. Are you ready to commit to that?" He turned to Riker.

"After all these years?" Riker said. "You know you never need to ask. I'm in."

"As am I, sir," Data said.

"As I said," Seven said, "I trust in your judgment, captain."

"Thank you, all of you." He held up an Imperial datapad. "Lieutenant, you might be interested to learn that your trip to the delta quadrant wasn't a wasted effort. It seems that if it were not for your performance, Alliance agents wouldn't have been able to get us this." He keyed it on; the trio stared.

"Is that..." Riker started, but didn't finish.

"The complete technical schematics of the Death Star," Picard said. "There's a great many people looking this information over, but Captain Price knew of our reputation. Data, Seven, you know more about Imperial technology than anyone in the Federation, and are among the finest minds in Starfleet. I told her that if anyone can find a weakness in its defenses, it was you two. You are the best."

"Thank you, sir," Data said, and Seven nodded as well.

"Are we searching for a tactical advantage, sir?" Riker asked.

"Possibly. But the Death Star is a very, very powerful weapon; the previous one was destroyed simply by using its own reactor against it. While that flaw has been corrected, we're hopeful that some other means of initiating some kind of catastrophic failure could be found."

"We will do everything we can, sir," Seven promised.

"I know you will," Picard said. "You all know what Q said... the Federation will never be safe while that weapon still exists." He held out the datapad to Riker, who took it. The trio started looking the information over while Picard left. He knew he was doing the right thing, but still, it was hard to shake the feeling that he was a traitor. He slowed as he saw Laforge come running up the hall towards him. That had tweaked his conscience a little too; Geordi was completely reliable and an asset, but with the new refits going on it would be suspicious for him to be working on anything else. "Mr. Laforge," he said as the man called out for him. "What is it?"

"I couldn't reach you directly, sir. Some kind of problem with the communication system-"

"Never mind. What's so important?"

"It's Counselor Troi, sir," Laforge replied. "She's dead!"

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