New Life
PG-13
Chapters 4 through 6
Chapter Four
Back at Starfleet Headquarters Picard had informed Admiral Chekote of Riker’s situation. Chekote immediately called a meeting concerning the Titan and the new group of Borg. After a brief statement concerning the reason for the meeting, Chekote gave the floor to Picard.
Jean-Luc Picard addressed sixteen other admirals, besides Chekote. As he spoke he looked around the table at all of them. He felt his palms sweating and his heart racing as he noticed the concerned looks of the other admirals. Even so, he tried to keep his composure as continued speaking.
Some of the admirals even moved uneasily in their chairs as they listened. The tension in the room was increasing as Picard explained the situation and told them everything that Riker had told him. Before Picard had a chance to finish telling them all the details, several admirals were ready to have their say in the matter.
“I say we should destroy their ship with them in it,” Admiral Al Agohl stated furiously when Picard finally finished. “We can’t allow the Borg to come after one of our ships, much less a team of our ships and we certainly can not allow a Borg baby to live. It will only grow up to become another Borg.”
Sitting beside Picard was Admiral Kathryn Janeway. She was more than ready to help this new mother. She truly believed that every Borg could be rehabilitated after they have been severed from the hive. To her, this situation was no different than Seven’s was.
“We don’t know that,” Janeway insisted. “Supposedly this baby is not Borg. It only has the nanoprobes.”
“I agree,” Admiral Owen Paris stated. “We need to find out more about this group of Borg and their baby.”
“The severed Borg’s homing beacons will only call more Borg to the area. We can not allow them to live!” Admiral Agohl was getting more anxious about the situation as the discussion continued. “They are a danger to the Titan and the Federation!”
“This could be an opportunity to seek out new life,” Picard reminded the group. “We are always looking for new life and new civilizations. Maybe this is it.”
“To what end?” Admiral Alynna Nechayev asked as moved uneasily in her seat. “They could destroy us very easily. I, for one, am not in any hurry to be assimilated by the Borg.”
“There are ways to disable their homing beacons if they haven’t done it already,” Janeway informed the group. “If I know anything about the Unimatrix Zero Borg, they are very resourceful. They have probably come up with a way to overcome that obstacle already. If not, it is possible to do it for them.”
“She’s right. Doctor Crusher has done it before,” Picard added.
“As well as my EMH,” Janeway stated.
“If that is true, this could be a good opportunity to study the Borg,” Admiral Heftel said. “We could learn a lot more about them from this baby even. If we had the baby in our custody, we could examine it and get more information on the Borg.”
“The child is not a science experiment!” Janeway exclaimed with revulsion. “The child is a person.”
“Agreed,” Picard was equally appalled. “And they do have rights.”
Heftel rolled his eyes. “Not this again! We went through this with Data and Lal. Data was eventually ordered to turn Lal over to me. The Borg are no different concerning the issues surrounding their offspring.”
“That’s very true. They are no different and they are entitled to the same rights as you, Data, and I are. They are no different.” Picard insisted with a bit of irritation toward Heftel in his voice.
“Their rights are not the issue here,” Admiral Thomas Henry interrupted with a wave of his hand. “The issue is whether or not we are going to have Captain Riker continue to assist this Borg mother and child and if so, what means are we going to take to defend the Titan if she comes under attack?”
Picard nodded. “Quite right.”
“We know Riker is playing by the book here,” Admiral Drazman began. “He answered their hail and agreed to their request for medical assistance. His CMO is in the process of doing that. I don’t think the question here is so much if we are going to have Riker and his crew continue to help this Borg, but rather the ethical issues surrounding this matter. Is it really ethical for us not to continue helping this Borg with her unborn child? I think not. Therefore, we need to find a way to protect the Titan and disable her and her friends’ homing beacons. After that….”
“Yes, Admiral Drazman. With all due respect, I don’t think we need a long speech concerning the ethics of all this.” Toddman interrupted with irritation concerning Drazman‘s long windedness.
“I was just trying to…”
“I understand, but if we have Riker continue, we need to have some ships on stand by in case the Borg do attack and try to re-assimilate these Borg.” Toddman continued.
“Agreed,” Hayes stated. “And we need a plan of action if they do attack.”
“Wait a minute,” Admiral Paris interrupted next. “If we have Janeway’s EMH and Doctor Crusher disable the Neo-Borg’s homing devices, why do we need to go to all the trouble of arming a whole fleet of ships to attack? The danger of any Borg ship coming after these severed Borg is just as great as is it for us and no drones around.”
“I agree,” Admiral Hendricks stated. “I’m not so sure that we do need several armed and ready ships on hand if we do that.”
“I still say that we need to destroy this Borg ship and the Borg who reside within it! Their baby too for that matter!” Admiral Agohl insisted with a lot of animosity. “We need to protect ourselves from the Borg!”
“Without a doubt,” Hayes also insisted.
“A plan of action is good, but I think we just need to be on guard for anything,” Gupta replied anxiously. “At the same time, we need to help these people.”
“They are not people!” Agohl exclaimed angrily. “They are Borg!”
“Hugh and his people are not the Borg we have become accustom to,” Picard informed them with a hint of irritation in his voice. “They do not want to assimilate anyone.”
“From what I know of these Borg,” Janeway added with a great deal of restraint, for she too was becoming a bit annoyed with some of the admirals at the table. “They are as harmless as Seven is. They do not mean anyone harm. They just want to be free of the Borg.”
“Annika Hansen is no longer Borg,” Agohl sneered. “She has had all her implants, or most of them at least, removed.”
“Precisely,” Picard emphasized to the group. “Just as I have. Its been done and it can be done again.”
“I don’t trust these so called Neo-Borg,” Brooks informed the group. “I’d feel a lot better if we just left them to fend for themselves.”
“Maybe so, but we are talking about people here,” Admiral Margaret Blackwell finally entered the conversation. “We have to do something for these people, especially for the baby in question, regardless of their backgrounds. I don‘t think we should allow our fear to dictate in this matter.”
“They are not people!” Agohl firmly insisted. “They are vile creators now that they have been assimilated by the Borg!”
Chekote cleared his throat and then calmly suggested, “Why don’t we take a vote on whether or not to continue assisting these Borg?”
“Agreed,” Picard and Janeway said together with a nod.
“I agree also,” Haden tightly stated. “I think a vote will settle this argument once and for all.”
“Alright, all of those in agreement to assisting the Neo-Borg say Aye,” Chekote requested.
Several ayes were heard around the room.
“Opposed?”
In stark contrast to all the ayes, there were only six voices that seemed to oppose the idea of assisting the Neo-Borg.
“Eleven in favour,” Chekote stated. “And six opposed. Now we need to decide what other ships will go out there with Picard‘s ship.”
“I’ll go,” Janeway volunteered without hesitation.
“I haven’t been out for a while,” Paris anxiously replied. “It’s about time I got out from behind my desk. I’ll go.”
“We have three more ships,” Picard stated. “That should be more than enough for our purpose.”
“You are going to regret this decision!” Agohl adamantly insisted.
“Noted,” Picard sorely replied. “But we have to at least give these Borg the benefit of the doubt.”
“Agreed,” Henry stated.
“To be on the safe side,” Toddman began. “Maybe we should have the Defiant on stand by, just in case.”
“I agree,” Nechayev anxiously stated. “If we are going to do this, we need at least one ship, if not more on stand by and DS9 is out that way. They would be the best choice to have on stand by.”
Chekote nodded thoughtfully. “Agreed. I’ll contact Captain Sisko and have him stand ready. Picard, you contact the Titan and informed Riker of our decisions.”
Picard nodded his understanding. “Agreed.”
“Well, unless there is anything else,” Chekote addressed the group of admirals. “This meeting is adjourned.”
Admiral Al Agohl was extremely upset about the decision and left in huff. As he walked out the door he had mumbled some inaudible words, which everyone ignored as they went about returning to their offices.
All were walking out the door except Janeway. She wanted to speak to Picard before he left to make preparations for the mission. “Jean-Luc.”
Picard was about to leave when he heard his name called. As he turned to reply to the familiar voice he said, “Yes?”
“Excited about getting out from behind that desk and back out on the field again?”
“Excited is an understatement.” He said with a smile.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Too long,” Picard replied. “I just wish the circumstances were a little different.”
“I understand.” Janeway replied with a slight nod.
“What do you think of Admiral Al Agohl?” Picard inquired.
“I think he is a man who needs to be watched,” Janeway replied. “Other than that, I have had no complaints about him. Why?”
“I was having the same thoughts, that’s all.” Picard stated with some concerns. “He seems like if he had his way, Hugh and his friends would be dead without further ado.”
“Well, he’s only one man,” Janeway informed Picard. “I wouldn’t worry about him too much.”
Picard nodded. “Agreed. Well, I guess we should get our crew ready and start heading out.”
“My crew is ready. All I have to do is say the word and they’ll be boarded and ready to go.”
“They sound efficient.”
“They are,” Janeway assured him as they walked out the door. “You don’t spend seven years trying to get back home without learning efficiency.”
Chapter Five
Will had finished briefing his senior officers about the pregnant Borg. He found one humorous moment during the briefing, which he replayed in his mind. It was the one instance that seemed to lighten the situation a little.
He recalled his chief security officer saying, “How could this happen? Borg don’t procreate!”
To his astonishment, Doctor Sanders replied, “Well they aren’t eunuchs!” There was a brief moment of shock felt by the senior staff after the doctor made the statement. It was a surprise to all of them that the doctor would even make such a statement. The doctor continues with his shocking description of the Borg, “Under all those things that serves as a uniform for them, they are anatomically correct and for all practical purposes, it all still functions.”
Thinking back on the doctor’s profound statement, Will could not help but chuckle. The release of laughter was a bit of a stress reliever for Will as he made preparations to beam over to Hugh’s ship and meet the Borg called Korok.
“What is so funny?” He heard his wife ask as they made their way to the transporter room and be joined by a security officer.
“Our new doctor,” Will replied with a smile. “He certainly has a profound sense of humour.”
“He wasn’t trying to be funny,” Deanna stated flatly. “He was stating the facts concerning the Borg.”
“I know, but it helps to laugh in hind site.”
“Yes, I guess you are right, Will,” Deanna acknowledged. “We were all being very crass with our ideas concerning those who have been assimilated.”
“My point exactly,” Will insisted. “It’s better to laugh at our stupidity than to get upset about it.”
Deanna smiled and nodded as they entered the Transporter room. “That is a very good way of dealing with a previously conceived idea that has been discovered to be wrong.”
Will agreed as they joined the security officer and stepped onto the transporter pad. “Energize.” Will ordered.
The three of them disappeared and then reappeared on the Borg cube. Korok was waiting for them.
Once fully transported, Will offered his hand as he addressed the burly Klingon Borg, “You must be Korok.”
“I am,” He replied gruffly as he ignored Will‘s proffered hand. “Who might you be?”
“I am Captain William T. Riker of the USS Titan.”
“Yes, your officer said you’d be the one beaming over,” Korok soften slightly. “I had no idea that others would be joining you.”
“Yes, I’m sure you remember my ship’s counselor, Deanna Troi-Riker.”
“Yes,” Korok interrupted. “Enough with the Human pleasantries. What is it you want?”
“I wanted to ask you a few questions,” Will stated.
“You do realize, that most Klingons would have killed you by now, just for not getting to your point,” Korok pointed out to Will.
“I realize that, but I seriously doubt you would do that,” Will informed Korok with a serious tone. “You need me in order to help your crew.”
“Agreed,” Korok acknowledged with a nod. “State your questions.”
“What are the chances that we may encounter another Borg ship?” Will asked. “One that is looking to re-assimilate you and us with you?”
“Good question and to the point,” Korok replied. “The chances of that happening are the same as yours if we were not here.”
“But your homing beacons?”
“I assure you, Captain Riker, a Klingon does not prepare for any battle without a few tricks up his sleeve,” Korok informed him without a doubt. “And believe me, staying free from the hive is a battle in itself.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Will agreed. “I’m just not so sure I can believe that your homing beacons aren’t triggered and sending off signals as we speak.”
“Let me show you something, Captain Riker,” Korok said as he gestured for them to follow him.
Will, Deanna, and the security officer followed Korok into another area of the ship. The center of the former Borg cube.
“This is your equivalent to our warp coils,” Will stated with some certainty.
“Yes, you know something about Borg propulsion systems?”
“A little,” Will admitted.
“I assume one of you has some sort of device to scan with?”
Will gestured to his security officer. The officer began to reach for his the scanner, then paused and looked at the Borg before him.
“Its alright,” Korok stated. “This is not some sort of trick to harm any of you.”
“Sir,” Will’s officer addressed with puzzlement. “I’m picking up a signature that does not read as Borg, yet this is a Borg ship.”
“Yes, we adjusted the ship’s signature to make it read as a totally different ship other than Borg,” Korok informed them. “We adjust frequently so as to confuse whoever might be scanning for ships in the vicinity.”
Will smiled with enlightenment. “The damage to your ship?”
“All Klingon trickery,” Korok admitted. “We had visual all along, but we were not certain a Federation ship would come to our aid if we did not have readings that showed we were damaged, possibly in battle.”
“We do know a Borg cube repairs itself,” Will stated.
“Maybe, if we weren’t severed from the hive,” Korok implied. “I knew if Hugh sent the distress signal, then you would not be so sure that was possible in this case.”
“You maybe right about that,” Will acknowledged. “That doesn’t explain your homing devices.”
“A Klingon does not give away all his secrets,” Korok insisted in a very Klingon manner.
“Then how can I be assured that the Titan is not in danger?”
“Captain Riker, don’t let this costume fool you. I was once a Klingon with honour,” Korok explained as he pound his fist against his chest. Then he lowered his arm and leaned towards Riker, “Just take me at my word when I say you are in no more danger than you would be if we were not here. yaj?”
“jIyajchu,” Will replied in his best Klingon voice.
“Oh, you understand Klingon?”
“A little.”
“Maj,” Korok responded with a nod. “I think we’ll get along just fine.”
“Just as long as your secrets do work,” Will stated in a threatening manner.
“Are you challenging me?” Korok growled.
“No, just testing to see if under all that exterior lays a true Klingon,” Will replied firmly.
Korok’s manner did not soften. “And what exactly do you see, Captain Riker?”
Deanna was getting nervous. She was not quite sure what Will was up to at this point, but she knew Will was up to something. She just was not too sure if she really wanted to see anymore of Korok’s Klingon side.
“I admit, your attitude says Klingon, but I see Borg.”
“Don’t let appearances deceive you, Captain Riker,” Korok growled again. “If this were a Klingon ship, I would have killed you where you stand. Regardless of our need for assistance.”
“I don’t doubt that for a minute,” Will acknowledged. “But your crew is not Klingon.”
“You state the obvious. Thus, to show my sincerity, I will practice Klingon diplomacy and let you live,” Korok replied. “But only because a member of my crew, who is not Klingon, needs the Federation’s help.”
Will acknowledged him with a nod. “I will take your word concerning our safety and continue to have my doctor observe and assist Sarah. For now, I’d feel better if we moved our ships closer into Bajoran Territory.”
“Ah, Bajor,” Korok replied with agreement. “Yes, I can see your reasoning. The baby is part Bajoran. I will comply with your request and follow your ship.”
Will nodded and tapped his combadge, “Titan, three to beam up.”
As the transporter began to remove them from the Borg cube and back onto the Titan, Korok tapped his chest and said, “Qapla‘!”
Once they materialized back on the Titan, Will said, “Korok is an interesting character.”
“I don’t sense that you are sure of our safety and his sincerity,” Deanna stated as they stepped off the transporter pad.
“I’m not, but he seems reasonably Klingon given the circumstances.”
“Sir, in coming message from Starfleet Headquarters,” the transporter office informed the Captain. “It’s Admiral Picard.”
“Have it patched into my ready room.”
“Aye, Sir.”
Will, Deanna, and the security officer exited the transporter room. With Deanna following behind him, Will headed for his ready room. “I do hope it is good news,” Will told Deanna.
Back at Starfleet Headquarters, Janeway and Chakotay were having a discussion in her office.
“Kathryn, you can’t be serious!”
“I am, Chakotay.”
“It’s a month before our wedding and you want to take a chance on being attacked by the Borg?”
“If it helps someone in the end, yes,” Kathryn replied firmly.
“This is insane!”
“Maybe, but there is a mother and child out there in need of our doctor’s help.”
“The mother is Borg!”
“Was Borg.”
“Kathryn, the mother is just severed from a Borg hive. There is every chance that the Queen Borg is looking for them. I’m not so sure I want to take that chance so close to our wedding day.”
“And if there is a chance that the mother could be just as human as Seven is, if given the chance?”
Chakotay had no reply to Kathryn’s question. All he knew was, that when his beloved Kathryn took it in her head to do something, she did it. There was no stopping her.
Chakotay sighed. “Alright, when do we leave?”
Kathryn smiled and eagerly replied, “As soon as we get everyone back on Voyager.”
“Seven, B’Elanna, Tom…”
“All of them.”
“I’ll get right on it.” Chakotay left her office and headed to his office at the academy.
Picard was just finishing his call to Riker when he heard the chime to his office, “Come!” He said to the person at the door. Then he turned back to his comm to address Riker. “We’ll see you soon, Will.”
Beverly entered and Picard gestured for her to have a seat.
“We’ll be watching for you,” Will replied. “Thanks for contacting me and informing me on Starfleet’s plans in this matter.”
Picard nodded, “No, thanks necessary, Will. Picard out.”
The screen went blank and Beverly finally addressed Picard, “You wanted to speak with me, Jean-Luc?”
Jean-Luc smiled as he looked at his wife of three months. It did not seem like three months to him. It felt like only three days.
It was not long after Will and Deanna had gotten married that he and Beverly had decided to take the big leap also. It was a leap he had not regretted either.
There were times he wished he could read her thoughts, but this was not one of them. He knew exactly what she was going to say after he told her about their new mission.
His smile vanished and for the first time in a long time, he felt nervous talking to her. He was not sure where to begin, because he was sure she was going to ask him if he had lost his mind after he told her.
“We have a new mission,” Jean-Luc began to explain nervously.
“What is it?” Beverly asked with curiosity.
“It seems that Will has come across a new species, so to speak.”
“A new species? Jean-Luc, you make it sound like we are off to observe a new science experiment.”
“Well, actually,” Jean-Luc began. “You will be assisting in helping a new life come into the world.”
Beverly brighten, “Now that I can deal with, but why me?”
Jean-Luc sighed, because he knew what was coming after he gave her the details. “It seems that two Borg have mated.”
“What?” Beverly was in shock.
“Well, actually, they are friends of Hugh’s.”
“Wait a minute!” Beverly was still shocked from the idea that two Borg would procreate. “You’re telling me, that two Borg that were severed from the hive actually….”
She did not finish her statement.
“Yes, that is what I am saying,” Jean-Luc confirmed. “Will’s CMO says that the baby is part Terran and part Bajoran, only it has nanoprobes in it’s system.”
“Sounds reasonable. I can see that happening given the circumstances. So, why am I needed?”
“Oh, not just you, but Admiral Janeway’s EMH also.”
“Whatever needs to be done to help this mother and child, why can’t Will’s CMO do it?”
“Its out of his expertise,” Jean-Luc informed her. “He has no experience dealing with Borg anatomy.”
“So, we have to go in there and risk being attacked by the Borg too?”
“It’s not quite what you think, Beverly.”
“If their homing beacons are activated we will be sitting ducks!” Beverly exclaimed.
‘Here it comes,’ Jean-Luc thought.
“Jean-Luc, have you lost your mind? I for one do not want to be assimilated! Nor do I want you to become Locutus again!”
“Beverly, you know we have ways of keeping the homing device from being triggered.”
“I don’t want to take any chances!”
“What if I told you that Janeway’s EMH is needed to remove the Borg implants from the mother, while you help monitor and deliver the baby.”
“That could be highly dangerous to do while she is pregnant.”
“You and he will have to explain the risks to her and let her decide if she wants to have them removed before or after the baby is born,” Jean-Luc informed her. “Then there are the others.”
“Others?”
“A Klingon, Hugh, the father of the child, and a few others.”
“I don’t know,” Beverly replied nervously. “I still don’t know why Will’s CMO can’t deliver the baby himself and deal with the removal of the implants afterwards.”
“Beverly, let me explain this another way,” Jean-Luc stated. “If you don’t go on this mission and anything goes wrong during delivery, the baby, or the mother, or both could die due to the Titan’s CMO lack of knowledge of Borg physiology.”
Beverly began to fidget uncomfortably in her seat. “Any other time I would resent you insisting that I take an assignment whether I want to or not, but in this case…”
“So I don’t have to order you to go?”
Beverly sighed, “No, Jean-Luc. I’ll go on this mission without you ordering me to go, but that doesn’t mean I have to like the circumstances of this mission. I still say it is a very risky assignment. Either one of us could end up being assimilated as well as the rest of the crew, Will’s crew, and Admiral Janeway’s crew.”
“So, noted,” Jean-Luc agreed. “But we can not allow our personal fears to get in the way of saving lives.”
“Yes, but for two people who happen to be Borg?”
“The baby is not technically Borg.”
Jean-Luc observed Beverly. He knew her well enough to know when she was experiencing a rush of emotions concerning a situation. He did not have to be a mind reader to know when she was struggling with an issue.
“Damn it, Jean-Luc,” Beverly sighed again. “Why do you have to play at my heart strings?”
“Because I know you and what motivates you,” he said with a reassuring smile.
“So, when do we head out?” Beverly inquired.
“As soon as possible. Preferably today,” Jean-Luc informed her. “I just have to get a new crew together.”
“Since this is a medical mission, I could assemble a medical crew,” Beverly informed him. “Being the head of Starfleet Medical has its advantages in situations like this.”
Jean-Luc nodded, “Make it so. Meanwhile, I’ll make sure we also have experienced people for security, helms, ops, and tactical. We‘ll have the Enterprise, so that gets around the need for a science vessel and lack of weapons.”
“Most definitely,” Beverly agreed. “I would not want it any other way.”
“You’ll be in charge of the medical teams.”
Beverly smiled, “Just like old times. You always wanted to go on another mission before you retired.”
Jean-Luc smiled back at her.
“Too bad this one has the potential of dealing with the Borg.” Beverly added sadly.
Their smiles quickly disappeared and there was a brief silence between the two of them. Jean-Luc could feel the tension building as they sat there in silence.
Finally, Jean-Luc broke the silence, “Well, I guess we had better get started.”
“Yes, of course,” Beverly agreed and then stood. A worried look crossed her face as she took one last look at Jean-Luc before leaving to assemble a medical crew. It even felt like old times to her, because she could not bring herself to tell Jean-Luc just how much she loved him before departing. She turned and slowly headed for the door.
Jean-Luc could feel her pain. “Beverly.”
She turned back around to face him again, “Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, Jean-Luc,” She replied. “I just hope we don’t have to battle the Borg before this is over. I don’t think I can handle it again.”
Then she left his office without saying another word. Then there was a deafening silence. Jean-Luc was also hoping that they would not have to engage the Borg in battle again.
Chapter Six
Seven arrived as ordered, but she was not happy that Starfleet had decided to do this. “This is not a wise plan,” she firmly informed Janeway.
“Oh, I don’t know Seven,” Janeway replied. “You said basically the same thing when we rescued you from the Borg.”
“That was different. I was only one drone.”
“Yes, but what about your protégés?” Janeway asked Seven. “They didn’t do too badly having their implants removed and rejoining their society.”
“They were children and not adults,” Seven retorted.
“This woman is young too,” Janeway informed Seven. “And most of the others are as well. I don’t think they will have much trouble re-adjusting.”
“Sounds like a suicide mission,” Captain Geordi La Forge replied as he waited for old and new members of the crew.
Picard and his team were preparing to board the Enterprise. He was glad to be returning to the Enterprise.
“Let’s hope not!” Picard replied. “I still have a lot of life left in me and I don’t intend to end it during this mission.”
Geordi smiled, “Well, I’m proud to give you back your command chair.”
“Oh, no!” Picard insisted. “You have earned that chair and just because I am an admiral, you need not give up the chair.”
“Honestly, I really don’t mind, Sir.”
“I hear Mister Barclay is your first officer,” Picard inquired.
“As strange as it sounds, yes he is,” Geordi informed him. “He’s really not a bad engineer and if a person can help bring back a ship once thought lost…” He paused for a moment. “Well, he has my vote of confidence.”
Picard patted Geordi on the back, “You’re a good man, Geordi and a fine officer.”
“I try.”
“We’re ready,” Doctor Crusher stated as she approached Picard and Geordi. “Nice to see you again, Geordi.”
“Nice seeing you too, Doctor.”
“Well, let’s start beaming everything and everyone aboard,” Picard ordered. “Oh, and in case I don’t get the chance to tell you, Geordi, thanks for letting me come aboard.”
“My pleasure, Sir,” Geordi replied as they all prepared to beam aboard the Enterprise.
“Whoever said ‘this is a good day to die’ should be shot!” B’Elanna complained as they walked to the designated site for beaming aboard Voyager.
“Is that your human side talking?” Tom Paris asked sarcastically.
“Funny Tom!” she spat back at him. “Leaving our daughter with friends, so that we can go rescue some Borg only to possibly engage the Borg in a battle is not my idea of a fun vacation!”
“So, we’ll have our vacation when we get back.”
“If we get back!”
Tom stopped, put his bags down on the ground, and turned to face B’Elanna. Then he gently laid both his hands on her shoulders.
“B’Elanna, what if you and Miral had problems before she was born?” Tom asked. “Wouldn’t you want someone to come to your aid?”
“Yes, but Tom this is a Borg!”
“Severed from the hive Borg!” Tom replied with some irritation as he released her, picked up their bags, and resumed walking. “You’ve dealt with Seven for a very long time now.”
“Yes, but she’s not Borg,” B’Elanna retorted. “Not anymore that is.”
“Precisely! So, how bad could it be?”
“Tom! B’Elanna!” Janeway greeted with a smile as they finally approach the site. “Nice to see you again. Too bad it couldn’t be under better circumstance, but another trip through space together will be nice.” She paused for a moment before adding, “Just as long as we don’t get lost again.”
Neither Tom or B’Elanna laughed.
“Guess, it was a bad joke,” Janeway frowned, wishing that she had not mentioned being lost in space. “Well, Chakotay, Seven and the doctor are already aboard Voyager. All we need to do is wait for Tuvok and Harry to arrive. Shall we go ahead and beam aboard?”
“Captain!” They heard a familiar cheerful voice shout. “Captain!”
“Neelix!” Janeway exclaimed as she turned to face him. She was surprised to see him there, because she did not contact him about the mission.
“Or rather it’s Admiral now, isn’t it?” Neelix asked as he tried to catch his breath.
“Yes, but why are you here?”
“I hear you are going on another mission. Mind if I come along?” Excitement radiated from his face.
“Really Neelix, I don’t think…”
“I know quite a bit about the Borg, as you know,” He continued to smile. “Guess you do learn a lot from experience. Anyway, there has to be something I could do to help.”
Janeway thought for a moment and then smiled, “Yes, Neelix. I think there is something you can do. Once we meet up with the Titan of course.”
“Oh yeah!” Neelix was excited. “What is it?”
“There is a young woman who might need some company,” Janeway informed him. “Just do her and her unborn child one favour.”
“What’s that?” He inquired.
“Don’t cook her anything with Leola root in it.”
“I’ll never live that down, will I?” He said with frustration. His smile was now gone. “You cook a few meals that give people indigestion and they never forget it!”
“Welcome aboard, Neelix,” Janeway said with a smile and tapped her combadge. “Admiral Janeway to Voyager.”
*Voyager here.*
“Four to beam up.”