Janeway Redux - Part 8

halfofone's picture
Submitted by halfofone on Wed, 05/10/2005 - 21:52.

Star Trek Voyager

Janeway/Seven of Nine

Part 8 - Desperate Measures

Thu, 05/10/2000 - 21:00

15 or R

TITLE: Janeway Redux
AUTHOR: halfofone
RATING: R
CODE: J/7
FEEDBACK: Constructive feedback welcome.
SUMMARY: Set after five years after the events of Counterpoint in season 5. Janeway gets remade and returns to find her old ship. She needs Voyager and the crew but can they trust her?
SPOILERS: Some Season 4 and Season 5 spoilers.
ARCHIVING: If you want ... I would quite like to know where.
DISCLAIMER: TPTB are Paramount/Viacom. In a perfect world I would own Star Trek but it's not and I don't.


TPTB are many. In a perfect world I would be one of them but it's not and I'm not. No infringement of copyright/trade marks or other intellectual property is intended. This story was written for fun and not profit.


Warning: This story includes same sex relationships between women. If you are offended by this or it is illegal where you live or you are underage then please read no further.

Full warnings, credits and disclaimers can be found in the contents page and chapter 1.


Part 8 - Desperate measures

Another 4 hours have passed

The war news display now read 70 planetary systems lost and 16 billion individuals assimilated.

Inspector Kashyk, governor of the penal colony on Devore II, threw aside his padd and groaned. "This is hopeless, no one has proposed a single workable idea."

Kathryn leaned back and considered the same information on her own analysis padd. It certainly wasn't promising. All existing Devore weaponry had proved ineffective in fighting the Borg, even the newest designs of weapon were swiftly dismissed by Seven of Nine who easily demonstrated how the Borg would adapt. The Borg had defeated many species who were technically more advanced than the Devore.

Not as willing to admit defeat as the inspector, the human rubbed her eyes and said "OK let's consider again what we know about the Borg."

Kashyk shrugged his shoulders "For all the good it will do Captain....."

"Humour me Inspector." And she smiled disarmingly at her former persecutor.

"Right" said the tall dark man resignedly. He began to intone the facts already established and chewed over many times. "They are physically stronger than most organic beings and certainly two or three times stronger than the Devore, they don't use disruptors or phasers in hand to hand fighting. Instead they rely on their strength, body armour, adaptive shielding and assimilation of their opponents plus of course sheer numbers. The shielding is highly effective and will adapt to phaser and disruptor fire after just a few shots, chemical and biological weapons are ineffective against the nanoprobe technology which is again highly adaptive."

He paused and Kathryn took up the litany. "Successful attacks against the Borg have either used technology which is unavailable to the Borg or stealthy attacks on the collective mind. None of these have been successful long term strategies because the Borg eventually adapt to nullify the threat. The only identified weaknesses are the inability to adapt to technology/biology which they cannot assimilate, some vulnerabilities in the mechanisms used to control the collective mind and an occasional slowness identifying potential threats."

"And where has this analysis left us Kathryn? The Devore inspector asked politely.

Kathryn stopped pacing and stood very still behind Seven of Nine, looking at her ex-drone who was, unusually, seated. Half an idea began to form.

"You need soldiers who cannot be assimilated." Without being really aware she placed her hand on Seven's shoulder. Seven jumped but did not object as the Captain absentmindedly began stroking the back of Seven's neck.

The Inspector cast his eyes heavenward. "I don't think your mind is on the job Kathryn."

She ignored Kashyk's jibe and continued her train of thought "there is an old saying from Earth Inspector 'Fight fire with fire'. What you need Inspector are drones of your own."

"What a revolutionary idea Captain. Every home should have one, but I fear they are not all as charming as Seven of Nine." Kashyk said flippantly. Seeing the irritation on Kathryn's face he added more seriously "How or where would we obtain drones?"

The hand on Seven's neck stilled and Seven looked disappointed. The Captain considered Seven pensively. "Seven could you modify your nanoprobes to resist assimilation?"

The Borg turned to face Kathryn as she answered decisively. "It is possible Captain but the effect would not last. Assimilation nanoprobes are programmed to adapt to malfunctioning nanoprobes and destroy or repair them. It is the main defence against viral infection of the programming code."

"What would happen Seven if the Borg reassimilated you?" asked Professor Derrish. His thin face showed the strain of the last few days but he was interested if a little confused.

"I would be identified as Borg and my malfunctions assessed for repair or termination. If repairs were effective I would be returned to the Collective."

Janeway's head jerked up, interest sparking her eyes. "Seven what would happen if no malfunction were identified?"

"The assimilation 'probes would deactivate themselves," Seven replied, "but Captain only a fully functional drone would be accepted."

"Or," said the Captain, "something that appeared to be a fully functional drone. Seven, explain exactly what happens when someone is assimilated."

"The nanoprobes first take control of the main neural pathways and set up the neural transceiver link to allow connection to the hive mind. The nanoprobes then make the adaptations necessary for the future functioning of the drone."

"And those are?" prompted the Captain.

"Nanoprobe replication modules, neural processors, logic centres and memory units, skeletal enhancements, adaptive shield generators, units to monitor and control the host's biological functions, assimilation technology and internal connections to sensory systems."

Kathryn Janeway was now in full command mode, alive with energy, barely able to wait for the answers she requested. Seven knew that every person in the room could feel that energy and was being swept along; she had observed the effect many times with Voyager's crew.

"How much of this internal structure do you retain Seven?" the Captain asked, stopping her pacing for just a moment.

"I am Borg" replied Seven of Nine. She was going to leave it at that but observed Kathryn's impatient expression.

"The Doctor removed most of my external implants and a number of the internal additions but I retain all essential systems. The neural link to the Hive mind has been disabled and some of the suppressed human biological functions have been enabled. I retain an external interface to the nanoprobe control system," Seven indicated the implant above her eye, "and regeneration ports for linking to a regeneration alcove."

"Seven" said the Captain, "would it be possible to assimilate someone partially and to programme their nanoprobes and internal structures to deceive invading assimilation nanoprobes into believing that this is a fully functional drone?"

Seven stood as she gave the matter full consideration. After a long pause she replied carefully "I could reprogram my assimilation 'probes to perform a limited assimilation, all the necessary physical structures would be created. In theory Captain it may then be possible to programme dummy functions to mimic a properly operational drone linked to the hive mind."

"What of any missing external implants?" asked Kashyk, serious at last.

"These would be ignored on reassimilation as each drone is configured differently and repairs would normally be done by the drone's own nanoprobes. Each drone has standard external ports to allow linkage of external implants but the attachments may differ widely depending on the drone's function."

The Professor spoke and there was more than a little fear in his voice. "It is a fascinating and original idea Captain if I have correctly understood what you are suggesting. But how could we test such uncertain technology? Who could be recruited as subjects for such a project? Who would control these drones and would they remain individuals?"

Seven replied "The initial assimilation would fall short of collectivisation - the drones would remain individuals. We lack the necessary Borg technology to control a collective mind..."

Inspector Kashyk interrupted "I do not think that recruits will be a problem Professor, I can assure you that volunteers will be available." Seeing the concern on Janeway's face he went on smoothly, "after all better a few heavy bones than becoming a genuine drone, which is the fate that awaits our soldiers if we do not succeed. I am certain our army would welcome any protection offered."

Seven was still doubtful, "there is considerable risk Captain. Insufficient reprogramming would risk creating real Borg drones but if the reprogramming was too obvious the fake drone would fail to convince invading assimilation nanoprobes and the drone would be 'reassimilated'. There would be no second chance to correct the error."

In answer to Janeway's unspoken question Seven said simply "If a fake drone is assimilated the Borg will know our strategy Captain. The technology must work first time and then continue to do so on every subsequent occasion."

There was silence. Kashyk asked carefully "can we agree that this line of research should be pursued?"

The Professor stood in thought, he was troubled by Seven of Nine's assessment and his natural conservatism made the whole idea seemed outrageously imprudent. On the other hand there were no alternatives plans to consider.

The Inspector became impatient. "This is the only new possibility we have identified Professor. We must take it further."

After a long pause in which he visibly chewed over the ideas before him, the Professor spoke, very ponderously.

"Although I have many reservations about this proposal, as project leader I must follow any possible line which may help us resist the Borg. But Inspector, a full assessment of the risks is essential even if it takes a little longer, and I will not approve proceeding unless I am completely satisfied. After all we do not wish to create an army of drones within our walls."

Janeway had returned to earth and was a little shaken by where her thinking had taken them. She added in as firm a voice as she could muster "And Kashyk, our help is strictly on condition that only willing volunteers are used and then only if we are very certain of success. Is that understood?"

"Of course Captain." The Inspector smiled at her affectionately, "we are not barbarians."

An hour later

Derrish and Kashyk were watching the small Starfleet Captain go over yet another project plan with one of the three small teams of scientists she had organised to work on the project.

"Incredible isn't she? An hour ago the project and the team was on its knees, now look at them." said Kashyk observing the look of near awe on his companion's face. His voice tightened "that is what the High Command could not understand."

"From what I have read of your encounter Inspector, your own attraction to the Captain played a significant part in your failure with Voyager." Derrish needled the Inspector.

Kashyk turned towards him and the Professor paled at the ferocity in the man's eyes.

"They used her to destroy my career now I will use her to go even higher than before." With a cold smile, which even a man as unsentimental as Derrish found chilling, he said "now I must attend to the matter of obtaining volunteers."

Kashyk left the room. The Professor ran his hand nervously through his thinning air and wondered again why he had accepted a career so closely associated with the military.

72 hours after the drone project commenced

The war news display showed the score: Borg - 96 planetary systems and 23 billion individuals assimilated. The Devore - 18 cubes destroyed.

Professor Derrish was not the neat tidy bureaucrat of five days previous. He had slept less than fourteen hours in the previous eighty but he knew that was several more than the slight red headed human he was watching. Apparently indefatigable she led the teams of scientists, reviewing their data, pushing them on, giving encouragement and ideas freely. It amused him to see that even the guards now deferred to her rather than Kashyk.

The Captain and her Borg were also being watched by the Parath guardsman and Halquine telepath. Janeway had insisted they be freed and brought to the research laboratory several days earlier. The Professor had been appalled at the idea of a telepath being present but he had to admit they took better care of the Captain than he had managed, Kraal virtually force fed her at intervals. The only sleep she had taken was at the insistence of Seven of Nine who refused to regenerate unless the Captain slept.

The relationship between the Borg and the human was bizarre. How could anyone as vital as the redheaded human be in love with such a cold and unemotional being as the Borg even if she was almost unearthly beautiful? And yet as he watched, Janeway leant on the bench next to Seven of Nine reading some output from a recent test while the Borg looked down at her. After a few seconds Janeway stopped reading to look up into the former drone's eyes and the Captain's expression softened. Seven said something quietly and Janeway ran her fingers down Seven's cheek, pulling her face down to kiss her lightly on the lips. Derrish did not feel disgust as he might have done a few days before but an emotion he could only describe as envy.

There were many things about the current circumstances which should have disturbed him more but it occurred to Derrish that he had enjoyed the last few days. He was not experiencing the ambivalence that normally accompanied his work for the Imperium. He was an ambitious man and had accepted that working for the Imperium would often entail dealing with people and principles he did not like. But this time there was a common goal, a common enemy and colleagues for whom he felt unequivocal respect.

He was still worried by Inspector Kashyk, a ruthless and driven man. The Inspector came hourly to the laboratory for progress reports, he had informed the High Command of the new project and there was now increasing pressure being applied for early results despite the Professor's attempts to reduce expectations.

Kathryn Janeway approached the Professor clutching a gigantic beaker of steaming hot chealath, a Parath stimulant drunk widely throughout the Imperium. It was an acquired taste and not considered a healthy habit but the Parath guardsman, Kraal, and the Federation Captain apparently thrived on it. Janeway's face had lit up after her first taste and had muttered something about life being bearable in the Delta quadrant after all.

"The latest test results are much better Professor" said Kathryn. "Seven has successfully managed to reprogram nanoprobes to give false readings and laboratory tests with real assimilation 'probes have been one hundred percent successful, full deactivation after receiving the dummy information from the reprogrammed nanoprobes."

"Are we ready to test a real subject?" He sighed "I am sorry to push Captain but the High Command have become very insistent that we begin final tests on live subjects."

Janeway suddenly looked tired and he could hear the uncertainty as she replied.

"Seven has made the necessary adjustments to limit the assimilation process and considers the probability of success exceeds 95%. But Professor I would be lying if I said the first person tested was not running a real risk of becoming a drone, and even if that part is okay then we still have to field test an attack using captured Borg assimilation nanoprobes which will be even less predictable." She finished her report with a little bitterness.

"Perhaps I should learn to keep my bright ideas to myself. The lucky volunteers will have two chances of becoming a borg drone, not to mention the thousand other ways the tests may malfunction given we no so little about some of the underlying technology."

Derrish was not very used to ethical doubts being expressed by military personnel. However it did appear that the Federation captain was genuine in her concerns.

"Captain, it may help you feel less ambivalent about this project if I explain my personal involvement in defeating the Borg."

The Professor lowered his voice. It was less steady than normal.

"You may recollect the logged footage of the defeat of the fleet at Malta VI which was shown to the team at the outset of this project?"

Kathryn Janeway nodded.

"My son was present as a Lieutenant aboard one of the vessels which we saw being assimilated, the warship Invincible. Indeed it is his voice you may have heard announcing the arrival of the Borg drones aboard that vessel." Kathryn stared at scientist, horrified. The professor's own voice was detached as though he was trying not to hear his own words.

"It is not known whether my son was killed or assimilated but he was not amongst the survivors, I do not know whether it is worse to think of him as dead or lost to us forever amongst the Borg."

The professor was now shaking and Kathryn instinctively took his hands in her own and squeezed hard. "I will never recover my son and this work may even ensure his ultimate death but I do know that if I can save one other parent from such grief then my life, or death, will have meaning."

In a softer steadier voice he then said "I have informed Inspector Kashyk that I will personally volunteer for the initial tests."

Kathryn wanted to argue but seeing the determination in the pale grey eyes of the scientist she realised she had no right and said instead "Seven and I will do our very best Professor. You may inform Kashyk that we will be ready for the live tests in three hours."

TBC


( categories: Janeway/Seven )