summary:

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.

disclaimer:

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.

warnings:

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.

text:

Part 10 - Escape

"BORG SHIPS HAVE BEEN DETECTED ONE LIGHT YEAR FROM THE BASE. ALL PERSONNEL ARE TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO BATTLE STATIONS."

Seven dropped Kashyk who fell to the ground gasping for air. The Devore soldiers lowered their weapons and fear washed over every face except Captain Janeway who still sat slack-jawed and staring at nothing.

"Controller Goff we must get our research and all relevant personnel off the base now." said Derrish.

The controller shook his head. "There are fifteen Devore fleets defending this system plus the finest planetary defences in the region. You have to finish your work Professor. I need Janeway for the Fearless soon."

"The evacuation protocol was agreed with High Command. In the event of a Borg attack on this system, all research teams would be immediately evacuated and all evidence of their existence destroyed. This has absolute priority Controller."

The fat controller nodded reluctantly and Derrish took charge, sending his technicians and scientists to scurry about collecting data and equipment and preparing to destroy what they could not remove.

"Seven of Nine. I would be grateful if you could help me move the Captain to the transporter area for immediate transport."

"Why can we not transport from here?" she asked.

"The planet is heavily shielded to prevent rescue attempts. Transporter signals are specifically targeted and recently we have attempted to modify the system to counter Borg transporters. Only one place on the planet can be used for transport. Now we must hurry"

"What about them." Seven pointed at Kraal and Nithqref.

"They are not required" said the Devore scientist. "Our orders are to evacuate essential staff only."

"Kathryn would not allow me to leave without them. I want the PArath's family also"

"There is no time for argument Seven. We must leave now."

"Precisely Professor. Therefore it would be prudent to agree to my terms and avoid any further delay."

He gave up. The Borg was as stubborn as the human. "All right but quickly."

Moments later, a jubilant Kraal was finishing untying his wife who had been hog-tied. The two enormous creatures had their arms full of small over-excited piglets. Urgency overcame her reluctance to interrupt the reunion and Seven gently prodded the Parath, gesturing to him to hurry and pick up the Captain and follow her. Kraal nodded his understanding, leaned down and unfastened the Captain's remaining arm restraints and picked her up. He staggered slightly and cursed. His wife who had removed her own gag snorted disapprovingly.

"Cavorting with strange women as usual; come here children, we are again obliged to follow your fool of a father!" The five piglets giggled and squealed. Kraal grinned at his wife and turned to follow Seven.

They set off after Derrish, accompanied by a senior technician and a couple of soldiers. The small group pushed their way through a platoon of Devore soldiers heading in the opposite direction. The klaxon continued to sound and green emergency lighting had come on casting a bilious light over the organised chaos. Kraal was finding the Captain quite a burden and was complaining loudly.

"Why do all emergency warning systems mean everyone has to get a headache. Turn the damned siren off you cursed excuses for sentient beings," he shouted at the scuttling Devore. He shifted the Captain in his arms.

"In Freling's name she has put on weight. No more snacks between meals for you Captain."

Seven looked at him oddly. "The Captain's change in weight results from the reinforcement of her bone structure not from overeating."

"Humour is not your strong point Seven of Nine. I suppose jokes are frowned on amongst the Borg." A Devore escort sniggered at the Parath's remark, Kraal growled, amusing the Devore was not his aim in life.

"How many Devore does it take to change a tube-light?" He asked and then answered himself "Five, one electrician, one judge and a firing squad." Kraal snorted at the Borg's unamused expression and gestured with his head toward the now scowling Devore soldier. "Well perhaps that was not funny but it annoyed him which gives me pleasure."

Seven shrugged "You may be fortunate Parath. A race who could only offer the Borg such a sense of humour would be unworthy of assimilation."

Kraal's wife admired the insult. "A better class of female than you usually meet Kraal."

Seven turned her attention to the elegant Halquine who walked before them, each body uncomfortably clutching a wriggling Parath baby but still managing to retain a certain dignity.

"Nithqref have you succeeded in contacting Captain Janeway yet."

'I can feel her but it is not yet possible to fix a link to her mind. Her neural pattern has been replaced and the new pattern is very variable but it is stabilising. I will keep trying.'

Seven glanced at the death-pale Starfleet Officer lying limply in Kraal's arms. She did not want to think about what Nithqref might find when the Halquine made contact with Kathryn.

She should be recovering, the links to her neural pathways are fully established ... but no Borg ever had to complete the transition alone. I should have prevented her from doing this.

Alone in her sensory prison Kathryn was frightened. The world she could perceive was still a jumbled mass of meaningless shapes and noises. There was very loud continuous noise which drowned out anything else but she could not identify it or put it in any context. She also thought she might be feeling movement and some pressure but without any sense of location. What if I am like this for the rest of my life? Don't be silly Katie - anyway if you stay like this the Devore will terminate you so 'the rest of your life' will be quite short. That thought cheered her up more than it should. More loud noise interrupted her thoughts.

A BORG VESSEL HAS ARRIVED WITHIN TRANSPORTER RANGE OF THE PLANET. TRANSPORT HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY DISABLED, ALL EVACUEE PERSONNEL SHOULD PROCEED TO SECTOR ONE TRANSPORT ZONE AND AWAIT CLEARANCE.

They hurried on, out of the science complex into the main prison quad. It was the first time any of them apart from Kraal's family had been outside. The heat was unbearable and a biting hot wind whipped up clouds of red dust making them choke and cover their eyes. Dozens of ragged, starved and terrified prisoners milled about, completely ignored by the frantic Devore military. Any attempt to impede the soldiers was met with blows or worse. One woman with a child, begging for help, was murdered in front of them by a soldier with a disruptor. Two hellish minutes later they were across the yard and in a corridor marked "Sector One Access - Authorised personnel only". The way was blocked by a force fields. After Derrish's voice identification the force field in front of them dropped and they proceeded along the corridor stopping for clearance at several successive force fields.

"BORG VESSEL DESTROYED. A NUMBER OF BORG HAVE TRANSPORTED TO SECTOR TWO. SECTOR NULLIFICATION INITIATED. ANY PERSONNEL TRYING TO LEAVE THE SECTOR WILL BE DESTROYED."

"Didn't we just leave sector 2?" asked Kraal.

"We were lucky," said Derrish looked even greyer than usual. "No one else will be leaving. Half my technicians are still in there."

"What will happen to them?"

"Has happened. The sector has been flooded with nerve gas to prevent any personnel being assimilated. Any living being trying to exit the sector will be destroyed by automated disruptors."

Seven thought of all the helpless prisoners who had just died and hoped that Kashyk had been amongst them.

She was to be disappointed. They entered a holding room to find Controller Goff and Kashyk waiting with a squad of heavily armed guards. "We have decided to leave the battle zone with you. I feel it is important that I closely monitor your research Professor." said the fat controller. "Transport facilities will be restored as soon as the small Borg contingent on the surface are destroyed."

Kraal put Kathryn down gently and muttered to Seven, "The fight must be going badly if they are running away."

The sound of disruptor fire nearby galvanised the squad of soldiers into activity and they took up position. Two soldiers ran through the door "The Borg have adapted to our weapons. They are trying to break through the last force field, we cannot hold them."

"How many?" yelled Kraal.

"Five. We destroyed four and the automatic disruptors took another five."

"Have there been any assimilations?" snapped Derrish.

"No Sir. I don't think so, we killed anyone injured or captured before they could be assimilated."

The remaining defenders were now retreating through the blast doors and back towards the only exit. "Stand and fight" screamed Kashyk. But the Devore were too frightened. Most of the Devore panicked and followed their comrades into the maze of transporter rooms.

"Inspector Kashyk you are to ensure that Captain Janeway's body is not taken by the Borg under any circumstances, is that clear? On pain of death Inspector!" commanded Controller Goff who then waddled out as fast as he could in the wake of his soldiers.

"Fat bastard" muttered Kashyk.

The first Borg drone appeared at the open door, disruptor fire from the automated defence systems bounced harmlessly off his shielding. His optically enhanced eyes swept the room with a dead gaze and expressionless he moved towards Seven and Kraal. Another appeared behind him.

"Shut the blast doors you fools." Kashyk shouted at the remaining soldiers.

The doors slammed shut behind the two drones. Immediately the doors were under attack from the Borg outside. The two drones inside the room only paused to looked at the closed doors before resuming their advance.

Kraal picked up a dropped disruptor and began firing at the drones trying to distract them. His wife gathered the frightened children and herded them away from the oncoming drones.

"Get Kathryn," yelled Kraal firing continuously. Seven nodded and ran towards the Captain's twitching body. She reached Kathryn at the same time as the Borg only to be knocked away by a swipe that would have killed a weaker being. The Borg lifted the Captain's body gently and plunged his assimilation tubules into her neck.

Seven screamed and threw herself at the drone pushing it backward, knowing she was already too late. Grasping the Borg's head she twisted it with rage until she heard the snapping of metallic bones and the Borg drone collapsed against her.

The second drone staggered back, brains and circuits oozing from its skull after a crushing blow from Kraal, wielding his disruptor like a club.

The noises and shapes span wildly. This is like space sickness only less fun, thought Kathryn. Then a particularly sickening swing made her senses lurch but it was followed by a curious sensation. For a brief second millions of voices swam in her head and then there was silence. And before her eyes the world solidified into intelligible forms and sounds. The sounds of fighting.

Captain Janeway rose unsteadily to her feet to find Seven of Nine and Kraal staring at her. They looked at her. Uncertainly, hope and fear mixed in their eyes. Kraal lifted his disruptor. Behind them she heard Kashyk's voice shouting "Kill her, kill the drone." The only two Devore guards who had not fled aimed their disruptors at her. But unexpectedly they hurled their weapons away screaming with pain.

'STOP! She is Captain Janeway.' echoed through the minds of those present.

'Kathryn you are alive' Nithqref stated. The brief thought was wrapped in relief and affection.

"Thank you Nithqref. That's a neat trick." She gestured at the two guards who were wringing their hands and looking at their discarded weapons with great suspicion. The Halquine's two bodies shrugged as one. 'The guards are highly suggestible - it was, as you say, a trick.'

Kathryn caught sight of her left arm and cringed at the sight of two Borg small implants protruding blackly from her pale skin. This was going to take some getting used to. She heard someone whisper a single word and knew the exact pitch of the voice, its direction and distance before her human recognition placed the voice as that of Seven of Nine and the word whispered as her own name.

Seven of Nine closed the space between herself and her Captain and lifted Kathryn gently against her.

"You frightened me, you must not do so again." She kissed her and Kathryn could feel her tears wetting her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around Seven's neck and returned the kiss.

Kathryn Janeway pulled back to breathe "Seven, are you okay? What is happening?"

Then Janeway saw the bodies of the two fallen drones. "Where did these come from? Please don't tell me these are two of the volunteers."

"No. They are real drones. Kathryn, you were assimilated, I could not reach you and I thought I had lost you forever." She kissed the slightly embarrassed Starfleet captain again.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart... it's okay now. I'm fine, I think. Hey put me down, I must be too heavy for you."

"You are not," said Seven firmly and carried on kissing her.

"I can't agree with that," said Kraal, "I had to carry you while you took your little nap and Captain you're heavier than a Parath policeman with a desk job. Here, Borg Lady let go of the little Captain and let me have a piece." Reluctantly Seven let Kathryn go and Kraal stepped in with a bone crunching hug. He set her down.

"You are one lucky humanoid. When that drone plunged those wiggly things in your neck, I thought we'd lost you."

Captain Janeway placed her hands on her hips and grinned with satisfaction "You mean it worked. I survived assimilation. Twice in one day."

"Congratulations Captain, your survival gives us all hope." said Inspector Kashyk. His voice dripped malevolence and Seven, remembering his order to the guards to kill Kathryn, stepped threateningly towards him.

"You tried to kill her. I will terminate you."

The noise of twisting metal drew their attention back to the now buckling blast doors.

Nithqref broadcast Captain, you may need to survive a few more assimilations today. There are at least three drones out there and transport off world is not yet permitted. We cannot stay here Kathryn, we should retreat back into the main transporter area.

Janeway stared at the buckling blast doors. She was concerned.

"Three you say, I don't think we can just leave them Nithqref. The risk of the Borg assimilating knowledge of our research is too great, we will have to destroy them. Kashyk can we use the transporters within this area?"

"I believe so Captain."

"Right, retreat in there - get all the civilians to safety." She pointed towards the adjacent transporter room. "Move, that's an order Kashyk." She glared at him and shrugging his shoulders, the Inspector complied.

"Seven when I give the signal you are to release the blast doors. Kraal, Nithqref and you two guards - I want covering fire and lots of it. Everyone else get back and take cover."

"Kathryn you cannot transport them their shielding will prevent it?" Seven objected.

"Did I say I was going to do that? However we will only get one shot at this so if there are any survivors then I'm afraid we will have to kill them the old fashioned way."

Kathryn took up position at the transporter controls and allowed herself a few seconds to ensure she could operate it accurately. Her Brenari acquired knowledge of Devore language and technology was extensive but the control panel was different and she had to be precise. She laid in the transporter co-ordinates, locked onto her targets and waited.

"OK Seven let them in." The heavily damaged blast doors slid apart but only partially.

The three drones stepped through the small opening into the holding area and were met by a blast of fire from Kraal and the others. The heavy fire did no apparent damage but the drones aligned themselves and started to walk purposefully towards the source of the firing. Kraal, Nithqref and the two guards retreated before them firing continuously.

Kathryn held her breath and as the three drones crossed the threshold of the transporter room she punched the transport button. The two drone corpses dematerialised and then rematerialised a few metres away inside the bodies of their marching comrades. For a millisecond the line of drones continued to march and then collapsed in a mangled line of merged bodies and limbs.

Kraal and his team stopped firing and gaped at the twitching, dying drones. The Parath sounded sombre when he said "Remind me never to annoy you Kathryn."

"I'm glad you realise what a mistake that would be" she answered bleakly. "Give me your disruptor Kraal."

She turned the weapon on the fallen Borg and with three short blasts ended their suffering. "Let's get out of here before any of their friends arrive."

Seven of Nine said nothing, she just stared at the dead Borg.

BORG LIFE FORMS HAVE BEEN TERMINATED, FIRST WAVE EVACUEE PERSONNEL REPORT TO TRANSPORTER ROOM 3. THE IMPERIUM VESSEL REVENGE IS WAITING. OTHER PERSONNEL ARE TO AWAIT ORDERS AND PREPARE FOR THE FULL EVACUATION OF THE BASE.

Captain Janeway led the way out of the chamber back towards the main transporter rooms. The rest of the small band fell silently into step behind her. They arrived at transporter room 3, a great cavern, where Goff and the surviving Devore scientists and technicians had already assembled. The senior Devore stared at Janeway unbelievingly.

"Captain Janeway you have returned and the Borg are dead. You are both lucky and resourceful and, it seems, dangerous. Inspector Kashyk has not overstated your abilities." Goff was almost affable in a threatening way. "How did you do it?"

"The Borg intruders are now fully collectivised, joined at the hip you might say." Seeing Seven wince Janeway regretted her levity. "I mean no offence Controller but can we leave this rock. I can debrief you later."

The Controller nodded and they took their places on one of the enormous transporter pads designed for moving large numbers of prisoners. Massive explosions could be heard as the Devore fleet orbiting the planet destroyed all buildings, removing all evidence and records. All surviving Devore personnel were being evacuated leaving only the frightened hordes of prisoners, huddled in the hot, biting winds, to await the inevitable Borg re-inforcements. The transport command was given and the Devore and their guests disappeared from view leaving the chaos of the prison planet behind.

TBC