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Resistance really is futile	By : goofball Category: Star Trek > Voyager Views: 7729 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Don't own anything about Star Trek Voyager nor make I money with my story

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
AN: Most of you will recognize the next couple of chapters. As I’ve stated at the beginning, I took some liberties with the episode to fit it into my story. I’ve also figured out that I won’t make such an attempt again. Maybe we could just look at it as a learning experience? ;o)
@ Speyeder: I’m glad that you like my characterization & that I could make you laugh :o)
@ Alexis: Thank you very much! Your review is certainly uplifting & very welcome :o)
*~*~*~*
The following week the crew of Voyager finally detected a Wisanty-ship on the long-range-sensors. They contacted them and after hearing what happened, the Wisanty were happy to take the twins and Mezoti home and an arrangement for a rendezvous was made.
Even though Seven had been reluctant to take responsibility for the four children, they clearly had grown to her as well as to the rest of the crew, and it was a bittersweet time as they all prepared to say good-bye to some of their most precious cargo.
After the experience with Icheb and his family Janeway decided to let Seven ask all the questions she wanted but arranged that Janeway greeted the Wisanty first to explain the situation and asking them for some consideration.
The Wisanty assured Janeway that they would gladly answer all of Seven’s questions without taking offence – which they did. And it was a barrage of questions that Seven had, but thankfully they weren’t quite as rude as they could have been, but they were still Seven-like.
Eventually even Seven run out of dilithium and straightening her back with an inhale, she glanced at Janeway and gave a brisk nod.
Then the female Wisanty called Bizana stepped forward and looked directly at Seven. “If I understand correctly, due to your time with the Borg, you know about our race and customs?”
“Yes,” Seven replied.
Bizana lifted her left hand and touched the tip of her little finger with her thumb, the other three fingers resting atop the thumb. “On behalf of my people, I thank you for the care you-“
“I did-“
Janeway put a hand on Seven’s arm. “Just listen”
Seven turned her head to Janeway, who could see the “but” clearly in her eyes.
Janeway squeezed her arm. “Listen”, she repeated.
Another curt nod, then Seven faced Bizana again.
“I thank you for the care you have provided for our kin, and in return we promise to do everything in our power to give them a good life.”
There was a pause, then Seven lifted her left hand, forming the same gesture as Bizana had done, and replied: “I accept your oath and thank you for it.”
That went rather well, Janeway thought and then suggested to meet the children, who were in the Mess Hall with Neelix.
The twins were even more quiet than usual, but after Bizana told them about the arrangements they had already made to get them back to Wysanti, they started to ask tentative questions.
After a few more minutes Janeway took her leave, returning to the Bridge.
Later that day, Janeway found herself in the Transporter Room, watching as Mezoti stood in front of Icheb.
“You can still come with us,” she said.
“And you can still stay on Voyager,” he replied.
“Adapting to your absence will be difficult.”
Icheb smiled a little. “I'll miss you, too.”
Seven, who had been watching the exchange as well, moved behind Mezoti and putting a hand on the girl’s shoulder said: “It's time.” Seven guided Mezoti to the transporter platform.
“I've been studying all available data relevant to this species, as you recommended,” Mezoti stated as she stepped up and turned around to face Seven.
“Familiarising yourself with their culture will help you adapt,” Seven replied.
Azan, Rebi and Bizana moved onto the platform as well.
“On Wysanti, it is not customary to say goodbye but… I think I prefer the human way,” Mezoti said, put her case down and went to Seven to hug her.
For a heartbeat Seven stood stock-still but she got quickly over her surprise and embraced the girl as well.
Janeway could feel Icheb looking at her, but since she was busy blinking tears away, especially as the twins followed Mezoti’s example, Janeway kept her eyes straight forward.
Then Seven returned to stand between Icheb and Janeway, and the captain looked over her shoulder to the Ensign at the controls.
“Energise.”
They watched the molecules dissolve and Janeway put a hand on Seven’s shoulder, squeezing it softly.
Seven turned to face Janeway, her expression composed, but she didn’t say a word.
“Will I see you later?” Janeway asked quietly.
Seven nodded then turned to Icheb. “There are a few things we have to take care off,” she said to him and the two of them left the Transporter Room.
Since Janeway was due on the Bridge for another couple of hours, she made her way there.
The only noteworthy thing to happen was a Mutara class nebula appearing on the ship’s sensors, but luckily this time their course didn’t lead right through it and they were able to stay far enough away.
After her shift, Janeway went to her quarters and got comfortable on the couch, planning on reading while she waited for Seven.
It wasn’t Seven, though, who woke Janeway from her slumber, it was the Doctor.
*
“Sickbay to Captain Janeway.”
Sleepily Janeway reached for the Com-Badge on the table beside her. “Yes?”
“Captain, you should come down here.”
There was a pause and Janeway sat up.
“It’s Seven.”
Suddenly, Janeway was wide awake, adrenalin pumping through her system. ”What happened?”
It was odd to hear the EMH sigh through the Com since he needed no air. “There is a problem with her cortical node and the implants it is regulating.”
“What-“
“Captain,” the Doctor interrupted Janeway almost gently. “I’ll explain everything once you’re down here.”
“Understood.” Janeway disconnected the Com, grabbed the uniform-jacket and stormed out of her quarters. Her mind was blank except for the echoes of cortical node and regulating implants that reverberated inside her skull and she felt like a sleepwalker.
It seemed to take forever until Janeway was finally in front of Sickbay and she slipped through the doors before they were fully opened. Janeway scanned the room for Seven. The EMH standing beside the main surgical Biobed indicated the way and she quickly went over there.
Janeway could almost feel the blood drain from her head as she got a look at Seven. Her skin had pealed back on several places, revealing dark metal underneath, which created a stark contrast to her even paler than usual complexion.
Janeway came to a halt beside the bed and with a trembling hand reached out for a brief caress. “Damn it,” she whispered and closed her eyes. “Please tell me it’s not as bad as I fear.” Janeway looked to the Doctor.
“I’m afraid, I don’t have good news,” he replied and then told Janeway about the glitch they had found earlier. Apparently, Seven had come to him because of her malfunctioning ocular implant.
“Why wasn’t I told about that?”
“Because Seven asked for the same treatment that every other crewmember received, including patient-doctor-confidentially.”
Janeway filed that piece of information away for later and asked the EMH to continue his report.
According to his statement, Neelix had found Seven sitting in the Mess Hall where she had been taking nutritional supplements, due to not being able to regenerate.
Again Janeway wondered why Seven hadn’t come to her about this, but she didn’t interrupt the Doctor and he finally told Janeway that Seven had collapsed.
Damn it!, Janeway swore once more, but this time silently.
The EMH proceeded to describe the scans he had done from Seven.
Halfway through his explanation Janeway turned back to look at Seven laying on the bed. Damaged node; not able to regulate implants; vital implants. Janeway felt cold terror creeping up inside of her, terror in facing the possible loss of her beloved. But since paralyzing anxiety wouldn’t do either of them any good, Janeway chose the only option she had that would let her still be able to function. She hid her terror behind her captain’s persona. Janeway could still function while being afraid for the life of a valued member of her crew.
Janeway faced the Doctor. “What are our options? What can we do?”
“We don’t have the knowledge,” he replied.
“But Seven does.”
“She might, but I’m not sure we have the necessary equipment.”
Grinding her molars, Janeway gave him a dark look. “I prefer to look closely at possibilities before I negate them right away and so should you.”
“Captain, I need you to realise that this is a life-threatening situation.”
Janeway leaned forward, right into his personal space – if a hologram had one – and said: “And I need you to realise that I will focus on possibilities to solve this problem. But that doesn’t mean I’m ignoring the severity of the situation. I am very aware of it.”
The EMH studied Janeway for a moment, then nodded. “Very well.”
“Can you revive her?”
Without a word, the Doctor prepared a Hypospray, injected Seven and stepped back.
Janeway took his place and leaning down a little, she watched Seven’s lids flutter before they opened. Her gaze focused on Janeway for a moment, then went to the EMH, who stood beside her.
Janeway lightly touched Seven’s shoulder. “You lost consciousness in the Mess Hall,” Janeway said, getting out of Seven’s way as she sat up and moved to the end of the bed.
“Your body's begun to reject your implants,” the Doctor said and for a moment Seven looked at Janeway, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“I'm afraid it's a result of that glitch we found in your cortical node. Apparently, it's more serious than we thought.” The Doctor moved over to the workstation and displayed the scan of the node.
“The node is destabilising,” Seven stated.
“It's no longer able to regulate your implants. They're… shutting down one by one.” The tone of his voice showed clearly that he was affected by the situation as well.
“When you've disconnected implants in the past, I've always adapted.”
“Minor implants,” he said and came back to the Biobed. “An assimilation tubule here, a few nanoprobes there. Nothing crucial to your human physiology. But these implants control your vital functions.”
“And without my cortical node to regulate them, I'll die,” Seven stated. “Correct?”
The EMH didn’t reply and Seven looked from him to Janeway, who swallowed twice around the lump in her throat but couldn’t get a word out. Instead Janeway gave a curt nod.
Seven averted her eyes and took a shaky breath, before she looked back at Janeway and the EMH. “Borg-technology is highly adaptive. My cortical node will repair itself in time.”
“I don't think so, Seven. If anything, the deterioration is accelerating,” the Doctor said. “You'll have to stay here for observation.”
“I think I've been sufficiently observed,” Seven rebuffed and tried to move off the table.
Janeway grabbed her elbow and with a side-glance at the EMH asked him to excuse them for a moment. Once he was out of earshot, Janeway turned back to Seven.
“Seven…” Janeway’s voice trailed off. Think of her as member of your crew! She took a deep breath. “I'm very sorry for what's happening,” Janeway said quietly but with intent. “It’s terrifying and you have every right to be upset, but that isn't going to help us solve this problem. I need you to work with me here.”
“The node will correct itself,” Seven repeated stubbornly.
“Suppose it doesn't,” Janeway said and as Seven inhaled for a reply, she held up a hand pleadingly. “Just for the sake of argument. Is it possible to replicate a new one?”
“The technology is too complex.”
Of course it was. Janeway thought for a moment, then asked: “What if this had happened when you were part of the Collective? How would the Borg have repaired the damage?”
“They wouldn't have. Trying to repair a node would be a futile exercise.”
Janeway lowered her head and inhaled deeply. I need options, damn it!
“The Borg would simply replace it.”
Replace it. Slowly, Janeway looked up again, purpose seeping back into her. “The Yontasa Expanse,” Janeway said quietly and met Seven’s gaze.
“Captain?”
Janeway squeezed Seven’s arms. “I’ll get you a new node.”
“But-“
“No time, we’re already two or three days past the Expanse.” Janeway took one of Seven’s hands and lifted it to her lips. “You hang in there, you hear me?” After allowing herself that little private gesture, Janeway left and hurried to the Bridge.
tbc
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Resistance really is futile