Seven of Nine - Christie Golden [40]
"That's possible," agreed Chakotay. "And I don't like the fact that they won't identify themselves.
However, as the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words, and their actions fairly shout out loud.
Besides, the Lhiaarian homeworld was our destination anyway. It seems we have a lot of enemies, and perhaps that one route is the only secure way for us to get to Lhiaari. I don't see the harm in continuing on and seeing how this scenario plays out. It couldn't be any worse than continuing blindly."
Janeway nodded. Her two most important advisors both had good points, but she tended to think as Chakotay did. "The only other option would be to head for unclaimed space, and there's no reason to believe that the Tuktak, or the Ku, or whoever the hell they are, won't follow us.
We'll stay at yellow alert and continue on our course," she said.
"It'll give us time to effect repairs and get the warp engine back on line, I hope. If there is trouble, I want to face it able to fight or flee, if necessary. Harry, put our mysterious ally back on."
"Captain? Time is fleeting."
"Let me make one thing clear, friend," said Janeway. "I don't trust people I don't know, and I don't know you. But I will follow your instructions-for the moment." She hesitated, added, "Again, we are grateful for your assistance. Janeway out."
She listened, absently rubbing her aching knee as Tuvok gave her the damage report. It was pretty bad.
The Doctor would have his hands full, and so would Torres. A thought crossed her mind.
"Janeway to Torres."
"Torres here." The chief engineer sounded frazzled.
"Captain, no offense, but I'm aware of the damage and I'm on it, so-" "Lieutenant," said Janeway, keeping her voice mild, "Lieutenant Paris was injured pretty badly.
He's in sickbay right now. The ship is out of immediate danger. I think Carey and Vorik and the rest of your team can spare you for ten minutes."
Silence. Then, quietly, "Thank you, Captain."
"Captain," said Annika/Seven. "Request permission to visit Engineering. I believe-I believe some of my memories are returning and I might be able to offer assistance."
Janeway gazed at her. Annika/Seven stood straighter, her eyes were cooler, her face more composed, than had been the case when Janeway last saw her in sickbay. The soft, loose red fabric of her dress, which suited her just a few moments ago, now seemed childish and inappropriate. There was still warmth in her voice, animation in her movements. Annika was still present. But for how much longer?
"The Tuktak defense systems," Janeway said, figuring it out as she spoke. "The ability to reconfigure their ship's shields-the Borg assimilated that technology, didn't they? Except Borg vessels were too large for such a field to be practical. Instead, they turned that technology toward establishing personal shields for the Borg drones."
"That is correct," said Annika/Seven. "The Tuktak are an ancient race.
They were among the first few species we assimilated. Thanks to their shielding technology, the Borg have become nearly invincible."
Pride. Coolness. "We," the Borg.
Janeway felt a pang of unexpected loss as she gazed at the beautiful face. She had a feeling that Annika Hansen would not be around much longer.
PRiANA LISTENED DISIWMRESTEDLY AS TAMAAK FILLED them in on the final results of their examinations with the doctor. All of the Skedans, right down to the infants in the pouches, had been to sickbay.
Because he is a non-organic, I cannot read his thoughts, know precisely what he knows. But I can guess. Most of us were able to resist the urge to use our telepathic powers. For that, I commend you. I know how