Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [75]
“We discovered a ship not far from here. Was that intended as an offering for the Borg?”
“On their behalf, we have cleansed the surrounding sectors of all life-forms that are hostile to the Indign and inferior to the Borg. They accept our offerings. They have never attempted to conquer us. It is a mutually beneficial relationship and proper between two species when one can only aspire to the greatness already achieved by the other.”
“When we neared your system, we encountered one of your vessels firing upon a shuttle,” Eden interjected.
“A drone ship, designed to scan for life-forms and disable and capture them. This encounter and subsequent passive scans have led us to conclude that your vessels are tactically superior to ours and we understand that you did not destroy the drone intentionally. We invite you to submit yourselves to the Borg and join in the Collective. If you are judged worthy, it will be cause for celebration among your people. We believe that though your social development is obviously lacking, your technological achievements might make the Borg willing to overlook your other shortcomings.”
“We would never consider such a thing,” Batiste replied sharply.
“That is unfortunate for you,” Meegan replied sadly. “But each species develops at its own pace, and perhaps, despite your reluctance, the Borg will take pity on you, nonetheless. If not, we simply ask that you depart this system in peace.”
“May I ask how long it has been since you last detected any Borg activity in this area?” Eden asked.
“It can be many years between detection of their vessels. The last occurred more than four years ago.”
Batiste shot Eden a harsh glance, but she pressed on, “The Federation does share one characteristic with the Indign. It is a community of hundreds of species who have learned to live in peace and to work together for our mutual benefit.”
“I see,” Meegan replied with a faint smile. “Like us, you work diligently to demonstrate your readiness for Collective existence.”
“No,” Eden corrected her gently. “Once one has joined the Borg, all traces of one’s individuality are lost.”
“A small sacrifice to make,” Meegan noted.
“But one that is too great for us. Do the individual members of an Indign cooperative submit their individuality to a collective will?”
“The Indign function as a cooperative. Although there is mutual benefit and some necessity in our existence, each Neyser, Greech, Imalak, Neela, Irsk, and Dulaph who joins a cooperative does so of their own volition. After many years, a cooperative may disassemble and those who were once joined are free to live out their lives as individuals. We have not yet mastered the seamless harmony of the Borg, though we do aspire to it.”
“You’ve said that you wish for us to depart the system,” Batiste said, reasserting his control of the meeting. “Before we do so, would you be willing to discuss the possibility of a trade agreement? The third planet of your system contains a natural resource we call benamite. Would you consider sharing some of this benamite with us, in exchange for something we might be able to offer you?”
“No exchange will be possible,” Meegan retorted sharply. “We are self-sufficient and produce all that we require to live. There is nothing you could offer us that would be of equal value.”
Eden said, “I am sorry to hear that. We will, of course, respect your wishes. Even so, if, in the future, you should encounter another Federation ship, we hope you would consider them a friend. We would appreciate the opportunity to speak further with you at any time.”
“That will not be possible. We do not make a habit of establishing communications with species that are not Indign. All communication from this point forward is terminated.”
With that, Meegan’s head fell forward. The Doctor hurried to her side and scanned her. After a few moments, the girl lifted her head and her eyes widened in shock at finding herself the center of attention among the senior