Part 04

"And what exactly are the particulars?" The Captain asked worried that Tuvok would tell her something even more deplorable then she already knew.

They had been going over the scrolls for hours. But despite the effort of all three working together, they still hadn't come up with anything to save Seven. And Kathryn knew that they were running out of time.

"The mating must be witnessed by the Elders and a select group of spectators. It is the only way to insure that the ritual has been legally complied with." Tuvok answered knowing that his human Captain would find the idea repugnant.

"It's not bad enough that they want to do this to Seven but do they have to watch as well!" Chakotay snapped pushing away from the conference table.

The Captain shared his opinion on the matter but knew that it was hopeless to simply lash out. They couldn't help Seven by getting angry. She knew that they had to calm down and focus.

"Tuvok you said that it is traditionally N'eli's right to complete the ritual with Seven. Is it legally his right as well? Or can he be substituted with another person?" The Captain asked not willing to let that horrible man anywhere near her drone.

"The scrolls are fairly clear on the matter. The right should belong to N'eli. However, Seven's parents or guardians could challenge the order. If they wish, they could ask another person to complete the ritual with the offending party." Tuvok said finally following his Captain's train of thought.

"So, would it be possible to perform the ceremony with someone from the crew instead?" Chakotay asked hopeful that at least Seven might be spared the misery of a union with N'eli.

"Yes, it might be possible. However I believe the Captain would have to be appointed as Seven's legal guardian. I can contact T'knar to find out if this is a plausible solution." Tuvok said wondering if this was really a better choice for the drone.

"Do it." The Captain sternly answered as Tuvok walked away.

She had hoped that Chakotay would follow. But she knew that he wasn't done with her yet. There were still things that he wanted to say.

"If they do let us do this, who did you have in mind?" He asked wondering if the Captain had even thought that far ahead yet.

"No one at the moment. I think I should wait and speak to Seven about it, don't you?" She asked her first officer hoping that he wouldn't volunteer his own services.

She knew all too well that he had developed something of a crush on the blonde drone. And she was hoping that his feelings wouldn't become a factor in this already difficult situation. It was just that she was more then certain that Seven didn't share his affections.

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A few hours later and after many paces across her ready room, she was finally being allowed to visit Seven. Though she knew the visit was going to be unpleasant she was still looking forward to seeing the drone. She wanted to make sure that Seven was all right. She needed to see her with her own eyes.

"Captain!" Seven cried out finally grateful to see the other woman approaching.

She had been trapped for nearly a solid day in the Y'rian detention center. And even though her surroundings were plush and comfortable, she was more then ready to return to Voyager. Besides she was certain that there were many things awaiting her attention in the astrometrichs lab.

"Seven, how are you?" The Captain calmly asked approaching the force field that kept the drone neatly trapped.

"I am uninjured. However, I wish to return to Voyager." Seven said with a thick exasperated tone.She expected some kind of acknowledgement from her Captain.

But all she got was Kathryn softly asking the guard for a moment alone. Quickly, her request was granted and the woman walked through the temporarily deactivated force field to have a difficult talk with her drone. The Captain was a bit surprised by the cell that held Seven. Although, given her drone's apparent sin she realized that Seven's circumstances really shouldn't shock her.

The Y'rians had the drone neatly tucked away in small but comfortable room. The bed was high, wide, and piled with only the softest satin sheets. There was a vanity brimming with make-up in every different shade and tone imaginable. And there was a long closet that seemed to hold only the skimpiest lace garments.

The Captain took several long looks around the room trying to find a place to sit that wouldn't seem overtly inappropriate. But finding none, she carefully took a seat on the high purple bed silently wishing that this could be some other way. Yet she knew that it couldn't, despite all her best efforts.

And now she had to tell Seven about all the terrible things that were about to happen. As she looked at the trusting and innocent face of the drone, she actually thought her heart might break in two. It just wasn't supposed to be like this.

"Have they told you why you are being held?" The Captain asked, her voice coming out as a low throaty whisper.

"Yes. It is apparent that my body is not in keeping with some strange arbitrary custom their ancestors created several thousand years ago. I explained that I am Borg. I explained that my people have no such customs. But apparently, my heritage does not matter." Seven answered with cool self-assurance. It was quite clear that she was still unaffected by everything the Y'rians had said and done. It was clear that she still trusted her Captain.

"Seven despite our best attempts they won't let you leave, not until you go through with the ceremony." The Captain said suddenly wishing that Seven's cell had a window of some kind.

Because at the moment, the only thing she had to stare at were Seven's big blue eyes. And she couldn't stand to watch the drone's reaction. She was betraying Seven in quite possible the worst way imaginable. And she didn't think that she would ever be able to handle the accusation and the anger the drone was bound to lash in her direction.

"Their allowance may prove to be irrelevant. I've been studying the schematics of their shield generator?" Seven began trying to explain the situation more clearly to her Captain.

The drone wanted her to know that it would be relatively easy to beam her aboard and leave orbit before the Y'rians even knew what happened. But when she began to explain her plan the Captain only held up a hand to silence her. She looked at her Captain waiting for some sort of explanation. But no sound ever came from the older woman's throat.

"Captain?" Seven asked more softly staring into the eyes of the only human she truly trusted and cared for.

But what the drone saw made her instantly recoil in frigid indignation. Her Captain was struggling with something. And from the looks of things, the words she wanted to say were terribly unpleasant.

Bracing herself for the unthinkable, Seven looked down into the woman's steel gray eyes. Immediately, she recognized all the signs of the Captain distancing herself from the situation. At the moment, she could tell that Kathryn wasn't her friend or human mentor. She was only her commanding officer. And the drone suspected that she was about to become a victim of her Captain's abject authority.

Part 05

"I'm sorry Seven. We cannot allow you to leave. I'm afraid that you'll need to stay and do as the Y'rians ask." The Captain said allowing her voice to reach the low levels that she used for giving only the hardest commands.

The drone was silent for several long moments. It was clear that she expected the Captain to qualify her statement. She was desperately hoping that the human would give her some kind of assurance or hope.

But none was forthcoming. Instead, the Captain only stared at the thick carpeting of the floor. It was like the woman was silently wishing for the ground to swallow her whole.

"I will not comply." Seven said in a low threatening voice.

Instantly, the Captain jolted off the bed preparing for the worst. She hadn't heard Seven sound like that for quite some time. Suddenly, Seven was nothing more then the frightened drone that had just been severed from the Hive.

"You don't have a choice in the matter." The Captain said softly moving towards the force field.

"But, there might be a way that we can replace N'eli with someone else. It's possible I might be able to convince the Y'rians to allow a member of the crew to go through the ceremony with you. If that's the case, I need to know who you would like." The Captain said finally daring to stare her drone in the eyes.

Seven let her eyes freeze over in anger. She couldn't believe that her Captain was actually going to make her go through with this. She couldn't believe that Kathryn was going to let them hurt her in this way.

And the human was right, at the moment there didn't seem to be anything that she could do to prevent it. But she wasn't about to let this happen, not without a fight anyways. Succumbing to a flurry of rage and anger she reached for the first solid object she could find.

Not caring about anything other then her outrage, Seven flung a rather heavy and well-prized vase at the Captain. But the human had been expecting such a display of anger. In fact, she was welcoming it. She knew that if she were in Seven's case her response would be exactly the same.

And she didn't want Seven to simply agree with this. She wanted Seven to make her suffer. She wanted the drone to punish her. Because on the inside, the Captain felt like she was already dying.

"Guard?" The Captain muttered as she easily dodged the flying object. Quickly the force field was deactivated and she was allowed to leave.

But she didn't go. She stood on the outside berating her own cowardice for abandoning Seven in her obvious time of need. And as she gazed into Seven's wild eyes she nearly caved in on every single one of her Federation born principles.

Seven was frightened. She had never seen the drone so terrified. And Kathryn hated that it had come to this.

"Who, Seven? If you don't tell me I'll have to choose someone for you." The Captain ordered layering edges of steel into her already frigid tone.

She couldn't let Seven know how much this was affecting her. Seven needed her to be strong. If they were ever going to legally leave this planet, one of them had to do what was necessary.

"I will not COMPLY!" Seven said allowing her body to crash into the force field.

For a moment, the Captain knew that she had never seen Seven quite so human. Her features were animated with vivid emotion. And it was clear that she wasn't acting logically.

But the Captain knew that she couldn't stay. She couldn't watch such an angry display any longer. And quickly she left before her tender feelings for Seven could change her mind.

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She had been locked away for hours. Somehow she found the whole thing fitting. After all, somewhere on the distant planet below Seven was locked up as well.

She listened to the door chime for several minutes before she agreed to open it. She was worried that it would be Tuvok. She was worried that he would have T'knar with him. And she was petrified that they would tell her that it was time for the ceremony to commence.

But it wasn't them. It was only Chakotay. He walked in seemingly innocent enough. But she could tell that right away he had something on his mind.

"You've been in here all day." He said softly hoping that she would open up. He knew from experience that sometimes talking to the Captain was little more then an exercise in futility.

"You know it's not too late to change your mind." He added gently. It was very clear that that the Captain wasn't going to add anything.

"Chakotay, please let this go. I told you, this matter is closed." The Captain said storming across the wide space of her ready room.

"All right, if you're going to force Seven to go through with this then there are some decisions that need to be made." Chakotay said unable to keep the accusation from his voice.

The Captain stood with her back to him willing the man to disappear from her very presence. If she dared to face him he would see the conflict in her eyes. He would know that she was weakening.

And he could use that against her. He could use it to save Seven. But as much as she wanted to march right down to the planet's surface and take back her drone, she knew that she couldn't. They had to respect the laws of other worlds. And unfortunately, that applied to Seven as well.

"Did Tuvok speak with T'knar?" The Captain asked still keeping only the sight of her rigid back within view.

"Yes, he did. Apparently, the Elders are willing to bend on this issue in favor of us. It seems that they are aware that N'eli tricked Seven into going down to the planet. They don't approve of deception. But in their eyes, Seven has committed a dire sin by remaining untouched. Tuvok pleaded with them. But they won't let her go, not until she complies with what they want." Chakotay said explaining all the information as gently as he could.

He waited for some response from the Captain. He wondered if she had given any real thought to who would go through this with Seven. He knew that it needed to be someone that Seven felt comfortable with. He also knew that it needed to be someone who could help the drone deal with everything once the ceremony was over. It needed to be someone who would remain by her side. And he couldn't help but feel that he was the perfect candidate.

"I asked Seven if she had a preference?she only lashed out. I'll ask her again. Hopefully this time she'll be more calm." The Captain said finally returning to her desk.

She looked worn and exhausted. Chakotay could tell that this was taking an exhaustive toll on the normally resilient woman. He didn't agree with her decision. But he did want to help, if only for Seven's sake.

"Kathryn, I just want to?" He began trying to find the best way to offer up his services.

But she only held up a hand to silence him. She could sense what he was going to say. And she didn't want to hear it.

"Dismissed." She snarled hoping to alleviate herself of this awkward conversation.

He looked like he was going to argue with her. After all, as the first officer he wasn't used to being ordered around like a mere cadet. He thought their relationship had progressed further then that. He thought that she respected him and his opinions.

But as he stood to leave he saw a woman that he didn't recognize. At the moment, she was being cold, distant, and anything but kind. He knew that she simply had no mercy to give. And he couldn't help but wonder if Seven would ever recover from such a cruel betrayal.

Part 06

"I heard that you wished to speak with me." T'knar said accepting the Captain's invitation to take a seat.

"Yes, thank you for meeting with me." She said trying to soften the tones of her voice.

This was a conversation that had to go well. Seven's fate depended on it. And despite her anger and outrage, Kathryn knew that she had to treat this man as a friend.

And under different circumstances, she supposed that she might. The Y'rians by all other accounts were a friendly species. And their marriage of ancient customs and cutting edge technology had deeply intrigued her.

But now, this man was far from her friend. He was very much her enemy. Despite his hobbled frame, soft gray eyes, and kind smile he had taken Seven away. He had signed the order that put her drone in a Y'rian holding cell.

"Have I pulled you away from something?" Kathryn gently asked noticing that the man seemed to be rather dressed up.

His outfit made him look like a giant peacock. His hat was tall, red, and wide. His cloak was long billowy and the shade of a burning sun. Even his long walking stick seemed ornate with its red fire trim.

"The preparations for the ceremony have begun." He said letting his words slip out in a nervous rush.

"What?" Kathryn hissed pushing away from her desk.

"Do not worry. Your Seven has not been touched in anyway. That will come later. It is the Elders who have begun preparing." He said trying to calm the angry woman.

Normally, a woman's anger wasn't something of concern for his people. But this woman commanded a mighty vessel. And he would just as soon not cause a military uprising.

"Really? What do the Elders have to do to prepare? It seems to me that all they have to do is watch while Seven?" Kathryn began unable to finish her thoughts.

The thought of what was to happen was far too painful for her to even voice. She had always wanted to believe that she would do anything in her power to protect Seven. But here she was, practically handing her over to the wolves.

"This is not a responsibility that we take lightly. I assure you Captain this rule was established for the benefit of all." He said trying desperately to make her see their point of view.

"I'll just bet?" She huffed slamming her fist into her desk. This was supposed to be a friendly conversation. But so far, things had gotten off to a terrible start.

"Captain, long ago my people began to consider what mattered most. At the time, we had starships similar to your own. We traveled galaxies in search of new people and places. But it was home that we always came back to." He stopped his story as if to make sure that she was listening. Her steel blue eyes were focused on his own and he knew that he had her undivided attention.

"We had built our civilization around technological marvels and discovery. But it didn't matter what we built. It didn't even matter what we discovered. We were all so terribly unhappy. Our entire existence was devoted to violence and war." He said in a grave tone of despair.

"We lost entire worlds of people. And when the destruction was over?there were those amongst us that wanted to rebuild. They wanted to make bigger and faster machines to kill with. But there were others who said NO. There were others who said that the killing must stop. And because of those people and their prophetic guidance we became what we are today." He added obviously quite pleased with the choice his people had made.

"This time, we decided to focus on love and not hate. We replaced violence with affection. We turned exploration into romantic curiosity. We totally reshaped the very fabric of our being." He said hoping to make the Captain understand the fabric of their legal system.

"And Captain, our laws were no different. We have no violence. We have no theft. And we have achieved this level of gentle obedience through our laws. A long time ago it was determined that every effort must be made to mate, to find commitment, and above all else?to find love.

So we made laws for it. The ceremony that Seven is about to undergo is prized and honored amongst my people. These laws are here to force each individual to go and find the love that will last throughout their lifetime.

Because trust me Captain, without such legal guidelines, there are those amongst us who sit back and let life pass them by. These are the individuals that we are trying to protect. Without love, the soul becomes restless and disobedient. And Captain, a woman of Seven's age should know the touch of a lover." He said hoping that the Captain would see things from his point of view. But she only sat there with her hands carefully folded together. He waited so long for her to speak that he thoughts the silence might actually pierce him clean through.

"I will respect your laws because the rules of my people tell me to do so. But I will never agree with any body of government that tells its citizens how to conduct their very personal affairs. In my experience, I've found that law has no place in the bedroom.

But all that aside, I wish to discuss the person that will?see Seven through this. It's been brought to my attention that it may be possible for us to replace N'eli with someone from my crew. I implore you to allow this. That man?shouldn't be allowed near Seven." The Captain said barely getting her words out.

This situation was painfully difficult for her. And she knew that T'knar had picked up on it. He was regarding her with a careful intent gaze that spoke for volumes of intelligence.

"We agree with you Captain. What N'eli did was born of deception and trickery. My people will not allow this type of behavior. Therefore, we have decided to grant your request to be named as Seven's guardian." He said hoping to alleviate some of the tension coming from her form.

"Thank you." The Captain said quickly and without much enthusiasm.

It was clear to T'knar that this Seven wasn't just another crewmember to the Captain. She was obviously someone that this woman cared for deeply. And over his many years of studying love in all its different forms, he couldn't remember ever seeing someone try so desperately to deny what was obviously in their heart.

"Have you decided on someone then?" He asked standing to leave. There were preparations that had to be finished. After all, he wanted to make sure that the ceremony went off without a hitch.

"No?not yet." She answered staring at the stars dancing all around her ship.

"I'll need your decision within the hour." He said pausing at her door. He had wanted these people as friends. But thanks to the unfortunate needs of one man, all of that looked to be impossible.

"Captain, if I may make a suggestion?" He tentatively asked waiting to see the familiar gaze of her cold eyes. She didn't even grace him with a vocal response. She only stared in a fashion that could be described as nothing short of unbridled rage.

"Perhaps you should go through the ceremony with Seven. It is quite obvious that you are in love with her. And though I haven't spoken with her, it is likely that she shares your feelings." He said hoping to help the decision that had to be weighing on her mind.

"Get out!" She snarled not even bothering to watch as he fled her ready room.

And with that, she was left alone with nothing but the weight of her thoughts and the burden in her heart. She wanted to take Seven as her own. But in a million and one years she had never expected to force the drone into accepting her touch. And yet thanks to one eager man, she was being made to break all the trust that had ever existed between them.