The Play's the Thing
Part 2
"Commander!" The EMH’s voice over Chakotay’s commbadge sounded concerned. The commander, busy monitoring their progress back to the Genn planet, tapped his badge distractedly.
"Yes?"
"You wanted to be notified of any change. I’ve noted a sudden surge of adrenaline in the captain’s bloodstream, usually indicative of physical stress."
"Hold on." Chakotay turned to his security officer. "Tuvok, any sign of that emergency signal we agreed on?"
"None, Commander. Though if Captain Janeway were incapacitated, she might not have time to send a warning."
"No," he agreed. "Any other clues to her present state, Doctor?"
"It’s difficult to judge with the information I’m able to gather," the EMH replied. "But I am certain that she’s still alive."
"I’m getting readings that she’s moved," Harry put in. "So she’s well enough to walk."
"Or someone carried her," Chakotay said grimly. "Keep monitoring her, Doctor. Any sign of trouble, let me know. Tuvok," he turned back to the Vulcan, "I trust your team is ready to enter the holodeck at any time?"
"Affirmative, Commander."
"Good. Be ready to beam in on my signal. I promised her at least 36 hours, but we may have to disobey the captain’s orders if it turns out she’s in danger." He stood suddenly. "I’m going down to Engineering to see how B’Elanna’s doing. Keep me informed."
The scene in Engineering was just as tense, long periods of silence broken by swear words muttered in Klingon and English. B’Elanna sat at her station, staring moodily at her monitor and biting on a thumbnail. Occasionally she would make furious entries in one of half a dozen PADDS spread out around her, only to shake her head and sit back in disgust. She didn’t look up when Chakotay entered.
"Any luck with that program?"
"Lots of it…all bad," was the frustrated reply.
Chakotay leaned over to observe. "Well, it looks like you’re making some progress. You’ve isolated quite a bit of the subroutine here."
The half-Klingon lieutenant sighed and ran a hand through her soft brown hair. "Yes, I’ve decoded enough to determine that there’s something there…I’m just not sure what."
"There? You mean in the holodeck?"
"Yes, we’ve got an intruder, all right."
"An alien life form?"
"Yes…no…Kahless, I don’t know!" B’Elanna flung the PADD she was holding across the room and stood up. Chakotay watched as she began pacing. "It’s an alien program of some sort. Something between a computer virus and a sentient hologram…at least that’s what my gut is telling me."
The first officer’s eyes narrowed. "Sentient hologram? You mean like the doctor?"
"No, not like the doctor. That’s what’s so puzzling. The routine loops and evolves far beyond its original programming, but it’s not sophisticated in the least! It looks like a simple enough algorithm, but it’s….living!" She shook her head in frustration. "Am I making any sense, Chakotay?"
"Enough to scare me," the commander replied, only half joking. "And if it’s true, then I hope the captain knows what she’s doing." He walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. "Keep at it, Lieutenant. I think you’re very close to figuring out what this is, and that’s the first step to beating this thing."
~~~~~~~
Janeway closed her eyes and braced herself for the burning blast of the phaser. She barely had time to wonder if she would finally get to see her father again, or feel regret at never having made it back home. She didn’t expect the burst of coldness that hit her, or the disorienting sensation of moisture that followed. Had she lost control of her bladder in fright? Was it blood? She stared down at her tunic and trousers. No, it was….
"Water? A water gun?! It’s a toy?!"
Seven said nothing, but there was a tiny smile on her face. Naomi, hand clapped to her mouth, began to giggle. Soon the both of them were laughing irresistibly, spurred by the other’s merriment and the captain’s incredulous expression. But Janeway had had enough.
"Okay, that’s it!" She grabbed each of them by the arm and marched them back to the blankets. Even Seven, who could’ve easily overpowered the captain, seemed cowed by Janeway’s wrath and went meekly.
"Sit there, both of you!" They sat on the blankets and watched with widened eyes as Janeway towered over them. "That was not funny, Seven. Weapons are not something to be played with!" She held out her hand for the phaser.
Seven handed it over obediently, but could not resist a question. "How come you didn’t say anything when we were playing yanwl’ ?"
Janeway frowned. "I would’ve if you had turned the weapons on me! It’s one thing to pretend to be Klingon swordfighters, but quite another to scare someone. Don’t tell me you don’t know the difference!"
Naomi and Seven gazed back at her as if she were speaking an alien tongue and their universal translators were offline. Janeway took a deep breath and resisted the urge to pull at her hair. "Well, you’d better sit there and think about it. I’m going to have a talk with Tidus, but I’ll be back. Naomi, you’re coming with me." She looked at Seven. "While we’re gone, I don’t want you to move." The Borg shifted restlessly. "I mean it, Seven! I don’t want you to leave that spot, do you understand?"
Seven nodded unhappily. Even the Kazon had been known to cower when Janeway’s voice took on that particular tone.
They walked a few meters away and Janeway looked around. It was as good a place as any.
"Okay, Tidus," she called. "I know you’re never far away…show yourself."
A few moments later, the snow-white beast stepped out from behind a stand of trees. He gave an elegant bow and looked at Janeway expectantly.
"I want to know exactly what you want from us," the captain stated. She looked at Naomi to translate.
"He says that those who made him only wanted to send you a gift."
"A gift? Then why are you keeping us captive in the holodeck? Why are my crewmembers experiencing personality changes? That’s not very friendly, is it?"
The beast snorted and tossed his head. He eyed the child next to Janeway, and Naomi began stumblingly to relate his answer.
"Tidus says no harm is meant. He says his work will be done once you have accepted the gift…."
"’Accepted the gift’?" Janeway interrupted. "What exactly does that mean?"
"He says you have forgotten how to play, and the gift is to remind you."
"Forgotten how to play? You mean what the Genn consider playing? That’s damn presumptuous of them, to judge other species that don’t happen to share their culture!" Janeway broke off as Tidus began leisurely to graze on the grass at their feet. "What did he say?" she demanded of Naomi furiously.
"He didn’t say anything. He’s eating," was the child’s reply. She looked a bit apprehensive, and Janeway sighed. This interrogation was not turning out to be very productive. She would have to try another tactic.
"All right." She took a deep breath. "Tidus is an interesting name. Did the Genn give that to you?"
The beast’s eyes narrowed, but eventually he seemed to decide that there was no harm in answering.
"He says his name is an English translation of a natural phenomenon. And that it was given to him by his creators."
‘Tidus,’ Janeway thought. ‘As in tides and waves.’ She nodded in satisfaction. "I thought as much. You say you will leave once I learn to play. How will you know when I have learned?"
Tidus raised his head, chewing on a mouthful of grass.
"He says he watches us and will know," Naomi said.
"I didn’t see you around last night," Janeway remarked casually. "Where were you?"
"He says he was resting," Naomi said.
"Oh? So you sleep, too?" the captain asked, giving no hint of her sudden excitement.
"He was resting," Naomi repeated. She looked at the captain and shrugged. "That’s all he says."
Janeway put a hand on her young charge’s shoulder and squeezed gently. "That’s fine, Naomi. Thank you." She turned to the unicorn. "Well, then, Tidus, I suppose I’ll be seeing you around. I’m going to go back to my….playing."
The beast raised his head and seemed almost to smile. Then he set off to look for more grazing land. Janeway watched carefully as he moved away. The way he avoided the nearby bushes, pausing before the foliage almost as if he was planning to go through it, then eventually walking around it, confirmed her growing suspicions. She was pretty sure she had discovered a basic facet about how the hologram worked. Now she just had to communicate it to her crew.
Janeway half expected to find Seven missing when she returned to the picnic site, but to her relief the Borg was still on the blanket, just as she had left her. In fact, she appeared to be sleeping, her face buried in the covers. But then Janeway detected her shoulders moving, and heard muffled sounds coming from her.
"Seven? Are you okay?" Janeway knelt next to her Astrometrics officer and carefully turned her over. She was perturbed to see tears in Seven’s big blue eyes. "What’s wrong, Seven? Are you hurt?"
Naomi sat down next to them, reaching out to pat her playmate’s head. "I think she’s sad."
Seven said nothing, but buried her face against Janeway’s thigh, sobbing forlornly. Distressed, the captain responded immediately. She gathered up the younger woman into her arms, rocking her gently. "Sweetheart," she murmured, "I want to help you, but you have to tell me what’s wrong."
Seven stopped on a hiccup, and raised her face from where it was pressed against the captain’s shoulder. "Sweetheart?"
The endearment had come naturally, as it would for anyone addressing a young child, and Janeway could feel herself blushing. She brushed the golden hair back and wiped the trail of tears from beneath those expressive eyes. "What’s wrong, Seven?" she asked gently.
"I don’t like it here. I want to go home. And you don’t like me."
"Of course I like you! What makes you say that?" Janeway stared at her.
"You yelled at me. And you took Naomi’s side." Seven’s voice broke. "You – you like her better."
"Oh, Seven." Janeway was torn between worry and laughter. Somehow, her Starfleet officer training had never covered this situation. She stroked the younger woman’s cheek reassuringly. "I wasn’t taking anyone’s side. I just didn’t want to see you two fighting. I love you both, you know."
"You love us?" Seven’s voice held wonder. Even Naomi looked surprised.
Janeway hesitated, then put her cautiousness aside. It was true, wasn’t it? "Yes," she said, feeling relieved to say the words even though neither of them realized to what extent she meant them. "I love you." She grinned and smoothed back Seven’s hair. "Now I need you to do me a big favor. I need you two to play nicely while I try to talk to Commander Chakotay, okay? Can you do that?"
"How are you going to talk to him? The commbadges don’t work," Naomi said.
"We have a plan set up," Janeway explained. "But I need to concentrate for a bit."
"Okay, Captain," Seven agreed quietly. She threw her arms suddenly around Janeway in a breathtaking hug. "I love you too."
Janeway felt a lump in her throat. It was more affection than she ever expected to see from the younger woman, and it played havoc with her emotions. ‘I’m going to need a psychologist’s appointment once we get out of here,’ she thought with grim humor. ‘Talk about inappropriate desire!’ She patted Seven’s arm and gently extricated herself. "Thank you, sweetheart." With a sigh she turned away. The best way to assure their futures was to get them out of here.
"Computer," she began, "please provide information on the Brooks-Tilden model…"
~~~~~~~
"Commander, I think we have something." Harry Kim’s voice was restrained, but the Ensign’s excitement was reflected on his boyish face.
"What is it?" Chakotay turned around.
"Hang on, I’m downloading it." A few moments later he handed the first officer a PADD.
Chakotay’s tattooed brow creased as he read. "She’s requested a lot of information on Brooks-Tilden, the ‘Nervous Net,’ and something called ‘Subsumption architecture’." He looked around. "That mean anything to anyone?"
"That’s robotics, isn’t it?" Lt. Paris asked. He turned to the Ops officer. "Harry, you’re the most recent one out of the academy."
Ensign Kim grimaced. "Yes, but you picked a bad timeframe in my education," he replied. "Robotics was the second semester of freshman year."
"Ah." Tom nodded in comprehension. "Gwenyth."
Tuvok’s brow rose, and Chakotay grinned at the ensign’s flush. "Never mind, gentlemen," he said dryly as he stood up, PADD in hand. "I trust B’Elanna will be well-versed in the subject." He headed immediately for Engineering.
"Of course!" the engineer shouted in excitement, when Chakotay relayed the information to her. "It’s BEAM applied to the programming modules!"
"Beam?" Chakotay asked.
The half-Klingon engineer surveyed the PADD eagerly. "BEAM: Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, Mechanics," she explained absently, while punching in equations. "Rodney Brooks and Mark Tilden were two scientists who turned around the whole idea of ‘artificial intelligence’ in the late 20th century. When early researchers got stalled trying to develop computers that could ‘think,’ Brooks and Tilden took the opposite approach. They postulated that sensorimotor skills were the foundation on which intelligence was built, rather than higher-level thought processes."
The dark-haired commander nodded, his brow clearing. "Ah yes, I remember now. They built robots using pure analog circuitry – transistors and capacitors – sometimes powered by solar cells. It astounded everyone when their creations, essentially brainless or with very rudimentary thought-processors, appeared to be able to learn."
"Exactly! Now I know why that damned subroutine seemed so primitive to me. The Genn must’ve figured out a way to incorporate that wave-module development into a computer virus. It keeps one step ahead of us because it adapts without thinking."
"The Borg strategy at its most basic," Chakotay commented.
"But now that we know how it works, it should be simple enough to defeat," B’Elanna said grimly, picking up another PADD and punching in more algorithms. "I just have to find a routine that will disrupt that wave cycle." She looked up suddenly. "You say the captain figured this out?"
"She didn’t use any of the prearranged signals we had set up, but we have to assume the request for information was a deliberate communication," Chakotay replied.
B’Elanna shook her head admiringly. "She’s something, isn’t she?"
"She’s something all right," Chakotay agreed. "Now let’s see if we can bring her back to where she belongs."
~~~~~~~
Back in the holodeck, Janeway was busy instructing Naomi and Seven in the art of building a campfire.
"What do we need this for?" Seven asked doubtfully.
Janeway compressed her lips to hide a smile. Child or not, some things never changed – like the Borg’s tendency to question her decisions. "It’s important to know emergency measures in case alternative sources of power are unavailable," she explained. "Now we add the kindling, like this."
A few minutes later the spark was struck and the fire burst into life. It was just moments after that that the holodeck illumination dimmed, the artificial sun gradually losing its radiance.
"Just in time," Janeway noted with satisfaction.
"Hey, how come it’s becoming night so soon?" Naomi asked, confused.
"Commander Chakotay is changing the schedule," the captain reassured her. "Don’t worry, we’ll be safe here."
Suddenly, Tidus appeared in the clearing, prancing and visibly upset.
"He says the diurnal cycle has been disturbed," Seven remarked. "He thinks you must be playing a trick on him."
Janeway smiled at the hologram, who, even as she watched, was beginning to slow in its movements. "Why, Tidus, of course I am! I’ve finally learned the art of playing, and I have you to thank for it. It’s even more enjoyable than I expected."
~~~~~~~
Just an hour later, it was all over. Without its solar power source the hologram became inactive, and the virus was quickly neutralized by a special sub-routine B’Elanna had devised. Seven and Naomi were whisked immediately to sickbay, and without the presence of Tidus to affect them, seemed to gradually revert to their former personalities.
"I’ll keep them overnight for observation," the doctor murmured to Janeway. "But they appear to be recovering without any ill effects." He ran his tricorder over the captain. "I just want to be sure you were unaffected by this hologram."
"Fortunately, I was spared that indignity," Janeway assured him dryly. "I think my not being able to hear him had something to do with that."
"Yes, the auditory-neural connection is well-documented. It would seem that the oscillating nature of this ‘Tidus’ virus worked on the cerebral cortex of both Seven and Naomi. The question is why theirs would be more susceptible than yours." He studied the tricorder with a satisfied look on his face. "I am postulating that it was due to their relative lack of development."
The captain was surprised. "Really? Naomi is still a child, Doctor, but Seven’s fully grown."
"There could be some way in which her development was arrested when she was assimilated by the Borg at age six," he replied. "I’d have to research further."
Janeway hopped down from the biobed. "Well, keep me apprised of their progress. Naomi’s mom is pretty anxious about her, and I don’t want to send Seven back to duty unless she’s a hundred percent." She walked over to where the two of them lay on adjacent biobeds. Naomi appeared to be sleeping, but Seven’s eyes were open as she stared at the ceiling.
"Seven?" Janeway asked. "How are you feeling?"
"I am functioning within normal parameters, Captain," was the soft reply. The blue eyes looked briefly into hers before resuming their perusal of the ceiling. "I would like to go back to work."
"Well, the doctor wants to keep you here overnight, and then you should spend at least a day regenerating. After that, well, we’ll see." Janeway studied her carefully. "I’m glad you’re operating normally, but how are you feeling?"
Seven glanced at the captain, then sat up suddenly. "I…am somewhat…unsettled at my behavior," she said at last. "I was acting very illogically."
Janeway placed her hand on Seven’s knee reassuringly. "You weren’t responsible for your actions," she said. "The effect the virus had on your behavior wasn’t something you could control." She hesitated. "So you remember everything?"
"I remember it, but I do not understand it," Seven admitted. "The feelings I experienced are not within my usual emotional parameters."
"Well, perhaps they are, but are just buried very deep?" the captain suggested.
Seven did not appear happy with that possibility. She stared at Janeway’s hand resting on her knee. "The doctor says you were unaffected by the hologram. Yet your own behavior was not usual for you, either," she said, lifting her eyes to meet Janeway’s.
The older woman removed her hand and stepped back hastily. "I was probably less patient than I usually am," she agreed. "The two of you in your regressed states were quite a handful, I’m afraid."
"In reviewing our behavior, I would say you showed admirable patience," Seven replied. "However, I was referring to your increased level of demonstrativeness."
Janeway could feel herself flushing slightly. "Adults tend to be freer in showing their affection towards children, I think." She cleared her throat. "I’d better get back to the bridge. We still have to decide how we’re going to respond to the Genn’s ‘gift.’"
"Captain, I’d prefer to return to the Astrometrics lab," Seven said, moving to get down from the biobed.
"Sorry, Seven, but I’d prefer to have you both right under the doctor’s nose," Janeway said. Her tone brooked no argument.
The Borg’s expression did not change, but Janeway could sense her frustration. "There is nothing for me to accomplish here," Seven said. She looked over at Naomi, and then admitted, "And I do not believe I can fall asleep."
Janeway’s expression softened. "I understand," she said. "But I want you to try to rest as much as possible." Her eyes twinkled. "Or do you think you need a story?"
Seven looked up quickly. "Would you tell me one?" she asked, her expression impossible to read.
Janeway was taken aback at this response to her teasing. "I…well, I suppose I…are you serious?" she asked finally.
Seven’s head tilted. "I recall it being very comforting. But perhaps it would not be appropriate in this instance."
Janeway started to agree that it would not be appropriate for the captain of an Intrepid-class vessel to be telling her Astrometrics officer a bedtime story, but something in Seven’s expression stopped her. It was gone in an instant, but Janeway was momentarily reminded of the little child that had taken over the former Borg, giving her a glimpse of Seven that she had never seen before.
"I don’t know about a story," she replied slowly, her voice a touch huskier than normal. "But I could come back to talk with you, if you like. Keep you company for awhile."
"That would be acceptable," Seven stated.
"I’m glad. But try to restrain your enthusiasm." The captain’s tone was dry.
"You are employing irony." Seven’s brow rose. "Did you perceive my reply to be insincere?"
"I’ll be back after I’ve had my supper, Seven," was all Janeway said as she turned to go. She got as far as the door before Seven hailed her.
"Captain?"
"Yes?" She turned around.
"Thank you, Captain," Seven said softly.
Janeway nodded and left, a hint of a smile on her face.
~~~~~~~
When Janeway returned later that evening, the doctor met her at the doorway. "I’d appreciate it if you would convince my patient to refrain from assimilating my sickbay," he said irritably.
"Seven? What’s she doing?"
In answer, the hologram pointed to his office, where Seven sat behind his desk, working at his computer. Janeway shook her head and walked over to his office door.
"Seven, that does not look like resting to me."
The younger woman did not look up. "I am simply reprogramming a few diagnostic procedures to increase efficiency."
"What you are doing is aggravating the heck out of my chief medical officer," Janeway said. "Do I have to order you confined to quarters?"
Seven stopped immediately. "I will return to my biobed," she said.
"I think that’s wise."
As she climbed back into the bed, the captain went over to check on Naomi.
"She is still unconscious," Seven reported with concern.
"The doctor says she’s fine, she’s just exhausted," Janeway replied softly. She pulled up a chair next to Seven’s bed and sat down. "Did you have dinner?"
"I do not require any nutrition," she said. "The amount I ingested in the holodeck was unusual."
"Yes, no doubt another side effect of the virus," Janeway agreed.
"Have you decided what your response to the Genn will be?"
"I’d like to ship back their damn gift in a photon torpedo," the captain replied angrily.
"You would not take such an action," Seven said.
"No, you’re right." Janeway sighed. "But their act was tantamount to an attack on our vessel, and I’m not going to let that go without some kind of acknowledgement."
"Perhaps I might be able to modify Tidus’s program to instruct his owners in the same lesson they attempted to teach us," the former Borg suggested.
Janeway looked surprised, then she chuckled. "Seven, I never knew you were so devious!" Her eyes gleamed briefly as she considered the idea, then she shook her head. "No, that’s not an option, I’m afraid. As much as I would enjoy the gesture. I think we’ll settle for sending back a disabled program and a strongly worded statement."
The younger woman adjusted the blanket covering her. She appeared to be weighing her words, which was unusual. "In spite of the virus’s treacherous nature," she said eventually, "it did have a beneficial effect."
"Yes?"
"You displayed a side of yourself that was unfamiliar to me."
Janeway laughed with a touch of embarrassment. "Well, I could say the same of you. Though I’m not sure I would like to encounter that Seven again anytime soon."
"Yet you told me…you told her…that you loved her." The Borg’s voice was low.
Janeway flushed. "Seven, I—"
"Captain, there is something I must tell you."
Janeway sent a nervous glance toward the doctor. Fortunately he was in his office, and out of hearing range. "Yes?" she said.
"In my regressed state, I found myself experiencing certain emotions," Seven began, not meeting her eyes. "Gratitude, admiration, affection…for you."
"That’s not unusual," Janeway said gently. "Given the respective roles we took on, those kinds of feelings sometimes develop."
"Yes, I realize that," Seven said. "However, the effects of the virus have gone from my system," she looked up suddenly, "and I still feel them."
Janeway took a deep breath. "I think what you’re feeling, Seven," she began slowly, "is a sort of hero worship. That’s perfectly understandable, under the circumstances."
Seven’s gaze was unwavering. "Does hero worship contain…desire?"
The captain was startled. "No! I mean…I suppose there might be feelings that could be mistaken for desire…but you shouldn’t be misled by them, Seven."
"You believe I am experiencing a misplaced hero worship?" Janeway nodded. "And your declaration of love for me – was that also not what it seemed to be?"
"It was made out of the genuine caring I have for your welfare, as I do for all my crew," Janeway answered uneasily.
The Borg considered that in silence. "I do not believe I am being misled by my feelings," she said at last. "But I do believe you are being misled by yours."
Caught off guard, Capt. Janeway attempted to explain her feelings as the type of affection a mother would feel for her child, or a teacher would feel for her pupil. But Seven had come to her own conclusion.
"I no longer require your company for comfort," she stated levelly. "You may leave now." She lay down on the biobed and pulled the blanket over her, turning her back to Janeway. The gesture made it clear that their discussion was over.
Janeway stared at her Astrometrics officer, unsure of how to respond. Seven’s deliberate rudeness obviously meant Janeway had hurt her, and that thought pained the captain deeply. She did not want to leave things like this.
"We can discuss this again later, Seven," she said softly. "When you’re feeling better." There was no reply. With one last troubled glance at the younger woman, Janeway left sickbay.
~~~~~~~
Three days passed before Janeway saw Seven again. After being pronounced fit for duty by the doctor, the former Borg returned to her alcove to regenerate. The captain was very tempted to check in on cargo bay two, but Seven’s recent revelations made her hesitate. It was more important than ever that she respect the boundaries between them.
Seven did not attempt to seek her out; in fact, Janeway suspected that the younger woman was avoiding her. This disturbed Janeway, but the captain had her hands full as they made arrangements to return Tidus to the Genn. Once Voyager’s warp drive was restored, they made it back to the planet in short order. A request to meet with Ambassador FerringGol was granted immediately, and Janeway beamed down to the surface, accompanied by Tuvok and Samantha Wildman. Janeway had had doubts about including the ensign on this trip, but she had pleaded to be allowed along.
"I’m not after revenge, Captain," Ensign Wildman said. "Naomi is safe and unharmed, and that’s what matters to me. But I want the Genn to realize who they affected with their stupid practical joke…I want to put a face on their victims!"
Janeway nodded. "All right. But I don’t want you doing or saying anything unless I tell you to."
They were met by a guard and ushered into a large room to wait for FerringGol. The ambassador’s office was surprisingly comfortable, with pastel tapestries hanging on the walls and intricately woven rugs covering the uneven stone floor. A tall marble table sat in the middle of the room, a large sofa and chairs of various styles arranged around it. Tuvok placed the wooden box he was carrying down on the table. Ambassador FerringGol appeared, dressed in a light gray flowing robe.
"What is the meaning of this?" the alien asked, blinking rapidly.
"What does it look like?" Janeway countered. "I’m returning some property which belongs to you."
The ambassador opened the lid, lifted out a PADD and frowned in puzzlement.
"That’s what’s left of the virus you transmitted onto Voyager," Janeway said, before the alien could speak. "It’s been deactivated."
"You are returning the gift?" FerringGol asked stiffly.
"That ‘gift’ nearly put Voyager out of commission!" the captain replied. "It’s being returned with this warning, Ambassador: I am submitting a formal report of this incident. If you ever attempt again to infect our ship, or any other vessel belonging to Starfleet, we will consider it a hostile act and respond accordingly!" The auburn-haired woman stepped to within 20 centimeters of the alien as she delivered the warning. Her blue-gray eyes were flashing with the force of the famous Janeway glare, and though she only came to the level of the alien’s bony chest, FerringGol stepped back rather hastily.
"There was no danger in the computer program," the Genn said placatingly. "Tidus was not designed to harm anyone."
"Your program put us in a very vulnerable position, Ambassador. If we had been attacked while without our warp drive, the entire ship could’ve been destroyed!"
"Tidus would not affect your warp drive," FerringGol replied defensively.
"We had no idea what it was capable of!" Janeway countered. "The program was obviously designed to evolve and act independently. It trapped two of my crewmembers in the holodeck and caused major psychological changes in them. One of those attacked was Naomi Wildman, Ensign Wildman’s daughter." Janeway nodded at Samantha Wildman, who stepped forward.
"If you have any feeling for your children, Ambassador," she said, "then you’ll understand the kind of worry I went through. I was afraid that I would never see my child again!" Her voice broke slightly, and FerringGol had the grace to look ashamed.
"I am sorry you were worried. But the Genn value offspring very much -- we would never harm a child. This Naomi was not permanently damaged?"
"No, she wasn’t," Ensign Wildman admitted. "But that’s not the point!"
"In fact, I am quite certain the child considered the experience enjoyable, yes?"
Janeway interrupted before the ensign could answer. "Ambassador FerringGol, the Genn had no right to take such action. It doesn’t matter what your motivation or the result was!"
The alien gave its open-mouthed smile. "Oh, but the motive and the result are the whole point, Captain Janeway. Our intent was to teach you and Voyager an important lesson. The freedom to be found in play is very instructive. Have you not learned something new about your crewmembers, and they about you?"
The captain stared at the Genn in consternation, the memory of Seven’s expression and the wonderment in her "You love us?" coming immediately to mind. Then Janeway became aware of curious looks directed her way by Tuvok and Samantha Wildman. "You overstepped your bounds, Ambassador," she said grimly. "I will repeat once more – we will consider future such attempts as hostile acts, and retaliate in kind. Goodbye."
They transported immediately back to Voyager. It was clear they would get no further with the Genn, and Janeway found the lack of resolution frustrating. But once they left the planet behind, she was free to concentrate on another problem thus far unresolved – what to do about Seven of Nine. The young woman was still keeping her distance, and Janeway decided she had given her enough time. A visit to Astrometrics was in order.
She found Seven busy at her station, and her expression upon seeing the captain did not change.
"The doctor says you’re completely recovered," Janeway said, coming to stand next to her at the console.
"As I reported 37.7 hours ago, I am functioning normally," was the cool reply.
"Good. Then you’ll be able to join me for dinner."
Seven stared at her. "You wish me to eat dinner with you?"
"I thought perhaps we could share a meal in my cabin," Janeway said, more tentatively than she usually spoke. "We could…talk things over."
Seven considered that. "Very well," she said.
Janeway programmed a simple meal of chicken and pasta, along with some broccoli spears, and fortunately the replicator cooperated. When Seven showed up, precisely at 1900, dinner was ready and sitting in covered dishes on the table.
The former Borg was dressed in her usual unitard, this one a pleasing plum shade, but Janeway had decided to be a little less formal. The implant over Seven’s brow lifted at the sight of the captain’s caramel-colored trousers and cream sweater, but she did not comment.
"Come in, Seven. Have a seat. Would you like a drink before dinner?"
"Synthehol has a deleterious effect on my system," she replied. "But thank you for offering."
The captain smiled to herself. Seven’s manners were really coming along quite well. "Unfortunately, that statement is true for a lot of people who don’t have your self-discipline," Janeway said wryly. "But I’m going to have some chilled guava juice. Would you like some?"
"I have never had guava juice. I would like to try it." She carefully examined the glass Janeway handed her, sniffed at it, then took a sip. "It is pleasant," she pronounced.
"Yes, I like it," Janeway agreed, watching her with amusement. "Shall we eat?"
Dinner conversation was desultory, but not as awkward as Janeway feared. It was over an after dinner cup of coffee that she decided to broach the subject of their previous discussion.
"Seven, I want to apologize for the way I handled things when you were in sickbay," Janeway said. "I have to admit you took me by surprise, but I certainly never meant to hurt your feelings."
"You did not," Seven stated. "I believe my feelings were more of anger than of pain."
"Anger?"
"Yes. You were denying your feelings for me, and it angered me."
"I was not denying that I care about you, Seven," Janeway began.
"You love me," Seven said simply. "And I do not believe it is the same feeling you have for other crewmembers."
"Wha- where did you get that idea?"
"My time in the holodeck proved very enlightening," Seven replied. "When you admitted you loved me, I was prompted to examine my own feelings in return. I realized that what I felt for you must be love as well."
"Seven," Janeway said, "you can’t just assume—"
"I am basing it on my knowledge of over 9000 assimilated species, and an analysis of the physical changes which occur," she continued, as if anticipating the captain’s protest.
"What are you talking about?" Janeway asked, bewildered.
"I mean I have some knowledge of the mating practices of a great many cultures, including human. I am also referring to the increase in heart rate and respiration, the dilation of pupils, the slight euphoria due to increased beta-endorphin production I experience in your presence," Seven said. "What is more, I detect some of those symptoms in you."
Janeway flushed, feeling suddenly very exposed. "Seven, your Borg-enhanced senses may allow you to detect many things regular humans do not, but that just means you must be extra careful about employing them," she said sharply. "Some things are…private, and many people would be offended to know you are spying on them in that way."
Seven considered that. "You mean, as you said in the holodeck, it is not ‘playing fair.’"
"Exactly," Janeway said. "And after awhile, you may find that no one wants to play with you!"
The blond woman stood up from the table and began a deliberate pacing, hands behind her back and head bowed in thought. Finally, she stopped before Janeway. "I will try to ignore the reports of my enhanced senses in the things which may be interpreted as an invasion of privacy," she said. "But I cannot reverse the knowledge I have already gained." She looked directly into Janeway’s eyes. "Do you no longer wish to play with me?"
In spite of herself, Janeway had to laugh. "Oh Seven," she replied. "If only you knew!"
The Borg took that as a positive sign and looked hopeful. "Then you will consider a relationship with me?"
"I can’t," Kathryn said. There was a world of sadness in her tone.
"You mean you will not."
"I mean I can’t. Seven, it’s completely inappropriate!"
Seven turned away. "I do not see why," she said, arms wrapped around herself as if she were cold.
"I’m your captain!" Janeway said. "I know," she continued, when Seven would’ve interrupted, "you’re not technically a member of Starfleet. But that doesn’t change the fact that you fall under my command as long as you’re a part of Voyager. I’m responsible for every member of this ship, and I certainly can’t become involved with any of them!"
"So the only option left to you is an alien…or a holodeck construct," Seven said bitterly.
Janeway winced. They had never discussed her disastrous involvement with Michael Sullivan, though she realized the crew was aware of it. "That’s not fair," she said in a low voice.
Seven turned back to face Janeway. "What is not fair is that you deny me the opportunity to become closer to you," she said.
Janeway approached her. "Seven, that’s not true," she said softly. "I’ve always been very interested in your development, and I will always be here for you." She touched the Borg’s arm sympathetically. "What happened to you on the holodeck was very confusing. I’m sure it stirred up all kinds of feelings for your parents, whom you lost at a very young age. But it would be a very unscrupulous person that would take advantage of your vulnerability—"
She broke off as Seven grabbed her suddenly, pulling her close and placing her mouth on Kathryn’s rather forcefully. The kiss had more enthusiasm than experience behind it, but it started Janeway’s heart racing nonetheless. She pushed Seven away immediately. "What do you think you’re doing?!"
"These are not feelings of loss for my parents," Seven stated clearly. "They are not misplaced hero-worship. I am attracted to you, Kathryn Janeway. And I believe you are attracted to me. You are denying that attraction, and what is more, you are denying the possibility that those feelings will ever develop any further."
Janeway was dismayed at hearing the truth stated so plainly. She had underestimated Seven’s understanding of the subject, as well as the Borg’s ability to recognize what she’d been trying to hide. Before she could respond, Seven continued in a pained voice.
"I was attempting to initiate a relationship between us, but I do not have enough experience in this area. The doctor’s advice is proving…insufficient. If this relationship is to proceed, it will be up to you to initiate it." She stepped back and assumed her usual rigid stance. "Goodnight, Captain."
Janeway watched in silence as Seven left her quarters. She lowered herself onto her sofa as her legs gave way beneath her, staring pensively at the door. She didn’t move for a very long time.
~~~~~~~