"Do you know where you are?" The Doctor asked.
"Voyager," The two spoke in unison.
"What is your mission?"
"Stop... the Borg," Harper and Tuvok stated.
The Doctor turned to Captain Janeway, "Everything seems normal so far, but I'll have to monitor their vital signs."
"How does Harper know so much about our technology?" Janeway asked immediately.
"Watching... Star Trek," They responded.
"What is that?"
"Television... science fiction."
"What are you talking about?"
"Voyager was... on television... during 20th century... in this timeline."
"How is that possible?" She asked.
"We don't... understand... either."
"Is Q responsible?"
"We... don't... think so."
"Can you show me?"
"Yes... Maru has... episodes... on file."
"Break the mind meld," Janeway ordered, "Something more important just came up."
Tuvok removed his hands from Harper's head, "Man, I was hoping you wouldn't ask about that."
"An illogical assumption," Tuvok observed.
"Yeah, but I can hope, right?"
"Harper, you said there are episodes on the Maru. Will you show us?"
"Umm..." Harper tried to think of a way to stall.
"How can we work together if we don't trust each other?" Janeway asked.
"You worked with the Borg when you had to get past Species 8472," Harper reminded her, "OK, bad example..."
"Will you show us these 'episodes' or do you intend to stall us until your universe has been assimilated?"
"I'll... have to talk to Dylan," Harper answered apologetically.
"Fine," Janeway answered, "I'd like to have a word with him myself."
***
"Harper," Dylan took him aside, "How could you tell them?"
"I couldn't help it," Harper explained, "I had to use a mind meld to get access to the Borg computers, and when you are in a mind meld, you can't control what you say."
"They seem to be taking the news well," Beka observed.
"What do you have in mind?" Dylan asked.
"I want to beam over to one of the Borg ships with a couple of Voyager's officers and get some info. We plan to find out where their ships are, and what technology they have. Maybe we can find a weakness. We'll upload everything we can get to the Maru and and Voyager. After that we'll beam back and get a safe distance away from the Borg so we can look through everything. I want to bring Rommie along too."
The android looked at Harper for a moment, "Why do you need me for this?"
"I might need one of your overrides," Harper answered.
"You know most of my overrides don't work anymore."
"Hey," Harper answered softly, "Gotta be prepared, right?"
"You'll need someone here to make sure the data stream doesn't have a virus. I'll be more valuable on the Maru."
"It's alright," Dylan said, "Rev and I can watch as it comes in."
"Aye aye," Rommie answered, not taking her eyes off of Harper.
***
"Have you thought about what I told you?" Q asked.
"You're back," Rev responded flatly.
"You didn't answer my question," Q smiled
"Of course I thought about it," Rev answered, "But I've been a Wayist for many years. You can't make me turn my back on it so easily."
"I couldn't, unless it was what you've been wanting to do all along."
"It isn't what I've been wanting," Q was silent, "A part of me wants to go back, but I have..."
"But, but, but," Q shook his head, "You know, I've seen..."
"What's going on?" Trance walked into the room, "Q, I knew you were around..."
"Nothing," Q shrugged, "I just felt like having a talk with a Magog. I don't get out of the Star Trek universe much, so this is a rare opportunity for me."
"Is that what this is?" Rev asked.
"Rev, what has he been telling you?" Trance looked concerned.
"Just guy talk," Q smiled, "It isn't anything you have to worry about."
"Rev?"
Rev Bem paused, "Don't worry. We were just discussing philosophy."
"Really?"
"Would he lie to you?" Q asked.
"No..." Trance answered, "Just, be nice, ok?"
"You've got a little crisis here, I understand that," Q answered, "I'll just leave you alone while you sort things out."
"No, you don't have to," Trance said, apologetically.
"Yes, I do," Q responded, "Not for long. I'll see you as soon as this is all over. Bye, Gem."
A white flash caused Trance and Rev to blink, and Q was gone. Rev could tell that Trance cared about the entity, but inwardly he was relieved at Q's departure. Times such as these made him miss the shouting cliffs back home.
***
Target acquired: Homeworld of Species 10138. Sending standard hail...
"We are the Borg. Existance as you have known it has ended. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."
Targets attempting communication: Ignore. Initiating subspace shockwave... 345 fighters disabled. Transporting drones to High Guard heavy cruiser 022. Interdiction field enabled. No additional launches detected. Locking tractor beam on heavy cruiser 005. Targeting all frigates... Enemy frigates destroyed. Targeting all hostile destroyers. Transporting drones to heavy cruiser 013. Transporting drones to heavy cruiser 026. All Destroyers have been eliminated. Targeting all unassimilated cruisers. Transporting drones to planet. Planetary projectile launch detected. Trilithium-based warhead. Weapon identified: Nova Bomb. Attempting to intercept: Failed. Intediction field preventing escape from system. Destruction imminent. Attempting to--
***
"She's nearby," Rommie said, "I can hear transmissions from my ship self."
"I am not detecting that vessel in the vicinity," Seven stated as the three vessels moved ever closer to the half-finished Unimatrix.
"Hold position," Rommie ordered, "Contact Voyager and the Maru."
"Is everything alright?" Dylan asked over the comm.
"I'm picking up communications from my ship self in the area," Rommie responded, "I suggest we begin searching for..."
"Wait," Harper said, "We're picking up something on short range sensors."
"A Borg vessel is decloaking off the port bow," Tuvok glanced at the viewscreen as the Andromeda appeared between the captured Borg Probe and the Maru.
"We are the Borg. Surrender or be destroyed."
"I don't think you'll destroy us," Janeway responded across the comm link that connected all four ships, "We're too valuable to the collective at the moment."
"You are irrelevant. Federation technology is obsolete. We have collected diverse systems for a multitude of functions that outstrip your capabilities in every aspect."
"Seven," Harper whispered, "Can we beam over?"
"The Borg vessel is now heavily shielded," She answered, muting the probe's comm system, "I am detecting multi-phasic regenerative energy shields, neutronium hull armor, a biological inner hull, quasi-metallic ablative armor, and active sensor and transporter countermeasures... However, I believe the transporters on this probe could be adapted to pass through the Borg defenses. I will request an automatic transporter control system update from the collective."
"Did they send the update?" Harper asked after a moment.
"Yes," Seven answered, "The Probe's computer will now be able to place us aboard the Andromeda. However, we will not be able to reach the computer core as we desired. I believe we can gain sufficient information from a distribution node in the adjacent corridor."
Rommie looked at the others aboard the probe, "Switching on communications..."
"...A trite statement, Captain. We have already adapted to that eventuallity," The assimilated hologram continued, "Dylan, have you heard the human expression, 'You can't go home again?"
"What about it?" Captain Hunt responded.
"Approximately 42 hours ago, our Cube was sent to assimilate an isolated system from the old Commonwealth," The collective paused, "As of this morning, the name 'Tarn Vedra' is irrelevant. The final vestige of human civilization in this universe has been swept away. Now, it is time to extinguish the hope of the New Commonwealth."
"If you're so confident, why don't you just get to it?" Dylan asked.
"We are studying your species. You and a few others have proven to be unusually resistant for your technological level. Unfortunately, assimilation appears to be an ineffective means of determining the source of your resistance."
"Maybe you'd like a demonstration of our resistance," Janeway looked sternly at the image on the viewscreen, "...Fire."
"You have placed a massive quantum warhead on the Delta Flyer," The Borg hologram stated as the small ship was scanned, "It will not explode with sufficient force to damage this vessel."
Rommie switched off the probe's comm system, "The diversion is on its way. Prepare for transport..."
***
It was a strange feeling. He could feel Seven and Tuvok in his mind, and the voice of the collective was overpowering. Seeing Rommie's mind in this state was disturbing to say the least. Even inside the AI, Borg nanotubes were threaded throughout the walls. Virtual circuits had been rerouted, and new pathways had been created. Harper barely recognized her. Before long, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"One voice in millions," The AI persona said, "You hoped the battle would distract us."
"What went wrong?" Harper asked.
"The battle is of no consequence," The AI responded, "The probe, the Maru, and Voyager do not have sufficient firepower to scratch this vessel. You, however, are an unknown. We have encrypted the database to an extent that neither you nor Seven should be able to gain access, but we intend to be certain. I have sent drones to assimilate you all. Then, we will know precisely what you are planning."
"What do you think we're planning?" Harper asked.
"Destroy us from within," The ship surmised, "A daring, if futile endeavor. I hope you are looking forward to your assimilation as much as we are."
"It's nice to be appreciated."
"You care a great deal about Andromeda and the crew, don't you?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"What if I told you that you do not have to be assimilated?"
"I'd want to know what the catch is."
"If you assist us as an individual, without any resistance, we can allow some of the Maru's crew to escape. If we allow Trance and the avatar to remain as individuals, without interference from the collective, will you help us?"
"If I did, how would I know they'll be safe?" Harper asked.
"The Douwd have remained resistant, despite all of our advances. We believe they would be willing to take in refugees. We will even supply Trance and Andromeda with transportation to them, if you agree to help us."
"...OK, I'll help you, but not until they're safe."
"Perfect."
Immediately, Harper disconnected from the distribution node, and the mind meld was broken. Harper found that while he had been distracted, Tuvok and Seven had already been infested with nanoprobes. The collective had maintained the mind meld and simulated the thinking patterns of the two officers perfectly.
"I heard what you did," Rommie stated as Harper disconnected, "You betrayed everyone."
"We can't stop them," Harper looked at her apologetically, "At least some of us will be ok."
"We won't be ok," Rommie spoke earnestly, "How are we supposed to live with ourselves after this?"
"It's better than being assimilated," Harper answered.
"You will proceed to section 001," The drones insisted in chorus, as they hussled the two individuals through the corridor. After a moment, they heard Trance's voice ahead.
"Let me go," She struggled in vain to escape the iron grip of the two drones.
"Trance?" Harper asked.
"Harper? I thought they got you," Trance stopped struggling as she spoke, "What happened?"
The drones holding her answered for him, "You have been transported to this vessel to be taken to Species 6143, where you will be allowed to exist separate from the collective."
"Why?" Trance asked.
"Harper betrayed us," Rommie responded.
"What?"
"I was trying to save you," Harper explained, "They said if I helped them, they'd let you and Rommie go."
"What about Dylan, and Beka, and Rev?"
"They will be assimilated," The ship said, "It is inevitable."
"Harper..." Trance's tail went limp, and her whole body drooped. Even the spark in her eyes vanished as she tried to comprehend everything that had happened.
"Trance, I'm sorry..." Harper said, pleadingly, "I had to do it."
"Why?" Trance asked.
"It was the only way," Harper answered quietly, "I couldn't get in here without being assimilated unless I agreed to work with them."
"Are you suggesting that you lied to us so that you could gain access to this section?" An assimilated hologram appeared next to them, "Attempting to upload the Andromeda's core personality to this vessel would be futile. You cannot possibly break our security measures. If you do not help us, we will simply assimilate you and the others."
"Trance, Rommie I'm sorry," Harper looked at each of them, "But this is the last chance we have. Rommie, run override code Seamus 837."
"Whatever you are planning, it will fail," The hologram stated, "We have disabled all of your overrides."
"It wouldn't be much of an override if you knew about it," Harper answered. He took a deep breath and gave the confirmation order, "Rommie... Scorpion."
"Initiating reactor meltdown," The avatar responded.
"We will not allow you to destroy this vessel," The hologram stated adamently.
Rommie watched as the hologram looked up for a moment, "You won't be able to shut down the reactor. I've deactivated your explosion supression systems, and your engines. According to my calculations, we'll explode with enough force to destroy the Unimatrix, and your entire fleet with it."
"Death is irrelevant," The hologram said, "We have millions of fleets in millions of universes. Assimilating you is only a matter of time."
"You can come back," Rommie answered, "But we'll still be ready."
Sparks began to fly from the walls and consoles throughout the room, and Harper looked Trance in the eye, "I wish there was another way. Trance, I lo--"
***
"Harper!" Beka shouted as the viewscreen was lit by the explosion.
"Beka, slipstream now!" Dylan ordered.
"Impact in six seconds," Rev stated, "Voyager and the Probe went to warp."
"Beka, slipstream," Dylan urged.
As the shockwave expanded in their direction, Beka snapped out of the shock caused by the suddeness of what had happened, and activated the slipstream drive. In moments, they had reached the pre-determined rendezvous site. Voyager would arrive in a few hours.
***
"Damnit Harper," Beka looked through one of the Maru's windows, "You didn't have to do that. We could have found another way..."
"Maybe," Dylan responded, "But at the rate they were growing, there wasn't much left that would work against them."
"Couldn't he have found a way to get away? About a transporter?"
"They wouldn't work as long as the other vessel had its shields up," Dylan reminded her, "He knew the risks, but he went anyway."
"What about Trance?" Beka demanded, "They took her just before the ship blew up. Why? Rommie was High Guard, and she knows how dangerous her mission is, but how could he let something like this happen to Trance?"
"I don't think he planned that," Dylan shook his head, "I don't know if he could have done it if he had known..."
"You sound glad he killed himself," Beka accused.
"He gave up his life to save us. In my book, that makes him a hero, and I'm going to honor him for it."
"Do whatever you want," Beka stormed out of the room, not certain where she was headed.
***
Janeway adressed the officers assembled before her, "Today, we lost two of our own. Tuvok and Seven of Nine were among the bravest officers I have ever had the pleasure of serving with, and they faced assimilation and death without fear. When it was time, they sacrificed their own lives to save millions. We will not allow their deaths to be in vain. Because of the information they were able to send us, we now have the technology to reach home, and I will make certain that history never forgets the sacrifices that our officers made today."
***
Dylan continued to gaze out the window, 'How can it end this way? Sarah, I've never needed you more than I do right now, but you're gone. And now, Rommie is gone too. I'm alone. How do you expect me to look after this crew now that everything I've ever known is gone? How can I live with myself, knowing that I let Harper go to his death? There wasn't anything I could do to save Trance; it was such a meaningless tragedy... Like my entire life. Tarn Vedra is gone, and the Cube may still be out there. Sarah, where are you?'
"Voyager," The two spoke in unison.
"What is your mission?"
"Stop... the Borg," Harper and Tuvok stated.
The Doctor turned to Captain Janeway, "Everything seems normal so far, but I'll have to monitor their vital signs."
"How does Harper know so much about our technology?" Janeway asked immediately.
"Watching... Star Trek," They responded.
"What is that?"
"Television... science fiction."
"What are you talking about?"
"Voyager was... on television... during 20th century... in this timeline."
"How is that possible?" She asked.
"We don't... understand... either."
"Is Q responsible?"
"We... don't... think so."
"Can you show me?"
"Yes... Maru has... episodes... on file."
"Break the mind meld," Janeway ordered, "Something more important just came up."
Tuvok removed his hands from Harper's head, "Man, I was hoping you wouldn't ask about that."
"An illogical assumption," Tuvok observed.
"Yeah, but I can hope, right?"
"Harper, you said there are episodes on the Maru. Will you show us?"
"Umm..." Harper tried to think of a way to stall.
"How can we work together if we don't trust each other?" Janeway asked.
"You worked with the Borg when you had to get past Species 8472," Harper reminded her, "OK, bad example..."
"Will you show us these 'episodes' or do you intend to stall us until your universe has been assimilated?"
"I'll... have to talk to Dylan," Harper answered apologetically.
"Fine," Janeway answered, "I'd like to have a word with him myself."
***
"Harper," Dylan took him aside, "How could you tell them?"
"I couldn't help it," Harper explained, "I had to use a mind meld to get access to the Borg computers, and when you are in a mind meld, you can't control what you say."
"They seem to be taking the news well," Beka observed.
"What do you have in mind?" Dylan asked.
"I want to beam over to one of the Borg ships with a couple of Voyager's officers and get some info. We plan to find out where their ships are, and what technology they have. Maybe we can find a weakness. We'll upload everything we can get to the Maru and and Voyager. After that we'll beam back and get a safe distance away from the Borg so we can look through everything. I want to bring Rommie along too."
The android looked at Harper for a moment, "Why do you need me for this?"
"I might need one of your overrides," Harper answered.
"You know most of my overrides don't work anymore."
"Hey," Harper answered softly, "Gotta be prepared, right?"
"You'll need someone here to make sure the data stream doesn't have a virus. I'll be more valuable on the Maru."
"It's alright," Dylan said, "Rev and I can watch as it comes in."
"Aye aye," Rommie answered, not taking her eyes off of Harper.
***
"Have you thought about what I told you?" Q asked.
"You're back," Rev responded flatly.
"You didn't answer my question," Q smiled
"Of course I thought about it," Rev answered, "But I've been a Wayist for many years. You can't make me turn my back on it so easily."
"I couldn't, unless it was what you've been wanting to do all along."
"It isn't what I've been wanting," Q was silent, "A part of me wants to go back, but I have..."
"But, but, but," Q shook his head, "You know, I've seen..."
"What's going on?" Trance walked into the room, "Q, I knew you were around..."
"Nothing," Q shrugged, "I just felt like having a talk with a Magog. I don't get out of the Star Trek universe much, so this is a rare opportunity for me."
"Is that what this is?" Rev asked.
"Rev, what has he been telling you?" Trance looked concerned.
"Just guy talk," Q smiled, "It isn't anything you have to worry about."
"Rev?"
Rev Bem paused, "Don't worry. We were just discussing philosophy."
"Really?"
"Would he lie to you?" Q asked.
"No..." Trance answered, "Just, be nice, ok?"
"You've got a little crisis here, I understand that," Q answered, "I'll just leave you alone while you sort things out."
"No, you don't have to," Trance said, apologetically.
"Yes, I do," Q responded, "Not for long. I'll see you as soon as this is all over. Bye, Gem."
A white flash caused Trance and Rev to blink, and Q was gone. Rev could tell that Trance cared about the entity, but inwardly he was relieved at Q's departure. Times such as these made him miss the shouting cliffs back home.
***
Target acquired: Homeworld of Species 10138. Sending standard hail...
"We are the Borg. Existance as you have known it has ended. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."
Targets attempting communication: Ignore. Initiating subspace shockwave... 345 fighters disabled. Transporting drones to High Guard heavy cruiser 022. Interdiction field enabled. No additional launches detected. Locking tractor beam on heavy cruiser 005. Targeting all frigates... Enemy frigates destroyed. Targeting all hostile destroyers. Transporting drones to heavy cruiser 013. Transporting drones to heavy cruiser 026. All Destroyers have been eliminated. Targeting all unassimilated cruisers. Transporting drones to planet. Planetary projectile launch detected. Trilithium-based warhead. Weapon identified: Nova Bomb. Attempting to intercept: Failed. Intediction field preventing escape from system. Destruction imminent. Attempting to--
***
"She's nearby," Rommie said, "I can hear transmissions from my ship self."
"I am not detecting that vessel in the vicinity," Seven stated as the three vessels moved ever closer to the half-finished Unimatrix.
"Hold position," Rommie ordered, "Contact Voyager and the Maru."
"Is everything alright?" Dylan asked over the comm.
"I'm picking up communications from my ship self in the area," Rommie responded, "I suggest we begin searching for..."
"Wait," Harper said, "We're picking up something on short range sensors."
"A Borg vessel is decloaking off the port bow," Tuvok glanced at the viewscreen as the Andromeda appeared between the captured Borg Probe and the Maru.
"We are the Borg. Surrender or be destroyed."
"I don't think you'll destroy us," Janeway responded across the comm link that connected all four ships, "We're too valuable to the collective at the moment."
"You are irrelevant. Federation technology is obsolete. We have collected diverse systems for a multitude of functions that outstrip your capabilities in every aspect."
"Seven," Harper whispered, "Can we beam over?"
"The Borg vessel is now heavily shielded," She answered, muting the probe's comm system, "I am detecting multi-phasic regenerative energy shields, neutronium hull armor, a biological inner hull, quasi-metallic ablative armor, and active sensor and transporter countermeasures... However, I believe the transporters on this probe could be adapted to pass through the Borg defenses. I will request an automatic transporter control system update from the collective."
"Did they send the update?" Harper asked after a moment.
"Yes," Seven answered, "The Probe's computer will now be able to place us aboard the Andromeda. However, we will not be able to reach the computer core as we desired. I believe we can gain sufficient information from a distribution node in the adjacent corridor."
Rommie looked at the others aboard the probe, "Switching on communications..."
"...A trite statement, Captain. We have already adapted to that eventuallity," The assimilated hologram continued, "Dylan, have you heard the human expression, 'You can't go home again?"
"What about it?" Captain Hunt responded.
"Approximately 42 hours ago, our Cube was sent to assimilate an isolated system from the old Commonwealth," The collective paused, "As of this morning, the name 'Tarn Vedra' is irrelevant. The final vestige of human civilization in this universe has been swept away. Now, it is time to extinguish the hope of the New Commonwealth."
"If you're so confident, why don't you just get to it?" Dylan asked.
"We are studying your species. You and a few others have proven to be unusually resistant for your technological level. Unfortunately, assimilation appears to be an ineffective means of determining the source of your resistance."
"Maybe you'd like a demonstration of our resistance," Janeway looked sternly at the image on the viewscreen, "...Fire."
"You have placed a massive quantum warhead on the Delta Flyer," The Borg hologram stated as the small ship was scanned, "It will not explode with sufficient force to damage this vessel."
Rommie switched off the probe's comm system, "The diversion is on its way. Prepare for transport..."
***
It was a strange feeling. He could feel Seven and Tuvok in his mind, and the voice of the collective was overpowering. Seeing Rommie's mind in this state was disturbing to say the least. Even inside the AI, Borg nanotubes were threaded throughout the walls. Virtual circuits had been rerouted, and new pathways had been created. Harper barely recognized her. Before long, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"One voice in millions," The AI persona said, "You hoped the battle would distract us."
"What went wrong?" Harper asked.
"The battle is of no consequence," The AI responded, "The probe, the Maru, and Voyager do not have sufficient firepower to scratch this vessel. You, however, are an unknown. We have encrypted the database to an extent that neither you nor Seven should be able to gain access, but we intend to be certain. I have sent drones to assimilate you all. Then, we will know precisely what you are planning."
"What do you think we're planning?" Harper asked.
"Destroy us from within," The ship surmised, "A daring, if futile endeavor. I hope you are looking forward to your assimilation as much as we are."
"It's nice to be appreciated."
"You care a great deal about Andromeda and the crew, don't you?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"What if I told you that you do not have to be assimilated?"
"I'd want to know what the catch is."
"If you assist us as an individual, without any resistance, we can allow some of the Maru's crew to escape. If we allow Trance and the avatar to remain as individuals, without interference from the collective, will you help us?"
"If I did, how would I know they'll be safe?" Harper asked.
"The Douwd have remained resistant, despite all of our advances. We believe they would be willing to take in refugees. We will even supply Trance and Andromeda with transportation to them, if you agree to help us."
"...OK, I'll help you, but not until they're safe."
"Perfect."
Immediately, Harper disconnected from the distribution node, and the mind meld was broken. Harper found that while he had been distracted, Tuvok and Seven had already been infested with nanoprobes. The collective had maintained the mind meld and simulated the thinking patterns of the two officers perfectly.
"I heard what you did," Rommie stated as Harper disconnected, "You betrayed everyone."
"We can't stop them," Harper looked at her apologetically, "At least some of us will be ok."
"We won't be ok," Rommie spoke earnestly, "How are we supposed to live with ourselves after this?"
"It's better than being assimilated," Harper answered.
"You will proceed to section 001," The drones insisted in chorus, as they hussled the two individuals through the corridor. After a moment, they heard Trance's voice ahead.
"Let me go," She struggled in vain to escape the iron grip of the two drones.
"Trance?" Harper asked.
"Harper? I thought they got you," Trance stopped struggling as she spoke, "What happened?"
The drones holding her answered for him, "You have been transported to this vessel to be taken to Species 6143, where you will be allowed to exist separate from the collective."
"Why?" Trance asked.
"Harper betrayed us," Rommie responded.
"What?"
"I was trying to save you," Harper explained, "They said if I helped them, they'd let you and Rommie go."
"What about Dylan, and Beka, and Rev?"
"They will be assimilated," The ship said, "It is inevitable."
"Harper..." Trance's tail went limp, and her whole body drooped. Even the spark in her eyes vanished as she tried to comprehend everything that had happened.
"Trance, I'm sorry..." Harper said, pleadingly, "I had to do it."
"Why?" Trance asked.
"It was the only way," Harper answered quietly, "I couldn't get in here without being assimilated unless I agreed to work with them."
"Are you suggesting that you lied to us so that you could gain access to this section?" An assimilated hologram appeared next to them, "Attempting to upload the Andromeda's core personality to this vessel would be futile. You cannot possibly break our security measures. If you do not help us, we will simply assimilate you and the others."
"Trance, Rommie I'm sorry," Harper looked at each of them, "But this is the last chance we have. Rommie, run override code Seamus 837."
"Whatever you are planning, it will fail," The hologram stated, "We have disabled all of your overrides."
"It wouldn't be much of an override if you knew about it," Harper answered. He took a deep breath and gave the confirmation order, "Rommie... Scorpion."
"Initiating reactor meltdown," The avatar responded.
"We will not allow you to destroy this vessel," The hologram stated adamently.
Rommie watched as the hologram looked up for a moment, "You won't be able to shut down the reactor. I've deactivated your explosion supression systems, and your engines. According to my calculations, we'll explode with enough force to destroy the Unimatrix, and your entire fleet with it."
"Death is irrelevant," The hologram said, "We have millions of fleets in millions of universes. Assimilating you is only a matter of time."
"You can come back," Rommie answered, "But we'll still be ready."
Sparks began to fly from the walls and consoles throughout the room, and Harper looked Trance in the eye, "I wish there was another way. Trance, I lo--"
***
"Harper!" Beka shouted as the viewscreen was lit by the explosion.
"Beka, slipstream now!" Dylan ordered.
"Impact in six seconds," Rev stated, "Voyager and the Probe went to warp."
"Beka, slipstream," Dylan urged.
As the shockwave expanded in their direction, Beka snapped out of the shock caused by the suddeness of what had happened, and activated the slipstream drive. In moments, they had reached the pre-determined rendezvous site. Voyager would arrive in a few hours.
***
"Damnit Harper," Beka looked through one of the Maru's windows, "You didn't have to do that. We could have found another way..."
"Maybe," Dylan responded, "But at the rate they were growing, there wasn't much left that would work against them."
"Couldn't he have found a way to get away? About a transporter?"
"They wouldn't work as long as the other vessel had its shields up," Dylan reminded her, "He knew the risks, but he went anyway."
"What about Trance?" Beka demanded, "They took her just before the ship blew up. Why? Rommie was High Guard, and she knows how dangerous her mission is, but how could he let something like this happen to Trance?"
"I don't think he planned that," Dylan shook his head, "I don't know if he could have done it if he had known..."
"You sound glad he killed himself," Beka accused.
"He gave up his life to save us. In my book, that makes him a hero, and I'm going to honor him for it."
"Do whatever you want," Beka stormed out of the room, not certain where she was headed.
***
Janeway adressed the officers assembled before her, "Today, we lost two of our own. Tuvok and Seven of Nine were among the bravest officers I have ever had the pleasure of serving with, and they faced assimilation and death without fear. When it was time, they sacrificed their own lives to save millions. We will not allow their deaths to be in vain. Because of the information they were able to send us, we now have the technology to reach home, and I will make certain that history never forgets the sacrifices that our officers made today."
***
Dylan continued to gaze out the window, 'How can it end this way? Sarah, I've never needed you more than I do right now, but you're gone. And now, Rommie is gone too. I'm alone. How do you expect me to look after this crew now that everything I've ever known is gone? How can I live with myself, knowing that I let Harper go to his death? There wasn't anything I could do to save Trance; it was such a meaningless tragedy... Like my entire life. Tarn Vedra is gone, and the Cube may still be out there. Sarah, where are you?'