THINK TANK
Episode 114
Part C

 

Kurros: "Bionetic implants, neural transceivers, a Borg? I've never seen one outside the Collective."

Seven: "I am an individual now. You may address your comments to me." Kurros: "Forgive me. I am Kurros and this is Fennim." Fennim speaks again (unintelligibly) and leaves.

Kurros: "In answer to your earlier question, this device," indicating the large dome device embedded in the floor, allows the members of our group to communicate telepathically." Seven: "Impressive."

Bevvox makes a sound. Kurros: "It sounds as if another member of our crew is anxious to meet you."

Seven: "A bioplasmic lifeform." Kurros: "His name is Bevvox. He prefers a variable gravity environment." Janeway: "What's his specialty?" Kurros: "At the moment exo-sociology and quantum mechanics, but his interests vary from time to time. Bevvox founded our group more than one hundred years ago after wandering the galaxy on his own for a few millennia."

Seven: "How old is this creature?" Bevvox makes a sound. Kurros: "If you please, that is a sensitive topic with him."

Kurros: "And there is one other individual who rounds out our group." Seven: "An artificial intelligence." Kurros: "The mind of mathematician and the soul of an artist. I'm afraid he'd much rather be modelling a fractal sculpture than analysing the data of our latest astronomical scan. And now you have met us all. A small group of minds, but we have helped hundreds of clients. We turned the tide in the war between the Bara Plenum and the Motali Empire. Re-ignited the red giants of the Zai Cluster. Just recently, we found a cure for the Vidiian phage."

Janeway: "The Vidiians?" Kurros: "You would hardly recognise them now. Just last month we helped retrieve a Lyridian child's runaway pet, a subspace mesomorph, I might add. We had to invent a whole new scanning technology just to find it." Janeway: "And what did you ask for as compensation?" Kurros: "One of their transgalactic star charts. The best map of the known galaxy ever created. When we helped the citizens of Rivos V resist the Borg, all we asked for was the recipe for their famous zoth-nut soup. Care for a taste?"

Seven: "Another time, perhaps."

Janeway: "Tell me, is there any job you won't do?"

Kurros: "What do you mean?" Janeway: "Well, we have a non-interference protocol, our Prime Directive. I'm curious where you draw the line." Kurros: "As you know, there is no shortage of conflict in what you call the Delta Quadrant. Many of our clients are at war. To be frank, we will assist in the neutralisation of fleets, starbases, even planets, but we will not participate in the decimation of an entire species, nor will we design weapons of mass destruction."

The Artificial Intelligence makes a sound. "My colleague here wishes to speak to Seven of Nine about her bionetic technology." To Seven: "May he interface with you?" Seven looks round at Janeway who gives a short nod. Seven: "I am in direct telepathic communication with this individual. It is requesting information about integrating organic components into its technology." Janeway: "Feel free to give him some pointers." Seven looks at the AI and does so. Seven, when the AI finishes and thanks her: "You're welcome."

Kurros: "To business, Captain. I believe we can solve the Hazari paradox without firing a single weapon." Janeway: "That's just what I'm looking for." Kurros: "Then there is only the matter of payment."

Janeway hands him her PADD: "Voyager's schematics and an overview of its database. Specify what you want and I'll see what I can do. I recommend the replicators. They're very popular this year." Kurros: "I'll contact you with our requests." He nods in acknowledgement to Seven who gives a short nod back.

Chakotay is pacing the Bridge and turns when Janeway and Seven arrive in the turbolift and enter the Bridge. Chakotay: "I take it first contact was a success?"

Janeway: "I have some qualms about their morality, but I believe they can help us." Seven: "It was an interesting experience." Chakotay: "Glad to hear it. We don't have much good news of our own. Every escape route we've considered is clearly a trap, and more Hazari ships keep joining the search." Janeway: "Then we have no choice. We'll put our own plans on hold and see what the Think Tank comes up with."

USS Voyager and the Think Tank ship.

In Janeway's Ready Room she has tactical data about the Hazari situation on her personal computer and is working at the computer interface on the righthand side part of her desk, while drinking a hot beverage. The door signal sounds. Janeway: "Come in." Tuvok stands in the open doorway. Tuvok: "You have a visitor. Mr Kurros has returned in isomorphic form."

Janeway: "Send him in." Tuvok turns slightly to his left to indicate that Kurros, who is waiting there, is permitted to enter. Janeway tells Kurros as he enters: "Welcome back."
Tuvok leaves.

Kurros: "Captain, we have compiled a short list of items we would like." He returns her PADD with his annotations. "It was not easy. Voyager has a great deal to offer."

Janeway starts reading the PADD: "Quantum slipstream technology. I should warn you. We never got that to work reliably." Kurros: "It is still intriguing, theoretically."

Janeway smiles. "Neelix's recipe for chadre kab?" Kurros: "Yes."

Janeway: "An ancient Olmec figurine. Mmm, I guess Commander Chakotay can be persuaded to part with it." Kurros: "I am pleased to hear that."

Janeway reads on then looks up. Grimly: "You can't be serious." Kurros: "I realise the next item may seem unorthodox, but I believe it can be beneficial to both of us."

Janeway, getting up to confront him: "You never mentioned anything about bartering my crew members." Kurros: "She will have an extraordinary opportunity to explore the galaxy as one of us."

Janeway: "I'm afraid the answer is no." Kurros: "I understand your feelings, Captain, but have you thought to ask Seven of Nine herself?"

Captain's Ready Room. Seven: "A curious proposition." Janeway: "To say the least."

Seven: "How do you wish to proceed?"

Janeway: "I want your opinion."
Seven: "They are offering us the assistance we require, I am the payment they require. The solution is obvious."
Janeway: "This isn't a puzzle, Seven. There is no solution. What's at issue here is your future."
Seven: "The issue is Voyager's survival."
Janeway: "Sit. Please," gesturing with her hand.

Janeway: "While I still question this Think Tank's way of doing things, there is a genuine opportunity for exploration. It could be the chance of a lifetime." Seven: "You're saying I should go." Janeway: "I don't want you to go, but it's not my right to tell you what to do. Until now, I've kept a close eye on your progress, helped you with decisions, but I think you've learned enough as an individual to make this decision yourself. Would you like to join them?"

Seven: "I am intrigued. They are an unusual collective with a compelling mission, but I require more data." Janeway: "That's why I want you to talk to Kurros yourself. See if he can answer your questions."

Seven: "Captain, I appreciate your giving me this choice."

Janeway: "You've earned it. And remember, if you do choose to go make sure it's what you want, not what you think is best for Voyager. We're getting out of this, with or without the Think Tank's help."

Cargo Bay 2. Seven: "Why me?" Kurros: "I admire your humility. The collective knowledge of the Borg contained within a single mind. When we factor in your innate intelligence and the enhancements afforded you by your bionetic implants, we concluded you are an ideal candidate. The first we have recruited in 17 years."

Seven: "When did you arrive at this assessment?" Kurros: "During your interview." Seven: "My dialogue with the Artificial Intelligence." Kurros: "It was the most efficient way to evaluate your abilities. I am sure you can appreciate that." Seven: "How much do you know about me?"

Kurros: "Enough to know that you are tapping into only a fraction of your potential as a member of Voyager's crew." He looks down at the computer console display. "You were adjusting the deflector array to improve shield harmonics. Do you find such duties challenging?" Seven: "No."

Kurros: "Without problems that test the limits of your abilities, you cannot expand them. Perfection will always be beyond your reach. Seven of Nine, you could become one of the greatest intellects in the galaxy, but that will not happen here among these limited lifeforms." Seven: "The crew of Voyager has accepted me, integrated me into their collective." Kurros: "They are your family. It was hard for me to leave my family too, and I was only a child, not much older than you when you were first assimilated." Seven: "Why did you leave?" Kurros: "To help them and my world solve a cataclysmic problem." Seven: "The Think Tank requested you as payment." Kurros: "I did not realise it at first, I was too young, but they gave me a remarkable opportunity, and now I am offering the same to you." Seven: "Your group can assist many collectives and yet you often use that ability as a means of coercion to obtain what you want. How many have suffered because they were unwilling to agree to your conditions?" Kurros: "We have a singular mission, to perfect our knowledge. Perfection sometimes necessitates selfishness. It is your life, not Voyager's, not Captain Janeway's or anyone else's. It is up to you to achieve the goals you have set for yourself."

Seven: "I agree."

She turns to face him: "But I can do that here." Kurros: "Please, take more time to think about this. We will remain nearby in case you change your mind." Seven: "I doubt that will happen."

The com. signal sounds as the Red Alert klaxon sounds.
Tuvok, via comms: "Seven of Nine, report to the Bridge."
Seven, via comms: "Acknowledged."
Kurros: "May I accompany you?"
Seven: "As you wish."