EPISODES 146 & 147 : PART D

On her return, Janeway discusses the situation with Chakotay in her Ready Room.
Janeway: "The Collective's found a way to infiltrate Unimatrix Zero. It won't be long before they learn enough to destroy it from the inside out. I plan to stop them."
Chakotay: "What have you got in mind?"
Janeway: "The people there are vulnerable. They don't have the ability to take action in the real world. We're going to give them that ability."
Chakotay: "How?"
Janeway: "The Doctor and B'Elanna are working on it. I know what you're thinking. We'd be violating half a dozen Starfleet protocols, and if the Collective ever learned we were involved we'd be putting Voyager in the middle of a civil war... - valid objections. Chakotay, we've had our disagreements and there have been times when I've chosen to proceed without your support but this can't be one of those times. I won't do this without my First Officer."
Chakotay: "The way I see it, risking the safety of Voyager is a small price to pay. If we help these people this could be a turning point in our battle against the Borg."

Doctor: "This is the nanovirus Axum designed to prevent the Borg detecting those with the genetic mutation, but I've modified it to nullify their cortical inhibitors instead. Once they're infected they should retain their memories of Unimatrix Zero after they leave their alcoves." Seven: "Does that mean they'll be able to function as individuals, stand up to the Collective?" Doctor: "There's no way to tell. This is highly experimental." Janeway: "How do we deploy it?" Torres: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but each Borg vessel has a device that links it to every other Borg ship." Seven: "The central plexus." Torres: "If we can gain access to one of those and release the virus there, it should be transmitted throughout the Collective instantly." Janeway: "Any Borg activity in the region?" Torres: "They've just dropped out of transwarp, 3.6 light-years from here." Seven: "This is a class 4 tactical vessel, heavily armed. The central plexus is protected by multi-regenerative security grids. We'd be detected long before we could reach it." Janeway: "Meet me in Engineering. We're going to find a way in. Prepare the virus." Doctor: "Aye, Captain."

Janeway orders Seven to take "another nap, pay a visit to Unimatrix Zero - tell our friends we haven't forgotten them."

Axum: "The Klingons have banded together and they're giving bat'leths to anybody who can handle them. Hirogen hunters are moving through the forest targetting drones. But we're losing people every hour." Seven: "Captain Janeway intends to keep her promise." Axum: "This isn't your battle. You don't owe us anything." He shows Seven the bat'leth Korok gave him. Laura comes up and informs him, "Eleven more drones. Three hundred metres."

Axum and Seven are in the forest, and spot three Borg drones searching. Axum protectively puts his arm around Seven and pulls her close as they duck deeper into cover to avoid being seen. The drones move off.

Seven notices as Axum removes his armfrom round her. Seven: "That felt familiar, our touching." Axum: "I told you, we were friends." Seven: "Elaborate." Axum: "Now is not the best time." Seven: "We were more than friends, weren't we. Why didn't you tell me?" Axum: "You'd forgotten. It wasn't my place." Seven: "How long?" Axum: "Six years, only while we were regenerating, a very memorable six years, for me anyway." Seven gets up hastily. "I should return to Voyager." Axum: "Annika-" Seven: "My name is Seven of Nine."

The senior staff, minus Kim (who is in the captain's chair on the Bridge) meet in Engineering. Janeway indicates a picture of the Borg tactical cube on a monitor. Janeway: "This is our target. You'll keep a transporter lock on me. Once I make it to the central plexus and release the virus you can beam me back." Doctor: "In how many pieces? It's ridiculous." Seven: "Agreed. I should go. I'm the only one with experience." Janeway: "You're our only connection to Unimatrix Zero, you're needed here. It was my decision to help these people. This is my responsibility." Tuvok: "Starfleet Tactical Directive 36: The Captain will not engage a hostile force without the protection of a security officer. The probability of success is greater if there are two of us." Torres: "Make that three. If you're going to pull this off you're going to need an engineer in there." Paris: "B'Elanna." Torres: "Tactical Directive 36A." Paris: "There is no directive 36A." Torres: "There is now." Janeway: "I appreciate the offer but if that cube attacks Voyager you'll be needed here. Now you have your orders. Set a course, Mr Paris."

Chakotay talks to Janeway immediately afterwards in the corridor.
Chakotay: "I realise I'm not going to talk you out of this, but I'll be damned if you're going in there alone."
Janeway: "We've got a lot of work to do, Commander."
Chakotay: "You said you wanted my support. Then take Tuvok and B'Elanna with you."
Janeway: "And if I don't?"
Chakotay: "I may only be First Officer but I still pull a few strings around here. The Doctor could be persuaded to question your medical fitness."
Janeway: "I was hoping for your unconditional support."
Chakotay: "This is the best I can do."
Janeway: "Tell them to pack light."

Kim summons Janeway to the Bridge. The Borg have tapped into Voyager's communications and the Borg Queen wants to talk to Janeway. Borg Queen: "Captain." Janeway: "It's been a long time. How are things in the Collective?" Borg Queen: "Perfect, for the most part. Voyager?" Janeway: "Never better." Borg Queen: "I understand you've established contact with Starfleet. Perhaps you'll be getting home sooner than you expected." Janeway: "Perhaps." Borg Queen: "We could help you." Chakotay: "How so?" Borg Queen: "Transwarp technology. You'd find that we can be quite accommodating, but we'd expect the same in return." Janeway: "I'm not sure I know what you mean." Borg Queen: "You know exactly what I mean. Tend to your own crew. Stay away from things that don't concern you." Janeway: "I'm afraid I can't do that but thanks for the offer." Borg Queen: "I won't be as accommodating next time. Reconsider." Janeway: "I'm sorry." Borg Queen: "We'll see you soon, Harry." Kim: "What does she mean by that?" Chakotay: "Why this stab at diplomacy?" Janeway: "She's trying to find out what we're up to. She's worried. Have B'Elanna and Tuvok meet me in Sickbay."

In the Shuttlebay, inside the Delta Flyer Paris and Torres are checking the Delta Flyer's systems. Paris calls the imminent mission an "insane mission". Paris: "You know, I could sabotage the helm. You'd never make it out the launch doors." Torres: "And I'd have to put you on report. You might lose that new pip of yours." Paris: "That'd be a small price to pay."

Torres signals that the Delta Flyer is ready for launch. Janeway: "Guess I'd better be going, huh?" Chakotay: "Anything you'd like done round here while you're gone, gravity plating recalibrated, carpets cleaned?" She extends her hand to him and he takes it. She replies: "Surprise me."

Janeway and Chakotay exchange looks, both knowing it may the last time they see each other.

In Unimatrix Zero Seven (Annika) addresses its inhabitants.
Seven: "We need to prepare the others. When they leave their alcoves they may be startled, disoriented, but they have to behave like drones or we could all be exposed."
Laura: "Our ships are scattered across the galaxy. Most of us will be the only drone on board who knows about this place."
Korok: "She's right. What can we hope to achieve?"
Axum: "We should each gather as much tactical data as we can, what kind of ship we're on, its armaments, location. Then we'll co-ordinate our efforts from here."

Click image for a close-up.

As the meeting breaks up, Axum speaks to Seven alone. Axum: "If all goes well, we'll be working very closely together." Seven: "As colleagues. Our previous friendship-" Axum: "Yes?" Seven: "-is irrelevant." Axum: "Irrelevant. Well, now that I'll be able to retain my memory, I'll keep that in mind."