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SCORPION Episodes 68 & 69 Part O

The Borg cube fires on a Species 8472 bioship. (pop-up window)

The bio-ship comes in close.

The Borg cube swings round and deliberately collides with the bio-ship. It destroys the bio-ship but....

....also destroys the Borg cube!

Voyager shakes from the explosion. Chakotay gets to his feet.

Chakotay: "The cube?" Paris: "Destroyed, and it took the bio-ship with them."

Tuvok, injured, crawls a few inches. He manages to contact Chakotay. comms. signal "Tuvok to Chakotay." Chakotay, via comms: "Go ahead. Tuvok, where are you?" Tuvok: "I'm in Cargo Bay 2, along with the Captain and a number of Borg. We were beamed over just before impact. We require assistance." He collapses.

Chakotay: "Tuvok. Tuvok?" To Torres: "Seal off that deck."

Torres at the engineering station II on the Bridge.

Chakotay, via comms: "Security team to Cargo Bay 2." As he hurries to the exit, he calls: "Paris, you have the Bridge."

Two security officers, carrying phaser rifles, burst into the cargo bay. cargo bay doors They are followed by Chakotay who also carries a phaser rifle, and a medical officer. Borg technology is in the cargo bay - consoles, hardware, tubes etc., and several Borg drones moving about who ignore them. The Voyager crewmembers see Janeway and Tuvok lying on the floor; both are unconscious; both are injured.

Chakotay crouches and checks Janeway for lifesigns.

She is alive. He signals the medical officer.

Chakotay and the security guards move through the cargo bay, alert with weapons raised. Suddenly Seven of Nine's voice is heard: "Lower your weapons." She is standing there with a weapon pointed at them. There is an apparent stand-off, as Chakotay and a security guard aim their phaser rifles at her.

But then she lowers her weapon. To Chakotay: "We are here with your Captain's consent. It was necessary to sacrifice our vessel to protect yours."

Chakotay keeps his phaser rifle aimed straight at her. Seven of Nine: "We have an alliance, do we not?"

Despite the 'alliance', Chakotay eyes her warily.

In Sickbay, a short time later, Chakotay and Tuvok are briefing each other. Tuvok's injuries have been treated successfully.
Chakotay: "For now they're contained. They've assimilated Cargo Bay 2 and are drawing energy from the secondary power couplings."
Tuvok: "But they've gone no further."
Chakotay: "Not yet. I've sealed off decks 9 through 13 and posted security details at every access point."
Tuvok: "I suggest we increase security around Sickbay as well."
Chakotay: "Already done. How far did you get on the weapon?"
Tuvok: "We're ready to construct a prototype."

Kes completes her scan of Tuvok and says: "You're fit to return back to duty, Lieutenant." Tuvok: "And you, Kes?" Kes: "Oh, I'm alright. The visions have stopped, for now." Tuvok nods. Kes moves away.

The Doctor walks up to them and reports on Janeway's condition.
Doctor: "The plasma burns to her thoracic region I can treat and I've already stopped the internal bleeding. But her neural injuries are going to require some creative thinking."
Tuvok to Chakotay: "Before we beamed out, an alien energy discharge struck very near the Captain."
Doctor: "Well, it appears to have disrupted all her neuro-electrical pathways. I'll have to induce a coma to protect her higher brain functions. But I must tell you, unless I can repair the damage, she may never regain consciousness."
Chakotay to Tuvok: "Make sure those Borg stay put. I want tactical updates every twenty minutes."
Tuvok: "Aye, sir. Shall I resume working with them?"
Chakotay glances toward the injured Janeway. "Stand by for now."
Tuvok heads for the door.

Doctor: "The Captain wishes to speak with you. Please keep it brief."

Chakotay nods and heads to the surgical bay. Janeway is barely conscious. Chakotay walks up to her and for a moment their eyes meet. They have not spoken privately since their argument when Chakotay protested the strategy of an alliance with the Borg, at which time their very friendship seemed at stake. Janeway gathers her strength, her pain making it difficult for her to speak. Janeway: "The Doctor explained my condition. You're in command." Chakotay: "I understand." Janeway: "They'll push you, they'll threaten you. But they need you. They need this alliance. You have to make this work. I want you to make this work. Get this crew home." Chakotay does not answer - he is torn: he is loyal to her but he still has grave doubts about the alliance with the Borg.

The Doctor walks up to him and says gently: "I must begin." As the Doctor places medical equipment in position over Janeway's head, Chakotay remains in contemplation for a moment, then moves away.