DRONE
Episode 96
Part D

 

As Neelix takes One to Sickbay, followed by two security guards, the drone's sensors gather data about the ship. The screenshot shows the drone's view of the Voyager corridor they are walking along.

Drone: "Duranium hull, plasma-based power distribution, tricyclic life support systems, artificial gravity plating." Neelix: "Oh, right on all counts. Systems analysis appears to be your forte. You should think about a future in starship operations."

A crewmember approaches and passes by warily.

Drone: "Human, female." Neelix: "Very good." Drone: "She was frightened by me." Neelix: "Why do you say that?" Drone: "I detected an elevation in her pheromonal response."

Neelix: "Well, you're new around here. An unfamiliar face takes some getting used to. I remember when I first came aboard Voyager I provoked a few strange reactions myself. I still do from time to time. I mean, just look at me: whiskers and spots!"

Drone: "Were people afraid of you as well?" Neelix: "Well, no." Drone: "Do they fear me because I am Borg?" Neelix: "Sometimes Borg can be a little intimidating. Don't take it personally."

Drone: "I want to know more about the Collective."
Neelix: "You do? Well, of course you do."
Drone: "Tell me about the Borg."
Neelix: "What's to tell? Once you've seen one cybernetically-enhanced species you've seen them all. You'll have plenty of time to learn all about them but first you have to give yourself the chance to adapt to life here on Voyager. Now, Mr- Gosh, in all the excitement I forgot your name."
Drone: "I do not have a name."
Neelix: "Well, every individual needs a name. We can't just run around calling you 'the drone'. That's not very interesting, is it?"
Drone: "Seven of Nine tells me my designation is irrelevant."
Neelix: "I disagree. You should choose a name for yourself, something that defines who you are. After all, there's only one of you."
Drone: "One..."
Neelix: "Oh, here we are - Sickbay." They enter.

Doctor: "Good morning." Drone: "You are the Emergency Medical Hologram." Doctor: "And you are very observant. Step this way, please."

But the drone follows Neelix as he starts to leave. Neelix reassures him: "I have to get back to the Messhall. There's nothing to worry about. The Doctor's going to run a few scans. You'll be finished before you know it." Drone: "I will comply."

The drone flinches as the Doctor starts to scan him with the tricorder. The Doctor reassures him: "It's a non-invasive bio-medical scan. You won't feel a thing." He scans the drone. "Your central nervous system is functioning normally, but I'm picking up some degradation in your neural pathways. You'll need to regenerate soon." Drone: "My central nervous system is regulated by your mobile emitter." Doctor: "That's right."

Drone: "Your mobile emitter is more advanced than these diagnostic tools." Doctor: "Far more advanced. It's technology that came from the 29th century, 400 years in the future." Drone: "I am an advanced form of life." Doctor: "Yes." Drone: "I am unique." Doctor makes a noise of agreement but he is concentrating on the information provided by the tricorder which he is now analysing using a PADD. Drone: "Describe my origins." Doctor: "It's a long story." Drone: "I wish to hear it." Doctor: "Another time." Drone: "I wish to hear the story now."

Doctor: "In a nutshell there was a transporter malfunction. My emitter fused with several of Seven's nanoprobes." Drone: "I was an accident." Doctor: "Call it a random convergence of technologies." Drone: "Am I unwelcome here?" Doctor: "On the contrary. Our primary mission is to explore new forms of life. You may've been unexpected but, given time, I'm sure you'll make a fine addition to the crew."

The Doctor continues, chuckling at his own joke: "After all, you've got my mobile emitter driving your neocortex, so you're bound to make a dazzling impression." The drone makes no response. "That's called a joke," the Doctor informs him. Drone: "Joke: a verbal comment or gesture designed to provoke laughter." Doctor: "I see you've got your mother's sense of humour."

Seven and the drone enter Main Engineering. Seven tells him: "Deck 11 section 32, Main Engineering. That is-" They speak together: "-the warp core." Drone: "Fuelled by a matter/anti-matter reaction which produces a maximum output of 4,000 teradynes per second, providing power for faster-than-light propulsion." Seven: "Correct." Torres: "This isn't a classroom, Seven."

Seven: "Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, chief engineer, Klingon-human hybrid. She possesses extensive knowledge of this vessel's systems, as well as a volatile temperament." Drone: "Volatile: English adjective, meaning readily vapourisable at low temperature, easily aroused, tending to violent eruption."

Torres, sarcastically: "Very good. You get a gold star."

Seven: "Our presence here is authorised. The Captain asked me to familiarise the drone with Voyager." Torres, moving hurriedly over to another console, busy with work: "Well, how about familiarising him with the airponics bay? I have got one hour to come up with a way to predict the expansion rate of this proto-nebula or Janeway's going to pull the plug on the entire survey." The drone comes up right next to her and looks at the console she is working on.

When Torres starts to move away she bumps up against the drone, not realising he is there. "Do you mind?!"

Drone: "If you apply a multi-spatial algorithm it will accurately predict the rate of expansion. I can demonstrate." Torres looks at Seven before reluctantly agreeing: "Alright." The drone rapidly inputs the algorithm which produces the results Torres is looking for. "Amazing," she comments.

Seven looks on. She is both proud of the drone's progress but at the same time worried by what it bodes.

In the Captain's Ready Room, the drone is meeting Janeway for the first time. Seven is present, as is a security guard who stands by the door. Drone: "Greetings. Our designation, my designation is One. How are you today?" Janeway: "I'm just fine, thank you." To Seven in an aside: "'One'?" Seven to Janeway: "He requested a designation. 'One' seemed appropriate." Janeway turns her attention back to One: "And how are you today, One?" One: "Well, thank you, Captain Janeway." Janeway: "Adapting to life on Voyager?" One: "Yes. To date I have assimilated 47 billion teraquads of information on a vast variety of subjects including particle physics, comparative humanoid anatomy, warp field theory and the culinary delights of the Delta Quadrant." Seven explains to Janeway. "Mr Neelix. They've been spending time together." One: "Is your assessment of me complete? Am I sufficient?" Janeway: "Why, yes, more than sufficient, in fact I'd say you're making excellent progress. This isn't an assessment, One. I simply wanted to meet you." One: "With your permission, I would like to be excused. I've agreed to assist Lieutenant Torres. She wishes to increase the efficiency of the Bussard collectors." Janeway: "Permission granted." One leaves, followed by the security guard.

Janeway: "You've done a remarkable job." Seven: "Thank you." Janeway: "Not only has he absorbed an incredible amount of knowledge in a matter of days, but he seems to be fitting in with the crew and developing a distinct personality." Seven: "He is adapting quickly." Janeway: "Then why do I get the feeling something's bothering you?" Seven: "He has been expressing curiosity about the Borg." Janeway: "Ah. And you're worried that if he learns about them he may be drawn to the Collective." Seven: "Yes." Janeway: "Maybe we should tell him what he wants to know. I'd rather he learn about the Borg from us than the Collective." Seven: "The lure of perfection is powerful, Captain. He may be tempted to seek out the Borg. That would pose a grave tactical risk." Janeway: "Well, we can delay telling him for now. But keep in mind: the drone is becoming an individual. Seven, he has the right to know. Sooner or later we'll have to answer his questions."

Seven and One enter Cargo Bay 2. One: "Deck 8 section 4, Cargo Bay 2, used for the storage of components and surplus materials." Seven: "It is also where I regenerate. You will reside here with me."

One: "I wish to assimilate more information." Seven: "You have assimilated enough for one day. You've also provided invaluable assistance to the Voyager crew. You have exceeded expectations." One: "Then expectations were insufficient." Seven: "A simple 'thank you' would suffice." One: "'Thank you'?" Seven: "A customary expression of gratitude - I paid you a compliment. We must regenerate. One: "This technology does not conform with Starfleet parameters." Seven: "Correct." One: "I am Borg. This technology is Borg." Seven: "We must regenerate."

One: "I wish to assimilate all available data pertaining to the Borg." Seven orders firmly: "Step into the alcove." A bit taken aback at her sternness, he does so. Seven tells him: "No, you must face outward." He turns round and faces outward. She steps into the alcove beside him. "Computer, activate regeneration cycle, alcoves theta and gamma." She closes her eyes to start regenerating.

One, who has not yet shut his eyes: "Seven of Nine." Seven opens her eyes. "Yes."

One: "Thank you." Seven is moved, and is unsure how to respond. "We must regenerate." One shuts his eyes and begins regenerating.

Seven and One in their respective Borg regeneration alcoves.

During the regeneration cycle a transceiver in his neck activates.

Inside a Borg sphere! "A Borg proximity signal has been detected. Origin: unimatrix 325, grid 006. Alter course to intercept."