Drone

The Doctor cheerfully enters the cargo bay and catches Seven practicing different smiles in the reflection of a viewscreen.

Seven immediately shows her discomfort by rebuking him for not announcing his presence before entering. As Seven is exiting the cargo bay, the Doctor leans over to observe himself and smiling says "Not a bad looking hologram." To which Seven half turns and gives him an exasperated look before marching off.

As they walk down a corridor on their way to the space shuttle to observe a spontaneous proto nebula, the Doctor states that it should be exciting. To which Seven pragmatically states that it is nothing more than an astronomical survey. The Doctor replies (to Seven's question about his purpose on the mission) that he will study the nebula's effects on the crew and whether they will be dealing with new forms of radiation.

When the Doctor states he brought along an holo-imager to take a few snapshots, Seven (irritated) states that this is not shore leave. The Doctor's exasperated response, "The Borg--party poopers of the galaxy" (to which Seven rolls her eyes upward). He further comments, "Tomorrow we will start you on a new social exercise--developing your JOIE DE VIVRE."

On the shuttle Paris is navigating and Seven is sitting beside him--turned toward the side panel controls. B'Elanna (holding a tool kit in one hand and a padd in the other)is standing in the midsection with the Doctor standing just behind her. A spatial disturbance throws B'Elanna against the Doctor who is studying his own larger padd.

After regaining her balance, B'Elanna states she has a case of class 2 claustrophobia. She explains when questioned by Seven that that is what Starfleet cadets called these class 2 shuttles, fast maneuverable, but not built for comfort.

Seven looks at Paris and states that perhaps he should design a new larger shuttle. To which B'Elanna concurs by saying, "Not a bad Ideal," just before more plasma surges off the port bow.

When they stop, the Doctor tells Seven to move over with the other two for a group shot and to smile like he knows she can. She just gives him a look with a enigmatic expression on her face, when there is another large plasma surge. B'Elanna tells Tom to back them off, and he immediately responds, but they are caught in the gravimetric sheer and the engines shut down.

Back on Voyager, Harry announces that they are receiving a distress call from the away team. After Tuvok tells everyone that they have been engulfed in the sheer line of the nebula, Janeway orders an emergency beam out. The attendant on duty tells Chakotay on entering the transport room that he has a lock on them, but they need to clear the nebula. After Chakotay tells him that they won’t clear, the attendant starts transport, stating that it will be a rough transport. When their forms appear but don’t reach cohesion (they are fading in and out) the attendant states he is having trouble separating their patterns. Chakotay responds with the instructions to reset the pattern buffers. After they fully materialize and step down off the platform, the Doctor starts to fade in and out. B’Elanna immediately beams him to sick bay when he states his mobile emitter has been damaged. The emitter doesn’t transport with the Doctor and B’Elanna discovers that some of the circuits were fused during transport,

The Doctor becomes anxious and asks if she can repair it to which she responds “Most likely” to which the Doctor repeats her with apprehension. B’Elanna singles out the young good looking attendant by calling his name --Mulchaey--and everyone leaves the transporter room.

B’Elanna and Mulchaey enter the science lab and begin running a diagnostic routine alpha three six on the emitter. She tells him to check the results first thing in the morning. He says, “bright and early” with an expression that shows some personality and not just a deadpan express on his face. Before the doors have completely closed behind their retreating figures, the mobile emitter starts reshaping somewhat and puts out Borg probes.

The next morning the Doctor wakes B’Elanna at 0600 to the cliché of “rise and shine” and “the early bird gets the gagh” (worm?) and claps his hands. He wants to know if she has a E.T.A. on the repairs on his mobile emitter. Mumbling about her one day to get to sleep in, she turns off the screen he was talking from and leaves her bedroom for the bathroom. When she has disrobed and activates the sonic shower, the Doctor appears in another viewscreen to B’Elanna’s furious protest. When he continues to babble on, she takes the towel she had grabbed to cover herself and throws it over the viewscreen. At the same time in the science lab, the emitters probes seem to be pulsating , Seven wakes up having sensed something and leaves her alcove.

Chakotay and Harry have been discussing the nebula’s expansion while Harry was in command overnight. When Chakotay asks Harry if it is true about him getting the crew to call him Captain Kim while he is in command on the bridge.

Seven enters by answering, “That remains to be seen.” to Chakotay’s greeting of “Good morning.” She precedes to inform him that her proximity transceiver in her cranial implant has been activated which would indicate a Borg presence nearby. Chakotay, Harry and Seven discuss the possibilities and Chakotay decides to send Seven to sick bay to have herself checked out. After Seven leaves, Harry states he will get the scans underway for Borg ships to which Chakotay humorously responds “If you don’t mind being an Ensign again.” To which they both grin.

Meanwhile, Ensign Mulchaey enters the science lab with a case in his hand and upon observing what is in the room (you don’t get to see at this point) takes out a scanner and cautiously moves forward while scanning. His face looks incredulous and he lets out a breath of disbelief as he continues to move forward. As fast as lightning (plus the sound effects of something moving swiftly through the air) two Borg probes enter his neck just below the back of the jaw (shades of bloodsuckers). Seven looks startled in sick bay and when questioned by the Doctor, she states that her proximity transceiver has been activated again.

On the bridge, Harry informs Chakotay that someone is rerouting power from the warp conduits to the science lab (deck 8 section 22). When they can’t reach Ensign Mulchaey and Harry says their sensors are being deflected by a force field that has a Borg signature, Chakotay gives orders for a Red Alert and orders Tuvok and security to the science lab, just before he calls Seven over communications. As Seven leaves sick bay, the Doctor in disbelief or comprehension states that his mobile emitter is inthere!

Tuvok and his security team meet Seven in the corridor and they cautiously enter the science lab. The dim green glow in the room is reflected on everything. Tuvok and Seven’s attention center in on what resembles a Borg maturation chamber. Seven states that many of its components are unfamiliar to her.

Upon having their attention brought to Mulchaey by the security team, Seven states that he was punctured by an extraction tubule for a tissue sample and residual nanoprobes surrounding the wound had encoding sequences identical to her own. Tuvok tells the security guards to take Mulchaey to sick bay. Because Seven is Borg, shecrosses the force field to view the chamber. After observing it, she keys in a code on the control panel of the chamber and a window to the inner chamber opens like a camera shutter to reveal a drone in the fetal stage unlike any she has ever seen. Seven states that she does not understand because the Borg assimilate but do not reproduce in this fashion.

After Janeway joins them in the science lab, we see them from the fetus’ perspective and they appear with distorted large heads as they move close to view the baby (as in a house of mirrors). Seven states that she believes that the baby started in the science lab in response to Janeway’s question of where did it come from. Seven goes on to explain that when the transporter malfunctioned that their patterns merged briefly and it was possible that some of her nanoprobes infected the Doctor’s mobile emitter.

Tuvok summarizes that the nanoprobes began to assimilate to which Seven concurs adding that nanoprobes are encoded to utilize any technology they encounter. Once it assimilated the emitter, it began to transform the diagnostic station and when Mulchaey entered the room, they sampled his DNA sequence. Janeway expands her explanation by saying they used his genetic code as a template to create a life-form. After they hear a noise from the chamber, Tuvok scans it and informs them that the drone increased in mass by 17 percent. Seven tells them that the maturation rate is 25 times that of a conventional Borg.

When Janeway tells Tuvok to raise a level ten force field and post security around the clock, Tuvok is incredulous that she is allowing the drone to mature. Janeway informs him that she will not pull the plug unless she has to, and tells Seven to resume her analysis.

An hour later the drone is in the astrometric lab in the fourth stage of gestation. He is referred to as being the same as a six year old boy by Seven and the Doctor while B’Elanna and Tuvok observe also. They route the data to sick bay, so the Doctor can run medical scans. The Doctor informs them that the drone is mainly human with approximately 27 percent Borg implants.

Tuvok points out that the drone’s body plating is composed of poly-deutonic alloys (the same as the Doctor’s emitter). Seven states the nanoprobes could have extrapolated that technology and that would explain his unique design. B’Elanna puts it simply that he would be a 29th century Borg , 500 years advanced over them.

The Doctor locates, to his dismay, his mobile emitter in the drones cerebral cortex. Seven further explains after further scanning that it has been adapted to function as part of his central nervous system and controls all autonomic functions. After further viewing of information, the Doctor announces in dismay that they won’t be able to remove it without killing the drone.

In answer to Tuvok’s question of whether or not it has contacted the Borg, Seven informs him that she has dampened his proximity transceiver. Picking up on this B’Elanna cryptically replies, “For now, but what about when it grows up?” Seven’s only reply is a deep audible sigh.

Later in the Captain’s Ready Room, Janeway reads a list of his capabilities in disbelief: reactive body armor, multidimensional adaptability, and internal transporter nodes. Seven sums it up with the statement that the drone possesses superior technology and will fully mature in less than two hours, and that they should act before its Borg shielding is active. Janeway states that if they could keep him from interfacing with the Collective that they could teach him their values and what it means to be an individual. She puts Seven (incredulous at the captain’s decision) in charge of instructing the drone in the ways of humanity in spite of Seven’s admonishments of what would happen if the Borg should assimilate him.

Back in astrometrics lab, Tuvok observes as Seven disengages the drone after the maturation cycle is complet4e. Apprehension is palpable in the air after Seven’s first instructions are responded to as being “insufficient” by the drone in his request to state designation. Seven gives her complete designation as Seven of Nine Tertiary Adjuctive Unimatrix Zero-one and tells him to call her Seven of Nine which he repeats several times without apparent comprehension and again asks for his designation.

Seven tells Tuvok that she must initiate a direct neural interface to which Tuvok asks if that would be wise. Seven responds that there is no other way for her to communicate with the drone.

At first the drone backs up in uncertainty when Seven approaches, but moves very close to her when she states that resistance if futile. Seven penetrates his neck with tubules to initiate the interface, and when she would withdraw the drone grabs her arm to hold her in place as he probes her neural pathways to assimilate all of her knowledge. The drone withdrawal of information causes Seven much pain and she grabs the back of her neck in painful distress. Only when she states that he is hurting her does the Borg let her disengage the link and states that he will comply.

Further information is conveyed with Borg data node, which Neelix brings two to B’Elanna in engineering to be linked to the data port to download information. B’Elanna asks in exasperation how many Borg hitchhikers they are going to pick up on this trip. She continues to show her pessimistic outlook on helping this Borg that has gone from an infant to an adult in on e day. When Neelix tries to patronize her, she just becomes more furious. When Neelix states the drone will become what they help it to become, B’Elanna clinches her hands with her arms bent and close to her waist and jerks them in a motion that signifies her contempt and sarcastically says, “How Starfleet of you.” When Seven summons Neelix to the astrometrics lab and tells him to bring the first date node, B’Elanna looks exasperated and exhales sharply.

After Seven guides the drone (who appears totally clueless) through the procedure to assimilate the data node, the drone displays an awakening by facial expression with the information he is processing. His face is an expression of open mouth wonder, like that of a child. After verbally demonstrating his knowledge of who Seven and Neelix are and making the statement that he is an individual and his thoughts are his own, Seven denies his unquenchable desire for more information. She goes on to state that he must regenerate soon and she must adapt one of the alcoves in the cargo bay to his technology.

Neelix takes the Borg to sick bay for medical analysis and evaluation. The Borg states his knowledge of everything he observes while going through the passages. When Neelix asks him what his name is, and the drone tells him he doesn’t have one. The drone picks up on the name “One” as Neelix goes on to say that everyone needs a name and after all there is only “one” of him.

In sick bay the Borg appears at first uncertain and then very amenable to the Doctors scans. When the Doctor states that he is picking up some degradation in his neural pathways and that he will have to regenerate soon, the Borg states that his central nervous system is regulated by the Doctor’s mobile emitter.

The Borg’s unquenchable desire for knowledge is palpable when he discovers from the Doctor that he is an unique advance form of life. The Doctor tries to put off his questions about his beginning repeatedly until the Borg shows his impatience by stating “I wish to hear the story--NOW!” with almost a threat in his voice.

As the Doctor begins explaining, the Borg immediately questions as to whether he was an accident and if he is welcome on Voyager. The Doctor reassures him and ends by saying that with his mobile emitter he is sure to make a “dazzling impression” and laughs. The Borg just stares back at him with a blank expression on his face, the Doctor tells him that it was a joke. When the Borg defines a joke without smiling, the Doctor says that he sees that he has his mothers sense of humor.

Seven takes the Borg to engineering where he show his knowledge of the warp core to B’Elanna’s irritation. Until now he always knew who everyone was without being told, but Seven introduces B’Elanna and finishes by describing her as having a volatile temper. The Borg defines volatile as being “readily vaporizable at low temperature, easily aroused (pause), tending to eruption” to which B’Elanna sarcastically replies that he “gets a gold star.” When B’Elanna states she has one hour to come up with a way to predict the expansion rate of this proto nebula or Janeway will discontinue the survey, the Borg moves up close to observe her information and informs B’Elanna (who bumps into him in her preoccupation) that if she will apply multi-spatial algorithm it will accurately produce the rate of expansion. When he offers to demonstrate and receives B’Elanna approval, she is amazed at his results. It is obvious that Seven is feeling pride in her offspring’s accomplishment.

In the Captain’s Ready Room the Borg introduces himself as “One” and is very polite and gracious when asking Janeway how she is doing. After telling Janeway that he as assimilated 47 billion terraquads of information on a vast variety of subjects including particle physics, comparative humanoid anatomy, warp field theory (pause) and the culinary delights of the Delta quadrant, he ask if he is sufficient. Upon receiving Janeway’s approval, he asks to be excused to help Torres increase the efficiency of the busoric collectors. After he leaves, even though Seven accepts Janeways congratulations on his progress with a thank you,. Janeway can tell that something is bothering Seven. When questioned, Seven immediately responds that he has been expressing curiosity about the Borg. After Janeway states that maybe they should tell him what he wants to know, Seven states that the lure of perfection is powerful and he may be tempted to seek out the Borg with his technology a threat to Voyager.

In deck 8 section 4 cargo bay 2, Seven takes One to be regenerated. When Seven states that he has been of invaluable assistance to the Voyager crew, and he has exceeded expectation, he replies that expectations then were insufficient. Seven counters with the statement that a simple thank you will suffice. She explains the meaning when questioned. Seven has to direct him to turn around when he has entered the alcove to regenerate (a little humor). After Seven also enters her alcove to begin regeneration, he interrupts the process after she had already closed her eyes to say, “Thank you.” As they both finally begin regenerating a light starts to flash on One’s neck.

A Borg spherical ship is speeding through space and picks up the signal of Ultramatix 325 Grid 006 and alters course to intercept.

Janeway and Tuvok wakes up Seven to tell her One transmitted a Borg proximity signal. They discover that unknowingly his body has made a second transceiver. Tuvok informs Seven that they have picked up an transwarp conduit and they have three hours until interception by the Borg. When One realizes this, he immediately expresses his desire to meet them. Janeway states it is time to show him what the Borg are all about.

In the astrometric lab, One states he will need time to assimilate the information, when Chakotay orders (under red alert) “All hands to battle stations. The Borg vessel is approaching.”

On the way to the bridge in the turbolift, One’s voice expresses sadness when questioning Seven as to whether or not Voyager will be destroyed. When Seven states that they will resist, One answer s again with sadness that resistance is futile. To which Seven responds: “Perhaps.’

On the bridge, One describes the ship as a long range tactical vessel with transwarp capability and ablative hull armor. Seven tells him to help them enhance their shields. One is able to hear the Borg in his mind while the others hear it over the communication link. When the Borg lock on with a tractor beam, One states that they are calling to him. Janeway and Chakotay both look apprehensive when Seven talks almost in a trance of hearing it too--billions of voices speaking as one. Then she turns and informs One that they must resist or the crew of Voyager will be destroyed if they don’t. One comes out of his trance to access the control panels and remodulates the shields and they break free. One also enhances their phasers but the Borg invert their phasers beams with a feedback pulse.

One informs Seven that their technology is limited and that he must interface with the Collective so that he can disrupt their vessel from within. When Seven states that they will assimilate him, he tilts his head and almost smiles when he tells her that they (the Collective) will fail. There is a commanding presence about him now that denies interference. His very tone states that he knows exactly what he is doing so that Janeway nods agreement. One uses his own Borg technology to beam himself aboard the sphere.

Once aboard One informs the Collective to stop their attack or he will destroy them. The Borg that try to stop him are thrown off by his force field and he enter an alcove to access their navigation controls and makes the sphere head directly toward the nebula to make their hull collapse. The resulting explosion blows Voyagers sideways like a ship at sea in a tidal wave.

The disbelief in Seven’s face at the loss of her son is acute. When Harry states he is reading a lifesign and then that it is the drone (One) the relief is visible on everyone’s face. One had made a multi-spatial force field around his body, but it was weakening and they beam him to sick bay where severe trauma to the cerebral cortex make the need for surgery eminent.

As the Doctor says he needs to get started, One says, “No, I should not exist. I was a accident, a random convergence of technologies.” Seven in major distress at this turn in his reasoning replies that he is unique.

One catches his breath before stating that he was never meant to be with such pathos in his voice that you can not help but feel compassion for him. He goes on to say that as long as he exists, Seven is in danger and all life upon Voyager.

The Doctor tries to begin surgery, but One will not lower his shields. When Seven commands that he must comply, One states that he will not. Seven repeats the order again and then with heartbreak in her voice says, “Please. You are hurting me.” To which One responds with “you will adapt” just before his last breath.

Seven is quietly beside herself with grief when the Doctor startles her with saying he is sorry. Seven leaves the bedside and walks aimlessly toward another bed, leans against it, circles back around and looks completely lost.

Back in her cargo bay, she walks over and turns One’s alcove off, then slowly walks over and observes her unsmiling reflection in the viewscreen.