My shuttle approached the coordinates for a nice-enough tear through the dimensional barrier. It was a nice Captain’s Yacht that I, er, “borrowed” from the USS Jerome Horwitz. “Computer,” I said, “calculate optimal coordinates for a photon torpedo to open the tear.”
“Coordinates calculated,” replied the computer. “Fire at will.”
“Thank you.” I entered the coordinates for the torpedo, then pressed the launch initiator. The photon torpedo flew out from my shuttle’s underside and hit the tear, opening a vortex for me. I then flew the shuttle into the vortex. It was a very smooth ride.
“Approaching exit aperture,” reported the computer. I then steeled myself, preparing for the eventual Borg encounter.
“Raise shields and ready weapons.”
“Shields raised. Weapons ready.” I kept one hand near the navigational console while my other hand hovered over the weapons. The shuttle left the vortex and arrived at a Borg Unicomplex. Two cubes rushed out to greet me. “Enemy vessels are scanning this shuttle,” reported the computer. I then looked at the monitor and arched an eyebrow at the results.
“That’s weird, Borg scanning shouldn’t be so erratic.”
“Enemy Unicomplex hailing us.”
“Open a channel.” The Borg came through.
“We-We-W-W-We are-We are-We are the-are-are-are the Bo-the Bo-Bo-Bor-Borg-g-g-g-g. Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-You will b-will-will-w-w-w-will b-b-be ass-be assi-assi-assi-assimila-milated-ed-ed-ed. Resi-Resi-Re-Re-Re-Resis-is-is-istance i-i-i-i-is fut-t-t-tile.” The Cubes then activated their tractor beams, but the shuttle barely jiggled.
“…Computer, analyze tractor beam wavelength,” I ordered.
“Enemy tractor beam is unable to maintain cohesion,” replied the computer. I then got an idea.
“Computer, given all possible data on the Borg, is it possible that being in a separate universe would make their micro-collective decay and their own cohesion fall apart?”
“The available facts and data support your theory.”
“Thank you, I think I have a plan.” I then went on the comms with the Borg. “Borg Unicomplex, this is Khan, a human. You have been sent here by a person known as Anansi, yes?”
“C-C-C-orre-orre-orrect-ct-ct,” replied the Borg.
“You’ve been tasked with guarding a book called the Tome, yes?”
“C-C-C-orre-orre-orrect-ct-ct.”
“And your connection to the Collective has all but vanished, leading to chaos in your current micro-collective, yes?”
“C-C-C-orre-orre-orrect-ct-ct.” I grinned, then stood the shuttle down from red alert.
“I have a plan, but I need your resources. If you allow me access to the Tome, I will be your new…Queen, as it were. I can show you what real perfection is where your old one can’t.” The Borg were silent for a minute. Just then, a green glow flashed from behind me. A hand then yanked me out of the chair! The Borg had sent over a Drone to try and pick my brain!
“We will begin.” The Borg sounded more cohesive.
“What’s the idea?!” I demanded.
“A neural transceiver is required for maximum communications.” The Drone then took a small device from its clamp arm and put it onto my neck. “We will work as one mind.”
“Hold on! Yes to the transceiver, but you have to let me program it myself!”
“The neural link will be temporary. It will disengage when you receive the Tome. You will not be damaged.”
“I don’t care! I prefer to get into your Collective my own way!”
“Your methods would be inefficient.”
“That’s the exact same line of thinking that defeats you in the long run! Janeway’s clashes with you would be proof enough!”
“Irrelevant. You must comply.”
“I must do nothing of the sort! If you assimilate me in your usual fashion, my computer is instructed to wipe my mind!” The Drone stopped, then took a look in the computer core. It found the program, then stood at attention.
“You may enter the Collective at your own pace.” I sighed. The Borg of this universe must be desperate.
“Thank you,” I said. I took the transceiver off, then set it onto a console. “Computer, initiate Program 9 Alpha Tango.”
“Password is required,” replied the computer. Good, just like I wanted it to.
“One Seven Three Four Six Seven Three Two One Four Seven Six Charlie Three Two Seven Eight Nine Seven Seven Seven Six Four Three Tango Seven Three Two Victor Seven Three One One Seven Eight Eight Eight Seven Three Two Four Seven Six Seven Eight Nine Seven Six Four Three Seven Six Unlock.” I then panted after rattling off that password.
“Program downloaded to neural transceiver. Attach when ready.” I handed the transceiver back to the Drone.
“Now you can put it on.” I pulled my hair back as the Drone attached it just above my spine. The instant it did, the Cubes turned violently and the Drone spasmed before collapsing. “Uh oh!” I rushed to check the drone out, then a small HUD appeared in my vision, just on its top. It was showing my own health, then an identifier string, telling me that the Borg Drone was a representative of Species 3783 and that it was Four of Eight, Secondary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero Nine, then the HUD showed a mini-map. The Drone then groaned. I looked up what other names Species 3783 was called, then saw the word “Romulans”! I gulped at that and saw the Romulan Drone stand up. It was male…and had an angry look to his face! His normal arm grabbed my shirt and he pulled me up close to him. His eye appeared to bore into both of mine, then he released me.
“The only thing worse than seeing a human,” he grunted, “is having to be grateful to one!”
“I got your Borg designation, but not your name,” I replied.
“I am Commander Sonavok. Your friend, Anansi, lured my ship here and we were assimilated on the spot!”
“Anansi…did that?” I checked his memories. They confirmed what he said. “I don’t believe it! Anansi?!”
“You said you would use the Tome and fix our little collective!” challenged Sonavok.
“…I think I can improve it along the way,” I mused as I checked the memories of the rest of the Drones. Very few were assimilated as infants, so the rest of the current Collective had clear memories of Anansi throwing them here. “Tell me, how does revenge against Anansi and travelling to other universes with ease sound to you?” The Collective appeared to consider. Sonavok grinned after a second.
“You have our undivided attention, Mister…”
“Come on, we’re all part of the same hive mind.”
“I guess I’d like to hear some form of verbal introduction. Besides, I gave you my name.”
“You’re right, it’s only fair I give you mine. I am Khan, the Author of Reality!” My words were then directed to the Collective at large. “You, my friends, shall become the Lords of all Creation! With the Tome, victories shall be glorious! We shall carve our legacy across every star sustaining every planet in every universe! From this moment on, WE ARE THE LORDS!”
“WE ARE THE LORDS!” repeated the newly christened Lord Collective.