Shopping With Annika & Deanna

 Guest Poster: Annika Hansen














Going shopping with Deanna Troi can be a lot of fun. She knows every inch of the Starfleet Mall due to her frequent visits here. A lot of the owners give her a discount as they know she will come back in the near future.

"Is Seven going to make an appearance?" Deanna subtly asks of my other consciousness. I have to share my mind with the Borg version of myself. Sometimes she can intrude I don't want her to. For example, the other week, I went on a date, and it was just getting to the interesting part when she shouted "Resistance is futile!!" at my date. I must say, it was handy on that occasion, although I never saw him again.

"No, I don't think she'll appear today." I answer, "Shopping bores Seven, and she considers it irrelevent."

 "Good." she smiles,"It looks like it'll be just you, me and our money, then."

We go in quite a few dress shops and try on the outfits there.




 "Do you think Will will like me in this outfit, Annie?" Deanna asks as she steps from the changing room.

"So will all the other men on the Enterprise....and a few women as well., "I say,  "It's a little... opaque."

After some heavy duty shopping, we go past the Future Mechanics shop. Something there catches my eye.

"Oh, that looks adorable!" I exclaim, "I must have that!"

"You can't be serious, Annie!" Deanna gapes, "Where will it go?"

"Oh, I'll find somewhere." I answer, "I'll keep him charged up in my old Borg alcove."

Deanna sighs and says, "Very well, let's get it."

  "I wonder what the Captain will say?" Deanna muses.

In The Spa

Guest Poster: Beverly Crusher

I am in the Enterprise Spa with Annika Hansen and the new assistant to the holographic doctor, Penelope Delmara. After lifting some rather heavy weights, we are all in the sauna, ready to relax.

Annika casts her towel away with ease, as does Penny. Why do I feel reluctant? After all, I'm a doctor. I know what the female form looks like! Is it because they are still so young, and I am um...more mature. Still, Jean-Luc has no complaints! I smile to myself.

Eventually I do take my towel off and put it down, and realise the other women take no notice. They are lying on the benches in the searing heat as we start to sweat.

"How are you liking it here on the Enterprise, Penny?"  I ask the Spanish woman, "Are you getting along with everyone?"

 















"Oh yes, Bev!" Penny exclaims, "Everyone is so friendly. Joe likes me in particular. I think there is a little romance in the air for me."

"Joe?" Annika asks in bewilderment, "Who's he?"

"The holographic doctor, Annie." answers Penny, "He told me he never gave himself a name, so I have said I will call him Joe until he finds a better one. Actually, I think he is going to keep it."

Annika rolls her eyes.

"How are you and Seven getting along?" I ask Annika, "Are your consciousnesses maintaining a steady truce?"

                                                 

"We are starting to get along and learning to respect each other." Annika answers, "Although there are some times when.....anyway, fortunately, Seven doesn't care much for the heat, so is not going to make an appearance while we are in the sauna."

"I must admit, it is warm in here now." I comment, as the sweat pours down. "Is everybody ready for a cool shower?"

They agree and we get up to open the door.

It's stuck.

"What is it, Bev?" asks a worried Penny.

I tell them and soon we are all pushing against the door, screaming and shouting to be rescued.

"I don't wanna die!" yells Penny.

"Control yourself." orders the more assured Annika, "We will be rescued soon."

I wish I shared her enthusiasm.

Ten minutes later, we are still beating on the door. It feels like our bodies are on fire.

Then through the little window, I see a figure passing. It is Will Riker. He sees us and comes to help. He undoes a catch on the door which must have slipped and opens it.

"Thank you, Will!" I say, hugging him, "We wouldn't have lasted another five minutes in there.

Riker looks inside at Penny and Annika, then at me. He gives a discreet cough. Then I remember.

We would have been wise to put those towels on first!

Starfleet Redundancies (Part Four)

Alyssa Ogawa, T'Pol, Lieutenant Britney, Jennifer Baxter, Jadzia Dax, Deanna Troi, Seven of Nine and myself are all in the Ready Room, holding a crisis meeting.

We have all been made redundant by Starfleet's chief Evaluator, Shredder Smith!

-----

"They can't do it!" Deanna shouts, "We are being persecuted."

"It's Brit and I who are being persecuted because we are gay!" comments an angry T'Pol.

"They think they are getting rid of all the dead wood." Alyssa chips in, "But we all do a vital job on the Enterprise, though some are not recognised."



"We can't let it happen." Jennifer tells us, "We have relationships with others on the ship, which would split us up. I have my Data, Jadzia has Worf, the Captain has Bev and Deanna has Will."

A lot of head nodding goes on at this.

"Look." I say, "We know the situation, but there is nothing we can do."

"How about if we take a starship and start as an independent outfit?" suggests Britney, "We could have a skull and crossbones as our emblem. You wouldn't need to have an eyepatch or have your leg off, Captain."

"Thanks!" I say drily, "However, I think you're delving into the realms of fantasy there. We can all find jobs to do when we leave Starfleet."




"As a mind reader, I suppose!" Deanna suggests.

"I should have guessed why you always win at poker, Deanna." Jadzia sarcastically adds.

Annika, currently in her Seven of Nine consiousness suddenly gets up, says "Enough!" and walks out of the room.

"What is that all about, Brit?" asks T'Pol.

"Search me." Britney answers, "We have more important things to sort out."

For the next fifteen minutes, we go through all solutions, such as looking through the JobGalaxy website, or opening a restaurant together, or signing on the dole.

Suddenly the door opens and Shredder Smith appears.

"Errr..." he stutteringly starts, "There has been a change of policy at Starfleet. It has been decided that no redundancies will be made at all. You will all remain in your current positions. Sorry for any difficulties that arose."

He turns around and quickly leaves. We all look puzzled. Seven of Nine/Annika returns to the room.

"Did YOU have something to do with this?" I ask.



"Seven did." she answers in her Annika voice, "She contacted the Borg Queen, who then told the President of the United Federation of Planets that the truce they had with the Borg would be torn up if the redundancies took place."

Everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

"We all owe Queenie a big favour." Deanna says to me as we leave the room.

"It worries me what she will want in return when we meet next!" I say.

The Enterprise Christmas Party (Part One)

"What are THEY doing here." I ask Riker, as the Party is about to begin.

Before Riker can answer, Annika butts in with her Seven Of Nine consiousness.





"The Borg Queen prefers her resident band The Strolling Drones to play in the holographic nightclub, rather than one put together by a computer." she says sniffily.

"Now see here, Seven...." Riker starts to complain.

"It's all right, Will." I tell him, "A live band probably is better, even if they are just Borg drones. If it will keep Queenie placated, then we will go along with it."

The drones set up their instruments. I must say, they look smart in their bow ties and black suits, despite being covered in metal and having an implant over one eye.

------------

Not long after, the guests are starting to pour in. Bev is standing next to me by the piano.



"You look a little tense, Bev." I say to her, "Anything wrong?"

 "No, Jean-Luc." she answers, "I'm just wondering what trick the Borg Queen is going to use to get you away from me so you two can dance all evening."

"Relax, Bev." I tell her, "You and I both have our dance cards full throughout the entire Party...and our names are one each other's"

"Oh, Jean-Luc." see says before kissing me, "You always know what to say."

Worf comes up to me, wearing an evening suit, but still sporting a phaser.

"Excuse me, Captain." he warns me, "I have had warning that the Borg Queen has arrived and will be making her entrance shortly."

"Thank you, Mr Worf." I answer, but before he can say anything, his wife Jadzia Dax whisks him on to the dancefloor where the Okey Cokey is just starting up. Worf looks annoyed at this, and I can lip read his protest to Jadzia that "A Klingon warrior does not do the Okey Cokey!"

Our gay crew officers Lieuternant Britney and T'Pol go over to meet their friends Annette and Amanda, who they met last year. They were the proprieters of the gay bar where the last Enterprise Christmas Party was held.



I do my best not to listen in, but the four of them all talk very loud.

"It's so good to see you two again." Annette says, hugging them, "Thank you for inviting us."

"Well I tried to get the party at your place again, but you-know-who wouldn't let us." Britney answers.

I feel my ears burning at that one.

"The four of us don't get together very often." Amanda adds, "I'm glad you did, "We can get in some serious drinking and dancing done here"

"Absolutely, let's head to the bar." T'Pol comments, "The first round is on us."



"Yeah, what's your favourite?" asks Britney as their voices go out of earshot. Bev nudges me in the ribs as a way of telling me not to eaversdrop.

Suddenly, The Strolling Drones stop their music and play a fanfare of music. Obviously it is to herald the arrival of their leader.

The Borg Queen whisks her way into the holographic nightclub, flanked by two drone guards. She looks around, sees me and heads my way.

The Queen walks up and smiles, ignoring Bev after a cursory greeting and glance. The bodyguards position themselves between me and Bev.





"I'm looking forward to dancing and smooching with you ALL night, Jean-Luc." she quietly says in my ear. As we were lovers when I was assimilated, the Borg Queen has always had designs on me.

"Sorry, Queenie." I answer, "I'm with Bev.".

The Queen looks around, and as Bev is stuck behind the drones, she is not visible. "I see no Bev." Queenie teasingly says, and drags me towards the dancefloor.

While the two of us dance a smoochy number, I see Bev storm off outside, and hear her tell Deanna that she is going to put on an outfit that will put that Queen in the shade.

To be continued.....

Christmas Party Planning

With the senior staff all gathered in my Ready Room, we are all assembled for the most important meeting of the year. To discuss plans for the Enterprise Christmas Party.

"Would anyone like to put their suggestions to where it should be held this year?" I ask. This is a neat way of passing the buck to the others as I haven't an idea myself.

"Definitely not in a gay bar like we did last year!" Worf gruffly barks out.



"Why not!!" yell out Lieutenant Britney and her girlfriend T'Pol almost together.

"I was approached by a young man named Nigel." answers a reddening Worf, as his wife Jadzia laughs next to him, "He suggested that I go outside and see his phaser gun. Naturally, I declined, but he still occasionally sends me messages."

Somehow, I resist the urge to laugh out loud, and see Annika Hansen is about to stand. I wonder which consiousness is dominating her?



"It must take place in a Borg Cube or at the very least a holographic representation of it ." she answers in her firm Seven voice, "The Borg Queen will expect an invitation, so it is rightful you maker her seem at home, especially as we Borg have extended a truce..."

She stops, sits down and starts talking to herself. It's clear that her Annika consiousness is having a few things to say about her suggestions.

"Can't we just have it in a holographic night club?" Will Riker suggests, "After all, it is the Enterprise Christmas Party. Visitors will just have to accept it the way it is."

"I agree, Will." pipes up Deanna, plus a few other individuals.

"Very well." I decide, "We will have the party on Monday 5th November in a holographic nightclub."

"The Queen will not like this." mumbles Annika in her Seven voice.

"Yes she will, Seven." I retort, "I think the Borg Queen knows how to enjoy a party a lot more than you do. If you don't like it, loosen up and let Annika enjoy it. This will be her first Enterprise Christmas Party."

Seven goes out in a huff.

I'm sure I'm sowing the seeds for more Party disasters.

Annika On The Enterprise (Part Three)

Guest Poster: Deanna Troi

Having done a counselliung session for Annika Hansen, I am now going to have to do one for Seven of Nine, her alter-ego. The pair share the same body as two different consiousnesses, one the Borg drone, the other is the blonde woman we can all see.

"All right, Annika." I say, can you let go for now, so that Seven can talk to me?"



"Very well, Deanna." Annika warns me, "But I tell you, all she does is moan and complain."

Annika closes her eyes, and looks at me in a sterner way.

"She WOULD say that, Counselor!"  exclaims the stiffened voice of Seven, "She might charm people with that blonde hair and eyelashes, but underneath, she is a cold manipulator!"

"Look, Seven." I remind her, "This session was to see how the two of you were getting on with each other. Clearly you are still having some antagonism."

"She always wants to be the one in control!" mutters Seven, "Just because in the mirrir everyone sees Annika, they think I have vanished. Well let me tell you, Deanna Troi, that Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero is well and truly alive."

"I'm sure she is." I say, nodding, and doodling on my pad as I listen to her ranting on.



"Another thing." the blonde complains, although I can see in my mind the aggressive face and Seven still there with her implants, "I am being forced to eat the most disgusting and inedible food. When she goes to Ten Forward, I taste all what she has well. I've told her before, but Annika takes no notice."

I resist the urge to sdmile at this complaint, and merely reply, "I'll have a quiet word with Annika to see if you can compromise your meal times."

"You can be sure that I'll be mentioning this treatment to the Borg Queen next time she visits.." she drones on (hey, that was a good pun!), "I can tell you that she won't be very happy."

"Anything else, Seven?" I ask, although I regret, as it is only inviting a fresh torrent of Borg whines.

"Have you seen the clothes that Annika wears?" Seven mutters, "She wears the shortests skirts possible, and her tops are so revealing, I can tell the crewmen...and a few of the women are leering at her."

I don't mention to Seven that I was going to ask Annika if I can borrow some of her clothes from her wardrobe after this session as I needed them for a date with Will.

"Well, I suppose when her consiousness is paramount, Annika is free to wear what she likes." I offer as a means of explanation. Seven ignores me and gets up.

"This session is just like resistance...futile!" Seven snorts, "Well there had better be changes soon, and strides out.

Drat and double drat! As she was still thinking as Seven, I couldn't ask Annika for some of her clothes for my date tonight!

Annika On The Enterprise (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Deanna Troi

I'm just about to start my latest counseling sessioin with Annika Hansen, who who has a split consiousness with her Borg self, Seven Of Nine. Things started a little bumpily when Annika said she had asked Will for a date. Luckily for him he turned her down, otherwise his life wouldn't have been worth living!

Annika sits down.



"Do I need to take my clothes off, Deanna?" Annika asks me.

I raise an eyebrow.

"I'm a Counselor, not a medical doctor, Annika." I remind her, "Just sit on the couch and relax. Now last time we had a session, you and Seven kept interrupting each other. Can I ask Seven to stay in the background, and then I'll talk to her later, when she is in the fore?"

Annika agrees and I start.

"Now, Annika, howe are you finding the Enterprise."

"Oh, it's great, I really love being here." she answers, "To be in the real world instead of a computer generated one is so different!

With my next question, I choose my words carefully.



"What has it err...been like, living the lives of two people?" I ask, "Who do you sense you are when get up in the morning?"

"It's REALLY hard!" exclaims Annika, "Sometimes I think to myself  when I wake, 'what shall I have for breakfast', and other times it's 'who could do with being assimilated'"


"Oh you haven't started that again, have you?" the person with me says in a different tone, who is clearly Seven, "You've got to give me some space, Annika!"


"You'll get your turn!" Annika says to herself when her consiousness returns, "Just let me talk to Deanna."



After a moment of silence, Annika tells me that Seven won't interfere again until it is her turn.

Throughout our talk, I find out that Annika is really enjoying Astrometrics, and is happy to be a member of the Enterprise crew.

"You've done really well, Annika in coming through a difficult transition." I conclude, "Now if you can rest your consiousness for a while, I'd like to talk to Seven."

This might not be easy.

To be continued after the TWQ.....

Annika On The Enterprise (Part One)

Guest Poster: Annika Hansen

Getting used to a starship like the Enterprise is taking some time, despite the help I've had from many of it's crewmembers. After spending so long in Unimatrix Zero, the real world is something very different. My shared consiousness Seven of Nine, isn't a lot of help and will snort "Humans are irrelevent." at the most awkward times. As a result, it's me that says it.

I have been given Seven's old job in Astrometrics. She does give me tips occasionally, but if she is in a huff, and won't let her come to the fore in my consiousness every now and then, things can get very tricky.

Commander Riker comes up to me. He's not bad looking.



"Hello Annika." she says, "How are you doing on the Enterprise; do you like Astrometrics?"

"Fine, thank you, Commander." I reply, "Do you want to come to Ten Forward with me for a drink, then see the stars from my quarters?"

"Too direct!" warns Seven in my mind.

Riker goes red and nearly chokes on the donut he is eating at the time.

"Err...I'm really flattered." Riker answers, after gathering his thoughts, "Actually, Deanna Troi is my girlfriend, and am devoted to her."

"Such a pity." I say to myself, I think you would have liked my company. If you tire of Deanna, let me know."

"That won't happen, Annika." Riker comments, "But I appreciate the thought. Is it not time for your counselling session with Deanna?"

I look at the time, and head towards the office and knock on the door. Deanna is waiting for me.



"Hello, Annika." good to see you.

"Sorry I'm late, Counselor." I say, "I was just asking Commander Riker out on a date."

"Wrong!" shouts Seven in my consiousness, "Don't tell her that!"

"WHAT!" Deanna replies in a loud voice.

"It was all right." I quickly reply, "He turned me down, as he said he was devoted to you."

"Good job too." mutters the Counselor, "Look Annika, you can't go around asking men out when they are in another relationship."



"I understand." I reply.

Deanna sighs, as she seems to think this session will last a long time.

To be continued ...

Annika's First Date (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Annika Hansen

As this is my first date in the real world, after being in the computer generated one, it;s quite an event. However, Reg Barclay is a rather neurotic type. We are in Ten Forward, about to have our first drink, but Reg is having difficulty getting Guinan's attention to order it after she greeted us initially.

"GUINAN!!" I shout at the top of my voice; everybody looks round and the El-Aurian comes to us.



"Sorry I was a little late in getting to you." she whispers quietly, "Can you keep it down a little?"

"When we get a little better service!" I snap back. Actually, I'm amazed at my response, as I would never say something like that to anyone. I wonder if some of Seven's agression has come through on to me.

Guinan slams the drinks on our table.



"Annika!" blushes Reg, "You'll get us t-thrown out of Ten Forward!"

"A little better service would have been appreciated." I tell him, as I knock back my drink in one go. "Come on, let's go."

The two of them go to my quarters, where I serve him a beautiful drink. Reg is looking around, feeling rather nervous.

"L-look." Reg starts to say, "T-this is a beautiful drink, b'but I don't t-think I can....

I go and change into a flimsy outfit and sit on the sofa. Reg looks quite panic stricken.



"Sit with me, Reg." I quietly say,then I hear myself saying "Resistance is..."

"....Futile!" he adds, "You're Seven, not Annika!". He runs out faster than as if he were going to be assimilated by the Borg Collective.

"Seven!" I say, "You promised you were going to stay quiet."

"So I was." my other self replies, "But you were just using your body to get what you want. I had to stop that"

"If you don't let me have time to myself, you won't get it either." I remind her. Seven grumbles.

"Very well." she answers. "I shall stay quiet. You can go and get Reg Barclay back."

"I don't think I'll get him back, Seven." I answer, "He was neurotic enough as he was!"

Annika's First Date (Part One)

Guest Poster: Annika Hansen

Tonight is a big night for me; I'm going on my first ever date.

While it's not exactly my first date, it is in the real universe. I had lovers in the computer-generated Unimatrix Zero. Now I am free from that, I can live a comparatively normal life, although I still have to share it with my other consciousness Seven of Nine. However, as she thinks that romance is irrelevant, she has agreed to stay quiet throughout our date.

As I was told he was still unmarried, I asked Reginald Barclay if he would like to go out with me. This resulted in a lot of stutters before he accepted. Deanna Troi warned me that he has this nervous habit.

We decide to meet in Ten Forward, where we are going to have a drink on our date. I see him sitting down.



"Hello Reg." I say cheerily, "I'm looking forward to our date."

Reg looks shocked, and eyes my body from top to toe.



"You look s-sensational, Annika!" Reg nervously stutters, "Errr.... it IS Annika isn't it, and not t-the other one?"

"It's Annika." I assure him, "Seven won't be making an appearance tonight. She's not too interested in my romantic life."

"T-that's good." he tells me, "I always found her rather intimidating."

"I know what you mean." I answer, although I'm anxious not to annoy Seven and make her appear, "Let's talk about you and me instead." I suggest."

"W-why did a beautiful woman want to go with me?" Reg asks, "I mean you could have any m-man."

"Thank you, Reg." I smile, "That's a lovely thing to say. In fact it was at Deanna's recommendation. She said although you can be a little nervous at times, you are a very good and decent person."

I stretch out my hand and hold his. Reg looks panic-stricken.

"L-lets order a drink." he hurriedly says, and gestures towards Guinan to come on over and get our order.

I might have to have chat with Deanna later on about her date recommendation!

To be continued.....

Communication Breakdown (Part Two)

Right now, everything is in disarray throughout the Federation, and here on the Enterprise. Various races cannot talk to each other with the breakdown of the Universal Translator. Communication between all ships has broken down. This occured because Admiral Nakamura insisted a new and so-called improved system be fitted in.

We all know what the  result of this would be!

Riker, Data, Beverly and I gather together along with all the staff who can speak English. Deanna is with us. Although she usually speaks in Betazoid through the Translator, she knows enough of our language.



"What are we going to do, Captain." she says, although it tends to come out as "What um we do Cap?" in her attempt to speak English.

"I'm not sure yet." I answer, "It looks like it'll be down to us to save everything again."

"It appears thart the entire system was short circuited by the influx of information that was downloaded into it." analyses Data, "As a result, the memory bank of languages in the Universal Translator was deleted. and communications between ships failed as a result."



"That's a huge loss" Annika comments, then in her Seven voice gruffly says, "Who did this should be assimilated."

"Sorry about that." apologises, Annika, "Although I'm in agreement with my other self on this. It's a massive mistake that wasn't tested before."

"Actually, there may well be an answer." Data ventures to say, "If I download all my communication knowledge into the empty Universal Translator, it should restore things. My positronic brain has the vocabulary of every language in existance."

"No!" cries out Jennifer Baxter, "You can't do this, Data!"

"It sounds dangerous, Mr Data." I warn him, "Such a copy would be huge and may damage both you and the Universal Translator."

"There doesn't seem to be an alternative solution, Captain." Riker reminds me.

As a result, we get ready to open the circuit to Data's head.



"Are you ready, Data.?"asks Geordi, who flips the lid of his friend's head up like he is about to look at a car engine. He attaches a long wire to the Universal Translator computer and flicks the switch,.

Immediately, Data's eyes start revoilving around,  and starts babbling away in various languages I've never heard before. After about five minutes, he comes to a halt and his eyes stop moving.

"Are you all right, Mr Data?" I ask hesitatingly.

He starts:

"Mary had a little lamb, it's fleece was snow, and everywhere that Mary went, that lamb was sure to ...Q'Pla!" Her carries on saying languages at the same speed he did earlier, with his eyes going round. Eventually he stops again.

"Data?"

He opens his eyes.

"Hello, Captain. I trust it was all successful. Hello Jennifer. Why are you looking so pleased?"

"Yeah, that's Data all right." Geordi comments sarcastically.

Communication has been restored throughout the Federation, and the Universal Translator is restored. It's a pleasure to hear Worf and Deanna clearly..

Hopefully, whoever suggested the update is being well and truly carpeted by the President of the Federation!

Annika/Seven's Counseling Session

Guest Poster: Deanna Troi

I must admit, I haven't had a counselling session like this before, where I'm talking to one body that is currently holding two minds. Oner being the Borg drone Seven Of Nine, and the other Annika Hansen, her original self. Right now they seem to be at war with each other. Seven had to have her implants removed after an assassinaion attempt by the rogue group Section 31, so though I see Annika, I am talking to both. Either will break out to talk at any time. It's a good job money isn't paid, otherwise they would probably both want a salary.

Annika sits herself down on the couch in my office, and smiles.



Hmmm...Annika in her skimpy outfits is quite a difference from the metallic drone outfit that Seven wore.

"Hello." I start saying, "Who am I talking to at the momemt?"

"I'm Annika." says the blonde figure, "Pleased to be able to talk to you at last, Deanna. I've had a busy time trying to get free since SHE took over."

"Where were you, then?" I ask.

"In the artificial environment created by Borg with the recessive gene known as Unimatrix Zero." Annika tells me, "The Borg Queen was always trying to hunt down users. I could tell you some stories there...."

"No!" she shouts, "I was never there. It cannot be true. Do not listen to her.!"



"Seven," I tell her, you have to accept that you had the gene, and Annika inhabited Unimatrix Zero when you were regenerating in your alcove."

"Oh, she'll never accept anything, Deanna"" Annika laughs, "Seven is so stubborn. She can't believe that she actually had the gene that the Borg Queen was trying to find and destroy. She...and me would have been destroyed if Queenie found out."

I turn to the important matter.

"Annika, Seven...I know you can both hear me, although one may the dominant one at any time." I tell them, "It's important that the two of you learn to live with each other. You will have to share the body, so it is only fair if one slips into background and gives the other free time every so often. Over time, you will learn to give in to each other. Perhaps you might need to call your other self for help in important matters. You might even become great friends."

"That will not be possible!" Seven sniffs, "The Borg are supreme."

"Well I don't want you around when I go on a date."  Annika snaps back.

"I would not wish to be!" Seven replies, "I would not want to be part of your procreation technique."

"So you think I'm going to bed with my date on the first occasion?"

"Considering how you dress right now, I wouldn't think anything else. We know each other's mind."

"That's insulting. I dress to suit myself, not to attract others."

"Ladies." I try to say, then shout "LADIES!!"

The figure turns round.

"This session is over."  I tell them in a tired manner, "You are going to have to go to your quarters and discuss amongst yourselves how to live. Please no arguments about the decorations."

I realise that I shouldn't have said that, as I hear the blonde woman talking to herself in a raised voice about the colour of the calls they ought to have.

The Assassination Attempt (Part Three)

Guest Poster: Annika Hansen/Seven Of Nine

"Wake up, Annika, wake up, Seven." says a voice I recognise as Beverly Crusher.

My mind feels like it has been through a washing machine and hung out to dry. I'm alarmed that my Borg hive mind connection is no longer working, put it still seems like there is someone else in here struggling to get out.

I'm here, Seven.

What was that?

"What is going on?" I struggle up. Both Beverly Crusher and the Borg Queen are standing next to me.

"Calm down, you have been through a lot." Dr Crusher tells me.

"Calmness is irrelevent!" I shout, "You will tell me what has happened."

I am Annika and am sharing your mind, Seven.

What is happening to me?



"You were the victim of an assassination attempt, Seven." the Queen tells me, "The phaser blast short circuited all your Borg attachments. They had to be removed. You now look like a human again."

In horror at this news, I grab the mirror she was about to give me to see my appearance.



"It's horrible!" I wail, "I look so ugly!"

I don't know, Seven. I think I look kind of cute.

"Be quiet!"

"Seven, who are you talking to?" Beverly asks me. all of a sudden, the other part of my mind gives way.

"Beverly." I tell her, "I don't have much time. I'm Annika Hansen. It looks like I am sharing the thoughts of the drone part of me you know as Seven. Two personalities are now in here. I think that you will have to convince her that we must learn to live together."

"No!" I shout out, "I will not share minds with a human."

You won't have much choice, sweetie.



A bewildered Beverly looks at the Queen, and at Captain Picard, who winced when he heard everything.

"What are gonna do, Jean-Luc?" she asks.

"I'll leave it to you," the Borg Queen tells them as she departs, "I hope you can help Seven."

"Annika..Seven." Beverly talks to me, "I hope we can help both of you."

"Thank you Beverly" I answer

"Thank you Beverly." I answer.

Get out!

The Assassination Attempt (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Beverly Crusher

The limp body of Seven Of Nine is brought into SickBay, although with all her metal casing, it looks like the scrapyard might have been a better place.

The Borg drone fell victim to the ricochet of a phaser set on 'kill'. A member of Section 31 had infiltrated the ship, and attempted to kill her so that a war might be ignited between the Federation and the Borg. The Borg Queen warned us of an attempt, but the Secret organisation within Starfleet are very clever.

The pile of metal is dumped on the medibed and I begin sorting things out. In a matter of moments, I hear footsteps, and a familiar face appears.



"How is she, Beverly?" Queenie asks, while I remove some stray metal. Where it came from on Seven, I hjave no idea.

"How did you know...?" I asks, "We hadn't had timev to summon you yet."

"You forget the Borg Hive Mind." the Queen answers with a superior air, "As soon has Seven's connection had vanished, I knew she was in trouble."

"It's too early to say." I summise, "The metal casing that made up her drone body may well have saved her life, but....."

"But what?" Queenie asks, knowing that the word 'but' is not good news for her.

"The blast of the phaser short circuited her Borg implants." I answer, "None are functioning. Seven will not have long to live unless...."

I seem to be in the habit of saying sentences without an ending. I think we were all trained to do that in the medical section of Starfleet Academy. In other words: don't say all bad news in one go. Let 'em take it in pieces.

"Unless what?" asks an impatient Queenie.

"It looks like all her implants will have to be removed, so that she becomes just the human she originally was, that is Annika Hansen."

"No!!" screams the Queen, "She is an integral part of the Borg."

"It's either that or she is dead." I tell her in my serious doctor-mode.



"She'll receive plenty of counselling." Deanna informs us, putting her oar in, "It'll be very difficult for Seven to change from being a Borg to human Annika."

"Ah!" exclaims Queenie, as if she has outsmarted us in a game of chess...or Scrabble, for that matter, "We on the Cube can easily fit new implants on to her. Then Seven would ber as good as new."

"Her body is too badly damaged." I tell the Queen, "You need to guide us as to how to remove all the implants before it is too late. She could not have new ones fitted."

Queenie's shoulders sag like a defeated woman whon has just missed the last bargain at a sale.

"Very well." she muses, "Section 31 will have found they have made a bad mistake in crossing the Borg and attempting to kill Seven."

Over the next few hours, every part of Borg technology is removed from Seven with the aid of her former leader.

What will remain when Seven....or Annika awakes?

To be continued after the TWQ......

The Borg Queen's Visit (Part Three)

Right now, I'm hooked in one of our Borg alcoves on the Enterprise. On one side is Seven of Nine, on the other is the Borg Queen. They are both currently regenerating. I am about to visit Unimatrix Zero, where Borg clones who have the recessive gene can visit. The Borg Queen has informed me that evidence has arisen thar Seven may have the gene, and her human alter-ego Annika Hansen may be there. If she is, the Queen will destroy her.

-------------

"Are you ready, Jean-Luc?" Bev asks me as I am about to go under.

"Yes." I reply, somewhat nervously, "I don't know what I'm going to find there, but don't forget what to do what I asked. Queenie is in an extra-long regeneration, and will be unaware."

As I'm connected up, I feel like I'm the Frankenstein monster, who's just had a big jolt of electricity.

Suddenly I wake up on a grassy meadow and look around me. There is a a forest nearby, and in the distance, the coast opens to a wide ocean.



This is a good place to come for a vacation, except that iot's all in the mind. I notice that the forest area has some barely concealed caves, and there is life about. As I approach, all sorts of races are living together. They look at me oddly, as they can tell I'm a newbie in town.

A young blonde-haired woman stares at me in shock from the distance, horrified to see me here. She rushes forward. Though I can bazrely recognise her from the metal-plated drone we have on the Enterprise, I'm pretty sure who this is..



"Hello, Captain Picard." she says, "I'm Annika Hansen, the human part of Seven of Nine. Welcome to Unimatrix Zero."

"How do you know who I am, Annika?" I ask.

"Oh, I know what Seven knows." she laughs, "Fortunately she doesn't know about me, otherwise there would be trouble from the Borg Queen. What brings you here?"

"There IS trouble from the Borg Queen!" I exclaim, and tell her that she has evidernce that Seven is in Unimatrix Zero, and I have been sent to see."

Annika goes whiter that a shirt ironed by washing up liquid in a galactic tv advert.

"You're not going to tell on me are you?" she asks, "The Queen would destroy both Seven and I. Here, I'm the joint mayor of this realm along with my hated ex-lover."

I look amazed at this fact, but continue.



"No, Annika." I tell her, "But I needed to know if you were here before knowing how to proceed. Don't worry; you'll be safe. It's time for me to leave."

"Good luck, Captain." Annika says, "I hope you'll visit again soon. Unimatrix Zero has many holiday caves for the discerning visitor."

I feel myself coming back to the Enterprise alcove.

Now to deceive a Queen...

To be continued.....