The Queen Considers

Posted on Fri Sep 9th, 2016 @ 12:39am by Captain Li Hawke

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: Borg Cube

* Borg Cube *

The Queen sat in her chair staring out into the empty room. The hum of the transporter carrying Li Hawke away had long since dissipated, leaving her in silence. At least outwardly. The usual hum of thousands of voices whispered in the back of her mind but they were no distraction. Her own thoughts, were, however. The conversation with Li replayed in her mind and anger whipped through her. On a panel across the way a light suddenly flashed red. The Queen closed her eyes and mentally reset it as she forced herself to calm. She was being forced to work with Starfleet, as well as their allies, for the short term and it was vital to the survival of her species that she do so. The big picture was what was important here, not an old grudge.

The thought brought a sudden smile. In that little match, she had won. She was no telepath but she had seen Li’s despair clearly. She had ripped apart Li Hawke’s world and kept possession of the one thing that mattered most in her life. Then, she had managed to twist the knife just a little more by waving the drone who had been Sakkath under Li’s nose. It was worth tolerating the sight of the Betazoid, at least briefly. The Queen knew she would be forced to work with Li more than she wanted, at least until the Krenim problem was solved. Her one satisfaction was knowing that Li knew who had won in the end. The Queen had taken Sakkath’s life and now possessed his body, neither of which Li could recover.

That last thought gave her pause and with a thought, she summoned two of her guardian drones. They entered the room and stood before her, waiting.

The drone Seven Of Fifteen has been assigned to operations on level 68, sector 12. That sector is not absolutely necessary, which is why he was assigned there until I am satisfied he has assimilated properly. I want that sector and that drone sealed off until I order otherwise. There is an alcove within it for his use. Until I unseal him, I will route essential operations around that area, leaving only minimal activity. You will assign drones to guard him on rotating shifts. No one will have access to him except for me.

The two drones replied their acknowledgment and departed without another word. The Queen stood and in a glow of green transported out of the room.

She materialized on deck 68, sector 12. Just ahead, Seven Of Fifteen stood before a panel, entering a series of commands. His guards had not arrived yet, which gave her time to see him in action. This drone, as he had been upon arrival, was still fresh in her mind - a man of striking appearance. She had searched his mind upon resuscitation, but had not found what she sought, much to her annoyance.

She ordered the area sealed and turned to go. A sudden thought occurred to her and it seemed perfect in the sheer poetry of the idea. Li Hawke wanted so badly to be with her husband again, the Queen might just allow it.

She always had room for another drone.

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The Borg Queen
Never Satisfied