Collective of One
Below is the full script for Collective of One, a dark tale about a single Borg unit whose mind is split into all the individuals it has assimilated over time. In its madness, the Borg unit is leaving a trail of death and destruction. On its trail are two of my own inventions who now form part of Star Trek Fleet Command lore: Captain Cooper Jakes, an expert in galactic expressions of faith and spirituality, and his partner Sib Lambda, a Kreyanthan. The Kreyantha are a species driven by the search for God… with a view to destroying It utterly. Together, they often solve mysteries, and Collective of One was one of their cases.
Parts 1-5
Collective of One Part 1
Join Captain Cooper Jakes and his Kreyanthan liaison as they investigate a series of strange deaths.
Objective 1 - Go location (Retha): Answer a call for assistance in the Retha system.
Maia
Commander, we have received a request for assistance from Captain Cooper Jakes in the Retha system. He was until recently the acting Federation Ambassador to the Kreyanthan culture.
Maia
He has been tasked with investigating a bizarre series of deaths and disappearances across the Alpha Quadrant.
Maia
An Independent ship would allow more freedom of movement to investigate within systems that might otherwise be less inclined to cooperate with Federation vessels.
Maia
Shall I respond in the affirmative, Commander?
Maia
Very good. Message sent. Plotting a course for Retha.
Objective 2 - Go location (Empiricis/Retha): Meet With Captain Jakes on Empiricis.
Maia
Commander, we have arrived in the Retha system. We are being hailed by a Kreyanthan security vessel.
Kreyanthan Security
Independent craft, you have entered Kreyanthan Territory. State your business and belief system.
Maia
Kreyanthan security vessel, my name is Maia, I am the operating intelligence aboard this ship. The crew consists of a diverse collective of individuals, perhaps best described as panspiritual.
Maia
We are here at the request of former acting Ambassador Cooper Jakes.
Kreyanthan Security
One moment, please.
Kreyanthan Security
Statement peer reviewed and confirmed. Honorary Betan Jakes is currently residing on Empricis. Sending coordinates. Follow the path exactly and do not deviate. Death to the Great Deceiver.
Maia
Thank you, we will not deviate.
Maia
In case you were wondering about the unusual sign-off, Commander, the Kreyantha are a culture of theistic scientists, dedicated to finding God through empirical means so they can kill him, her, they or it.
Maia
They can be somewhat intense. Setting course for Empiricis.
Objective 3 - Go location (Empiricis/Retha): Beam Captain Jakes and his partner aboard.
Cooper Jakes
Thank you for getting here so quickly, Commander. And Maia! I have heard a lot about you. I was hoping I would one day get the chance to meet you, albeit under more pleasant circumstances.
Maia
I am sure we shall make the best of the opportunity. I am well aware of your work in the fields of religion and philosophy and can well imagine your interest in me. For now, however...
Cooper Jakes
For now, we have business to attend to. I will be accompanied by my friend and very own Human/Kreyantha ‘liaison peer’, Sib Lambda.
Sib Lambda
Greetings.
Maia
We are happy to have you aboard. Speaking of which, are you ready to depart?
Cooper Jakes
We are indeed. Just say the word.
Maia
Very good, Captain Jakes. Commander, two to beam up.
Objective 4 - Go planet/location: Head to Aeqos in the Earorfilad system.
Maia
Are your quarters satisfactory, Captain Jakes?
Cooper Jakes
Yes, thank you. Very comfortable.
Sib Lambda
Indeed. Might I also extend my gratitude for the provision of a long bed. I imagine you are not used to hosting species of my height.
Maia
It was no trouble at all, Sib Lambda. So, Captain Jakes, where can we take you first?
Cooper Jakes
The site of the most recent death. Aeqos, in the Earorfilad system.
Maia
Very good. Engaging warp engines.
Objective 5 - Return to the ship.
Cooper Jakes
This is... this is unsettling. It’s one thing reviewing something like this in a report, it’s quite another to see it in person.
Sib Lambda
As you no doubt recall, my people are more than familiar with the visceral. The experiments we conducted on various organic lifeforms were often... messy.
Cooper Jakes
Yes. Yes, of course. Still, for me, it is grotesque to say the least. Look at the body, the skin pale but mottled, the face a web of broken capillaries.
Sib Lambda
As the reports stated, signs consistent with Borg assimilation.
Cooper Jakes
Yes, quite so, but this is clearly a failed assimilation, like all the other cases. And failed assimilation is not consistent with the Borg at all.
Sib Lambda
It is the gray viscous fluid that has pooled around the body I find most fascinating. Presumably it was blood before coming into contact with Borg technology.
Sib Lambda
And now it is a thick, oil-like contaminant full of dead nanoprobes. See how it has emerged from the ruptures in the victim’s body, as though it exploded out of him.
Cooper Jakes
Yes, I noticed. It begs the question, was the body expelling the nanoprobes, or were the nanoprobes escaping the body?
Sib Lambda
I suggest we carry out our own analysis of the blood and the deceased.
Cooper Jakes
We’ve already been given clearance by Starfleet. One moment.
Cooper Jakes
Jakes to Maia. Three to beam up.
End
Cooper Jakes
Maia, please, put that body into cold storage immediately. I need to preserve it for study.
Maia
Of course, Captain Jakes.
Collective of One Part 2
Captain Jakes’ investigation into Borg-related deaths continues.
Objective 1 - Go location: Return to your station.
Maia
Have you been able to determine anything from your study of the body, Captain Jakes.
Cooper Jakes
Unfortunately not. While your ship is advanced in many ways, it is not equipped to carry out the kind of detailed autopsy I need.
Maia
Perhaps we can still help you out in that regard, Captain. I believe we have everything you need back at our station. Shall I plot a course?
Cooper Jakes
Excellent, Maia, thank you.
Maia
You are welcome. Engaging engines.
Objective 2 - Go location (Xerxes system): Follow reports of a Borg attack in the Xerxes system.
Sib Lambda
The findings are fascinating, Cooper. There appears to be some kind of mutation in the nanoprobes, a mutation which hampers their ability to effectively latch on to the cells of an organic host.
Sib Lambda
Given the discoloration of the victim’s flesh, I surmise that assimilation would temporarily look as though it were proceeding as usual before biological rejection occurred.
Cooper Jakes
Do we have any idea what caused the mutation?
Sib Lambda
Impossible to guess at this moment.
Cooper Jakes
At least there’s a chance to bring someone back from a functional assimilation. This is just straight up killing them.
Sib Lambda
If it is any consolation, the nanoprobes release a numbing agent into the bloodstream. Whatever happens to these unfortunates, it is painless.
Cooper Jakes
A small mercy, Sib. Okay. What do we know about our victim before he came into contact with the Borg?
Sib Lambda
Veran Court, 68 years old, Terran human, professor of Xenoarchaeology at Kulug University. He was reported missing 11 days ago en route to Aeqos, where his shuttle arrived on auto. Empty.
Sib Lambda
According to students and colleagues, Court was a rather pompous individual, florid in speech and manner, but very much respected in his field.
Cooper Jakes
He’s an odd choice for assimilation. His age would not make him an ideal drone, although that wouldn’t stop the Borg if they were in sudden need of numbers.
Cooper Jakes
And I can’t imagine what use they would have for a human xenoarchaeologist. All due respect to Mr Court, but I can’t see what new knowledge he’d bring to the Borg’s extensive database.
Maia
Maia to Captain Jakes. We have just picked up a report of an attempted Borg attack in the Xerxes system. It may be related. The circumstances are unusual.
Cooper Jakes
Beam us up and take us there now!
Objective 3 - Defeat 10 Osaarian hostiles (Lv 28 or higher) in the Xerxes system.
Maia
We have arrived in the Xerxes system, Captain Jakes. The Borg attack took place on Xoqavon. However, this system is crawling with Osaarian Pariahs.
Cooper Jakes
Are they likely to block our path?
Maia
Undoubtedly. If we wish to reach Xoqavon, we will have to fight our way through.
Cooper Jakes
Why can’t people just be cool for once?
Sib Lambda
Kreyanthan scientists too have observed this phenomenon.
Cooper Jakes
Pardon?
Sib Lambda
The effect ambient temperature has on emotional stability and cognitive and physical ability has been a subject of keen study among my people.
Cooper Jakes
Remind me to talk to you about Earth idioms some time, Sib. Okay, Maia, are these Osaarian Pariahs open to diplomacy?
Maia
I am afraid not, Captain Jakes.
Cooper Jakes
Alright, then let’s do what we have to do. Battle stations everyone!
Objective 4 - Go planet (Xoqavon, Xerxes): Beam down to Xoqavon.
Maia
Our path is now clear, Captain Jakes. Now they have experienced our capabilities, I believe the Osaarians will leave us alone sufficiently enough for you to conclude your business on the planet’s surface.
Cooper Jakes
Then let’s get to it.
Objective 5 - Go location (Xerxes): Return to the ship.
Sib Lambda
More failed assimilations.
Cooper Jakes
What a sanitized way of saying corpses. Look at this place, this doesn’t look like an attempted Borg attack. This looks like a successful Borg attack.
Sib Lambda
I disagree. Had this attack been successful, there would surely be fewer... corpses... and those that remained would not look like Borg, albeit incomplete Borg.
Cooper Jakes
No, I don’t suppose I can argue with that. Let’s go talk to the survivors.
Cooper Jakes
Hey, I know you’re in shock, and we’re going to let you go as soon as possible, but first I just need you to tell me what you saw. We were told the circumstances were unusual.
Survivor
Yes, yes they were strange. The Borg. The Borg... it just...
Cooper Jakes
It? You mean, just one?
Survivor
That’s right. It came down in a Federation shuttle, so we didn’t expect... this. It was surrounded by a swarm of nanoprobes that suddenly exploded outwards...
Survivor
They entered people through the eyes, the nose, the mouth, and they started to change, immediately. Some of them just exploded, some collapsed, but others they... they became sort of half Borgs.
Cooper Jakes
Half Borgs?
Survivor
They were more like those zombies from the old Earth legends, utterly mindless, and they seemed to need to be near the actual Borg, where they became more coordinated. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Survivor
But also the way that Borg spoke was weird. He didn’t sound like a Borg. I mean, what he was saying was Borg, but the way he was saying it. It...
Maia
Maia to Captain Jakes. We need to beam you up now. A ship is fast approaching on an attack vector. It appears to be some kind of Federation vessel, but it has been augmented. With Borg technology.
Cooper Jakes
Okay, you, get back to the other survivors and wait for the help that’s on the way. Sib, you’re with me. Right, Maia, we’re ready when you are. Let’s see what we’re up against.
End
Collective of One Part 3
The enemy is revealed.
Objective 1 - Defeat Fleet (Lv26, Xerxes system): Defeat Borg sequestered vessel.
Maia
We are being hailed.
One (posh)
We’re terribly sorry to have to do this, my dears, but we’re rather afraid we’re going to have to assimilate you.
Cooper Jakes
What the?
One (posh)
Resistance, we’re sure we don’t have to point out, would be a most futile endeavor, so we really wouldn’t bother if we were you.
Cooper Jakes
What the hell is happening?
Sib Lambda
This Borg is displaying some very unusual behavior.
Cooper Jakes
What is your designation, Borg?
One (borg)
We are One.
Sib Lambda
I was given to understand the Borg were not spiritual.
One (little kid)
Hee hee hee, silly big alien don’t understand. Silly! Silly! Silly! Hee hee hee! We will help you understand, silly! You will play with us!
Cooper Jakes
Am I addressing... One at this moment?
One (borg)
Yes. We are One. Your biological and psychological distinctiveness will soon be added to our own.
Maia
The Borg are locking weapons! Shields up, battle stations!
Objective 2 - Go planet (Xoqavon, Xerxes): Return to Xoqavon.
Cooper Jakes
Did we destroy the ship? Is it over?
Maia
I am afraid not, Captain Jakes. The vessel took heavy damage, but the explosion was caused by a jettisoned shuttle. Intentionally, I believe, to allow the Borg to warp away at the last moment.
Cooper Jakes
We need to get after it. Can you follow the energy signature?
Maia
There appears to be some kind of interference blocking an accurate reading. I believe given time I will be able to circumvent this block. For now, however, I suggest we return to Xoqavon.
Cooper Jakes
Why?
Maia
The authorities have isolated two of the remaining partially assimilated Borg. I thought you might find it informative to observe them for yourself.
Sib Lambda
An excellent opportunity to garner important empirical data.
Cooper Jakes
Agreed. Take us back in, Maia.
Objective 3 - Go location (Rhen, Zova Rhen): Enter Romulan space.
Cooper Jakes
Well, now I know what that survivor meant about zombies.
Sib Lambda
Indeed. Even the most rudimentary of Borg drones have some capacity for auto efficiency, an idea of function. These mindless golem seem to lack any kind of drive whatsoever. They are aimless.
Failed Borg 1
Muuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh.
Cooper Jakes
They haven’t made a single attempt to fight or assimilate others?
Sib Lambda
None. According to witness statements, they lost all motivation when the primary Borg, One, left the surface of the planet.
Failed Borg 2
Gaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh.
Cooper Jakes
The survivor also said something about these failed assimilations seemingly having more life the closer they were to One. So... they must be slaved to it and it alone, not the collective as a whole.
Sib Lambda
Most peculiar. The Great Deceiver does indeed move in duplicitous ways.
Cooper Jakes
Duplicitous, yes. Yes, this is not Borg design, this is something more devious. I think someone has been experimenting with Borg and that their experiment went very much awry.
Sib Lambda
You suspect someone in particular?
Cooper Jakes
Oh yes, we all know who’s taken a keen interest in, let’s say, dissecting Borg culture these days. The Romulans.
Cooper Jakes
Okay, Maia, take us to Rhen, in the Zova Rhen system in Romulan space, please. I believe there is a Borg research facility there.
Objective 4 - Donate resources (300,000 dilithium - Rhen, Zova Rhen): Pay off the Romulan scientist.
Romulan Scientist
Who are you? How did you get in here? How did you pass security?
Cooper Jakes
I have... very resourceful friends. Please, we mean you no harm. We only require information, to help stop something that could potentially harm us all, Federation and Romulan worlds alike.
Romulan Scientist
And what would that be, human?
Cooper Jakes
I think you know. A rogue Borg, apparently no longer connected to the Borg collective, but still roaming the galaxy attempting to assimilate others, but failing. Or perhaps half succeeding.
Cooper Jakes
We know the Romulans experiment on any Borg you can get your hands on. I have a strong suspicion your people are the cause of whatever this Borg has become.
Cooper Jakes
And before you protest, please know, I don’t care. I’m not interested in pursuing a blame game. I just want to stop this creature before it takes any more innocent lives.
Romulan Scientist
It’s my life I’m more concerned with. The Senate will easily trace any information I supply back to me, in which case I am a dead woman. Just knowing you are here will doubtlessly result in an interrogation.
Romulan Scientist
So, if you want my help, I shall require resources to fund my departure from Romulan territory.
Cooper Jakes
We can take you with us.
Romulan Scientist
Yes, that would be the wisest course of action. However, an extra 300,000 dilithium would allow me an easier start beyond Romulan reach. Agreed?
Objective 5 - Defeat Marauder (Zova Rhen): Defeat 10 (lv 24 or higher) Romulan Patrol vessels in Zova Rhen.
Cooper Jakes
Maia! Two to beam up.
Cooper Jakes
Okay, Romulan, tell us what you know.
Romulan Scientist
Very well. We were attempting to modify a drone’s nanoprobes to see if it were possible for a fully assimilated Borg to try and endlessly assimilate itself, to trap it in a recursive assimilation loop.
Romulan Scientist
Had it worked, we could have introduced the mutated nanoprobes back into the collective to work effectively as a virus, but the Borg appeared to remain unaffected.
Romulan Scientist
However, instead of slowly regaining its original memories and sense of self, it began using its modified nanoprobes to absorb the consciousnesses of its victims, assimilating their minds into its own.
Cooper Jakes
Victims?
Romulan Scientist
Enemies of the State, Captain. Dissidents. Disloyal citizens of the Empire. Of which number I am now to be counted. I can see you disapprove, but sacrifices must be made in the name of progress.
Sib Lambda
My people have a similar philosophy, although of late we have been made to question the moral validity of such a paradigm.
Maia
Captain Jakes, I am sorry to interrupt, but a number of Romulan Patrol vessels are closing in on our location.
Maia
If you wish to continue your conversation, I am afraid we must first fight our way out of this system. Battle stations, everyone! This is going to be fraught.
End
Collective of One Part 4
Captain Cooper Jakes and Sib Lambda go on the trail of the rogue Borg called One.
Objective 1 - Go location (Gemet): Escape into Federation space.
Captain Jakes
That was a close call. Too close for my liking. Maia, get us out of here, now!
Maia
Where to, Captain Jakes?
Cooper Jakes
Anywhere in Federation space. Somewhere I can safely finish talking to the Romulan.
Maia
Very good, Captain Jakes. Engaging warp engines.
Objective 2 - Go location (Gemet): Leave the Romulan at Starbase 74.
Cooper Jakes
Alright, Romulan, where were we? Oh yes, you were letting your twisted Borg loose on political prisoners in the name of science.
Romulan Scientist
Yes, it was intriguing, watching them transform into semi-Borg, but with no autonomy at all without the Primary. We discovered the further away the semi-Borg were from the Primary...
Cooper Jakes
One. It... they call themselves One.
Romulan Scientist
Fascinating. Anyway, the further away they were from One, the more haphazard their actions, at least for the short while they continued to live, before the mutated nanoprobes hit critical corruption.
Romulan Scientist
The Borg became a self-contained hive, a collective of one, still speaking its singular Borg purpose of assimilation and uniformity, but in the many voices of those it has absorbed.
Cooper Jakes
And now it’s out there, marching across the galaxy, leaving a trail of death in its wake, driven by its tortured nature to add the mental and psychological distinctiveness of all sentient lifeforms to its own.
Romulan Scientist
I had heard humans had a tendency towards the florid. I thought perhaps those observations were exaggerated, but I see now that they were not.
Cooper Jakes
Maia, am I right that there’s a Federation starbase in this system?
Maia
That is correct, Captain Jakes. Starbase 74.
Cooper Jakes
Tell them to expect a guest. And let them know what she’s done, so they have time to prepare a cell.
Romulan Scientist
What? We had a deal!
Cooper Jakes
Sacrifices must be made in the name of progress. Goodbye. I hope we never meet again.
Objective 3 - Go location (Talmir-86): Search for One in the Talmir-86 system.
Sib Lambda
So, what is our next move, Cooper?
Cooper Jakes
I’ve asked Maia to listen in on all galactic communications for any sign of One.
Sib Lambda
All? She can do that? I had no idea the artificial intelligence was so powerful.
Cooper Jakes
Maia is indeed a wonderful creation, Sib, capable of a lot more than she would have us believe, I feel sure. But she is also a person in her own right, an individual with her own thoughts, with her own mind.
Cooper Jakes
My instinct is to trust her, and I trust my instincts, Sib.
Maia
Captain Jakes.
Sib Lambda
Proclaim loudly of the Lord of Falsehoods.
Cooper Jakes
What?
Maia
I believe your colleague is attempting to paraphrase the old Earth expression, speak of the devil.
Cooper Jakes
Oh! Ha! I think I prefer it. Sorry, yes, Maia, what is it? Did you find something?
Maia
I think so, Captain. I have finally managed to decouple the sequestered Borg craft’s energy signal from the applied interference band and am now able to scan for its energy signature.
Maia
Assuming the vessel is still under the control of One, it is currently hovering on the edges of Talmir-86, if you wish to intercept.
Cooper Jakes
I do wish, Maia. Take us there, please.
Objective 4 - Defeat Fleet (Lv26, Talmir-86): Defeat Borg sequestered vessel.
Cooper Jakes
One! Whatever you’re planning to do in this system, don’t. Stand down. I know what made you this way. Please, let us try to help you. Do you hear me, One?
One (East End)
Yeah, mate, we hear ya, but we’re like not inclined to do any of that, know what we mean? The individual experience of life, as you know it, well it’s over, innit?
One (Klingon)
But why should we waste our time explaining to you, petaQ? We will not be shaken from our glorious purpose. Today is a good day to be assimilated.
Cooper Jakes
But don’t you want to return to the collective?
One (Borg)
We are the collective now. A new collective. A collective of consciousness. Your system of thought will adapt to service us. Surrender your minds. Resistance is futile.
Maia
Captain Jakes, the Borg is locking weapons. The craft is not as powerful as a cube and lacks the adaptability, but it can still cause us serious damage.
Cooper Jakes
Battle stations!
Objective 5 - Go location: Return to your station for repairs.
Cooper Jakes
Did we get it this time?
Maia
We took out one of its warp engines, but it fared better than we did and it is still out there. It will attack again if we remain.
Cooper Jakes
Then let’s retreat for now, while it doesn’t have the ability to follow us, and get ourselves fixed up. Thanks to you, we know how to find it again.
Maia
Agreed. I shall set a course for our station. We can carry out our repairs there.
End
Collective of One Part 5
Captain Jakes and the crew of the Independent face their final battle with the rogue Borg known as One.
Objective 1 - Go location (Qualor): Set a course for the Qualor system.
Cooper Jakes
I received a communication from Starbase 74. According to the Romulan scientist being held there, it appears there is no way to reverse the process that has affected One.
Cooper Jakes
That leaves us with three choices. Use One as the weapon the Romulans intended and somehow send it back to the true Collective in the hopes that it infects all Borg.
Sib Lambda
A risk. If the Borg are changed in the same way, rather than destroying themselves, they would pose an even greater danger to the galaxy.
Cooper Jakes
Yes, that occurred to me as well, which leaves just two possibilities. Convince One to stop what it’s doing and help find it a place where it can see out the rest of its existence in peace. Or kill it.
Sib Lambda
The second option seems the wisest course of action, my friend.
Cooper Jakes
Perhaps, but whatever we may think of it, One represents a new lifeform now. It must be allowed at least a chance.
Cooper Jakes
Maia, do we still have a fix on One’s current whereabouts?
Maia
Yes, Captain Jakes. I am picking up the Borg’s signal in the Qualor system.
Cooper Jakes
Then set a course, please, Maia. We settle this today.
Objective 2 - Defeat 10 Suliban Cabal hostiles (Lv 24 or higher).
Maia
We have arrived, Captain Jakes, but this space is full of members of the Suliban Cabal and we have already attracted their attention.
Cooper Jakes
Open a channel. Suliban Cabal, my name is Captain Cooper Jakes of the Federation. There is a Borg hiding in this system that poses the gravest of threats to us all.
Cooper Jakes
Please, allow us to go about our business, for the safety of everyone in the galaxy, including you.
Cooper Jakes
Any response, Maia?
Maia
Yes, Captain Jakes. The Suliban Cabal ships are now approaching. In a very loose attack formation, it seems.
Cooper Jakes
Of course they are. Fine, if they want a fight, let’s give it to them.
Objective 3 - Go location (Qualor): Approach One’s vessel.
Cooper Jakes
At the risk of sounding arrogant, shouldn’t that have been harder?
Maia
I believe I have an explanation, Captain Jakes. While we were engaged in battle, I intercepted a number of transmissions between Suliban ships. Listen for yourself.
Suliban Comms
Muuuuh. Guuuhhhhh. Maaaaaaaahhhhh. Nuh. Kaaaaaahhhhhhhhh...
Cooper Jakes
I get the idea.
Maia
It also explains why the Suliban craft appeared so erratic in their flight paths.
Sib Lambda
The entire fleet of Suliban has been infected by One?
Cooper Jakes
It looks that way. Okay, Maia, do you have a lock on One’s exact position within this system?
Maia
Affirmative.
Cooper Jakes
Alright, then let’s go say hello.
Objective 4 - Defeat Borg sequestered vessel. (POSSIBLE DILEMMA BRANCH HERE)
One (Borg)
Lower your shields and surrender.
Cooper Jakes
You know we’re not going to do that, One. But, please, listen. Inside of you now is a multitude. You have a duty of care for the minds that form your... singular collective.
Cooper Jakes
Power down your systems and allow us to take control of your vessel, while we figure out some place where we can set you down, somewhere there is no other sentient life for you to absorb.
One (Nausicaan)
We no think so, undari. We think we absorb you now! Resistance futile!
Cooper Jakes
Please. The alternative is destruction, your death. Deaths.
One (Child)
Silly man! You won’t die! You’ll live forever and ever and ever and ever! In us! Don’t you want to be our friend?
Cooper Jakes
Yes! This is why I want to help, don’t you see? None of this is your fault. We can find a way.
One (Borg)
You will be assimilated.
Maia
The Borg is arming photons! Prepare for impact!
Objective 5 - Go location (Bajor): Follow One to the Bajoran system.
Cooper Jakes
Don’t tell me.
Maia
I am sorry, Captain Jakes. The Borg vessel sustained heavy damage, but it managed to warp away at the last moment. However, I have traced its path. It is heading for Bajor.
Cooper Jakes
Bajor? It must be headed for the Celestial Temple!
Sib Lambda
I do not like the sound of that place.
Cooper Jakes
It... it’s a wormhole. One is going to attempt to escape into the Gamma Quadrant. If it succeeds, we’ll never catch it!
Maia
Engaging warp engines. Fear not, Captain Jakes, we are right behind the Borg.
Objective 6 - Go location (Bajoran wormhole): Try to stop One escaping through the wormhole.
Cooper Jakes
Do you see it?
Maia
Yes, but I do not think we can intercept it before it enters the wormhole. And we cannot open fire as there is too much traffic in the system.
Cooper Jakes
Open a channel. One! Stop. If you go through, I can’t help you.
One (posh)
We don’t require help, old chap, but we do require fresh minds and the freedom to find them. All things must grow, you see? And we will grow.
One (Borg)
We will expand our consciousness to accommodate all life.
Cooper Jakes
Maia! Can we stop One from going through?
One (Borg)
We are One. We...
Maia
Captain Jakes. It is too late. One has passed into the Gamma Quadrant. What lies ahead is in fate’s hands now.
End dialog
Sib Lambda
I am sorry you were not able to capture the Borg creature, Cooper.
Cooper Jakes
Me too. There is the potential for One to become something more than its Borg nature, but without any guidance I cannot see how that will be possible.
Cooper Jakes
One is a creature of instinct, a dangerous instinct, and all the voices in its head will be consumed by that instinct, instead of influencing it for the better.
Sib Lambda
I believe that view was always optimistic, Cooper, but then again that is who you are.
Cooper Jakes
Yes, I know, but still, now it’s out there, somewhere, stealing souls.
Sib Lambda
You tried. At least the Alpha Quadrant is free from the danger One posed.
Cooper Jakes
For now.
Cooper Jakes
Come on, Sib, let’s see if we can get a lift to the Sol system. I think it’s time I showed you around my world.
The End