The funny thing about Borg ships is that even if you’ve never been aboard one before (and pray that you never do), you’ll still know you’re aboard a Borg ship. That was one of the feelings that came over me the second we materialized inside the damaged Cube. What were the other feelings? Oh, just the usual suspects associated with the most prolific bionic zombies in the galaxy; dread, foreboding, a sudden urge to projectile-vomit, and so on.
If Trixie was experiencing any of the aforementioned feelings, she was doing a good job of hiding it. No sooner had we materialized and performed the first (of many, to be sure) proximity checks, she had closed her eyes, lit up her horn, and began to search for the signal once again. Meanwhile, I kept my phaser at the ready but not in an aggressive way; any Borg we encountered were less likely to go after us if they didn’t perceive us as a threat. Brandishing a ray gun like Rambo would’ve surely landed us in the ‘threat’ category.
We stayed as quiet as we could while traversing the eerie corridors of the Cube, encountering very few active drones. Most were regenerating in their alcoves and the ones that weren’t were far too busy conducting repairs to give us a first glance, much less a second. Needless to say, I felt pretty lucky…relatively speaking, that is.
I ducked to avoid another spark-spitting conduit and paused to wipe my brow…again. Borg vessels were notoriously hot and humid, making our journey through it as physically nerve-wracking as it was mentally. For her part, Trixie didn’t seem to care; she soldiered on, her horn alight, following some kind of beacon visible only to her, and saying very little.
As in, almost nothing. Diddly-squat. Silent as a sphinx. You get the idea. Ever since we’d arrived, she’d been in Bloodhound Mode, only caring about finding whomever it was that so urgently needed her help.
What I had managed to gather from her was the name of our destination, the ‘bio-analysis laboratory in Sub-Junction 04’. At least we had an idea of what we were gonna find, for better or for worse. It was clear that whatever unholy science project we encountered was gonna be a key to ferreting out this mystery.
“Oof!” I exhaled as I ran right into something Trixie-shaped. I looked down at her then up at the massive sliding door in front of us. “This is it, isn’t it?” I asked softly. Trixie nodded.
“This…is where the signal is strongest.” Trixie confirmed.
“So all we have to do is get through this massive locked door that’s probably like three feet thick of solid Borg metal.” I summarized. “I don’t suppose you’ve got an ‘Open Sesame’ spell up your sleeve…hey!” I shouted and jumped back in surprise as a white-hot beam courtesy of Trixie’s horn began making its way down the center of the door, sending a shower of sparks to the floor. “I guess that works too,” I mused as the determined showmare continued to cut her way through the Borg metal.
Although I knew her magic to be remarkably powerful, I could see that cutting into a sensitive (and probably well-guarded) area of a Borg cube was going to take a while. I opened my mouth, then closed it, thinking hard about what I wanted to say. If Trixie’s ‘visions’ or ‘messages’ or whatever were right, then there was something behind that door. Something she might not be prepared to deal with. On that note, I decided to do my best to bolster her.
“Hey, Trix,” I began as she reached the halfway point on the door, sparks flying from both her horn and the point of contact between the metal and her magical beam. “Look…whatever’s behind that door…I want you to know that I’ve got your back.” Instinctively, I gave her a soft pat on the back, feeling her muscles relax momentarily under my touch. A good sign, all things considered.
After a few moments, the doors were finally unsealed. Without any hesitation, Trixie engulfed both sliding doors with her magic and fearlessly forced them apart. I winced at the horrible screech as the doors protested, and I was sure that every Borg in the entire Cube had some vague idea of what was going on right under their noses.
Fortunately, Trixie had the good sense not to open them more than was necessary to easily slip in and out. Still, it looked like quite an effort but if it was, she showed no indication of fatigue. I shouldn’t have been too surprised considering her past magical exploits but it still baffled me as to how powerful she had become. That’s probably the only reason I wasn’t having a good old-fashioned freak-out at being in a Borg Cube; as corny as it sounds, Trixie made me feel safe. At the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder if the feeling was mutual.
“Cole!” Trixie hissed, shaking me from my thoughts. She motioned for me to follow her into the large room. I obliged, slowly making my way through the gap in the doors, phaser at the ready. My palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms were heavy, there was vomit in my sweater already, mom’s spaghetti…
I know. Ha ha. I’m sure I’ll pay for that later. Still, that would be an appropriate description of the foreboding feeling that engulfed me as quickly as the sudden darkness. Not pitch-black mind you, but not exactly bright either. The only obvious trait about the room was its size. In a way, it reminded me of that horrible laboratory I had busted Trixie out of a few months back. I shivered at the thought, hoping that this wasn’t anything like that.
I looked around, squinting in the poor light conditions, trying to gather as much visual data as I could before remembering the tricorder at my waist. I rolled my eyes at my own stupidity and promptly began scanning for anything that might tell us where we were.
All the while, Trixie stuck close-by, using her horn’s light to guide us through the room. While the overall style and layout was pretty typical of Borg vessels, a few things stood out, none of which I was particularly fond of. An extra specimen-sized tube here, some kind of operating table there, all manner of augmentation machine…
Yep, definitely some kind of science lab, which my tricorder agreed with. As I studied the readings, the room suddenly became brighter, making us both jump. Instinctively, I brandished my phaser while Trixie’s horn lit up, along with the Amulet around her neck. A few tense seconds ticked by as we waited with baited breath.
Nothing.
“Maybe the ship’s lighting was damaged and they just repaired it,” I offered by way of explanation. It was plausible; the Cube had been damaged rather heavily, after all. At least, that’s what I hoped.
“Y-you’re probably right,” Trixie replied as the glow of her horn lessened. “Should we keep going?” she asked quietly. I couldn’t blame her; even with her determination (and general stubbornness), everyone’s nerves had their limits.
“I’m willing to if you are,” I whispered back. “We should see this through…right, Trix?” She took a deep breath.
“Yes. Yes we should. Let’s keep going.” I nodded, glad to see she hadn’t lost her nerve.
We proceeded cautiously through the room, mostly to take in as much as we could now that we could see farther than 15 feet. Although, looking at everything there was to see, I found myself wishing it had stayed in the darkness. I guess ignorance really is bliss. Borg. Just…no, I thought with another shiver.
“Oof,” I hissed as I again bumped into something Trixie-shaped. “Trix? What’s…up…” My voice trailed off and I found myself utterly speechless as we beheld the sight before us.
Strapped to two identical operating tables was a pegasus stallion and a unicorn mare, both mostly assimilated. However, that wasn’t what made my stomach instantly tie itself in knots and threaten to release its contents onto the floor. It was the pained declaration that came from my companion several agonizing moments later.
“Mom…Dad?”
Silence reigned as we stood there dumbly, not sure how to react. Well, not at first anyway.
“Oh, Trixie…” I whispered. “I’m so sorry…this is…is…” No words. I had no words that could properly describe what I felt for her in that moment. “I’m so, so sorry.” I eventually repeated.
She only stood and stared in grave silence. I knelt down beside her and as gently as I could, placed my arm about her shoulders.
Instantly, I felt her collapse into my arms as if suddenly struck dead. She had gone cold and listless, completely at the mercy of the sorrow and sheer sadness within her. I hugged her close and held her, rubbing her back and massaging her shoulders, hoping to somehow rub some life back into her.
“T…Trixie…?”
The tattered voice that then uttered her name wasn’t mine. I looked up and my eyes widened in shock as the unicorn stirred, slowly bringing her head up enough to get a better look at us. It was then that I caught something in the unicorn’s eye that I could scarcely believe: a twinkle, the spark of an individual mind. A free mind.
I nearly choked as I realized what was going on. Even mostly assimilated, this unicorn had managed to retain some of her individuality and remain free from the Collective…at least for the time being. Maybe, just maybe…there was hope. A chance to free them from this foul existence and reunite a family.
The pegasus, however…was a different story. His eyes glazed over and no longer shone with the spark of individuality.
“M…Mom?” the showmare whispered back, lifting her head from my shoulder. “Is…is that really you?” There was desperation in her voice as she reached out to the pony in front of her.
“Oh…Trixie…my little one…” the unicorn replied. Although her tone was weak, the relieved undertone spoke volumes.
“I’m getting you both out of here,” Trixie whispered as she shakily stood up. “Cole, help me with this!” she ordered, pushing against her mother’s restraints with her forehooves. I was about to comply when her mother gently nudged her daughter’s hoof and shook her head.
“It’s…too late…for us…” she croaked, making us pause our efforts. “You…have to…get out…while you can…”
“But…but…” Trixie stammered before shaking her head. “No…no…NO! I’m not leaving you! Cole, help me get them out, help me get them out!” Her tone had become panicked and she worked with desperation to free her captive parents. Her hooves shook as she pushed and beat the metal straps, her magic forgotten.
“Trixie…”
“No, Mom, we’re getting out of here. We’re all getting out.”
“Trixie…”
“You and Dad and me…we’re gonna be together again. A family. That’s why I have to get you out. I have to get you out…” Trixie mumbled as she tried in vain to release them.
“Trixie…please…listen…”
The desperation in her mother’s voice prompted her to stop and do what was asked.
“I’m…so sorry…for bring you here…to this horrible place,” she began. Trixie just nodded dumbly and held her mother’s hoof in hers. “But…I had to tell you…had to tell you that…we love you, Trixie.”
“Mom…” Trixie croaked, barely holding back tears.
“We always have and…always will. Even when…we had our…differences…we never stopped loving you. It just…took us a long time…to realize how truly…special you are and…how you….needed to find…your destiny. Even though it…wasn’t what we…thought it should be…we only ever wanted you…to be happy.” Her mother’s voice had become even more strained and it was clear that she didn’t have much time left before her mind became part of the Collective.
“Mom…I…I love you too!” Trixie blurted out with a series of heavy sobs as she buried her face into her mom’s chest, ignoring the metal plating and protruding implants. “I…I don’t care about w-what happened in the p-p-past! I don’t care! I…I always loved you and Dad too!” I felt my eyes fill with tears at the heartrending display in front of me. “I need you guys! I-I need you both in my life! Please…I want us to be a family again…”
“We always were, my little one,” her mother replied softly with a small smile. “And we always will be. Even if we’re in…different places…we’re still…a family. And we’ll…always love you…”
At that, any semblance of control Trixie had managed to hold on to was gone in a maelstrom of tears and crying. I could only look on as she sobbed and howled into her mother’s chest.
It was then that my communicator suddenly beeped, prompting me to absentmindedly answer the hail.
“Warning. Borg Cube regeneration cycle is nearly complete. Eight minutes until all systems are functional.” Oh no, I thought. As if the situation wasn’t shitty enough. There’s no choice; we’ve gotta get out of here.
I don’t know if it was because she heard my communicator or because of her near-assimilation but something made Trixie’s mother perk up and gently nudge her crying daughter.
“Look at me…” she gently instructed. Trixie did so, her short facial fur matted and stained with tears. “Now…I need you…to be brave. You…need to get out here…before they…get you too…”
“No, Mom, I’m not leaving you!” Trixie insisted.
“Please, Trixie…you need to escape…and live your life…the way you want to. Please…follow your heart…and…create your own destiny. Do it…for your father…and I…please…” her mother pleaded before crying out.
“Mom!” Trixie cried as pain wracked the older unicorn’s body.
“I…I’m out of time…go now…little one…be safe and…be happy! We love you…so much…you’re…our Great and Powerful Trixie…” With that, her eyes slowly closed and her head fell back against the cold metal.
As much as I hated to do it, I knew we had to go. Even if the assimilation process could be reversed, there simply wasn’t enough time. Any second now, the Cube would return to full power and head back to Borg space, in which case we’d be royally and completely fucked and her parents would’ve died for nothing. I couldn’t let that happen.
“Trixie…we have to go,” I stated as gently as I could, despite the urgency of the situation.
“No! I’m not leaving them!” she shouted, shaking her head wildly in defiance before returning her attention to her mother. “Mom…Dad…MOM!” she screamed, beating her hooves against the table.
She gasped in surprise as the elder unicorn’s head suddenly jerked back up and turned to stare at her. For a moment, there was a glimmer of hope in the younger unicorn’s eye as she looked back, trying not to be blinded by the red laser-like beam emanating from the piece covering her mother’s left eye. I watched as her mother’s mouth opened, prompting Trixie to lean in close.
“Resistance is futile.”
I’d never seen anyone break like Trixie did at that very moment, the moment when all hope was lost and her worst fears were confirmed. She simply tilted her head back and screamed.
I winced and covered my ears as her scream became a terrifying, phantasmal wail. Her amulet began to shine with a blinding blue and white light and rattled against her chest. I could only watch in terror as lightning crackled along her body like a storm, and couldn’t help but take a shaky step back as she slowly rose into the air. When her eyes opened, they were completely white and her face was twisted in absolute fury. A tornado-like buildup of magical energy engulfed her horn and I barely had time to duck before she released it, sending me flying back several feet.
Blinding piercing beams gored the inside of the Borg Cube like a dozen spears through a fish as Trixie utterly lost control. The buildup of energy at her horn rotated, causing the beams to slice through the vessel like nothing I’d ever seen. The Borg were experiencing the full wrath of a truly furious Trixie.
We had to get out before things went any further. I took a deep breath, got to my knees, and began the slow, difficult crawl back to my companion. The pressure she was releasing made the journey extremely difficult, as if I was battling a windstorm, but still I pressed on, desperate and determined to end this nightmare. Staying low to avoid the damaging rays and being thrown again, I inched my way forward, finally reaching her, at which point I simply jumped up and grabbed her.
It was the only thing I could think of at that moment. To this day, I’m not sure what prompted me to do something so risky. I could’ve been incinerated or sliced into twenty pieces by Trixie’s beam. Still, even knowing all that, I risked life and limb to reach my Trixie.
“I love you, Trix,” I sobbed as I held her tightly against me, ignoring the shocks her body was conducting. “I love you. It’s okay. You’re gonna be okay. Please…come back to me, Trixie. Come back to me…”
I must’ve repeated those same phrases a hundred times. But if that was what it was gonna take, then I’d do it ten thousand times. Anything to bring her back to the world.
“Cole…” she murmured, looking up at me, not with blank eyes of cold fury, but with her beautiful light-purple ones, the ones I’d fallen in love with.
“Hey, Trix,” I replied with a small smile of relief. “Don’t worry, we’re going home now. Computer, get us out of here now!”
With that, we returned to the Ranger.
***
The second we were back on board, I gently set Trixie down in my seat while I took the captain’s chair, at which time I also ordered a scan of the Cube. Even after Trixie’s rampage, the Cube was still functional and from what the computer could tell, about to engage its transwarp drive.
A cold chill ran through me as I realized what we had to do. The Borg couldn’t be allowed to keep Trixie’s parents. If they were ever able to harness their magical abilities…
“Computer, arm photon torpedoes and prepare to fire, full spread!” I exclaimed, hoping with all of my might that Trixie would find it in her heart to forgive me for what I was about to do. To my right, Trixie sat up and looked at me with an expression of desperation.
“Torpedoes armed. Ready to fire.”
“I’m sorry, Trix,” I said softly, bowing my head. “But I can’t let the Borg take them." With that, I went to push the fire button on my chair’s console.
My hand never made it.
I looked down in shock as a blue hoof pushed my hand away from the button before pressing it itself. We then watched as six torpedoes rushed towards the Borg Cube like red shooting stars before impacting the vessel and tearing it up with a series of explosions along the hull. I felt the Ranger get thrown around a bit by the explosion and shudder from the impact of several pieces of the Cube’s hull hitting my ship.
I looked back at Trixie, only to find the seat empty.
“Computer, where is Trixie?” I demanded in a mad panic.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie is in her quarters.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. After everything that had just happened, some rest and time to reconcile was just what we needed. As long as she didn’t do something terrible…the thought of her self-harming almost made me throw up. After ordering the computer to keep a close eye on her and constantly monitor her physical well-being, I stretched out my sore body and began trying to work out in my head what was going on and what it meant for us down the line. I didn’t know much but I did know that this was gonna take a long time to settle, especially for Trixie. Until then, all I could do was be there for her in any and every way I could. With that in mind, I settled into my seat and set us on course for Deep Space Nine.