bungakertas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bungakertas) wrote2021-02-22 10:44 am
bungakertas) wrote2021-02-22 10:44 am
Entry tags:
- anise,
- borg,
- carson beckett,
- chakotay,
- daniel jackson,
- freya,
- george hammond,
- harry kim,
- jack o'neill,
- jacob carter,
- kathryn janeway,
- malek,
- prometheus,
- replicators,
- sallash,
- samantha carter,
- selmak,
- seven of nine,
- sg-1,
- star trek,
- stargate,
- story: futility,
- teal'c,
- the holo doctor,
- tom paris,
- tuvok,
- voyager,
- zipacna
An Exercise In Futility: Chapter One
Rating: PG-13
Warning(s): none
Pairing(s): none
Disclaimer: Stargate: SG-1 and all related characters and ideas are the property of MGM. Star Trek: Voyager and all related characters and ideas are the property of Paramount. No money changed hands and no copyright infringement is intended or implied.
Summary: While examining an alien device, Voyager encounters a Borg vessel that had come to study the same device. But when the device activates, both ships are transported into unknown space, and encounter a ship named Prometheus, a race called Replicators, and a whole lot of trouble.
Spoilers: Stargate: SG-1 through the end of season 8 is fair game, although this is set in season 7 shortly after “Grace.” Prior to “Death Knell,” though. Star Trek…shortly after “Counterpoint.”
Author's Notes: The idea behind this story is mostly, “Hey, wouldn’t it be so incredibly cool if the Replicators and the Borg got into a fight!?!” Which it would.
There is a tiny bit of very slight AU (little, itty, bitty, speck) in that I am including Cameron Mitchell and Carson Beckett in this story, even though they technically didn't meet SG-1 until later in the timeline.
And for Star Trek… Everything is up for grabs (barring DIS or anything involving JJ Abrams, all of which are Emphatically Not Canon, as far as I am concerned). Anything about Vulcans in ENT that contradicts previously established canon from TOS through VOY is likewise tossed.
*~*~*
*~*~*
Captain’s Log, Stardate 52298.3
Since leaving Devore space and recovering Tuvok and our other telepathic crewmembers, I have to admit to a certain amount of “glancing over my shoulder.” Repeated inspections and Inspector Kashyk’s little deception have put me a bit on edge. I mentioned this to Tuvok who said that there was no logical reason to suppose that the Devore would pursue us beyond their borders and that my concern was not grounded in a factual basis.
While he may be right, I’m somewhat less than reassured.
However, it has always been my belief that the best cure for a restless brain is to give it an interesting puzzle to work on. To that end, I’ve been working with Seven of Nine to improve our ability to detect Borg technology and vessels at long-range, in the hopes of minimizing future encounters.
Kathryn Janeway strolled in to Astrometrics after collecting a croissant and a cup of coffee for breakfast. She and Seven of Nine were just about finished with their project and could probably bring it online today if they kept after it.
Several hours, and three new computer subroutines later, Seven said, “The new detection protocols are in place and are activated.”
The display before them suddenly beeped and a planetary system a few light-years away started flashing.
“Is it working already?” Janeway asked in surprise.
“Affirmative,” Seven answered, appearing slightly taken aback. “The computer reports a possible Borg satellite in orbit around the fourth planet of that system.”
“A satellite? I didn’t know the Borg used satellites,” Janeway said, bringing up the information and studying it herself.
“Nor did I,” Seven replied, inspecting the results of the scan more closely. “Perhaps we should investigate more closely?”
“Chakotay to Captain Janeway,” the captain’s commbadge suddenly announced. “Mister Kim just reported picking up what appears to be a Borg satellite on the sensors.” The usually unflapped first officer sounded hopelessly puzzled.
Janeway and Seven exchanged an amused glance. “Yes, Chakotay,” Janeway replied. “Seven and I have been trying to improve our ability to detect the Borg. We didn’t expect it to work quite so soon, but I can hardly argue with the results.”
“Very well. Shall we set course around it?” Chakotay asked.
Janeway paused. Any Borg technology would almost certainly be equipped with active sensors and a link to the Collective. Getting close meant a high probability of giving their position away. On the other hand, it did make one wonder…
“No,” Janeway replied slowly. “No, if the Borg are actually studying something for once, I’m curious to find out what it is. Set course for the satellite. I’ll join you when we get close.”
“Aye, Captain,” Chakotay replied. The link between them went dead. Janeway and Seven began the work of adjusting their other systems to work harmoniously with the new subroutines in astrometrics.
It was only a few hours later when Janeway arrived on the bridge, accompanied by Seven, as they neared the Borg device.
“Captain on deck,” announced Tuvok from his station. Everyone came to attention.
“As you were,” Janeway said. “Report.”
“We’re five minutes to visual range from the satellite,” Chakotay replied.
“Whatever it’s for, it isn’t giving off a lot of energy readings,” Kim said. “I’m detecting an automated scan every 46.37 seconds. It seems to be scanning on a very narrow band, though. While I hate to tempt fate, I don’t believe that anything on Voyager falls within the range.”
Janeway glanced at Seven curiously.
“Such technology is unlike the Borg. It is inefficient,” she replied, with her version of a derisive sniff.
“Perhaps it’s malfunctioning?” Chakotay suggested.
“The Collective would register the malfunction and a probe would be dispatched to repair the malfunction,” Seven answered.
“Shields up. And go to security alert,” Janeway said. “If there is a chance that a Borg ship will be along shortly, I don’t want to meet them unprepared.”
“We are in visual range,” Paris announced.
“On screen,” Janeway ordered.
The viewscreen beeped, and then displayed the unusual device that hung in space before them. There was no denying it was aesthetically pleasant. It was cylindrical, with a large blue gem on one end, settled into a green casing, all surrounded by long golden arms, reaching outwards from the center. This was housed in a gold metal, that was half buff, half shine. Beneath that was what appeared to be a power cell. And beneath that, the device tapered to a gentle point. Overall, the thing looked very like the sort of technology that would have developed from Earth’s early space satellites, before design paradigms had shifted. An alien script was neatly printed on one side of the top, metal section. Beneath it, a green and apparently uninhabited world rotated serenely by.
There was a collective gasp, and although she wasn’t about to twist around to check, Janeway was willing to bet Tuvok had raised at least one of his eyebrows.
“That can’t be Borg,” she breathed.
“This is not a device the Borg would create,” Seven agreed.
“Who would?” Chakotay asked curiously.
“The computer reports no known or probable matches, Commander,” Harry answered. “Whoever built this, I don’t believe we’ve met them yet.”
“It’s awfully pretty, whatever it is,” Paris said quietly. “But why did we all think it was Borg?”
“The new scan protocols implemented by myself and Captain Janeway must be flawed in some way,” Seven said.
“I don’t think so,” Kim replied, studying some of the sensor readings more closely. “The computer reported an 83.4% probability that this technology was Borg. And it does give off many similar readings to a Borg device. Whoever created this, their technology appears similar to Borg technology to our sensors. The energy output is very close.”
“We have arrived at a distance of 24,000 kilometers,” Paris said, bringing the ship to a halt with his customary efficiency. Sometimes Janeway regretted having reduced him to ensign more than others.
“Do we know what this device does?” Chakotay asked curiously.
“I’m afraid not, Commander,” Kim replied. “While it is scanning for a particular sort of energy, most of the other systems are dormant. There seems to be something similar to a transporter array, but given our misdiagnosis of who built—Captain!” Kim cut himself off, his entire demeanor changing. Janeway, with a sinking feeling, knew what his next words would be, “A Borg vessel is on approach.”
“Arm phasers,” Janeway ordered. “Go to red alert.”
A klaxon blared, red lights flashed, and Voyager’s crew responded to the sudden change in status.
“Bring us about, Mr. Paris,” Chakotay ordered.
“Seven, any idea what brought them here?” Janeway asked.
“It is possible their sensors also presumed this satellite to be Borg and the link to the Collective was assumed to be damaged. This may be a repair team. Or, it may be a group sent to assimilate new technology,” Seven replied.
“Sensors indicate the Borg vessel is roughly half the size of Voyager,” Harry reported, sounding half-way between relieved and confused. “It’s armaments are an approximate match to our own.”
“A fair fight, for once?” Chakotay observed.
“Seven, what did you call this class of vessel?” Janeway said.
“A probe,” Seven replied.
“Right. Tuvok, start—”
Before Janeway could get another word out, the eerie voice of the Borg collective spoke, sounding, as usual, as if it came from outside the ship rather than from Voyager’s communications array.
WE ARE THE BORG. LOWER YOUR SHIELDS AND SURRENDER YOUR VESSEL. YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.
“Withdraw immediately from this area of space,” Janeway replied. “We will defend ourselves with all possible force, if you attack.”
DEFENCE IS IRRELEVANT. COMPLY.
Janeway rolled her eyes. “Mr. Kim, kill that transmission. Tuvok, designate our friends here as Borg Probe One, and prepare to fire.”
“Aye, Captain,” Tuvok said.
“They’re powering weapons,” Kim told them.
“Target their power grid,” Janeway ordered.
“Captain, the alien device is showing a power spike,” Kim suddenly said.
“Voyager and the Borg vessel are both being scanned,” Tuvok reported.
“On screen,” Janeway said.
The alien device was clearly active now, it re-oriented to face the two ships about to battle one another to the death to study or seize it, its spindley arms pulling backwards, along with the main section of the device and the casing around the gem. The blue gem pushed forwards and began to glow brightly.
“Mr. Paris, take evasive action—,” Janeway began, not at all comfortable with determining the device’s function this way.
But it was far too late. A bright flash of white light burst from the gem of the device, enveloping both ships, temporarily blinding both crews.
And then skies above the little planet were empty, save for a mysterious device of alien design.
*~*~*
Author's Notes: Admit it, you’ve thought this, too. You know you have. “Wouldn’t it be so cool if the Replicators and the Borg got into a fight?” Followed, of course, by, “I wonder which one would win?”
I think the title is insanely clever of me, so I'm going to show off a bit. The Borg always claim that “resistance is futile.” Thus any successful resistance of them would be an exercise in futility. Ta-da!
(I know, I know, if you have to explain a joke, then you’ve killed an innocent, undeserving frog who didn’t do anything to anybody.)
I originally did the plot outline with this as a ST:TNG crossover. I have forgotten now why I didn't end up using them, but I'm glad I went with Voyager in the end.
Warning(s): none
Pairing(s): none
Disclaimer: Stargate: SG-1 and all related characters and ideas are the property of MGM. Star Trek: Voyager and all related characters and ideas are the property of Paramount. No money changed hands and no copyright infringement is intended or implied.
Summary: While examining an alien device, Voyager encounters a Borg vessel that had come to study the same device. But when the device activates, both ships are transported into unknown space, and encounter a ship named Prometheus, a race called Replicators, and a whole lot of trouble.
Spoilers: Stargate: SG-1 through the end of season 8 is fair game, although this is set in season 7 shortly after “Grace.” Prior to “Death Knell,” though. Star Trek…shortly after “Counterpoint.”
Author's Notes: The idea behind this story is mostly, “Hey, wouldn’t it be so incredibly cool if the Replicators and the Borg got into a fight!?!” Which it would.
There is a tiny bit of very slight AU (little, itty, bitty, speck) in that I am including Cameron Mitchell and Carson Beckett in this story, even though they technically didn't meet SG-1 until later in the timeline.
And for Star Trek… Everything is up for grabs (barring DIS or anything involving JJ Abrams, all of which are Emphatically Not Canon, as far as I am concerned). Anything about Vulcans in ENT that contradicts previously established canon from TOS through VOY is likewise tossed.
*~*~*
Captain’s Log, Stardate 52298.3
Since leaving Devore space and recovering Tuvok and our other telepathic crewmembers, I have to admit to a certain amount of “glancing over my shoulder.” Repeated inspections and Inspector Kashyk’s little deception have put me a bit on edge. I mentioned this to Tuvok who said that there was no logical reason to suppose that the Devore would pursue us beyond their borders and that my concern was not grounded in a factual basis.
While he may be right, I’m somewhat less than reassured.
However, it has always been my belief that the best cure for a restless brain is to give it an interesting puzzle to work on. To that end, I’ve been working with Seven of Nine to improve our ability to detect Borg technology and vessels at long-range, in the hopes of minimizing future encounters.
Kathryn Janeway strolled in to Astrometrics after collecting a croissant and a cup of coffee for breakfast. She and Seven of Nine were just about finished with their project and could probably bring it online today if they kept after it.
Several hours, and three new computer subroutines later, Seven said, “The new detection protocols are in place and are activated.”
The display before them suddenly beeped and a planetary system a few light-years away started flashing.
“Is it working already?” Janeway asked in surprise.
“Affirmative,” Seven answered, appearing slightly taken aback. “The computer reports a possible Borg satellite in orbit around the fourth planet of that system.”
“A satellite? I didn’t know the Borg used satellites,” Janeway said, bringing up the information and studying it herself.
“Nor did I,” Seven replied, inspecting the results of the scan more closely. “Perhaps we should investigate more closely?”
“Chakotay to Captain Janeway,” the captain’s commbadge suddenly announced. “Mister Kim just reported picking up what appears to be a Borg satellite on the sensors.” The usually unflapped first officer sounded hopelessly puzzled.
Janeway and Seven exchanged an amused glance. “Yes, Chakotay,” Janeway replied. “Seven and I have been trying to improve our ability to detect the Borg. We didn’t expect it to work quite so soon, but I can hardly argue with the results.”
“Very well. Shall we set course around it?” Chakotay asked.
Janeway paused. Any Borg technology would almost certainly be equipped with active sensors and a link to the Collective. Getting close meant a high probability of giving their position away. On the other hand, it did make one wonder…
“No,” Janeway replied slowly. “No, if the Borg are actually studying something for once, I’m curious to find out what it is. Set course for the satellite. I’ll join you when we get close.”
“Aye, Captain,” Chakotay replied. The link between them went dead. Janeway and Seven began the work of adjusting their other systems to work harmoniously with the new subroutines in astrometrics.
It was only a few hours later when Janeway arrived on the bridge, accompanied by Seven, as they neared the Borg device.
“Captain on deck,” announced Tuvok from his station. Everyone came to attention.
“As you were,” Janeway said. “Report.”
“We’re five minutes to visual range from the satellite,” Chakotay replied.
“Whatever it’s for, it isn’t giving off a lot of energy readings,” Kim said. “I’m detecting an automated scan every 46.37 seconds. It seems to be scanning on a very narrow band, though. While I hate to tempt fate, I don’t believe that anything on Voyager falls within the range.”
Janeway glanced at Seven curiously.
“Such technology is unlike the Borg. It is inefficient,” she replied, with her version of a derisive sniff.
“Perhaps it’s malfunctioning?” Chakotay suggested.
“The Collective would register the malfunction and a probe would be dispatched to repair the malfunction,” Seven answered.
“Shields up. And go to security alert,” Janeway said. “If there is a chance that a Borg ship will be along shortly, I don’t want to meet them unprepared.”
“We are in visual range,” Paris announced.
“On screen,” Janeway ordered.
The viewscreen beeped, and then displayed the unusual device that hung in space before them. There was no denying it was aesthetically pleasant. It was cylindrical, with a large blue gem on one end, settled into a green casing, all surrounded by long golden arms, reaching outwards from the center. This was housed in a gold metal, that was half buff, half shine. Beneath that was what appeared to be a power cell. And beneath that, the device tapered to a gentle point. Overall, the thing looked very like the sort of technology that would have developed from Earth’s early space satellites, before design paradigms had shifted. An alien script was neatly printed on one side of the top, metal section. Beneath it, a green and apparently uninhabited world rotated serenely by.
There was a collective gasp, and although she wasn’t about to twist around to check, Janeway was willing to bet Tuvok had raised at least one of his eyebrows.
“That can’t be Borg,” she breathed.
“This is not a device the Borg would create,” Seven agreed.
“Who would?” Chakotay asked curiously.
“The computer reports no known or probable matches, Commander,” Harry answered. “Whoever built this, I don’t believe we’ve met them yet.”
“It’s awfully pretty, whatever it is,” Paris said quietly. “But why did we all think it was Borg?”
“The new scan protocols implemented by myself and Captain Janeway must be flawed in some way,” Seven said.
“I don’t think so,” Kim replied, studying some of the sensor readings more closely. “The computer reported an 83.4% probability that this technology was Borg. And it does give off many similar readings to a Borg device. Whoever created this, their technology appears similar to Borg technology to our sensors. The energy output is very close.”
“We have arrived at a distance of 24,000 kilometers,” Paris said, bringing the ship to a halt with his customary efficiency. Sometimes Janeway regretted having reduced him to ensign more than others.
“Do we know what this device does?” Chakotay asked curiously.
“I’m afraid not, Commander,” Kim replied. “While it is scanning for a particular sort of energy, most of the other systems are dormant. There seems to be something similar to a transporter array, but given our misdiagnosis of who built—Captain!” Kim cut himself off, his entire demeanor changing. Janeway, with a sinking feeling, knew what his next words would be, “A Borg vessel is on approach.”
“Arm phasers,” Janeway ordered. “Go to red alert.”
A klaxon blared, red lights flashed, and Voyager’s crew responded to the sudden change in status.
“Bring us about, Mr. Paris,” Chakotay ordered.
“Seven, any idea what brought them here?” Janeway asked.
“It is possible their sensors also presumed this satellite to be Borg and the link to the Collective was assumed to be damaged. This may be a repair team. Or, it may be a group sent to assimilate new technology,” Seven replied.
“Sensors indicate the Borg vessel is roughly half the size of Voyager,” Harry reported, sounding half-way between relieved and confused. “It’s armaments are an approximate match to our own.”
“A fair fight, for once?” Chakotay observed.
“Seven, what did you call this class of vessel?” Janeway said.
“A probe,” Seven replied.
“Right. Tuvok, start—”
Before Janeway could get another word out, the eerie voice of the Borg collective spoke, sounding, as usual, as if it came from outside the ship rather than from Voyager’s communications array.
WE ARE THE BORG. LOWER YOUR SHIELDS AND SURRENDER YOUR VESSEL. YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.
“Withdraw immediately from this area of space,” Janeway replied. “We will defend ourselves with all possible force, if you attack.”
DEFENCE IS IRRELEVANT. COMPLY.
Janeway rolled her eyes. “Mr. Kim, kill that transmission. Tuvok, designate our friends here as Borg Probe One, and prepare to fire.”
“Aye, Captain,” Tuvok said.
“They’re powering weapons,” Kim told them.
“Target their power grid,” Janeway ordered.
“Captain, the alien device is showing a power spike,” Kim suddenly said.
“Voyager and the Borg vessel are both being scanned,” Tuvok reported.
“On screen,” Janeway said.
The alien device was clearly active now, it re-oriented to face the two ships about to battle one another to the death to study or seize it, its spindley arms pulling backwards, along with the main section of the device and the casing around the gem. The blue gem pushed forwards and began to glow brightly.
“Mr. Paris, take evasive action—,” Janeway began, not at all comfortable with determining the device’s function this way.
But it was far too late. A bright flash of white light burst from the gem of the device, enveloping both ships, temporarily blinding both crews.
And then skies above the little planet were empty, save for a mysterious device of alien design.
Author's Notes: Admit it, you’ve thought this, too. You know you have. “Wouldn’t it be so cool if the Replicators and the Borg got into a fight?” Followed, of course, by, “I wonder which one would win?”
I think the title is insanely clever of me, so I'm going to show off a bit. The Borg always claim that “resistance is futile.” Thus any successful resistance of them would be an exercise in futility. Ta-da!
(I know, I know, if you have to explain a joke, then you’ve killed an innocent, undeserving frog who didn’t do anything to anybody.)
I originally did the plot outline with this as a ST:TNG crossover. I have forgotten now why I didn't end up using them, but I'm glad I went with Voyager in the end.
- Voyager Discovers an Alien Satellite and Accidentally Finds Out What It Does
- The Tok’ra Ask to Borrow Prometheus for a Scientific Field Trip
- Many Meetings are Met and Many Questions are Partially Answered
- A Vessel Has Been Detected. Prepare for Assimilation
- How Dr. Daniel Jackson, the Peaceful Explorer, Had an Excellent Day Indeed
- Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations: Observations On Interaction With Humans
- The Battle For Voyager’s Main Engineering
- Attack With The Army You Have, But Give That Army All The Guns And Ammo They Can Carry
- Traps And Resistance
- Sometimes A Pilot’s Job Is Counterintuitive
- All Days Are Good Days To Witness The Death Of A False God