Act One: The Clash of Command Styles
The Setup: Through some inexplicable cosmic anomaly, Captain Kathryn Janeway finds herself aboard Moya with her crew scattered. The Borg have detected the Leviathan and are approaching with two cubes.
Immediate Conflict:
- Janeway attempts to give direct orders to Moya through Pilot
- Pilot explains that Moya doesn't take "commands" - she's a sentient being who cooperates
- Janeway's initial response: "I don't have time for diplomatic niceties with a ship. We need evasive maneuvers NOW."
- Pilot, offended: "Moya is not a 'ship.' She is as alive as you are, Captain."
The Borg Approach:
- Two cubes begin scanning Moya
- Borg transmission: "Biological vessel detected. Biomechanoid technology will be assimilated."
- Janeway orders weapons systems - discovers Moya has none (she's a transport, not a gunship)
- Janeway's blood pressure: rising
Act Two: The Failed Negotiations
Janeway's Plan A - Warp Speed Escape:
- Janeway demands Moya go to "maximum warp"
- Pilot's confused response: "We don't have warp drive, Captain. We are a Leviathan."
- Janeway learns about Starburst for the first time
- Her reaction: "Let me get this straight - your FTL method is RANDOM?!"
Janeway's Plan B - Technobabble Solution:
- Janeway starts spouting rapid-fire orders: "Reroute power from the secondary EPS conduits, reverse the polarity of the—"
- Pilot: "Captain, Moya doesn't have EPS conduits. She has organs."
- Janeway discovers DRDs (the repair bots) and tries to reprogram them
- The DRDs scatter, Moya is increasingly agitated
The Borg Adapt:
- Borg cubes close to 50,000 kilometers
- Tractor beam locks onto Moya
- Janeway to Pilot: "STARBURST NOW!"
- Pilot: "Moya is frightened. She needs a moment to—"
- Janeway: "We don't HAVE a moment!"
Act Three: The Uncomfortable Compromise
Janeway's Realization:
- The Borg begin cutting into Moya's hull
- Moya cries out in pain (Pilot conveys this to Janeway)
- Janeway sees the situation differently for the first time - this isn't just a tactical problem, there's a terrified living being involved
- She takes a breath, changes her tone
The New Approach:
- Janeway, gently: "Pilot, please tell Moya I understand she's scared. So am I. But I've dealt with the Borg before. If she trusts me, I can help protect her."
- Pilot relays this; Moya responds positively to the change in Janeway's demeanor
- Janeway: "Ask Moya if she can Starburst while I create a distraction"
The Escape:
- Janeway uses Moya's DRDs to create a massive electromagnetic pulse from Moya's bio-systems (causing Moya discomfort but not harm)
- The pulse disrupts the tractor beam for 4.2 seconds
- Janeway: "Moya, whenever you're ready. I trust your timing."
- Moya initiates Starburst immediately - the trust was what she needed
- They vanish in a blaze of energy, leaving the Borg cubes scanning empty space
The Random Landing:
- They emerge three star systems away... in completely the wrong direction
- Janeway's eye twitches slightly
- Pilot: "At least we're away from the Borg, Captain."
- Janeway: "True. But next time, I'm bringing coffee. A LOT of coffee."
Epilogue: Mutual Respect
What Janeway Learned:
- Some ships - some beings - can't be commanded. They must be partnered with.
- Control isn't always the answer; trust can be more tactically effective
- Random is terrifying for a Starfleet captain, but alive beats assimilated
What Moya Learned:
- Some captains, when pushed, will defend you like you're part of their crew
- Janeway called her "she" instead of "it" by the end
- This human smells perpetually of coffee and stress, but means well
Final Exchange:
- Janeway: "Pilot, please tell Moya... she did well. Really well."
- Pilot: "She says you're not the worst human to be bonded with temporarily."
- Janeway: "I'll take that as a compliment."
- Pilot: "It was meant as one."