Captain Janeway Commands Moya: Escape from the Borg

 

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."