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one another, each a distorted mirror image of the other. Every aspect
of Picard's body language signaled that he was truly intimidated by the
opposition. But then, to his credit, he squared his shoulders and
faced Locutus unflinchingly.
"Get out of our way," Picard told him.
"No," replied Locutus.
"So much for negotiations," I said to Data.
Both Locutus and Picard said, "Quiet, Q." It was rather off-putting
for an all-powerful being to be scolded by the same voice twice,
simultaneously.
"I'm not afraid of you," Picard told him.
"Your fear is irrelevant."
There was that word again, "irrelevant." Didn't this guy know any
other words?
"I want you to move."
"What you want is--"
"Irrelevant, yes, I know." Picard shook his head. "I can practically
hear every response of yours before you even say it."
"If you know me so well.." then you know how this engagement will
end," Locutus said.
"I know how you think it will end. But you may be surprised."
"You cannot surprise me, Picard. You are me... only an early version."
He actually smiled, but on his face it seemed a horrific thing, an
obscenity. "You can no more stop me than an infant can stop an adult.
You and your desires are irrelevant?"
I knew if Locutus and I ever became friends, the first gift I'd give
him would be a thesaurus.
I watched Picard lose his footing ever so slightly, but he kept
talking. "Freedom is irrelevant, individuality is irrelevant; have you
considered, Locutus, what will happen when you yourself become
irrelevant?"
"Such considerations are likewise irrelevant," Locutus said calmly. And
then he took a step toward Picard.
I was beginning to think they were going to talk each other to death.
"The universe is collapsing around us, Locutus. Your precious Borg
collective is going to go the way of all flesh, unless we find a way to
stop it. It is in your own interest to help. Why would you be in
opposition to that? Who do you serve? Who is behind all of this?"
"I simply act as I must," said Locutus. "I understand my duty, Picard,
with greater clarity than you possibly could." He took another step
closer. "You pathetic creature. You were part of the perfect Borg
collective, the most elegant ac131
cumulation of minds in the entire galaxy. How sad you must feel to be
separated from that now. How adrift you must be."
"You know nothing of how I feel," Picard shot back. "Oh, but I... I
know how you feel, Locutus. Because I was trapped within you,
remember. To my mind, you are nothing but a bad dream, a faint
whispering I'd rather forget. But within you there is me, crying to
get out. Struggling against the oppression of the Borg collective,
trying to obtain once more the freedom that is the god-given right of
all creatures. I can hear myself within you, Locutus. That lone,
human voice, crying out."
I couldn't believe they were still talking at each other. I really
wished I had brought a box lunch. You have to understand, in my world
if you don't get what you want in a few nanoseconds you blast the guy!
"Get out of my way." "No?" Barn III But who am I to interfere in how
other people do things? It's not in my nature. Live and let live,
that's my motto.
Picard was still talking. I guess when you're talking to yourself you
have a lot to say, and he was leaning very heavy on the psychological
stuff. "You're trying to deny it, Locutus. I can tell. Trying to
deny the voice in your head that demands either release.." or an end
to the living prison that's been fashioned around it. I know that
voice, Locutus. It's mine. Crying out, hour after hour, day after day
in soundless agony. Begging you to cease this obscenity, this travesty
of an existence. You can fool others, Locutus. You can stalk around
and talk about how one thing is irrelevant and another thing is futile.
But you and I, we know the truth. We know that what you'd really
rather do is put your own weapon to your own head and destroy yourself
before allowing this monstrous nonlife of yours to continue one moment
more .... "
In a low voice, I muttered to Data, "What does Picard think is going
to happen here?"
"Perhaps he believes that Locutus will be so overcome by the captain's
impassioned eloquence that he will take his own life rather than serve
as an impediment to our cause."
"Great plan. And if that doesn't work, maybe the Easter Bunny will
save the day."
Picard's voice was rising. "For all our sakes.." possibly for the
sake of the entire universe.." throw off your programming! Give in to
the voice within you that is begging for "
Locutus lunged.
Picard didn't appear prepared for the charge, but he certainly adapted
quickly. He deflected the Borg's weapon. Unfortunately, it wound up
pointing in our general direction, and a blast sizzled the air just
over my head.
The notions of psychological warfare had been shunted aside; now it was
simply brute strength. The two of them went at each other "no holds
barred." Data and I watched, mindful that if Locutus looked as if he
were getting the upper hand we would quickly jump in to save Picard.
During this exchange the train was approaching a trestled bridge.
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