| Picard | "Mr. LaForge, have you had any success with your attempts at
finding a weakness in the Borg? And Mr. Data, have you been able
to access their command pathways?" |
| Geordi | "Yes, Captain. In fact, we found the answer by searching through
our archives on late Twentieth-century computing technology." |
| Geordi presses a key, and a logo appears on the computer screen. |
| Riker looks puzzled. "What the hell is `Microsoft'?" |
| Data turns to answer. |
"Allow me to explain. We will send this program, for some reason
called `Windows', through the Borg command pathways. Once inside
their root command unit, it will begin consuming system
resources at an unstoppable rate." |
| Picard | "But the Borg have the ability to adapt. Won't they alter their
processing systems to increase their storage capacity?" |
| Data | "Yes, Captain. But when `Windows' detects this, it creates a new
version of itself known as an `upgrade'. The use of resources
increases exponentially with each iteration. The Borg will not
be able to adapt quickly enough. Eventually all of their
processing ability will be taken over and none will be available
for their normal operational functions." |
| Picard | "Excellent work. This is even better than that `unsolvable
geometric shape' idea." |
| . . . 15 Minutes Later . . . |
| Data | "Captain, we have successfully installed the `Windows' in the
Borg's command unit. As expected, it immediately consumed 85% of
all available resources. However, we have not received any
confirmation of the expected `upgrade'." |
| Geordi | "Our scanners have picked up an increase in Borg storage and CPU
capacity, but we still have no indication of an `upgrade' to
compensate for their increase." |
| Picard | "Data, scan the history banks again and determine if there is
something we have missed." |
| Data | "Sir, I believe there is a reason for the failure in the
`upgrade'. Appearently the Borg have circumvented that part of
the plan by not sending in their registration cards." |
| Riker | "Captain, we have no choice. Requesting permission to begin
emergency escape sequence 3F ...." |
| Geordi, excited "Wait, Captain! Their CPU capacity has suddenly dropped
to 0% !" |
| Picard | "Data, what do your scanners show?" |
| Data, | studying displays "Appearently the Borg have found the internal
`Windows' module named `Solitaire', and it has used up all
available CPU capacity." |
| Picard | "Let's wait and see how long this `Solitaire' can reduce their
functionality." |
| . . . Two Hours Pass . . . |
| Riker | "Geordi, what is the status of the Borg?" |
| Geordi | "As expected, the Borg are attempting to re-engineer to
compensate for increased CPU and storage demands, but each time
they successfully increase resources I have setup our closest
deep space monitor beacon to transmit more `Windows' modules
from something called the `Microsoft Fun-pack'. |
| Picard | "How much time will that buy us?" |
| Data | "Current Borg solution rates allow me to predicate an interest
time span of 6 more hours." |
| Geordi | "Captain, another vessel has entered our sector." |
| Picard | "Identify." |
| Data | "It appears to have markings very similar to the 'Microsoft'
logo..." |
| Over the speakers "THIS IS ADMIRAL BILL GATES OF THE MICROSOFT FLAGSHIP
MONOPOLY. WE HAVE POSITIVE CONFIRMATION OF UNREGISTERED SOFTWARE IN THIS
SECTOR. SURRENDER ALL ASSETS AND WE CAN AVOID ANY TROUBLE. YOU HAVE 10
SECONDS TO COMPLY." |
| Data | "The alien ship has just opened its forward hatches and released
thousands of humanoid-shaped objects." |
| Picard | "Magnify forward viewer on the alien craft!" |
| Riker | "My God, captain! Those are human beings floating straight
toward the Borg ship - with no life support suits! How can they
survive the tortures of deep space?!" |
| Data | "I don't believe that those are humans, sir. If you will look
closer I believe you will see that they are carrying something
recognized by twenty-first century man as doeskin leather
briefcases, and wearing Armani suits." |
| Riker and Picard, together - horrified "Lawyers!!" |
| Geordi | "It can't be. All the Lawyers were rounded up and sent hurtling
into the sun in 2017 during the Great Awakening." |
| Data | "True, but appearently some must have survived." |
| Riker | "They have surrounded the Borg ship and are covering it with all
types of papers." |
| Data | "I believe that is known in ancient venacular as `red tape'. It
often proves fatal." |
| Riker | "They're tearing the Borg to pieces!" |
| Picard | "Turn the monitors off, Data, I cant bear to watch. Even the
Borg don't deserve such a gruesome death!" |
