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Picard: "Mr LaForge, have you had any success with your
attempts at finding a weakness in the Borg?"
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 devil 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 computers 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'."
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'. Apparently 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 3B..."
Geordi, excited: "Wait, Captain! Their CPU capacity has
suddenly dropped to 0%!"
Picard: "Data, what do your scanners show?"
Data, studying displays: "Apparently 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 set up 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 doe-skin 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 apparently 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 vernacular as 'red
tape'. It often proves fatal."
Riker: "They're tearing the Borg to pieces!"
Picard: "Turn the monitors off, Data. I can't bear to watch.
Even the Borg don't deserve such a gruesome death!"
Fade to black...
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