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THE
BORG -VS- MICROSOFT WINDOWS
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
command unit and as expected it immediately consumed 85% of all
resources. We however have not received any confirmation of the
expected 'upgrade'."
Geordi:
"Our scanners have picked up an increase in Borg storage and
CPU capacity to compensate, 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'.
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 3F . . ."
Geordi,
excited: "Wait, Captain I just detected their CPU capacity
has suddenly dropped to 0% !"
Picard:
"Data, what do your scanners show?"
Data:
"Apparently the Borg have found the internal 'Windows' module
named 'Solitaire' and it has used up all the CPU capacity."
Picard:
"Lets wait and see how long this 'solitaire' can reduce their
functionality."
..
. . Two Hours Pass . . .
Riker:
"Geordi what's the status on 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."
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:
"Good God captain! Those are humans 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 off the monitors. I can't stand to watch, not even the
Borg deserve that."
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