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Newsletter of the Melbourne Novell Users GroupSeptember 1998

"Star Trek Lost Episodes" - Transcript

 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
 their is something we have missed."

 Data  "Sir, I believe their 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 does 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.

From: Brian Habel, Swinburne University


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