Icheb

Icheb was a Brunali male, former Borg drone, and Delta Quadrant native who lived during the latter half of the 24th century. 
Genetically-engineered, assimilated, and eventually repatriated by the crew of , Icheb became a valued member of their crew, joining them for the last two years of their journey back to Alpha Quadrant. ()
After spending nearly a decade with Starfleet, he fell victim to his own Borg past, when he was ultimately harvested for the very components that kept him alive. ()
== Early life ==
Icheb was born on the Brunali homeworld to Yifay and Leucon. He was named after his father, whose middle name was Icheb. () 
Poma, a Brunali delicacy, was Icheb's favorite food as a child. At one time, he was also considered to be quite an athlete by his father. ()
Because their homeworld was located at the mouth of a Borg transwarp conduit, the planet was subject to frequent attacks by the Borg, leaving Icheb's homeworld, which once used to be home to a technologically advanced spacefaring civilization, in devastation and ruins. In order to prevent further Borg attacks, the few enclaves that had remained scattered along the northern continent had adapted an agrarian society with limited technological resources, as they believed their lack of advanced technology would stop attracting more Borg cubes. ()
However, Icheb's people had developed sophisticated techniques in genetics so they could create crops that would grow in even the most unsuitable of climates. His parents subsequently used their knowledge of genetics as a tool to stand up to the Borg. They genetically-engineered Icheb to be born with a deadly pathogen that was destructive to the Borg and sent him in a small ship towards the transwarp conduit. A passing Borg vessel discovered him and he was assimilated. 
Being too young, Icheb spent several months in a Borg maturation chamber before he was prematurely released, due to the virus he had carried with him and which had resulted in all the adult drones aboard the cube dying. Icheb found out only after he was re-united with his family again what the true purpose of his existence was and what his parents had done to him. ()
=== Life as a Borg drone ===
As a Borg drone, he was given the designation of "Second", as he could not control the other drones, even though he had emerged first from the maturation chamber. 
When Seven of Nine first encountered him on the Borg vessel, Icheb did not have much of a memory of his past and his family, except selected information about them, such as his mother's hair color. Icheb eventually asserted himself against the "", who had established a hierarchy on board the vessel, controlling everyone and even going so far as to attempt to capture . 
After these attempts failed, four of the five adolescent drones were adopted by the crew of Voyager. Once aboard, The Doctor was able to remove most of their implants and the four adolescents began a period of re-integration while on board Voyager. 
Seven, who initially questioned whether they could be transformed into individuals, took it upon herself to help them on their journey. She began tutoring Icheb and the others, trying to help them adjust to life outside the Collective. ()
== USS Voyager ==
Icheb was especially intelligent and innovative: he once sculpted a 26-sided polyhedron comprising hexagons, octagons and squares. He also had a strong interest and prodigious ability in astrophysics and hoped to work alongside Seven in Astrometrics. At the same time, however, he was also shy and very reserved. ()
When Seven took charge of the children, including Icheb, she was not always able to control them as she wished. Icheb and the others often rebelled and showed signs of insubordination and, as children are, they became increasingly harder to control by the kind of rigid methods Seven employed. Her regimented control of them filled with activities schedules, punishment protocols, orders and threats of reprimand for every little act of insubordination not only made them feel more like drones back on the Borg cube rather than individuals, but it also resulted in a lot of friction between her and the children. Icheb was especially infuriated by Seven's controlling behavior; even though he had a rather gentle and non-confrontational nature, he once became so frustrated with her ordering them around, that when she punished him by asking him to adhere to "Punishment Protocol 9-Alpha", he asserted himself by refusing, yelling at her for never letting them do what they wanted, and walking out. This gave Seven a chance to rethink her attitude and approach and she began giving the children some leeway and finally started treating them as the individuals they had become. () 
Icheb once demonstrated his genius-level aptitude for astrophysics to Captain Janeway, Seven of Nine, and B'Elanna Torres by designing a gravimetric sensor array that was capable of being used in conjunction with Voyagers sensors to detect wormholes. 
However, when his parents and their homeworld were located in 2376, that promising service aboard the ship was apparently terminated. He was returned to them, despite serious objections by Seven. Back on his home planet, he tried to find his roots and adjust to his new life in the culture of farmers without access to much technology or starships. After Voyager left, he finally learned the truth about his initial disappearance and the circumstances surrounding his assimilation, as his parents again put him aboard a small transport vessel headed towards the transwarp conduit in order to finish what they had started. Fortunately, Seven's suspicion about Icheb's parents and constant questioning of his safety led her to expose their plan to sacrifice Icheb, and Voyager returned, rescuing him from re-assimilation. With no home to return to, Icheb rejoined the ship on its journey back to the Alpha Quadrant. ()
After contemplation upon his return, he decided to expand his expertise to include genetics as a way of reconnecting with and honoring his people's way of life. Even though Seven was upset at what his parents had planned to do with him, Icheb had a little bit more understanding for them, stating that they only wanted to protect their species. Seven reminded him that what they did was wrong and that Icheb had to find his own way and realize that as an individual he had a right to determine his own destiny. () 
When in 2377 Voyager was finally able to locate the homeworld of two of the children, Azan and Rebi, Icheb – unlike Mezoti – decided to remain aboard Voyager and not join them. Shortly after the children left, Seven's cortical node started malfunctioning. Experienced in Borg technology, Icheb realized that only a node from a living drone would save her. ()
Possessing a strong aptitude for astrophysics, Icheb also finally attained the post in the astrometrics lab and eventually expressed his desire to apply to Starfleet Academy to earn his commission, now that Voyager had established a regular data-stream communication with Earth. It was suggested that Icheb prepare for the entrance exams by working on the core courses with Tuvok – who had extensive Academy teaching experience – while reviewing warp mechanics with B'Elanna Torres, quantum theory with Harry Kim, and astrometrics with Seven, even though Icheb's knowledge in the former field surpassed that of nearly every Starfleet officer onboard. Because he was a non-Federation citizen, Captain Janeway agreed to support Icheb by writing him the required letter of recommendation. () 
His facility in repairing ship systems and diagnosing problems during a maintenance overhaul of the entire vessel impressed the Captain so much that he was assigned to engineering. Torres was especially impressed by Icheb's brilliance and abilities, so to show him her appreciation for his hard work, she invited him to the holodeck for rock climbing; he agreed, in part due to his interest in geology. Though not well-versed with Human interaction and the nature of romantic relationships, Icheb mistook Torres' friendliness for flirtation, believing that she was romantically interested in and was coming on to him. He sought advice from The Doctor, which only confirmed his suspicions even more and he became especially nervous when he ran into Tom Paris who kidded him about all the time he was spending with his wife. When Paris then asked him to join him on the holodeck for a race car program he planned to run, Icheb thought Paris was challenging him to a typical Klingon ritual competition because of B'Elanna. Confused and overwhelmed, Icheb eventually confronted Torres, telling her that they could no longer "see each other", especially given that she was a married woman. Shocked at what she was hearing, but also realizing that there was no way to convince him that he was just misreading her friendliness, Torres agreed to his proposal. ()
Icheb was also the one who discovered Lieutenant Torres' pregnancy: when he scanned her, he believed that she had been invaded by a parasite lodged in her stomach. After checking the tricorder readings however, Seven explained to him that the lieutenant was not infected with a parasite but in fact pregnant with a child. Before the expectant parents could decide to keep the news private for the time being, Icheb had already informed many of the crew. Later on, Paris, who felt disturbed by The Doctor's 'assessment' that the fetus needed genetic alterations, brought the results to Icheb for a second opinion, due to his expertise on genetics. Icheb agreed that there was an error in The Doctor's assessment, much unlike his usual work. Seven then concluded that his program had been altered. ()
He later studied Earth literature as a part of his Academy training. () He also had began taking piloting lessons from Lieutenant Paris. ()
Through his studies, Icheb had developed an appreciation and admiration for Captain James T. Kirk's life and accomplishments, in particular his diplomacy and tactics. For his "Early Starfleet History" exam, which he passed, he wrote a thirty-five chapter report on Kirk and his accomplishments. mocked his work in front of Janeway, saying that Icheb's report made Kirk sound as exciting "as a Vulcan funeral dirge." () 
But Icheb was an agreeable and helpful young man and immediately befriended Q junior, who was staying on Voyager, sent by his father, Q, to "learn about Humanity" so he could inspire peace and compassion in the Q Continuum. During his time on the ship, Q junior, who first called Icheb "drone boy", later made up the nickname "Itchy" for him, who in turn called the young Q "Q-Ball" (although Icheb asked him not to call him "Itchy" in front of the senior staff). As part of his lesson plan, Captain Janeway prepared a curriculum for Q junior so he learned respect and responsibility. Instead of doing his own school work, however, Q junior had Icheb write an essay on the Q continuum for him, which he then presented to Captain Janeway as his own work. He regretted it as Janeway immediately recognized Icheb's writing style and called Q Jr. on his blatant deception. Icheb tried not to take Q junior's actions and insults too personally, and the two young men, after taking a piloting lesson together, became actual friends.
Things didn't seem to work out for Q Jr. quite as well as he thought. Angry at his father, who felt that he did not live up to what was expected of him, he stole the and took Icheb with him. During his stunt, Icheb was seriously injured during an attack by an alien ship. The Doctor was unable to treat him without knowing more about the weapon that caused his injuries. This left Q Jr with the only option left: he returned to the aliens, apologized and took responsibility for what had happened. In the end, it turned out that the whole incident was a set-up by Q to test his son's character. Being satisfied with the results, Icheb was returned to perfect health. ()
He also proved to have quite a talent for the Vulcan game of kal-toh and shortly before Voyagers return to the Alpha Quadrant, he defeated Tuvok, stating, however, that it was mere "beginner's luck." Though wishing to offer Tuvok a rematch, he had to leave as he was due back in astrometrics. Later, The Doctor, upon learning of Icheb's win, relayed to Tuvok that "Icheb's an exceptionally bright young man. Did it occur to you that he might simply be a better ?" ()
== Starfleet career ==
=== USS Coleman ===
By 2386, Icheb had risen to the rank of lieutenant in Starfleet and served aboard the as a science officer.
That year, on leave, he aided the Fenris Rangers, a vigilante organization that Seven of Nine had joined. Bjayzl – a woman who had joined the Rangers, but was actually a broker in Borg parts – found out about Icheb from Seven, lured Icheb into an ambush while he was performing a reconnaissance mission near Daimanta. Icheb was captured and taken to a facility called the Seven Domes on Vergessen in the Hypatia system. There, his Borg components were harvested from his body without the aid of anesthetics. Seven attempted to rescue Icheb but arrived too late. 
Mortally wounded and in excruciating pain, Icheb pleaded with Seven to end his life quickly. In an act of mercy, Seven used her phaser on him at point blank range while holding him in a final embrace, saying, "I'm so sorry... my child." ()
== Alternate timeline ==
In an alternate timeline set in 2394, an adult Icheb (who had attained a commission of Lieutenant Commander) helped Janeway and Chakotay restore Voyager to the correct space and time-line after it was hit by a chronokinetic surge that altered the ship. He did this by using advanced instruments that he and Naomi Wildman developed in the astrometrics lab. Chakotay noted his unparalleled mastery of temporal mechanics. ()
== Relationships ==
=== Seven of Nine ===
Even though in the beginning Icheb was irritated with Seven's rigid treatment of him and the children, he in essence had an especially close relationship with her, as she was not only a former drone whom he could relate to, but because she had become a nurturing mother figure in his life. Seven was instrumental in helping him integrate to life on board Voyager as an individual and it was her protectiveness that resulted in him being saved from the Borg a second time. () 
However, even though Seven cared for Icheb, she sometimes had a hard time showing it, such as the time her cortical node shut down and the frustration she developed that lead to her pushing Icheb away. Icheb was confused and did not understand why Seven was acting this way, until The Doctor explained to him that her anger was not specifically directed at Icheb but was more a common reaction to serious illness. Icheb, caring for Seven, refused to give up. After doing some research, he realized that given his short assimilation period and young age, he could adapt to life without a node, especially if The Doctor employed the genetic-resequencing procedure he had developed. 
Icheb's proposal was considered too dangerous by Seven and it was quickly dismissed. Desperate to save Seven, Icheb went ahead and disengaged the node himself, thus forcing The Doctor to give it to Seven. She refused, but Icheb reminded her that she needed to learn to rely on others for once, especially on her friends. This convinced Seven to accept the node, which ultimately saved her life. Luckily, The Doctor was able to perform the genetic-resequencing procedure that Icheb had devised in order to be able to survive without the node. Seven was also the one who initially spoke with Captain Janeway about Icheb's desire to join Starfleet Academy and take the Entrance Exam. ()
Icheb’s horrific torture, and her consequently having to euthanize him, devastated Seven, intensely motivating her decade-long search for vengeance against Bjayzl, the perpetrator of Icheb's torture. ()
== Key dates ==
* Prior to 2376:
** Born on Brunali homeworld
** Assimilated by the Borg
* 2376: Disconnected from the Borg collective and joins the Voyagers crew
* Prior to 2386: Assigned to the 
* 2386: Is captured, experimented on and dies on the planet Vergessen
== Memorable quotes ==
"Then why does my stomach feel so strange?"
"You've got butterflies in there."
"I never assimilated… butterflies."
:- Icheb and The Doctor ()
"What can I do for you, Q-Ball?"
: - Icheb, to ()
"If you don't stop asking questions, I'm going to put all of you in a cargo container and transport you all back to the Borg!"
: - Icheb to Naomi, Mezoti, Azan, and Rebi ()
"Now, Seven, please."
:- Icheb to Seven of Nine, asking to end his suffering ()
== Appendices ==
=== Appearances ===
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=== Background information ===
Icheb was played by Manu Intiraymi and later, Casey King, while Icheb as an adult in an Alternate Future was played by Mark Bennington. 
Icheb was the only Voyager inhabitant native to the Delta Quadrant who remained with the ship when it returned to the Alpha Quadrant. All others (Neelix, Kes, Azan, Rebi, and Mezoti) either returned to their own people, or a neighboring species.
=== Apocrypha ===
In the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Star Trek Online, Lieutenant Commander Icheb can been seen serving aboard Deep Space Station K-7. On March 5, 2020, due to the character's death in Star Trek: Picard, Icheb was removed and replaced by a generic Vulcan NPC.
In the Voyager novel Unworthy, sometime after 2382, Chakotay sought Icheb's assistance to undertake a vision quest to help a very sick Seven of Nine. In The Eternal Tide, faced with the discovery that he may have to sacrifice himself to save the universe, Q junior visits Icheb to talk about his decision, noting that Icheb is the closest friend he has and the burden they faced as their parents 'arranged' for their births to end war (although Q's parents cared for him rather than Icheb's dismissing him).
Icheb returns to the Alpha Quadrant in later novels. After his vital role in assisting the Voyager crew in dealing with a crisis caused by an illegal attempt to tamper with the catoms left after the 'destruction' of the Borg Collective (Atonement), Admiral Leonard James Akaar decides to allow Icheb to graduate Starfleet Academy ahead of schedule. Akaar noticed that Icheb's methods resembled James T. Kirk's inability to play by the rules and still achieve great things, with the portent that Icheb will either rise to command or burn out and fail.
=== External links ===
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