The Lamne'rau

Star Trek VOY Fanfiction
Title:	The Absinthe Heart
Author(s):	Jemima
Date(s):	2002
Length:
Genre:
Fandom:	Star Trek: Voyager
External Links:	Read on the author's website
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

The Absinthe Heart is a Star Trek: VOY story by Jemima. It features Seven of Nine.

It was nominated for a 2002 ASC Award.

Reactions and Reviews

The Lamne'rau is one of the best stories I've read all year. It is amazing in the way it develops and expands what we know of the explorations of the Raven, the passion for discovery and independent personalities of the Hansens, and of Seven of Nine's childhood. It is chilling both for the ending we already know, but also for the obsessive single-mindedness of Magnus and the devil-may-care adventurism of Erin. Annika is portrayed in a way both charming and tragic, a child that was almost predisposed to become Borg. In this lovely story, Jemima gives us two flawed but utterly understandable people, their doomed child, and the first look at the Borg. What I like most about the story is that we can't dislike the Hansens, they are a family that is close, and real, and that does have ties to the outside world, even if they prefer the Raven. Amazing story, Jemima!

A powerful story, and one of the best treatments I've ever seen of Seven's past. Seemingly innocuous lines have chilling undertones, knowing what we do about what is fated to occur. All of the characterizations are handled beautifully, making Magnus, Erin and little Annika really come to life. Jemima also does a great job interweaving Borg canon from diverse sources.

This was also fab. It even has a kid in it, yet didn't make me want to smash things. It's very clever and thoughtful, it takes canon and works with it, does something far better than actual telly would ever do.

I don't know what anyone ever wrote the Borg babe like Jemima. I sometimes wonder if there wasn't some kind of deep understanding there - a connection of sorts. Maybe Jemima got inside the Borg's collective heads or something... Anyway, I LOVE Jemima's Seven. I love that Jemima's Seven can't distance herself from the Borg the way that the show's Seven could. I love the idea that "Home" for Seven IS the Borg and let's not pretend otherwise. I also like the way this is a story about Seven with Seven as a bystander. Everything they (her parents) do points to her and who she is to become. The great literary device of 'foreshadowing' is employed to effect. It's a moving story with a powerful ending and a joy to

I found this a fascinating look at the Hansens days aboard the Raven when Seven was still Annika Hansen, still a fully human little girl. Jemima sets up early exactly where we are in time and space and establishes the character of Magnus and Erin Hansen and the relationship between them very succinctly and strongly from the start, let alone that of the four year old Annika. I loved how Jemima used the legends and the mentions of Romulans in the tale with the Romulan word for Borg supplying her title. And her foreshadowing of the Hansen's fate gave me chills. It was interesting to read about how Seven grew up, how even before her assimilation the Borg were such a presence in her life. I loved the glimpse of Aunt Irene in the tale as well. The last paragraph brings the tale to a great close, tying everything up quite neatly and with a great--and chilling last line that would be innocuous out of context. I thought this was a wonderful story.

A great backstory for Annika Hansen. The snippets of her pre-Brog life seen on the show never quite held together, but Jemima has skillfully woven them here. She also shows why some people simply should not have children. The last line is almost unbearably sad in the context of a girl raised in the constant company of two parents.

This is a poignant and haunting story about the Hansens, especially since we know exactly what happens to them. There are some really chilling lines in here - such as Annika's statement that "I like Borg" and then later on, her foreshadowing when asked who lives in the Cube. Jemima really knows how to set a mood and she manages to convey the excitement Magnus feels with the restraint Erin advocates. The idea of 'home' is used to good purposes here. This story neatly fills in the blanks of Annika's childhood. Another story to add to the 'must-save' list.

One of the best stories I've read by Jemima. I felt myself becoming absorbed into the story, much like when I read a novel. The last paragraph was the icing on the cake - gave me goosebumps.

The characterization of the Hansens is excellent, and one can't help but to feel for poor little doomed Annika. I enjoyed the explanation of how the Borg got their name.

This is as dark and bleak a Seven origin story as you will find. Much singlemindedness on all sides leads to tragedy as young Annika's family all get their heart's desire in the nastiest way.

What a nice look on Seven's parents, and her childhood. Sad, because you know what's going to happen. Love the whole stardate thing, it explains a lot. :) Excellent story. The last line chilled me to the bones.

I love seeing "before they were on Voyager" type stories. This one is chilling with its ending. But if Jemima had ended it any other way, it wouldn't have the impact that it does. I hope she writes more along this line.