Admiral Paris listened intently as each speaker presented his or her report. Bad news. More bad news. Even worse news. As the news grew worse and worse, the Admiral watched as the Federation President's face looked more and more worn and haggard.

After the many reports had finished pouring in, the President turned to the many people assembled around the big, oaken table and said, "Well, it appears that the Borg are advancing. Even though Voyager destroyed one of the Transwarp Networks, there are still five others in operation. Unfortunately, they are all controlled by the Borg.

"The Borg are angry, if that's even possible. They are advancing on all fronts. The Klingons report a minimum of five colonies assimilated or destroyed in the past week. We have, in the past few days, lost contact with more than 15 Starfleet vessels, 7 science vessels, and more than 13 Federation private or commercial vessels. Several colonies are not responding.

"We do know that the Borg have adapted to Captain Janeway's modified phasers and shields. They have also assimilated the virus with which they were infected. We need more people, and we're getting them. But they're all inexperienced. Starfleet Academy is turning out more ensigns, yeomen, and lieutenant (j.g.)s than ever before, but lots of them have had maybe a grand total of two years of training. That's not enough. I need experienced people out there. That is why the Commander-In-Chief of Starfleet and I have formulated a plan. Admiral Gordon?"

The tall, brown haired Commander-In-Chief stood up. He stood tall and proud, but the constant strain had left him with a worn and tired look, and had started streaking his hair with silver, even though he was only 48. He cleared his throat and said, "Thank you, Mister President. As you all know, our, ah, 'situation' with the Borg is getting worse. We need more experienced people out there. True, we need more ideas, but we also need more people who are used to working on Starships to implement them. These kids that the Academy is turning out are not ready to take all of that responsibility.

"Therefore, I am declaring a Federation-wide Red Alert. Yes, I know that the last time that an alert was declared was the Probe incident, but this is much more severe. The galaxy's future may as well rest in our hands.

"However, that is not all that I am doing. I am now sending out a call for any experienced personnel, either retired or on leave, to return to Starfleet. I am also retracting pensions from Starfleet retirees younger than 60. Each retired person will receive 100 bars of gold pressed latinum, after serving a term, as sort of a "Thank You" gift. Thank you for listening."

The assembly didn't say a word as Admiral Gordon sat down. As Admiral Paris looked from one face to another, they all registered shock, as he was sure was showing on his face. Admiral Sokor, a Vulcan, had both eyebrows raised so high
that they nearly touched his hairline. Admiral Krz, an Andorian, had his antenna ramrod straight and pointing upwards.

After a few startled seconds, one of the Admirals began to clap. Pretty soon, even the Vulcans and other non-humans present were clapping. Admiral Gordon looked at first surprised, then embarrassed. He let a few minutes pass, then dismissed the crowd.

Admiral Paris left the briefing room with one thought: maybe we did have a chance after all.

USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E

Captain Jean-Luc Picard strode from the turbolift onto the Bridge. Taking his seat, he said, "Helm, set course of the Veridian System. Warp 8."

As Lieutenant-Commander Data made the course correction, Riker turned in his chair to face Picard and asked, "New orders?"

Picard nodded and replied, "We are to relocate Captain Kirk's remains to Earth. Starfleet doesn't want one of its former heroes falling to the Borg. They're coming very close."

Riker nodded and asked, "Are they implementing new plans to fight the Borg?"

Picard sighed and said, "Admiral Paris was very vague, but he said something about recalling."

Data reported, "Approaching Veridian System."

Suddenly, Lieutenant Commander Nualan, the new tactical officer, exclaimed, "Sir! Sensors report five Borg cubes within the system!"

The Bridge speakers crackled to life. "We are the Borg," it said. "Your technological distinctiveness will be assimilated into our Collective. Resistance is futile."

Riker sighed, a pained look on his face, and said, "You know, that really gets old after you've heard it about a hundred times or so."

The speakers spoke again. "That introduction serves our purpose. Prepare to be assimilated."

Picard laughed at the stunned look on Riker's face and told him, "That's why you don't talk back to the Borg."

Riker raised his eyebrows and said, "No matter how old I get, someone or something always manages to teach me something new."

"You obviously have not learned enough," the speakers told him. "If you had, you wouldn't keep opposing us. We are the Borg. Resistance is futile."

"Since when did the Borg get an attitude?" asked Riker.

"As we have assimilated many races and individuals we gain their unique personalities and amalgamate the with our own."

"Well, you obviously need an attitude adjustment. If I was your mother--"

"Commander, please. Mr. Nualan, close the channel," Picard ordered, cutting off Riker.

"Uh, sir?" the Security Chief looked puzzled. "Um, there isn't an open channel. One of the cubes has tapped directly into the computer. The possibility that they have accessed other systems is very high. They may even have tampered with the visuals. I have no idea, sir."

Data spoke up. "We have entered the outer limits of the Veridian System."

"Full stop. Shields up. Block that transmission. I want a clear, unchanged picture," Picard looked at his officers. "We need to get that body."

"Doesn't 'R.I.P.' stand for 'Rest In Peace'? Let the man rest. He's saved the galaxy enough times already."

Picard spun around. "Q!" he sputtered. "Get off of my ship!"

Q lifted his hand and shook his head. "Sorry Jean-Luc," he said. "No can do. You see, q and I have to see for the first time our friend, Jim Kirk."

For the first time, Picard noticed the teenager standing next to the tall, curly haired Q. Picard said, "You knew him?"

Q shook his head and replied, "Not personally. However, my slightly deranged brother, Trelane, had the pleasure to meet him. Captain Kirk and his crew somehow managed to escape his grasp."

Nualan reported, "Captain? The channel with the Borg has been closed and I have a clear visual."

Picard said to Q, "If you'll excuse me?" Then, he turned to face the main screen and said, "On screen."

What appeared was almost indescribable. Masses of Borg ships, both spheres and cubes, floated within the expanse of the system. Over what was left of Veridian III, a large metal framework floated. The planet looked as if it were being eaten. Huge chunks were missing, and small ships were towing hunks of rock and dirt to and from the framework, the planet, and the other ships.

"Captain! 10 Borg cubes approaching," Riker reported. "I think that we should skedaddle. We can't take 10 cubes."

Picard nodded, took his seat, and said, "Data, get us out of here. Q and Company, I'm afraid we're going to have to cut the tour a little short. Go find the body if you feel like it."

"Picard, you're a sissy," Q said. Then he and his son disappeared.

The majestic Enterprise pirouetted and warped out of the system. They left behind Captain James T. Kirk along with the greatest threat to life in the galaxy.