"Counterforce"
By T. Cummins
2001
(Story based on characters and environments created and owned by Paramount and
Marvel)
Chapter One – "Out of the Blue"
"Damage report." Captain Janeway sat at her command chair while repair crews hurried
from one side of the bridge to another. She managed to maintain her composure as
Voyager fought for her very existence against the nearly unstoppable power of the Borg.
"Shields are down to forty-one percent. Our phaser banks need time to recharge. Sickbay
reports a variety of casualties but the Doctor thinks he has the situation under control for
now." Harry stood at his console with a medic working on severe burns to his left arm.
He had refused all attempts at being sent to sickbay. "Captain, the closest cube is fifty
thousand kilometers directly off our stern and gaining."
Janeway considered for a moment. "How many ships are after us?"
Mr. Kim ran an updated sensor sweep. "Four in total, although it appears that two are
breaking off pursuit. Long-range scan indicates this sector may be populated by as many
as fifty cubes.
"We've run into a nest." Chakotay sat next to the Janeway and absorbed the information
with an obvious look of concern. "It's possible we might be able to shake these two if we
get some distance. They may not consider us much of a threat to escape in such a heavily
populated area of space." Tuvok agreed with Chakotay's assertion from his science
station.
"Tom, increase speed to warp eight." Paris acknowledged, and a few moments later
Voyager finally left its pursuers behind.
"We can pretty well expect the Borg to pop up again. I just hope we can steer clear long
enough to come up with safe corridor out of here." Chakotay sounded as exhausted as
everyone on the bridge felt.
"Captain, I read a class five nebula less than a light year away that appears to be free of
Borg activity."
Janeway rose to her feet. "That's just what the doctor ordered. Make for the nebula and
once we've entered, take up station a few thousand kilometers in. That should help to
conceal our location long enough for us to make repairs." Chakotay and Janeway began
inspecting the damage to the bridge.
"Captain! I've got something." Everyone turned to Mr. Kim. "This is strange. Sensors
have picked up human life readings dead ahead." Harry paused as if in disbelief. "There
is apparently someone in a kind of environment suit traveling at sub-light speeds heading
directly toward us. He wasn't there a second ago. Its like he just materialized out of no
where." The bridge fell into stunned silence.
"Are you sure he's human Harry? Not Borg?" Chakotay climbed the steps to stand with
the ensign as he checked his reading again.
"I can't be completely sure but I don't read any Borg technology. In fact I've never seen
anything like this before."
Tuvok shared the incoming data and added his opinion. "There is no evidence of a vessel
within the range of our sensors. This human is traveling through inter-stellar space in a
completely self contained apparatus that confounds nearly all attempts at a detailed scan,
but the life readings are unmistakable."
Janeway turned to the viewer. "Can you get a visual?" Tuvok responded affirmatively
and a moment later the screen shifted to a view of the man. He was encased in an
alternately red and golden metallic body suit that had a thickly layered section covering
his entire torso. He was propelled along by what looked like a kind of engine module
attached to his back that emitted a trail of exhaust in its wake. His gloved hands were
outstretched and clenched in fists as if he intended to punch his way through anything
that crossed his path. His head was covered in a form-fitting helmet that had rectangular
openings for his eyes and mouth although they were enclosed with transparent shields.
"He looks as if he's wearing a suit of armor." Paris turned to look at the Captain. "I have
a bad feeling about this."
Seven had left the bridge to help in engineering and had returned to find everyone's
attention fixated on the viewer. She noted the object on the screen and instantly went to
the science station to review the incoming data. Her face betrayed a sense of
entrancement. "According to the sensor readings this being's technology is completely
unique and highly advanced. The Borg had never encountered anything like this. Have
you attempted to communicate with him?"
Harry cut in. "Captain, we are receiving a transmission. It's on a peculiar bandwidth but
its readable."
Janeway turned to look at Seven. She seemed unusually animated concerning this new
arrival and the Captain had her suspicions as to the reason. "Put it on audio."
The message began in mid sentence. The speaker was clearly human and very excited.
"….and I can't explain exactly how I came to be here but if you can hear and understand
me, I need to get some answers. I repeat. Unidentified Vessel, I mean you no harm. I
wish to communicate. Please respond."
A smile flashed across Janeway's face. "Your transmission is coming through just fine. I
am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. May I ask who you are
and how we may help you?"
There was a short pause. The image on the viewer showed the man relaxing a bit and
slowing his velocity. "Captain Janeway. Excuse me I've been through a lot in the past
twenty-four hours. In the midst of so much unknown, it's good to hear a friendly voice.
My name is Anthony Stark. I don't know where or for that matter when I am, but I can
tell you until just a moment ago I was fighting a battle in orbit around the planet Earth
against the Kree Empire invasion fleet. Their leader is capable of inter-dimensional
mental teleportation and sent me God knows where. I'm guessing I'm pretty far away
from home. Right?"
Janeway searched the astonished faces that surrounded her. "You could say that Mr.
Stark. You could say that."
By T. Cummins
2001
(Story based on characters and environments created and owned by Paramount and
Marvel)
Chapter One – "Out of the Blue"
"Damage report." Captain Janeway sat at her command chair while repair crews hurried
from one side of the bridge to another. She managed to maintain her composure as
Voyager fought for her very existence against the nearly unstoppable power of the Borg.
"Shields are down to forty-one percent. Our phaser banks need time to recharge. Sickbay
reports a variety of casualties but the Doctor thinks he has the situation under control for
now." Harry stood at his console with a medic working on severe burns to his left arm.
He had refused all attempts at being sent to sickbay. "Captain, the closest cube is fifty
thousand kilometers directly off our stern and gaining."
Janeway considered for a moment. "How many ships are after us?"
Mr. Kim ran an updated sensor sweep. "Four in total, although it appears that two are
breaking off pursuit. Long-range scan indicates this sector may be populated by as many
as fifty cubes.
"We've run into a nest." Chakotay sat next to the Janeway and absorbed the information
with an obvious look of concern. "It's possible we might be able to shake these two if we
get some distance. They may not consider us much of a threat to escape in such a heavily
populated area of space." Tuvok agreed with Chakotay's assertion from his science
station.
"Tom, increase speed to warp eight." Paris acknowledged, and a few moments later
Voyager finally left its pursuers behind.
"We can pretty well expect the Borg to pop up again. I just hope we can steer clear long
enough to come up with safe corridor out of here." Chakotay sounded as exhausted as
everyone on the bridge felt.
"Captain, I read a class five nebula less than a light year away that appears to be free of
Borg activity."
Janeway rose to her feet. "That's just what the doctor ordered. Make for the nebula and
once we've entered, take up station a few thousand kilometers in. That should help to
conceal our location long enough for us to make repairs." Chakotay and Janeway began
inspecting the damage to the bridge.
"Captain! I've got something." Everyone turned to Mr. Kim. "This is strange. Sensors
have picked up human life readings dead ahead." Harry paused as if in disbelief. "There
is apparently someone in a kind of environment suit traveling at sub-light speeds heading
directly toward us. He wasn't there a second ago. Its like he just materialized out of no
where." The bridge fell into stunned silence.
"Are you sure he's human Harry? Not Borg?" Chakotay climbed the steps to stand with
the ensign as he checked his reading again.
"I can't be completely sure but I don't read any Borg technology. In fact I've never seen
anything like this before."
Tuvok shared the incoming data and added his opinion. "There is no evidence of a vessel
within the range of our sensors. This human is traveling through inter-stellar space in a
completely self contained apparatus that confounds nearly all attempts at a detailed scan,
but the life readings are unmistakable."
Janeway turned to the viewer. "Can you get a visual?" Tuvok responded affirmatively
and a moment later the screen shifted to a view of the man. He was encased in an
alternately red and golden metallic body suit that had a thickly layered section covering
his entire torso. He was propelled along by what looked like a kind of engine module
attached to his back that emitted a trail of exhaust in its wake. His gloved hands were
outstretched and clenched in fists as if he intended to punch his way through anything
that crossed his path. His head was covered in a form-fitting helmet that had rectangular
openings for his eyes and mouth although they were enclosed with transparent shields.
"He looks as if he's wearing a suit of armor." Paris turned to look at the Captain. "I have
a bad feeling about this."
Seven had left the bridge to help in engineering and had returned to find everyone's
attention fixated on the viewer. She noted the object on the screen and instantly went to
the science station to review the incoming data. Her face betrayed a sense of
entrancement. "According to the sensor readings this being's technology is completely
unique and highly advanced. The Borg had never encountered anything like this. Have
you attempted to communicate with him?"
Harry cut in. "Captain, we are receiving a transmission. It's on a peculiar bandwidth but
its readable."
Janeway turned to look at Seven. She seemed unusually animated concerning this new
arrival and the Captain had her suspicions as to the reason. "Put it on audio."
The message began in mid sentence. The speaker was clearly human and very excited.
"….and I can't explain exactly how I came to be here but if you can hear and understand
me, I need to get some answers. I repeat. Unidentified Vessel, I mean you no harm. I
wish to communicate. Please respond."
A smile flashed across Janeway's face. "Your transmission is coming through just fine. I
am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. May I ask who you are
and how we may help you?"
There was a short pause. The image on the viewer showed the man relaxing a bit and
slowing his velocity. "Captain Janeway. Excuse me I've been through a lot in the past
twenty-four hours. In the midst of so much unknown, it's good to hear a friendly voice.
My name is Anthony Stark. I don't know where or for that matter when I am, but I can
tell you until just a moment ago I was fighting a battle in orbit around the planet Earth
against the Kree Empire invasion fleet. Their leader is capable of inter-dimensional
mental teleportation and sent me God knows where. I'm guessing I'm pretty far away
from home. Right?"
Janeway searched the astonished faces that surrounded her. "You could say that Mr.
Stark. You could say that."