Episode I: Introductions

Captains Log Stardate 57112.3: We are continuing our mission in the Delta Quadrant, exploring the border closest to our own Quadrant.

"Captain Tryke," the bulky lieutenant Bolian science officer called out from his station, "Sensors are picking up a nebula about six light-years from our current position."

Adam sat with his right ankle resting on his left knee, resting his right elbow onto the propped up leg. This ship was the closest thing to home he had. Everything else was simply nonsense.

"Commander Lukas," Adam said, cocking his head slightly towards the beanpole figure of his first officer, "How long before you are supposed to take command of the Overland?"

"Five days sir," Lukas replied, glancing back at him.

"You need experience commanding a starship," Adam mused, then stood up saying, "You have the bridge today Number One. I'll be in my ready room. Inform me if we come across anything more worrisome then wisps of energy."

"Aye, aye sir," Lukas nodded, moving over to sit in the Captains' chair.

Adam left the bridge in the capable hands of his first officer.

Six years later, Stardate 63442.5.

"Adam Tryke," a man said nearby him, pulling Adam slowly out of his blissful state of sleep.

"Is that my name?" Adam grunted, pushing himself up to lean with his back against the wall, "Oh, yeah, it is. I've never been good coming out of being stunned. I always seem to forget my own name. Anyways, who are-blast it. Don't tell me."

The man cocked an eyebrow in confusion, "Tell you what?"

"You have come to send me to Vulcan therapy," Adam accused the balding man, "I refuse to allow a pointy eared logically inferior green blood touch me. It was a Vulcan who put me in this joint you know. Now, who are you?"

"I am Admiral Jean-Luc Picard," the man replied.

"Also known as Locutus," Adam nodded slightly, "With what I did before I was able to join Starfleet, we all knew Locutus; the man singled out to be the voice of the Federation by her Majesty the Borg Queen herself."

Picard didn't like talking about that dark period of his life, so instead said, "You got put in here because of a fight against your captain in the Delta Quadrant."

Adam scoffed, "I was the captain. That Vulcan I told you about changed the records, I know it."

"Why would he change those records?" Picard asked.

Adam blinked at Picard and asked, "Does it matter?"

"Yes, it does," Picard said.

Adam tried not to roll his eyes. "It was a top secret mission," he simply said, "And I have received no new orders to divulge that mission."

"Who gave you the orders?" Picard pushed.

"I'm not at liberty to say," Adam stated.

Picard sighed, knowing they weren't going to go anywhere with this conversation, "Well, I can let you know you are not going to Vulcan therapy. "

Adam slightly brightened, "Then you are my new best friend. Why are you here then? Do your questions have a purpose?"

Picard started to explain, "I need someone of your experience to help us in the new war that is beginning to unravel around us."

"And how am I to help exactly?" Adam asked.

Picard mentally braced himself, "I need you to act as tactical officer of the newest addition to the Starfleet family: the Invincible-Class starship."

Adam cocked an eyebrow, "Never heard of it."

"It's the perfect anti-Borg ship," Picard replied, the simplicity to the statement telling a whole story in itself.

"Rotating shield?"

"Yep."

"Modulating phasers?"

Picard smiled, "Actually ion based phasers and what I call time-flux photons; better known as quantum torpedoes."

Adam was amazed at that, "And your warp capacity?"

"Transwarp."

"Who do you have commanding this beautiful darling?" Adam asked like a man who had seen the girl of his dreams.

"Joshua Stubbs as Captain and Nathanial Trust as First Officer," was his reply.

"Is this a joke?" Adam demanded.

Picard frowned slightly, "Is there a problem?"

"I knew Stubbs at the Academy," Adam explained, "A hothead. Likely to ram his own ship into a star. Trust is just a power crazed maniac that would sell his own mother if that would guarantee him a position on the Federation Council."

Picard crossed his arms and firmly said, "You will get over your differences."

"And if I don't want to?" Adam asked bluntly.

"I am authorized to add another five years to your stay here. It would be like you never started your sentence."

Adam sighed, "Fine. I will love to be an actual officer again. When do we leave?"

Picard smiled, "Right now."