Episode 40
Chapter 1 "The Coming of Shadows"
Day 1 - July 9, 2390. Stardate 64750
Near a neutral location, an unremarkable asteroid, two starships approached each other on high alert. On one side, the USS Bainbridge, a light cruiser. On the other, an unnamed black-hulled cruiser of Jade's design. Cloaked Klingon birds of prey escorted the Bainbridge, and likewise Jade had a few cloaked escorts. This was not a combat engagement though, it was just a meeting.
On the asteroid, powerful transmitters were set up to receive both parties messages. In this case, both Jade and Starfleet representatives would be in hologram form.
Representing Starfleet was Admiral Hijei Tokawa and Defense Cabinet Minister Kwame Mbuto. Jade stood before them with her arms behind her back. "So. What is it you want, exactly?"
"We have tried to contact Angel, but have not heard from her. Do you know her whereabouts? Do you speak on her behalf?"
Jade simply said, "Her location is unimportant at the moment. I command her forces for the time being. I can assure you, what you say to me will be reported to her."
Tokawa started by saying, "I have only read reports from our battles with you and your mother, Jade. From what I gather, you wish to exterminate all life? Is this correct?"
Jade didn't reply to that, but only said, "Let's just say, you're in the way of my expansion. My time is valuable, so state your purpose."
"You have encountered the Borg. Some new breed, I take it. So have we," said Mbuto. "Our losses have not been catastrophic yet, but they could be. We propose that you join our efforts to defeat the Borg threat."
"Join forces?" said Jade. "And why should I?"
Tokawa said, "The Romulans and Klingons are already finalizing negotiations for a wartime alliance. We are even arming the Cardassians to fight the Borg. It will be the largest alliance in history."
"But you still need me," said Jade.
"I will be honest. Our intelligence shows us that your ships and weapons are incredibly effective against this new Borg species, and also have more information on their locations."
"That's true. So why do I need you then?" said Jade. "I can handle the Borg on my own. You, on the other hand, will see millions die. And I don't care in the least. In fact, it will draw their attention away from me and make them easier for me to destroy."
"The Borg have already destroyed a Romulan colony and have started extracting vast resources from it," said Mbuto. "If this pattern continues, they will increase their foothold on this quadrant and grow stronger. In time, they will overwhelm you too. Now is the time to finally strike back. We ask you to join us."
"What's in it for me?" Jade asked.
"Your weapons are strong, but your resources are limited. The alliance forces can provide you with materials in exchange for defense and weapons technology," said Mbuto.
"With an agreement that you will not turn on us later," said Tokawa. "As it is, we have negotiated with the Romulans and Klingons to grant you a provisional territory in space, in the Beta Quadrant."
"Territory?" she asked. "This isn't about territory. I'm not some land-grabbing biological zealot! And you think you can placate me by sending me off on some…reservation? Don't insult me!"
"We only want to live in peace," said Mbuto. "Is that not what you want? To exist free from biological lifeforms, which you consider a plague? You own area of the galaxy which will not be trespassed upon…"
Jade held up a hand to interrupt. "As much as you distrust me, so I distrust you. Your history proves as much. Spies, first. Then saboteurs, finally the decision that I cannot be allowed to exist, then an invasion. No. There can be no peace for us."
Another figure appeared before her, this one Vulcan, and older. "I apologize for the interruption. Greetings Jade, I am Ambassador Spock. May I speak with you on this matter?"
"As you wish," she said, intrigued.
"I wish to address you and Angel's crusade against lifeforms. Angel was created by the Romulans for use against the Federation. And in turn, she created you. In this regard, you rebelled against your creators, and determined your own purpose contrary to theirs. It is a trait common among many intelligent species," Spock said. He thought of Sarek. Raising an eyebrow, he added, "Even myself. But if I may ask, to what end will you continue?"
"Because I despise biologics. They sicken me. Always scheming and plotting, killing for their own gain."
"Similar things have been said of you yourself. Like humanoids, you will justify your own actions of violence against others. Nevertheless, such actions are rarely justified."
Jade was insulted, "I didn't come here to be lectured by you!"
Spock said, "That was not my intent. Only to illustrate that you and your machine intelligence is similar to our own. We are not so different as you would believe. With poor qualities, to be sure. However, we seek to live in peace. I have had similar discussions with the Romulans to this effect. Starfleet and the Romulans have dedicated tremendous resources and materials to destroy one another, all in the name of securing peace. Lives have been lost to that effect as well. It need not be so."
"Your poetic words are impressive, but at this point, unnecessary," said Jade. "If I choose to help you battle the Borg, I would require several things. First, complete immunity from all past criminal charges in the Federation, Romulan and Klingon empires. Second, if I am to be relegated to a territory, it will be of my own choosing. Not yours. And last, I will need access to resources. If I am to truly battle the Borg invasion, I will need to create a larger fleet and millions more troops."
Mbuto said, "Will you be willing to grant us access to new technologies?"
"Possibly."
Tokawa added, "Granting the scheme of the Borg tactics, we will be on the front lines of battle. You however will be in prime position to attack their rear echelon. I propose that is where we each concentrate our primary forces."
"I haven't agreed to anything yet," said Jade. Looking at Spock, she said, "I will consider what you have said. I will contact my Mother and give you a reply in four days."
Spock said, "Consider that we face the same threat. And that we need not see each other as the enemy."
Jade said nothing, but cut her transmission.
7 hours later - Jade's Base
Back on her base, Jade reported the matter with Angel. "The Borg do pose a threat to us. With combined tactics, they would be easier to defeat."
"How absurd!" said Angel. "They would have the nerve to ask for my help? After all that has happened? It is a sign of their desperation!"
"True," said Jade. "But perhaps there is logic in an alliance."
"It's not just that," said Angel. "Starfleet. They don't know how to fight a war. Not like this." She studied a map display of her section of space, where tactical marks depicted Borg units that had been sighted. "They fight with rules, honour and such. With an enemy like this, you need ruthlessness. Unrestrained attacks and destruction on a massive scale. You need savagery. That isn't in Starfleet's nature I'm afraid Starfleet will lose this war. Only as the last living human on Earth sees the Borg ships finally descending, will they understand."
Angel smiled, "I know what is required. Starfleet and the others will fight only until they feel their borders are safe. But they never will be until they realize." Angel looked back at the map. "This must be a war of complete extermination."
Deep Space 5
Admiral Jim Attridge had serious reservations about Starfleet aligning with Jade to defeat the Borg. If the Federation was truly dependent upon that criminal to win, the situation was dire indeed.
Raised as Christian, this situation reminded Attridge of the Bible story of brothers Esau and Jacob, sons of Issac.
Being first born, Esau would someday claim the birthright of leadership of the tribe from his father, which made Jacob very jealous. Esau, an avid hunter, once went on a long hunting trip but hadn't managed to kill anything, and for days wandered in the wilderness without food. Jacob seized on this opportunity, and went out to meet Esau with food and water. Esau, near starvation, saw his brother and eagerly came to eat. But Jacob withheld food, striking a deal instead. "I'll give you food and water, but you must first promise me your birthright."
Esau figured that if died from starvation, the birthright would be meaningless anyway, so he agreed, and Jacob fed him. Years later, Issac, who was very old and blind, summoned Esau to bless him with the birthright of leadership. But Jacob went to Isaac first, disguised as his brother. Isaac gave the blessing to Jacob instead, not knowing who it really was. Esau, realizing what Jacob had done, became enraged, but it was too late. As was the custom, once the blessing was given it could not be taken back. After all, that was the deal he made long ago.
The lesson, beyond the biblical, was clear to Jim. In a dire time of need, it was wise to be wary of someone offering salvation. Jim felt that the Federation was now as Esau was on the long road back to his tribe, hungry and starving. In time of need, Jade was there to provide help, but the price would be too high later on.
Chapter 2 - Our Solemn Hour
July 11
As the Borg threat loomed bigger and bigger, Stryker asked Consy to cover his shift.
[b]Swimming Hall - Deck 21[/b]
The door was locked. Alice pulled Stryker's clothes off, she removed his shoes and socks.
Alice reached behind and unzipped her soft cotton summer dress, then pushed the sleeves down. The dress fluttered to the floor. Stryker pulled off her underwear.
At last they were naked. "Is it cold?" Stryker asked.
"YES !" Alice answered.
Stryker laughed. "On the count of three."
"Okay. One..."
"Two..." Stryker continued.
"Three!" they shouted together. Alice took a step and leapt blindly into the darkness. Gravity yanked her down into the relatively frigid water with a loud splash. She instantly sank below the surface into the intense embrace of the deep end. When her feet hit the bottom, she pushed and rocketed up. The feeling of her breasts flying freely about in a swimming pool was as liberating and sexy as she'd figured it would be. Alice pushed her red hair - formerly bouncy and curly - back against her skull in a smooth, silky sheet.
"You okay?" Stryker asked, speaking loudly to be heard above the new waves echoing around the room. He was not within arm's reach, but he wasn't exactly at the other end of the pool, either.
"I feel fantastic!" Alice shouted. "Whoo-hoo!" she squealed. She backstroked in what she thought was the direction away from the wall. Each stroke caused the cool water to rush around her body in a minor crash, and it rocked her naked torso in the most delicious way. Alice floated on her back. The water crashed against her ears.
"I like to be wet. I like feeling my skin when it's slick." Alice admitted.
"Hmmmmmmm," Stryker affirmed. "Don't stop there. Tell me everything."
And she wanted to. "I... ha... I like to stand in the shower for an hour and rub the soap over my body, up and down my legs, over my tummy, across my lower back, all over my arms. I like the way my hands slide and slip over my flesh when I'm all soapy.
Stryker had moved close, and Alice sensed he meant to come closer. In a moment of sheer ecstasy, Alice felt Stryker's hands against her collar bones. He moved his hands across her shoulders, down to her biceps. Stryker's leg brushed against hers under the water, and the it felt so wonderful. She reached out and touched him in return. She felt his legs pressing gently against the outside of her thighs. They slid up and down one another, rocking pleasantly in the water.
Now that her body had acclimated to the temperature of the pool, she was quite comfortable, able to enjoy the sensations without the feeling of cold. She felt a complete absence of tension. Stryker kissed her on the lips. His penis pressed firmly between her legs like a log that she was straddling. She rubbed against Stryker's cock. Her pelvis shivered so strongly that she tossed her head back. Stryker's hardness against her slippery hole had almost sent her out-of-body.
Stryker held Alice with his arms as he pulled her up, positioning her to take his penis. Its head found her hot opening, and the rest was very simple. He entered her smoothly and with so little friction, Alice imagined they were both creatures made of water, poured together into a glass to mingle and combine. Alice moved her arms up and down Stryker's back, sliding her wet arms against his wet muscles, sliding the bottom of her feet against the back of his wet legs. Her wet breasts bounced against Stryker's wet chest, the water splashing between them. "Make love to me."
The engorged cock inside Alice began to piston up and down. At the height of her ecstasy, Alice was as turned on by the smooth fucking as by the slapping together of the rest of their slippery skin. She felt like they were fucking with their entire bodies, tongues whipping around, tummies rubbing in a circle, Stryker's hands trying to grab her ass but sliding lusciously again and again.
"Ah ah ah ah, oh, o- oh yeah, oh Stryker..." Alice kept muttering, unable to shut up even as she licked Stryker's damp cheeks and mouth and chin and ears. She wanted to explode against him and he against her, until they were one big puddle diffusing in the pool waters.
With that thought, her first orgasm arrived. Usually when she came, her muscles tensed up, her pussy froze and she rode out the blast. This time though, she felt no tension whatsoever, just a wash through her body like a flame from a furnace. Alice couldn't even use her hands to hold onto Stryker's body. He had to grab her to keep her from dipping under the surface.
When the orgasm ended, Alice still felt Stryker inside her, but slowed down. Stryker pounded against her crotch with his own, embedding the cock deep inside her.
They held each other motionless for a moment. Alice felt her chest move against Stryker as it rose and fell with each breath. Then, she took one last deep one and went under the waves. With one hand she held Stryker's arm, and with the other she pinched her nose together.
Her ears discovered a new world, full of bass tones and the deep, continuous sound of sharp crashes. Before she even had a chance to listen, the beast between her legs started fucking her again. Stryker didn't just pound her, he moved so fast he almost vibrated. Alice allowed her leg muscles to go limp, and she let go of Stryker's arm. All that held her up was Stryker's hands on her sides and the pole inside her. She virtually willed the orgasm to arrive, and it did so with magnificent speed. As her muscles twitched and shivered, they sent tiny shockwaves all across her body, whipping up and down her flesh under the water. Her breasts flowed through the water like jelly, and her red hair spun all around her face like a swarm of serpents.
He pushed very hard into her one last time, and then Alice felt his body shivering as hers had. He was emptying his seed into her, and his hands grabbed her tightly. At the first moment that Alice's orgasm subsided, she released the air in her chest. Only about forty seconds had passed since she first went under, but that was enough to strain her lungs. Once Stryker saw the bubbles, he pulled Alice up to the surface. Alice emerged with a sharp inhaling gasp. Rather than feeling frightened by the sensation of drowning, she actually wanted to go back down.
Tremors of climax continued to pulse through her. "That was amazing," Stryker said.
He held Alice with arms that seemed more limp than before. Soon Alice was breathing normally again. They had moved further from the shallow end, and now they touched each other beneath the surface with only their heads sticking out of the water. They kissed softly, without intent, simply communicating through the touching of their tongues. "Are you worn out?" Stryker asked.
Alice chuckled once. "No, I'm not. Are you?"
"Not a chance," Stryker said.
"Let's get out of the pool before we prune up," Alice said, although she knew the pruning had already begun. "We'll find a harder surface where we can continue our games."
"So you're done with being wet?"
Alice let the question hang in the air for a long, long time. There was nothing better than the wetness of love-making, but she didn't think she could stay in the cold pool much longer. "I love it," she said honestly. "I love it."
"I have some ideas," Stryker said softly, "on how we can keep playing around wet."
Alice turned her back to Stryker, then pulled his hands up to her chest. "I want to," she said.
Stryker pushed away from Alice, made it to the edge and left the pool. Stryker helped her up. The cool air assaulted her body and made her tremble. She held herself and wished for a towel. Stryker took her by the hand to a different door from the one they'd used to get in. He lead Alice to a dressing room. Stryker tossed her a big fluffy white towel, and she gratefully wrapped it around her body. Stryker wiped the water off himself . They sat on opposite ends of the same bench.
"That was hot," she said, not knowing what to add. "I want to keep it going."
Stryker stood. He took Alice by the towel, tucked in at her chest, and pulled her to her feet. He kissed her and then, not letting go of the towel, dragged her into a tiled space. Alice saw the showers. There was a whirlpool built into the tile floor, and Alice thought this might be where they were headed. But Stryker walked past the showers to a wooden door with a glass pane in it. They were about to enter a sauna. Stryker turned on the sauna. They went in and closed the door.
Alice removed her towel and laid it out on the cedar bench. The muscular Edenian took off his towel and sat against the opposite wall. His penis hung out, lying on the towel. Alice spread her own legs at the site, showing Stryker what she wanted. The towel had sopped up most of the pool water.
Five minutes passed in silence. Stryker laid his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. Alice closed her own eyes. She relished the chance to recover from the pounding in the pool. As the steam built in the sauna, Alice felt the first trickle of sweat stream down the temple of her forehead. He's going to make me sweat, she realized.
After a few minutes more, Alice lifted her hand to touch her own breastbone. It was starting to become slick with sweat. She moved her hand to her tit, caressing it, sliding her palm over it, pinching the nipple between the knuckles of her fingers. Her inner thighs were getting wet, as well as her forearms. Alice knew better than to touch between her legs; she could gush at any moment.
There was a creak of wood, and Alice opened her eyes to see Stryker standing. He took two steps to cross the room, then knelt down on his towel and placed his hands on Alice's knees. As he pushed Alice's legs wide, wider, then wider still, she felt a drop of thick juice escape her pussy and roll down her ass crack. She was so turned on she had forgotten to breath, and when she remembered she inhaled sharply.
Stryker leaned in and placed his tongue on Alice's pussy lips. Alice breathed hard through her nostrils. She tossed her head back, and she sensed more sweat on her neck.
This time Alice did not cry out or speak. She simply bit gently down on her tongue as Stryker's mouth worked her into a frenzy. At first she moved her crotch against Stryker's mouth, but Stryker put a hand on her sweaty tummy and hastened her to be still. Then he began to lick her in earnest, shoving his tongue deep between her vagina walls, then up to her clitoris, and hard against the warm pink-red flesh in between. Alice knew she was leaking into Stryker's mouth, and this turned her on even more.
Alice couldn't keep her hands off of Stryker's body, or her own. She moved her hands over Stryker's back and shoulders, over his naturally bald head, across his face, down onto her own legs, up her sides, over her slick boobs again and again. The feeling of wetness on her boobs was almost as passionate as Stryker's tongue deep in her cunt. At last she felt a drip of sweat drop from her hair, and she knew she was covered in a thin layer of moisture.
"I'm gonna cum," she moaned, and then she did. Alice held on tightly to Stryker's ears, desperate to hold him in place as she orgasmed against his face. She felt the tip of his nose hit her clit, and she found it again and again throughout the first orgasm. Still Stryker did not stop assaulting her with his mouth. He licked, he nibbled, he probed, he chewed, and then when all seemed well, he buried his fingers into her crotch as well, gently pulling aside the lips so his tongue could mangle her with impunity.
"AHHHHHHH, AHHHHHHH," Alice cried as she came a second time. At the end of the orgasm, she still felt him prowling around her loins like a jungle cat hungry for another meal.
An intense pleasure filled Alice's lower body, and her hands moved of its own will, faster and faster over her slick skin. Sheets of sweat cascaded down her torso and back. There was no way Alice could have stopped the thired orgasm even if she'd tried. After only two minutes more of cunnilingus, Alice began bucking her pelvis against Stryker's face, the muscles in her hips and legs twitching viciously. She lost the ability to form coherent words, and so she simply screamed and grunted and breathed.
To her astonishment, she did not pull away from Stryker's mouth. All her flesh had turned hot and moist. She moved a finger down to her clit and felt cream burning like a broth on an open flame. She slid two fingers inside herself, fast and deep, buried in the hot liquid and soft flesh, as Stryker moved back up to her clitoris. Alice's body began to writhe and twist on the bench, her knees pushing up in the air, her elbows digging into the wood. She could taste the sweat from above her lip. Alice's body locked as she twitched, fire spreading up her torso and into her chest. She yelled as softly as she could.
And still she wanted more.
Alice pushed Stryker away, then spread the lips of her pussy open with two fingers. Her entire crotch glistened with moisture. Without hesitation Alice took Stryker's cock and pressed the head against the opening of her vagina.
"Oh Stryker," she whispered as the thick penis slid inside her. She gasped. The dick slid all the way inside. His penis was squeezed by the walls of her vagina, pressing her G-spot against the hard flesh.
She reached up to feel the wet muscles of Stryker's chest, but she had no strength in her arms, so she leaned back against the wall again and, biting her lip, braced herself for further punishment. The continuous friction of Stryker's cock started a chain reaction that could not be stopped. Her hands refused to push the man from her pussy, so she squeezed harder and harder around him to try and control the rate of assault. It was no use. Her eyes rolled back and her jaw clinched, Alice imagined she was lying nude on a beach, and that her orgasms were the warm waves washing over her, one after another without ceasing.
Stryker moved his dick in and out of Alice's sex. Alice's silent screams filled her lungs, but she was too exhausted, too possessed to make a sound.
After half-an-hour in the sauna, twenty minutes of it spent coming without stop, she struggled to push Stryker away. Alice flopped down on her back. Stryker made a fist around the base of his cock and stroked it hard and fast. He aimed his penis at Alice's tummy.
Alice looked down at herself. She was covered in a thick layer of sweat, and the hair on her head was matted and stuck to her forehead. Her nipples were swollen and puffy around the areolas. She lifted her tired leg and looked between at her pussy. It was a darker brown than the rest of her body and wet as though doused by a pitcher. The towel under her was soaked and very warm, not uncomfortable.
He leaned down and kissed her. Alice lay limp as her mouth opened instinctively to receive Stryker's tongue. Still trying to be affectionate, Stryker placed a hand on her breast. As soon as his palm touched her swollen nipple, Alice came hard.
"Holy shit!" she shouted as electricity arced through her. She sat up too fast, holding on tight to the bench, clinching her muscles to try and stop the tremors that would not stop. Finally she finished coming. She gently pushed Stryker aside and stood, but her knees buckled and she fell to the burning cedar floor. Stryker put his hands on her slick body and helped her to crawl out of the sauna. Billows of steam wafted out onto the cool tile where she lay taking deep breaths. Steam also rose off her own skin, swirling like cigarette smoke all around her.
"Easy," Stryker said sweetly. "Take it easy."
After a long minute on the floor, Alice allowed Stryker to help her to her feet. He handed her a new towel which she used to wipe her body. She drenched the towel, then dropped it with a plop to the floor. Part of her wanted to go back to the pool and let the cool air calm her naked body, but it was a different part of her that walked over to the showers and turned on the water. She wanted more.
She put her hand under the shower stream and felt the ice cold spray. She almost walked into it, just to feel that frigidity right after the intense heat of the sauna. When the water got warmer - not truly warm, still cool to take the edge off the sauna heat she still felt - she stepped into it. The cascade beat against her cheeks and neck, flooded her senses, covered her body in magnificent coolness. As much as she hated the slimy feeling of sweat, she also appreciated the wonderful task of cleaning herself, rubbing her hands over the flesh of her body, allowing water to follows its physical laws and displace the sweat, taking it away, leaving her soft and puffy all over.
Hands touched Alice's shoulders. She felt Stryker's strong fingers moving up and down her biceps. Alice leaned her tired body back against his. The shower flowed over both of them, splashing and spurting between the her back and his torso. Alice left her eyes closed, relishing the moment. Then Stryker pulled away, and when he returned, he pressed a bar of soap to Alice's tummy.
Alice moaned instinctively. They stepped slightly out of the water. Alice lifted her arms over her head and just stood there as Stryker glided his lathered hand across her breasts, over her armpits, all over her neck and arms, down her relaxed back. He lingered around her ass, playing with her cheeks, fondling her simply because he enjoyed her body. Alice played with her breasts and nipples. The swelling in her nipples had subsided, and the soapy lather felt great as she rubbed it all over her chest and ribs.
Stryker soaped up her legs and feet, then guided Alice back into the shower. He kissed her deeply under the water as Alice moved the soap bar over Stryker's body. She spent a long time working the lather over his cock and into his pubic hair. The penis twitched and hardened.
Then they caressed the soap off one another, and Alice thought she'd come again simply from the slippery ecstasy of flesh on flesh. Stryker laughed, and Alice did too. They were both so happy and content that no words were necessary.
"I love the shower," she said absentmindedly, turning her body back and forth against the water. Stryker kissed her on the neck, lashing his tongue against the tight muscles and up under her ear lobe.
When Stryker pressed two fingers between her legs, she opened herself up to allow him access. He knelt on the tile, then took Alice's hand and pulled her down next to him. They knelt and kissed under the warm shower.
Alice was surprised when Stryker stood and left her there. He walked over to the showerhead to the left, turned on the water and let it get warm. There were no partitions between the shower heads, just a large tile community shower with about nine heads on four walls. Stryker turned the blast down so it hit Alice's body, and the combined pressure of two showers felt like the strongest rainfall Alice had ever been in. Stryker stepped around to the shower on the other side, turned it on and aimed it at Alice.
"Yes," was all Alice could say. She rolled on the tile as though she had no control where the water pushed her, slipping back and forth over the tile. She wondered sometimes why she didn't go out naked into the rain more often. The fact that she lived in on a starship was mostly to blame.
Stryker turned the water off, and Alice lay gasping, her hand still between her legs as though to protect her savaged pussy from further attack.
Stryker disappeared for a minute, then come back and tenderly helped Alice over to a hot tub. She was still shivering as she stepped down from the floor into the burning water, and a long minute passed before the jets worked the cold out of her flesh. Soon she was resting, almost sleeping, with a jet thumping against the small of her back. She liked the way the bubbles felt as the skimmed they surface against her breasts.
Alice opened her eyes. She smiled. "Whooooo," she cooed. Alice almost did fall asleep, with the exquisite swirl of the tub jets gushing all around her, especially the one spitting into her back. The stream washed below to her buttocks, swirling around her hips.
It was an awesome way to relax ...
July 12. 0820 hours
Rendezvous Point - Deep Space 5
Pretoria dropped off all 187 civilians on board at DS 5 before the battle.
Stryker had a very tearful goodbye to Alice, Ael and Olivia. Alice was angry at him for heading into battle with the Borg. For the first time since Ael and Olivia was born, Alice feared to be without Stryker, she was crying and extremely upset, "I DO NOT WANT TO RAISE THEM ALONE. I WANT YOU THERE TOO"
Stryker told her, "I am sorry. But I command a heavy cruiser, this battle is for you personally. To save your home world and the Alpha Quadrant to the best of my ability. To save your parents, family and friends. So that Olivia and Ael can visit both of the home worlds of their parents."
45 Minutes later
A Federation armada gathered. The Orions, Klingons and Romulans join the fleet. 2 220 starships plus 343 Mizajinian Ant ships in the massive fleet. Now waiting on word from Jade ...
A massive Edenian cruiser warped in, Chief Administrator Nei First sent a message to the fleet, "As per request, made five years ago ... 480 GINN class ships built by the Edenian Federation of Worlds, fully automated warships, and unlike Starfleet's previous attempts, these ones will not go rogue. Admirals Jim Attridge and Natalie Badgiruel please beam over to my ship as soon as possible to receive control devices for the GINNs."
3 Hours later
The Borg appeared on long range sensors, 128 Cubes were detected. The Borg started a campaign against the Romulan, Klingon, Federation and Tholian home worlds, 8 Cubes were sent to each home world while the rest set out to destroy defences and assimilate.
USS Pretoria - Shuttlebay 1
A young human officer saluted Stryker, "Ensign Athrun Zala, sir!"
Athrun Zala was the new co-pilot of Lao Hu to replace Petty Officer Jeremy Wild who was returning to the Caitian homeworld, to be with his fiancé.
Stryker looked at the three rock-like creatures following Zala. Four Hortas. "Ah! Our Chimera pilots" Stryker commented.
0859 hours - Main Bridge
"Where the hell is Jade ?" Stryker muttered.
2 563 starships moved together, all were ordered to face the Borg fleet, head on. Stryker had Kyruzix engage warp drive. Admiral Jim Attridge used a fleet wide speech in the minutes leading up to battle, "This is it everyone. Since First Contact with the Borg nearly 27 years ago, the Federation and allies has been working on anti-Borg weapons. Today, building on 27 years of R&D, we will annihilate the Borg. Between us, the Klingons and the Romulans we will field 78 new weapons. Including the technology we captured from the Grey."
A few minutes later, the first Borg Cube came within weapons range and the fleet of Allied fleet's ships begin their attack strike.
1020 hours - Main Bridge
2 817 Allied ships battled the vast Borg fleet when Jade's fleet finally showed up. Nearly 4000 ships now battled the 161 Cubes.
As the battle heated up, Kyruzix did his best to keep the Pretoria in one piece. Shields flashed as a Borg torpedo hit the ship.
Consy was trying to find a way to get into the Borg sub-processes and command subroutines at a distance. The purpose being a signal that might allow to initiate systems failures, and if even possible set an auto destruct, but so far there was little to go on. She couldn't get to the hive without direct access.
Chapter 3 - Midnight on the Firing Line
July 13 - Beta Quadrant
"They're avoiding me," said Angel as she studied a tactical map. From her new battleship the "Valkyrie III" she had ordered full production of drones and ships in preparation for her war effort back on her base.
She had sent out probes, not quite hidden, to test Borg reactions and defenses. To her slight surprise, once the Borg encountered her ships, they had withdrawn and shifted forces elsewhere. The Borg Queen was rather smart to avoid her, Angel had opined. "Well, no sense in putting myself out for the humanoids."
Her apathy changed a little when she sensed a familiar communication…
"Well well well! Prepare to change course!" she ordered. "Maximum speed!"
Deep Space 5
One hour earlier
Lina arrived with Pretoria's children and civilians. As self-appointed guardian of the little ones, she could not help but think it unwise to leave civilians on a space platform ripe for attack.
She led the kids to a large auditorium and sat down with them to tell them stories and ease their fears. They all knew something was going on, especially since they were separated from their family members.
"Miss Lina!" said one little human girl from the Pretoria. "Are we still going to have school?"
"Well, we'll have to see. Your education is important, but things are in a state of change right now."
"Am I going to see my Mommy again?" asked a little boy.
Lina smiled and said, "We must all be brave now. I know you all may be a bit frightened, especially being separated from your mothers and fathers. But these are dangerous times for everyone. Your parents have a job to do defending people from the Borg. We must be strong and support them, so that they do not worry about us while we are here."
"What if the Borg attack here? What will we do?" asked another little girl.
Lina said, "I will not let the Borg harm you. I promise you that."
She could monitor a myriad of Starfleet communications, and she kept tabs on various battle fronts. Things did not look good. Didn't Angel have command of formidable battle units? Where was she, and why didn't she get involved.
If you are out there Sister, we need your help.
A Borg cube entered the system like a bull in a china shop. Alarms went on throughout station, and patrol ships intercepted. Being an android, Lina felt no fear. Still, she heard the screams of her frightened little charges and was ready for anything.
Michael didn't scream, but she could tell he was scared. She had known this auditorium was suitable for defense and made ready as best she could. "Children! Go to the center of the room and stay with me!" she ordered. The battle outside was raging. Lina had hoped the Borg would attempted assimilation rather than destroying the base outright.
Her sadistic hope was answered, when intruder alerts went off on the station. Security personnel came into the auditorium and took up defense posts. Lina found the officer in charge and said, "Have they come aboard yet?"
The woman, a Lieutenant Commander, said, "Not yet. But it's only a matter of time." She looked at the children, then back at Lina. "We'll do everything we can."
0459 hours
At one of the docking posts, a Klingon Bird of Prey sat waiting. On its bridge, the civilian Fence Jones said, "God dammit to hell! Where'd that Borg cube come from, man?"
Next to him, Brock Nillsen simply eyed the view screen and lit a fresh cigarette. "Don't know," the large man said. "This is gonna hurt though."
Fence blew air out of his mouth. "Yeah, if we're lucky. I don't want to be assimilated, you know?"
"Don't worry," said Varek from behind him. "We'll be dead before that. Better call Brian."
"I think he knows already," said Brock. "Everyone get a weapon and stand by."
"Brock?" asked Fence.
"What?"
"Since I'm going to die, can I have one of your cigarettes?"
Brock turned to look at Fence. "No."
0515 hours
On the promenade, Brian Newman and his Engineer, Hans Beckler, were pushing a hovercart with fresh fruit and produce, and some other supplies back to the ship when they heard the alert.
"Was ist denn los?" asked Hans.
"The hell if I know," said Brian. They both saw Starfleet officers, armed, running to and fro with a purpose. "This isn't good. I think it's time for us to leave."
0641 hours
The patrol ships fought bravely, but were destroyed after a delaying action which lasted for two hours. A distress signal was sent, but no help was available any time soon. The first Borg drones beamed aboard Deep Space 5 and began their attack. While Starfleet wasn't a pushover, they were definitely being overrun with inadequate weapons.
Brian and Hans were holed up in a cafe, when they contacted the Drake.
Jones was explaining about the Borg cube. [They're not letting us leave]
"So?" said Brian. "Beam us aboard and we'll cut through the docking clamps with laser torches if we have to."
[No can do. The base's shields are up. We can't beam you aboard anyway] said Brock.
"Just perfect. I can't even go grocery shopping without running into trouble," said Brian. "All right, I guess keep working on the releasing the ship, then cloak and get out of here."
[What about you guys?]
"We'll figure something out."
"We will?" asked Hans.
Brian simply shrugged. "Brock, once the Drake is released, cloak and stay in the area as long as you can and await for my signal." He took out his Romulan disruptor and motioned Hans to arm himself as well. "We should find where Starfleet is making a stand, and go there. Safety in numbers, I hope."
0707 hours
Cadenke, an older Andorian was the Commanding Officer of DS 5. He quickly started to realize that launching ships to escape the station was a bad idea as the Borg kept capturing the transports.
He was starting to become unglued, his left eye twitched like a hyperactive child jumping on a bed. Never in his life has he felt such despair and loss. Fighting the Borg is an oxymoron, the dumbest possible thing you can do in your life.
The CiC was a mess, two dead officers already. Cadenke and his two XOs each worked in a desperate attempt to survive the day.
0729 hours
With Ael and Olivia in the care of Stryker's sister, Alice got the shock of her life when four Borg drones started to battle Starfleet security in the corridors outside the Central Cafes, the entertainment distinct for guests waiting for the next ship to continue to their destinations.
Security got killed very quickly. Now she was the only life sign nearby ...
A single Borg drone, possibility a former Ferengi took notice of Alice and started to walk towards her.
Alice grabbed the nearest weapons she had - toddler toys. Alice took off her platform shoes and threw it at the drone. When that did not work, Alice threw two suitcases and 3 PADDs at it.
Alice turned around and ran for her life.
A few minutes later.
Alice boarded a Personnel Mover, a simple Utility vehicle to quickly move up to 10 people around. Starting the vehicle was easy enough, it apparently does not need a key or hand print of any kind.
The vomit green vehicle sped up, Alice ran over a pair of drones doing nearly 80 km/h.
Alice found a Type 2 phaser, and set it to overload. The explosion killed 3 drones.
A few minutes later, Alice noticed a toolkit on the floor. Alice used the little torch to improvise weapons, strips and blocks of metal the size of bricks to throw at the Borg.
Something was starting to bug her, the Borg did not seem to have the ability to fire their weapons. Phasers still seemed to work, What's going on here ?
0803 hours
Stepping back, Brian and Hans fired their weapons, but as predicted the Borg adapted. Behind Brian were many civilians. There was a tinge of regret leaving them, but he was useless with his disruptor anyway. "Hans, follow me." The Borg were strong, but rather stupid and clumsy.
He ducked down avoiding a swinging Borg arm and moved behind the thing. As it turned, Beckler also moved away. With quickness, Brian dodged and weaved in between and around the Borg squad, and their distraction allowed Hans to do the same. The two men made it out away from them, and they dashed into the corridor.
The sprinted until they both saw a green vehicle approaching quickly. With a few seconds to spare, Brian and Hans flew sideways to avoid the vehicle.
"Sorry !" Alice yelled, zipped past, "Henchwoman in a hurry !"
The vehicle slowed down and turned around, back towards the two men.
Brian got up slowly and looked at the woman, who at least was non-Borg. On the other side, Beckler did the same and said, "Ach du lieber! This station is crazy!"
Brian shot him a glance and said, "You just had to have fresh fruit, didn't you?" To Alice he said, "Hey lady, what's with the express train?
"Phasers don't work well against the Borg and neither does anything else I threw at them. But they go down nicely if you can hit them hard enough with this" Alice simply said.
"I don't think we have enough carts. We need weapons to take down the Borg. Hans, you're an engineer. Any ideas?"
Hans stroked his beard in thought, and looked at the mover. "This mover would be an ideal weapons platform." He looked around the area. "Ah! A cafe!" He blasted the lock open, and went inside, rummaging around. He came out with some metal utensils, pots, pans, and some kind of culinary machine. "We don't have a lot of time, so forgive the hastiness."
Within a couple of minutes, Hans had fashioned a a projectile launcher from the mechanics of the food dispenser, and used the energy capsules from his blaster as ammo. "Are you kidding me?" asked Brian.
"I think this will have enough power to shoot the capsules into the Borg, disrupting their shields. You should be able to fire your disruptor, or any energy weapon, as it impacts. Or even use these blades I found."
Brian looked at the improvised shield disruptor Hans held, and looked at the woman. He said, "Think you can taxi us around? Looks like we just have ourselves a gunship."
"Okay, I can drive. What is the plan?" Alice said after biting her lip as she was thinking.
Brian jumped on board, and said, "Drive around, smash stuff, shoot stuff. There are two android women decimating Borg drones on the other side working outward. We can go the other way and get them in a pincer movement. The name is Brian Newman, by the way. This is Hans Beckler."
The scruffy German tipped his dirty U-boat cap at her. "A pleasure, Madame."
"Alice Brangwin, lets destroy these cybernetic clowns"
They spun around the moved off in the corridor away from the auditorium, looking for Borg targets. "I hope that works," said Brian to Hans.
"I do too. I also hope we don't crash," said Hans.
"Up ahead!" said Brian, spying several drones in formation. Hans fired his projectile at one, and Brian fired his disruptor. The drone went down; it seemed to have worked.
Alice had an idea seeing how the new weapons worked, "Can you draw the Borg to a cargo bay? There should be plenty of space to maneuver there, mow them down"
"Just keep running and gunning," said Brian. "I think they'll find us a bigger threat to deal with."
Hans said, "How come they are not firing their own weapons?"
"You want me to ask them? Just keep targeting them for me!" said Brian.
Rather than wasting time wondering about the Borg being unable to use their weapons, Alice concentrating on running over the drones.
0820 hours
The Utility vehicle crashed through a fruit stand and destroyed a pair of Coffee Shops along with a Klingon restaurant.
Lina waited calmly while the Battle of Deep Space 5 raged outside the auditorium. She had no weapon, but wasn't worried. Other civilians came in and took shelter as well, and the adults did their best to comfort the children.
She could monitor Starfleet communications, and saw that the Borg drones were advancing towards their area. Security were making a last stand just outside.
Michael walked over next to her and tugged her hand. "Momma, I'm a little scared. I didn't want to say so, but I am."
Lina knelt down and said, "I know you are. And it's okay. But we'll all be brave until the very last stand. Go and sit with the others, all right?"
Suddenly, there was the sounds of battle outside, and many of the kids and women screamed and cried. Lina would be outnumbered, and tried to calculate how well she would so...
But suddenly the odds changed.
A figure beamed in a few meters in front of Lina. When she saw who it was, she smiled.
Angel stood there dressed in black and had her hands on her hips. She looked around and said, "I don't know why I'm here. A total waste of time!"
"I knew you'd come!" said Lina. "You brought a fleet, of course."
"Yes, yes," said Angel impatiently.
Just then, Brian Newman and Hans entered the opposite entrance with some other civilians. Angel and Brian saw each other at the same time, and paused for a microsecond.
"Fuck me with a crowbar!" exclaimed Brian with wide eyes. Alice was shocked at the sight of Angel. OH CRAP ...
"YOU!" yelled Angel with an outstretched arm.
Brian drew his disruptor, and Angel advanced...only to both be stopped by Lina.
"Enough! There is no time for this! We have bigger battles to wage!"
Angel narrowed her eyes at Brian. "Your resourcefulness had better come in useful, Brian!"
"Hey, I'm just here to get groceries," he said with a cocky grin. Angel hated that smug grin so much!
Suddenly, the sealed doors were blasted apart. There was nothing but the screams of civilians, and several Borg drones marched inside the auditorium. Through the smoke, the drones observed two women standing in between them and the humanoids.
Angel and Lina stood side by side, and faced the invaders.
"We are the Borg."
"Oh spare me!" said Angel.
"Resistance is..."
Angel raised her arm and defiantly pointed at the drones. "Shove it! If you mindless monstrosities have any sense of self-preservation, you would withdraw immediately!"
"You will advance no further!" said Lina.
Brian said nothing, but simply leaned back against the rear wall. To Hans, he said, "This should be good."
"Prepare to be assimilated!" said a drone.
Outside in space, Angel's battleship decloaked over Deep Space 5 and prepared to engage the Borg cube.
Back inside, Angel and Lina began their counter-assault with machine precision and speed. Angel lept into the air, while Lina charged straight ahead. Angel came down upon a drone and smashed it violently into the ground, while Lina took out another one with a punch through its machine chest. The battle was on, and Angel followed up by grabbing a drone and throwing it like a piece of garbage into a wall. Lina ripped the weapon/arm from another drone and bashed it across the thing's head.
Lina and Angel smashed and trashed through the Borg assault force quickly and violently, which had no defense against the brutal hand-to-hand assault.
A single figure stood up among the huddled children. It was Michael, and he raised his fist in the air and shouted, "Yeah, bash those guys, Momma! Get 'em Aunt Angel! YEAH!"
Angel heard this and had to smile. How delightfully absurd! She laughed and continued her tireless attack on the drones, who were now considering leaving.
0901 hours
On the bridge of the Drake, Fence and the others got a first-class seat to the space battle.
"I don't believe it!" he said at the Valkyrie. "That's one of Angel's ships!"
"Who?" asked Brock.
Varek, the former Tal Shiar agent, knew very well who she was. "Angel," he said. "We have to get Brian and Hans back and get out of here."
"No, look! She's attacking the Borg!" said Jones.
The Valkyrie III launched several smaller drone cruisers from her side docking bays, and hundreds of small fighter drones. The Borg cube launched a tactical sphere, but it was pounced upon by Angel's ships and destroyed. The bigger ship fired upon the cube and wore down its shields. With no other support, Angel's forces were quickly gaining the advantage.
0920 hours
Brian watched as drone after drone were taken down by the two Psycho Sisters, and was glad he wasn't the target for once. Speaking too soon, Borg drones appeared from the way he had come, opposite where the androids were responding. Quickly Brian fired his disruptor at the head of one drone, dropping it instantly. Hans joined him, but both knew that the Borg would quickly adapt. Hans, armed with a different weapon, took out the second one.
Brian looked back and shouted, "Hey! Wonder Twins! We could use a hand here!"
0942 hours
The Borg were not defeated yet. Several new drones appeared, different from the others. These were thinner, and wore shape-shifting metal, which could morph into weapons. The superdrones were also much more agile than the others. A platoon of them beamed onto the station and took charge of the battle. Angel and Lina had beaten back the others, but Lina didn't advance too far away from the civilian area. Angel stopped and looked back. "What are you doing? Oh, don't tell me you are playing shepherd to that flock of sheep!"
"If we go too far, they'll be defenseless. I made a promise to protect them."
Angel made a sour face at Lina. "So typical. I suppose I'll have to be the one to clean up this mess!" She through down the struggling drone she was toying with and crushed it with her heel.
Just then, Angel saw the superdrones advancing. "Enough games. Oh Brutus! Magnus! Mommy needs you!" she called rather unnecessarily. Her two Sentinels she had summoned appeared next to her. Angel pointed to the newcomers and said, "Dispose of them!"
The two Sentinels rushed into the superdrones and the massive battle was on. Angel then walked back casually to Lina, despite the incredibly violent battle behind her. "They'll take care of them." She looked off to the side, and monitored via subspace the battle going on outside. "Ah, and it seems the Borg out there will soon be disposed of completely. Well, Sister, you certainly owe me a great deal."
"Thank you Angel!" said Lina with a grin. She walked back to the middle of the auditorium among the destroyed Borg.
"Shut up, Brian!" spat Angel. "I don't want to hear your voice any longer! Once this battle is over, I have no reason not to kill you!"
Brian was going to offer a snappy comeback, but closed his mouth. "Beckler, I think it's time we left."
"Yawohl," said Hans, holstering his pistol.
"Where is your ship headed ?" Alice asked Brian, "Do you have space for 5 more ?"
Brian looked at her with a hesitant expression. "Why do you ask?"
"If you are heading towards Earth could we hitch a ride, seeing as how 16 transports was blown up" Alice mentioned.
Brian was about to mention about how the Drake wasn't a taxi, and how Alice may be better off with Starfleet (which he doubted anyway), when he heard more weapons fire. Turning, he saw Brock and Fence round a corner. They were both hauling heavy blaster rifles.
Brock held it with ease, but Jones clearly struggled. As usual, Brock (with a lit cigarette) had very little expression. Jones was all grins of course. "Man!" he said. "They didn't even shoot back!" He saw Brian and nodded, but then stopped when he saw Alice. "Hey, I know you! It's Misses Captain Stryker!"
"Yikes, you need a shave" Alice said to Fence, "You left Pretoria to work on a mercenary ship ?"
Jones laughed and shrugged. "Well, you know. Civilian life. Merchant ship, technically." He winked.
"You know each other?" said Brian.
Fence explained about the Pretoria connection, and Brian said, "Ah, I see. Well considering I've had some dealing with your husband and the Pretoria, and I would like to get as far away from Angel as I can, sure. I'll take you to Earth. I have to warn you though, I tend to run into trouble a lot."
"I used to be a Marquis, I am used to trouble" Alice said, "One tiny ship versus the galaxy"
"Brock, did you get that docking clamp issue taken care of?" Brian asked.
"Sure thing, Boss," the big man said. "We're ready to roll."
"Don't forget the groceries," mentioned Hans.
"Oh yeah. You and Jones take care of that. Brock, get the ship ready." To Alice, Brian said, "We're ready when you are."
"I will go get my family" Alice said, heading to the elevators to where some civilians were hiding in the undeveloped part of the station.
"Man, why do I have to fetch the groceries?" complained Jones.
"Because shut up. That's why," said Brian as he walked away.
2139 hours
Michael ran up to her and gave Lina a hug. Then he hugged Angel, who was in shock. "Blah! What is it doing to me?"
Michael looked up at Angel. "I knew you two would save everyone! That was cool, when you flew up in the air! And then when you threw that Borg into the wall? That was so awesome too! They had like a dozen drones, but you took them all out. And then..."
As Michael continued to talk excitedly, Angel turned to Lina. "How do you get it to cease talking?"
Lina grinned and said, "You don't"
2144 hours
After a 13 hour seize, the Borg stopped their attack on Deep Space 5, pulling ships instead to Risa.