Chapter One: New Mission.

2375.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard sighed in frustration, putting his hand to his forehead to stow the inevitable headache that this entire situation would almost certainly cause for him. He made a mental note to have a good cup of tea later.

Across from him in the briefing room sat David Anderson, a fellow Starfleet captain, whose stern, serious countenance and military haircut belied a warmer nature, and next to him Ambassador Donnel Udina, frowning severely from beneath his pronounced grey widow's peak. Further along from them both sat Admiral Hayes, also frowning thoughtfully, his grey hair thinning slightly with age and stress (which given the last few years, Picard could easily forgive).

They were on board the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-E, Picard's ship, discussing a rather delicate personnel matter.

It had been decided that, as part of an increased Federation presence in Citadel space, a single Ambassador class Starship, named the Normandy, would be sent as a sort of flagship for the efforts of the Federation there, a symbol of hope (the entire project was actually codenamed "the Normandy Initiative").

The question was, who would be the crew of that ship? Anderson was earmarked for command, and was going through his options with regards to most of his crew, but the important post of Executive Officer, Anderson's right hand on the new ship, had yet to be filled.

It was with that in mind that Anderson, Udina (the ambassador of the Federation to the Citadel) and Hayes were on the Enterprise, endeavouring to fix this issue by speaking wit Picard, briefing him on the Initiative.

"The Federation Council has been pushing for a heavier presence in Citadel Space for some time now," Hayes explained, hands folded in front of him. "This is just the opportunity we need."

"I see," Picard said, nodding as he took in what they were telling him. "The tactical, political and social advantages to doing so would be a great asset to the Federation, I suppose."

"You suppose correctly," Udina put in.

"The question is not whether we send a ship," Anderson added, his voice sounding enthused about the possibilities he was considering, "but who the crew of that ship should be. As I've said, most of the positions are filled except some of the most important."

"And you're headhunting an XO from my crew," Picard finished, slightly irritated by this.

"You have one of the finest and most experienced crews in the fleet, Picard," Udina said, a warm smile on his face. "You've faced down some of the worst things this part of the galaxy has to offer. You've defeated the Romulans, the Borg…"

Udina trailed off at the sour look on the Captain's face. He had underestimated how much of a taboo with Picard that particular subject was.

"Speaking of, there are other concerns that warrant the sending of a ship, as well," Anderson added, his tone turning deadly serious. "There are rumours of a Borg presence in the area."

Captain Picard straightened, almost unconsciously, in his chair. Even years after his assimilation, the mention of the Borg brought back so many painful memories for him that thinking about it hurt, and the idea that they were once more rearing their ugly heads… it scared him. It was one of the few things that really did.

"What kind of Borg presence?" he asked grimly.

"We don't know," Udina said, heavily. It didn't seem as though he was happy mentioning it. "It's not been confirmed that there is one."

"But several Citadel colonies have gone missing," Anderson finished.

"The same pattern as Ivor Prime and New Providence?" Picard asked. The terse silence both men replied with was more than enough to confirm Picard's worst fears.

"I don't think any of your senior staff are quite right for the XO position," Anderson put in, breaking the tension and getting back to the matter at hand. "They're all qualified," he added, as if worried he'd offend the other Captain somehow, "but they serve a valuable role here. And I need someone else, someone a little… well, more like Kirk."

Picard raised an eyebrow at this.

"How do you mean?" Udina asked. Technically he had no right to have any input on a purely Starfleet matter like crew assignments, but as the Federation Ambassador to the Citadel races, he had a right to say who should be on the political horse that was the Normandy. From the sound of his voice, it seemed he was unsure as to what the Captain meant by "a little more Kirk".

Clearly Anderson had different ideas than Udina, for which Picard was grateful.

"I mean, it's almost like a different galaxy out there," Anderson said. He'd been out there before, and found some of Starfleet's current protocols didn't fit. "It's almost a throwback to Kirk's era - increased lawlessness, a need for autonomy in the field. I need an officer like that."

Picard nodded thoughtfully, and smiled softly. A man with a Kirk spirit - who was also able to fight the Borg.

"I think I may know just the man," he said with a smile. "Leave the arrangements with me."


One week later.

Cadet Tali'Zorah nar Rayya had loved her time at Starfleet so far.

In the years since she had been accepted into Starfleet, she had become an exceptional cadet; she had eagerly learned all she could about Starfleet's engineering corp, and was considered a rising star in the field of warp mechanics and Starship design. She was expected by most to be assigned to the SCE when she graduated, especially since as a quarian she would probably be leaving the Fleet soon enough.

She was currently stood at attention once again in an Admiral's office, much like she had been years ago. But this time, that Admiral was Hayes, one of the heroes of the battle of the Typhon sector and the immediately following battle of sector 001. Although his ship had been blown asunder, Hayes had gotten most of his crew out safely. His only mistake had been to leave the famous Captain Picard out of the battle with the Borg.

Ah, the Borg. Tali had read up on them around the time of the battle, and spent about two weeks afterwards wishing that she hadn't. She had always thought the geth had been the worst machines could be, but the Borg? Machines run amok in the worst way; nanotechnology infecting their bloodstream, implants laced throughout their bodies, enslaving their minds, controlling their will… that was a horrible fate. And to think, were it not for the Admiral sitting before her and the bravery of the Captain of the Enterprise, she would have been part of that collective mind, alongside all the other people on Earth. No quarian would ever let that happen to them. Hopefully she would never have to encounter them herself, but that possibility always existed...

"Ah, Cadet Zorah," Hayes said with a soft smile, snapping Tali out of her thoughts. "I'm glad you're here."

"Thank you sir," she replied self-consciously. "I admit, I don't know why you've called me here."

She was quite worried actually - it couldn't have been a disciplinary meeting, as Tali didn't think she'd done anything to warrant such. Equally, it couldn't be any other kind of academic meeting because Hayes was not an academy Admiral, he worked for the fleet.

"I asked for your presence because we require your skills for a very special project," Hayes said without further preamble, cutting Tali's thought processes off. "You've gained a reputation as a formidable engineer."

"Engineering is my passion, sir," Tali said, a little over-excitedly. She cleared her throat, a little embarrassed at her own forthrightness.

"Good," Hayes said, apparently not upset. "You'll need that. We're assigning you as Chief Engineer to a ship, with the rank of Lieutenant."

Tali blinked behind her helmet.

"Sir?" she said, confused.

Hayes folded his hands on top his desk and studied them for a moment, before looking at her. "We're dispatching a ship to Citadel Space to advance the Federation's interests, to look out for possible threats. In addition to your prodigious skill in engineering, you know the region."

"Yes sir," Tali said in confirmation. "But I'm not experienced enough to be a Chief Engineer..."

"Your background and accomplishments suggest otherwise," Hayes said with a smile. "Unless you're formally refusing the offer?"

"No sir!" Tali said quickly. "I'm... I'm more than willing to accept the offer!"

"Then it's decided, Lieutenant," Hayes said, emphasising Tali's new (and to her mind entirely undeserved) rank. He stood up and held out a hand. "Your ship is an Ambassador-Class named the Normandy. You're to report at 0800 tomorrow to Captain Anderson, promptly. Questions will be answered by him."

"Aye sir," Tali said crisply, taking the hand and shaking it.

"I'm afraid we have to forego the usual graduation ceremonies," Hayes added on a lighter tone. Tali decided against replying that she didn't mind. "Your uniform will be delivered to your dormitory, along with your rank insignia. Dismissed."

Tali nodded, stood to attention briefly, and left. In her head, part of her felt terrified: service as Chief Engineer? She wasn't ready! And entirely skipping the rank of Ensign too!

But part of her was elated: this would be a chance to serve the fleet. More importantly, on an Ambassador class ship! Maybe not the most advanced class around, but Ambassador Class ships were famous in Citadel space, thanks to the Enterprise-C.

She headed back for her room. Clearly, she had to pack.


Captain Picard looked up from his book as Lieutenant John Shepard, tactical officer of Enterprise E, entered his ready room.

"Lieutenant!" he said warmly. The younger man nodded formally to his Captain, his ice-blue eyes surveying everything in the room quickly before settling on his CO. Picard had always noticed that about the tactical officer - he made it his business to study every room, every possibility, before deciding on a course of action, even if only called to a meeting. His phaser seemed to permanently rest uneasy in its holster.

"Sir," Shepard finally said. "What can I do for you?"

"You've been reassigned, Mr Shepard," Picard said, speaking firmly and quickly. Delay and small talk were both pointless at this point. "Specifically, assigned to the USS Normandy, as her XO."

Shepard blinked, clearly surprised by this news.

"I… don't believe I'm familiar with the Normandy sir," he said finally.

"Not surprising, since she's a new commission." Picard stood up, straightening his uniform as he began explaining. "Starfleet wants a renewed presence in Citadel space, given the number of colonies out there. Captain Anderson specifically told me that he wanted someone with a pioneer spirit, someone, very specifically, like Kirk." Picard looked Shepard in the eye. "Based on that description, I decided to pick you."

Shepard blinked again.

"Not sure I understand how I can be compared to Kirk, sir," he said finally.

"I met the Admiral, briefly," Picard said, looking thoughtful. "He had a certain fire of spirit, one I believe you can replicate. In any case, Commander Shepard," the captain added, emphasising the new rank with a smile, "I trust you to get the job done, and your transfer is already prepared - provided you agree to take the posting of course."

Shepard stood to attention, and nodded crisply.

"I do agree, sir," he said, clipped and efficient. Picard sighed - the young man was a good officer. It was almost a shame to lose him, but he was getting a good posting. Picard outstretched his hand.

"Congratulations Commander," he said. "The Normandy is currently undergoing her flight tests as I understand it, shakedown cruises etc. Her launch ceremony is in a few days, from Utopia Planetia. The Enterprise is heading to the Terran system anyway: I'm conducting Captain Anderson's final mission briefings."

"Final mission briefings, sir?" Shepard asked.

"Captain Anderson wants a little advice on certain tactical matters," Picard said, his stance shifting slightly.

"What sort of tactical matters sir?" Shepard asked. Picard adjusted his uniform, and walked over to the window.

"Well, Commander," he said, "the specifics are disturbing. The Normandy's main mission is to up the Starfleet presence among our colonies. Unofficially, however…"

Picard sat down, and sighed, putting his face in his hands before bringing it up again.

"Unofficially, there are rumours of a renewed Borg threat in the region," he stated, bluntly, but with suppressed emotion.

"Borg?" Shepard frowned. He had been on the Enterprise when the mechanical monsters had invaded her - suffice it to say, the memories of that incident were far from pleasant. While some might say the young officer was over-damaged, Picard could understand why the scars of that battle might never heal - his own certainly never would.

"The Borg haven't resurfaced in years, not since the battle of sector 001," Shepard added.

"I know," Picard said wearily, and Shepard of all people knew how affected by the attack he had been, personally seeing the Captain in battle against the things - the lust for Borg blood in his eyes, a shining fire on dark, green-tinged decks. "However, there have been several Council colonies reported missing. The profile matches the Borg's known MO, when it comes to planetary assault - damage matching that done at J25, and on New Providence and Ivor Prime."

"If it is the Borg, sir?" Shepard asked.

"The Council fleets aren't ready to engage them at any scale," Picard said decisively. "And if they tried, they'd have their own Wolf 359. Our job is to find out if there are Borg, and help the Council prepare if there is."

"Understood, sir," Shepard said. "If I may, I can brief Captain Anderson on the Borg threat as well as you can - it'll save us being delayed in our mission, and every hour is vital if the Borg threat has returned."

"With all due respect, Commander," Picard said, with a smile at using Shepard's new rank, "while I appreciate the thought - believe me, talking about the Borg holds no pleasure for me - there is still no Starfleet officer alive and unassimilated who knows more about them than I."

"I understand, sir," the now-Commander Shepard said. "I'll be prepared for transfer when we reach the Normandy."

"Good," Picard said, approvingly. "Dismissed, Commander."