Engineering

"You don't have all the components to replicate it," Ambassador Spock warned.

"Well I'll just have to do the best I can with what we have," Khan responded. But as he made to end the transmission, Ambassador Spock waylaid him.

"Khan."

"Yes, Ambassador," Khan replied calmly. He was impatient to start work on recreating the Red Matter. The clock was ticking and he didn't have time for pleasantries.

Ambassador Spock held up his hand, giving the familiar Vulcan salute. "Good luck."

"Thank you Ambassador."

With a raised eyebrow the Ambassador added. "You will need it."

Noting the Vulcan's expression, Khan muttered none too softly. "A Vulcan with a sense of humour, just what I need."

But the Ambassador's warning kept reverberating in the back of his mind.

Red Matter was a highly volatile substance at the best of times. Attempting to replicate it knowing you don't have all the correct ingredients and with no time to test how it would react, was simply a disaster waiting to happen.

Then again, what choice did they have?

The safety of not only the Earth but also that of all quadrants of the Federation could well be in jeopardy if they didn't attempt it.

Khan knew that with his genetically altered DNA that he was far superior to many around him. But when he looked at the Borg and their way of adapting and improving their knowledge using assimilation and artificial components, it churned his stomach and left him determined to halt their progress in this star system before it could begin.

"Mr Scott," Khan got the attention of the Chief Engineer as he made his way over to him. "I believe our plan may need a few adjustments."

The Bridge

Kirk, Spock, and Bones looked rightly concerned when Khan and Scotty explained what they had done.

"Let me see if I understand you correctly," Kirk chose his words carefully as he looked at the cylindrical container in the augment's hands. "You have now placed Red Matter within the device that is to incapacitate the Borg."

"Correct," Khan replied.

"To what purpose?" Commander Spock queried.

"To use a quaint old Earth saying," came back the response. "We are going to 'kill two birds with one stone.'"

When all he received was perplexed expressions, Khan went on to explain. "This device contains two timers, the first will activate the Rankine nullifier, which will temporarily incapacitate the Borg. A second timer will go off five minutes later, releasing the Red Matter, if it works as it should, then the Borg ship should rapidly become crushed as it morphs into a Black Hole."

With no other option Kirk had little choice but agree to the mad plan.

"So, now what?" he asked.

"Given the completely unpredictable nature of the Red Matter we have created, I feel it only right that I be the one to transport across to the Borg ship…" Khan began.

"No," Kirk stated firmly.

"But, Captain…"

"You're gonna need help," Scotty pointed out. "We've made six devices, and as you say all are unstable and unpredictable. So I'll be coming with you."

"As will I," Spock announced. Responding to the surprised look on the augments face, he responded with his typical logic. "With three of us, we can place the six devices in the most strategic positions more efficiently."

"And the quicker we get them placed, the faster we can get outta there," Scotty added.

Feeling more relieved with the plan, Kirk finally gave Khan the go ahead.

The Borg Ship

When the away team first transported to the Borg ship there had been little movement. The same could not be said this time.

Though the Borg continued to ignore the intruders, they themselves were far more active, with the away team having to constantly weave and dodge around the ever-increasing number of Borg as they made their way around the ship.

"I don't like this," Scotty said, having to once again move out of the way of some oncoming Borg.

"It would appear they too are getting ready for some plan of action," Spock noted.

"Then gentlemen," Khan stated. " I suggest we get these devices placed as quickly as possible."

"Agreed," Spock and Scotty answered together.

Enterprise Bridge

"Are they back on board?" Kirk asked.

"Affirmative Captain," Chekov responded.

With the away team safely back aboard, there was only one thing left to do.

"Okay Mr Sulu," Kirk instructed his helmsman. "Time to get their attention."

"Yes Captain," Sulu responded.

"Fire!"