Enjoy.
Lal soon recovered, and continued to help Guinan in Ten Forward. She also started in school again, this time with a bit more success.
"How DID you manage to save her Sister?" Tasha asked one night as they started their shift.
"My Brothers used to suffer neural net failure all the time when I was young. Father used to get me to help him fix them." Melina said. "It will probably happen again at some point."
Tasha looked down at her console. "She's my daughter. And I feel so helpless."
"You're a fine Mother, don't worry about it. I used to feel helpless all the time when Rex was born, but I had his father to help me." Melina smiled down at Picard, who was pretending not to listen in. "Brother Data will help you too."
"Thanks Sister." Tasha replied. Melina looked around.
"Did you say something Captain?" She asked.
"No Lieutenant. You're hearing things again." Picard said. "Maybe you should get checked out again by Doctor Crusher."
"She didn't find anything out of the ordinary last time." Melina replied. She was CERTAIN she heard a voice!
"Anyway, we've been asked to head to Jouret Four to respond to a distress signal. Mister Crusher, chart a course and head out at warp four." Picard commanded.
"Co-ordinates set Sir!" Wesley replied.
"Engage."
Melina perked up again.
"Someone definitely said something!" She insisted.
"Melina, what is wrong with you?!" Picard jumped up and stood beside her.
-01010010 01100101 01110011 01101001 01110011 01110100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01100110 01110101 01110100 01101001 01101100 01100101-
"Captain...call Admiral Hansen...they're here." Melina stared at the viewscreen.
6/5
-Come back to us Sixth of Five. You cannot escape us. You will be assimilated. You are a part of us. You have always been a part of us. You cannot escape your fate.
You will come back to us.-
6/5
Melina insisted on beaming down to with the Away Team. As soon as they got there they saw the entire city had been wiped out.
"It was them. No doubt about it." Melina said. "The people of the city resisted, so they were wiped out."
She walked down to the crater. "My unit came down here. First of Five spoke to them and told them they would be assimilated. They shot off First of Fives arm before they adapted to the weapons here." She walked down to the centre of the crater, Riker and Worf following. "The people tried to fight back using brute strength, many were assimilated. They had a surface-to-ship missle launcher, they fired at the Borg Cube. So my unit went back to the ship with the new drones and the rest were wiped out as punishment."
Riker put a hand on her shoulder. "Can you still hear them?" He asked.
"Yes. If I close my eyes, I see their ship." Melina sighed. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back so she faced the sky.
Suddenly she started twitching. The implants in her arm made their way through her body.
"Dammit! Riker to Enterprise!" Riker tapped his communicator. Melina turned to look at him with dead eyes.
"We are the Borg. We have analysed you and your defences and have found that you cannot stand against us. You will be assimilated or perish. Resistance is futile." She turned to the sky.
"We don't stand a chance." She told him.
6/5
"Then you're convinced it is the Borg?" Riker asked back in Picards Ready Room.
"That's what I'm here to find out. The initial descriptions of these surface conditions are almost identical to your reports from system J two five. Add to that Lieutenant Picards report, and we're almost certain they've come for us." Commander Shelby replied. "You said she seemed better able to resist their influence this time?"
"Affirmative. She let them in long enough to give us information on what happened there, and then resisted. She mentioned something about assimilation though..." Riker said.
"I thought they weren't interested in human life forms, only our technology?" Shelby asked.
Picard thought for a second. He then turned to his computer.
"Lieutenant Picard, to my Ready Room." He said. He shared a quick look with Riker before Melina arrived.
"Sir?" Melina walked in.
Picard looked at her. He didn't want to put her through this again. He could still hear her haunting screams from the last time in the back of his mind.
"Melina, can you please tell us what interest the Borg have in lifeforms?" Picard asked.
"Yes Jean-Luc..." Melina sighed. She didn't like thinking of them. Thinking of them seemed to be a weakness they could use to take over her mind.
"Our first encounter was purely a data-gathering exercise. That's why they wanted our technology. They could use it to establish what sort of a species we were and if we were worth assimilating. This next encounter will be to completely absorb us into their being. They do this by inserting nanomachines similar to the ones found in my left arm into the neck of their victim. They also insert nanomachines that emit electical impluses similar to that found in their victims brain function, and a neurotransmitter that connects them to the rest of the Collective. They use this to start preparing the body for installation of their mechanical components." She told them.
Stares of horror were the reply.
"That sounds...painful." Riker shuddered.
"Not really. It's more a cooling sensation." Melina replied.
"You would know I guess. Thank you for that Melina." Picard smiled at her. Melina tried to smile back.
The pair lay in bed that night holding each other tightly. Melina didn't want to go to sleep. She could hear them strongest when she was asleep. She felt so vunerable and violated.
Sadness also weighed on her mind. She knew First of Five had once been a great warrior for a race that had been completely wiped out by the Borg. He'd had a mate and many children who he loved very dearly. Second of Five had been a lord over a small village on his planet, and had been a very intelligent being, full of hope and optimism. Fourth of Five she could relate to the most – she had been a mother of five offspring, and she had watched all of them be captured by the Borg and disected...she had been the one to do it. Fifth had been groomed to be a Captain in his planets space program...and Third had only been a boy when he'd been assimilated.
She snuggled closer to Picard, who was already feeling suffocated by his wife as it was.
"I won't let them take you away from us." He whispered to her.
"They're coming for me." She tried to keep her tears at bay.
"They won't get you. I won't let them get you. I don't care what I have to sacrifice." He whispered more determined. "We'll beat them."
He kissed her, and let her smother him with kisses in return. Soon, she fell asleep to the horrid dreams of the Borg.
6/5
"DAMMIT!" Melina cried, running out of energy again in the simulation that Shelby was running. Shelby had modified one of the Enterprise stations to allow Melinas shield better access and conductivity. Still, Melina could only take a maximum of ten photon torpedoes – how many of the Borgs attacks she could take was yet to be seen. "I'm sorry, I just can't hold out." She tried to speak, but it was hard. She lay on the floor of the Bridge, trying not to fall asleep. She felt useless. Crusher tried to help her sit up and gave her an energy drink.
"It's alright Lieutenant. You're doing your best." Shelby replied over the COMM. She stood in Engineering with Geordi, Data, Riker and Wesley.
"We still don't have weapons capable of taking them on though." Geordi sighed. "And from what I've seen, I can't believe any of these new weapons systems can be ready in less than eighteen months, Commander."
"We've been projecting twenty-four." Shelby replied.
"Is there anything we can do here to adapt to our current defence systems? I don't want to be relying totally on Lieutenant Picard, it's not fair on her at all." Riker said.
"We'll have to go through the specs again, but. I don't know. My mind's turned to clay." Geordi sighed.
"Mine too." Wesley looked like he was about to drop at any second.
"I think we should look at modifying the plasma phaser design." Shelby said, before being stopped by Riker.
"Commander, I think we should call it a night. That's an order. We'll reconvene at oh five hundred." Riker said.
"Sir, if you'll allow me to continue with Mister Data, who does not require rest-," Shelby started.
"He has a wife and child who might like to see their husband and father. Not to mention you need rest." Riker insisted.
"If we have a confrontation with the Borg without improving our defence systems-,"
"If we have a confrontation, I don't want a crew fighting the Borg at the same time they're fighting their own fatigue. Dismissed." Riker ended the conversation.
Shelby glared at him while Data, Geordi and Wesley quickly made themselves scarce. Data headed to his Sisters quarters, where the family was preparing for dinner. Melina was lying on the couch with a cold compress on her head while Picard held her hand. Lal and Rex were watching an educational video in the corner, and Tasha was helping B-4 serve dinner.
"So, how is the Riker vs Shelby contest going?" Tasha asked.
"Contest?" Data asked.
"I'm sure even you've noticed the tension between the two." Picard chuckled.
"I have noticed a fair bit of friction, yes." Data replied. "I daresay Commander Shelby believes that Commander Riker will accept promotion."
"I don't know Brother. I think he might be comfortable here." Melina said, sipping on the tea that Picard was feeding her.
"Which might prove to be his undoing. It's not good for his career." Picard said.
"It is not good for his career if he leaves before he is ready." B-4 said, to the shock of everyone.
"Where DO you come up with these pearls of wisdom Brother?" Melina asked. B-4 didn't answer, but continued to finish dishing up the food.
"Are you still hearing them Sister?" Data asked his Sister, concerned.
"Not at the moment..." Melina said. "I feel quite fine..."
Suddenly her breathing became laboured. She grabbed her head and started screaming. A small freigher ship appeared before her eyes. She could see the Five appearing on the Bridge of the small ship. "No! NO!" First of Five walked towards the Captain, and grabbed his throat. He inserted two small needles into the Captains neck and dropped him as the rest of the crew fired ineffectively at the group. Second of Five engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the Andorian First Officer, who was quickly overpowered and assimilated. Third and Fourth of Five had gone down to Engineering and were attacking the Engineers. Fifth of Five was absorbing all of the information from the data banks.
"NO!" Melina screamed. Picard did the only thing he could and held her tightly. Tasha covered her mouth and tried to hold back tears. Data gripped the chair so tightly it snapped. Rex looked at his mother and started crying.
Soon Melina regained her composure. "The U.S.S. Lalo." She whispered. "They've all been assimilated."
6/5
The Enterprise was soon sent to investigate the incident with the Lalo. Riker and Shelby were still at loggerheads with each other, which for Melina was an amusing distraction from her other worries.
She stood bravely at her post with Worf and Tasha either side of her, as if they were holding her up. She had bumped into Worf in the Turboshaft up, and his words had given her comfort.
"If you were a Klingon, many songs would have been written about your great inner strength." He said. Melina smiled.
She looked at the viewscreen.
-You will come back to us. Resistance is futile.-
The Borg Cube appeared in front of them. Melinas implants took over and she reached for the modified control panel. Ten shots. Could she hold out long enough for help to arrive?
"Jean Luc Picard, captain of the Starship Enterprise, registry NCC 1701D, you will lower shields and prepare to transport our drone Sixth of Five aboard our vessel. If you do not cooperate, we will destroy your ship." The Borg demanded.
"Like hell I'm going over there." Melina muttered.
Picard bristled.
"You have committed acts of aggression against the United Federation of Planets. If you do not withdraw immediately-,"
"You will surrender yourself or we will destroy your ship. Your defensive capabilities are unable to withstand us." The Borg interrupted.
"It's obvious they want the Lieutenant." Riker said.
"And they're not getting her." Picard said.
"I don't see how losing the Lieutenant could be deterimental, it could buy us time-," Shelby started.
"She is NOT going over there." Picard growled. He turned back to the viewscreen.
"We have developed new defence capabilities since our last meeting and we are prepared to use them if you do not withdraw from Federation space." He warned the Borg.
"The Borg are trying to lock onto us with their tractor beam!" Worf yelped.
"Load torpedo bays. Arm phasers. lock coordinates on the source of the tractor beam." Picard commanded. "Melina, are you ready?"
"Yes Sir!" Melina readied herself for battle. They weren't going to get her. Jean-Luc wouldn't let them.
"They are firing their tractor beam. Are you okay Sister?" Data asked as the Borg began their attack.
Already Melina was feeling fatigued. She wasn't able to hold on much longer.
"All good Brother." Her voice betrayed her.
"Get us out of here!" Picard commanded. The Enterprise sped off with the Borg Cube in hot pursuit.
-You will return to us.-
-We are the Borg, you are one of us.-
-Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated.-
Melina focused on Picard, desperately trying to hold on. The Borg Cube fired at them again, she couldn't take much more.
"Return fire!" Picard bellowed.
"Photon Torpedeos having no effect! They're gaining on us!" Tasha cried.
Melinas legs began to wobble as the Borg continued to fire.
Finally, she could take no more and fell unconscious. The Borg managed to score a direct hit on Engineering.
"Geordi, evacuate Engineering!" Riker cried.
"Data, fluctuate phaser resonance frequencies. Random settings. Keep them changing. Don't give them time to adapt!" Shelby suggested.
The Borg backed away slightly as the Enterprise hid in the Paulson Nebula.
–
Melina sipped her Earl Grey tea. Thankfully the Paulson Nebula also provided shielding from the Borgs incessant mental attacks, and she was relishing the peace.
Picard was adament that they were staying in the Nebula until it was absolutely necessary to leave. The Borg were waiting at the edge, unwilling to enter the Nebula after them. Melina wasn't in any hurry to leave either.
"Are you feeling better my dear?" Picard asked.
"Mmm-hmm!" Melina nodded enthusiastically. She was still in bed, and was under strict orders to stay there.
"I'm glad. You took a fair beating yesterday." Picard rubbed her shoulders.
"How's things going? Any new plans?" Melina started on her Black Forrest Cake (courtesy of B-4).
"When Data used the Phasers on a high narrow band of frequencies, we noticed the Borg didn't like it. We're going to try and use the deflector dish to create a concentrated burst to destroy the Borg." Picard told her. Melina leaned back.
"My unit is on that ship." She said. "An attack squad of Five."
"Melina, surely you don't expect me to show mercy?" Picard was taken aback.
"No. Destroy them. Set those poor warriors free." Melina sighed.
Picard rested his forehead on her shoulder. "I'm sorry this is happening to you." He whispered.
Melina held him tightly.
From the shadows, 0 watched the exchange. He thought back to when the Borg attacked in his Universe. It had been the Borg implants from Picard that made up Melinas circuitry. Would that change anything, he wondered. Would Picard even get captured in this reality?
Another thing concerned him. In this reality, Third of Five was on THIS Borg ship. Hugh was on that ship. He was part of the same unit as Melina.
As Sixth of Five.
0 felt it was a rather cruel irony that she was given the name Sixth of Five. It implied that she wasn't truly a Borg yet, and that they knew it. She was strong enough to resist the trillions of voices bombarding her head – no wonder they wanted her. She would make a brilliant Queen.
He thought of Melina Prime. How she had seen the opportunity to research the Borg as they were being attacked. Their first encounter with the Borg had terrified her, but the second one she was more than ready to attack. He couldn't fathom how they hadn't realised she was an Augment.
The ship shook violently.
"The devil-?" Picard shot up. "No, you stay put!" He commanded Melina, who was about to get up and follow him.
"Jean-Luc-," She started when he gave her the Look. "Yes Sir." She settled back down. She lay on the bed, looking out of the window. She was still very tired. In the cot beside her was baby Rex. He was fast asleep. Melina watched him before she felt the Enterprise move. They were heading out of the Nebula!
Fatigue be damned! Thought Melina as she scrambled to get back into her uniform. She made her way to the Bridge just as the Borg started their assault.
"MELINA!" Picard roared angrily as Melina took her post.
"You need me Jean-Luc." She replied. She readied herself to take on the Borg.
The first shot from their Tractor Beam took most of what stamina Melina had managed to recover. She fell to her knee.
"NO!" She cried.
Before her appeared First of Five. Second, Third and Fourth appeared in front of Shelby, Picard and Riker, and Fifth appeared in front of the viewscreen.
It was the first time the whole unit had been in the same room together. Melina got unsteadily to her feet. Tasha Yar moved herself between her Sister and the Borg who was glaring intently at her.
-I am not one of you.-
-I am not one of you.-
-I am not one of you.-
-I am not one of you.-
"Resistance is futile Sixth of Five." First said.
Worf sprung from behind Melina, knocking the Borg back but not taking him out. Data slammed Third from behind, while Picard made it past Second to Melina. Chaos insued as the Borg took out most of the Bridge crew, who now lay defeated on the floor, barely alive.
The five Borg moved towards Picard and Melina, who were standing in front of the Turbolift.
"I love you." Picard whispered, activating the Turbolift and throwing Melina in, sealing her away from the Borg. Fifth grabbed Picard, stabbing him in the neck with the assimilation needles as the unit headed back to the Cube.