I do not own Star Trek: Picard. I do however, own the Rovarians.
This was the end.
Of that, Hugh was certain as soon as he saw the knife leave Narissa's hand. Inwardly, he pleaded with whatever Fates existed to spare the lives of his people. They didn't deserve to die, just because of what was done to them against their will. Hugh wished he had more time with them, a chance to help more of them, perhaps even find a way to restore the ones Narissa had murdered. Hugh was not a violent person, but he wouldn't cry if she was killed. She deserved it for what her and her cohorts had caused. The lives that had been lost because of their twisted goals. The many more lives that would be lost if these people were allowed to succeed. Such were Hugh's thoughts as he waited for the knife to slice through his neck.
But it never came.
The knife had frozen in midair, and it took everyone a moment to realize there was a hand holding the knife.
"Typical Jhat Vash. Taking the coward's path. Klingons would say something along the lines of 'you have no honor.' And from what I just saw, they'd be correct." The voice came from the owner of the hand that saved his life.
The creature standing there could best be described as...alien. She stood six feet tall and resembled an old 21st century Terran Mars rover, MER type, except for the powerful shoulders, chest, and torso that had replaced the lower half of the camera mast. Her six-wheeled, centaur-like form was covered by brown solar panels, and strong arms extended from those shoulders. The hand on one of those arms now held the knife that would've killed Hugh. Metallic-red armor covered her shoulders, chest, "waist", and forearms. A weapon of some kind sat in a holster built into her lower piece of armor. Three connected gold bands encircled each of her upper arms. But most intimidating was the rover's camera head itself. She had four brown-looking lenses that served as her eyes, and all four were glaring fiercely at Narissa.
"You!" the Romulan spat, "What do you think you're doing here!"
"Thwarting a murderer, of course." the Rovarian replied, nonchalantly twirling Narissa's knife in her fingers, "Yes, we know about the XB executions. If anyone violated the treaty here, it was you, Narissa."
"How DARE you accuse me of breaking a treaty that has nothing to do with you!" she screeched.
"Hugh, Elnor, behind me, please." The Rovarian took up Narissa's knife in one of her hands as the Romulan charged at her, only to be sent sprawling by a backhand from the Rovarian.
"What are you idiots waiting for? KILL HER!" Narissa shouted. The Romulans beside her raised their disruptors and fired. But the alien quickly dodged them and let her fists fly as she easily took down her opponents.
Hugh and Elnor watched, speechless, as the stranger fought for them and the Romulans fell. Only Narissa escaped, thanks to her ship beaming her out.
The alien turned back to them.
"You two alright?" Her voice was softer now, as were her eyes. Concern now replaced the fire that had been in them.
"Y-yes...Who are you?" Elnor asked.
"Name's Spirit. Rovarian warrior and co-leader. You?"
"Elnor." the Romulan answered as he sheathed his sword.
"Why are you here?" Hugh asked, "To my knowledge, your kind have not been seen here."
"That's a long story." Spirit replied, "You'd better come to our ship to hear it. Besides, I'm sure you want to catch up with Picard."
"I can't leave the XBs." Hugh said, "Nor can I leave the Borg who are still in stasis."
"Don't worry," Spirit assured him, "We have a fleet here to evacuate them back to Federation space, to one of our outposts. They'll be safe there. I promise." Hugh searched her words and expression, unsure. The last person to promise he and the XBs would be safe was Narissa, and she'd clearly deceived them. Hugh would NOT let them be fooled again. But Spirit had none of cold, icy malice radiating off of her that Narissa had. Her tone was soft, caring, almost motherly, yet protective at the same time. He found no deception in her at all.
"...alright." Hugh said softly, "I trust you." Spirit nodded and activated her comm.
"Spirit to Artax. Three to beam up."