21

No Win Scenarios

Kirk, Picard, Riker, Spock, Worf and Munro have gathered in the conference room. Engineer Gates is on intercom.

"Chief?"

"Sir, the only reason we all still alive is that we didn't switch out all the old duotronics for the isolinear circuitry. Every upgraded system; the main energizer, the shuttle bays even the holodecks were fused and rendered inoperable. Fortunately, the shield interface system still utilized the older duotronics circuitry preventing the Breen weapon from penetrating our shields. The shield interface was one of the last systems scheduled for an upgrade."

Kirk acknowledges the Enterprise's cosmic luck with a subtly nod.

"What is our status on the circuitry switch out?"

"We are replacing the fused circuitry as we speak, Captain," replies Gates over the intercom. "You'll know the moment we are finished, Captain."

"Understood, Kirk out."

Jonathan closes the link with the chief and turns to Genevieve.

"Damage Report?"

"We've lost power to all decks below Deck 9. Deck 4, Section 5 through 7 suffered hull breaches during the attack but repairs crews have sealed the breaches but have not restored power to those decks. Deck 13, Section A suffered multiple hull breaches and is completely decompressed. It is a non-essential deck and therefore repair crews have elected to sealed it off," replies Picard.

"Tactical?"

"Deflectors screens have been restored to full power. However, phaser bank arrays are offline. Phaser banks will remain inoperable until warp power is restored. Torpedo Bays 1 and 2 are undamaged and ready for combat, Captain," replies Worf.

"Operations?"

"Live support in all primary sections of the ship are online. Shuttle Bays 1 & 2 and Transporter Rooms 1 & 2 are in the process of an isoliner circuit swap-out. Med Bay 1 and 2 are operational, sir," replies Riker. "All primary medical personnel have been redirected to Med Bay 1 as most of our injuries and casualties were located nearest that location of the ship."

"Helm?"

"Helm control is online. Navigation systems were undamaged. Thrusters control on the starboard side have been completely destroyed. Impulse engines were undamaged and at full power," replies Ensign Munro. "Currently, Enterprise is positioned 2 degrees of the southern pole of the second planet."

"Our position is off greater concern," puts in Spock.

Jonathan turns to Saren.

"Why is that?" asks Kirk.

"Leviathan and Enterprise were to rendezvous with the Gallant several hours ago. By this time both ships would have already left the system," states Saren. "According to my sensor readings the Supergiant is exhibiting signs of entering into a period of increased solar activity."

"You didn't feel it necessary to inform us immediately!" barks Kirk.

"My analysis had not been completed until only a few moments ago, Captain," replies Spock.

Genevieve puts a calming hand on Jonathan's forearm to soothe his anger and then asks: "How significant?"

"The Supergiant is on the verge of a celestial mass ejection event."

The revelation is disturbing to all present.

"How much time do we have?" asks Picard.

"Twenty hours, forty-three minutes and fifty-seven seconds,"

"Fantastic!" scoffs Kirk.

"Our deaths, to the second," grunts Worf.

"I don't understand, why isn't the Breen battleship withdrawing?" puts in Riker.

"They must have scanned the Supergiant and know this as well."

"I am certain they do, Lieutenant," replies Spock. "I can only attribute the actions of the commander of the Breen battleship to an emotional reaction to the Enterprise. Furthering my hypothesis, scans of the Breen vessel indicate that its dimensions and markings match that of the of the Breen battleship the Enterprise engaged at sector 3-1-0."

Worf's eyes widen into bright ovals.

"You're sure it's the same ship," inquires Picard.

"99.901% certain, Commander," replies Spock. "Furthermore, I can only conclude that the commander of the Breen battleship is exhibiting signs of an almost human response to the Enterprise."

"That is?" asks Picard.

"Hatred," replies Spock without hesitation.

Though her answer is shocking, Jonathan remains expressionless, but the way she answered the question sends a chill down his spine.

"The Breen commander has indicated a willingness to destroy the Enterprise even at the risk of their own peril."

"What makes you say that?" asks Picard.

"Because, Commander, even in face of certain destruction, the Breen battleship waits for us," replies Spock. "It is very uncharacteristic of what we know of the Breen."

Logical lunacy, thinks Picard.

"Logical lunacy?" blurts Riker.

Genevieve throws a hard glance at Marina. Marina mouths back the word: 'Sorry.'

"What of the Enterprise, Captain?" asks Spock.

"Don't quite understand the question Lieutenant Commander?"

"How willing are you to engage the Breen?"

An eerie silence falls over the conference room.

"Very," replies Kirk with dubious confidence.

"You must understand that your emotional feeling towards the Breen battleship may in fact be affecting your judgment. Even now I sense an unwillingness…"

"Saren!" interrupts Picard.

"No, it's ok Genevieve," says Kirk, but clearly holding back his irritation. "It is a very valid point."

"But we cannot escape without engaging the Breen!" roars Worf.

"Correct, Lieutenant," replies Saren. "In order to enter warp speed safely we must be clear the planet's orbit, otherwise the gravitation shearing force will tear the Enterprise's hull apart. However, if we leave the sanctuary of the second planet, the Breen battleship will undoubtable engage the Enterprise before we are able to enter warp."

"Damned if we do, damned if we don't," mutters Munro.

Saren raises an eyebrow to Munro's idiom.

"Saren, in your estimation, can the Enterprise defeat the Breen battleship?" asks Kirk.

"We have the ability to engage the Breen battleship, but as you have come to realize, even after a comprehensive retrofit to the Enterprise, the Breen battleship has superior armaments. Therefore, a victory as result of a direct confrontation is highly unlikely," she replies. "Enterprise survived the initial encounter with the Breen battleship because its primary weapon failed to overwhelm our deflector screens due to an unknowable variable. I suspect that the commander of the Breen vessel will not repeat that same mistake again."

"No," solemnly agrees Kirk. "They certainly will not."

"However, the question is now not if can we defeat the Breen battleship, the question is, that in any feasible scenario, can we survive."

"I don't believe in no-win scenarios."

"A human sentiment," rebuts Spock. "You are to be applauded for your tactics so far, Captain, but I believe that you have only postponed the inevitable. What is certain is that in twenty hours and forty-two earth minutes, you, I, this crew, the Enterprise, the Breen vessel, the planetoids everything in this system will be destroyed."

"Forty-three minutes?!" cuts in Worf.

"That, Lieutenant, was one minute ago," quips Spock.

Worf grunts.

Jonathan sits uncomfortably forwards and says, "Thank you all, you are dismissed,"

Alexandria, Marina, Spock and Worf file out of the ready room. However, Genevieve walks slower than the others and falls behind the rest of the group and comes to a stop just before the threshold of the door which. When the door closes in front of her, she turns to Kirk.

"I agree with Saren, this is personal. Enterprise escaped the Breen ship once, they are intent on finishing the job this time around," Genevieve blurts out.

"You are dismissed, commander."

"You're not getting rid of me that easily Jonathan."

"Right," scoffs Kirk. "What is on your mind."

"It's what Saren said earlier."

"That is?"

"Maybe, we're looking at this the wrong way. The Breen are out for our blood?"

"Clearly."

"The question is how badly do they want our blood?" contemplates Picard.

Jonathan pauses for a moment and then a devious smile forms on his face. "Enough to do something, 'irrational.'"

Jonathan stands up and walks over to Genevieve. "James would have liked you."

Genevieve smiles back with a devious smile of her own, "Oh, I am sure he would have."

A melodic chime interrupts the captain and commander.

"Bridge to Captain, come in," says Riker.

Jonathan keys his insignia.

"Kirk here. Go ahead."

"Sir, you better get down here, immediately."