The Best of Both Worlds.
X
The fifteen Federation starships which were barely finished didn't enter a battle. They entered a slaughter. A few of the starships were half complete while a few were close to being completed with the interior furnishings and fittings added on, but that wasn't a part of Starfleet's current priority list at the moment.
The last few Borg attacks had made Starfleet Command issue the order for the engineering crews to accelerate the construction, concentrating on the weapons and engines, and only a few of the ships were space worthy and some of them were only half constructed.
When the Borg Cube got within range, the ships opened fire with their phasers and photon torpedoes if they had them onboard. The Borg ship moved closer on impulse, its shields absorbing each strike while the computer-controlled starships continued firing.
Two ships, copying the Enterprise D's tactic of using an antimatter spread, unleashed a fireworks display of antimatter fireworks and plasma flares. But the Borg were no longer fooled by this tactic, and they fired on the ships at random, with the tactical drones coordinating the attack. As the ships were destroyed, the Borg gained more ground.
X
Worf looked up from his console. "Sir, Utopia Planitia is sending out a general broadcast. The Borg have broken through."
Riker wasn't surprised, but he was stricken by the report. "Are there any more ships?"
Worf quickly checked. "No, Captain. There aren't any more ships except us."
"Mr Crusher, is the warp pulse ready?"
"It is?"
"Engage, when ready."
"Aye, sir."
X
The Enterprise was nearing Saturn when they shot into warp, and they came out of warp really quickly near the site of the battle, but the Borg still had a head start on them. Once more, the Enterprise crew had to endure the sight of more examples of the Borg's power as they passed through the debris field.
X
In the cybernetic's lab, Data was concentrating on the next connection. "Second neural connection is confirmed. I still cannot report any significant access," For a moment, Data was silent so he could analyse the results, but there was nothing. "Proceeding with the final link."
Suddenly Locutus's head jerked, and the life support monitors began bleeping urgently as heart and respiration increased. "There's a significant increase in premotor area and hypothalamus activity," Crusher reported. "His heartbeat is accelerating rapidly."
O'Brien studied the monitors quickly. "Sir, your submicron matrix activity is increasing exponentially. You've certainly gotten a reaction that time."
"Neural connections complete," Data said as his positronic mind suddenly gained the connections into the Borg group mind. "I have access to the Borg subspace signals. Processing. Processing," he repeated as he continued to analyse what he was experiencing. Data had connected his mind with computer interfaces in the past, but this was on a scale he had never expected.
Data had known for a long time the Borg had learnt how to interface artificial intelligence with organic minds. The AI joined the organic minds together, knowledge and tasks passing from one to the other.
Troi became worried that Data was losing himself in the connection "Data!"
"Stand by," Data replied calmly. "Processing. Processing. Fascinating," he breathed at last. "The Borg group consciousness is divided into subcommands necessary to carry out all functions. Defence, communication, navigation. They are all controlled by a root command implanted into each-."
Data and the others would never know for sure if the Borg had sensed the intrusion into their collective mind and responded by making Locutus retake control, or if Locutus had been waking up and sensed it himself, but either way, Locutus woke up and he lifted the mechanical arm and shoved it into the connections with his arm. The security guard moved forward, only to be clubbed savagely with the arm and sent him collapsing to the ground.
Moving quickly, Data grabbed the arm and with unnerving android strength he pulled the cybernetic arm and held it tight, then he pulled off the working 'hand' component. Dr Crusher checked Locutus's life signs and saw something worrying. "Data, I'm picking up increased neural activity in Captain Picard, localised in the prefrontal and parietal lobes."
"The Borg might be trying to terminate their link with him," O'Brien suggested.
"Negative. It is highly improbable the Borg would terminate their link. The subspace signal configuration is unchanged. What is causing the increased neural activity is unclear," Data said puzzled.
"No, it's not," Deanna suddenly said, tilting her head as she sensed something. "It's him. It's Picard. Whatever you're doing it's having an effect."
Picard reached out with his organic arm and took hold of Data, gently. Deanna tapped her com badge. "Troi to Bridge. Data has made first contact with Captain Picard," Deanna reported.
"Can you communicate with him, Data?" Riker asked.
"I have been unable to create a neural path around the Borg implants, sir," Data reported. "It is Captain Picard himself who has somehow managed to initiate contact."
X
On the bridge, Riker took the news gladly but he knew so many things could go wrong. "How is that possible?" He asked.
"Unknown, sir," Data replied.
"Sir, the Borg have halted their approach to Earth," Worf said suddenly as he looked up from his beeping console. "I think we got their attention. They must know what we're doing," Shelby said.
"You're right. Time to intercept?"
"Two minutes, four seconds, sir," Wesley replied.
"Stay on course. Ready weapon systems. They're worried," Riker stood up and pulled his tunic down as he came to stand behind the helm and ops stations. "They're worried because we've got access to Picard. Mr Data, we have two minutes to figure out what we can do with it."
X
In his lab, Data went over his limited options. "Sir, it is clear the Borg are either unwilling or unable to terminate their subspace links," he said.
"That may be their Achilles heel, Captain. Their interdependency," Dr Crusher said as she had a eureka moment as she figured out a clear piece of Borg culture.
"What do you mean, Doctor?" Riker asked.
"He's part of their collective consciousness now. Cutting him off would like asking one of us to disconnect an arm or a foot. We can't do it," Dr Crusher replied. "Ask anyone to try and they won't do it. The Borg can't shut off the connections to one another. The group's mind depends on everyone being present. The only way to do it is if an outside force is responsible."
For a moment there was silence as the bridge crew absorbed this before Shelby's voice spoke clearly. "They operate as a single mind. There is no independence."
"One jumps off a cliff, they all jump off?" Riker asked. "Data, is it possible to plant a command into the Borg collective consciousness? Is there any way we can use this against them?
"It is conceivable, sir, but it would require altering the pathway from the root command to affect all iterative branch points in the-," Data replied, but Riker interrupted him before he could become too technical. "Make every effort, Mr Data." "Sir, What command shall I try to plant?" Data asked.
X
Riker wondered why Data was even asking that, but from a certain point of view, he guessed it made sense for the android to ask that question since there were several possibilities.
One sprang to mind immediately. "Something straightforward, like disarm your weapons systems," Riker said.
"Visual contact with the Borg," Worf said.
"On screen," Shelby ordered.
The view screen changed showing a picture dominated by the blue jewel that was Earth, but there was no sign of the Cube. "Magnify," Riker said.
The screen jumped, showing the chilling image of the Borg Cube in orbit above the planet. "Sensors reading increased power generation from the Borg. They're locking weapons," Worf reported.
"Red alert. Load all torpedo bays. Ready phasers," Riker ordered.
"Aye, Captain," Worf said over the Red alert sirens.
"Status of Borg weapons?"
"Their weapon systems are fully charged."
Riker clenched his jaw. "Data? Please tell me you've got something."
X
In the cybernetics' lab Data's only free hand was rapidly pushing buttons on the console as he calculated each action. "Attempting to re-route subcommand paths, Captain. Defence systems are protected by access barriers."
"How long will it take to get through them?"
"Unknown, sir."
X
"Borg attempting to lock on tractor beam," Worf reported as the ship's shield's shuddered as the Borg used their tractor beam.
"Rotate shield frequencies. Data, report?" Riker barked.
"I am unable to penetrate defence systems command structure, Captain," Data said.
"Try the power systems, Data. See if you can get them to power down," Shelby suggested as the tractor beam started getting through the Enterprise's defences.
"Acknowledged. Attempting new power subcommand path," Data said.
The Enterprise lurched suddenly, nearly sending Shelby and Riker to the ground. "Shields have failed. They've locked on, sir. They're pulling us in," Geordi reported suddenly from Main Engineering.
"Fire all weapons," Riker ordered, refusing to give up without a fight, besides he felt this might be a good way of helping Data if they could just distract the Cube….
X
Once more held in the grip of the Borg tractor beam like a policeman's fist clenched around a thief's jacket to stop them from running away, the Enterprise fired her full arsenal against the Cube, but it was hopeless. Each time the phaser beams and photon torpedoes struck the outer shields of the Cube, the impacts were just harmless against the Borg's defences.
X
"I cannot penetrate Borg power subcommand structure, sir," Data reported over the comm system. "All critical subcommands are protected, Captain."
"Then it's over," Shelby whispered in defeat.
Riker refused to accept defeat. "Mr Crusher, ready a collision course with the Borg ship," he ordered, making Wesley turn around and stare at him in horror. "You heard me. A collision course," Riker told him firmly. He didn't like the idea of a collision anymore than Wesley or Shelby did, but they had only one option left, try to ram the Cube.
Wesley sagged but he gathered himself and turned around. "Yes, sir," he said, he didn't want to die, but if it saved Earth, then he'd go for it.
"Mr La Forge, prepare to go to warp power," Riker said. "Aye, sir," La Forge sounded surprised by the order.
X
In Data's lab, Data was continuing to probe deeper into the new connection between himself and Captain Picard.
"Sleep," Locutus suddenly said, making Data stop and take note.
"He's regaining consciousness," Dr Crusher scanned the transformed captain.
"Sleep," Locutus repeated.
Deanna gasped. "It is Captain Picard speaking," she realised, "not Locutus."
"Sleep, Data," Picard croaked.
Dr Crusher watched her old friend pityingly, "He's exhausted. And no wonder…."
"Yes, Doctor, I agree he must be tired, but if I may make a supposition," Data said as an idea emerged in his mind as he went through the possibilities, "I do not believe his message was intended to express fatigue but to suggest a course of action."
X
The Enterprise shook as the Borg cutting beam activated and struck the secondary hull. The crew had repaired the original breach, but the strike reopened the old wound.
"Borg cutting beam activated," Worf said.
Riker swallowed and gathered himself to give the last order he would ever make. "Mr Crusher? Eng-."
"Data to Bridge. Stand by." Data's interruption was so unexpected and so welcome Riker had to remind himself where he was, that was the sweetest interruption in his life. "Stand by, all stations," Riker ordered when he realised that Data had come up with something.
"I am attempting to penetrate the Borg regenerative subcommand path. It is a low priority system and may be accessible," Data explained.
Riker wondered what kind of command path Data was working with when the Computer gave a calm, but an ominous warning. "Warning. Outer hull breach."
"Sir, shall I execute the evacuation sequence?" Worf asked.
"Yes, Mr Worf. Get those sections evacuated. Mr Data, your final report."
"Stand by," Data said.
"I can't, Mr Data," Riker said impatiently. "In a moment, we might lose half of the ship…"
"Warning. Inner hull failure imminent on decks twenty-three, twenty-four, and twenty-five. Decompression danger."
Riker flinched at the amount of damage the Enterprise was taking. They couldn't last much longer. And then….suddenly it all stopped. No shaking, no cutting as the beam just stopped and the Borg ship just hung there, while the Enterprise crew wondered what had happened. "Mr Data, what the hell happened?" Riker asked in confusion. "What did you do?
X
"I successfully planted a command into the Borg collective consciousness, sir. It misdirected them to believe it was time to regenerate. In effect, I put them all to sleep," Data explained.
X
Shelby had to smother a smirk when she caught her captain's expression. "To sleep?" Riker repeated with an incredulous squeak.
"Yes, sir," Shelby smiled more when she heard Data's voice, but she sobered when Riker sent her a suspicious look, but he turned to Worf. "Status of Borg power drive?" Riker asked.
"Minimal power."
"Electromagnetic field?"
Worf checked his console and his sensors for a moment as he checked the Borg's ship's emissions. "Nonexistent. I'm not registering any kind of power for weapons, propulsion or shields." Riker nodded and he turned to Shelby. "Commander Shelby, take an away team and confirm that the Borg are…asleep."
Shelby smiled. "Delighted, sir," she replied and she left Riker, heading for the turbolift. "Mr Worf," she said, and the tall Klingon fell into step behind.
X
Shelby blinked as the transporter beam materialised herself, Worf, two security guards and Lieutenant Barclay and a doctor from sickbay to run medical scans on the Borg drones. All of them were armed and prepared in case Data was wrong. But when they beamed on the Borg ship, phasers ready, they found all of the Borg in their alcoves.
"I'm not an expert, Commander," the doctor said as she scanned the Borg with her tricorder. "But all of their life signs are dampened by their ship, but they seem plugged in."
"Y-yeah, s-she's right," Barclay stammered as he scanned the Borg within their alcoves himself. "The power signatures are f-faint throughout this section."
"What about the rest of the Cube?" Worf asked.
Barclay nervously checked. "I'd say so," suddenly he frowned. "The tricorder's fluctuating."
"What do you mean?" Shelby asked.
"It's s-subtle, but the tricorder's just started fluctuating. I'm trying to narrow down the cause."
Shelby nodded before she pushed aside her concerns since red flags had been raised when Reg Barclay, a man she had found herself admiration because he had solved so many problems on the Enterprise after the damage she'd sustained from the fights with the Borg and she tapped her com badge. "Shelby to Enterprise. It's true. They're all in a regeneration mode. They're dormant, sir."
X
Riker had been heading through the corridors to Data's cybernetic lab when Shelby had made the call. "Any indication of how long we can keep them like this?" He asked.
X
On the Borg ship, Shelby turned to Barclay and the medical officer she'd brought with her to inspect the Cube.
"Checking now, sir" she replied, the question already on her lips.
But Barclay looked at Shelby grimly. "I don't think we're gonna have the Borg ship in orbit around Earth anymore."
"Tricorder readings are fluctuating rapidly, Commander," Worf reported.
"The power net is overloading," Barclay added in alarm.
Shelby tapped her com badge again urgently, "Shelby to Enterprise. There are indications here that their entire power net's about to feed back on itself. I'd say we're looking at a self-destruct sequence activated by the Borg's malfunction. Do you want us to attempt to disarm it?"
X
Riker had stepped into Data's lab when Shelby asked the question. "Stand by," he tapped his com badge and took in the scene of the still form of Captain Picard/Locutus of Borg who was holding onto Data's wrist while Beverly, Deanna and O'Brien hovered nearby. "The Borg ship is destroying itself. What will happen to him if we disarm it?"
Dr Crusher shook her head. "There's no way to know what the destruction of the Borg ship will do to him."
"It's possible the Borg's connection will be severed, but we should also consider the advantages of further examination of the Borg and their vessel, sir.," Data told him. Riker was silent as he crossed the distance, considering his options. On one hand, the Borg ship offered them a golden opportunity to study them and their technology, and if they had access to Borg hardware, their knowledge of the Collective would grow exponentially for the next invasion. And after this there was no doubt in his mind they would invade.
But at the same time…
A part of him wanted the Borg to pay for everything they'd done to the Federation, to Starfleet, to those crews who'd died at Wolf 359, and the New Providence colonists. Keeping the Cube would be like an insult to the memory of all of those lost. Riker reached his decision. "I don't think so. Data, separate yourself from Captain Picard," he said and Data released himself and put his headpiece back on. "Away Team, don't bother, just get yourselves home. Mr Crusher, upon their return, move us to a safe position."
"Understood, sir, transporting back. We need to go as soon as we get onboard, the cube's power grid is becoming unstable."
"I heard that, Captain. I've laid in a course already," Wesley said.
"Good stuff, Wes," Riker replied.
X
The away team had barely transported back onto the Enterprise before the Galaxy-class starship shot away as the Borg Cube's hull started exploding, with small, almost minor explosions before the ship began to crunch in on itself. In the science lab, Picard staggered.
When the Cube exploded, everyone celebrated and cheered at the destruction of the Borg. Hugs, kisses, and handshakes were thrown around as they saw the Borg pay for what they had done.
In Data's lab, Dr Crusher and everyone else were tensed as they watched Picard, who was still like a statue. Suddenly he relaxed and opened his eyes, smiling weakly as he gazed at everyone. "Life signs are stable," Dr Crusher sighed with relief, a smile on her face as she looked at her old friend. "The DNA around the microcircuit fibre implants is returning to normal."
"How do you feel?" Troi asked.
"Almost Human," Picard whispered hoarsely. "With just a bit of a headache. Can I have some water, please?"
"I'll get that," O'Brien went to the replicator and he ordered ice-cold water. He handed it to Picard. "Be careful, sir. It might be a bit too cold."
"I don't mind, chief, thank you," Picard said graciously as Crusher fussed around him. He sipped the water, and then he began gulping the whole lot down. "That's so good. The Borg don't ingest food or drink, they just feed on energy."
"So you know more about the Borg?" Riker asked.
Picard nodded. "Yes," he replied.
"We'll get you to Sickbay. We won't have any trouble getting these implants out now," Dr Crusher said reassuringly.
"How much do you remember?" Riker asked gently.
A haunted look appeared on Picard's face as he remembered everything that the Borg had made him do, everything he had seen, everything he had experienced. "Everything. Including some brilliantly unorthodox strategy from a former first officer of mine," Picard smiled.