"We've begun evacuating Federation territory," Admiral Witman said, "We found a parellel universe that could support life, but didn't have any living organisms in it. Starfleet has called in as many ships as possible to aid in the effort, even old Constitution class ships."
"The Federation council must have realised how desparate the situation has become," Picard nodded, "What is our progress in finding the source universe?"
"Thanks to Data's algorithm, we should be getting a result within the next few hours," Witman paused, "If this thing even works."
"Admiral, our chief engineer feels that…" Picard wasn't able to finish his sentence, as a young ensign burst into the Admiral's office.
"I'm sorry, sir," The young man saluted his superior officer, "But the computers found a match. The task force can get started whenever it's ready."
"Did you hear that, Captain?" Admiral Witman turned back to the viewscreen.
"I assume you want us to get underway immediately," Picard responded, "I will inform the rest of the task force."
"Good," Witman said, "We'll open a vortex to the source universe ASAP. Captain, we're counting on you. No matter what happens, you have to get the information back to us."
"Understood," The Captain responded, "Picard out."
***
"There… there must be something we haven't tried," Daniel began.
"What about Ishan?" Sam asked, "He had more advanced technology than anyone we met before, and he did warn us that an invasion was on the way. Maybe he knows how to stop them."
"Ishan warned us about those bioship guys," Jack pointed out, "The Borg aren't anything like them."
"We have to try," Sam responded.
"I agree," General Hammond answered.
"There's only one problem," Daniel stated, "We've never used the stargate to travel between dimensions without Ishan's help. We logged his co-ordinates, so we could dial the gate, but we won't have enough power to connect the wormhole."
"I think I can arrange some for some extra power, if that's what we need," The General answered, "How much can the gate take?"
"The gate technology is a lot more advanced than ours," Daniel responded, "We've seen them take direct hits from Death Gliders and keep working. I don't think we'll have enough power to overload it."
"Teal'c, do you know how much power it will take?" Hammond asked.
"I do not believe the Goa'uld have ever used the gate to travel to other dimensions," Teal'c answered, "I do not know how difficult it will be."
"Fine," General Hammond said, "I'll bring in as much power as possible. Be ready for an extended mission starting tomarrow, at the earliest. Dismissed."
The General watched as SG1 filed out, then picked up the red phone. He took a moment to prepare his explanation, and took the receiver off the hook, "Get me the President."
***
"Is that supposed to bother me?" Tyr asked.
"You tell me," Dylan responded, "You're the security officer. You were supposed to protect Harper during this mission, but he died anyway. You didn't even go on the boarding party. If I were in your situation, I'm not sure how I'd handle it."
"Is that an accusation?" Tyr looked Dylan in the eyes, unblinking.
"No, I didn't mean that you weren't doing your duty. I know you did what you thought was best at the time. We all thought that a small group would have a better chance to suceed. I just want you to know that none of this is your fault."
"I'm a Neitzchian," Tyr stated, flatly, "I don't care about their deaths. However, the loss of the ship does make our survival more difficult, and that bothers me. If females didn't question my genetic quality for joining your crew, they certainly would for letting the ship get destroyed."
"You didn't let anyone destroy the Andromeda. It just happened, and none of us could have done anything about it, not even Harper."
"Placing blame is something humans do because they feel remorse and regret. I only care about the outcome, and this was not the best outcome for me. I should have done things differently."
"You don't feel any remorse?" Dylan asked.
"Never. I won't let a waste of energy like that get in my way."
Dylan paused for a moment, "I don't believe you. You can try to deny it, but beneath the bonespurs and the engineered immune system, you're human. No matter how hard you try to push it away, you feel something when a member of the crew dies. If you really are beyond good and evil, why are you so afraid of emotions?"
"I'm not afraid," Tyr took a step forward.
Dylan put his hand up, "Don't answer that."
Tyr crossed his arms and grunted. Dylan waited for a moment, hoping to catch a glimpse of his officer's reaction, but soon turned to go. Tyr watched silently, unmoving, as the Captain returned to the bridge of the tiny freighter.
***
"What is this place?" Captain Picard looked at the image on the viewscreen.
"It looks like liquid space…" Chakotay responded, "Species 8472's territory was like this. Did we make a wrong turn?"
"According to my readings, we have reached the correct quantum reality," Data responded, "Astrometric data is almost entirely consistent with our intended destination. However, sensors are not detecting earth in this sector."
"What?" Picard asked.
"In this reality, the orbit normally used by earth is occupied by a small asteroid belt."
"They destroyed the planet," Riker could barely say it.
"If there is anything left of the data, we have to find it quickly," Chakotay said, "When we entered liquid space, it sent vibrations through the fluid. Whoever controls this area will know we're here."
"Mr. Data," Picard ordered, "Signal all vessels. Tell them to spread out and search the asteroid field as quickly as possible. Order Voyager to scan the surface of Mars before joining the others. Look for life signs, or any sign of human civilization."
Data responded, "The fluid permeating this area is interfering with our sensors. A complete survey will require seven hours.
"Do everything you can to reduce that," Picard responded, then pressed a key on the arm of his chair, "Bridge to engineering, we need to find a way to improve our sensor accuracy in this area."
"We're already on it, sir," Geordi responded, "We're going to try using the liquid for a type of interphasic sonar. We'll need a few minutes to alter the deflector dish."
"Make it so," Captain Picard said, "Data, transmit the specifications for the new sensor system to the other vessels."
"Captain, we are being hailed on all frequencies, but we aren't detecting any ships in the area, and we can't trace the signal," Security officer Hirs stated.
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and prepare to be assimilated. Resistance is futile."
"Order all ships to continue the search," Picard said, "We must not fail."
"The Defiant is hailing us," Hirs said, "They've found… something on one of the larger asteroids."
"Mr. Data, bring us to the Defiant's location. Transmit greetings on all channels."
"We're getting a response from the asteroid," Hirs said.
"On screen."
"It's true," A haggard, human male appeared on the viewscreen, "You're human. We thought the colony ship might have survived, but we we're sure. How did you get past the screamers?"
"We are from an alternate timeline," Captain Picard explained, "We need information about your history."
"An alternate timeline?" The man shook his head, "That doesn't matter now. You have to help us. The screamers plundered our world, then they destroyed it. Now, something else is out there, and they've destroyed all the other colonies. Get us out of here, we'll tell you whatever you need to know."
"We can use our transporters to bring you over to our ship, but we will have to do so quickly."
"Transporters?" The human asked, "You mean you'll break us into pieces and pull us over to the ship? I didn't think that was possible."
"Do you agree?" Picard asked.
"Yes, anything. Just get us out of here. The main computer core for the colony is in the room with me. It's about two meters on a side. Can you beam it up too?"
"We will," Picard answered, "How many colonists are there?"
"Two hundred fifteen," He responded.
"Understood, prepare for transport," Picard signaled to cut communications, "Send a message to all ships, and have them converge to this location. Begin transporting the colonists and the computer core immediately. We will return to Federation space as soon as we have everyone."
"Captain, interphasic sensors are detecting a Borg Cube at extreme range and closing. They appear to be moving at low warp. The Agamemnon and the Detroit are moving to intercept."
"Why would they approach at low warp?" Picard asked, half-rhetorically.
"Maybe they're trying to minimize the disruption of the liquid," Chakotay surmized, "Make it harder for us to find them."
"The Cube has reached standard sensor range," Data stated, "They are dropping out of warp near the Agamemnon, and are proceeding at high sublight."
"On screen," Picard ordered.
The officers watched as the refit Excelsior stood its ground in defiance of the powerful cube. The Sovereign class Detroit was converging on the location. The Borg made no move to attack the vessels as it moved swiftly in the direction of the Federation task force. The crew of the Enterprise made no sound, until two explosions broke the tension.
"They rammed it," Commander Riker found himself aghast once again, "They didn't even slow down."
"Yes," Data responded, "And the Detroit was destroyed by a weapon of unknown origin."
"Get us out of here," Picard ordered.
"We will reach the vortex in four seconds," Data stated… "The Borg have engaged warp drive, and are aproaching rapidly."
"Signal starfleet to close the vortex as soon as we reach Federation territory."
"Sir, the final ship is through the vortex… The aperture is closing."
"They'll signal the collective in this timeline before long," Riker stated, "We have to find a secure location."
"The Federation council must have realised how desparate the situation has become," Picard nodded, "What is our progress in finding the source universe?"
"Thanks to Data's algorithm, we should be getting a result within the next few hours," Witman paused, "If this thing even works."
"Admiral, our chief engineer feels that…" Picard wasn't able to finish his sentence, as a young ensign burst into the Admiral's office.
"I'm sorry, sir," The young man saluted his superior officer, "But the computers found a match. The task force can get started whenever it's ready."
"Did you hear that, Captain?" Admiral Witman turned back to the viewscreen.
"I assume you want us to get underway immediately," Picard responded, "I will inform the rest of the task force."
"Good," Witman said, "We'll open a vortex to the source universe ASAP. Captain, we're counting on you. No matter what happens, you have to get the information back to us."
"Understood," The Captain responded, "Picard out."
***
"There… there must be something we haven't tried," Daniel began.
"What about Ishan?" Sam asked, "He had more advanced technology than anyone we met before, and he did warn us that an invasion was on the way. Maybe he knows how to stop them."
"Ishan warned us about those bioship guys," Jack pointed out, "The Borg aren't anything like them."
"We have to try," Sam responded.
"I agree," General Hammond answered.
"There's only one problem," Daniel stated, "We've never used the stargate to travel between dimensions without Ishan's help. We logged his co-ordinates, so we could dial the gate, but we won't have enough power to connect the wormhole."
"I think I can arrange some for some extra power, if that's what we need," The General answered, "How much can the gate take?"
"The gate technology is a lot more advanced than ours," Daniel responded, "We've seen them take direct hits from Death Gliders and keep working. I don't think we'll have enough power to overload it."
"Teal'c, do you know how much power it will take?" Hammond asked.
"I do not believe the Goa'uld have ever used the gate to travel to other dimensions," Teal'c answered, "I do not know how difficult it will be."
"Fine," General Hammond said, "I'll bring in as much power as possible. Be ready for an extended mission starting tomarrow, at the earliest. Dismissed."
The General watched as SG1 filed out, then picked up the red phone. He took a moment to prepare his explanation, and took the receiver off the hook, "Get me the President."
***
"Is that supposed to bother me?" Tyr asked.
"You tell me," Dylan responded, "You're the security officer. You were supposed to protect Harper during this mission, but he died anyway. You didn't even go on the boarding party. If I were in your situation, I'm not sure how I'd handle it."
"Is that an accusation?" Tyr looked Dylan in the eyes, unblinking.
"No, I didn't mean that you weren't doing your duty. I know you did what you thought was best at the time. We all thought that a small group would have a better chance to suceed. I just want you to know that none of this is your fault."
"I'm a Neitzchian," Tyr stated, flatly, "I don't care about their deaths. However, the loss of the ship does make our survival more difficult, and that bothers me. If females didn't question my genetic quality for joining your crew, they certainly would for letting the ship get destroyed."
"You didn't let anyone destroy the Andromeda. It just happened, and none of us could have done anything about it, not even Harper."
"Placing blame is something humans do because they feel remorse and regret. I only care about the outcome, and this was not the best outcome for me. I should have done things differently."
"You don't feel any remorse?" Dylan asked.
"Never. I won't let a waste of energy like that get in my way."
Dylan paused for a moment, "I don't believe you. You can try to deny it, but beneath the bonespurs and the engineered immune system, you're human. No matter how hard you try to push it away, you feel something when a member of the crew dies. If you really are beyond good and evil, why are you so afraid of emotions?"
"I'm not afraid," Tyr took a step forward.
Dylan put his hand up, "Don't answer that."
Tyr crossed his arms and grunted. Dylan waited for a moment, hoping to catch a glimpse of his officer's reaction, but soon turned to go. Tyr watched silently, unmoving, as the Captain returned to the bridge of the tiny freighter.
***
"What is this place?" Captain Picard looked at the image on the viewscreen.
"It looks like liquid space…" Chakotay responded, "Species 8472's territory was like this. Did we make a wrong turn?"
"According to my readings, we have reached the correct quantum reality," Data responded, "Astrometric data is almost entirely consistent with our intended destination. However, sensors are not detecting earth in this sector."
"What?" Picard asked.
"In this reality, the orbit normally used by earth is occupied by a small asteroid belt."
"They destroyed the planet," Riker could barely say it.
"If there is anything left of the data, we have to find it quickly," Chakotay said, "When we entered liquid space, it sent vibrations through the fluid. Whoever controls this area will know we're here."
"Mr. Data," Picard ordered, "Signal all vessels. Tell them to spread out and search the asteroid field as quickly as possible. Order Voyager to scan the surface of Mars before joining the others. Look for life signs, or any sign of human civilization."
Data responded, "The fluid permeating this area is interfering with our sensors. A complete survey will require seven hours.
"Do everything you can to reduce that," Picard responded, then pressed a key on the arm of his chair, "Bridge to engineering, we need to find a way to improve our sensor accuracy in this area."
"We're already on it, sir," Geordi responded, "We're going to try using the liquid for a type of interphasic sonar. We'll need a few minutes to alter the deflector dish."
"Make it so," Captain Picard said, "Data, transmit the specifications for the new sensor system to the other vessels."
"Captain, we are being hailed on all frequencies, but we aren't detecting any ships in the area, and we can't trace the signal," Security officer Hirs stated.
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and prepare to be assimilated. Resistance is futile."
"Order all ships to continue the search," Picard said, "We must not fail."
"The Defiant is hailing us," Hirs said, "They've found… something on one of the larger asteroids."
"Mr. Data, bring us to the Defiant's location. Transmit greetings on all channels."
"We're getting a response from the asteroid," Hirs said.
"On screen."
"It's true," A haggard, human male appeared on the viewscreen, "You're human. We thought the colony ship might have survived, but we we're sure. How did you get past the screamers?"
"We are from an alternate timeline," Captain Picard explained, "We need information about your history."
"An alternate timeline?" The man shook his head, "That doesn't matter now. You have to help us. The screamers plundered our world, then they destroyed it. Now, something else is out there, and they've destroyed all the other colonies. Get us out of here, we'll tell you whatever you need to know."
"We can use our transporters to bring you over to our ship, but we will have to do so quickly."
"Transporters?" The human asked, "You mean you'll break us into pieces and pull us over to the ship? I didn't think that was possible."
"Do you agree?" Picard asked.
"Yes, anything. Just get us out of here. The main computer core for the colony is in the room with me. It's about two meters on a side. Can you beam it up too?"
"We will," Picard answered, "How many colonists are there?"
"Two hundred fifteen," He responded.
"Understood, prepare for transport," Picard signaled to cut communications, "Send a message to all ships, and have them converge to this location. Begin transporting the colonists and the computer core immediately. We will return to Federation space as soon as we have everyone."
"Captain, interphasic sensors are detecting a Borg Cube at extreme range and closing. They appear to be moving at low warp. The Agamemnon and the Detroit are moving to intercept."
"Why would they approach at low warp?" Picard asked, half-rhetorically.
"Maybe they're trying to minimize the disruption of the liquid," Chakotay surmized, "Make it harder for us to find them."
"The Cube has reached standard sensor range," Data stated, "They are dropping out of warp near the Agamemnon, and are proceeding at high sublight."
"On screen," Picard ordered.
The officers watched as the refit Excelsior stood its ground in defiance of the powerful cube. The Sovereign class Detroit was converging on the location. The Borg made no move to attack the vessels as it moved swiftly in the direction of the Federation task force. The crew of the Enterprise made no sound, until two explosions broke the tension.
"They rammed it," Commander Riker found himself aghast once again, "They didn't even slow down."
"Yes," Data responded, "And the Detroit was destroyed by a weapon of unknown origin."
"Get us out of here," Picard ordered.
"We will reach the vortex in four seconds," Data stated… "The Borg have engaged warp drive, and are aproaching rapidly."
"Signal starfleet to close the vortex as soon as we reach Federation territory."
"Sir, the final ship is through the vortex… The aperture is closing."
"They'll signal the collective in this timeline before long," Riker stated, "We have to find a secure location."