"So what is this thing?" Jack asked.
"It is a joint effort of the First Ones," Ishan explained.
"Who?" Jack asked.
"I told you that we wouldn't have time for Ethnic Diversity 101," Ishan answered, "Let's just say that it's an impressive little gizmo… for that universe anyway. Its unusual enough for us to acquire, and that's all you have to know for now."
"What do you want us to do?"
"Just distract people long enough for me to get it out of there."
"What about that time stopping thing you used last time?"
"Too power intensive," Ishan responded quickly, "This is supposed to be a low key mission. Just get in and get out."
"If this device is as advanced as you suggest, we can expect heavy resistance," Teal'c noted.
"Well, I do have a little device to make myself go invisible. You have them too, and I'm sorry that we didn't have time to show you how to use them. You won't really need them anyway, since you have to be visible to keep people away."
"How are we getting into this space station?" Sam asked.
"We'll use a vortex," Ishan said, "It would help if they had a stargate but we don't really need one on their end. Luckily, it's a pretty hectic time for them right now. We can open the vortex in one of the closed sections. After that, you shouldn't have any trouble blending in. Just be glad they have humans on the station already."
"So, how do we get out?" Jack prodded.
Ishan sighed, "They'll open the vortex again from this side in two hours, then for a short time every hour after that if we don't make it on time. If we can't get back by the end of the day, their time, we'll be on our own getting back. Now, enough questions. We're ready to open the vortex."
***
"Where do we go first?" Chakotay asked.
"I will require time to compile the information," Data responded, "I must view the entirety of a series, then create a 'divergence index' to tell us how distant their timeline is from ours. I believe I will be able to determine a destination within the next three days."
Commander Chakotay stayed for a bit longer to see how quickly Data was progressing, then headed to his temporary quarters on the Enterprise. Once there, he contacted Voyager.
"I'm glad you got a chance to call," Janeway greeted him, "How are things aboard the Enterprise?"
"Fine. They think we'll be able to get underway in a few days."
"Good," Captain Janeway responded, "We don't have any time to waste. I don't like waiting around here while the Borg destroy innocent people."
"I don't think we'll have trouble finding allies out there. The Borg have a way of making old enemies put aside their differences."
"Let's hope so. If we can't upgrade our technology, the Borg will take over the entire multiverse before long."
"It's worse than that, Kathy," Q appeared behind the captain, "The Borg are becoming much too powerful already."
"Q?" Janeway turned, "Are you here to give us a hand?"
"Yes and no," Q answered, smiling briefly, "The Borg are about two weeks away from assimilating an empire known as the Culture. The Culture's technology is so advanced that it nearly puts them on a plane with super-sentients. After the Culture, then they'll go after the Douwd. With Douwd abilities, they'll be a threat to the continuum. We can't let that happen. If they do overpower the Culture, we'll wipe out all life in the multiverse to keep them from getting any further."
"Why?" Janeway demanded, "Why can't you just destroy the Borg, and let the rest of us get on with our lives?"
"Sentients," Q shook his head, "Your minds are so limited. You can't possibly understand how things like this work."
"Try me," Captain Janeway responded.
"You don't even have words for most of the ideas I'd have to explain," Q stated, "You'll just have to wait for a couple of weeks and find out for yourself."
***
"It's up ahead," Ishan whispered, "We won't…"
Without warning, the room was shaken violently. People immediately began running in all directions, and a warning siren wailed in the background.
"What's going on?" Sam asked, raising her voice over the pandamonium.
"The Borg!" Ishan responded, "Follow me."
Ishan led them into a darkened room, and began speaking urgently.
"They've started evacuating the station. This place won't last long against a Cube, so we have to find a ship and get out," Ishan touched the controls on the devices that the SG team had been given, causing them to become invisible, "Just use the sensor device to see where I go, and I'll get us a ride out."
Jack, Teal'C, Sam, and Daniel placed the goggles over their eyes, and were able to see Ishan again. He walked swiftly down the halls, not caring who he happened to bump into. The walkways were so crowded that even that didn't make anyone aware of his presense. Before long, they had reached an airlock, and went through. Ishan led them into the vessel's cargo hold. The ship was small and cramped, but none of them expected to be on it for long.
In moments, they heard the airlock close. The vessel shuddered only slightly as it pulled away from the station. Behind them, Babylon 6 was being cut to pieces, and brought aboard the Borg Cubes for study.
"Now what?" Jack asked, quietly.
"Now, when my people reopen the vortex, they'll only find empty space. We're on our own getting back."
"What about the thing we were supposed to get?" Daniel asked.
"I chose this ship because Kosh left the device here. I hope to get another chance when we stop again."
"Why would they place an important device on a poorly-armed vessel?" Teal'c wondered.
"I'm not sure," Ishan shook his head, "It's strange… Kosh picked up the device and headed for the ship just before the Borg attacked."
"Is Kosh on the ship?" Sam glanced around the darkened cargo area.
"No, he stayed with the defense fleet on the station," Ishan answered, "Luckily, he left the device here."
The vessel soon exited hyperspace, and a device that Ishan was carrying sent a very mild jolt of electricity into his arm. He smiled as he motioned for the SG team to move closer.
"I've detected a vortex generator in this universe. It would have taken me months to build a stargate from scratch," Ishan explained, putting noticeable effort into keeping his voice quiet, "We have to track down the generator and use it to get back to my people… We may have to commandeer this ship."
"It shouldn't be too hard," Jack said, "We are invisble."
"I'd like to try a diplomatic approach first," Ishan responded, "Still, I want Sam to stay cloaked, and have her Zat ready if we need her."
***
The beeping of the small device irritated her more than it usually did as she watched it pass over her head. She didn't want to be here, but the Captain had insisted that everyone near the radiation leak had to go to sickbay.
"Minor skin irritation," The Doctor stated as he examined the readings, "Slight bruising near the third cranial ridge."
B'Elenna huffed, "I could have told her that."
"Perhaps you have a future in medicine. Not everyone can check for a potential concussion without a medical tricorder."
"Thanks. Just give me a clean bill of health, and let me get back to work."
"You're free to go," The Doctor turned to Icheb, and muttered, "It's good to see that Starfleet's most advanced holotechnology is being appreciated."
"I would not be concerned," Icheb said, "She hasn't been the same since the incident."
"No one has been," The Doctor responded, "The Captain's done everything she could, but there isn't much hope of rallying the crew at a time like this."
"Depression, anger, and denial are common reactions for most sensient life forms when a friend is lost," Icheb stated.
"What about you? Have you been feeling alright?"
"I will miss them," Icheb's face did not show his emotions, "However, I am more concerned with Natalie Wildman. She is very young, and she was close to Seven of Nine."
"I am too," The Doctor confessed, "I've never seen a child suffering from depression as severe as hers. Her parents are literally worrying themselves sick. Captain Janeway gave them leave to spend time with her, but even that doesn't seem to be helping."
"The crew should be functioning at maximum efficiency to deal with the Borg threat. There is no room for error."
"Don't worry, they're professionals. I don't think they'll let this get in the way of their duty. Still, they can't keep this up forever. Right now, we're all feeling vulnerable. Sooner or later, something has to break."
***
"Beka, we're done," Dylan said, "Let's pack it in."
"I'm not tired. I think we should keep going," Beka responded.
"You're not tired, yet," Dylan reminded her, "But we're six jumps away from the next rest stop. By then, you'll be exhausted."
"My ship, remember?"
"Beka," Rev came up to her, "They say that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Beka stood up, "OK, but don't blame me if it takes us the next two years just to get there."
"It's been waiting for three hundred years; I don't think a leisurely pace is going to be a problem," Dylan paused, "One more thing. I think we should be working in shifts. I'll handle the next set of jumps. Then, you can take over in the morning."
"Like hell you will," Beka stood nose to nose with Dylan, "Look, you may still be playing captain, but I'll be damned if I'm going to let you pilot my ship."
"Beka, what has gotten into you?"
"Oh I don't know, let me think… Could it have something to do with losing Harper, Trance, and Rommie? Or maybe it's because you don't seem to care."
"You don't think I care?" Dylan echoed, "Beka, it's killing me. I was always trained to keep my emotions under control during my watch. I guess I've been hiding it too well. I'm sorry. I should have known that you wouldn't handle this like a High Guard officer."
Beka felt something on her cheek. Immediately, she reached up and brushed it away, "I've lost people before. I just… I need some time in the stream."
"…To help you forget."
Beka blinked back tears, "Yeah. Do you have a problem with that too?"
"When a High Guard ship loses someone, the officers used to…"
"Would you shut up about the High Guard," Beka rubbed forcefully at her eyes, "The Commonwealth is dead. It's been dead for three hundred years, and it's not coming back."
Dylan didn't move or speak, but she could see in his eyes that he was hurt. He had doubts of his own, and loosing Rommie looked like the final nail in the coffin. Hearing those words from his first officer made him feel as though he had been kicked in the stomach.
"I'm sorry," Beka looked down for a moment, and could feel Dylan's hand touch her arm, "When mom died, Uncle Sid used to tell me that crying made my dad feel worse."
Dylan put his other arm around Beka, and hugged her gently, "You have to let it out."
Beka let her head fall to his shoulder, and tears started to come. She blinked at first, trying to hold back, but let go after a moment. It wasn't just for Trance, Harper, and Rommie now, but for all of them. For her parents, for everyone who had dissapointed her, for her brother and for Uncle Sid. Rev was her only family now…
Dylan held her, gently patting her back and whispering the few comforting words that came to him. He wanted to let go too, but he couldn't. Not in front of the crew. Beka had years of habit and force of will holding her emotions down, but Dylan had even more. He had too much training to change now. When he lost Sarah and Rhade, Rommie was the only one left that he could really confide in, and now she was gone too. He needed time.
"It is a joint effort of the First Ones," Ishan explained.
"Who?" Jack asked.
"I told you that we wouldn't have time for Ethnic Diversity 101," Ishan answered, "Let's just say that it's an impressive little gizmo… for that universe anyway. Its unusual enough for us to acquire, and that's all you have to know for now."
"What do you want us to do?"
"Just distract people long enough for me to get it out of there."
"What about that time stopping thing you used last time?"
"Too power intensive," Ishan responded quickly, "This is supposed to be a low key mission. Just get in and get out."
"If this device is as advanced as you suggest, we can expect heavy resistance," Teal'c noted.
"Well, I do have a little device to make myself go invisible. You have them too, and I'm sorry that we didn't have time to show you how to use them. You won't really need them anyway, since you have to be visible to keep people away."
"How are we getting into this space station?" Sam asked.
"We'll use a vortex," Ishan said, "It would help if they had a stargate but we don't really need one on their end. Luckily, it's a pretty hectic time for them right now. We can open the vortex in one of the closed sections. After that, you shouldn't have any trouble blending in. Just be glad they have humans on the station already."
"So, how do we get out?" Jack prodded.
Ishan sighed, "They'll open the vortex again from this side in two hours, then for a short time every hour after that if we don't make it on time. If we can't get back by the end of the day, their time, we'll be on our own getting back. Now, enough questions. We're ready to open the vortex."
***
"Where do we go first?" Chakotay asked.
"I will require time to compile the information," Data responded, "I must view the entirety of a series, then create a 'divergence index' to tell us how distant their timeline is from ours. I believe I will be able to determine a destination within the next three days."
Commander Chakotay stayed for a bit longer to see how quickly Data was progressing, then headed to his temporary quarters on the Enterprise. Once there, he contacted Voyager.
"I'm glad you got a chance to call," Janeway greeted him, "How are things aboard the Enterprise?"
"Fine. They think we'll be able to get underway in a few days."
"Good," Captain Janeway responded, "We don't have any time to waste. I don't like waiting around here while the Borg destroy innocent people."
"I don't think we'll have trouble finding allies out there. The Borg have a way of making old enemies put aside their differences."
"Let's hope so. If we can't upgrade our technology, the Borg will take over the entire multiverse before long."
"It's worse than that, Kathy," Q appeared behind the captain, "The Borg are becoming much too powerful already."
"Q?" Janeway turned, "Are you here to give us a hand?"
"Yes and no," Q answered, smiling briefly, "The Borg are about two weeks away from assimilating an empire known as the Culture. The Culture's technology is so advanced that it nearly puts them on a plane with super-sentients. After the Culture, then they'll go after the Douwd. With Douwd abilities, they'll be a threat to the continuum. We can't let that happen. If they do overpower the Culture, we'll wipe out all life in the multiverse to keep them from getting any further."
"Why?" Janeway demanded, "Why can't you just destroy the Borg, and let the rest of us get on with our lives?"
"Sentients," Q shook his head, "Your minds are so limited. You can't possibly understand how things like this work."
"Try me," Captain Janeway responded.
"You don't even have words for most of the ideas I'd have to explain," Q stated, "You'll just have to wait for a couple of weeks and find out for yourself."
***
"It's up ahead," Ishan whispered, "We won't…"
Without warning, the room was shaken violently. People immediately began running in all directions, and a warning siren wailed in the background.
"What's going on?" Sam asked, raising her voice over the pandamonium.
"The Borg!" Ishan responded, "Follow me."
Ishan led them into a darkened room, and began speaking urgently.
"They've started evacuating the station. This place won't last long against a Cube, so we have to find a ship and get out," Ishan touched the controls on the devices that the SG team had been given, causing them to become invisible, "Just use the sensor device to see where I go, and I'll get us a ride out."
Jack, Teal'C, Sam, and Daniel placed the goggles over their eyes, and were able to see Ishan again. He walked swiftly down the halls, not caring who he happened to bump into. The walkways were so crowded that even that didn't make anyone aware of his presense. Before long, they had reached an airlock, and went through. Ishan led them into the vessel's cargo hold. The ship was small and cramped, but none of them expected to be on it for long.
In moments, they heard the airlock close. The vessel shuddered only slightly as it pulled away from the station. Behind them, Babylon 6 was being cut to pieces, and brought aboard the Borg Cubes for study.
"Now what?" Jack asked, quietly.
"Now, when my people reopen the vortex, they'll only find empty space. We're on our own getting back."
"What about the thing we were supposed to get?" Daniel asked.
"I chose this ship because Kosh left the device here. I hope to get another chance when we stop again."
"Why would they place an important device on a poorly-armed vessel?" Teal'c wondered.
"I'm not sure," Ishan shook his head, "It's strange… Kosh picked up the device and headed for the ship just before the Borg attacked."
"Is Kosh on the ship?" Sam glanced around the darkened cargo area.
"No, he stayed with the defense fleet on the station," Ishan answered, "Luckily, he left the device here."
The vessel soon exited hyperspace, and a device that Ishan was carrying sent a very mild jolt of electricity into his arm. He smiled as he motioned for the SG team to move closer.
"I've detected a vortex generator in this universe. It would have taken me months to build a stargate from scratch," Ishan explained, putting noticeable effort into keeping his voice quiet, "We have to track down the generator and use it to get back to my people… We may have to commandeer this ship."
"It shouldn't be too hard," Jack said, "We are invisble."
"I'd like to try a diplomatic approach first," Ishan responded, "Still, I want Sam to stay cloaked, and have her Zat ready if we need her."
***
The beeping of the small device irritated her more than it usually did as she watched it pass over her head. She didn't want to be here, but the Captain had insisted that everyone near the radiation leak had to go to sickbay.
"Minor skin irritation," The Doctor stated as he examined the readings, "Slight bruising near the third cranial ridge."
B'Elenna huffed, "I could have told her that."
"Perhaps you have a future in medicine. Not everyone can check for a potential concussion without a medical tricorder."
"Thanks. Just give me a clean bill of health, and let me get back to work."
"You're free to go," The Doctor turned to Icheb, and muttered, "It's good to see that Starfleet's most advanced holotechnology is being appreciated."
"I would not be concerned," Icheb said, "She hasn't been the same since the incident."
"No one has been," The Doctor responded, "The Captain's done everything she could, but there isn't much hope of rallying the crew at a time like this."
"Depression, anger, and denial are common reactions for most sensient life forms when a friend is lost," Icheb stated.
"What about you? Have you been feeling alright?"
"I will miss them," Icheb's face did not show his emotions, "However, I am more concerned with Natalie Wildman. She is very young, and she was close to Seven of Nine."
"I am too," The Doctor confessed, "I've never seen a child suffering from depression as severe as hers. Her parents are literally worrying themselves sick. Captain Janeway gave them leave to spend time with her, but even that doesn't seem to be helping."
"The crew should be functioning at maximum efficiency to deal with the Borg threat. There is no room for error."
"Don't worry, they're professionals. I don't think they'll let this get in the way of their duty. Still, they can't keep this up forever. Right now, we're all feeling vulnerable. Sooner or later, something has to break."
***
"Beka, we're done," Dylan said, "Let's pack it in."
"I'm not tired. I think we should keep going," Beka responded.
"You're not tired, yet," Dylan reminded her, "But we're six jumps away from the next rest stop. By then, you'll be exhausted."
"My ship, remember?"
"Beka," Rev came up to her, "They say that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Beka stood up, "OK, but don't blame me if it takes us the next two years just to get there."
"It's been waiting for three hundred years; I don't think a leisurely pace is going to be a problem," Dylan paused, "One more thing. I think we should be working in shifts. I'll handle the next set of jumps. Then, you can take over in the morning."
"Like hell you will," Beka stood nose to nose with Dylan, "Look, you may still be playing captain, but I'll be damned if I'm going to let you pilot my ship."
"Beka, what has gotten into you?"
"Oh I don't know, let me think… Could it have something to do with losing Harper, Trance, and Rommie? Or maybe it's because you don't seem to care."
"You don't think I care?" Dylan echoed, "Beka, it's killing me. I was always trained to keep my emotions under control during my watch. I guess I've been hiding it too well. I'm sorry. I should have known that you wouldn't handle this like a High Guard officer."
Beka felt something on her cheek. Immediately, she reached up and brushed it away, "I've lost people before. I just… I need some time in the stream."
"…To help you forget."
Beka blinked back tears, "Yeah. Do you have a problem with that too?"
"When a High Guard ship loses someone, the officers used to…"
"Would you shut up about the High Guard," Beka rubbed forcefully at her eyes, "The Commonwealth is dead. It's been dead for three hundred years, and it's not coming back."
Dylan didn't move or speak, but she could see in his eyes that he was hurt. He had doubts of his own, and loosing Rommie looked like the final nail in the coffin. Hearing those words from his first officer made him feel as though he had been kicked in the stomach.
"I'm sorry," Beka looked down for a moment, and could feel Dylan's hand touch her arm, "When mom died, Uncle Sid used to tell me that crying made my dad feel worse."
Dylan put his other arm around Beka, and hugged her gently, "You have to let it out."
Beka let her head fall to his shoulder, and tears started to come. She blinked at first, trying to hold back, but let go after a moment. It wasn't just for Trance, Harper, and Rommie now, but for all of them. For her parents, for everyone who had dissapointed her, for her brother and for Uncle Sid. Rev was her only family now…
Dylan held her, gently patting her back and whispering the few comforting words that came to him. He wanted to let go too, but he couldn't. Not in front of the crew. Beka had years of habit and force of will holding her emotions down, but Dylan had even more. He had too much training to change now. When he lost Sarah and Rhade, Rommie was the only one left that he could really confide in, and now she was gone too. He needed time.