Sailor Trek: The Next Generation

by timetracker2643

The second generation of the Enterprise meets the Scouts. A Borg to Remember.

5. Chapter 5 - Rescue Mission

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Sailor Trek: The Next Generation





Chapter 5 - Rescue Mission

"Captain, could I have a word with you?" Riker inquired. Glancing

at the others he added, "In private."

Picard nodded, having a good idea what the first officer wanted to

discuss. "If you'll excuse us?" Acceding to his request, the others

made their way back onto the bridge. As the security chief was leaving

he said, "Mr. Worf, escort the Scouts to Holodeck Two, and begin working

with them and Mr. Data. I'll be joining you shortly." Riker remained

silent, but his face had a "We'll-see-about-this" expression.

"Aye, sir."

Picard was about to address his first officer when he realized that

Q was still present. "You also, Q. *Out.*"

"Well, I know where I'm not wanted," the entity grumbled and

promptly vanished.

"That'll be the day," Picard observed softly.



After the door had closed behind them, Mars asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's... unusual for a captain to lead an away mission," Troi

answered hesitantly. "Typically the first officer does while the

captain remains on the ship."

Jupiter frowned and observed, "Gee, it wasn't like that for

Captain Kirk."

Q chose that moment to reappear, startling the two Moon cats.

"Times change," he stated. "And not always for the better."

"Shut up, Q!" several voices exclaimed in unison.



"With all due respect, sir," Riker said sharply as soon as Q had

vanished, "have you lost your mind?"

Picard regarded him with a slightly amused expression. "Don't you

think you're overreacting, Will?"

"No, sir, I don't," he responded. "As first officer, it's my duty

to handle the away missions to keep the captain out of unnecessary danger.

And in my book... hell in anyone's book... leading a rescue mission onto

a Borg ship definitely qualifies." He took a step closer to Picard.

"Sir, why are you so intent on leading this away team?"

Picard sighed and sat down. "I have my reasons, Will. Firstly, I

know my way around a Borg ship. I know the Borg."

"True," Riker conceded. "But I've been on a Borg ship as well, and

I've had experience in dealing with them."

"I think we can agree that my experiences were of a more...

intimate nature," Picard countered.

Riker grimaced. He had no real counter to that argument. Picard's

time as Locutus had given him an insight into the Borg that no one else

could match. "I can't argue with that. But I still believe that this

is a totally unacceptable risk you're taking."

"It is a risk, Number One, but it's one worth taking." Picard

paused, trying to find the proper phrasing. "It is likely... no,

inevitable, that we will have future encounters with the Borg. When

that happens, I have to be able to confront the Borg face to face. And

it's not something I can do from the bridge."

Riker looked thoughtful as he considered the captain's reasoning.

"Sir, these aren't the usual type of Borg we'll be facing. They may

react entirely differently to what you're used..."

"Be that as it may, I'm going, Commander," Picard interrupted his

first officer, his voice a little harder than he wanted. Then in a

quieter tone, he added, "This is something I have to do, Will."



Darien and the Scouts looked around as they entered Holodeck Two.

It was a featureless room, the all black save for a gold colored grid

adorning the walls, ceiling and floor. "This is a holodeck?" Venus

wondered. "It doesn't look like much."

"That is because we have not created the program for it to run,"

Data responded. He had met them at the entrance, waiting patiently for

them to arrive. "Computer: access log records and recreate the interior

of a Borg ship." Instantly the room vanished and they stood inside a

Borg ship.

The five newcomers marveled at the realism of the simulation.

"Wow," Jupiter commented. "You guys have the technology to do this?"

"The holodeck can create virtually any environment that is needed,"

Worf answered. "They are used both for recreation and for training

simulations."

"This may not be an entirely accurate simulation as Rubeus has

undoubtedly made alterations to the Borg craft," Data said.

"Nevertheless, it should provide us an opportunity to work with you."

"The captain wanted us to begin at once," Worf informed the

android. "He will join us later."

"I see."

"You don't seem too surprised that Captain Picard will be going

with us," Mars commented.

"As I am an android, I am incapable of expressing, or experiencing,

emotions such as surprise."

Tuxedo Mask frowned. "Android?"

"He's a synthetic life form. He was created, not born," Mercury

answered.

Venus stared at Data. "You mean he's a robot?"

"Android. Not a robot," Data corrected her. "Computer: Load

Borg combat training simulation alpha and begin program." The two

Starfleet officers drew their weapons and readied themselves.

Simultaneously, several of the Borg simulacrums moved out of their slots

and moved towards them.

Before either could fire, Mars cried out, "MARS CELESTIAL FIRE

SURROUND!"

Several ringlets of fire struck an approaching Borg, while a thrown

rose struck another. Both began flickering on and off, and the computer

announced "Program error."

"Interesting," Data commented as he put away his phaser.

"Computer: Freeze program." The other Borg in sight froze in their

tracks.

Worf eyed the still flickering Borg. "What happened?"

"Don't blame me," Mars said defensively. "I did what I would do

over there."

"I did not blame you."

"Computer: Arch." Data examined the readouts on the holodeck

controls. "The computer was not able to accurately interpret the effects

of Sailor Mars' attack, nor was it able to handle Tuxedo Mask's. I

surmise it will be necessary to examine the various attack modes of each

of the Scouts and have the computer analyze them in turn."

"Then let's get started," Jupiter said. "We're wasting time."



Picard entered Sickbay and, after pausing a moment to locate her,

went over to Dr. Crusher. He had been on his way to the holodeck when

Beverly had called and asked him to make the detour here. He fervently

hoped that Riker hadn't enlisted her help in trying to dissuade him from

leading the away mission. He didn't feel like fighting that battle

again. "You wanted to see me, Beverly?"

She looked up from her patient, worry evident on her face. "Yes,

Jean-Luc. It's about Ensign Harris."

Picard looked down at the biobed and was stunned. He remembered

greeting her less than a week before when she had first reported for

bridge duty. She had been an attractive young woman, not even a year

out of the Academy. Now, her skin had taken on the tone of chalk and her

expression was dull and lifeless as she stared at the ceiling. But worst

of all, on the right side of her face was obviously a Borg implant of

some sort.

He knew at once that Ensign Kristin Harris was no more. Only a

Borg drone remained.

"How...?"

Beverly shook her head. "I'm not completely certain, but I

believe that the Borg injected a series of nanoprobes into her. Once

inside, they began replicating themselves and making alterations in her

biochemistry -- even down to her DNA. They've also constructed a series

of implants which I think serve to connect her to the Borg collective."

"That would explain her inactivity at the present time. Since Q

has removed us from normal space and time, there's no connection to be

made with the collective." Picard paused for a moment. "Can you treat

her? Can you remove the implants from her as you did... as you did with

me?"

Crusher hesitated before replying. "Not at the moment, no. Your

assimilation involved a simple series of cybernetic implants, which I was

easily able to remove. But for her, I would have to somehow remove

millions, if not billions by now, of these nanoprobes. And the way

they've hooked themselves up to her cellular structure, not even the

transporter biofilters can separate them out." The two were silent for

a time. "Captain, I believe that your assimilation used a unique method,

for one reason or another. This seems to be their standard method of

assimilation. Anyone who undergoes this process may be lost...

permanently."

Picard looked up sharply and stared at her for a moment. He then

turned and strode determinedly out of Sickbay, leaving the doctor with her

patient.



His thoughts still in turmoil over what he had seen in sickbay,

Picard walked onto the holodeck without looking ahead and stopped short.

He had been expecting to walk into the middle of a simulation of the

interior of a Borg ship, but instead he saw the familiar sight of the

holodeck grid. At the far side of the room he could discern several of

the transporter test objects.

Or at least that's what they used to be. Several of the them were

charred, melted and blackened in some manner, and one had somehow become

encased in ice.

As he was taking this in, Data looked up from where he was placing

another test object in the center of the room. Anticipating his

captain's question, he explained, "We have been analyzing each of the

Scouts' attack powers. Since their powers do not adhere to the laws of

physics as we understand them, the computer was unable to correctly

interact them with the holographic simulation."

"I see," Picard said, looking over the results. "How long until

we can begin the training exercise?"

"We're nearly finished," answered Mercury from behind him. He

turned and saw the Scouts clustered around the arch, Tuxedo Mask standing

in front. Worf was standing to one side, an expression of impatience

written on his face. Mercury was standing by the arch controls and was

also holding her palmtop. She evidently had been assisting Data in

analysis of their powers.

"Only Tuxedo Mask remains to have his powers analyzed," Data said,

rejoining them.

"Proceed," Picard said, briefly wondering how a thrown rose could

cause the computer problems. His question was answered when the rose

struck the test object and deeply embedded itself in it. Picard walked

up to it and examined it with a growing sense of awe. The test object

was composed mainly of duranium, a very hard substance used extensively

for starship hulls, and yet the rose had penetrated it easily. "Most

impressive," he said, managing to keep his voice sounding nonchalant.

"Though I would be careful about throwing those through the hull, if I

were you."



Crusher entered the conference room, and found Riker seated at one

end of the long table. Seated atop the table were the two cats, in a

deep discussion with the first officer. Crusher mentally shook her head

and approached the trio. The concept of talking felines was still

something she was getting used to. "You wanted to see me, Will?"

"Yes," Riker acknowledged, gesturing to a seat. As she sat down,

"We've been planing a strategy for our next meeting with Rubeus." The

doctor immediately had a skeptical look on her face which said 'You're

discussing starship tactics with a couple of *cats*?', to which Riker

responded, "I know what you're thinking Beverly. But while they don't

have any knowledge about the Borg..."

"...we do know Rubeus," Artemis concluded.

"That's certainly true," Beverly admitted.

Riker handed her the padd he'd been working on. "The basics of

what we've come up with are outlined here."

Crusher studied the padd's contents for a moment and frowned.

"Will, this looks very similar to the strategy you used against the

Borg at Wolf 359."

Riker nodded. "We've made some alterations, such as using the

deflector dish, but you're right. The core strategy is still the same."

Beverly looked puzzled. "Won't the Borg be ready for that?"

"You have to remember, it's more than the Borg you're dealing with

here," Luna reminded her. "Rubeus is controlling that ship now. It's

him we have to outthink."

Artemis continued, "His weakness is his own arrogance. If he

thinks that you're just using a strategy that worked before..."

"...he won't bother looking for anything else." She nodded and put

down the padd. "So what do you need me for?"

"I want you to command the saucer section," Riker answered.

"Will, I'm a doctor... not a command line officer," she immediately

objected.

"You're a senior officer, Beverly, and you've been bridge qualified.

Worf and Data are accompanying the captain and I need Geordi in

engineering. And I don't want to hand this over to a junior officer.

Simply put, you're it."



Several hours later, a very tired Geordi LaForge emerged from the

bridge turbolift. He stopped short at the sight of Q lounging there...

in mid-air. He quickly recovered and went over to report to Riker.

"We're in business. I've got the main deflector rigged to emit the high

energy burst. All the phaser banks have been rigged to vary their firing

frequencies automatically and I've remodulated the shield nutations of

both sections. All other ship systems are repaired and operational.

We're as ready as we're gonna get."

"Well it's about time. All this waiting around is getting boring."

Riker made it a point to ignore Q. "Well done, Geordi. Riker to

Picard."

"Picard here. What is it Number One?"

"We're all set up here. Ready whenever you are."

"Very well." A loud crash in the background interrupted him.

Riker heard someone yell "Watch where you're aiming that thing!" then

heard the captain sigh.

"Is everything OK, sir?"

"Just a... minor disagreement between Worf and Sailor Mars," the

captain replied, sounding very tired. "One of a number of that we've had

over the last few hours." Unconsciously echoing the chief engineer, he

added "We're about as ready as we'll ever be. Considering our current

location, we can afford to have just Mr. Data on duty. That will give

everyone else a chance to get some rest before we proceed."



The chime from the door startled Darien out of his reverie. "Yes?"

The door opened, allowing Troi to enter. "Something I can do for you,

Counselor?"

"Actually, I came to see if there was something I could do for you,"

she answered. "I could sense your frustration from the other side of the

ship. Do you want to talk about it?"

He returned his gaze to the gray nothingness outside the ship.

"There's nothing to talk about. I'm fine."

Troi briefly considered her options. Ordinarily she'd leave it at

that, letting him decide on his own when, or if, he wanted her help. But

the current situation didn't allow for that. Very shortly he'd be

accompanying the captain on a dangerous away mission. There was no real

choice except to force the issue. "Sure you are," she said, putting a

patronizing tone to her voice. "You're just radiating more anger than

I've felt in Worf for an entire year because everything's just fine." An

exaggeration, to be sure, but one that was warranted.

He whirled at her, "What do you want me to say? Yes, I'm angry!

Angry at myself, because I couldn't protect Serena, that I couldn't stop

Rubeus from kidnapping her! Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Partially," she admitted. "But there's more to it, isn't there?"

He glared at her for a moment, then nodded. "Yes," he replied, his

voice calmer. "Usually I can get a sense of her, how she's doing. But

ever since Q put us here, I've felt *nothing*."

"Since Q has removed us from normal space, that's understandable."

"I know... but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with."

"But you're going to have to try," Deanna said. "In a few hours,

the captain and the Scouts are going to be counting on you when you go

onto that ship. You owe it to them, and to Serena, to be ready. So stop

your brooding and get some sleep."

"Is that an order, Counselor?" he asked, a slight smile showing.

"Yes," she said, returning the smile. "If necessary, I could have

Dr. Crusher give you a sedative."

"It's not," he replied, heading for the bedroom. Deanna turned and

headed for the door. Not a textbook job of counseling, but then this

wasn't exactly a textbook case. She paused in the corridor, trying to

sense the emotional state of the Enterprise's other guests. She felt

only the normal emotions associated with dreaming, though two of them

seemed rather... erotic. If she read them right, both involved in one

way or another... She smiled, laughing softly to herself. If they were

on board for any length of time, Will was going to have a rough time of it.

Well, there was no need to mention that to him. At least not right

away.

She was about to return to her own quarters when she winced, hearing

some rather unladylike thoughts echo in her mind. Which was odd, since

she normally only felt emotions, being half Betazoid. It took a full

telepath, such as her mother, to communicate with her in this manner.

She pressed the call button and the door opened in response,

allowing her to enter. Dressed in the robes of a Shinto priestess, Raye

stood up from where she had been kneeling in the center of the room.

Deanna could see a large fire blazing there, but could tell from the lack

of heat that it was holographic in nature. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

the Sailor Scout asked.

"Well, I was on my way to my quarters, when I heard some rather...

strong thoughts." She took a couple of steps into the room. "I can

guess at the source of your frustration, but I don't think the captain

would appreciate it if you did *that* to the ship's computer."

"It's just that I can't read anything from *this*!" she exclaimed,

viciously snapping off the hologram. "And that damned computer won't

allow a real one in here." She glared at where the holographic fire had

been for a moment before what Deanna had said sunk in. "Wait a minute...

You *heard* my thoughts?!? I thought you were only an empath."

"With other nontelepaths, that's true," Troi admitted. "But you

seem to have a higher psionic potential than other humans." She paused

and sent, *Can you hear this?*

Raye started. "Yes, I did."

*Try sending to me.*

*You mean like this?*

Deanna nodded.

"Wow."



It was nearly eight hours later when Riker entered the fully manned

battle bridge. It seemed odd to be embarking into battle without either

Worf or Data there, but he had full confidence that their replacements

could handle their posts. In fact, Chief O'Brien had served as a tactical

officer before, on the Rutledge during the Cardassian conflicts. "Are

we all set Chief?"

"Yes, sir," O'Brien replied.

"Good." Riker moved to the center seat and realized that it was

already occupied by a white feline. "No offense Artemis... but I believe

you're in my chair."

"Sorry," the cat easily replied. "It's just the best place to stay

out of everyone's way... or at least it was." He jumped out of the chair

and vaulted himself onto the bridge railing.

Riker was sitting himself down in the command chair as Q appeared.

"Oh, good. We're finally getting this little show on the road."

Riker thought it best for all concerned to ignore the entity's

usual sarcastic commentary. He may not like it, but Q's presence was a

necessary evil for this to have any chance of working. "Q, can you

protect the stardrive and saucer sections simultaneously?"

"Of course," he replied with his typical smugness. "It's as easy

as," and snapped his fingers.



Crusher looked up from the command chair as Q materialized on the

main bridge. He smiled and bowed melodramatically. "At your service,

madame capitan."

Luna, seated in the first officer's chair, shook her head.



Riker nodded. "Good. Whenever you're ready, Q."

"Your wish is my command," Q answered. Deciding to take the

opportunity to needle Riker a little, he added, "Number two." As Riker

glared at Q, he snapped his fingers. Smoothly, the viewscreen shifted to

show the normal starfield it usually did.

"We're in the Terran system," Ro reported, "fifty thousand

kilometers outward from lunar orbit."

"Red alert," Riker ordered. As the alert klaxons were sounding, he

added, "Riker to Crusher. Stand by."

"Standing by," the doctor answered over the intercom.

"Picking up a tachyon surge," O'Brien said. Ahead of them space

seemed to ripple and flow, and Rubeus' Borg ship appeared.

"Right on cue," Riker said. Q glanced at him with an uncertain look.

"Borg power levels are low. Their EM field is low enough to permit

transport," said O'Brien.

"Didn't I say so earlier?" Q snapped irritably.

"Riker to Picard. Our guests have arrived. Stand by for transport."



"We'll be waiting for your signal. Picard out." The captain looked

over the assemblage of Starfleet officers and Sailor Scouts. Worf and

Data were waiting patiently for the signal to beam over, whereas their

allies where practically champing at the bit to various degrees. Only

Mercury seemed at all at ease, but that was because she was distracting

herself with her computer.

"Why don't we just beam over now?" Tuxedo Mask finally asked.

"It's all part of the plan," Picard reminded him. "The Enterprise

sections are to provide a distraction by creating the impression that

we're trying to sneak a shuttle inside their EM field. Rubeus may not

know that it's currently too low to be effective, so hopefully we may be

able to remain unopposed for a time." This seemed to mollify them to a

degree.

"Don't worry Darien. We'll be there soon enough," Venus said,

patting the tuxedo clad warrior on the shoulder. "As they say: 'They

also serve who stand at the plate.'"

"They also serve who stand and wait," Data quickly corrected her.

"Whatever," she growled.



Rubeus stared at the monitor incredulously. "Impossible! They

should have been destroyed! How did they survive?!? And how did they

end up here?"



"Riker to Crusher. Engage autoseperation sequence."

Beverly touched a control on the command console. "Autosep

sequence engaged." The was a faint clanging sound as the saucer

separated from the stardrive section. It accelerated to full impulse

and banked to port as it cleared from the other half of the Enterprise.

"Commence fire."



"The saucer section is now five hundred meters distant."

Riker nodded while noting that the saucer had opened fire with both

of it's phaser banks. So far, so good. "Engage warp engines. Put us on

the far side of the Borg cube Ensign."

The warp engines surged, propelling the stardrive section faster

than light for a brief second. Unlike the Picard maneuver; which would

put the ship nose to... side with the cube; it came out of warp at

roughly the same distance that it started, only now it was at the far

side of the enemy vessel.

"Open fire, Chief," Riker ordered. "All weapons."

Ro turned the ship to allow O'Brien to utilize as many of the ship's

phasers at once as he could. In rapid succession, the chief unleashed a

barrage from five of the stardrive's phaser banks, and he threw in a

constant volley of photon torpedoes for good measure. "No discernable

damage to the Borg vessel," said O'Brien.

Riker nodded. That was to be expected when dealing with the Borg.

"Helm, evasive pattern omega."



Rubeus watched the battle on the monitors and chuckled gleefully as

the Enterprise continued to fire. "Use all your phasers and photons!

You can't possible harm this ship! But I can harm you." He mentally

directed the defense systems to concentrate on the stardrive section.



The stardrive section shuddered. "They've locked onto us with a

tractor beam!" O'Brien yelled as he redirected the phasers to target the

source. "Shields are being drained."

"Bridge to engineering..."

"I'm on it!" LaForge quickly answered. "Attempting to remodulate

shield nutation."



Luna glanced at the panel readouts. "The stardrive section is in

trouble. I think we're going to have to accelerate the plan to phase

two."

"Agreed," Beverly answered. "Mr. Steiner, fire antimatter spread."

"Aye, sir." Ensign Steiner activated a control on the tactical

grid which released magnetic containers of antimatter attached at

various points to the saucer. They shot out at and around the Borg ship

in a dizzying display of pyrotechnics.

'Now for the next step,' Crusher thought. "Launch the shuttle.

Helm, evasive pattern delta four."



Rubeus found his attention drawn to the saucer section. "So,

you're hoping to sneak a team here, hoping to rescue Sailor Moon, hmm?

Fools!" Deciding to preempt that strategy, Rubeus shifted the weapons

system to concentrate on the saucer, and intensified scans for a shuttle.



A bright flash announced the severing of the tractor beam. "We've

terminated the tractor beam. Rubeus seems to be shifting his attention

to the saucer section."

"Well, he's going according to script so far," Artemis commented.

"He's expecting the shuttle to have the away team on it."

"Let's not disappoint him, at least as far as the away team goes."

He took a deep breath before saying, "Riker to Picard. It's time,

Captain. Good luck."

"Hey, we'll tell you all about it when we get back from trashing

that creep!" Jupiter's voice answered. Several enthusiastic cheers

followed. Riker couldn't help but smile himself.

"I'll echo those sentiments, Number One. Picard out."

"I just hope there is a later," Riker said to himself. "Chief, drop

the shields and beam them over."



*Good luck, Raye. I hope you can get her back.*

*Thanks, Deanna,* came the reply. Then more forcefully, *We will.*



The away team materialized inside the Borg ship; Picard, Data and

Worf all with their phasers drawn. The Scouts paused for a moment to

take in their surroundings, then Mercury got busy scanning with her visor,

while Data was utilized his tricorder. Venus shuddered inwardly. It was

eerily like the simulations they had run earlier. "Gee, those holodecks

are good!"

"They do have their uses," Picard responded. "But not entirely

accurate." He pointed to a nearby power distribution node which had a

large crystal embedded in it. Other nearby ones were also similarly

modified.

"Interesting," Data said. "It would seem that the Borg power system

has been modified. But I am uncertain as to why."

"I think I know," Mercury answered. "It's to make it compatible

with technology used in Rubeus' original ship."

"Thereby allowing them to fully integrate his ship into the cube,"

Picard said. He looked around. "As interesting as this is, we better

get moving. Data, Mercury... are you getting any readings?"

"Tricorder readings are limited. I am unable to get a fix on

Sailor Moon."

"Same here," Mercury said.

Tuxedo Mask had been looking around through all this, as if he were

listening to a distant voice. "It's there, but very faint," he said, his

voice just above a whisper. He motioned them down a corridor. "This way.

Hurry!"

They followed him further into the Borg ship. "How does he know that?"

Picard asked Sailor Mars. "He wasn't doing this on the holodeck."

"Serena wasn't on the holodeck, either," she answered. "He's always

been able to get to her whenever she's in danger. There's some sort of

psychic link between the two of them."



"Well, well," Rubeus remarked. "We have guests." He watched them

make their way through the ship, unopposed for now. Other monitors show

the two sections of the Enterprise still firing, but now at a more frantic

pace and the stardrive section had also unleashed it's own antimatter

barrage. He chose to let the automatic systems handle them, preferring

instead to concentrate on the new arrivals.

"So, they came all this way to get to Sailor Moon. It'd be a shame

to disappoint them. But I should prepare a proper welcome for them."



Roaming through the Borg ship was just as disturbing now as it been

before. Everywhere they turned, other Borg were moving, performing

various maintenance tasks or were lodged in their individualized slots.

But so far, they made no move to impair the progress of the away team.

Picard knew that would change before long.

Tuxedo Mask stopped, and looked around. "She's close. Very close."

"I am still not getting any other readings," said Data.

"Me neither," added Mercury. "Wait a minute! I've got a large

number of Borg closing on our location. All sides!" As she said this,

several Borg came into view, advancing on the away team.

"Looks like the free ride is over," Jupiter commented as she

summoned her power. "JUPITER THUNDERCLAP ZAP!" Her attack struck two

Borg and they collapsed amid a shower of sparks.

Picard tapped his comm badge. "Picard to Enterprise. Encountering

resistance." When there was no response, he tapped it again.

"Enterprise, come in!"



"The Borg have started jamming communications with the away team,"

Steiner reported. "And I've lost the transporter locks on them as well.

Communication with the stardrive section are unaffected for now."

Beverly nodded. "Status of the shuttle?"

"It's almost in position," Luna answered.

Troi had a faraway look in her eyes as she listened to a voice only

she could hear. "The Borg are trying to stop them, but their fighting

their way through," she said.



"MERCURY BUBBLES BLAST!" An thick blanket of fog descended in the

corridors hiding them from view of the Borg. Simultaneously, Mars cried

out "MARS FIRE IGNITE" and a wave of fire cleared an escape path for them,

which they eagerly followed.

They actually continued to move unimpeded for a while. Then two

Borg tried to block their way. This time Venus took the initiative.

"VENUS METEOR SHOWER!" The wide beam of light struck the Borg, rendering

them inoperable. They pushed onward, only to be blocked by more Borg.

The Starfleet officers fired as one, temporarily clearing the way.

"I've got the power signature of the Silver Crystal!" Mercury

exclaimed.

"Yes, she's in here!" Heedless of the danger to himself, Tuxedo

Mask raced into an adjoining chamber but stopped short when he saw what

was in there. "No..." he whispered, horrified. The Scouts likewise

halted, aghast at the sight before them.

Only Mars was able to find her voice. "Serena, what have they done

to you?" she whispered.



On the main bridge, Troi stiffened as she heard Raye's thoughts and

softly said, "Oh no!"

"What is it?" Luna asked.

"Serena. She's..."



The Starfleet officers stood silent behind the Scouts. Worf and

Data had seen this before.

Picard had been it before.

This was what he had feared they would find, but had hoped not to.

Sailor Moon stood before them, having been implanted with Borg cybernetic

devices much as Picard had been over a year before.

Serena had been assimilated.

Rubeus entered the room, and stood by Sailor Moon. "Greetings, I've

been expecting you. Allow me to introduce you to... Sailor Borg."



Next time: Sailor... Borg?

The battle continues in the next chapter -- "In the name of the

Moon..."