Chapter 15
Captain Picard observed the main screen of the Enterprise. He held his breath and released it slowly through his nose. The Borg Cube was closing in on him and his ship. The Enterprise crew was worn down. They had taken quite a beating and now it seemed as if no one could help them. The Farragut had made one last ditch effort to wage an attack on the Cube but it was unsuccessful. The Cube did something most peculiar as a defense against the Farragut. It fired it's phasers at the Farragut's engines, leaving the starship a drift. Then the Cube launched a vessel from it's belly. Picard observed as the Cube fired it's mini-vessel, which quickly clamped onto the Farragut's hull. The vessel was a long cylinder and had four large clamp legs. It looked like a mechanical squid. That was the best comparison Picard could make. After the vessel attached itself to the Farragut, it instantly drilled a hole into the starship's hull, and released something into it. Picard could not make the cargo out. After the vessel injected the Farragut with it's unknown cargo, it detached from the starship and re-docked with the Borg Cube. Picard had never seen that type of Borg vessel before but he knew it was a dangerous thing. Chills rippled down his spine. He knew the Farragut and her crew were in serious danger but he had his own problems to worry about.
The Cube was heading straight for the Enterprise. Deanna brushed her hair from her eyes. Smoke and sparks consumed the bridge. She could barley see through the cloudy room. Her vision was impaired by her long hair and the blood that trickled down her forehead gathered in her eye ducts. Deanna forced the blood from her eyelids and focused on the room. She could see Picard. He swayed back and forth, and seemed to be in a trance. Deanna could only make out the side of his face but it was apparent that the Captain was not thinking properly. Picard stared dazedly at the screen as Deanna scanned the rest of the bridge. She realized that most of the crew was dead. Commander Data laid lifelessly on the floor and Lieutenant Commander Jellico was flung over his post with his head and arms dangling. Deanna turned toward the helm and realized the Shee'har was dead as well. The Counselor tried to rise from the floor but suddenly a sharp pain pierced her ankle. She let out a light cry and crumpled back to the deck. Deanna realized right away that her ankle bone was broken. For the first time in a long time, Deanna feared that she was going to die. The Enterprise bridge crew was in shambles and Captain Picard was disoriented. Things couldn't possibly get any worse, she thought. Deanna suddenly focused her eyes on the Enterprise main screen and seen the Borg Cube heading straight for them. My mistake, she cried.
=====/////=====
"Could some one tell me what the hell just happened?" shouted Riker in fury.
"Sir, the Borg disabled one of our engines. We can't move." informed Paris as he scanned his helm consol.
"That's just great! Mr. Knight, you tell me what else happened? I heard a large "Ka-thunk" and a drill. What was that sound?"
Lieutenant Knight tapped his consol and confusion sketched across his face. His readings were not making any sense. The Farragut's hull had been breached but whatever had caused the damage is gone."
"Yes, but what was it?!" shouted Riker even loudly than before.
"I'm not sure, sir. Our shields were damaged so something managed to attach to our hull, but like I said, whatever it was is gone now."
"I don't like the sound of that! What do you mean gone? "What" is gone?" shouted Riker as he clinched his fist.
Suddenly, Riker's Comm Badge chirped. He scowled and tapped the insignia quickly.
"Riker, here."
"Sir, this is Ensign Lombardo. Sir, I'm one Deck twenty-four and something just. Oh my God! Ahhhh!!"
"Ensign, what's going on? What do you see? Dammit talk to me!"
Suddenly Lombardo's scream was gone and all Riker could hear was silence. Fear and anger boiled within the Captain. He had no idea what was going on, which made him a mix of dislikable emotions. Riker gritted his teeth and turned to Commander Knight.
"I want a security team up there immediately! Find out what happened!"
"Aye, sir." replied Knight with a nod.
Wait, I'm coming with you!" announced the Captain.
"But, sir, I must object. You're place is on the bridge."
"We're a drift Commander! All I would be doing here is sitting on my thumbs. My ship is in danger and I mean to take care of the problem. I'm coming with you and that's final. Mr. Paris, you're with us."
"Aye, Captain." replied Tom as he slid from the helm chair.
Captain Riker turned to Lieutenant Devlin. Devlin had fear in her eyes but a flicker of determination shown through. Riker could tell she had a strong will. He smiled lightly and got the Bajorian's attention.
"Lieutenant Devlin. You have the bridge. See that nothing more happens to the Farragut. Contact Mr. O'Brien and find out the ship's status. We'll need to get the ship running again."
"Aye, sir." responded Devlin with a shiver of uncertainty in her voice.
Riker, Paris, and Knight all headed for the turbo lift. The men were determined to find out what was on deck twenty-four and get rid of it. They stepped onto the lift and the doors hissed shut.
"Computer, deck twenty-four." ordered Riker
The computer complied quickly and the turbo lift rose with a hum. The three men kept their eyes focused on the doors. They were nervous. Whatever attacked Ensign Lombardo seemed to have a terrifying affect on him. The hint of danger made Lieutenant Paris uneasy. Tom sighed as he thought about his wife and child.
"What's wrong Lieutenant?" asked Riker.
"I'm just thinking about my wife and daughter, sir. I'm afraid I won't see them again."
"I know the feeling Tom. My wife is on the Enterprise and the last time I checked, her ship wasn't doing too well. I pray that she's ok but I have to set that aside. We have to focus on the now and that is saving the Farragut and her crew."
"Aye, sir." replied Paris with a sigh.
Lieutenant Commander Knight decided to change the subject. Family was not something they needed to be discussing.
"I have a Security team meeting us on deck twenty-four. They'll have weapons waiting for us."
"Good work, Mr. Knight, commended Riker, I almost forgot about weapons."
The three men looked at one another and laughed. It was strange to be laughing during such a terrible time but is certainly relieved some of the tension. The turbolift slowly made it's approach to deck twenty-four.
=====/////=====
Deanna held her ankle in pain. She wanted to cry but could not let herself give into the temptation. She had to be strong. Crying would only make the situation worse. I have to stay focused, she thought. Captain Picard continued to stare at the screen. He mumbled to himself but Deanna could swear Picard was talking to someone. It sent a chill to her spine. The Borg Cube was getting closer. The image on the screen was clear as day and it was obvious that the Enterprise was mere seconds from being destroyed.
"Captain, we have to do something!" she cried.
Picard gave no notice to the Counselor. He continued to sway and speak to the air. Deanna closed her eyes and prayed to the Gods.
=====/////=====
The Borg Queen smiled. Her ship had strayed from the Enterprise so that it could deal with the other starships, but now was the moment of victory. Jean-Luc Picard was finally going to give in to the Collective. This is it, she thought, Locutus is mine.
Captain Picard could hear the Borg speaking to him. He knew their plans and missions. They planned to bring him back into the Collective and finally destroy the Federation. After the Borg assimilated the Federation, they would continue by making the Klingons and the Romulans one with the Collective. The Borg's time had finally come. There was no one who could stop them. The Borg Cube came to a sudden halt. Again it stopped directly in front of the Enterprise. The Borg Queen gave orders to the drones and suddenly teleportation waves shimmered over Picard, bringing his molecules to the Cube. Deanna watched in awe as Captain Picard phased off the bridge. Jean- Luc was swept from the Enterprise to the Borg Cube. He ended up in the Borg Queen's regeneration chamber. Deanna covered her face and the tears began to fall. They've took him, she cried, the Borg took the Captain. Deanna felt alone and she desperately longed for her husband. She wanted Will. Only he could make her feel better now. She long to be in his arms, snuggled against his chest. Imzadi, I need you, she cried.
Captain Picard observed the main screen of the Enterprise. He held his breath and released it slowly through his nose. The Borg Cube was closing in on him and his ship. The Enterprise crew was worn down. They had taken quite a beating and now it seemed as if no one could help them. The Farragut had made one last ditch effort to wage an attack on the Cube but it was unsuccessful. The Cube did something most peculiar as a defense against the Farragut. It fired it's phasers at the Farragut's engines, leaving the starship a drift. Then the Cube launched a vessel from it's belly. Picard observed as the Cube fired it's mini-vessel, which quickly clamped onto the Farragut's hull. The vessel was a long cylinder and had four large clamp legs. It looked like a mechanical squid. That was the best comparison Picard could make. After the vessel attached itself to the Farragut, it instantly drilled a hole into the starship's hull, and released something into it. Picard could not make the cargo out. After the vessel injected the Farragut with it's unknown cargo, it detached from the starship and re-docked with the Borg Cube. Picard had never seen that type of Borg vessel before but he knew it was a dangerous thing. Chills rippled down his spine. He knew the Farragut and her crew were in serious danger but he had his own problems to worry about.
The Cube was heading straight for the Enterprise. Deanna brushed her hair from her eyes. Smoke and sparks consumed the bridge. She could barley see through the cloudy room. Her vision was impaired by her long hair and the blood that trickled down her forehead gathered in her eye ducts. Deanna forced the blood from her eyelids and focused on the room. She could see Picard. He swayed back and forth, and seemed to be in a trance. Deanna could only make out the side of his face but it was apparent that the Captain was not thinking properly. Picard stared dazedly at the screen as Deanna scanned the rest of the bridge. She realized that most of the crew was dead. Commander Data laid lifelessly on the floor and Lieutenant Commander Jellico was flung over his post with his head and arms dangling. Deanna turned toward the helm and realized the Shee'har was dead as well. The Counselor tried to rise from the floor but suddenly a sharp pain pierced her ankle. She let out a light cry and crumpled back to the deck. Deanna realized right away that her ankle bone was broken. For the first time in a long time, Deanna feared that she was going to die. The Enterprise bridge crew was in shambles and Captain Picard was disoriented. Things couldn't possibly get any worse, she thought. Deanna suddenly focused her eyes on the Enterprise main screen and seen the Borg Cube heading straight for them. My mistake, she cried.
=====/////=====
"Could some one tell me what the hell just happened?" shouted Riker in fury.
"Sir, the Borg disabled one of our engines. We can't move." informed Paris as he scanned his helm consol.
"That's just great! Mr. Knight, you tell me what else happened? I heard a large "Ka-thunk" and a drill. What was that sound?"
Lieutenant Knight tapped his consol and confusion sketched across his face. His readings were not making any sense. The Farragut's hull had been breached but whatever had caused the damage is gone."
"Yes, but what was it?!" shouted Riker even loudly than before.
"I'm not sure, sir. Our shields were damaged so something managed to attach to our hull, but like I said, whatever it was is gone now."
"I don't like the sound of that! What do you mean gone? "What" is gone?" shouted Riker as he clinched his fist.
Suddenly, Riker's Comm Badge chirped. He scowled and tapped the insignia quickly.
"Riker, here."
"Sir, this is Ensign Lombardo. Sir, I'm one Deck twenty-four and something just. Oh my God! Ahhhh!!"
"Ensign, what's going on? What do you see? Dammit talk to me!"
Suddenly Lombardo's scream was gone and all Riker could hear was silence. Fear and anger boiled within the Captain. He had no idea what was going on, which made him a mix of dislikable emotions. Riker gritted his teeth and turned to Commander Knight.
"I want a security team up there immediately! Find out what happened!"
"Aye, sir." replied Knight with a nod.
Wait, I'm coming with you!" announced the Captain.
"But, sir, I must object. You're place is on the bridge."
"We're a drift Commander! All I would be doing here is sitting on my thumbs. My ship is in danger and I mean to take care of the problem. I'm coming with you and that's final. Mr. Paris, you're with us."
"Aye, Captain." replied Tom as he slid from the helm chair.
Captain Riker turned to Lieutenant Devlin. Devlin had fear in her eyes but a flicker of determination shown through. Riker could tell she had a strong will. He smiled lightly and got the Bajorian's attention.
"Lieutenant Devlin. You have the bridge. See that nothing more happens to the Farragut. Contact Mr. O'Brien and find out the ship's status. We'll need to get the ship running again."
"Aye, sir." responded Devlin with a shiver of uncertainty in her voice.
Riker, Paris, and Knight all headed for the turbo lift. The men were determined to find out what was on deck twenty-four and get rid of it. They stepped onto the lift and the doors hissed shut.
"Computer, deck twenty-four." ordered Riker
The computer complied quickly and the turbo lift rose with a hum. The three men kept their eyes focused on the doors. They were nervous. Whatever attacked Ensign Lombardo seemed to have a terrifying affect on him. The hint of danger made Lieutenant Paris uneasy. Tom sighed as he thought about his wife and child.
"What's wrong Lieutenant?" asked Riker.
"I'm just thinking about my wife and daughter, sir. I'm afraid I won't see them again."
"I know the feeling Tom. My wife is on the Enterprise and the last time I checked, her ship wasn't doing too well. I pray that she's ok but I have to set that aside. We have to focus on the now and that is saving the Farragut and her crew."
"Aye, sir." replied Paris with a sigh.
Lieutenant Commander Knight decided to change the subject. Family was not something they needed to be discussing.
"I have a Security team meeting us on deck twenty-four. They'll have weapons waiting for us."
"Good work, Mr. Knight, commended Riker, I almost forgot about weapons."
The three men looked at one another and laughed. It was strange to be laughing during such a terrible time but is certainly relieved some of the tension. The turbolift slowly made it's approach to deck twenty-four.
=====/////=====
Deanna held her ankle in pain. She wanted to cry but could not let herself give into the temptation. She had to be strong. Crying would only make the situation worse. I have to stay focused, she thought. Captain Picard continued to stare at the screen. He mumbled to himself but Deanna could swear Picard was talking to someone. It sent a chill to her spine. The Borg Cube was getting closer. The image on the screen was clear as day and it was obvious that the Enterprise was mere seconds from being destroyed.
"Captain, we have to do something!" she cried.
Picard gave no notice to the Counselor. He continued to sway and speak to the air. Deanna closed her eyes and prayed to the Gods.
=====/////=====
The Borg Queen smiled. Her ship had strayed from the Enterprise so that it could deal with the other starships, but now was the moment of victory. Jean-Luc Picard was finally going to give in to the Collective. This is it, she thought, Locutus is mine.
Captain Picard could hear the Borg speaking to him. He knew their plans and missions. They planned to bring him back into the Collective and finally destroy the Federation. After the Borg assimilated the Federation, they would continue by making the Klingons and the Romulans one with the Collective. The Borg's time had finally come. There was no one who could stop them. The Borg Cube came to a sudden halt. Again it stopped directly in front of the Enterprise. The Borg Queen gave orders to the drones and suddenly teleportation waves shimmered over Picard, bringing his molecules to the Cube. Deanna watched in awe as Captain Picard phased off the bridge. Jean- Luc was swept from the Enterprise to the Borg Cube. He ended up in the Borg Queen's regeneration chamber. Deanna covered her face and the tears began to fall. They've took him, she cried, the Borg took the Captain. Deanna felt alone and she desperately longed for her husband. She wanted Will. Only he could make her feel better now. She long to be in his arms, snuggled against his chest. Imzadi, I need you, she cried.