April: Thanks for the review. More characters will show up as the story progresses. I'm actually not sure about the stardate/year conversion... Thanks for reading, here's the next chapter.


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"Computer, activate the EMH program," Doctor Selar said unenthusiastically.


A dark-haired,balding man appeared, wearing a Starfleet medical uniform without rank insignia. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency," the hologram stated cheerfully.


"There is no emergency," Selar paused momentarily."...Doctor. We are running a test of your program."


The hologram looked indignant, then continued on. "Ah, I see. May I ask why my systems require tests? I have been uploaded with the finest medical knowledge available to Starfleet."


Selar made a small sound that could have been a sigh. "Your program is still in the prototype phase. We will be going into a large battle, and we may require your assistance in triage situations. It will lighten the load of my medical team."


"My expertise could be far better served in surgical situations, any medic could perform triage! If you would let me..."


"Computer, de-activate the EMH." The hologram shimmered away.


Riker walked over to the Vulcan doctor. "You know, I think you actually enjoyed that."


"He was...distracting me from my work. I can see by his program specs that he can perform adequately, no tests will be required."


Riker smiled."Dont worry, Doc. I don't think flesh and blood doctors will be replaced any time soon."


"I should hope not, Captain." Riker nodded at her and left the doctor to her work.


He was checking all major departments for battle readiness, not really necessary, but it helped ease his mind. He passed by Holodeck One, and paused. The holodecks were all powered down, with energy routed to primary systems. Riker made a sound in his throat and stepped up to the control panel.


"Computer, route power to this holodeck, authorization Riker gamma-one five."


The panel lit up with data. "Affirmitave. Specify program."


Riker called up the program manager function and entered all the information needed. It might not be all that accurate, but it would serve his purposes.


He walked into the holodeck, which was just yellow lines on a black background. He had only created a character, but no setting. "Computer, re-create the ready room of the Enterprise-D, circa 2265." The ready room appeared, as it was six years ago. It looked right. "Computer, activate program Picard One."


Jean-Luc Picard shimmered to life in front of him, behind the ready room desk. "Yes, Number one, what can I do for you?" He had programmed it for complete interactivity,and for Picard to recognize him as his first officer. Using personal logs and Picard's personality profile, he hoped he could get an accurate simulation.


Riker cleared his throat. "Actually, Captain, I'm having a bit of a...philosophical problem."


Picard seemed interested. "Indeed? How can I help you?"


"Im running a...simulation in which I am about to go into a great battle. It involves a huge allied fleet of former enemies, fighting against the worst possible enemy. Uh..I, I'm sorry if I'm not making any sense."


Picard smiled. "I follow you, Number One."


Riker nodded and continued. "At the heart of the enemy is a man who was a mentor to me, a man who became almost a father to me. He is part of the enemy now, and I can either kill him, or try to save him and maybe risk the fleet. The thing is, saving him may give us a chance to destroy this enemy for good. Or it may not. I don't know, exactly."


Picard raised his eyebrows. "That is a difficult situation, Will." He breathed in and out,stroked his chin, and looked thoughtful. "There is an old saying,'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.' Now, from what I understand either choice may apply to that philosophy. You'll just have to make your choice with the options available. You think well on your feet, Will, I know you'll make the right decision."


Riker stood up and exhaled loudly. "Thank you sir, I needed that."


"That must be some simulation, Number One," Picard said jovially.


"It is, Captain." He grew quiet, looking at Picard.


"Something else, Will?"


Riker paused, there was so much he wanted to say to him, but couldn't. "No, sir, I have to get back to the bridge. Thanks again, Captain."


Picard nodded and then focused his attention on a PADD. Riker looked at him for a few moments more, and then headed for the exit. "Computer...save program, then end program."


He exited the holodeck and continued his rounds, his step a bit more confident than before.


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He stepped down, nearly nude save for some tight black shorts. The floor was cold, and he reacted to it, which was strange. He flexed his arm muscles, and enjoyed that sensation. He felt the Borg's collective consciousness flow through his positronic net, and felt contented. Yes, Data had come a long way.


"How do you feel, Data?" Data turned to see a Borg female walking towards him. He knew that this was her, the nexus, the unifying one he had felt. He existed solely within the collective for years, assisting the Borg with technical upgrades, power systems, and communications to the Delta Quadrant. He had made a request to her, and she had granted it.


Data smiled."I feel fine. This is a wonderful body you have given me."


She came over to him and stared at him. "You feel fine, Data? Your emotional program seems to be working well." She reached out and stroked his face. "Such lovely skin, like a newborn child. You are brand new, Data. The perfect realization of us, the perfect melding of machine and flesh."


He felt pride at that. He cocked his head as a new presence entered their proximity. He turned to the front of the chamber and saw Locutus striding in towards them. Locutus' gaze was locked on Data. The "queen" walked towards him.


"You recognize Data, don't you, Locutus?"


"Data, artificial life form. Inferior to the Borg."


She walked over to Data. "We have improved him...flawless flesh covers a superior endoskeleton. His positronic brain has been enhanced with our technology, he has emotions. He is what we should aspire to, Locutus."


Locutus cooly regarded Data and the Queen. "Perhaps." He changed the subject. "The resistance on Earth's moon has been eliminated. Further scans of the moon show no signs of continued resistance against us."


The Queen glided by him. "There is further resistance, Locutus. We have let the Alliance rest on their laurels far too long. The time has come to wipe away the last remnants of the Federation and the other so-called empires. We must go on the ofensive."


"The location of Alliance ships is unknown to us."


Data stepped forward. "We have information that leads us to believe that the Alliance is based in the Bajoran star system, although the number of ships there continues to vary from time to time. Our brief moment of non-expansionism is over." Data smiled, but it was not a smile one would associate with a happy moment. It was a dark smile. "They must be eliminated."


"You will lead the attack, Locutus. Take twenty cubes and open a transwarp conduit to Bajor. Destroy them. You will leave within the next twenty-four hours." The Queen smiled with pleasure as she contemplated her complete rule of the Alpha Quadrant.


Locutus focused his laser on the Queen. "Only twenty cubes. That may not be sufficient, we have no information on their strengths or weaknesses. We have to assume that they have improved their technology, they may have become stronger. William Riker is a very adaptive individual."


The Queen's eyes flared. "Twenty will be sufficient, Locutus. Unless you doubt your ability to destroy an inferior enemy..."


"I will be successful. Resistance is futile." Locutus turned around and walked out of the chamber, heading back to his sphere.


The Queen regarded Locutus as he left, then looked at Data.


"Yes...it is."