Locutus barely reacted to Riker's decision. Riker kept his eyes locked on the assimilated form of his captain as the crew complied with his order. "Deflector power approaching maximum limits." La Forge announced as a low rumbling grew louder and louder, "Energy discharge in... six seconds."

The rumbling grew into a deafening roar and the whole ship shuddered from the enormous power being focussed towards the deflector dish. "Firing, sir." Worf reported.

~8~

A colossal pulse of blue energy shot out of the Enterprise's deflector dish and lashed out at the Borg ship, striking a forcefield.

~8~

The bridge crew all had their eyes glued to the viewscreen, waiting for the forcefield to collapse and the Borg ship to explode, but it didn't. The forcefield held and repelled the energy pulse. "The Borg ship is undamaged." Worf reported

"Impossible." Shelby breathed

"Warning: warp reactor core primary coolant failure." the computer warned

"Can't maintain it much longer, Commander." La Forge warned

"Warning: exceeding reaction chamber primary limit." the computer announced

Riker knew there was only one thing for it. "Cease fire." he ordered without taking his eyes off Locutus

"Shutting down warp engines." La Forge acknowledged, inputting the relevant commands into his console.

The roar stopped and an eerie silence fell on the bridge. "They couldn't have adapted that quickly." Riker muttered

Locutus had the answer. "The knowledge and experience of the Human Picard is part of us now. It has prepared us for all possible courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless... Number One."

A stunned silence fell on the bridge crew. It was official: Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the Enterprise and friend and father figure to the entire crew was now nothing more than a Borg puppet.

~8~

"First Officer's log, stardate 44001.4. The Borg ship has resumed it's course towards Earth. We are unable to pursue pending repairs to the Enterprise."

It was the first day of a new year but there was no merriment to be found among the Enterprise crew. The failure to stop the Borg and the assimilation of Captain Picard had had a crushing affect on the crew's morale. Now everyone were throwing themselves into repairs to try and take their minds off the grim situation.

In the observation lounge, the senior staff were informing Admiral Hanson of the situation. "...and as we anticipated, the blast burned out the main deflector." Riker said, "We also have damage to shields and the reactor core."

"We should be back up in 8 to 12 hours, Admiral." La Forge added

Hanson took this into consideration. "Well, we'll miss you at the party." he said, his tone light but his expression betraying the gravitas of the situation.

"The Enterprise will be there, sir." Riker said, "Maybe a little late, but we'll be there."

"Your engagements have given us valuable time." Hanson said, "We've mobilised a fleet of 40 starships at Wolf 350 and that's just for starters. The Klingons are sending warships, hell, we've even thought about opening communications with the Romulans."

"You realise, Admiral, that with the assistance of Picard, the Borg will be prepared for your defences." Shelby cautioned

Hanson took a long beat. Shelby thought that he was considering the dreadful ramifications of this, but this wasn't what he was thinking at all. "Commander, a long time ago I watched a freshman cadet pass four upper classroom on the last hill of the 40km run on Danula Two, damnest thing I ever saw, the only freshman to ever win the Academy marathon. I made it my business to get to know that young fellow, got to know him very well. I'll tell you something: I've never known anyone with more drive, determination or more courage than Jean-Luc Picard. There is no way in hell he would assist the Borg, I want that clear."

"Of course, Admiral." Shelby conceded. She almost didn't want believe it herself but she'd seen it with her own eyes. Of course, Picard hadn't had any choice in the matter, but it had happened and there was nothing that could be done about it now.

"He is a casualty of war." Hanson declared

"Then... we have abandoned all hope of recovering him." Dr Crusher said sadly. She wished with every fibre of her being that they could get Picard back and undo the horrific transformation the Borg had subjected him to.

Hanson reluctantly acknowledged her. "In less than 24 hours, this armada's going to hit that Borg vessel with everything we can muster. Either they survive or we do." he said gravely, "As for Picard... a great man has been lost. Your Captain, my friend." He gave a heavy sigh and looked down, allowing a moment for everyone to process this then he got back to business. "Commander Riker, I hereby promote you to the field commission of Captain. The Enterprise is your ship now. Congratulations. I wish the circumstances were different."

Riker nodded. He wished the circumstances were different too. Heck, the whole crew wished it were so too. "Good luck, Admiral." he said

"To us all." Hanson agreed and ended the transmission.

~8~

The Borg ship hurtled towards Earth, it's occupants in a regenerative state in their alcoves, Locutus among them. Suddenly, his eyes flew open as if he was in a panic and he let out an agonised scream as Jean-Luc Picard fought with all his might to escape the Borg conditioning. A Borg drone methodically exited it's alcove and moved towards Locutus, who resisted it's efforts to restrain him. Another drone joined the fray and they escorted Locutus out of his alcove and down to another part of the ship where there was an operating table.

Loctus lay down on his back, fully conscious as a drone prepared to use a long probing instrument to add a bio-chip to him, while another prepared a huge mechanical arm to attach. While this was going on, a single tear escaped Locutus' eye and trickled down his cheek. As the operation commenced, the colour in Locutus' Human face began to drain further and further away until he was ashen white, just like every other Borg drone.

~8~

Riker stood in the captain's ready room on the Enterprise. Although he was now sporting captain's rank pips on his collar, he couldn't bring himself to sit in the captain's chair. Everything in the room belonged to Picard; the Shakespeare collection, archaeological artefacts that Picard had collected over the years, the model of the USS Stargazer and Livingston the lionfish. As he watched Livingstone swimming about in his tank, Riker found himself almost envying him. How much simpler life was for the fish. The door chime pulled Riker from his thoughts. "Come." he said. The door opened and Counsellor Troi entered the room. "Hi." Riker greeted

"You wanted to see me?" Troi asked, knowing that things were different between them now. Riker was Captain and that immediately created an emotional barrier between them.

"How's the crew?" Riker asked, knowing that Troi's empathic abilities would allow her to know the mental state of everyone aboard the ship.

"Throwing themselves into the work to be done." Troi replied, "The emotional impact hasn't been fully realised yet."

"I guess Starfleet training kicks in and takes over." Riker said understandingly

"We know the risks, tell ourselves we're prepared for the consequences... and yet, something like this cuts deeper than we can admit at first." Troi said wisely, "He was our Captain. It's like losing the leader of a nation or the head of the family."

"He was more of a father to me than my own." Riker murmured, "When I saw him like that... mutilated..."

"You did what you had to do." Troi reassured him, "Nobody doubts your love for him."

"Was there any part of him left, Deanna?" Riker asked

"Yes." Troi said slowly, "I can still sense his humanity."

"Then you must have senses his pain." Riker sighed, looking down at the floor. Troi was silent, confirming that she did. "I don't envy your abilities." Riker said, unable to stay with the intensity of this moment, "I'd better check on the progress of our repairs. There won't be any changes... as far as I'm concerned, it's his ship, his crew... and everything we do, every battle we fight, it's for him." He then dropped the professional manner. "I'm glad you're here to help me with this."

"Thank you, Captain." Troi acknowledged, both she and Riker realising that their intimacy would never be the same again.

"Counsellor." Riker nodded, both his and Troi's eyes saying more than words ever could. As Troi left, Riker began to realise that it was lonely at the top and he glanced once more at the desk and the empty chair which he still couldn't bring himself to sit in.

~8~

Presently, Riker and Worf were taking a turbolift to main engineering. On the way, they discussed possible tactical solutions to deal with the Borg. "Ensign Gomez suggested an antimatter spread to confuse Borg sensors, buy us time to think something." Riker said, "And Mr Crusher has suggested a chip that automatically retunes phasers to a random setting after each discharge."

"Those would be great advantages." Worf nodded. Although he was a proud Klingon, he admired Humanity's ability to think creatively and come up with solutions to problems that would stump even the most seasoned Klingon warrior.

"We should also see if we can find some way to neutralise their forcefields." Riker continued, "We've gotta let them know we can adapt too. We're not just fighting the Borg anymore... we're fighting the life experience they've stolen from Captain Picard. Now how the hell do we defeat an enemy that knows us better than we know ourselves?" he asked rhetorically

"The Borg have neither honour nor courage." Worf replied, "That is our greatest advantage."

"I hope it's enough." Riker sighed as the turbolift arrived at deck 36. He appreciated Worf's sentiment, but he knew that the Borg were a different kind of enemy to that which Starfleet had grown accustomed to. The Romulans, the Cardassians, the Tzenkethi, they were all still in the nursery compared to the Borg.

~8~

Main engineering was a bustle of activity as engineers worked hard to get the Enterprise's engines up and running again. La Forge was supervising the work, assisted by Shelby, who had previously served on board the USS Galaxy as an engineer before she had transferred to Starfleet Tactical, thus she had had experience in such matters. "Engine control sensors are back up." La Forge called

"Accelerator coils are responding normally." Shelby acknowledged

La Forge checked his readouts. "Forward shields at 58%. Aft shields..." He checked the readings. "Sensors must be down."

"Checking." Shelby replied and checked a readout. "Sensors are fine... no, aft shields have completely failed. Damn it! Auxiliary generators are out again." she groaned

Riker and Worf arrived at that moment. "Just the man I need." La Forge commented, "We're having problems with the aft shields, generators are going on and off-line. I could use your help, Worf."

Riker nodded his approval and Worf headed off to lend a hand. "How soon can we get underway, Geordi?" Riker asked La Forge.

"Still couple hours." the chief engineer replied, "Commander Shelby can fill you in." And he headed off after Worf, leaving Riker and Shelby alone for the first time since their argument in the turbolift.

"The main navigational deflector is functional again." Shelby began cautiously, "Sherbourne and Barclay are running though the final testing sequence now."

"Warp core?" Riker asked

"Reconstruction is proceeding normally." Shelby replied, "It's slow work. If we can nail down this shield generator problem... I agree with La Forge, we should be at operating capacity in two or three hours."

"Good." Riker nodded. An uncomfortable silence followed as he and Shelby studied each other for a moment.

"Anything else, sir?" Shelby asked

"Yes. You did a good job on the Borg ship." Riker replied

"I didn't get Picard." Shelby said dejectedly. Gone was the smugness and know-it-all attitude, instead, Shelby looked defeated and downcast.

"You stopped them. You gave us our shot." Riker told her

"Sir..." Shelby began, ready to swallow her pride and apologise for her earlier attitude.

"Commander, we don't have to like each other to work well together." Riker interrupted, "In fact, I expect you to continue to keep me on my toes."

"Some might define that as the role of a first officer."

"Damn, you are ambitious, aren't you, Shelby?" Riker commented lightly

"Yes." Shelby said quickly, "Captain, based on our past relationship, there's no reason I should expect to become your first officer... except you need me. I know how to get things done and I have the expertise with the Borg..."

"You also have a lot to learn, Commander." Riker said sternly

"Yes, sir." Shelby said quietly, taking it as a rejection.

"Almost as much as I had to learn when I came aboard as Captain Picard's first officer." Riker continued in a much kinder tone, "A fact he reminded me of when I commented on what a pain in the neck you are."

"Yes, sir." Shelby replied with a smile.

Just then, Data's voice sounded over the comm; "Data to Riker. Message from Starfleet, Captain."

"Go ahead, Data." Riker acknowledged

"Starfleet reports it has engaged the Borg at Wolf 359." Data reported

Both Riker and Shelby shared looks at this. The moment of truth had arrived.

~8~

Riker and Shelby hurried out of the turbolift and stepped out onto the bridge, where Data had been in command. "Admiral Hanson on subspace, Captain." the android reported as he relived Ensign Taylor at Ops.

"On screen." Riker ordered

Lt Mandalone complied and the screen showed Admiral Hanson on the bridge of the USS Princeton. The bridge appeared to be in a state of disarray, with steam spewing out of damaged conduits, debris on the floor and Hanson appeared to have sustained a wound to his head. "The fight does not go well, Enterprise." he said, "We've lost the Saratoga, the..." The transmission became garbled. Data managed to clean it up and Hanson became clearer again. "... and the Yamaguchi has been disabled." Hanson continued, "We're attempting to withdraw and regroup. Rendezvous with fleet at..." The transmission abruptly ended.

Riker looked to Data who shook his head, indicating that there was nothing he could do from this end. Riker looked back to the screen, which showed it's default view of space. He could only hope that the Princeton's communications array had been hit, but common sense told him that it was likely to be much worse than that.

Author's notes: And here's my last post of 2021. I took a break from this story over Christmas but I'm gonna get back to it now. Note the reference I made to the Saratoga, which was the ship Benjamin Sisko served on at the time of the Battle of Wolf 359. A detail the remastered version of the episode added that I think is a nice touch is that when the Enterprise fires the pulse out of it's deflector dish, the pulse's reflection can be seen on the underside of the ship's saucer section. Neat that they added that in. So, hope you all have a happy new year and here's hoping 2022 will be a damn sight better than the last two years!