The Enterprise raced through space at maximum warp. "The Borg have dropped out of warp, sir." Shelby reported to Riker when he arrived on the bridge, "Jupiter outpost reported visual contact at 1200 hours, 13 minutes."

"Planetary defences?" Riker questioned

"Responding." Shelby replied, "No reports on effectiveness, but I can't believe that against the Borg..."

"Mr Crusher, at their current speed, when will they reach Earth?" Riker asked Wesley

"27 minutes." Wesley replied

"The soonest we can intercept?"

"42 minutes, sir." Wesley sighed gloomily

Riker knew that there was only one hope now. "Riker to Data. Your status?" he asked into the comm.

~8~

In the cybernetics lab, everything was ready. Locutus had been placed into the main chamber and Data was working at the controls while Dr Crusher, Counsellor Troi, Chief O'Brien and a security officer all stood nearby. "The initial cybernetic connection into Captain Picard's neural net pathways has been established." Data reported, "Mr O'Brien is ready to process the Borg signal through the transport pattern buffer."

"Make it so." Riker ordered, "And with dispatch, Mr Data."

"Proceeding immediately, sir." Data acknowledged, opening a panel in his head, "Data out." He moved into position beside Locutus and began to attach himself to a transfer device that would link him to Locutus. "The neural link will be established in three stages." he informed everyone, "Doctor, I suggest you closely observe Captain Picard's lifesigns while Chief O'Brien monitors my positronic matrix activity at each stage. Counsellor, hopefully you will be able to determine if I am reaching Captain Picard."

"At what point should I shut it down if there's a problem?" O'Brien asked

"I do not know." Data replied, "I have never done this before. Initiating first neural link." He operated a series of controls.

Dr Crusher checked some monitors which were displaying Human lifesigns. "The Captain's vital signs are stable." she reported

O'Brien checked an Okudagram. "Positronic activity unchanged." he announced

"First neural connection is confirmed." Data stated, "I cannot report any significant access to the Borg consciousness." He glanced at Troi who shook her head. No luck yet.

~8~

As the Borg ship approached Mars, automated sentry pods were scrambled to intercept it. The Borg ship destroyed them easily without even having to slow down and continued on it's course to Earth.

~8~

The Enterprise was still in hot pursuit of the Borg. "It is confirmed... the Borg have broken through the Mars defence perimeter." Worf reported

"Enterprise approaching the Terran system, sir." Wesley said

"Slow to impulse." Riker ordered, "Time to intercept?"

"23 minutes, 14 seconds, sir." Wesley replied.

~8~

The Enterprise dropped out of warp and sped past Saturn at full impulse.

~8~

In the cybernetics lab, Data was still at work. "Second neural connection is confirmed." he said, "I still cannot report any significant access. Proceeding with the final link. " He operated more controls and this time the result was dramatic.

Locutus gave a sudden jolt. "Significant increase in premotor area and hypothalamus activity." Dr Crusher observed, "His heartrate is accelerating rapidly."

O'Brien checked his sensors. "Sir, your submicron matrix activity is increasing exponentially." he informed Data, who was absorbing information at an incredible rate.

"Neural connections are complete." the android said, "I have access to the Borg subspace signals. Processing... processing..."

"Data..." Troi spoke up, sensing something.

"Stand by..." Data answered, "Processing... Fascinating. The Borg group consciousness is divided into subcommands... necessary to carry out all functions... communications, defence, navigation... they all controlled by a root command implanted into each..."

Locutus' eyes shot open suddenly and he attempted to disengage the connections in the chamber with his Borg arm. The security guard rushed forward to stop him but he just tossed him aside like a ragdoll and moved back to the connection. Data promptly grabbed the Borg arm and held it back from the controls with his android strength. An arm wrestle ensured until Data was able to break the Borg arm off at the wrist joint, revealing Picard's Human hand underneath.

Dr Crusher checked Locutus' lifesigns. "Data, I'm picking up increased neural activity in Captain Picard." she said, "Localised in the prefrontal and and parietal lobes."

"The Borg might be trying to terminate their link with him." O'Brien suggested

"Negative. Subspace signal configuration is unchanged." Data said, "The cause of the increased neural activity is unclear."

"No, it's not." Troi spoke up, "It's him!" Locutus reached out and grasped Data's hand. Troi sensed that this was Picard doing this, not Locutus. "Troi to bridge. Data has made first contact with Captain Picard." she said into her combadge.

"Can you communicate with him, Data?" Riker asked

"I have been unable to create a neural path around the Borg implants, sir." Data replied, "It is Captain Picard himself who has somehow managed to intiate contact."

~8~

"Sir, the Borg have halted their approach to Earth." Worf reported

"I think we got their attention." Shelby remarked

"Time to intercept?" Riker asked Wesley

"Two minutes, four seconds." Wesley replied

"They're worried." Riker mused, "Worried that we've access to Picard. We've got two minutes to figure out what we can do with it."

~8~

"Sir, it is clear the Borg are unable or unwilling to terminate their subspace links." Data said

Dr Crusher had a sudden thought. "That may be their Achilles heel, Captain... their independency."

"What d'you mean, Doctor?" Riker asked

"He's part of their collective consciousness." Dr Crusher replied, "Cutting him off is like asking us to disconnect an arm or a foot... we can't do it."

~8~

"They operate as a single mind..." Shelby extrapolated

"If one jumps off a cliff... they all jump off the cliff." Riker realised, "Data, is it possible to plant a command in the Borg collective consciousness?"

"It is conceivable, sir." Data replied, "It would require altering the pathways from the root command, to affect all iterative branchpoints in..."

"Make every effort, Mr Data." Riker interrupted

"What command shall I try to plant, sir?" Data asked

"Something straightforward... like 'disarm your weapon systems'." Riker replied

"Visual contact with the Borg." Worf reported

"On screen." Shelby ordered

The viewscreen showed Planet Earth, a small cuboid shape visible nearby. "Magnify." Riker ordered and the image zoomed in to show the Borg ship.

"Sensors reading increased power generation from the Borg." Worf reported

"Red alert." Riker ordered, "Load all torpedo bays, ready phasers."

"Aye, Captain." Worf acknowledged

"Status of the Borg weapons?"

"Borg weapons are fully charged."

"Data...?"

~8~

"Attempting to reroute subcommand paths, Captain." Data said as he worked, "Defence systems are protected by access barriers."

~8~

The Borg ship sent a tractor beam out at the Enterprise.

~8~

"Borg attempting to lock on tractor beam." Worf reported as the whole ship shook from the impact of the tractor beam striking the shields.

"Rotate shield frequencies." Riker ordered, "Data, report."

"I am unable to penetrate defence systems command structure, Captain." Data replied

"Try the power systems, Data." Shelby suggested, "See if you can get them to power down."

"Acknowledged." Data said, "Attempting new power subcommand path."

The Enterprise suddenly gave a tremendous lurch, nearly knocking Riker and Shelby off their feet. "Shields have failed." La Forge warned over the comm

"Fire all weapons." Riker ordered Worf.

~8~

The Enterprise, once more in the grip of the Borg tractor beam, let rip with her full arsenal but it was a hopeless cause. Just as before, the phasers and torpedoes just harmlessly impacted against the Borg ship's forcefields.

~8~

"I cannot penetrate the Borg power command structure." Data reported over the comm, "All critical subcommands are protected, Captain."

"Then it's over." Shelby sighed in defeat.

Riker knew there was only one thing for it. "Mr Crusher, ready a collision course with the Borg ship." he ordered. Wesley turned round and looked at him as if he'd gone mad. "You heard me, a collision course. Riker told him firmly. He knew that their only remaining option was to try and ram that cuboid monstrosity out of the stars.

Wesley swallowed hard. "Aye, sir." he acknowledged. He didn't want to die but he knew that it was either them or Earth.

"Mr La Forge, prepare to go to warp power." Riker said into the comm.

~8~

In the cybernetic lab, Picard was unconscious again but he suddenly opened his eyes and uttered a single word; "Sleep."

"Data, he's regaining consciousness." Dr Crusher said

"Sleep." Picard uttered again

"It's Captain Picard speaking, not Locutus." Troi clarified

"Sleep. Data." Picard managed to utter out before he fell unconscious again.

"He's exhausted." Dr Crusher sighed

"Yes, Doctor..." Data said slowly, "But if I may make a supposition, I believe his message was not intended to express fatigue but to suggest a course of action."

~8~

The Enterprise shook violently as a Borg cutting beam began slicing into the hull. "Borg cutting beam activated." Worf reported as he checked the damage.

Riker swallowed hard. It was now or never. "Mr Crusher, en..."

"Data to bridge. Stand by." Data interrupted over the comm

"Stand by all stations." Riker ordered, realising that Data was up to something.

"I am attempting to penetrate the Borg regenerative subcommand path." Data explained, "It is a low priority system and may be accessible."

Just then, the Enterprise gave an almighty lurch. "Warning: outer hull breach." the computer warned

"Sir, shall I execute evacuation sequence?" Worf asked

"Negative, Mr Worf." Riker denied, "Mr Data, your final report?"

"Stand by..." Data replied

"I can't, Mr Data." Riker said impatiently

"Warning: Inner hull failure imminent on decks 23, 24 and 25." the computer announced, "Decompression danger."

Suddenly, the Borg's attack ended abruptly. "Data, what the hell happened?" Riker blinked

"I successfully planted a command in the Borg collective consciousness, sir." Data replied, "It misdirected them to believe it was time to regenerate. In effect, I put them all to sleep."

Riker raised a brow at this news." To... sleep?"

"Yes, sir."

"Status of Borg power drive?" Riker asked Worf

Worf checked his console. "Minimal power." he reported

"Electromagnetic field?"

"Non-existent."

Riker turned to Shelby, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Commander Shelby, take an away team and confirm that the Borg are... asleep."

"Delighted, sir." Shelby beamed and she set off to see to it.

~8~

An away team comprising of Shelby, Worf and Gleason materialised on board the Borg ship. The first thing they saw was all Borg drones regenerating in their alcoves. Shelby activated her combadge. "Shelby to Enterprise. It's true, they're all in regenerative mode."

~8~

"Any indications as to how long we can keep them like this?" Riker asked as he walked along the corridor towards the cybernetic lab.

~8~

Worf checked his tricorder. "Tricorder readings are fluctuating rapidly, Commander." he reported.

Shelby came over and checked the tricorder then she checked Gleason's which was doing the same. "Enterprise, there are indications here that their entire power net's about to feed back on itself. I'd say we're looking at a self-destruct activated by the Borg's malfunction. Do you want us to attempt to disarm it?"

"Stand by." Riker replied.

~8~

Riker entered the cybernetic lab. Dr Crusher had heard everything over the open comm. "There's no way of knowing what the destruction of the Borg ship will do to him." she cautioned

"We should also consider the advantages of further examination of the Borg and their vessel, sir." Data added

Riker took a moment to ponder all this. "I don't think so." he decided, "Mr Data, separate yourself from Captain Picard." Data complied while Riker tapped his combadge. "Away team, get yourselves home. Mr Crusher, upon their return, move us to a safe position."

~8~

"Enterprise, three to beam back." Shelby said and she, Worf and Gleason were beamed back to the Enterprise.

~8~

With the away team safely back, the Enterprise sped away from the Borg ship just as small explosions began to wrack across the cube's surface.

~8~

In the cybernetic lab, Picard shuddered and twitched.

~8~

As the chain reaction continued to wrack across the surface of the Borg ship, a hatch opened on the side that was facing away from the Enterprise and a smaller spherical ship escaped through it and disappeared moments before the cube exploded in a spectacular fireball.

~8~

A storm of cheers erupted aboard the Enterprise. Kisses, hugs and handshakes abounded as everyone celebrated the Borg ship's destruction.

In the cybernetics lab, Picard's eyes opened and he smiled weakly. "Life signs are stable." Dr Crusher reported as she checked his lifesigns, "The DNA around the microcircuit fibre implants is returned to normal."

"How do you feel?" Troi asked Picard

"Almost Human." he replied in a hoarse voice, "With a bit of a headache."

"We'll get you to sickbay." Dr Crusher assured him, "We won't have any trouble getting these implants out now."

"How much do you remember?" Riker asked Picard

"Everything." Picard replied, a grave look on his face, then he gave a smile. "Including some brilliantly unorthodox strategy by a former first officer of mine."

~8~

A few days later, the Enterprise was in orbit of Earth. Picard and Riker were talking in the ready room. Picard had had his surgery, with bandages covering the areas where the Borg implants had been, and he was back in uniform. "... and Earth Station McKinley has advised they're ready to begin refitting the Enterprise." Riker said, having given the Captain a full rundown on the damage the ship had sustained over the last few days.

"Have they estimated the time for repairs?" Picard asked

"Five to six weeks." Riker replied

Just then, the door chimed. "Come." Picard and Riker said in unison then exchanged glances at each other.

The door opened and Shelby entered. "Permission to disembark, sir." she asked Riker, who deferred to Picard, thereby relinquishing command.

"Permission granted." Picard told Shelby, "They picked a fine officer for the task force, Commander."

"We'll have the fleet back in less than a year." Shelby said confidently, then she turned to Riker. "I imagine you'll get your choice of any Starfleet command. sir."

"Everyone's so concerned about my next job." Riker grinned, exuding confidence, "With all due respect, Commander, sir..." He nodded in Picard's direction. "... my career plans are my own business, no one else's. But it's nice to know I'll have a few options."

"I hope I'll have the fortune of serving with you again." Shelby told him, then she turned to Picard. "Captain." Picard nodded, dismissing her and she left the ready room.

"Course to Station McKinley is laid in and ready, sir." Riker told Picard

"Make it so, Number One." Picard nodded.

Riker grinned and left the ready room. Picard watched him leave and raised a cup of tea to his lips. He suddenly stopped, put the cup down and turned to look out of the window at the Earth below, the events of the last few days replaying in his mind. He could remember every single moment: everything the Borg had done, what they had made him do. Try as he might, he was not going to recover from this experience overnight. He had a long, hard road ahead of him.

Author's notes: And that's a wrap, folks. I hope you've all enjoyed reading my adaption of TNG's epic two-parter that changed Star Trek forever. I would like to do more Star Trek episode adaptions if this one has gone down well enough. There's plenty of good TNG and DS9 episodes that I'm tempted to have a go at. So, here's the whole story finished and I hope you all like it.