The time of the Borg.

Part one of a Next Generation tale. Q sends the regulars of the Enterprise on little task through time and space to the birthplace of the Borg. Introducing a temporary new character called Claire. Not Mary despite what Q might suggest! Hope you enjoy. Please read and review. Ham.

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Claire was very excited. She had applied for and got a stay on the Enterprise. This was good after a frankly dull 4 years leaving the academy studying star behaviour in a far-flung desert world. Well, she supposed that was fine and well-rewarding but was so dull. So, when a chance came to do a stint on the Enterprise, were life could be complex but at least was exciting. She had not been sure to get the position on such a ship, the most famous in Starfleet, but in an interview with Riker and Counsellor Troy she had apparently done work they could incorporate with the Enterprise and with her clear enthusiasm for the ship she was in. So, she arrived to travel to the Enterprise at a local docking station in time for the trip to start. For a change she hoped and realistically expected to do some more interesting work on the exciting far reaches of the Galaxy. She went up to the Enterprise by its shuttle on this occasion and to her surprise she found herself accompanied by a bald man in a Captain's uniform. Picard! He smiled at her and offered his hand. 'Miss Chapman is it? Always nice to meet new arrivals on the ship. Doing some front-line research, I hear.' She was about to shake his hand and reply curtiously as it was nice that the Captain had found time to recognize her when she looked around and to her surprise saw another man in the console who she was sure hadn't been there when they had entered.

The man greeted Picard as an old friend and comrade, but Picard didn't appear convinced. 'Q, so what tortureous plans have you for us this time. I shall call security,'

Q appeared offended. 'Picard, when has that ever worked with me? Still if you do call security, do be sure to bring along that Klingon, Worf. I would like to see him again, brighten up this visit. And you might well need him. And I am about to do you a favour.'

'I find that to believe. I've never been that fond your favours, Q' snorted Picard.

'Oh, you will like this one, I'm sure. Have you heard of Breslen?'

'I never have,' answered Claire.

'I was talking to the Captain, not you, Mary,'

'Claire,' said Claire.

'Whatever, But...' Q eyed Claire up and down. 'You might do, I suppose. We might need someone new for the team. 'You don't have a red suit, do you?'

'I have no idea what you are talking about,'

'Excellent. Never mind, just my little joke. Now then, Picard, a few of you are going on a little journey through time and space. On a vital mission. I will send you of course, I have faith in you, do try not to ruin it for me, you'll need Riker, Oh here he is just in time, your friend, Beverly, but someone needs to be in charge of the Enterprise, that engineering chap, maybe, no he's going with you, Troi will be the one in charge, she'll love it, probably a life-long ambition of hers.'

As Q spoke, those whom he selected appeared out of nowhere. 'Q' said Riker the first lieutenant of the Enterprise, 'What is this task you have set us?'

'You always were the attentive one,' sniffed Q with a hint of irony in his voice. 'Look around.'

Claire looked. Wth a gasp she saw that they were no longer on the Enterprise and that she hadn't noticed. 'We are on Breslen, I take it But When?'

'The birthplace of the Borg, one of your Federations most powerful enemies. But I believe you can cope If you can't you are in trouble,' said Q with a mischievous smile.'However we are 300 years back in time. A curious time for this planet. And important. It is the time of the Borg's creation.'

'So, what do you want us to do?' asked Picard, Q looked disdainfully,

'You really want me to tell you everything don't you and why will you do what I say anyway? You're record on this is less than 100%!'

Riker thought, 'Well, the boot is on the other foot. Now we have the advanced technology and the Borg haven't even been invented. We could do some anti-Borg damage.'

'Or an opportunity to maybe eliminate them totally,' considered Picard.

'Well, the penny dropes,' sighed Q with a ironic applause. 'So, with no further ado and with no moral dilemma whatsoever, I will be off. I have a little job to do. For some strange reason, it is important to ensure that Pakistan beat England at Cricket in a series in the 1990s. Hmm, can't see it myself, still arrivoure and the best of luck.' With that Q disappeared into the air