The Boarding Party made their way toward the bridge. Johnson and the ODST found Lieutenant Haverson and the Pelican pilot. "So, how many Covenant have you found Haverson?" Johnson says taking point with Locklear. "Now we need to find the Chief and that mechanical man from that ship." Locklear says putting his weapon down, watching the corridor for Covenant forces, "Yes, we need to find those two because Cortana won't respond to me." Haverson says concerned and annoyed. "Hey Cortana, can you direct us to the Master Chief and Commander Data please." Johnson says over the comms, "Certainly Sergeant. They are actually closing onto the bridge." Cortana replies cheerfully and then goes silent. "I swear…the moment we get back to Earth I am going to order her deactivation." Haverson says as the small group continues toward the Bridge. "I don't think The Chief will let you lay a hand on her Haverson. Quite frankly, I won't let you lay a hand on her. If only you knew the full extent of what went on down there on that ring. You don't because you stayed at the base with your hands under your ass doing a lot of nothing. So before you "order" and AI for destruction, MAYBE try to realize the crap she and the Chief went through." Johnson says turning around and pinning Haverson on a wall, "I've been a part of what they've been through and it's not something I wish to endure EVER again." He releases Haverson and heads toward the Bridge.
The Chief and Commander Data waited outside the bridge door for the rest of the boarding party to arrive. "So," Data says to the Chief, "Tell me about yourself." He adds trying to strike a conversation with John. "There isn't much to tell. I was born on a planet that was wiped out by the Covenant, taken away from my home at the age of six to become a the best of the best and fight off Insurrectionists then this arrived with the Covenant and now I fight to protect humanity." The Chief says with no emotion in his voice and stares down the corridor looking for the rest of the boarding party. "Chief, we could go ahead and clear the Bridge so the rest don't have to deal with the Covenant." Cortana says breaking the silence and opening the door revealing almost no one except for two Elites with energy swords drawn. "Be careful Commander. Those swords can cut you in one swift action." John says drawing his rifle and opening fire on the Elites taking the shields of one down allowing Data to kill the Elite. "Now where is that other one?" The Chief says to himself scanning the room for him.
Data looks around and sees a flash of blue from the corner of his eye before dodging the swing and grabbing the Elite's wrist and slowly squeezing it to make the Elite drop the sword and begin to scream in pain. The Chief watches as Data stuns the Elite with his weapon. "I do believe that the Bridge is clear now." Data says as the rest of the boarding party walks into the Bridge, "Well, I see that we missed the party." Johnson says humorously before dragging the Elites to an escape pod as Haverson looked around just to be safe. A moment later Cortana appeared on a pedestal near the chair in the middle of the room. "I have some control over the ship systems but there is something that is fighting me. Whether it's the Covenant themselves or their version of an AI. Don't worry, I'm handling it as we speak." She says, "And presto, I have the Covenant trapped in areas that they can't escape." Haverson nods then sits in the chair, "Alright, let's get this show on the road." He turns to Data, "You, contact your ship and tell them that the ship is secured for the moment." Data nods and taps his combadge. "Data to Enterprise." "Enterprise here. What's the situation Commander?" Picard says in reply to Data. "The Ship is secure with some enemy elements in areas of the ship. Sealed areas I may add." "Understood Commander. Are you in need of assistance?" Data pauses for a moment and looks around, "Sorry Captain. But we won't need much assistance since we have an AI on our side." Haverson says, "However, we can still use your services. In exchange we will try to find you a way home. You can maneuver your ship in the large opening in the ship. That way we can take you into the SlipStream bubble and that way you can save your ship's power." Haverson adds as a holographic display appears in front of the chair. "The Enterprise will be in that opening in a few moments," Picard says cutting the communication.
"Captain's Log Supplemental. This adventure that I've sent the Enterprise and her crew on is proving to be interesting. Thankfully the Enterprise has withstood attacks from these hostile aliens but Engineering reports that the shields we starting to fail under what we believe was plasma weapons. There are currently Engineering teams working on all our systems to compensate for these weapons…." Picard stops as the door chime sounds, "Computer pause log. Come in." The door opens and reveals Codwell, "Hello Captain." "Ensign, what do I owe the pleasure?" Picard asks putting his book down, "Well Captain, I just wanted to talk to you about the voices." "Voices?" Picard becomes curious, "Yes. The voices that are coming through the Borg nanites." Codwell says sitting down, "I did a little research and you and I aren't the only ones who were among the Borg. Well, technically I was never assimilated but I can hear their thoughts…" "Ensign, I think I get the picture of what you are saying. Yes, it is true that we have several members that were assimilated. They are also some of the crew that were captured when the Enterprise was boarded and assimilated by the Borg." Picard says with a sigh of relief in his voice, "Right now, I've gotten to the point where I refuse to hear them because of what the Borg did to me. It isn't worth listening due to the fact we have horrible memories of the Borg and our time there." He adds as Codwell gives a look of disappointment, "I can see those thoughts and I can barely understand the pain you all have been through." Codwell says sympathetically then stands up, "I will return to the bridge and preform my duties until you or Commander Worf say otherwise." He slightly bows and exits Picard's cabin. "Computer Resume Log." The computer beeps in acknowledges "Ensign Codwell is progressing but after a talk with him a minute ago, I am beginning to become concerned about him. Was it the right thing to do and give him my Nanites to fight off that…parasite?" Picard ends the log and sits there thinking and hearing the thoughts of the crew that were assimilated then liberated…
