The console biped, confirming the reception of coordinates. Lauren simply acknowledged it without a sound, manoeuvring the shuttle around and heading for the rendez-vous point. She still had difficulties understanding everything the console was telling her, but the piloting was relatively easy. Besides her, Sarah was slowly recovering from her Asari trance. As soon as they got in the shuttle, they knew they had to make every bit of their limited resource count, so, Sarah plunged into a meditative state she had learned on Thessia, the homeworld of the Asari.
It was one thing they didn't have in common, at least.
The two days had been strenuous, for both of them. Even putting their information together, they only came to the conclusion that somehow, they have had similar experience in the past, knew the same people, went to the same places, except some variations. They both had little idea on how they got here, and they both disliked the other cordially. So rather than waste oxygen arguing, Sarah had her trance and Lauren studied the ships functionalities.
And of course, as soon as Sarah woke up, she had to conflict with Lauren. It wasn't professional, Lauren had begun the negotiations, her associates should have helped her, not override her. And it was pissing her off.
-You really have a recording of the assault? She asked while trying to figure out how to maintain a direction toward her objective without crashing on the debris.
-I have.
-If you're going to give it to them, that's going to be a problem.
-Don't worry, I'm deleting the parts about the Eezo, the Prometheus and other classified informations.
-Yeah, delete the parts about me too. You may want to rub shoulders with those guys, but I'm in no rush to die because they saw what I was capable of.
-They are about the only chance of survival we have.
-That's no reason to kiss their ass.
Sarah didn't kept the conversation going. She was tired, physically and mentally, too much to enter another argument with Cutie Pie. The Asari trance may have allowed them to spare some air, but it had its drawbacks too. While in her state, she could... try to reach her deepest memories. The idea was to meld with herself, to throw away any mention of time progression, of distant or near past and drown herself in the pure essence of her own experience. That way, she could feel the presence of her friends besides her, the warmth of their friendship, and their love. She could also feel the bitterness of all those she couldn't have saved, but chose not to linger in the darkest places of her mind. And now that she was awake, she was alone again.
The haze had dissipated and she was now fully aware. The other one was piloting them to the rendez-vous point fluidly, so she just checked their own equipment. Her weapons were fine, and all thermoclips had cooled down. The Valkyrie had took a beating, but her owner had visibly put it back in working order during her trance. She was N7 after all.
-They're humans, plainly stated Cutie pie
-Looks like it.
-How is that possible?
-I read that humans may have been captured by slavers before we were fully developed. And that maybe human colonies happened to be elsewhere, not knowing they were from Earth.
-That's a lot of maybe, she sneered.
-Whatever the reason, they look human. But I don't think they're Alliance either.
-How perceptive. Coming out the debris now... Wow... That's definitely not Alliance.
The space ship Enterprise appeared before them. It looked like a giant saucer, it was hard estimating its size in space, to which was attached two enormous rods, at least as long as the saucer itself. The parallel rods looked like propulsion, but it was nothing like they had ever known, in any design they had ever seen. To Lauren, it was a shock, but to Sarah, it was just another mystery.
-That thing doesn't even look like build to go in atmosphere. Is that a battle cruiser?
-I don't see any weapons, none that I recognize at least. I don't even see the docks
-They're transmitting us the docking permission right now. The automated system should take over, but I prefer manual.
-As long as you don't kill us. So... Let's meet our saviours.
Guided by the computer, Lauren approached the enormous ship. Their flight path made them gliding around the saucer, positioning them between it and the propulsion. There, two large docking bays were open to space, yet you could already see inside people waiting.
-Looks like a force field, commented Techie.
-Hanhan.
-You realise there's gravity inside that ship.
-I know.
Sarah held back a sigh, there was no point in infuriating her companion. She just hoped that she knew what she was doing, other than clearly enjoying it. Sarah herself loved a good ride, but had a more... practical approach to it. She could almost feel a giant grin on Cutie Pie's face as she was manoeuvring the unfamiliar shuttle to the opening. The computer advised to let it take care of the docking, or otherwise reduce speed. A very bad thing to do to Lauren.
She accelerated a little, just enough to make Techie and the welcoming committee nervous, and passed through the Force field like a fish breaks the surface of the water. Immediately, the gravity grabbed the shuttle, shaking it down and pulling it to the ground with its incredible hold. The whole shuttle threatened to tear apart or crash, but that wasn't enough to break the pilot's concentration. With dexterous hands, she compensated immediately, typing on the console without missing a once despite the tremendous shakedown. And with a breath, the shuttle was stable.
It landed like a feather exactly at the position indicated by the coordinates.
-Was that really necessary?
-We don't need them as much as they think. We both know it, now they know it too.
-I never thought you'd be one to enter the who's got the bigger one contest.
-Shut up Techie, you know I'm right.
Yes, she was right, but forcing their way into a ship wasn't the best way to ensure cooperation. Then again, she didn't seemed to be one to cooperate. Sarah wondered if she should join her partner in this show of strength, a way that could backfire very badly, or shutting her down, at the risk of sabotaging both approach.
She had the data, she was leading the dance. For now.
With a loud whistle, the shuttle expelled the staled air and filled the cabin and its own reserves with fresh oxygen. The two women did likewise, opening the valves of their suit to purge. They would need pressurized oxygen to actually be able to refill their own reserves, but at least they weren't breathing their own recycled breath anymore.
None of them took their helmet off however, and they were fully armed, if empty handed, when the doors of the shuttle opened.
Seven people were waiting for them, all wearing black jumpsuit-like uniforms with grey on their shoulders and an insignia placed near the heart, in the form of an arrow. The only thing that was distinguishing those uniforms were their collars, bearing three different colours. First to be seen was the one who introduced himself as Captain Picard, the bald man staring at them with an intense stern glare, wearing a red collar. To his right was a long haired woman, oozing with serenity and wearing a gentle smile along with her blue collar. To his left, a blond man, clearly ready to jump at the first sign of trouble, and judging from the looks the four behind him were giving him, he was in charge of the muscle. They were all wearing yellow collars.
All were humans, and all tensed when the two left the shuttle. Some of them slightly approached their hand to a strange remote-control-looking device on their waist.
Sarah broke the short silence first.
-I am commander Sarah Shepard. It's a pleasure to meet you in person captain.
-We do not abandon sentients stranded in space, replied Picard without blinking. It is however my ship, and I expect you to not begin any trouble.
-We do not intend to. I believe you have brought a recording device to transfer the data.
-First, I would ask you to surrender you weapons and follow us into custody.
In a flash, Lauren had her pistol in her hand, pointing at the group, immediately followed by Sarah. The security personnel put their hand on their remotes, but Picard, without looking away, shouted
-Restrain your men mister Daniels!
With a moment of hesitation, the yellow collared men slowly disarmed.
-We're not here to cause trouble, stated Lauren with a deadly cold tone, I don't see why we should part with our weapons.
-We don't shoot on unarmed benefactors either, added Sarah, lowering her gun.
Slowly, Lauren accompanied her. Sarah bit her lip, the tension was at peak.
-I propose a compromise. We'll stay armed, but we won't leave the docks.
-Unacceptable, answered back the captain barely containing his fury. Threats to this ship will not be tolerated.
-We have no intention of harming anyone, but we must protect ourselves.
-So do we, said the woman with a soothing voice. I'm sure you understand our position, we know nothing of you or your intent. Can you blame us for our precautions?
-You're not the outnumbered one here lady, sharply retorted Lauren.
-But we are clearly outgunned.
The point seemed not to be lost on the black clad woman. Her partner took the opportunity.
-This, said Sarah presenting her pistol, is as much an insignia as a weapon. An officer must never part with it nor neglect it. While powerful, it cannot pierce any hull or do significant damage on non-organic features. No matter how much you press, we will not disarm, but we may part with our more destructive equipment. As a sign of good will.
The whole assembly looked at each other. Lauren at Sarah, probably furious, yet cooperative, The woman to the captain, nodding encouragingly to her tensed superior. The later took his time to consider the proposition, then finally declared.
-If you accept to leave behind all weapons other than your pistol, and agree to be scanned, I will consider the conditions satisfactory.
-We'll be back in a moment.
Both commanders took a few step back, never breaking eye contact with the lot. They were all tensed, except the woman who had remained remarkably calm throughout the whole exchange. She was however glancing to Sarah repeatedly, making her... uncomfortable. Through the radio, Lauren whispered in her ear.
-This is bad.
-We were in trouble the moment we got in this ship, but we have no choice.
-Give me your Valiant, I'm going to rig them.
-Take the Eezo core too, I don't want it to be scanned.
-Keep an eye out and be ready for anything.
As Cutie Pie was placing a mine on their stash, and another discreetly on the side of the shuttle, Sarah noticed that Daniels was whispering to Picard. By their faces, Daniels was giving him advice, and the captain was listening with great attention. When they finished to put explosive mines on weapons of mass casualties, they got back to... peace talking.
A yellow man, without any apparent equipment other than some sort of heavy remote, approached them, his eyes shifting between them and the screen on the tool.
-You said that you recorded the attack of the Borg on a station, started Picard, and their defeat by your hands. What was the station, and why were you there?
-We do not know the answer to your first question, Sarah replied, and the answer to the second is confidential.
-How did the Borg infest the station. Was there a mothership nearby?
-There was nothing outside the station, answered Lauren, eyeing the scanning man as he turned around her, they were already here when we took action. Just give us a ship and we'll be out of your way.
-We have no "ship" to spare at that moment, and I would advise you not to underestimate the Borg. They will be back, and considering the advancement of your equipment, your civilisation will be targeted for... assimilation.
-Don't think so, we didn't left one alive.
-The Borg possess some sort of hive mind, intervened Daniels, whatever one drone learns is shared with the entire collective. Did they assimilate anything of yours? Your ship or navigation system, anything that could reveal the position of your homeworld?
-If so, added the captain, it is in your best interest to fully cooperate with us as soon as possible, so we can find and destroy the threat.
Both commanders looked at each other in silence. This was bad news, for if their pod didn't contained any classified information that could have been downloaded, it may have had some information on how they got here. The Borg could then follow the trail up and reach Council space. Their negotiating position wasn't in their favour to begin with, but now their host had not only their fate, but possibly the fate of dozens of colonies in their hands.
The man handling the scans took a step back and nodded to the Captain.
-Very well, said Picard. As per our agreement you will give us whatever data and information you have, however we do not have the means to send you back.
-We will need to contact our people, but so far no result on our personal communicators. We may need to use your communication system to warn our people and devise a rendez-vous point for our return, along with an unmarked map of the region.
-Our communications are under strict control considering the situation. Until we can be sure it is no Borg invasion, it would be best if you considered staying put, in our custody. But let me be very clear, he added, putting the weight of his rank in every word, I will not tolerate the slightest risk for this ship or my crew, and I give you a choice. You can either cooperate, surrender all your weapons and be confined to comfortable quarters while you wait, or you can keep them, and be thrown to the brig, both for our safety and yours.
Lauren twitched, but didn't utter a word. Sarah only picked a data storage the size of a pin head from her left arm and gave it to the yellow man with the scanning tool.
-Brig it is, she said for both of them.
-Then you shall be accommodated. Picard grazed his insignia and said out loud. Mister Laforge, beam them in.
A shining light surrounded the two commanders, and instant later, they were separated.
Lauren found herself in a cell, quite a spacious one, around 4 meters long with a bunk. The cell had no bars however, one of the wall just wasn't here, wide open to the cell room from where she could see other cell blocks, but no one else. Carefully, she approached her hand to the opening and felt without surprise another force field.
-Both of you, welcome to the Enterprise.
The unsarcastic voice came from a woman with golden hair falling to her neck. She walked in Lauren's view and stopped to face her and a cell just beside her. She was a yellow collar too.
-I'm ensign Kellogg, and I will be in charge of you for the duration of your stay.
-Home cooking service? Feels like home already.
-I meant, replied the ensign, controlling herself, that I will see that you do not lack any food or water, and that you do not escape. The forcefields closing your cells are only acting as walls for now, but it can be electrified should the need arise.
-Don't bang on the door, said Techie from the other cell. We've been out of food for a while now, a meal would be nice. And we've also been promised a map.
-It will be arranged. You'll be monitored at all time.
And then, she simply walked away to an area of the room Lauren couldn't see.
Soon after that, a hole opened in a wall and a spew out a spongy bar in a napkin. Time to eat. Time to reveal the faces. Both commanders had tried to follow the rulebook of first contact to the letter until now, not showing their faces, not giving them any relevant technology. Lauren considered fasting until they could access communication when she heard Techie taking her helmet off in the other cell.
-What are you doing Techie? Too hungry to care about common sense in first contact situations?
-There is defiance, and there's stupid stubbornness Cutie Pie.
-That stupid stubbornness allowed you to keep your gun.
-I'm sure starving yourself to death will help in this situation. It will help me at least.
Now she knew what Jack was feeling when Miranda opened her mouth. She gobbled up her rage and focused on something constructive. There was no way to know how long they would be kept in the brig, and pirating the ship wouldn't be wise right now. Not as long as there was a chance they'll cooperate. Lauren didn't liked the feeling of powerlessness she had, it was always better to keep the situation fully under control. And right now, she was not.
She took her helmet off and licked the food. It was awful, but very nutritional. Having eaten more nutrient in bars than actual meals in her life, she had began to be quite the expert on the subject. Whoever those guys were, they were incredibly polite. They could have "beamed" them here, or in a place surrounded by soldiers, the moment they got their weapons on the ground, but they continued the conversation. They even negotiated, allowing them to keep their gun, even if she had to be persuasive in the gun-in-your-face kind of way.
Sure, they were prisoners now, but considering it all started with them gasping for air and only a tempered record, they did good.
Throwing herself on the bunk she chew her spongy meal lost in thoughts. She hated waiting.
-Hey, said Techie from the other side of the wall. Something's wrong.
-The food's not poisoned, I checked, she answered her mouth half full
-I'm talking about the map. Look at your wall.
Lauren got up and stared at the walls of her cell. Just beside the "opening" was a console. Typing randomly on it brought up a star map of the sector. And something was wrong indeed.
-That's... not the Perseus Veil.
-Not even close, I don't recognize the place.
-Is there a way to zoom out?
Like answering to vocal command, the map now showed a larger portion of the system. Still, nothing was ringing a bell.
-Show Galaxy, said Techie, soon followed by Lauren.
The map then showed the entire Galaxy, or whatever portions it knew. The map wasn't complete, in fact, only a quarter of it was well mapped, the rest was incomplete. It was hard to recognize anything. Behind her, Techie was whispering several command, trying to zoom on some portions, asking more detail on some regions. Lauren wasn't going to search wildly, and began a methodological approach, looking for a familiar zone, and then figuring out the rest from it.
But during the ten minutes of intense research, she had found nothing. The map wasn't even close to looking like the ones she used regularly, except for the super black holes in the middle. Maybe it was because those people never found out any relays, and developed on their own. Still, to have explored so much and so far, they must have had the means to travel beyond light speed more efficiently than them. It was strange that they never made contact with a society so widespread as Council space, or at least someone in the Terminus System.
A trembling voice called her from the other room.
-Lauren... look for Saturn.
-What?
-Say "Pin point Saturn on the map"
She did, and the map locked around a point. Zooming in, she had a beautiful view of Saturn and its rings. Their Saturn. In fact their whole system, along with every single planet and moon, all with the same names. And even Earth.
-How.. why do they have the same name as us?
-It get worse. Look. No relays.
-Maybe they just don't know it's there...
-They got every moon of every planet right, there is no way they could miss Charon not being an actual moon. And the other clusters, they're not at the same place. Or not there at all!
The soldier opened her omnitool and brought up the localisation of Tuchanka, Thessia, Palaven and other key planets. Those position were approximately calculated by trigonometry, linking the Earth and the centre of the Galaxy with the point you were trying to look for. Crude, but easy to do with any map. And there was indeed nothing. Whole clusters were well away from the predicted position, far too much to be a simple error. Yet the coordinates were correct, the areas mapped, Earth was there. Something was wrong, it was either them or the whole Galaxy
One thing was for sure.
They weren't in Kansas anymore.
