As the Titan neared the Fleet Museum, Beverly's suspicions were proven correct and she pulled some of the crew members into a meeting. This conference included: Picard, Adley, Worf, Seven, Shaw, Delaney, Kirk, Reagan, Beverly, Raffi, Data, Geordi, Riker, and Troi.
"What is all of this about, Beverly?" Jean Luc inquired once everyone was present and seated, taking a hold of Adley's hand once she took the seat next to him.
After everything he'd been through in the past few hours, he was not going to let her out of his sight for even a moment.
Beverly took a deep breath before she began, "Delaney said something interesting while we were on the bridge that caused my mind to race so I did some research. Based upon my findings, what was once thought of as Irumodic Syndrome in Jean Luc was actually a dormant code left over from Picard's time as Locutus when he was with the Borg. That same genetic sequence is in Jack which aligns with Deanna's findings after her session with him. What's more interesting, though, is that this particular DNA code is present in the transporter coding of anyone in Starfleet aged twenty-five or younger. At twenty-five, most races are considered fully developed so the Borg would have no interest in trying to assimilate anyone older," she shared as she pointed at the specific sequence she was referencing on the screen before them.
Kirk placed his fingers against his lips before removing them to speak, "So, you're saying that this Borg technology has found a way to make anyone in Starfleet twenty-five years or younger a part of their cult? I'm assuming that this process was more difficult for them in the past. I'm not familiar with this enemy," he admitted causing Reagan to give him a sympathetic smile but also one that had a hint of jealousy, as she'd spent her early years at Starfleet fighting the Borg.
Picard spoke next, having listened carefully to Beverly's findings, "That is exactly what they've managed to do. We are all in danger and I wish we could warn the fleet, but there isn't time. We need to get onto ships that aren't linked to this new collective and solve the problem. That is our only solution," he shared as he felt Adley give his hand a comforting squeeze.
"He's right," Adley replied, having had plenty of experience studying the Borg. "Our only choice is to ensure that we can't be compromised by them. Picard is safe now because of his new body. If he hadn't 'died' then he would need to be isolated," she shared, earning a nod from Beverly.
Shaw sat forward in his seat while Delaney mirrored his movements, wanting to be as close to him as possible, "We can't take just any shuttle off of this ship if we want to reach our destinations at the Fleet Museum," he began as he felt her place her hand on his shoulder, both for comfort and bravery.
He worked hard not to flinch from her gentle touch after all the injuries he'd received since Picard, Riker, and Adley had boarded the Titan. "There is a repair shuttle that we can use because it's old and has no ties to this ship or the rest of the fleet." He looked at Beverly, "Do you have any way to know when the Borg will activate all the young people stationed across the different ships among the fleet? I have to think that most of the members of Starfleet, at this point, are twenty-five or younger."
Beverly shrugged before Data answered, "It is logical to assume that the Borg will activate their newfound army once Frontier Day has started. Based on my calculations, we have thirty to forty-five minutes," he stated, matter-of-factly, causing Geordi to roll his eyes.
"Data, can you keep a more positive attitude?" Georid questioned as he looked at his old friend, someone he never thought he'd get to work side by side again with, someone who had 'died' more than once.
Data glanced his way as he cocked his head to the side, "I hope we die quickly," he replied with a positive tone to his voice.
Kirk took a deep breath after listening to Geordi and Data's exchange, reminding him of another Starfleet officer he'd once worked with. "Commander La Forge," Kirk began, "which ships left at the Fleet Museum are both functional and not tied to the rest of the fleet?"
Geordi rolled his eyes before he replied, "I was hoping to keep one of them as a surprise, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. The Enterprises A and D are our only shot," he shared causing both Kirk and Picard to raise their respective brows.
"That seems pretty damn fitting considering the circumstances and who we have at our disposal," Delaney commented as she looked around the room, filled with mostly legends.
Kirk shrugged, "It does, except I'm missing all the members of my crew. I could really use Spock right now if I'm being honest with myself," he added as he felt Reagan wrap her arms around his neck.
"I've got you," Reagan whispered as Shaw thought over who he had in control of the Titan and the ages of those people remaining on the bridge, including La Forge's daughters.
Shaw took a deep breath before he spoke, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if the Borg make their move before we're off the Titan, we're in deep shit. The remainder of my crew is under twenty-five, which means they are all the enemy from this moment on," he added as he let out a long, deep sigh, something he'd grown tired of doing since these legends had shown up on his ship.
"If that's the case, then we need to make our way to the repair shuttle now," Seven replied as she earned a nod of agreement from Raffi.
Worf jumped into action as he signaled for everyone in their meeting room to move to the turbo lift and make their way to the shuttle that may be both theirs and the salvation of the entire fleet.
As the sliding doors of the turbo lift opened, the group was met with phaser fire from younger crewmen, waiting on them.
"Set phasers to stun," Shaw instructed as he moved forward with Delaney at his side, "We'll cover you," he added as the couple fired on the youthful officers while taking cover behind storage boxes that lined the hall.
Kirk and Reagan were the first to successfully make it aboard the repair shuttle. Each took their respective breath before they waited on the others to join them.
"You ok, old man?" Reagan asked as she saw Picard and Adley run onto the shuttle, joining them.
Kirk rolled his eyes, playfully, "I'll always be good. Worry about yourself," he added as Geordi and Data raced on, taking the main two seats so they could pilot the shuttle.
"Punch in the coordinates," Geordi instructed Data while Raffi and Worf made their way onto the shuttle.
Data nodded, "This is a bizarre plan," he began, "It's based completely on faith, and in my experience, that isn't the best way to handle things successfully," he added.
"Shut up, Data," Adley shouted as she moved into Picard's welcoming arms while they waited on the others.
Data nodded as Riker and Troi raced onto the shuttle joining the others, leaving just Seven, Shaw, and Delaney behind.
"I've got you two, go!" Shaw yelled as he fired on the members of his crew under the age of twenty-five, his phaser set to stun till.
Seven started racing toward the shuttle when she looked back and noticed Delaney stop in her tracks.
Seven glanced back and saw Delaney racing to Shaw's side as he dropped after taking a shot to the shoulder from one of the fellow crewmembers.
Seven raced toward Delany and Shaw while firing at her lieutenant.
"Will he be alright?" Seven questioned. She'd hated Shaw for so long, but he'd grown since this mission had begun and she knew he had more to offer Starfleet, once this crisis was over.
Delaney ripped the sleeve off of her uniform and held it to his wound as she nodded, "I think he can make a full recovery. The bullet went right through and it didn't hit anything serious. We've just gotta get him to the shuttle," she stated as she started to pull him up until she could hold his weight and head toward the exit.
"We've got this," Seven stated, confidently, as she moved behind Delaney who was supporting Shaw's weight, firing at people they'd once thought of as allies as they made their way onto the shuttle.
After a few moments, the longest of Delaney's life, the three of them were safely on the repair shuttle where Geordi and Data were already ready to finish their journey to the fleet museum with no way for the enemy to trace them.
"Will he be alright?" Beverly questioned as she took in Shaw's already injured form, "What's our plan for the two ships once we reach the museum?" she added, glancing at Picard for orders as she'd done countless times before.
Delaney nodded, "The shot went straight through. He may not have full use of his shoulder for a few weeks, but he'll be alright."
Adley and Reagan nodded, sympathetically, well aware that it could have been any one of their men that took a hit from the enemy.
Picard glanced at the group before him, a crew that would easily be the skeleton crew for one ship but they were planning on manning two.
After a few, torturous moments of silence, Picard spoke, "I'm not sure that there is a logical way to split this group up between the two ships, but I will do my best. I believe that the crew going to Enterprise-A should include: Shaw, Reagan, Kirk, Delaney, Raffi, and Seven while the rest of us board the D. Are there any objections?"
The group glanced around at each other before there were nods all around, as Beverly repaired Shaw's injury.
The shuttle reached the Fleet Museum safely causing the group to divide based on Picard's suggestion to the two different ships.
As Kirk and his group walked onto the bridge of the Enterprise-A, Kirk looked at Shaw, "You should take the chair," he gestured, "The Titan was yours which means your place is on the bridge of your ship, whatever ship that may be," he added as he locked eye contact with Shaw, who was moving gingerly after his newest injury.
Shaw shook his head, "No, Captain. That chair, especially that one, belongs to you. My place is in Engineering, if you'll have me in that role," he executed a slight bow for Kirk, awaiting permission to return to the part of the ship that held his true passions.
"I would be honored," Kirk replied as Shaw nodded and made his way to the turbo lift, quickly followed by Delaney.
Delaney looked to Kirk, "Since he was recently injured, I think I should join him," she requested, earning a nod from Kirk as he took his familiar seat on the bridge of the Enterprise.
Seven moved to the navigation chair, "I'll handle flying her, Captain," she offered, truly shocked that she was now about to serve under another legendary Captain.
Like Seven, Raffi moved to the weapons station, naturally, "I can handle the weapons system."
Reagan glanced at everyone finding their perfect places on the bridge and on the ship, as she took a seat at the Communications station, "Jim, this was my first love. Would you allow me to handle this station?"
Kirk smirked to himself as he responded to all of them, at once, "If you all feel confident in your chosen stations, then I trust you. Let's go fight off this Borg," he initiated as he gestured for Seven to plot the course and set the ship to the appropriate warp setting.