"How long until we reach Arcturus II?" The captain asked.
"At our current speed, approximately 1 hour, 12 minutes 34 seconds, sir," Data answered.
"Geordi how are the engines looking?" Jean-Luc asked through his combadge.
"We are lucky they are in the state they are in. Luckily the Borg didn't target our engines," Geordi answered, "We can have Warp 7 constant in a couple of hours."
"Good, and Mr. Worf how are the weapons looking?" Picard asked to the Klingon behind him.
"We have forward phasers and one aft torpedo up and running. All other systems still down," the lieutenant replied. The bridge remained silent for a few moments. The captain stood up. And looked around the bridge. He sighed. He quickly opened a channel to the whole ship.
"As you all know, or should know we have left Earth in the hands of the Borg. The Enterprise is going to try and free Earth. However, I regret to inform all of you that everyone will not be returning to Earth, nor may never return. We ask for everyone who will accept the risk of joining the Enterprise to try and defeat them to report to your senior officer. None of the children will be allowed to stay so we ask for the parents of them to stay with their children. Please understand the nature of this mission. No one will look down on you if you stay on Arcturus II; in fact, I implore you to stay on the planet. Picard Out," Jean-Luc said putting as much passion into it. The bridge fell silent again. The captain sat back down in his seat and sighed. Riker stood up.
"Captain you can count on me. I won't leave your side," Riker said.
"I second that sir," Worf's voice came.
"Me too captain," Wesley said looking back at the captain.
"Captain, I will go with you too, even if I am not a human," Data said turning his seat around.
"You know me Captain, you will need me," Deanna replied. Picard looked around at everyone in agreement.
"Thank you," Picard replied looking at all those people with a tear almost forming in his eyes, "I'll be in my ready room." Picard stood up and slowly walked through the bridge towards his ready room. The ship had been repaired substantially since they left. At least now, there were not beams hanging from the ceiling.
"Tea, Earl Grey, Hot," Picard said to the food replicator. At first, the replicator didn't work, but after a second, the cup appeared. The food replicators were the least of their worries in repairing the ship. Picard just needed some time away from the bridge, since he had been up there for days, about 9, almost 10 days without sleep. Jean-Luc had ignored the doctor's orders about sleep, but he felt he needed to stay awake on the bridge, and now he was regretting it. They had been able to get a constant speed with a few bursts of faster so they could get there faster. And now they were just an hour or so away from their new home, or at least the new home of many of them. A ring came from Jean-Luc's door.
"Come in!" Picard replied. The doors opened revealing the red headed Doctor Crusher.
"Jaen-Luc, what did I tell you about staying up this long?" Crusher said walking up to his desk.
"To not?" Jean-Luc replied grinning slightly, "I must say, Beverly, you were right; I feel I might be going insane of sleep deprivation."
"Jean-Luc, you need sleep. And I believe I can order you to," Beverly stated.
"I know I do, but we are so close, I can't go to sleep now," Picard replied leaning back in his chair and sipping his Earl Grey tea.
"Yes you can, don't make me order you," Beverly said smiling slightly.
"Here, how about if you stay on Arcturus II I promise to get 8 hours a night," Jean-Luc offered.
"How about I order you to get 8 hours a night, and I still go with you," Beverly countered.
"Oh Beverly what am I going to do with you?" Jean-Luc chuckled shaking his head.
"Oh I don't know," Beverly replied standing in front of Picard's desk.
"You won't change your mind?" Jean-Luc asked, not wanting her to go.
"Of course not, I won't change my mind because you ask me," Beverly said.
"Absolutely no way? It will be extremely dangerous to come," Picard asked taking another sip of his tea.
"That is exactly why I need to come Jean-Luc, otherwise there could be casualties, or more then necessary," The doctor pointed out.
"But Ogwana could do the same," Picard insisted.
"One more doctor could mean the difference between life and death," Beverly pressed.
"One more doctor might not matter," Jean-Luc insisted.
"But what if it does?" Beverly asked.
"It won't," Picard replied.
"Why not?" Beverly insisted and upon seeing him frown a bit, "You aren't expecting to win."
"No I am not," Jean-Luc replied grimacing at the thought.
"It's all the more reason for me to come along, Jean-Luc! I can't just go on knowing you all could be dead or even alive, wondering and waiting for the word," Beverly replied, "Everyone going, all of them are my friends. I can't just stay away from that."
"Fine… I guess… I won't stop you from coming," Jean-Luc replied.
"Good, now sleep Jean-Luc," Beverly pressed.
"Yes mam," Picard said standing up. He began heading to the door, but he stopped when he was next to Doctor Crusher, "I shall see you later Doctor." Picard looked at her smiling, and, most likely due to the sleep deprivation, he kissed her cheek softly. He sighed and left his ready room leaving the doctor. Beverly merely smiled slightly and left heading back to sickbay to attend a few of the last injured.