The next few days Jean-Luc was filled with tension, wanting to hurry up the construction of the community they needed. Thanks to Geordi the device that they had found was planted all around the settlement, hiding them from the Borg. Picard kept in mind that with this technology they would be hidden by the Borg, if they weren't assimilated, or at least he thought that much. There was no way to really know, but it was worth a shot. Soon the settlement was masked by the devices, proven they were no harm beforehand. Everyone was tense, even when Deanna Troi had returned to the ship. They were about to face the hardest battle of their life, and it seemed like a doomed mission. Only a little over a hundred people stayed on the planet, most the parents of children.

Currently Picard was sitting alone in the briefing room, not wanting to be disturbed by anyone. The door opened allowing one to enter, but Jean-Luc didn't notice.

"Captain," the person said from behind, causing startle in the captain.

"Oh Deanna, you scared me," Jean-Luc said turning around seeing the ship's counselor standing at the door, "Come in, come in." Deanna walked forward and sat in a chair next to his.

"Captain, tell me what is wrong, I can tell you are stressed," Deanna said.

"Well we are about to go against the Borg and it is likely we will lose, and not very many want to stay. And… And the community doesn't have a leader," Picard hesitated, "Who isn't stressed?"

"Captain, you know that is not the reason. You can trust me, why?" Deanna replied telling he was holding something back. Jean-Luc remained silent for a minute, unsure of what he would say.

"The Borg, I heard them not long ago, Jean-Luc simply said.

"What? I thought your connection was broken," Troi said astounded.

"It was, but I know it was them," Picard replied, "They said they wanted me, or they would follow and find me."

"Have you told this to anyone else?" Deanna replied keeping her cool.

"I did contact Doctor Crusher the night it happened, but she just said it was just a nightmare," Picard sighed.

"But you know it wasn't?" Deanna questioned.

"I could hear them just as clearly as I could hear you. Even if I thought it was, there is still a chance it wasn't, and I can't take that chance. The existence of humans are in our hands, if they can find me, then they will, and if we are here, then humans will no longer be around," Picard explained, "That is why I want to leave so quickly."

"I understand. It must be hard to stay here, and feel you are endangering your crew and your friends. Nevertheless, know this; we are here to stay by your side. We do not care how dangerous you are to be with, we are your crew and friends. We are willing to die to keep you safe," Deanna stated.

"Deanna…" Picard said as Deanna began to rise.

"Yes Captain?" She asked.

"I want you to stay here. The people down on the planet need you most of all. The Borg are easy to read for me, since I have been one of them, so please stay here," the captain requested.

"For you I will, since you asked nicely. I won't like it, but I will comply with your wishes, unlike the doctor," Deanna replied smiling and heading out of the room.

Picard sighed and sat up in his chair, laying his hands on the table and covering his face. They were facing the same thing that Guinan's people had before, but they were going to stay together and try to fight. Guinan was one of the many that requested to stay on the ship, most likely wanting to go after the Borg. Picard was thinking of a plan, one that would save the ship and her crew, but everything could go wrong with one minor mistake. He was not even sure it could ever work.

The next day Deanna was beamed down to the planet, with heartfelt good-byes, including Commander Riker who hugged her before she left. When they were sure that everything was ready to leave, they left. At high warp it would take a while, given them time to prepare even more.

"Mr. Crusher, set a course for Earth," Picard ordered, "Maximum Warp." With the new improvements that Geordi had installed, they would get there in about 7 days, three days faster than their trip to the planet. Wesley had miscalculated the distance making them arrive faster than they originally thought they would, but they were prepared for the trip this time. Picard was normally in his ready room going over everything in his head, alone. Riker was at the helm, and Geordi was at the engines making sure everything was well. At Arcturus II Deanna was organizing everything, thinking about the enterprise wishing them good luck. Crusher was finishing reports on the injuries that had been sustained, and the various other crew members were trying to relax, overcrowding the holodecks and 10 Forward.

The up and coming fight would be a terrible fight, one that many could lose their lives over. Then just an hour away from getting to Earth, Picard entered the bridge for the first time since they had left, forgetting that he needed to show his strength and his duty to be on the bridge.

"Slow to impulse," Picard said as they neared Jupiter, where Jupiter Station had been destroyed. The ensign did. Picard walked over to his seat, and sat quietly.

"Scans?" Picard said addressing Mr. Data.

"Picking up 10 Borg vessels nearby, and 10 billion people on Earth, all Borg. All human stations have been destroyed," Data stated looking at his consol. Riker looked at Picard worried, but Picard stayed stone faced.

"Mr. Worf keep weapons powered down, don't forget they don't attack those who aren't threatening them," Picard ordered. The ship remained silent.

"The Borg are hailing us," Data stated.

"Open a channel," Picard ordered.

"Bring us Locutus, or be destroyed. Resistance is futile," The voice of the Borg said before cutting off the commission. Riker looked at Picard again who stood up.

"Don't even think about it," Riker responded.

"Wasn't planning on it. Mr. Worf, prepare to arm weapons," Picard replied.

"Aye," Worf replied.

"1 Borg Cube in viewing range sir," Data stated.

"On screen," Picard ordered. The screen flashed to where they could see a nearby Borg vessel, not too far off. The sight was familiar. The large cube was metal and floating in space. A perfect construct for the 'perfect' species. Jean-Luc stood up and looked towards the Klingon.

"Fire!"