Star date 2535.1.1930

A late senior meeting on the bridge was not uncommon but all of the senior crew being called the way they were called to meet was unusual for Captain Nelson. What most of them didn't know is that it was not his call.

'Four hours earlier.

Captain Nelson was working on his current PT regiment Doctor Abigail Cho had put him on. He wanted to improve his health before he started his planning for the Admiral position. Plus, it didn't hurt that he would be working with Admiral Dr. Vanessa Calder M.D. He was ready to be behind a desk, he had two very capable officers ready for the command. Myka was the one to take the Captain chair for the ship and he knew Pete would make a great first officer. He had everyone's support, he knew that she was capable in every way a Captain should be. Pete being her second, would make them an unstoppable force. He also knew with Pete being a relative of the infamous Admiral Janeway, his own mom having an uncanny resemblance to her and being an Admiral herself, there would be no questions about Myka. Myka's logical empathy and Pete's telepathic perception, they would become a monumental force for diplomatic work in the galaxy. One he would be proud to say he put together.

The sound from his communication screen pulled him from his thoughts on the future. "Captain, secure message coming from Star Fleet command, should I send it to your screen?" Lt. Jinx's asked.

"Right away Lieutenant." Artie said knowing that shore leave would most likely be paused.

"Captain Nelson. Are we cleared to talk?" Admiral Fredericks asked before starting her meeting.

"Line secured." Artie said.

"Arthur, I will make this short. Review the Report with your senior officers. Findings conclude technological patterns in the Borg artifacts. We need your top experts on this immediately. You have three days, no one and I mean no one, is to be advised about your findings but me. Questions?"

"What of the diplomatic mission?" Artie inquired, worried about what this means for Claudia.

"That is our official reason for being there, but you have your orders. There are far more questions then I have answers for you. Discretion is key." The Admiral stated, ensuring enough information without giving away too much. She had a feeling the line was not as secure as she was advised.

"Lt. D'n'van?"

"They are Starfleet, Fredricks out." With that she became a dark void of a screen.

Artie feared what that statement meant, as he opened up the full report, the Captain's fear only got worse.

"So Captain, what's happenin'? Are we getting a party because of how awesome we are?" Pete asked with a smile that slowly went away as he looked at his Captain. His vibes started catching up with his current situation.

"Sadly Pete, I am afraid not. I have reviewed the findings for the most recent Starfleet report on the oldest Borg relic we could find. From their primitive technology, it looks like it is similar to a few systems here on Apothik I. Long range scans as well as the Vulcan Academy of Science has confirmed the relation." Artie said looking at everyone and pausing when he reached Claudia for just a moment. "As such, we are going to be looking into it discretely. We need to know what is going on, and how this could possibly be. Do you know anything about this possibility Lt. D'n'van?"

"I'm not sure. From what I know of the Borg, they consume civilizations and technology. How were they able to compare and date the tech?" Claudia inquired as she read the finding.

"They dated and mined all the information on the Cube. Looks like the base starting technology was only a few layers under the current." Myka read the report quicker then anyone. Understanding it would take more time, but from what data they found, Claudia's home world was the foundation of the Borg technology that dates back about a millennia.

"There's something odd about these evaluations. This technology matches our tech code language but it's no older the two hundred years and it's… different. It has a lot of unsecured protocols and entries. It's both old and new but just different. I'll need time to review this, how much do we have before we get to the planet?" Claudia asked as they reviewed the reports.

"Forty-eight hours before we arrive. We all have our assignments, Claudia's is a given. Dr. Abigail and Dr. Leena I want you both to work on the psychological aspect of the technology and our crew. I need to know of any potential issues. Everyone has been affected by the Borg in one sense or another. Make sure none could affect our crew and our crew not affect our talks. Pete, I want alpha security checks and drills run with all crews. Change up rotations to have a senior officer on each shift. Steve, I need you to monitor coms and test all secure lines and look for any anomalies, if anything looks intercepted report it at once. Besides security running drills, these findings are not to be reported past anyone in this room. Get this done." Artie said as he got up and everyone moved to leave but Myka, as planned. Artie felt Pete linger but saw Myka signal for him to go.

"Request to speak candidly sir." Myka started.

"Granted," Artie signaled, the proverbial floor being hers.

"From the report, Star fleet confirms that this planet is the home planet of the Borg. So what is our mission now?" Myka asked, afraid of the answer.

"Intent. Put simply, did they make the Borg, and if so why? We know little about them because of their preferred xenophobic views. Only close planets have minimal trade which tells us everything and nothing. They are warp capable and have space defensives around their planet for most defense but also offense if needed for deterrent. But it is not to conquer." Artie stated.

"Are we here still under the banner of diplomacy? I refuse to blame a planet for the actions of a few…" Myka stated but couldn't find a reason to justify the idea of the Borg.

"At this point, we have no idea. What I don't understand is that the Borg consumed one of their trading partners but the rest are still intact. They are reviewing long range scans for the any information they can provide but until we know more, there is nothing to be done." Artie turned off his tablet and looked at his first officer. "Intent will give us the full picture."

"It's the Borg Captain, our fear runs too deep. I will work with Claudia and Pete. Do you have anyone backing up Steve?" Myka asked.

"No, suggestions?" Artie asked.

"I would pull two from Security rotation. I believe Jack and Rebecca have the training and the instincts for it. I will let Pete know. I will not let this become a witch hunt Artie. I will take a shift with Pete to run drills." Myka stated as she left.

"Number One… Myka this isn't personal." Artie said with a strain to his voice.

"Whether it is or isn't… for me it always will be." Myka said as she slowly touched the band on her arm, releasing the camouflage program. Showing her true eye color and skin configuration. Her nano green lit right eye and her left being fully black looking at Artie with a sadness he had never seen from her. Her hands showing her dark colored veins and overly white skin that was augmented with Borg tech. He knew that if she had no sleeves this would run up to her arms. " I am an ExB." As she turned a single tear went down her left cheek but vanished when it was wiped away and she set her hologram program back up as she headed for the door, her composure intact.