Vanessa leaned forward looking at the various data displaying on the monitors of the science station. While far better then the old Hayashi this one's sensors still werent detailed enough the borg spheres structure was bouncing off most of them and what little she could see inside wasn't helpong much. Right now she had a idea where Tadashi and Xall were and she had found Thrall and Sato the two were further inside the sphere and surrounded by forcefields so transporting wasn't a option
She had been focused on finding anything Dominion related using what unclassified data regarding them starfleet had left in the computer memory. and finally it looked like it was paying off. A faint reading one she almost missed and it was coming from a section of the sphere near Tadashi. It looked like it could be a com frequency.
Curiosity peaked . She wondered if such a life form would carry a communicator would a founder even need one? Computer can you send a message to that com frequency?" She asked
The terminal lit up with a negative flashing followed by some techno babble reason why and Vanessa groaned. "Maybe Tadashi can get through" she thought
On the sphere Tadashi listened to Vanessas findings and the general location was sent to xalls tricorder "according to sensors that dominon frequency is coming from a nearby chamber to our left" Xall said making a turn at the intersection. They came into a large room filled with computer interfaces and a large odd shaped device suspended in the center. Immediately a forcefield rose up around it as the Borg spoke. "You will exit this section and continue your search." The spoke. "Well our ship detected a faint dominion frequency coming from this room so like if you want us to find this Chang" Tadashi was cut off by 3 drones materlising in the room. And one by one they began covering the room in wide spread green beams Tadashi and Xall watching and cautiously stepping back to the door as the drones continued their sweep
A loud screech filled the air as one of the power conduits inside a wall panel liquified and lashed out sending one of the drones into a wall
The gelatinous creature rose up and quickly shot out of the room and down a corridor.
The 3 remaining drones turned quickly and began pursuit of the Changling while 5 of 6 remained slowly looking up as the voice of the collective spoke.
"Species 1003 detected. Pursue and eliminate, power levels insuffencent for intervessel transportation" the voice of the collective spoke. 5 of 6 remained although he seemed at a loss before snapping back into reality and looked to Xall and Tadashi. "you will assist in the elimination of species 1003. You will comply" he said as he stepped toward the exit with Tadashi and Xall hesitantly following behind
Sounds of metal crashing and horrific screeching echoed the corrdior Tadashi and Xall both ducked as a metal beam was thrown over their heads followed by the disabled body of a Borg drone
"These Changlings possess fearsome strength do they not" Xall commented "I agree we need to try and talk to it" Tadashi said. "Communication is irrelevant species 1003 must be eliminated" 5 spoke "maybe to you ya mindless drone but us humanoids value communication if we can talk to it we can stop it from destroying your vessel!. If you haven't noticed your conventional means of killing it aren't working" Tadashi tired back. 5 stared blankly at Tadashi before turning away "your assessment is accepted. You will proceed with your inferior means of communication... This spheres power levels are dropping collective link is destabilizing we will reroute avalible power to destabilize power matrix" he spoke
"In other words you're going to destroy this vessel?" Xall asked. "That is correct this sphere is no longer of use to the collective it has failed and must be destroyed to prevent collective technology from retrieval by lesser species" 5 spoke. "You would so eagerly kill yourself and the remaining drones aboard over technology?" Tadashi asked a bit shocked. "Correct " 5 spoke before stumbling and falling into a wall gasping. "Collective link is terminating. Secondary link has failed" he said the lights above flickering Tadashi and Xall both looked to the stunned drone before each other
"Xall stay with him if this ships going to blow ... We might as well take him with us to" Tadashi said before taking off. He followed the sounds of clashing metal. He came to a stop in another large chamber watching two drones firing beam weapons and the Changling shooting across the room at random angles throwing various conduits and other objects at the drones
It made quick work of the remaining drones before hovering towards Tadashi who held his hands up. "I mean you no harm... I promise I'm as much a captive aboard this sphere as you are" he said the gelatinous mass hovered for a moment longer before reshaping and solidifying into a humanoid form. "You are human" it asked. "Yes my name's Tadashi Ito. I'm a cargo runner for Bajor I was searching on rumors about a cargo ship out here when I found the Borg. When me and my crew came on board it activated and captured two of my men and is holding them captive... But now I believe they're planning to self destruct this vessel... I can return you to the dominon if you help me" he said..
Tilting it's head slightly the Changling pondered the request "I will accept your offer solid but only because I have little choice.." it said as Xall caught up to them carrying the limp body of 5 of 6 " Jesus these guys are heavy are they not? I talked with Vanessa the spheres losing power at a increasing rate and seems to be devoting that power to key power nodes to overload them she cannot beam thrall or Sato out , the area is to heavily shielded with active forcefields and metal shielding" Xall said
"Well I'm assuming we don't have alot of time... Me and our new friend can get to Sato and Thrall. Xall you go ahead and return to the Hayashi with I guess another drone guest " Tadashi said
"I would be of much better use to you here sir I could disabled the forcefields" Xall stated "there isn't enough time besides our changing has a knack of getting into hard to reach spaces...go Xall we'll be behind you" Tadashi said . Xall gave another nod before beaming back to the Hayashi. Turning to the Changling the two continued on through the sphere
The flickering and dimming of lights the clouds of smoke from ruptured conduits was making it difficult to find their way through the endless maze. Tadashi had to wonder for a species that valued effecincey like the Borg they sure did make some weird ass interior's. It not for that collective mind of theirs one could spend their entire lives lost in one of these ships
Relying on his tricorder he noticed the Changling was rather quiet. "You're a distance from Dominon space why were you out here." He asked "I don't see why that is any of your concern" it answered "how did you get captured by the Borg?" Tadashi asked trying a different question
"Again not your concern we have your ... Friends to rescue yes? I suggest you stop wasting time" it answered once more leaving Tadashi with a sigh
He hoped Sato was ok.