I wrote this many years ago, during a particulary bad time in my life. Writing it gave me some peace I had been lacking, and when I read it now, I enjoy it. I know the Borg have been overdone, but I wasn't sick of them at the time ('99 I think) Just thought I'd post it, see if anyone else enjoyed it.
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Author's Note: The following story follows an alternate Star Trek timeline, which is detailed below.
2364- The Starship U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D is launched from McKinley Station under the command of Captain Jean Luc-Picard.
2365- The entity known as Q hurls the Enterprise thousands of light years to the system J-25, where they encounter beings known as the Borg, cybernetic automatons possessing a collective mind. Heavy damage is done to the Enterprise before Q returns them to their previous position.
2366- A year after the J-25 incident, the Borg appear in the Alpha Quadrant. One cube ship penetrates Federation space and is intercepted by the Enterprise. During the confrontation, several Borg transport onto the bridge and abduct Captain Picard. He is transformed into the Borg Locutus.
William T. Riker is breveted the rank of Captain, and given command of the Enterprise. Lt. Commander Shelby is made First Officer.
The Borg cube directed by Locutus destroys 39 starships at Wolf 359.
During an attempt to rescue Picard from the Borg, Lt. Commander Data and Lieutenant Worf are lost. Data is transformed into a central processing node. Worf is assimmilated.
2367- The Borg assimmilate Earth. 54 starships and 23 Klingon battle cruisers are destroyed in the battle. The tatterred remnants of Starfleet rally at Vulcan. Captain Riker commands the fleet.
Commander Benjamin Sisko takes command of prototype ship U.S.S. Intrepid, taken from Utopia Planitia before the Borg took Mars.
With the processing power of Data's CPU, the Borg are able to build an interplexing beacon and contact the Borg residing in the Delta Quadrant.
2368- 50 cubes arrive from the Delta Quadrant. The Borg systematically assimmilate systems outward from Earth. The combined Starfleet, Klingon, Romulan, and Cardassian fleet puts up a stand at Vulcan. They are able to destroy 2 cubes. The fleet is forced to withdraw to Bajor. Total loss, 134 ships.
Commander Shelby is promoted to Captain, in command of the U.S.S. Odyssey after the captain is killed. Geordi LaForge becomes the Enterprise's First Officer. The Bajoran Wormhole is discovered by Captain Sisko aboard the Intrepid. It is found to lead to the Gamma Quadrant. More than half of the fleet moves through the wormhole, to seek allies in the Gamma Quadrant.
Benjamin Sisko takes command of the Alpha fleet, and bases operations on the Cardassian Station Terok Nor, which he renames Defiant Station. Riker commands the Gamma Fleet.
William Riker and Deanna Troi are married. Captain Shelby performs the ceremony.
2369- Captain Riker, aboard the Enterprise, makes first contact with the Dominion, the main power in the Gamma Quadrant. There is a battle, but the force of the combined fleet overcame the Jem'Hadar forces. An agreement is made, and the Dominion gives the fleet 200 Jem'Hadar fighters to aid them..
The Borg cease their outward agression, and the Allies get a brief respite.
Kyle Ian Riker is born to William and Deanna Riker.
Wesley Crusher takes command of U.S.S. Majestic at 19 years old.
2370- The Gamma fleet returns, with the Jem'Hadar ships.
Several task forces are created to scout out Borg systems.
Captain Riker creates a bold plan to strike at the heart of the Borg. Using modified Romulan cloaking devices, a fleet would go to Earth and attempt to locate and kill, if necessary, Locutus.
2371- The fleet leaves for Earth, 100 ships under cloak. Captain Riker commands the fleet aboard U.S.S Lakota. The Enterprise stays behind at Defiant Station under the command of Commander LaForge. Starfleet ships include the Majestic, the Odyssey, the Intrepid, and the Crazy Horse. The rest of the fleet is made up of an amalgam of Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian and Jem'Hadar ships.
OUR STORY BEGINS....
STAR TREK: INTO THE FIRE
BY CHRISTOPHER CLEMENTE
Captain William Riker gazed out of his ready room window on the U.S.S. Lakota. His thoughts were nervous and hopeful at the same time. His plan could succeed, the commanders of the Alliance had agreed upon that, but the risk was great. The only way they were going to have a fighting chance was to risk all, if necessary.
He missed the Enterprise already, but it was important to leave at least one of the two Galaxy-class ships behind with the rest of the fleet, and there was no way he could talk Captain Shelby out of coming on this one. So, he left Geordi in command and took over captain's duties on the Excelsior-class Lakota.
Without warning, the lights dimmed and the ship went to battlestations."Captain Riker to the bridge." came his first officer's voice, Lt. Commander Sarah Lochley.
Riker strode onto the bridge and saw Lochley fidgeting nervously. She was a red-haired beauty. She and Riker had got on well from the start, since they grew up in basically the same part of Earth, he was from Alaska and she was from northwestern Canada. It gave them much to reminisce about, a home that probably didn't exist anymore. "What is it, commander?"
"A Borg probe ship, Captain." Lochley was definitely nervous, this was their first Borg encounter since leaving Defiant Station.
"Have they made any move towards us?"
"No, sir, though we are all packed so close they may just bump into us..."
This would be the first test of their cloaking devices. They had no idea whether the Borg could detect ships under cloak or not. It was one of the unknown variables with this mission. But there was no stopping now, they were up to their knees in it.
The Borg ship skirted the edge of their sensor range, then disappeared totally. Everyone on the bridge breathed an audible sigh of relief. Well, one variable eliminated, a million to go, thought Riker.
"Stand down from red alert." Riker glanced at Lochley. "I want all fleet commanders in the briefing room at 1700 hours."
"Aye, sir." Lochley began to give the necessary orders as Riker made his way back to the ready room. He had to button up his strategies for the fleet, and put all the pieces in just the right spots. This was probably the most important offensive in galactic history, and the margin for error was nil.
He slumped down in his chair and rubbed his eyes. It was at times like this that he really missed having Data and Worf around. Back in the days when he was "Number One" to Picard, no matter how precarious the situation, he was never afraid. There seemed to be an aura of destiny around that crew, but that feeling was gone now. Picard, Data, and Worf belonged to the Borg now.
Riker went back to staring out of his window, watching the stars streak by at warp speed, his confidence fading slowly. The Federation was gone, and he was clinging to its remnants, trying to prove himself to a captain who was now his greatest enemy.
------------------------
"The Founders have serious doubts about this attack, Captain," the Vorta Weyoun said silkily. "They feel it will waste the Jem'Hadar they gave you."
Riker sighed inwardly. He hadn't liked the Vorta at all, and this one in particular was trying his patience. "Our agreement never stated that I had to discuss my plans for the Jem'hadar with the Founders, Weyoun. They were given to the Alliance in good faith."
"That is true, Captain. But the Founders are wise in all things, and you would do well to heed their advice."
"Noted." Riker turned to Shelby. "How is your wing, Elizabeth?"
"The Majestic just finished modifying its refractive shielding, but otherwise we're as ready as we are ever going to be."
Riker went around the room and listened to each commander's report. Gul Dukat and Commander Tomalak complained the most, of course. Riker knew it was just their way of getting noticed.General Martok had some encouraging words to say, about destiny and honor and such, the whole time a distant fire burning in his eyes. Riker adjourned the meeting and sent the commanders on their way. He stopped Ben Sisko on the way out.
"Captain Sisko?" Sisko paused and turned toward him. "Your ship is the most advanced vessel we have. In particular, your EMH program could be highly useful to other ships during a battle."
"I agree, Captain. I could have my engineers copy the program and get it downloaded into the Starfleet vessels, at least. But I warn you, his bedside manner leaves something to be desired."
"Well, as long as he knows triage, he could be a grouchy Klingon for all I care."
Sisko smiled for a moment then his expression darkened. "Will?"
Riker was a bit taken aback by Sisko's informality. "Yes?"
"Locutus...he will be destroyed, not saved,am I correct?"
"If we have to, we'll kill him. It would be preferable to attempt to remove him from the collective..."
"No. It was him who killed my wife. Locutus who destroyed my ship, all those ships, all those lives. I know that Picard is inside him, he's no drone. Why should we make allowances for him? I know…he was your Captain and your mentor, but we can't free every drone ever assimmilated." Sisko paused, calming his voice. "He was a great man, but that man is dead now."
"We've all lost people to the Borg, Ben. But getting him out of there alive may give us a chance we wouldn't have otherwise. I don't know if Jean-Luc Picard even exists anymore, but for the fleet we've got to find out. If we can find Picard inside that abomination, maybe we can destroy the Borg from the inside out."
"I'm just concerned that we are risking it all for one man."
"If it comes down to the fleet or Picard, I will personally destroy him"
Sisko nodded and seemed satisfied at that. He left the briefing room quietly. Riker was wondering if his feelings for Picard would put the whole operation at risk. He would only kill him as a last resort, even though he knew that saving him was the long shot.
"Riker to Lochley. What's our ETA?"
"Twenty-six hours, Captain."
Destiny was coming up fast indeed.
-----------------------------
Locutus...
Locutus of Borg awakened in his alcove, and noted that he had not completed his regeneration cycle. He was not like other Borg, as he was able to make his own decisions and acted as an individual. He was linked to the collective, of course, but more often than not he was directing drones. There was only one other like him...
Locutus...we have discovered resistance...on Earth's moon.
"Resistance is futile."
Indeed...you will deal with these humans...assimmilate them if possible...if not, destroy them.
"As you wish." Locutus made his way to his sphere ship, docked deep in the uni-complex, which used to be the Earth city of New York. Most of Earth had been assimmilated by the Borg, technology, wildlife, plant life, everything in their path. Incredibly, some humans managed to evade the massive force of the Borg and formed a loose knit resistance. Most of them had been assimmilated or killed by now, but it would seem that a few were left.
Locutus assumed his position at the observation deck and the sphere lifted off. The vista of Earth was nothing like it had been five years earlier. Black, grey, and silver were the dominant colors now. Hundreds of Borg cubes orbited the planet, and even Starbase One had been assimmilated.
The moon loomed large in the viewport, and Locutus willed the scanners to search the area designated by her. Indeed, there was a small pocket of humans residing in some ancient mining caverns. They were using some kind of bio-shielding that seemed to have failed. He locked on to a comm system in their vicinity and transmitted, though he didn't need to, it seemed to be done simply for effect.
"I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Lower your weapons and prepare for assimmilation." A wry grin formed on his lips, much to his own surprise. His scanners showed much activity in the area now. He willed himself and ten drones to be transported to the caverns.
"...bastards!" was the first thing Locutus heard as he materialized. He saw two drones fall fom phaser fire, and then the shimmering of his personal shields as the same fire splashed uselessly off, his shields adapting. He raised his weapon arm and shot the attacker. The blast exploded the human's chest, sending his body flying lifelessly.
His scanner eye picked up twenty-two humans. His drones had begun assimmilating three, and two other humans besides the one he killed were dead. He moved through the caverns swiftly, pursuing the fleeing rebels. Phaser fire flashed by him, sent by people running too fast for accuracy. He traced their likely route and beamed ten more drones to block their escape. At this point, he was merely toying with them. They had no chance.
The humans shot down a side tunnel and activated a forcefield. He arrived at the opening and scanned the energy signature. A tool came out from his arm, forced a feedback in the field, and destabilized it. He continued down the tunnel, his drones close behind. He raised his arm and fired as he walked. He took down four more humans, and his hits on the rock wall started a cave in.
"Shit!" shouted a human as he tried to dig his way through to the next section. He looked at the oncoming Borg and screamed. He and his companions began firing uselessly into the horde. Their shields handled the hits, and in a moment the Borg swarmed them. Locutus grabbed a human and swung him around.
The human gasped as he saw his attacker. "Jean-Luc..."
Locutus paused as he scanned the humans face. Picard knew this man. Locutus began to get memory flashes of childhood, and feelings of anger and jealousy.
Locutus' mouth dryly opened. "Robert..."
"What...what have they done to you?" Robert Picard did not seem to even notice the screams of his compatriots as they were being assimmilated.
Locutus said nothing, he couldn't move. He wondered if he was malfunctioning, if his servos were jammed. Robert reached out for Locutus, and as he touched his face, a drone grabbed him and punctured his assimmilator tubules into Robert's neck. Locutus watched as Robert Picard writhed on the ground, the nano-probes working their way through the man, mottling his skin.
Regaining his composure, Locutus noted that all resistance was eliminated. He beamed himself, his drones, and the drones-in-waiting back to the sphere. He resumed his post and directed the sphere back to the uni-complex.
You have done well...but you are unsure...
"A minor malfunction in cortical functions. A repair drone will see to it."
Perhaps...or perhaps the strain of leadership is weraing on you...perhaps you would be happier as a drone...
"Happiness is irrelevant."
Very well...I require your presence upon arrival...do not keep me waiting.
Locutus directed his ship home, a distinct frown on his face.
-------------------------------------
"Computer, activate the EMH program," Doctor Selar said unenthusiastically.
A dark-haired,balding man appeared, wearing a Starfleet medical uniform without rank insignia. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency," the hologram stated cheerfully.
"There is no emergency," Selar paused momentarily."...Doctor. We are running a test of your program."
The hologram looked indignant, then continued on. "Ah, I see. May I ask why my systems require tests? I have been uploaded with the finest medical knowledge available to Starfleet."
Selar made a small sound that could have been a sigh. "Your program is still in the prototype phase. We will be going into a large battle, and we may require your assistance in triage situations. It will lighten the load of my medical team."
The hologram sputtered. "My expertise could be far better served in surgical situations, any medic could perform triage! If you would let me..."
"Computer, de-activate the EMH." The hologram shimmered away.
Riker walked over to the Vulcan doctor. "You know, I think you actually enjoyed that."
"He was...distracting me from my work. I can see by his program specs that he can perform adequately, no tests will be required."
Riker smiled."Dont worry, Doc. I don't think flesh and blood doctors will be replaced any time soon."
"I should hope not, Captain." Riker nodded at her and left the doctor to her work.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note: The following story follows an alternate Star Trek timeline, which is detailed below.
2364- The Starship U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D is launched from McKinley Station under the command of Captain Jean Luc-Picard.
2365- The entity known as Q hurls the Enterprise thousands of light years to the system J-25, where they encounter beings known as the Borg, cybernetic automatons possessing a collective mind. Heavy damage is done to the Enterprise before Q returns them to their previous position.
2366- A year after the J-25 incident, the Borg appear in the Alpha Quadrant. One cube ship penetrates Federation space and is intercepted by the Enterprise. During the confrontation, several Borg transport onto the bridge and abduct Captain Picard. He is transformed into the Borg Locutus.
William T. Riker is breveted the rank of Captain, and given command of the Enterprise. Lt. Commander Shelby is made First Officer.
The Borg cube directed by Locutus destroys 39 starships at Wolf 359.
During an attempt to rescue Picard from the Borg, Lt. Commander Data and Lieutenant Worf are lost. Data is transformed into a central processing node. Worf is assimmilated.
2367- The Borg assimmilate Earth. 54 starships and 23 Klingon battle cruisers are destroyed in the battle. The tatterred remnants of Starfleet rally at Vulcan. Captain Riker commands the fleet.
Commander Benjamin Sisko takes command of prototype ship U.S.S. Intrepid, taken from Utopia Planitia before the Borg took Mars.
With the processing power of Data's CPU, the Borg are able to build an interplexing beacon and contact the Borg residing in the Delta Quadrant.
2368- 50 cubes arrive from the Delta Quadrant. The Borg systematically assimmilate systems outward from Earth. The combined Starfleet, Klingon, Romulan, and Cardassian fleet puts up a stand at Vulcan. They are able to destroy 2 cubes. The fleet is forced to withdraw to Bajor. Total loss, 134 ships.
Commander Shelby is promoted to Captain, in command of the U.S.S. Odyssey after the captain is killed. Geordi LaForge becomes the Enterprise's First Officer. The Bajoran Wormhole is discovered by Captain Sisko aboard the Intrepid. It is found to lead to the Gamma Quadrant. More than half of the fleet moves through the wormhole, to seek allies in the Gamma Quadrant.
Benjamin Sisko takes command of the Alpha fleet, and bases operations on the Cardassian Station Terok Nor, which he renames Defiant Station. Riker commands the Gamma Fleet.
William Riker and Deanna Troi are married. Captain Shelby performs the ceremony.
2369- Captain Riker, aboard the Enterprise, makes first contact with the Dominion, the main power in the Gamma Quadrant. There is a battle, but the force of the combined fleet overcame the Jem'Hadar forces. An agreement is made, and the Dominion gives the fleet 200 Jem'Hadar fighters to aid them..
The Borg cease their outward agression, and the Allies get a brief respite.
Kyle Ian Riker is born to William and Deanna Riker.
Wesley Crusher takes command of U.S.S. Majestic at 19 years old.
2370- The Gamma fleet returns, with the Jem'Hadar ships.
Several task forces are created to scout out Borg systems.
Captain Riker creates a bold plan to strike at the heart of the Borg. Using modified Romulan cloaking devices, a fleet would go to Earth and attempt to locate and kill, if necessary, Locutus.
2371- The fleet leaves for Earth, 100 ships under cloak. Captain Riker commands the fleet aboard U.S.S Lakota. The Enterprise stays behind at Defiant Station under the command of Commander LaForge. Starfleet ships include the Majestic, the Odyssey, the Intrepid, and the Crazy Horse. The rest of the fleet is made up of an amalgam of Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian and Jem'Hadar ships.
OUR STORY BEGINS....
STAR TREK: INTO THE FIRE
BY CHRISTOPHER CLEMENTE
Captain William Riker gazed out of his ready room window on the U.S.S. Lakota. His thoughts were nervous and hopeful at the same time. His plan could succeed, the commanders of the Alliance had agreed upon that, but the risk was great. The only way they were going to have a fighting chance was to risk all, if necessary.
He missed the Enterprise already, but it was important to leave at least one of the two Galaxy-class ships behind with the rest of the fleet, and there was no way he could talk Captain Shelby out of coming on this one. So, he left Geordi in command and took over captain's duties on the Excelsior-class Lakota.
Without warning, the lights dimmed and the ship went to battlestations."Captain Riker to the bridge." came his first officer's voice, Lt. Commander Sarah Lochley.
Riker strode onto the bridge and saw Lochley fidgeting nervously. She was a red-haired beauty. She and Riker had got on well from the start, since they grew up in basically the same part of Earth, he was from Alaska and she was from northwestern Canada. It gave them much to reminisce about, a home that probably didn't exist anymore. "What is it, commander?"
"A Borg probe ship, Captain." Lochley was definitely nervous, this was their first Borg encounter since leaving Defiant Station.
"Have they made any move towards us?"
"No, sir, though we are all packed so close they may just bump into us..."
This would be the first test of their cloaking devices. They had no idea whether the Borg could detect ships under cloak or not. It was one of the unknown variables with this mission. But there was no stopping now, they were up to their knees in it.
The Borg ship skirted the edge of their sensor range, then disappeared totally. Everyone on the bridge breathed an audible sigh of relief. Well, one variable eliminated, a million to go, thought Riker.
"Stand down from red alert." Riker glanced at Lochley. "I want all fleet commanders in the briefing room at 1700 hours."
"Aye, sir." Lochley began to give the necessary orders as Riker made his way back to the ready room. He had to button up his strategies for the fleet, and put all the pieces in just the right spots. This was probably the most important offensive in galactic history, and the margin for error was nil.
He slumped down in his chair and rubbed his eyes. It was at times like this that he really missed having Data and Worf around. Back in the days when he was "Number One" to Picard, no matter how precarious the situation, he was never afraid. There seemed to be an aura of destiny around that crew, but that feeling was gone now. Picard, Data, and Worf belonged to the Borg now.
Riker went back to staring out of his window, watching the stars streak by at warp speed, his confidence fading slowly. The Federation was gone, and he was clinging to its remnants, trying to prove himself to a captain who was now his greatest enemy.
------------------------
"The Founders have serious doubts about this attack, Captain," the Vorta Weyoun said silkily. "They feel it will waste the Jem'Hadar they gave you."
Riker sighed inwardly. He hadn't liked the Vorta at all, and this one in particular was trying his patience. "Our agreement never stated that I had to discuss my plans for the Jem'hadar with the Founders, Weyoun. They were given to the Alliance in good faith."
"That is true, Captain. But the Founders are wise in all things, and you would do well to heed their advice."
"Noted." Riker turned to Shelby. "How is your wing, Elizabeth?"
"The Majestic just finished modifying its refractive shielding, but otherwise we're as ready as we are ever going to be."
Riker went around the room and listened to each commander's report. Gul Dukat and Commander Tomalak complained the most, of course. Riker knew it was just their way of getting noticed.General Martok had some encouraging words to say, about destiny and honor and such, the whole time a distant fire burning in his eyes. Riker adjourned the meeting and sent the commanders on their way. He stopped Ben Sisko on the way out.
"Captain Sisko?" Sisko paused and turned toward him. "Your ship is the most advanced vessel we have. In particular, your EMH program could be highly useful to other ships during a battle."
"I agree, Captain. I could have my engineers copy the program and get it downloaded into the Starfleet vessels, at least. But I warn you, his bedside manner leaves something to be desired."
"Well, as long as he knows triage, he could be a grouchy Klingon for all I care."
Sisko smiled for a moment then his expression darkened. "Will?"
Riker was a bit taken aback by Sisko's informality. "Yes?"
"Locutus...he will be destroyed, not saved,am I correct?"
"If we have to, we'll kill him. It would be preferable to attempt to remove him from the collective..."
"No. It was him who killed my wife. Locutus who destroyed my ship, all those ships, all those lives. I know that Picard is inside him, he's no drone. Why should we make allowances for him? I know…he was your Captain and your mentor, but we can't free every drone ever assimmilated." Sisko paused, calming his voice. "He was a great man, but that man is dead now."
"We've all lost people to the Borg, Ben. But getting him out of there alive may give us a chance we wouldn't have otherwise. I don't know if Jean-Luc Picard even exists anymore, but for the fleet we've got to find out. If we can find Picard inside that abomination, maybe we can destroy the Borg from the inside out."
"I'm just concerned that we are risking it all for one man."
"If it comes down to the fleet or Picard, I will personally destroy him"
Sisko nodded and seemed satisfied at that. He left the briefing room quietly. Riker was wondering if his feelings for Picard would put the whole operation at risk. He would only kill him as a last resort, even though he knew that saving him was the long shot.
"Riker to Lochley. What's our ETA?"
"Twenty-six hours, Captain."
Destiny was coming up fast indeed.
-----------------------------
Locutus...
Locutus of Borg awakened in his alcove, and noted that he had not completed his regeneration cycle. He was not like other Borg, as he was able to make his own decisions and acted as an individual. He was linked to the collective, of course, but more often than not he was directing drones. There was only one other like him...
Locutus...we have discovered resistance...on Earth's moon.
"Resistance is futile."
Indeed...you will deal with these humans...assimmilate them if possible...if not, destroy them.
"As you wish." Locutus made his way to his sphere ship, docked deep in the uni-complex, which used to be the Earth city of New York. Most of Earth had been assimmilated by the Borg, technology, wildlife, plant life, everything in their path. Incredibly, some humans managed to evade the massive force of the Borg and formed a loose knit resistance. Most of them had been assimmilated or killed by now, but it would seem that a few were left.
Locutus assumed his position at the observation deck and the sphere lifted off. The vista of Earth was nothing like it had been five years earlier. Black, grey, and silver were the dominant colors now. Hundreds of Borg cubes orbited the planet, and even Starbase One had been assimmilated.
The moon loomed large in the viewport, and Locutus willed the scanners to search the area designated by her. Indeed, there was a small pocket of humans residing in some ancient mining caverns. They were using some kind of bio-shielding that seemed to have failed. He locked on to a comm system in their vicinity and transmitted, though he didn't need to, it seemed to be done simply for effect.
"I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Lower your weapons and prepare for assimmilation." A wry grin formed on his lips, much to his own surprise. His scanners showed much activity in the area now. He willed himself and ten drones to be transported to the caverns.
"...bastards!" was the first thing Locutus heard as he materialized. He saw two drones fall fom phaser fire, and then the shimmering of his personal shields as the same fire splashed uselessly off, his shields adapting. He raised his weapon arm and shot the attacker. The blast exploded the human's chest, sending his body flying lifelessly.
His scanner eye picked up twenty-two humans. His drones had begun assimmilating three, and two other humans besides the one he killed were dead. He moved through the caverns swiftly, pursuing the fleeing rebels. Phaser fire flashed by him, sent by people running too fast for accuracy. He traced their likely route and beamed ten more drones to block their escape. At this point, he was merely toying with them. They had no chance.
The humans shot down a side tunnel and activated a forcefield. He arrived at the opening and scanned the energy signature. A tool came out from his arm, forced a feedback in the field, and destabilized it. He continued down the tunnel, his drones close behind. He raised his arm and fired as he walked. He took down four more humans, and his hits on the rock wall started a cave in.
"Shit!" shouted a human as he tried to dig his way through to the next section. He looked at the oncoming Borg and screamed. He and his companions began firing uselessly into the horde. Their shields handled the hits, and in a moment the Borg swarmed them. Locutus grabbed a human and swung him around.
The human gasped as he saw his attacker. "Jean-Luc..."
Locutus paused as he scanned the humans face. Picard knew this man. Locutus began to get memory flashes of childhood, and feelings of anger and jealousy.
Locutus' mouth dryly opened. "Robert..."
"What...what have they done to you?" Robert Picard did not seem to even notice the screams of his compatriots as they were being assimmilated.
Locutus said nothing, he couldn't move. He wondered if he was malfunctioning, if his servos were jammed. Robert reached out for Locutus, and as he touched his face, a drone grabbed him and punctured his assimmilator tubules into Robert's neck. Locutus watched as Robert Picard writhed on the ground, the nano-probes working their way through the man, mottling his skin.
Regaining his composure, Locutus noted that all resistance was eliminated. He beamed himself, his drones, and the drones-in-waiting back to the sphere. He resumed his post and directed the sphere back to the uni-complex.
You have done well...but you are unsure...
"A minor malfunction in cortical functions. A repair drone will see to it."
Perhaps...or perhaps the strain of leadership is weraing on you...perhaps you would be happier as a drone...
"Happiness is irrelevant."
Very well...I require your presence upon arrival...do not keep me waiting.
Locutus directed his ship home, a distinct frown on his face.
-------------------------------------
"Computer, activate the EMH program," Doctor Selar said unenthusiastically.
A dark-haired,balding man appeared, wearing a Starfleet medical uniform without rank insignia. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency," the hologram stated cheerfully.
"There is no emergency," Selar paused momentarily."...Doctor. We are running a test of your program."
The hologram looked indignant, then continued on. "Ah, I see. May I ask why my systems require tests? I have been uploaded with the finest medical knowledge available to Starfleet."
Selar made a small sound that could have been a sigh. "Your program is still in the prototype phase. We will be going into a large battle, and we may require your assistance in triage situations. It will lighten the load of my medical team."
The hologram sputtered. "My expertise could be far better served in surgical situations, any medic could perform triage! If you would let me..."
"Computer, de-activate the EMH." The hologram shimmered away.
Riker walked over to the Vulcan doctor. "You know, I think you actually enjoyed that."
"He was...distracting me from my work. I can see by his program specs that he can perform adequately, no tests will be required."
Riker smiled."Dont worry, Doc. I don't think flesh and blood doctors will be replaced any time soon."
"I should hope not, Captain." Riker nodded at her and left the doctor to her work.
