The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 6
"Time to contact with the Borg is twenty two minutes. I'll check tactical status. Wow, I can scan the Borg cubes completely inside and outside. It seems they are no match for this ship. Come on Jan let's have some shooting practice. Wait a minute. These Borg cubes are fleeing from another ship. Scanning of that ship is inconclusive. It seems that we have to help the Borg this time. Are you ready to have a little fight Jan ?"
"Sir may I remind you that Louis said the safety protocols of the holodeck were off line. I don't really looking forward to fight my last battle on a holodeck, if you know what I mean."
"Well then. We have to change course and let things happen to the Borg."
"Sir, I am afraid the helm is not responding. Not on manual either."
Configuring another station to helm functions was no use. Fifteen minutes. Pannels were opened, circuits checked and altered. Both officers couldn't come up with an answer. Contacting ensign Louis didn't help either. Everything was working except for the helm control. Shields were at maximum, just as a precaution. This program was certainly a setup. A trap was a more appropriate word for it. But why and by who was this program installed ?
"Your question is irrelevant."
Now the computer of this holoship sounded like the Borg as well. But maybe that was it. Maybe they should contact the Borg ? The computer opened a channel on subspace frequencies. First there was no answer, but after a few attempts a piece of a Borg cube appeared on the view screen.Ten minutes.
"We are Borg."
"Well let's get into the game.", whispered the commander, "We are human. It seems that you are going to be destroyed in a few minutes. Can we assist you in any way ?"
The contact had been cut off. The ship in pursuit of the Borg was registered in the database as Giloppen destroyer. Someone had produced this holodeck program, so it was no surprise that there was an entry like this. The destroyer fired somekind of energy pulse which destroyed the cube now right in front of it. The two other cubes split and while one was getting away the other was eliminated in a huge explosion. The Federation starship Ajax, increased speed. It could be in weapons range of the Giloppen destroyer before it reached the Borg cube. Jan and Arthur didn't have to look at each other. They new what to do. The computer activated red alert. Weapons were ready. One minute and closing fast. Why didn't the Borg fire any weapons ?
The destroyer was gaining on the Borg rapidly. But not before...
"We are firing !"
Sixty Ajax torpedos searched for their target. The choice was made. This Federation vessel was helping their worst enemy: the Borg. The torpedos detonated and caused minor damage to the destroyer's shields. It was enough for the destroyer to alter course towards the Ajax.
"Sir, I would like to suggest to run instead of fighting this out with an unknown enemy."
"You have a point there. Without helm control that could be difficult. As today is Stardate 50122.3 and this ship is apparently more then a few years into the future, I can only suggest that everything in the future is set on automatic."
"Commander ... I am not sure that I am following your reasoning."
"My guess is that we are in a recording ... of the future."
"Yeah, like all those new incredible weapon systems aboard DS2. Are you also thinking these new systems were placed by ... someone from the future ?"
"I am an admiral on this Ajax, this cannot be a simple coincidence. We need more clues."
"I agree completely ..."
Before the major could finnish his sentence, the computer fired again. The Ajax did not alter course nor speed. Although the distance between the destroyer and the Ajax was critical to use torpedos, sixty torpedos were launched and hit the destroyer with moderate shield damage as result. Scanning inside the approaching vessel was now possible. It didn't give any clue.
"Jan, this ship needs more firepower."
"We need some extra firepower from DS2."
"Maybe that's another clue."
"We are hit ! Shields down to thirteen percent. We cannot take any more !"
Both officers were thrown onto the floor. The Ajax was shaking and trembling. A few consoles at the back exploded. The center seat flew across the bridge against the starboard wall. The holodeck safety protocols were of line. The Ajax took a turn and fired all weapons, disabeling the destroyer. The unknown ship did not return fire. It looked like a sitting duck.
"Well Jan, it seems that we have won."
But the marine major was not convinced yet. His instinct were right, like always. In a flash the Giloppen destroyer had powered up weapons. Just before the Ajax fired phasers to destroy the enemy ship, a projectile was launched and searching for the target. The Ajax tumbled around. The two DS2 officers were thrown around. Conduits behind the science and engineering stations exploded. Light flashes were everywhere. Jan fast on his feet again checked the satus of the ship.
"The warp core is overloading !"
"I see it major ! Core has been ejected !"
The Ajax was still trembling. The remaining Borg cube speeded up away from the Ajax. Both officers stared at the main screen. It went black. Almost at the same time the bridge of the Ajax was replaced with the black and yellow grid.
"Louis to commander Arthur. You can now leave holodeck 2. The program seemed to have stopped just by itself."
As the XO and CO of DS2 looked at each other they both could only shake their heads. Was this nonsens or something else... On command the exit became visual. A moment later Jan and his commander examined the control panel outside the holodeck to find out who had installed this program. There was no answer. The program seemed to have never exsisted.
"Commander Arthur, this is cadet Caroline. Long Range sensors have picked up a ship. Could you or anyone else come to ops sir ? We do not exactly know what to do."