DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Star Trek stuff is the legal property of Paramount. I think. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. I got the inspiration for a few scenes in the Star Trek - Voyager episodes Year of Hell 1 and 2.
The Return
By Kristjan Brezovnik
The Voyager flew through the Delta Quadrant on its way home. The last couple of days had been quiet, except for the brief excitement when they had stumbled upon a wormhole about an hour ago and the disappointment which followed when they discovered that it would only take them 50 light years away and off course.
"Holy..." from Paris was the first and the last indication that something was about to happen. "Captain, I'm picking up multiple singularities and... Its the bio-ships! They're coming through all around us!"
"Red alert, battle stations!"
"Captain, the only way out is into the nebula," Tuvok said.
"The nebula," Janeway muttered.
"I'm picking up 235 bio-ships. They're closing in on us!"
"Turn us around 180° and make the turn as tight as possible."
"Captain?"
"Do it! Tuvok, prepare the torpedoes, maximum spread, maximum yield. Tom, set a course for the wormhole."
"Yes, Captain."
The ship trembled as it was hit by a beam from one of the bio-ships.
"You think it's a trap?" Chakotay asked.
"Yes. Tuvok, two volleys."
"Yes, Captain."
The torpedoes shot out and the bio-ships tried to evade, but not all of them were successful.
"27 down."
"Get us to the wormhole, maximum speed."
"Yes, Captain."
The ship trembled again.
"Hull breach on Deck 3!"
"Tuvok, fire another volley."
"Yes, Captain."
"14 down," Paris reported.
"Janeway to Engineering."
"Torres."
"We need all the speed you can give us and the shields."
"I'm working on it, Captain."
"Janeway out. Transfer the power from auxiliary systems to warp engines and aft shields."
"Yes, Captain."
Another beam hit the Voyager and sparks filled the Bridge.
"Hull breach on Deck 7."
"ETA?"
"At current speed, one hour, seven minutes."
"Will they catch up with us?"
"No."
"Good. Tuvok, fire a volley at random intervals, six per hour."
The Voyager trembled again.
"Yes, Captain."
"Shields at 59%."
"Janeway to Sickbay."
"Doctor here."
"Doctor, we will need more nanoprobes."
"I will start replicating them as soon as I treat all the patients."
"Understood. Janeway out."
One hour later, the bio-ships were still after them.
"ETA to wormhole?"
"Three minutes, twenty seconds."
"Tuvok, fire one more volley when we enter the wormhole."
"Yes, Captain."
"How many bio-ships are still there?"
"163."
"Damn."
"I wonder why they're pursuing so desperately this time," Chakotay wondered.
"So do I. Tuvok, how many torpedoes do we still have?"
"163."
Janeway and Chakotay glanced at each other at the numbers.
"One torpedo for one ship," Chakotay said with a smile.
The Voyager trembled again.
"Unfortunately, we have no way of renewing them and they're our only weapon against the bio-ships."
Chakotay nodded.
"We better find replacements soon."
Janeway nodded in agreement.
"We still have the probes if need be."
"Captain, I'm reading three singularities 50° to starboard."
"Tuvok, fire a volley at each."
"Yes, Captain."
"Captain, no ships are coming through."
Janeway looked at Chakotay, confused.
"Could they be cloaked?"
"I don't think so, Captain."
"Tuvok, hold..."
"Too late, Captain."
"Damn. I think I know what they want."
"Captain?" Chakotay asked.
"They want us to waste our torpedoes so we would be defenseless."
"Could be," Chakotay agreed.
"I wonder why. I mean, we're only one ship."
"But we have the only weapon that can destroy them."
"Still, we're only one ship. If they choose to go about destroying everyone, we can't do anything."
"We can transmit data about the weapon to others."
The Voyager trembled violently as it was hit twice.
"But we couldn't possibly know that they were being attacked, the galaxy's big." Janeway thought. "Unless they were planning to attack someone with whom they know we have contact."
Chakotay suddenly understood.
"Starfleet."
"And the Federation."
Chakotay thought.
"Do you think they're planning an invasion?"
"Could be."
Chakotay took a deep breath.
"We have to find a way to warn them."
"Mhm."
"Captain, we're approaching the wormhole."
"Drop to impulse at the last moment. Tuvok, fire that volley the moment we're at impulse."
"Yes, Captain."
"Decelerating," Paris reported a few moments later.
"Firing."
The wormhole opened and the Voyager flew in.
"Tuvok, when we get out, fire a volley of normal torpedoes, I want the wormhole to collapse."
"Yes, Captain."
"Captain, I'm picking up a ship," Kim reported. "They're damaged and their propulsion is down."
"Hail them."
"No response. Their comm system is down."
"Can we get a lock on them with a tractor beam?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Then do it."
"Yes, Ma'am. We'll be in tractor range seven seconds... Engaging the tractor beam. Lock secure."
The Voyager jerked a bit when her flight was momentarily distrbed by the additional weight of another ship.
"Extend shields around them."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The Voyager continued the bumpy ride through the wormhole, towing the alien ship with her. Finally the wormhole's other end opened and the Voyager flew out. A few moments later a volley of photon torpedoes shot out from the ship and flew at the opening. When they detonated, the wormhole seemed to twitch and then it collapsed.
"The wormhole has collapsed," Tuvok reported.
"Any signs of the bio-ships?"
"No."
"What's the alien ship's status?"
"Multiple minor hull breaches, propulsion and communication are down, gravity is fluctuating on several decks. I think it's a colony ship. I'm picking up 3246 people aboard."
"Commander," Janeway turned to Chakotay, "I want you to beam over and establish contact."
"Yes, Captain," Chakotay said and left.
Damage report."
"We have hull breaches on decks 3, 6, 7 and 15 and minor cracks on decks 3, 4, 6, 8 and 13. Shields are at 24%. Gravity's off on Deck 7 and computer on deck 5."
"Torpedo status?"
"141," Tuvok reported.
"How many are modified?"
"Thirty-one."
"Better modify another fifty plus the probes. Not all probes."
"Yes, Captain."
"No, make it a hundred. And drop the shields and transfer power to the propulsion."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Tuvok asked.
"We need speed," Janeway said. "There's nothing between here and the nebula and we'll notice if any singularities open. And even if they do, they will probably be decoys. We'll have plenty of time to raise the shields."
Tuvok nodded.
"Janeway to Torres."
"Torres."
"B'Elanna, work with Seven, we need that Borg armor back."
"Yes, Captain."
"Janeway out."
When Chakotay appeared on the alien Bridge, everyone stared at him, surprised, but the Security quickly moved and surrounded him.
"I am Commander Chakotay from the Federation ship Voyager," he introduced himself. "We noticed that you were in trouble and we offer you our help."
"I am Mash Keh, Captain of the ship," one of the aliens said and came closer. "How… How did you come here?" he asked, curious.
"It's called matter-to-energy transport."
"I see."
"What happened to your ship?" Chakotay asked.
"We were on our way to our colony on Cirox 4 when the sky suddenly opened and we were sucked into a hole. Many of our systems malfunctioned."
"So you were not attacked?"
"No."
"Good."
"What was that…"
"It's called a wormhole."
"Ah, I've heard of them, but I thought they were only theoretical."
"No, they're not. Em, Captain, I'm afraid situation is serious. Have you seen the ships that were pursuing us through the wormhole?"
"Yes. They looked like they were alive."
"They are, sort of. They belong to Species 8472."
"What kind of name is that?"
"It's a Borg designation."
"Borg? I've heard of them. They are supposed to be very dangerous."
"They are, but they are nothing compared to Species 8472 and they are completely helpless against them. We, however, managed to develop the only weapon that can destroy Species 8472. Those ships you saw earlier were only a very small part of a much larger fleet that is trying to destroy us. But although we are their primary target, they will also destroy any other ship."
"Why?"
"Because they believe we are impure. The only thing that is stopping them from destroying all life in this galaxy is our weapon. With your permission, some of our engineers can beam over and help you repair your ship."
The alien captain hesitated for a moment.
"Very well."
Chakotay tapped his comm badge.
"Chakotay to Voyager."
"Janeway. Go ahead, Commander."
"Captain, they have agreed to accept our help."
"Good. I'll tell B'Elanna to send a team over."
"Understood. Chakotay out." Chakotay looked at Captain Keh . "Our people will beam over shortly. Please inform your people so they won't panic."
The alien captain nodded.
"Vorik to Commander Chakotay," Vorik called about ten minutes later.
"Chakotay here."
"Em, Commander, there's not much we can do here. These systems are very primitive. Their warp core is becoming unstable and it will reach the critical point in one and a half hours."
"Can't you stabilize it?"
"No, Commander. We also can't shut it down or eject it, the circuits have fused. I recommend evacuation."
"Understood. Chakotay out." Chakotay turned to Captain Keh. "Captain, it's your decision."
"Evacuate? Where to?"
"To our ship."
"But it's too small."
"I know. You'll have to squeeze. Not to mention that we're under attack and that there will be a lot of casualties if we get hit."
Captain Keh nodded.
"I need to think about it."
"Be quick, we don't have much time."
Captain Keh nodded and called his senior officers.
"Chakotay to Voyager."
"Janeway here."
"Captain, this ship needs to be evacuated."
"Can't they repair the warp drive?"
"No. Vorik says that it will suffer a warp core breach in one and a half hour."
Janeway took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair.
"Very well. I'll have Tuvok prepare a plan. Janeway out."
About twenty minutes later, the transporters in the two Cargo Bays started to work at full speed as group after group of would-be colonists were beamed over from the doomed ship. The aliens were a bit confused and afraid, but Tuvok's people quickly showed them where to go. When all were aboard, the Voyager jumped to warp.
"Captain Keh, this is Captan Janeway. Captain, Captain Keh."
"Welcome aboard, Captain," Janeway said.
"Thank you for saving us."
"I'm afraid it's a bit cramped."
"Yes, but at least we're alive."
"Yes. Em, we are currently flying toward the nebula. It seems like a suitable spot to hide until we repair our ship. I'm afraid we will not be able to take you to your colony. I hope we will find a suitable place for you."
Captain Keh sighed.
"Thank you, Captain."
Several hours later, they were nearing the nebula.
"Captain, I'm picking up a bio-ship on the long-range sensors."
"Damn. Take us as close to the edge of the nebula as possible."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"You think they spotted us?" Chakotay asked.
"I hope not."
"Seven singularities are opening 83° to port!"
"Shields up! Are there any ships coming through?"
Paris studied his readings.
"Negative."
"Another decoy," Chakotay said.
"Five more singularities are opening 132° to port!"
"Any ships?"
"No."
"Tuvok, prepare the torpedoes, I have a feeling that the next time will be for real."
"Yes, Captain."
They flew silently, all waiting for the next time the singularities opened. Janeway closed her eyes and tried to relax.
"Two singularities, one straight ahead, one right behind us! I'm picking up ships!"
"Firing," Tuvok reported. "We have destroyed at least 17 ships. They're still coming."
"Fire another two volleys. Tom, drop to impulse and take us into the nebula. As soon as we're out of their sensor range, change course at random."
"Yes, Captain."
"Captain, their ships seem to be impervious to their own weapons."
"Good for them."
The ship trembled violently under the onslaught of fire from the bio-ships.
"Multiple hull breaches on decks 4 through 10 and 12 through 15!"
"Evasive Beta 7!"
"Aye!"
The Voyager trembled again as a beam from on of the bio-ships brushed against her shields.
"Shields at 13%, Captain!"
"Then we better not get hit again."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The Voyager disappeared into the nebula, and another volley of photon torpedoes discouraged the bio-ships from close pursuit.
"Two bio-ships followed us in, but we lost them."
"For now," Janeway muttered. "Continue to fly deeper into the nebula for another hour and then stop and launch a probe, passive sensors only. Make sure it doesn't go straight to the edge."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"We need to evacuate and seal off the outer sections. I want all people to move to the center of Deck 6 and additional armor around the Bridge, Engineering, Sickbay and Deck 6." Janeway took a deep breath and stretched. "And we better find another way of delivering the nanoprobes."
"The probes."
"That's not enough. We need... How about a particle beam? Phasers."
Chakotay looked at her skeptically.
"You think it will work?"
"I hope so. I think I read something about a particle beam when I read about the Enterprise." She got up. "Tuvok, you have the Bridge. Chakotay."
When Janeway's shift started the next morning, she was still sleepy. She hadn't slept much the previous night, trying to make tactical plans.
"Report," she said and yawned.
"The hull breaches have been sealed. The shields are at 79%. Two more people have died of injuries."
Janeway sighed, that was nineteen dead.
"And the aliens?"
"138 dead."
Janeway sighed again.
"The probe?"
"It's still there. The bio-ships scanned the perimeter for ten hours and then left. There wasn't a sign of the bio-ships since then."
"Odd."
"Perhaps they have some other means of surveillance," Tuvok suggested.
"Let's find out. Send the probe on a straight course away from the nebula."
"Yes, Captain."
"Do we have visual?"
"Yes, but it is distorted."
"Put it on screen."
"Yes, Captain."
"Any luck with the phasers?"
"B'Elanna said they're still working on it."
"Good. Borg..."
"Captain!" Paris said and Janeway looked at the screen, where a bio-ship emerged from a singularity and destroyed the probe."
"I guess that answers our question," Chakotay said.
"Yes. I wonder how they do it," Janeway said and thought. "Tuvok, how may probes have we left?"
"Five Class 9."
"Good. Prepare three of them, fill them with every sensor package you can think of and program them so they can detect sensor locks and avoid getting hit."
"Yes, Captain."
"Tom, set a course ahead and toward the edge of the nebula. Stop about five minutes from the edge."
"Yes, Captain."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Chakotay asked.
"We've been sitting here for long enough. And besides, we might have to leave the nebula. Oh, what's with the Borg armor?"
"Don't ask me how, but they managed to put over 70% of it back up."
Janeway lifted her eyebrows, impressed.
"Very good."
"B'Elanna said that they are also installing additional bulkheads."
"Why?"
"Actually it was Tom's idea. I believe he got his idea from some old Earth ship."
"As long as it works."
Fifty-five minutes later the Voyager came to a stop and three probes left her. Five minutes later they left the nebula and the crew eagerly scanned the space around them. A few moments later a singularity opened and a ship came out and fired at the probes. But the probes had been reprogrammed and they avoided being hit. They spread out, scanning the space for signs of hidden sensors.
"I got it, Captain!" Kim reported. "They're using a miniature singularity through which they are scanning the nebula."
"Can we collapse it?"
"If we send a photon torpedo straight at it and detonate it there, some of the nanoprobes might go through and destroy whatever it is they're using to keep the singularity open."
"Good. Recall the probes and program a torpedo... Did that ship come out at the same coordinates both times?"
Paris checked the logs.
"Yes, Captain."
"Tuvok, reprogram one torpedo, no, use one of the modified probes, for a directed explosion and fire it at the miniature singularity and, say three seconds later, fire another at the coordinates of the singularity through which the ship came."
"Yes, Captain."
"Fire when ready. Tom..."
The ship trembled.
"What was that?"
"Something is happening in the nebula, Captain," Kim said.
"I don't like the sound of it. Tom, set a course for the border, full impulse," she ordered and turned to Chakotay. "I have a feeling they're trying to scare us out."
"And they are succeeding."
"Yes. Tuvok, prepare torpedoes, I have a feeling that there will be a welcoming committee as soon as we blow up their sensors. Janeway to Engineering."
"Torres."
"B'Elanna, I want maximum power to the shields and to the engines."
"Yes, Captain."
"Janeway out." She took a deep breath. "Let's hope the Fates are on our side today," she murmured and touched her comm badge, which had chirped. "Janeway."
"Captain, we have modified the phasers. I am transferring controls to Tuvok."
"Understood. Do we have enough nanoprobes?"
"They should suffice for about a hundred shots at maximum concentration."
"Understood."
"Torres out."
"Tuvok, send the probes back to the edge of the nebula, I want to see what is going on out there."
"Yes, Captain."
Minutes later they approached the edge of the nebula.
"We will clear the nebula in fifteen seconds, Captain," Paris reported.
"First torpedo impact in ten seconds, Captain," Tuvok reported right after him.
"Tom, as soon as we're out of the nebula, go to maximum warp and take us along the edge of the nebula."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Tuvok, use phasers if the bio-ships get close enough."
"Yes, Captain... First torpedo has exploded. The second singularity is opening. Two seconds to impact. There is a bio-ship coming out. It has been destroyed."
"Engaging the warp drive," Paris said two seconds later and the Voyager was hurled along the edge of the nebula with the speed many times faster than the speed of light.
"Any sign of pursuit?" Janeway asked a few moments later.
"Negative."
"Captain," Kim spoke, "I've analyzed the data and I think I know what's going on in the nebula."
"What?"
"They were opening singularities, which caused massive subspace shock-waves, which we felt."
"Interesting."
"Uh-oh," Paris said. "Captain, I'm picking up multiple singularities opening up all around us."
"Tuvok, fire straight at the singularities."
"Yes, Captain."
"Ships are coming out, Captain," Paris reported. "65 and counting."
"Captain, the phasers are working," Tuvok reported.
"93 and counting. The number of singularities seems to have stopped at 185."
"They sure are determined to stop us," Chakotay said.
"Let's not make it easy for them," Janeway said. "Tom, go to evasive Alpha 3. We have to break the circle."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Number of bio-ships?"
"305 and rising."
"Does anyone have any ideas..." Janeway started to ask when the ship rocked violently and everyone was thrown around, smoke filling the Bridge.
"Shields at 31%," Tuvok reported when he got back to his station. "The Borg armor appears to be holding, but we have lost the hull on starbord side of Decks 3 through 7 and we lost the enire sections on the port side of Decks 3 through 9. There are also multiple hull breaches all over the hull."
"Damn. Does anyone have any idea how we can get out of this mess?"
There were no responses.
"The singularities are starting to close," Paris reported. "I'm picking up 516 ships and counting."
The ship trembled again under the onslaught of raw power from the bio-ships and Paris did his best to avoid the deadly beams.
"Shields at 59%. We lost phasers."
"Damn," Janeway swore and thought. "Tom, get us closer to the nebula, perhaps the turbulences will distract the bio-ships."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Janeway to Engineering."
"Torres."
"B'Elanna, we need phasers."
"I know, Captain. I'm working on it, but it will take some time."
"Damn. Do what you can. Janeway out."
"The singularities are gone. I'm picking up 608 ships. 589. We're through the circle."
"Good. Now get us away from them."
The Voyager flew as fast as she could, but the bio-ships, which were already close behind, were gaining. Seven worked on the sensors in the Astrometrics, ignoring the battle. She was trying to find something, anything, that would help the ship, but so far she had found nothing.
Suddenly, the sensors picked up something. She focused on the area and quickly identified the object.
"Seven to Bridge."
"Janeway here. What is it? Go to evasive Delta 9!"
"Change course to 542.204."
"Why?"
"I've discovered a Borg transwarp conduit."
"Can you open it?"
"Yes."
"Tom, change course to 542.204. Where does it go?"
"I don't know."
Janeway was quiet for a few moments.
"We don't have..."
The ship rocked violently when it was hit by the yellow beam from the bio-ship and the link broke down.
"Captain?" There was no response. "Seven to the Bridge."
There was no response again. Seven quickly left the Astrometrics and went to the nearest Turbolift.
"Bridge."
The Turbolift moved, but when it stopped, the door didn't open.
"Unable to proceed," the computer announced. "Bulkhead closed."
"Engineering," she said and tapped her comm badge. "Seven to Lieutenant Torres."
"Torres here."
"Can you contact the Bridge?"
"One moment... No. Stand by... We've lost contact with everything above Deck 3. I'll transfer controls to Engineering."
"I'm on my way. Seven out."
A few moments later the lift stopped and Seven went to Engineering. She quickly checked that they were on the correct heading.
"Stand by," she then announced, "we will enter a Borg transwarp conduit in ten seconds."
"What?" B'Elanna said, surprised.
"Initiating opening sequence... Conduit open. Five seconds to entry."
The crew tensed and then five seconds later the ship jerked as it entered the conduit.
"We are in the conduit."
B'Elanna checked her readings.
"They're after us! Two ships! Can you close it down?"
"It closes automatically," Seven said.
B'Elanna didn't respond, but she kept monitoring the sensors.
"Looks like it closed down in time," she said, relieved, when she didn't pick up any other bio-ships. "Where is it leading?" she asked Seven.
"I don't know."
B'Elanna looked at her, surprised.
"You don't? I thought the Borg shared knowledge."
"I was a drone and I knew what I needed to know. I didn't need to know where the conduits are nor where they are leading."
"Oh. When will we exit?"
Seven checked her readings.
"In twenty seconds."
B'Elanna turned back to her sensors.
"Good thing they're not firing," she said, relieved. "Nicoletti, start evasive Alpha 3 as soon as we exit. Vorik, prepare one torpedo."
"Yes, Ma'am," came the double answer.
The Romulan base in the Induz System was full of Warbirds. It was near the Neutral Zone and as such a suitable for a staging area for a war against the Federation. The Romulans claimed that their ships were there to fight the Dominion and some of them actually went to the front and then came back for repairs, but the real reason was that the Romulan Senate thought that the Federation would be easy to subdue once the war with the Dominion was over.
Admiral Tarik, an older and one of the most experienced Romulan admirals, observed the Warbird she was approaching with her personal shuttle. It was the newest of those stationed at her base, but her commander was, in her opinion, a complete idiot who got his post only because of his family's connections. Well, he might have connections, but she was in charge of the base and no one, not even that idiot, was going to tell her how to do her job.
The shuttle landed and the Admiral exited. She was immediately greeted by the Warbird's commander and she noticed that he was behaving disrespectfully.
"Admiral," Commander Doqan said.
"Commander Doqan, let me get something straight," she said, getting straight to the point. "Your family may have high connections in the Senate, but this is my base. The only reason why you are here is because I owed someone a favor. I have fulfilled my part, but if you disobey once again, I will have you court martialled for treason. Is that clear?"
Doqan stared at her, surprised.
"You wouldn't dare," he said when he regained his composure and grinned disrespectfully.
That was the last straw.
"Guards!" Tarik called and immediately two came.
But before she was able to give them the order to throw Doqan in the brig, the ship's alarms sounded.
"Doqan to Bridge. What is it?"
"Selad here. Sir, a Federation vessel has just appeared out of nowhere."
"What?! Capture it!"
"Yes, Sir."
Tarik gave Doqan an angry look, but she had no time for idiots like him, her operation was at stake.
"We're out. Holly shit! Romulan fleet dead ahead!"
"Get us out of here!"
"I'm trying! I'm picking up two hundred and fifty-three Warbirds! Four are moving to intercept."
"Damn."
"The bio-ships are out!"
"Vorik, how many torpedoes do we still have?"
"Three."
"Damn."
"Report!" Tarik ordered when she got to the Bridge.
The sub-commander looked at her, surprised, but she quickly got up from the command chair.
"Two more ships of unknown origin have just appeared out of nowhere. They seem to be pursuing the Federation ship."
"Have you identified the Federation ship?"
"Yes, Ma'am, it is a Federation ship, Intrepid Class, NCC 74656, USS Voyager."
"What!" Tarik and Doqan said in unison, surprised. "What's her status?" Tarik then asked.
"She is badly damaged. Her shields are down to 15%, her warp drive is fluctuating and she has hull breaches all over. I'm also picking up some strange modifications. I believe they are of Borg origin."
"What?"
"The alien ships are firing at the Voyager."
"Attack them."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The three Warbird commanders ahead did the same, but were quickly destroyed as the bio-ships passed by without stopping.
Everyone was quiet from astonishment for a while, but Tarik was the first to recover.
"Get me the fleet!" she ordered.
"Yes, Ma'am. Channel open."
"Attention all ships, this is Admiral Tarik. Engage the alien ships at once! Close channel. Ready all weapons!"
"The Romulans are engaging the bio-ships," Nicoletti reported.
"Good, let's get out of here," B'Elanna said. "Set course for the Federation space."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"And let me know when they come after us."
"What about the torpedo?" Vorik asked.
"Later. Let them decimate the Romulan fleet first. Seven, get me anyone from the Federation."
"I can't, communications are out."
"Damn. Fix it. Delaney, how's the warp drive?"
"Not good. The containment field is extremely unstable. It is currently at thirty-six percent."
"Damn. Vorik, give me a hand, we've got to stabilize the core before it becomes too unstable."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Nicoletti, what's our current speed?"
"Warp 5.3."
"Go to warp 5."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Sir, we are being hailed by Starbase 375 on a coded channel. It's Admiral Ross," Lieutenant Commander Petersen reported from her Tactical station.
"On screen. Admiral."
"Picard. The Intelligence has picked up distress calls from a Romulan base in the Induz System. We suspect that the Romulans are staging for a war against the Federation, but we have been unable to confirm."
"I thought we were allies," Picard said.
"For the moment, but when the war with Dominion is over, they might try to take advantage of our losses and attack."
"But didn't they suffer major losses when they and the Cardassians attacked the Founders' homeworld?"
"Yes, but their ship production has been very high lately and they may have already replaced the lost ships."
"I see," Picard said, impressed.
"I want you to go to the border and see if your sensors pick up anything. Also try to contact the Romulans and ask if they need help. In case they agree, go there and scan their base."
"Understood. We'll keep you updated."
"Good. Ross out."
"Set a course for the Neutral Zone, maximum warp."
"Yes, Sir."
"Engage."
When Janeway finally woke up, she had a major headache.
"Tuvok?" she said when she recognized the face staring at her.
"Yes, Captain."
"Oh, my head. Report."
"We have lost contact with the rest of the ship. Internal sensors are down and so is communication. Apparently Lieutenant Torres transferred controls to the Engineering and took us through the conduit. We were pursued by two bio-ships. They are currently engaging the Romulan fleet."
"Romulan?" Janeway asked, surprised.
"Yes. It would appear that the conduit led to the Romulan Empire. We came out near one of their bases."
"Do we still have torpedoes?"
"Three."
"Good." Janeway thought. "Is only the Bridge cut off?"
"No, Decks 1 through 3. We've been trying to get through the bulkheads, but there must be a radiation leakage somewhere and it's interfering with our tools. We have established force fields to protect us from the radiation, but they won't hold long."
"Damn." Janeway looked around the Bridge, which was a mess, and noticed that there was a hull breach where the main viewer used to be. "Can we monitor what they are doing in Engineering?"
"No."
Janeway looked at Tuvok, her eyebrows high.
"I could use a good news."
"We all could, Captain," Tuvok said and went to his station.
"Sir, we are being hailed by Admiral Ross again on a secure channel," Petersen reported.
"On screen. Admiral?"
"I have just received news that the ships attacking the Romulan fleet belong to Species 8472."
"What? What are they doing in the Beta Quadrant?"
"We don't know, but we suspect that they might be planning an invasion."
"What?"
"There have been several attacks on our frontier outposts in the past couple of weeks. Each time the ships came out of nowhere and destroyed the entire base in a few seconds. We think they are probing our defenses."
"How can we stop them?"
"Commander Shelby at Starbase 324 is trying to alter the Borg nanoprobes, like the EMHP from the Voyager said, but so far she has had little success. If it is Species 8472, then you are ordered not to engage."
"Yes, Sir."
"Good luck. Ross out."
"ETA to the Neutral Zone?"
"Two minutes."
"Red alert."
"The bio-ships are after us again!" Nicoletti reported.
"Vorik, fire the torpedo when they get in range."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Nicoletti, what's the status of the Romulan fleet?"
"What fleet? They obliterated it."
"The whole fleet?"
"Yes."
"Seven, how's communication?"
"It should be up within a minute."
"Good. And then yell for help. Delaney, reduce that to 67%! Nicoletti, what's our ETA to Federation space?"
"Five minutes."
"Damn. Vorik?"
"Seven seconds to firing range."
"Make sure you hit."
"Yes, Ma'am."
B'Elanna returned to her work.
"Shut it off! Shut it off!" she suddenly called. "Nicoletti, drop out of warp!"
"Dropping out of warp!"
"Vorik!"
"Firing torpedo! The ships are splitting up!"
"Prepare another torpedo!"
"Already done that! Firing!"
"Number one hit home!" Nicoletti reported.
"They destroyed the second torpedo before it hit!" Vorik reported.
"Reprogram the last torpedo so it won't fly straight and then launch it! Nicoletti, go back to warp! Make it warp 2!" B'Elanna ordered, nearly hanging upside down, trying to reach a tool.
"Yes, Ma'am," came the double response.
"Reprogramming complete! Firing!"
"Sir, I'm picking up three vessels heading straight for the Neutral Zone," Lieutenant Regan at the Conn reported. "It seems that two are pursuing the third."
"Can you identify them?"
"One moment. Sir, one of the pursuing vessels has been destroyed. The pursuing vessels belong to Species 8472."
"What?"
"And the fleeing vessel?" Riker asked.
"It is a Federation ship, Intrepid Class, NCC... Sir, it's the Voyager!"
"What?!" Picard and Riker exclaimed in unison.
"The second bio-ship has been destroyed."
"Hail them!"
"Yes, Sir... No response. It seems that their comm system is down."
"What's their status?"
"They are flying at warp 2. They have hull breaches all over the ship, including Deck 1, they've lost the hull on starbord side of Decks 3 through 7 and the enire sections on the port side of Decks 3 through 9. Their shields are at 9%, their life support is failing and they have problems with the warp core. They also have some Borg modifications..."
"Sir, they are hailing us."
"On screen."
"Any Federation..." Seven started her message when the channel opened. "Locutus," she said, recognizing Picard, who clenched his fingers around the chair arms when he saw her. "Excuse me," Seven corrected herself, "Captain Picard. This is USS Voyager. We require immediate assistance. You must also notify your superiors that Species 8472 is planning an invasion of the Federation. We believe that they have already started to probe your defenses and that the invasion will begin soon."
Seven stopped and waited for Picard to respond. Riker noticed Picard's reaction and was about to step in, but Picard pulled himself together.
"Yes, our intelligence believes the same, but we've had no conclusive evidence and neither could we alter the Borg nanoprobes."
"The Doctor will..."
"Seven, get out of there!" Picard heard someone scream.
Seven reacted immediately and then the screen went blank.
"What happened?" Riker asked.
"It seems that a conduit blew. They just dropped out of warp."
"Can you get them back?"
"No, Sir."
"Get me Admiral Ross."
"Yes, Sir."
Picard tapped his fingers and thought while he waited for Ross to respond.
"Captain?"
"Admiral. We have discovered the Voyager."
"What!?" Ross said, astonished, and Riker did his best to hide his grin when he saw Ross' expression. "Where?"
"She's in the Romulan territory, heading for Federation space. They are badly damaged and they have apparently just lost their warp drive. They have confirmed that Species 8472 is planning an invasion."
"Damn."
"They lost communication again, so we can't contact them. Oh, about the battle in the Induz System. The Voyager was coming from that direction and it was pursued by two bio-ships. They destroyed them both."
Ross thought for a few moments.
"The Intelligence has just reported that the battle was against two alien ships of unknown origin and that they destroyed all ships and obliterated the base."
"How many ships?"
"Intelligence believes that there way were over hundred ships there."
"I see. May we cross the Neutral Zone to retrieve the Voyager?"
Ross thought.
"Yes," he decided. "Evacuate the crew and start downloading their logs. If you can, take her to warp with a tractor beam, but do not let the Romulans get their hands on her."
"Yes, Sir."
"Good luck. Ross out."
"Picard to Crusher."
"Crusher here."
"Doctor, we have discovered the Voyager. They are badly damaged. Prepare for medical emergency."
"Understood. Crusher out."
"Data, coordinate the evacuation and see if we can tow the Voyager at warp."
"Yes, Sir."
"Em, Sir," Lieutenant Regan spoke.
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"I'm picking up 2806 aliens aboard."
"What? Has the Voyager been taken over?"
"I don't think so, Sir, none of the aliens is in any of the vital positions."
"Okay. Data, proceed."
"Yes, Sir."
"ETA to the Neutral Zone?"
"Twenty seconds."
"Proceed straight to the Voyager."
"Yes, Sir."
"Lieutenant, the Enterprise is crossing the Neutral Zone."
"Good. Drop shields when they are beside us, no sooner."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"ETA?"
"Thirty seconds."
"Put it on screen."
"Yes, Sir."
"My god," Picard said when he saw the damage.
"I don't think that ship will fly again," Riker said.
"Yes," Picard agreed.
"I guess the engineers at Utopia Planitia can be proud."
"Indeed."
"I hope they'll drop shields when we reach them," Riker said.
"Captain, I'm picking up three tachyon distortions moving at warp 9."
"Romulans," Riker said.
"Yes, Sir."
"ETA?" Picard asked.
"Twelve minutes, twenty seconds."
"Get me Admiral Ross."
"Yes, Sir."
Ross responded almost immediately.
"Captain?"
"We just picked up three Warbirds, they'll be here in twelve minutes. It would be nice to have some backup, especially since we'll probably have to tow the Voyager."
"I'll send the Sovereign, the Akira, the Norway and the Phoenix and maybe a squadron of Klingon Birds-of-Prey."
"Good. Oh, Sir, there are almost 3000 aliens aboard the Voyager."
"What? How is that possible?"
"I don't know, Sir. We believe that they may have rescued a vessel."
"I see. Keep me updated. Ross out."
"Their shields are down."
"Sir," Data said, "we will not be able to tow her for long and not at warp."
"Damn."
"But we might try something else, Sir."
"What?"
"We might position the Enterprise so that the Voyager will be between our nacelles. That way we could use our own warp field to take the Voyager to warp and we would only need a minimum of tractor beams."
"Can that be done?" Picard asked.
"Yes, Sir."
"Then make it so."
"Yes, Sir."
"Is the communication still down?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Number One, you will go over first and tell them that we will start evacuation."
"Yes, Sir," Riker said and left.
"Commander!" Paris called when he noticed that someone was materializing and took his phaser.
"Looks like a Starfleet officer," Chakotay said when Riker was almost materialized and put away his phaser. "Commander."
Riker looked around.
"Commander?" he then said. "I'm Commander Riker from the Enterprise."
"Commander Chakotay."
They shook hands.
"Where is Captain Janeway?"
"She is in her Ready Room. She was injured in the attack and I told her to rest."
"I see. We noticed that there are a lot of aliens aboard."
"Yes, we rescued them in the Delta Quadrant. They are colonists."
"Well, we'll start evacuating the Voyager."
"Good. Where are we?"
Riker was confused.
"You don't know?"
"No. Decks 1 through 3 have been cut off from the rest of the ship."
"So you have no idea what happened?"
"Well, we know we went through a Borg transwarp conduit and ended up somewhere in Romulan space. We think some of the bio-ships followed us."
"Two. They destroyed the Romulan base and you destroyed them. We're currently still in Romulan space and there are three Warbirds approaching."
"I see. Then we better start evacuating."
"Yes. Riker to Enterprise."
"Go ahead."
"The aliens are okay. Stand by to begin evacuating Decks 1 through 3. But first beam me and Commander Chakotay to the Sickbay."
"Understood."
"Tuvok, notify the crew and the aliens."
"Yes, Sir."
Chakotay stepped closer to Riker and a few moments later, they dematerialized.
Sickbay was a mess. Being the only doctor around, the Doctor had his hands full.
"Doctor," Chakotay called him when he and Riker rematerialized.
"I'm busy, Commander."
"I know. Prepare your patients, we're evacuating the Voyager."
"To where?"
"The Enterprise."
"About time I got some help."
"Riker to Enterprise."
"Go ahead, Commander."
"Beam me and Commander Chakotay to the Engineering."
"Yes, Sir."
The Engineering was a mess and B'Elanna and her crew tried to make sure the core didn't explode.
"B'Elanna!" Chakotay called when he and Riker materialized.
"Over here!" B'Elanna called from the other side of the core. "Commander, I don't know how much longer I can keep the core stabilized. We took some serious damage. We may have to eject it."
"I know. We're evacuating the Voyager."
"Well, I can't leave, I have to keep the core stable."
"Lieutenant," Riker stepped in. "Why not simply shut down the Voyager?"
B'Elanna looked at him like he was some sort of weird alien.
"We're still in Romulan space and this ship is no position to be towed."
"I know, we planned something else. The Enterprise will position herself so that the Voyager is between her nacelles. Then we'll use our own warp field to take you to warp."
B'Elanna considered the idea.
"Well, the Enterprise is big enough and she probably has enough power, but you'll have to stretch the field and the mass of the Voyager will reduce the maximum speed. Does your engineers believe it's possible?"
"They're already working on it."
B'Elanna quickly gave it another thought.
"Okay then. Evacuate the rest of the ship while I prepare for shutdown. Commander."
B'Elanna and Chakotay left and Riker contacted the Enterprise.
"Riker to Enterprise."
"Go ahead."
"Evacuate the rest of the ship, except the Engineering."
"Understood."
When the Doctor materialized on the transporter pad, the Enterprise crew stared at him, surprised.
"What, you never saw a doctor before?" he asked them, annoyed. "Move it! This one needs a cardiac replacement."
The crew moved and the wounded were immediately taken to Sickbay. The Doctor went with them.
Upon entering the Sickbay, the medical staff, including Doctor Crusher, stared at him, surprised. Then the Enterprise EMHP stepped forward and the two holograms looked at each other. The Doctor was the first to respond.
"What, you never saw another hologram?" he asked, annoyed, and then looked around. "Who's in charge here?"
"I am," Crusher said.
"Then I suggest you move," the Doctor said and quickly started to list the injuries.
"We're ready, Commander," B'Elanna said when she was done.
"Proceed."
"Yes, Sir. Removing the atmosphere."
"What for?" Riker asked.
"Because when I turn the-off switch, the force fields are going to collapse and the explosive decompression might throw things out. Beginning the shutdown. Secondary systems off-line. Warp propulsion off-line. Impulse propulsion off-line. Environmental systems off-line. Power generators off-line. Everybody, don't move, I'm shutting off the gravity! Computer off-line. Shutdown complete, Commander."
"Riker to Enterprise."
"Go ahead."
"The Voyager is ready. Beam us up."
"Understood."
"Sir, the Voyager is completely shut down. Commander Riker and the last crew members of the Voyager have just been beamed over. We are ready to proceed," Data reported.
"Go ahead."
"Yes, Sir. Engaging the tractor beams. Lock complete."
"Lieutenant, engage."
"Yes, Sir. Initiating warp sequence. Warp 1 in three, two, one. We are at warp 1."
"The warp field is stable," LaForge reported from his Engineering station.
"Increasing speed to warp 2... Warp 4... Warp 6... Warp 7."
"Slow it down, Lieutenant," LaForge advised.
"Warp 7.2... Warp 7.4... Warp 7.6."
"That's it."
"We're at warp 7.6, Sir."
"The warp field is stable, but I suggest we slow down to warp 7.3 when we cross the Neutral Zone," LaForge recommended.
"Understood."
"Sir, we are being hailed by the Romulans."
"On screen."
"Captain, you have just committed an act of war!" the Romulan commander said outraged.
"Hardly, Commander. Our sensors detected a battle in the Induz System and we wanted to help. But when we arrived to the Neutral Zone, the battle was already over. We detected a distress call from another Federation ship which was fleeing from the same attackers who attacked your base," Picard smoothly lied. As you can probably see, she has suffered heavy damage before she managed to destroy the two pursuers."
"Are you saying that a single Federation ship, which is not match for a single Warbird, destroyed the ships which even two h... Which even our fleet couldn't!"
"Yes. They were carrying experimental weapons, which were created especially to fight the race which attacked your base. Unfortunately, our ship was too late to save your base and apparently the weapon didn't work as it was supposed to. I will advise Starfleet Command to send you data on that race and perhaps help you fight them if you encounter them again."
The Romulan commander stared at Picard for a few moments, trying to make sense, and then closed the channel.
"Get me Admiral Ross."
"Yes, Sir."
"Captain?"
"We are on our way to the Neutral Zone. The Warbirds are still pursuing us. I told them that we would send them data on Species 8472 and maybe make an arrangement to help them if they get attacked again."
"I see. The data should be no problem, the rest will be up to the diplomats."
"Oh, there were over two hundred ships in the Induz System."
"How do you know?"
"The Romulan commander slipped it."
"Oh."
"Sir, the Romulans are returning to the Induz System."
"Understood. We're no longer pursued, Admiral."
"Yes, I heard. Good. The Sovereign and the Phoenix will escort you to Starbase 324."
"Why there?"
"Because it's the center for Borg research and you have a Borg aboard and there is Borg technology aboard the Voyager."
"I see."
"Well done, Captain. Ross out."
"That was smooth lying," Riker, who had already returned to the Bridge, commented.
Picard smiled.
"That's diplomacy, Number One," he said and got up. "Set a course for Starbase 324. You have the Bridge. I'll be in the Sickbay."
Sickbay was a blur of activity as the doctors and the nurses took care of the wounded Voyager crew.
"I'm looking for Captain Janeway," Picard told a male nurse and the man looked around.
"Over there, Sir."
"Thank you," Picard said and went to her. "Captain Janeway? I'm Captain Picard. How do you feel?"
"My head still hurts. What's our status?"
"We're in the Federation territory now and we are going to Starbase 324."
"Why there?"
"It is the center for Borg research."
"Borg. Damn. I need to speak with whoever's in charge there," Janeway said and got up.
Chakotay supported her.
"Doctor Crusher, may we use your office?" Picard asked.
Crusher glanced at him.
"Yes."
"Thank you. This way."
They went to Crusher's office and Picard called the Bridge.
"Get me Commander Shelby at Starbase 324."
"Yes, Sir."
"Is she in charge?"
"Of Borg research only."
"Thought so."
"Captain Picard! Nice to see you again, Sir."
"You too, Commander. Captain Janeway from the Voyager would like to speak to you."
"Yes, Sir."
Picard turned the viewer.
"Commander, I understand that you are in charge of Borg research."
"Yes, Sir."
"So I assume you will want to talk to S... Annika Hansen," Janeway said.
"Who?" Shelby asked, confused.
"Seven-of-Nine, the ex-Borg."
"Oh! Yes, Sir."
"Well, let me make one thing clear. S... Annika is a very valuable member of my crew and she's an individual now, not a drone, and I expect you to treat her as such. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. I will be watching, Commander. Oh, and the same goes for the Doctor, our EMH. He is also a valuable member of my crew and I expect him to be treated as the rest of us. You tell that to whoever will examine him. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good."
Janeway looked at Picard, who turned the viewer toward him.
"That would be all, Commander."
"Yes, Sir."
Picard then turned to Janeway.
"You didn't have to be so hard on her."
Janeway smiled.
"I know, but scientists sometimes get too excited and they forget that the subject of their research is a person and not an object."
"I see. Well, don't worry, I'll make sure they get treated accordingly."
"Thank you, Captain."
"You're welcome. Tell me, how did you get back?"
"We discovered a Borg transwarp conduit and Seven opened it."
"Seven? I thought her name was Annika Hansen?" Picard said, confused.
"It is, but she prefers to be called Seven."
"I see. Well, it's good to have you back, Captain."
"It's good to be back," Janeway said with a smile.
"I had quarters assigned to your crew and you can go there when you're released. It will be several hours before we get to Starbase 324, so you'll have plenty of time to wash and change your clothes and maybe get something to eat."
"Thank you, Captain. Oh, about the aliens."
"I will contact Admiral Ross. I doubt we can send them back to the Delta Quadrant, but we can provide them with a planet here, in the Alpha Quadrant."
"My thoughts exactly," Janewaay agreed.
"Good. I'll be on the Bridge if you need me."
"Okay. I will let the aliens know what they can expect."
"Good."
Picard left and Janeway got up.
"I'll go see if Seven came around yet," she said and returned to the Sickbay.
Chakotay followed her.
"Doctor, how is Seven?" she asked the Doctor.
"She's fine."
"What happened?"
"A conduit blew in her face."
"Is she awake?"
"Yes."
Janeway went to Seven's bed and Seven opened her eyes.
"Captain."
"Hello, Seven. How do you feel?"
"I feel fine, thank you."
"Chakotay, get the Doctor, please."
Chakotay nodded and went to get the EMH.
"We are on our way to Starbase 324," Janeway informed Seven, "the Federation center for Borg research. They will want to question you there and examine you, but I told them to treat you like an individual, not like a drone."
"Thank you," Seven simply said.
Janeway smiled and thought.
"Have you thought what you will do when they let you go?"
"No."
"Well, if you can't decide what to do, then you can come with me. I'm planning to take a long vacation and visit Earth. And when I get a new command, you can come with me."
"I'm not sure Starfleet would like to have a Borg on one of their ships."
"Ex-Borg. Don't worry, I'll make sure they see just what a treasure you are."
Seven thought.
"I will let you know."
"Good."
"Captain?" the Doctor asked.
Janeway looked at him.
"The Starfleet would want to have the modified nanoprobes. Do we still have any?"
"I don't know. I was synthesizing them in Sickbay, but I don't know if they're still there. There were some minor explosions there."
"Well, just in case, I want you to take some of the nanoprobes from Seven and modify them. I'd rather have you take them than someone else. Then take them to Engineering for replication."
"Yes, Captain."
"Good. I'll be in my quarters. I need to get clean. Chakotay."
Chakotay followed Janeway out of the Sickbay.
"I want you to talk to the Maquis members of the crew and to Neelix about staying here for debriefing. I'll talk to Seven and then to Starfleet. Oh, and tell everyone to prepare a message for their families. I'll prepare the messages for those who didn't make it."
"Okay."
Janeway nodded and left.
"Captain Keh," Janeway said when she got to the alien captain.
"Captain Janeway. What is going on? Where are we?"
"We are in the Alpha Quadrant."
"Alpha Quadrant?"
"Yes."
"How did we get here?"
"Through a Borg transwarp conduit."
"I see."
"I just wanted to tell you that we will probably not be able to send you back to the Delta Quadrant."
"Why not?" Keh asked, worried.
"Because the other end of the conduit is in Romulan space and Romulans, well, they're not exactly friendly, not to mention that they just lost an entire fleet to only two ships."
"I see."
"But, you're settlers, right?"
"Yes."
"We can find a suitable planet for you here, in the Alpha Quadrant."
"You would do that for us?"
"Of course."
"Thank you, Captain. I'll inform my people."
"Good. Oh, first we will go to one of our bases. You will stay there until you are all well."
"Thank you."
Janeway smiled and left.
The shift was over and Riker came to Ten Forward.
"Guinan," Riker said.
"I hear there is a Borg aboard," Guinan said.
"Yes."
"What is it like?"
"I don't know, but the crew of the Voyager spoke highly of her."
Guinan thought.
"I think I'll go pay her a visit."
Riker lifted his eyebrows, but didn't comment.
LaForge did a double take when the Doctor came to the Engineering. Then he realized that it wasn't the EMH from the Enterprise but from the Voyager.
"Commander LaForge," the Security officer escorting the Doctor said, "he wanted to see you."
LaForge took a good look at the Doctor.
"Is that what enables you to move outside the holodeck?" he asked when he noticed the mobile holoemitter.
"Yes."
"I'd sure like to talk to the person who invented that."
"I'm afraid that would be impossible."
"Why?"
"Because he or she wasn't born yet."
LaForge was confused.
"What do you mean?"
"This holoemitter is from the 29th century."
"What?"
The Doctor sighed.
"It's a long story and it's not why I'm here. I brought you the modified Borg nanoprobes for replication."
"Nanoprobes?" LaForge asked, confused.
"Modified nanoprobes. They're designed to fight Species 8472."
"Oh! I see. Hmm. You used photon torpedoes as delivery system?"
"And phasers."
"Phasers?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. Okay. I'll start replicating them. Oh, who was your Chief Engineer?"
"Lieutenant Torres."
"Thank you."
"I'll be in the Sickbay if you need me," the Doctor said and turned to the Security guard.
"LaForge to Lieutenant Torres."
Seven was just putting on her new boots when the door chime sounded.
"Come."
The door opened and Guinan entered.
"So, you're the Borg," she said and took a good look at Seven.
"Species..." Seven started to identify her, but changed her mind. "You are an El Aurean."
"Yes."
"Can I help you?" Seven asked and got up.
"No," Guinan said, still looking at her. "You know," she continued after a brief pause, "I used to hate the Borg. You destroyed my homeworld and we were forced to scatter around the galaxy. I was there when the Enterprise first encountered the Borg. I warned them, but they were just too curious and they lost 18 people. One year later, the Borg returned, kidnapped Captain Picard and forced him to lead an attack against the Federation fleet at Wolf 359. He also hated the Borg." She paused. "But then we came across a crashed Borg scout ship and we discovered that one of the Borg was still alive. Doctor Crusher insisted that she help him and Captain Picard agreed when he was assured that there would be no threat to the ship or the crew. I was angry with Picard. But as I listened to Doctor Crusher and Commander LaForge talk about the Borg as he was an individual, I decided to take a look at him. And I was surprised because he was an individual, like you or me. That's when I stopped hating the drones, they're only helpless tools. I even convinced Captain Picard to talk to Hugh, that's what they named him, and he too stopped hating the drones. He even offered to take him with us, but Hugh decided that it would be best for us if he returned to the Collective." Guinan smiled. "Ironic, isn't it? A Borg sacrificing his individuality to protect us."
She stopped and Seven stared at her, confused.
"What is your point?" she then asked.
"I assume we're going to Starbase 324."
"Yes."
"Then I suggest you change your clothes."
Seven looked at her outfit.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because you're a Human now. I know that your outfit is the most efficient and I don't mind you wearing it, but the scientists at the Starbase will see you as a Borg and that outfit only enhances that perception. If you change into something different, maybe a Starfleet uniform, they will notice it and they would become aware that you are an individual."
"I see."
"What's your name?"
"Seven."
"Didn't they give you a name on the Voyager?"
"No."
"Then..."
"My name was Annika Hansen before I was assimilated."
"You remember who you were?" Guinan asked.
"Yes."
"Then go by that name, it will enhance their perception of you as an individual."
"I see."
Guinan smiled.
"Good luck," she said and turned to leave.
"Wait," Seven called and Guinan turned. "Who are you?"
"Guinan," Guinan said with a smile and left.
Seven stared at the door, thinking about what Guinan had said and also what Janeway had told her in the Sickbay. She decided to follow their advice.
When Janeway cleaned up and rested a bit, she decided to pay Seven a visit. When Seven opened, Janeway froze, surprised.
"Is something wrong?" Seven asked.
"No, no, I... It's just... You look great."
"Thank you."
"How come you decided to change your clothes?"
"I had a visit from an El Aurean. She told me I should change my clothes and start using my Human name so that I would enhance the scientists' perception of me as a Human being."
"A good advice," Janeway agreed. "So you want to be called Annika now?"
"Yes."
"Fine with me. Listen, you probably know that you will need to stay at the Starbase for a while and that they will want to run tests."
"Yes."
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"No."
"Good. If they bother you, let me know."
Seven lifted her eyebrows.
"I will," she said.
Then Janeway's comm badge chirped.
"Janeway here."
"You have a priority message from Admiral Haftel."
"Put it through."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Janeway went to the viewer and waited.
"Admiral."
"Captain Janeway, it's good to have you back."
"Thank you, Sir."
"I'm on my way to Starbase 324, where I'll supervise Doctor Zimmerman."
"The man who created the EMH?"
"Yes."
"Then I want you to tell him to treat our EMH as a person, sort of like Commander Data."
"Are you sure? He's just a hologram."
"That's true, but that hologram is my Chief Medical officer and I'd like to have him back in one piece."
Haftel lifted his eyebrows.
"Are..."
"And besides, he is the only one who knows how to correctly modify the Borg nanoprobes so they attack Species 8472."
"Really?"
"Yes. I ordered him to integrate that data into his matrix and delete himself if the Borg tried to assimilate us. I suggest we keep that knowledge out of Borg hands."
"That is a good idea." He paused. "Actually, I called because I have orders for you and your crew. You are assigned to Starbase 324 until we debrief you."
"That goes for the Starfleet officers. I also have Maquis and two civilians aboard."
"Two?" Haftel asked, confused.
"Neelix and Annika."
"Who's Annika?"
"The ex-Borg."
"Oh."
"They will all stay for the debriefing, but, as I already told Commander Shelby, I want Annika to be treated the same way as any other member of my crew. The same goes for Neelix and the Maquis."
"Of course."
"And what do you plan to do about the Maquis?"
"Well, it's not my decision, but I believe that they will be free to go."
"Even those who used to be Starfleet officers?"
"I believe so."
"And if they wish to rejoin or join Starfleet?"
"They are welcome to do so."
"Good. My crew are preparing messages for their families and I will prepare them for those who didn't make it. I hope they can be delivered immediately."
"I believe so, yes."
"Good."
"I will see you at the Starbase. Haftel out."
Janeway turned around.
"I'll tell the crew to call you Annika from now on."
Seven nodded.
"I'll be in my quarters if you need me."
Seven nodded again and Janeway left.
Just as Janeway stepped out of Seven's quarters, the red alert was sounded. She decided to go to the Bridge.
When Crusher came to the Ready Room, she went straight to the replicator and got herself a cup of coffee.
"Doctor?" Picard asked.
Crusher first drank a bit of coffee before responding.
"We've treated most of the wounded. There are still seven Voyager crew members which were heavily wounded, but they should be out by the time we get to the Starbase."
"That's good news."
"Yes. Oh, the EMH from the Voyager took the modified Borg nanoprobes to Geordi."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Picard tapped his comm badge.
"Picard to LaForge."
"LaForge here."
"I hear you have the modified Borg nanoprobes."
"Yes, Captain. I was just about to call you. I have replicated enough for fifty torpedoes and I was about to install the canisters."
Picard thought.
"Better make it a hundred and also make some nanoprobes for the Starbase."
"Yes, Sir."
"Picard out."
"You know," Crusher said between sips, "I'll advise Starfleet to give those EMH programs names. It's pretty difficult where there are ten doctors in the Sickbay and the only way you can call the EMH is doctor. And they should also make them different. If it weren't for the uniforms, I would've had problems telling them apart." She took another sip. "And they should do something about the attitude. Our EMH is plain rude and he has no tact."
"And the one from the Voyager?"
"That one's okay. I guess he learned a lot. What's our ETA?"
"About three hours."
Crusher ran her hand through her hair.
"I'll get some rest then."
She was about to leave, when the red alert was sounded. She looked at Picard and they went to the Bridge.
"Report."
"We're picking up 17 bio-ships, Sir."
"On screen... When will they be in weapons' range?"
"We don't know what their range is, Sir."
"Picard to LaForge."
"LaForge here."
"Hurry up with the torpedoes, we need them."
"Yes, Sir."
"Picard out."
"Sir, the Sovereign and the Phoenix are turning to engage."
"Tell them not to," Janeway said when she got to the Bridge. "Our weapons are useless against them, the only thing that works are the Borg nanoprobes."
"Tell the Sovereign and the Phoenix not to engage," Picard ordered.
"Yes, Sir... Sir, we're being hailed by the Sovereign. And the Phoenix."
"Put them both on screen."
"What do you mean, Picard? Our orders are to protect you," the captain of the Sovereign said, upset.
"I know, but you don't stand a chance. Captain Janeway."
Janeway stepped closer.
"Do not engage them, Captain, your weapons are useless."
"We are modifying torpedoes with Borg nanoprobes," Picard said. "Get your ships to safety, we'll take care of them."
The captains considered. They did not like it, but they knew that Janeway had more experience with Species 8472 than they did. They nodded.
"Okay. Sovereign out."
"Phoenix out."
"They're disengaging, Sir."
"Good."
Picard's comm badge chirped.
"Picard."
"We have ten torpedoes ready, Sir."
Picard looked at Janeway questioningly.
"It might be enough."
"Keep modifying them, Commander."
"Yes, Sir. LaForge out."
"Lieutenant, bring us about, attack pattern Delta 3. Load the modified torpedoes."
"Yes, Sir," came the double answer.
"Captain, a suggestion," Janeway said.
"Yes?"
"Use maximum yield. Use phasers and normal torpedoes on your approach and fire the modified torpedoes when you get very close. They know now that we have torpedoes and they avoid them. If they think that your torpedoes have not been modified yet, they will keep closer together and you can use less torpedoes."
Picard nodded.
"Fire phasers and normal torpedoes and put the modified torpedoes on stand-by."
"Yes, Sir. Firing phasers and normal torpedoes... They're useless, Sir."
Picard's comm badge chirped again.
"Picard."
"We have another ten torpedoes, Sir."
"Understood. Picard out. Prepare ten modified torpedoes, maximum yield, maximum spread and put the other ten on stand-by."
"Yes, Sir... Torpedoes loaded."
Picard waited until the bio-ships came closer.
"Fire!"
"Firing."
The ten torpedoes left the Enterprise, but the bio-ships didn't even try to evade. When the torpedoes finally exploded, they took out fourteen bio-ships.
"Three left, Sir."
"Fire three torpedoes."
"Yes, Sir. Firing."
The remaining bio-ships tried to evade, but they weren't successful.
"All bio-ships destroyed."
"Resume course for Starbase 324."
"Yes, Sir."
"Well done, Captain," Janeway said.
Picard smiled.
"Thanks to you."
Janeway nodded and looked at Riker.
"Nice seeing you again, Commander," she said with a smile.
"Captain?" Riker said, confused.
"A long story, Commander," Janeway said. "Oh, yes," she remembered and turned to Picard, "I'm sure this will interest you, Q is a father."
"What?" Picard said, surprised.
"It's a long story, Captain," Janeway said with a smile and left.
Picard and Riker looked at each other, confused.
"Q as a father?" Riker said, amuzed.
"God help us," Picard said.
"I'm sure looking forward to reading her logs," Riker said.
"Indeed," Picard agreed.
Three hours later, the four ships arrived to Starbase 324. The Enterprise went straight for the space door at one quarter impulse. Then the tractor beams were disengaged and the Enterprise maneuvered into orbit around the Starbase. Two smaller ships positioned themselves in front and behind the Voyager. The first engaged her tractor beams and started to tow the Voyager into the Starbase while the other followed her, ready to intervene if necessary.
Janeway and her senior officers were the first to beam over.
"Captain Janeway," Admiral Haftel said and approached her, "it's good to have you back."
"Thank you, Sir," she said as they shook their hands.
"Just a moment," the Admiral said and turned to the Doctor. "Doctor, wait here."
"Yes, Sir," Doctor said and stopped.
Haftel turned back to Janeway.
"Walk with me, Captain," he said and Janeway followed him. "I'll be quick, just a few good news. Starfleet has decided, and that is definite, that your Maquis officers will not be charged with anything."
"Including those that used to be Starfleet officers?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, they are willing to offer them their commissions back."
"And those who weren't Starfleet officers?"
"They're free to go or join Starfleet. As a matter of fact, Admiral Brand from Starfleet Academy is arriving tomorrow with several instructors. It has been decided that you and you officers should be given courses to fresh up on what's been going on here while you were gone. Those courses can also be attended by the non-Starfleet members of your crew, if they wish. The courses will be in the morning and the debriefings in the afternoon. Admiral Brand will talk to each of your crew and they can tell her their wishes."
"Sounds good."
"Yes. And now the most important news. Since we are at war on two fronts, we need capable crews. Therefore, it has been decided that you and your crew be given a new ship."
Janeway was speechless.
"And the Voyager?"
"They'll inspect her first and then see whether they will repair her or decommission her and turn her into a museum."
"A museum?"
"Yes. Don't ask me what the explanation was, but I think it was something about being the first ship in the Delta Quadrant and how valiantly you traveled home. Something like it."
"I see."
"The new ship is a Sovereign Class. She's still under construction and should be finished in about a week or two. She's still unnamed."
Janeway thought.
"I want my EMH to be my Chief Medical officer."
That caught Haftel by surprise.
"What?! You can't be serious."
"I am. He has been an invaluable member of my crew and I think he deserves that honor."
Haftel thought.
"Well, I don't know. I'll have to spend some time with him and get to know him better and then, if I find him adequate, I'll recommend it to Starfleet Command."
"Thank you."
"Oh, I've decided to accept Dr Crusher's advice."
"What advice?" Janeway asked, confused.
"She proposed that all EMH programs be given names and that they should also be made different. She also complained about the attitude."
"She's right about that. Our EMH was almost intolerable at first, but he learned."
"Well, I look forward to reviewing the logs. The debriefings will start tomorrow afternoon."
"Understood."
"Well, I won't keep you anymore. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir."
Haftel left and Janeway went to her quarters. There she looked around them and then went to a window. She looked through and barely caught a glimpse of the Enterprise. Or was it the Sovereign? Well, it didn't really matter. The only thing that did matter was the fact that they were finally home. Some of her crew didn't make it, but most did. The only worries she had right now were Seven, the Doctor and the Maquis members of her crew. Things would work out fine, she was sure of that. But, first things first. She decided to rest for a while first and then find out what was new in the Alpha Quadrant. She took off her boots and lay on her bed. The last thoughts before she drifted off into slumber were about how good it was to be back home.
The End