Cube of Borg

Posted on Sun Mar 13th, 2016 @ 2:40am by Captain Enalia Telvan & Petty Officer 2nd Class Amelia Takethen & Commander Angelica Fairchild & Commander Sinek & Lieutenant Commander Ethan Chaparral MD & Lieutenant Daln Hadren & Lieutenant Taro Ishakawa & Lieutenant Dylan Santiago & Chief Petty Officer Ginifred Klem & Staff Warrant Officer Nexi

Mission: Talosian Perversions
Location: Hera Bridge

Enalia launched herself out of the turbolift onto the bridge, still wearing her dress whites from the banquet. "Report!" she snapped, glancing to the viewscreen as she plopped into her command chair. On that viewscreen was a purple lit cloud of ionized gas and in the middle of it was a Borg Cube in all its glory, seemingly adrift. Though the normal green lighting had been replaced with purple and blues.

An ensign at tactical replied. "Borg cube at forty thousand kilometers. Sensors didn't pick it up until we were almost on top of it. Power levels are very low so I'm guessing they're in a regeneration mode."

Then an ensign at the ops station spoke up. "The cloud of gas they're in appears to be ionized drive plasma from an unknown source. I think that's what masked them from our sensors."

"Hold this position and keep scanning them. See if there's any danger to us from either them or that plasma." Enalia commanded, staring at the viewscreen and collecting her thoughts. "If they're dead in the water, I'd like a way to destroy them if possible. If not, we'll have to drop a beacon and let Starfleet know."

Ishakawa began slotting the necessary resources to give the priority to Science Console to do the ordered scans. His fingers were moving about the controls adjusting the power levels and what allocations would best suit the needs of the ship while preparing the beacon as a stand by plan.

"Science given all priority of sensory resources and a beacon is on stand by ready for deployment after Command recorded message." Ishakawa informed as he kept abreast of the changing situation.

Commander Sinek arrived on bridge just as Ishakawa was detailing his efforts. "Good work," Sinek offered as a monotone praise. "Soon, we shall see what their presence is all about."

It was illogical for Sinek to express his concerns at the Borgs' presence. Everyone, from the oldest to the smallest of children knew of the horrors their presence would bring. "Captain, would you like for me to have engineering equip some bio dampeners?"

"Not yet, but have them ready." Enalia said, thinking hard about what to do next.

From the Science Station, Sinek typed in the message to Engineering. Satisfied with the message, he sent it off to Engineering.

Daln was at the tactical station, still in his dress whites, still spotless, but he had the idea it wouldn't be much longer. "Their weapons are not charged, captain, and their shields are not up." He tapped a few more controls. "I can't make heads or tails of this. Why are they ignoring us?" He was baffled; the Borg usually tried to assimilate everything in their path.

Ethan, who technically was not a bridge officer had just stepped out of the turbo lift a few seconds earlier and caught the tail end of the conversation, "Frankly, given the circumstances, I'm not very concerned about the Borg. I'm concerned with whatever did this to them."

"Indeed," Sinek flatly wondered. "Perhaps they are crippled. Should we deploy a probe at this time, Captain?" He glanced at the initial sensor readings, which were not providing any explanation as of yet. "It could mean Species 8472."

Enalia gripped her armrests tighter at the mention of the Undine. They only had one remaining tricobalt torpedo as Command hadn't deemed it a necessity to rearm the Hera with a 'full' loadout of four of the warheads. "Launch a pair of probes. One to enter that cloud of gas and the other to circumnavigate it." She ordered, her dislike for this situation growing.

As the probes were fired, data started feeding back to the science stations, relaying the recorded information. The first probe entered the plasma field and immediately, the probe started losing power and the datalink cut off a few seconds after entry. The other probe was fine though, flying in a large circle around the cloud and cube.

"The probe heading into the plasma field has lost power," Sinek calmly stated. "The good news is, the one going around the cube is still active."

Enalia nodded, continuing to watch the viewscreen.

Daln kept looking for anything else that might crop up, but found nothing. He looked at Ens Dippschtick. "Any new readings from your sensors?"

"Tactical sensors report nothing new. Telemetry from probe one has cut out. Probe two is functioning normally and seems to have found a thin spot in the field on the other side. It looks like our best bet for an attack on the cube, if we have to." The Ensign wasn't too skilled with that part of his job, but he was quickly getting the hang of it. "I think I can even guide a torpedo through it manually."

Daln nodded in approval. Dippschtick was learning quickly. "Hold off on that for a second. Captain, do you want us to destroy the cube or do you want to conduct more scans?" Hadren was learning quickly that Telvan was a bit unconventional. Where other captains would destroy something out of caution, she dived in headfirst. He waited, knowing the verdict she would give.

"Personally, I'd like to investigate. Besides that, I'm pretty sure we'd exhaust our supply of torpedoes and that thing would still be mostly there. Any thoughts on sending a demolitions team over like we did with that Romulan station?" Enalia commented, checking her sensor feed on her console.

Daln nodded. "Where should the security team meet, ma'am?" He was getting ready to call Hernandes and Thorne, but thought that Gates would be better than a four legged poop machine, even if the Borg did deserve it.

When Angel and Sinek had arrived, Enalia had things well in hand, leaving Angel to observe and plan how they might address the problem. As mention of the security team meeting somewhere was made, she glanced up from the little console beside her chair. "I haven't decided whether or not I'm comfortable sending a team in the first place, let alone who's going to be on it." More to the point, why did everyone keep acting like she needed an armed security team any time she went somewhere? It was like everyone had forgotten who the chief of security had been before Hadren had arrived, and it was downright infuriating. Pushing that feeling aside for the moment, she went back to her plan in progress. "A large team risks early detection by the Borg, and I need people who are skilled in moving around undetected." She paused, looking at Enalia. "Captain Telvan will remain here." Everything about Angel's tone suggested she would stun Enalia and stuff her in a cabinet if that 'suggestion' went unheeded. "As for the team, it'll be myself and Nexi..."

Angel wanted someone who knew power systems and might reasonably be able to find the best places to set demolition charges, but she wasn't sure who besides Amelia had that sort of knowledge. She took a moment to look at the Engineering and Operations manifests, skimming over each person's skills and qualifications. "Chief Petty Officer Klem, and two from security. Preferably two are are at least somewhat stealthy and... not Bart. He's a valuable asset, but I'm afraid he's not very useful against Borg."

Daln grinned. "He would leave a few very well-deserved presents, though. I'll get Hernandes up here and bring Thorne with me. She's good at hunting deer, so she'd be a good choice for stealth."

Enalia had to stifle a snicker at Angels insistence, but had to admit that it was for the best. "That sounds reasonable. Lieutenant Hadren, I'd prefer you be here at tactical in case something happens." Then leaning in to Angel, she continued. "Petty Officer Takethen is pretty good with strange tech. Why not take her as well? Unless you think Ven will try to Borg zombify her if something happens."

Daln nodded. "Aye, ma'am." He had the reflexes and cool head needed in this situation. Didn't mean he had to like it. "I'll send Hawke and Wang. Both are stealthy and are good with the TR-118s. Which shuttlebay should I send them to?"

"Captain," Sinek added, Engineering reports they have as many as six bio dampeners available. The team may move aroun on the cube without being detected."

"Main hangar deck. We're taking the Thor. Have them meet me there in ten minutes." Getting up from her seat, Angel tapped her comm badge. "Fairchild to Klem, Takethen, and Nexi. Meet me on the main hangar deck outside the Thor in ten minutes."

"Try not to scratch the paint. The Thor has less than an hour of flight time logged." Enalia teased as Angel headed out.

"Be careful," Sinek added from the Science Station as he turned to watch her leave. He would rather be there with her, but he knew his duty lie here on the bridge.

"I will." With a brief smile in Sinek's direction, Angel headed for the turbolift.

"I would volunteer." Ishakawa said from OPS Station. "Communications will be paramount in this operation and I am the best man on the ship." He said with an even tone. "I am also checked out with Phaser and Hand to Hand combat so I will not hinder the operation."

Already at the tubolift door, Angel looked over her shoulder to see that the newest volunteer was the same man who had started shouting in Orion about not hurting each other while T'Zal was trying to kill her. What was he even doing on the bridge? He should have been relieved of duty until cleared by counseling and medical. "The Thor only carries six, and until I'm familiar with your combat capabilities I can't justify taking you on a potentially deadly mission. Sorry, Lieutenant, maybe next time." As she finished speaking, the turbolift arrived and Angel disappeared into it.

Chief Ginny Klem had the wonderful honor of having seen the large Borg cube from an observation port several minutes ago. Seeing as the starship had not immediately blasted their drone asses into oblivion or at the very least made the attempt, Klem surmised that something was up and that someone would be going over either by transporter or by shuttle.

She had the transporters ready by the time the call came in from the Bridge. Snodgrass! she thought to herself cursing slightly. They would be taking a shuttle instead she thought as she grabbed a kit, stuffed a tricorder inside and quickly packed a few engineering tools, and headed out the doors to hopefully beat the members of the away team.

As Transporter Chief and Shuttlebay Manager, nobody left the starship Hera without Chief Klem knowing about it. She nearly whacked the communicator off her work jacket in response. "I'm already heading towards the main Hangar deck, Commander...just give me a few minutes to get the Thor ready for you and your party" she replied huffing as her short legs and hooves clattered down Hera's corridors.

Nexi wasn't far from the hangar bay and responded quickly enough to the summons to get to the shuttle about the same time as Chief Klem. "Oink oink," Nexi said to tease the Tellarite Petty Officer about her waddling gait as they boarded the Thor together. Although the thought occurred to Nexi that she should probably stop teasing the only other person aside from Enalia who knew when she was coming and going in the Wandering Star, especially if she wanted to get back in to her docking bay the next time she went out.

Hawke and Wang showed up next. Hawke was a tall, dark man who appeared slender but was actually very strong. Wang was an athletic Oriental woman with sharp eyes and strong hands. Both carried TR-118s as well as hand phasers. They were standing by the Thor, ready to go.

Chief Ginny Klem wasted no time in giving the shuttle a quick yet thorough pre-flight checking. She whipped out a tricorder and made sure there were no strange readings. She checked the the sensors, weapons, and life support. All were fine. The arrival of Nexi with her 'oink oink' line triggered Ginny to placed one hand on her hip and swiftly turn her other hand around and sharply spring up a well selected digit.

The Chief knew the woman's teasing was in jest as was her response. "Next time you leave my hangar, you might have to huff and puff to find your way back in" quipped Chief Klem as she packed up her equipment and tucked her tools back into the frontal pockets of her work jacket. She was on her way off the shuttle, not knowing nor expecting that she was actually assigned to this mission. She was under the impressions that she was simply called to ensure the shuttle was ready.

"Oi, them doors better open next time I sneak out or you're not getting anymore of that mud from Ferenginar..." Nexi called out after Klem, snickering as she took a seat at the pilot console and ran through the start-up sequences for take off while waiting for the others to arrive. Nexi liked Klem, she always did good work and knew how to take a joke!

There was a squealing from the Chief Petty Officer as an initial response. It was followed up by a few snorts and grunts. "The doors will open" she added simply. "Next time you are making a run, bring me back some cream from Risa. My left hoof has been acting up."

"Done!" Nexi said with a grin. It was probably against all that Starfleet protocol crap, but Nexi didn't see any harm in 'greasing the gears' if it helped open doors.

Wang and Hawke entered into the shuttle and took their seats. Wang put the restraints over her legs, while Hawke left them off. Wang smirked at Hawke. "You might want to put the restraints on. Remember getting tossed around last time?'

Hawke shook his head. "It'll be fine. I doubt it's going to be that rough."

Still tinkering around outside the shuttle to make sure the exterior was in tip top shape, Chief Klem was walking around the shuttle's opened hatch when she heard the chattering. The Tellarite woman let out a very loud snort. "Oh you two will want to strap in...TIGHT" said Klem firmly shaking his head and tsking. "With Nexi flying, it's always rough" commented Ginny. "Besides, if it's not rough, it isn't fun" added Chief Klem.

That's when Amelia finally arrived, one of her expanded toolkits slung over one shoulder and a crazy looking tricorder on her other hip. "Let me guess... Captain thinks it's a good idea for us to assault that Borg cube with a runabout?" she asked as she stowed her case and strapped in tight at what passed for a science and operations seat.

Hawke shook his head. "I think it's more along the lines of stash some explosives inside and blow it up. There would be no way that a runabout could attack a Cube."

Wang gave him a look. "I think that's what she meant, Bird Brain."

Hawke scowled as he put on his restraints. He hated that nickname.

Angel arrived precisely at the ten minute mark, pleased to find that her team was already gathered inside the Thor... except for Klem, who was still poking about at the runabout's hull. "Once the Thor passes inspection, I expect you to join us, Chief."

Ginny Klem nearly dropped a spangler wrench on her hooves. She turned quickly and looked at the First Officer who had just recently arrived in the bay. "Did I just hear you right, Commander?"

"I don't believe I stuttered, Chief." Angel smiled slightly, heading inside the runabout.

Chief Klem let out several loud squeals of excitement and joy. "This piggy went squee squee squee all the way to the nasty Borg Cube!" she shouted. The fact someone could be that happy to be going to a Borg Cube likely would have confused many. The Chief grabbed the wrench and checked her pockets and engineering kit. She pulled out a tube of lipstick from her jacket pocket and applied the ravish me red onto her lips.

She looked at the First Officer and puckered. "Did I get any on my snout?" she asked as she fixed her hair.

"There's always a comedian. Strap in, Chief." Only a little amused, Angel stowed her gear in one of the runabout's lockers before taking the seat next to Nexi.

Hawke shook his head in disbelief. "Why are you wearing lipstick to fly to a Borg cube? Are you looking to find one to date?" he asked sarcastically.

Wang kept her face neutral and didn't say anything, but her thoughts were about the same. Don't wear lipstick in a situation where it will only get messed up, was Wang's motto.

The Chief sat down and strapped in securely. She looked at Hawke and smiled. "Yes, I am looking for a really attractive male companion on the Borg Cube because I can't find any good looking men in this shuttle" quipped Chief Klem. "In all seriousness, I do have a date with the Borg. I've been waiting for this day since 2367."

That sobered Hawke. "Who?" he asked. "Who did you lose?"

Chief Klem knew this was not the time to trade stories. Taking about the Borg, the past, and everything would just conjure up darkness and potentially jeopardize the mission. The officers aboard the Hera were thick skinned and in Klem's opinion the best of the best. However, if she said too much it may rattle their cages and cloud their minds aboard the Borg Cube...costing lives if they weren't careful.

She simply let out a small sigh. "My father when I was young, before I joined Starfleet" she quickly stated, not delving too deeply. "It's a story for another time" she added carefully.

Hawke nodded, knowing that not much could be said, if anything. From on until the launch, he kept his mouth shut. She needed time to get her head in the game again, to lose sight of the distractions. Even the distractions that never went away.

Wang simply put a hand on her shoulder for a moment before leaning back on her chair. When she wanted to talk, she would. If she didn't, she wouldn't, and the human woman would leave it up to her.