| Released July 14th 2008 Abyss of Oblivion by Missbevcrusher Rated [R] Chapter 2 �There seems to be minimal activity on the Borg vessel, sir.� Data continued his assessment, �Their shields are down and their weapons are offline.� �What are they doing just sitting there like that?� Riker leaned against the back of Data�s chair. Picard was the one who came up with a possible answer. �If I didn�t know any better, I�d say they�re trying to make us squirm.� The poker-faced first officer thought, if that�s the case then it�s working. Data cocked his head to the side. �The configuration seems the same as the ship we encountered six years ago. If they have evolved somehow, our instruments cannot detect it.� �Alright, since we�ve learned about as much as we can, there�s only one thing left to do.� Picard headed for the center of the bridge. Somehow, he seemed to be standing straighter than usual. Perhaps that was his way of masking his fears. �Open a channel.� The ship�s intercommunication system chirped. �Hailing frequencies opened,� said the Lieutenant manning the tactical station. �Borg vessel, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise. If you do not�� A horrible chorus of Borg voices resounded on the bridge, �Locutus�� And then dissipated. �Sir, they have severed communications.� The captain had expected their customary lines of �You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.� Instead, they�d been cut off. Just what kind of game are they playing? To himself, Picard muttered, �You won�t speak to us, fine. That just means we�ll have to go to you.� �Sir?� Riker frowned as he approached his captain. With a deadly serious look in his eyes, Picard pursed his lips. �The Enterprise alone is no match against that thing in a battle. Our only option is to do damage from the inside. I�m going over there.� �I�m sorry, Captain. But I cannot allow you to man this mission. If they really are after you, then why make it easier for them to get what they want? I�ll lead the away team.� Begrudgingly, Picard agreed. As much as he wanted revenge on the Borg, he would put the aside his own personal feelings for the time being. Searching the deep recesses of his mind for the knowledge he still retained on the Borg, the captain then did his best to explain to Will what he should be looking for. With brisk strides toward the turbolift, Riker said to the tactical officer, �Lieutenant Callaway, assemble a full security team. You�re coming with me.� Just as he got to the lift, the doors opened. Inside stood Deanna. As soon as she sensed Will�s emotions, she knew� �You�re going over there.� It was more a statement than a question. �I am.� Deanna nodded, her expression filled with barely contained terror. Inside his mind, Riker heard only one thing. Be careful, Imzadi� * * * * The team climbed onto the transporter platform, equipped with state of the art phaser riffles. Before beaming out, Riker gave the last instructions, �Based on what we know, the Borg only attack when they feel threatened. So stay on you guard but try not to show an aggressive stance. And in the event that we do have to defend ourselves, remember to keep modulating your weapon�s frequencies and fire as few shots as possible. They can adapt rather quickly.� Although they had tried to mask it, the members of the away team all felt unnerved by the commander�s pre-mission briefing. �Okay, let�s go.� The first officer nodded to the transporter chief. �Energize.� The humid and imposing surroundings of the inside of the cube now surrounded the team. The only Borg visible were the ones regenerating in their alcoves. With a jerk of the head, Riker indicated for his team to follow him. * * * * On the bridge, Picard sat in his command chair and listened as his first officer relayed information over his combadge. �Everything is quiet so far� They�re all dormant� We�re proceeding further in�� Sitting in her customary seat, Troi could feel Riker�s anxiety mixing with her own. Time seemed to pass by in a slow trickle for the officers on the bridge. �There seems to be a chamber up ahead, it�s unlike anything we�ve passed by so far.� As the captain listened, more and more details started to emerge from his distorted memories as Locutus. A chamber� yes, I think I remember� But what did the chamber contain? He tried to remember, but all he got were brief flashes. � The sickening green hue of the light that shone through the humidity� � Tubing everywhere� � And there was that female voice again, �Locutus�� Its sound seemed to slither in a seductive yet menacing way. �The coast seems clear�� Riker�s voice broke through Picard�s thoughts. �Watch your back, Number One. I think there might be trouble lurking there.� * * * * The team continued their slow, alert approach toward the chamber. So far, so good, thought Riker. Their quiet steps were executed in precise unison as the gap between them and the large doorway ahead closed. But all of a sudden their feet hit an invisible trip-wire�a sensory threshold meant to keep invaders at bay. The dormant Borg immediately awakened and they all honed in on the now meager-feeling away team. * * * * �What the hell� Everybody, retreat! Retreat!� Over the intercom, they heard shots being fired repeatedly. Picard was already on his feet. �Picard to transporter room. Get them out now!� �Aye, sir.� There was a slight pause. �Something�s causing interference. I�m having trouble locking on to them.� A few more seconds passed. �Transporter room! Report!� �� I was only able to get Commander Riker, Sir� I lost the lock on the rest of the team.� Dammit! The captain was furious at the Borg. �Keep trying, Chief.� On the sidelines, Deanna felt torn. Although she was horrified at the prospect of some of their crew being stuck over there, her Imzadi had made it back. * * * * �All of a sudden, they came out of nowhere.� Riker sat on a biobed in sickbay while Dr. Crusher proceeded to mend the shoulder injury he�d suffered during his hasty retreat. �It was as if they didn�t want us anywhere near that chamber.� Picard stood a few steps away. �Although I don�t remember all the specifics, I do know that there�s something in that chamber. And whatever it is, it�s crucial to the Borg.� �I ordered the team to pull back and they did� but they didn�t make it back nonetheless� You don�t think�� Riker couldn�t quite finish his question. �I don�t know, Number One. The Borg I knew were never interested in assimilating individuals. But if they perceived them as a threat� the likelihood is that they�ve been killed.� �So what now?� �I�m not sure� there has been no change in activity within the cube since you came back.� Crusher closed the top cover of her tissue-mending device. �It�ll be tender for a few days, but your shoulder should heal just fine.� �Thank you, Doctor,� said Will as he got off the biobed. �Bridge to Captain Picard.� �Picard here.� �Sir, the Borg ship is hailing us.� �I�m on my way.� The captain nodded curtly toward Riker and then cast one final glance at Crusher. Her face was a blank, but to him it was obvious. She was worried. Very worried. With his first officer by his side, Picard walked with brisk determination toward the bridge. The journey was made in silence for neither could guess what the Borg were up to. When the turbolift doors opened onto the bridge, there was a heavy sense of uncertainty in the air. The replacement officer for Lieutenant Callaway looked straight at the captain. �The Borg are standing by, Captain.� �On screen.� The visual of the cube vanished and was replaced by an all too alien scene. Green lights flashed through a haze of steam, black tubing intertwining and slithering in the background. Then from out of the mist emerged an artificial-looking female body void of a neck and head. Then suddenly, from above came the rest� A misshapen head, elongated and without hair, descended. The skin was a pasty gray with darker veins showing below the translucent moist surface. With tubes sticking out and back in again, the sight was nothing short of sickening. From below her neck and upper chest protruded an artificial spine that moved back and forth like a snake. When it finally made contact with the body below, a series of small hooks caught on to the disgusting skin and attached it securely to the cybernetic lower half. Everyone on the bridge had their eyes glued to the screen in disbelief for they�d never seen such a sight. Except for Picard. He remembered now. The Queen� �Hello, Locutus� It�s been so long.� �You�� Jean-Luc�s voice was low and full of hate. �Why, not happy to see me?� The Borg creature walked slowly across the screen, her lips turned in a devious smile. There was just something about the Queen� it was difficult to explain but she was both beautiful and horrifying at the same time. �What are you doing here? Where are my officers?� The captain�s voice rose in anger. The Queen laughed. �So many questions, and from such a small mind.� �You will not get away with what you�ve done� Never again�� �Those are bold words.� Picard was losing patience with her evasive ways. �What do you want?� �Oh, but you already know the answer to that question.� �You will not use me this time.� �You say that as though you didn�t enjoy our time spent together.� �Enjoy myself?� Picard�s anger rose to boiling point. �You murdered thousands of people!� �We simply eliminated thousands of inferior beings. Don�t you remember how glorious it was? How freeing it was to no longer be confined to your humanly limits?� �There�s nothing freeing about being held against one�s will.� �It�s a shame you can�t see what you lost. You had knowledge beyond your wildest imaginings all at your fingertips� Not an easy feat for a mere human.� At that moment, the lift doors opened on the far side of the bridge and in walked Dr. Crusher. As chief medical officer, it was her prerogative to visit the command center of the Enterprise whenever she felt like it. Seeing her staff was now fully ready, she hadn�t been able to stay away. But despite having seen many unsettling things during her career, Beverly was not fully prepared for the sight on the viewscreen. The fact that there was a newcomer on the bridge did not go unnoticed by the Queen. She glanced directly at the doctor for several seconds. And there was something hidden behind her stare. Picard was very much aware of the fact that the Queen had honed her attention on Beverly and he didn�t like it one bit. Desperate for her to focus on him instead, he said, �What has come of my away team?� Finally, she looked away from the doctor and addressed the captain once more. �They�re alive� for now�� With an elegant gesture of her hand, the view changed to that of his officers. The four of them stood in the middle of a closed off section of the cube, seeming unharmed for the moment. And then they were gone, replaced by the hideous leader of the hive mind. �If you want to see them again, you know what you have to do.� �I will not become Locutus. Never.� �You misunderstand� I just want to talk� alone. You have one hour�� The screen reverted to the view of the cube�s exterior and silence fell on the bridge. Finally, Riker spoke, �What the hell was that thing?� With a stare void of emotion, Picard answered, �The Borg Queen.� * * * * In the privacy of the ready-room, Riker tried to make his captain see reason. �Sir, you can�t go over there. The risk is too high. Perhaps if we waited for the taskforce we could...� �By the time the taskforce arrives, it will be too late, Number One. I cannot leave my men there. I will not leave them in the hands of those monsters.� Picard then got a faraway look in his eyes. �There�s been too much death at the hands of the Borg already�� He then turned and headed toward his viewport. �Furthermore, they�re planning something� Something very big� I can sense it.� �But, Sir� you�re no match for them. What do you hope to accomplish by going over there?� �I know the odds aren�t very good, but believe me I do have a plan. You see I�m starting to remember more now. The Queen� she�s been there all along. She controls everything, she controls the hive. If I kill her, it would be the end of them.� �We can send somebody else.� �Without me, the chances of getting access to that chamber are near zero.� Picard spun back around. �Believe me, this is the only way.� * * * * �Ever since our first encounter with the Borg, Starfleet has been testing and developing new types of weapons to defend against another invasion.� Data tapped a few controls on the small console that sat in front of him. A small holographic-projection then appeared at the center of the observation lounge table. The 3-D image showed a simulation of small nanite-like objects that were in the process of altering not only living tissue, but the halting the computerized processes of cybernetic implants as well. �If correctly implanted, these should theoretically destroy a Borg from the inside out.� Picard leaned back in his chair. �We have less than thirty minutes before the deadline. Do we have enough time to create these nano-probes, Mister Data?� �Starfleet has made the complete specs available. We could successfully replicate some within a minimal amount of time.� �Make it so. Dismissed.� The captain nodded in satisfaction and got up. The last person to rise from her seat was Crusher. She had a very bad feeling about all of this. Somehow, this all seems too easy� She frowned in silent reservation and left the observation lounge along with the others. When Beverly stepped onto the bridge, she immediately headed for the seat that was usually left for her. Uneasy, the doctor remained quiet as she watched the crew prepare for the captain�s upcoming departure. From time to time, Crusher would focus solely on Jean-Luc. She knew how to read the subtleties in his facial features, the tone of his voice. He was deeply troubled. She could hardly blame him, but at the same time wondered whether his personal feelings toward the Borg were clouding his judgment. And as she waited, dark memories started to resurface. � On the viewscreen of the Enterprise-D, a nightmare unfolded. With detached, almost robotic movements, the man she loved walked forward, a row of Borg on either side. His skin contrasted harshly against the black cybernetic devices implanted throughout his body. The red light near his eye�like a predator seeking its prey. When it finally settled on them, the voice she heard was not that of Jean-Luc�s. It sounded like a chorus, with only the slightest hint of the man beneath. No, he wasn�t the man she�d known all those years. He was one of them and she remembered how her heart had shattered for the second time that day. �I am Locutus of Borg� Resistance is futile� Your life as it has been is over� From this time forward, you will service� us�� � Although her subsequent nightmares surely paled in comparison to Jean-Luc�s, Beverly had been haunted by that moment nevertheless throughout the years. What if it happens again? Her throat seemed to tighten in on her as she pondered that possibility. Dear God, no� Numb, she watched as the last preparations unfolded. Finally, he turned to glance at her. Time did not exist as they revealed in that one look more than they�d ever been able to say aloud. And just like that, he boarded the turbolift and was gone. I can�t lose him� Not like this� From across the bridge, Beverly could feel Deanna�s sympathetic gaze on her. This was all too much to take. * * * * Somberly, Picard made his way toward transporter room three. The horrific whispers were all too present within him. �Jean-Luc, wait.� Her voice, it always seemed to soothe him when his soul was troubled. He stopped and turned. Beverly stood at the end of the darkened and deserted corridor. Her eyes were pleading as she stepped closer. �I want to go with you.� The thought of her being on that vessel of death sent a terrifying shudder through him. �You can�t� Not this time�� He, too, started slowly walking toward her. When they were face to face, Crusher continued, �Going there alone, it�s crazy.� �I have to do this.� �I know you do, but if we go together we might have a better chance.� Her eyes filled with tears, but none fell. Slowly, Jean-Luc reached for her hands. He grasped them and held them tightly against his chest. When he spoke, it was in a whisper, �Beverly, listen to me� I can�t risk it� Trust me it�s better this way�� She shook her head ever so slightly. �You�re talking as though you don�t think you�ll be coming back�� He let his silence confirm her assumption. Reality hit the doctor so hard she had trouble controlling the shaking that was starting to overcome her. With her breath quivering, she whispered, �No� Please�� Seeing her like this was heartbreaking. �I�m sorry�� With only raw emotions guiding her, Beverly leaned forward and brushed her lips against his, her tears finally fell. Before pulling away, she needed to say one more thing. �Come back to me�� Picard wished he could promise her that. But it was impossible. With one last squeeze of her hands, the captain took a step back, and then one more, until he had to let go. Silently, Beverly watched him leave and wondered if she�d ever see him again. continue to chapter 3 Library |