Chapter 14 From out of the midst of the explosion, came the Enterprise's Stardrive hull, s

Chapter 14 From out of the midst of the explosion, came the Enterprise's Stardrive hull, shields flaring brightly where debris from the Borg ship passed through them. Even more surprising, the shields were clearly visible, pulsing with energy. On board the Stardrive module, Geordi was hurriedly explaining his plan to Data, Worf, and Scotty. "...So I had the Enterprise transporters lock onto anything in the cargo bay or the raw material store for the replicator and beamed the energy directly into the Warp chamber, without materializing it into matter. This energy was fed directly into the shields and used to push the Borg ship apart around us." Scott and Data were listening intently, but Worf was ready to fight. "How much power is left for the weapons?" the Klingon asked. As they entered Engineering, Chris looked up and answered, "Enough for you to indulge yourself, Lieutenant." This brought a slow smile to Worf's face, and he turned to Data, "Permission to attack the Borg, sir." Data tilted his head to the side as he thought it over, gold eyes reflecting the energy surges in the Warp core. "Granted, Lieutenant, but only until we reconnect the sections." "Aye, sir." Worf turned and hurried to the Battle Bridge. "Data, I have a plan," said Gawron. "And I'd like to see what you think of it." "Proceed, Ensign." "Since our shields are still at excess power levels," he looked at Geordi, questioningly, who nodded, then continued, "why don't we execute a series of suicide runs at the Borg ship?" "Ensign, why should we wish to kill ourselves?" asked the android. "No, Data," said Geordi. "What he means is to fly over the Borg ship so that the lower part of the shields is actually inside the Borg ship, ripping it away. If Worf fires phasers simultaneously, we could do a lot of damage before they can adapt." "Very well, Geordi, implement this plan. You also, Ensign." As they left, Scott turned to Data. "An' what about me? I dinna belong here." "You mean you remember where you belong, now?" "Yes, sir. I belong on the Enterprise, but not this one. At least not yet," he finished hopefully. "We will return you to your ship at the earliest possible convenience," replied Data. "Kin I at least have a look around, first?" "Of course, Commander," Data nodded. "Be my guest." Scott gleefully ran from station to station, examining readouts. On the Bridge of the Saucer, Picard was thrown off his feet and everyone else was knocked off their feet by the force of the explosion. In Sickbay, Doctors Pulaski and Selar were just helping Aures out of her bed, to walk around Sickbay, when the explosion came. The diagnostic panel above the bed ripped free from the wall and crashed down on Aures. Sparks danced across the back of the unit, and the smell of burnt flesh and melted hair came from beneath the medical scanner. Because of the free electricity, neither Pulaski nor Selar could get near enough to check Aures' life signs. Not that it would have mattered anyway. If she had been at the best hospital in the Federation, with the best surgeons, it wouldn't have mattered. Aures' body was little more than a piece of charcoal. As they both knew that Aures was done for, Pulaski and Selar left her where she was for the moment, and began making preparations for the wounded they knew would soon arrive. Unseen by them, a brief flash of electricity arced up one of the electrical pathways that was still connected and disappeared into the wall. "Spock, what in the hell do they think they're doing," screamed Kirk, as the Stardrive roared low over the Borg, apparently headed directly for the Enterprise. As the Stardrive passed over the Borg, a layer twenty meters thick appeared to dissolve. Large pits were created by the withering phaser fire, every one of which found its mark at such great power, that for now at least, the Borg's adaptational abilities were useless. "It would appear, Captain, that that ship is on our side, and making an attempt to free us from the Borg tractor beam," answered the Vulcan calmly. "Captain, Warp engines back online and under helm control," Sulu reported, surprised, as his console returned to life. "Veapons fully functional, as vell, Keptin," reported Chekov. "Whoever took control from the Bridge, must have set a time delay before he beamed out," mused Kirk, out loud. Then to Sulu, "Lay in course 90 mark 174, get us above the action as quickly as possible, Mister Sulu." "Aye, sir," the Asian replied. "Course laid in, maximum speed." The Enterprise limped and struggled to rise. Slowly it picked up speed, faltering because of the Borg damage. Although the Warp engines were online, the engine nacelles themselves were so damaged and out of alignment, that Warp speed would have been impossible. The Stardrive section turned to make another pass, but this time, the Borg erected a force field and the Enterprise shields dropped down to 50% of normal as the ship passed through it. Worf's phaser barrage was now shrugged off, as well. On the Battle Bridge, Data was opening a channel to the Saucer Section. "Data to Picard. I suggest we reconnect the Enterprise." "Agreed," came Picard's voice over the comm-channel. "Rendezvous with the Saucer at 176 mark 265 in 60 seconds." "Aye, sir. Data out." "Course 118 mark 53, speed .2 impulse," reported Ensign Gawron, anticipating Data's orders. "Lieutenant Worf, cease fire. Damage report of Stardrive Section and Borg ship." "Aye, Commander. Minor damage to lower four decks of Stardrive Section. Shield power increasing to normal. Scanning the Borg now... Energy levels down 15%, subspace activity 56% of normal," reported the Klingon calmly. Then, with some surprise, "Sir, the Borg ship has been reduced in size by 12%. Reading no atmosphere...wait, they are rebuilding. Reading minimal atmosphere." "Acknowledged, Lieutenant," said Data. "Prepare to reconnect the Enterprise." Data tapped out all his commands on the control pad mounted into the Command Chair's armrests. The Saucer grew larger as it seemed to drift across, then be centered in the forward viewscreen. "Distance 250 meters and closing," Data counted off. "200 meters...decreasing speed to 10 meters per second...100 meters...50 meters...decreasing speed to 5 meters per sec--" The saucer spun crazily on the viewscreen, as the Borg ship pummeled it under a disastrous barrage. All occupants of the Stardrive and Saucer had been so intent on reconnecting the Enterprise, that they forgot the Borg's ability to fight while they heal themselves. The Bridge exhaust fans began to clear the smoke from the sparking, smoldering consoles. On the Enterprise schematic on the rear wall, large sections of the Stardrive section flashed read, damaged. "Warning! Hull breached on decks 14 through 19, and decks 25 through 31! Severe structural damage on decks 12 through 33!" The computer's voice could be heard over the red alert klaxons. "Computer, projected time until total structural failure," requested Data. "Five minutes and 14 seconds, if no further damage is incurred," the computer responded, matter-of-factly. "Chief Engineer," said Data, activating his combadge. "Yes," answered Geordi and Scott simultaneously from Engineering. "I require the Enterprise shields to be reconfigured to 'form-fit' the Enterprise. Use all available power, except life support and weapons." "Aye, sir." Again, they both answered in unison, as the link closed. "Ensign Gawron, plot a course to the nearest planet with an atmosphere within 10% of Earth's," ordered Data. "Yes, sir. Wolf 359C is within 5 minutes of our present position at Warp 2," Gawron answered. "Lay in a course and engage. Also contact the Saucer and have them follow us." "Aye, sir." The Stardrive section turned and entered Warp space, followed, on impulse power, by the Saucer and its burden. Seeing the Stardrive section as the main threat, the Borg decided to chase the Engineering hull and to destroy the Saucer later. Soon all was quiet, except for the Enterprise's emergency beacon: "Help. U.S.S. Enterprise, to any ships in range. This is Captain James T. Kirk. Need assistance. Hurry." "The shield is reinforcing the hull, but I still don't think it will withstand the strain of entering a planet's atmosphere," said Geordi concernedly over the intercom from Engineering. He had heard what Data had in mind, and even though it would in all likelyhood destroy the Borg, it could do the same to the ship. "Understood, Geordi. Your objection is noted. Proceed with modifications to the navigational deflector as per my specifications," answered the android from the Battle Bridge. Chris turned from the navigator's station, looking questioningly at Data. He had never heard of the android so cavalierly disregarding such a strong warning as Geordi had first expressed. Still, his was not to question, but for now, to fly the ship. Worf was once again manning tactical, even though he had nothing to do for the moment. Data sat in the command chair, concentrating his thoughts on Captain Picard. 'Why hadn't he said anything about my freeing Worf and stealing the Stardrive Section? Did he now remember who Geordi was?' He knew none of the answers for certain, which to Data was as good as not knowing the answers at all. "Now entering orbit around Wolf 359C," reported Gawron. The planet on the viewscreen, third from the red star, was mostly brown mottled with a sickly grey/green. Small oceans or lakes of molten rock dotted the surface. What water there was, evaporated into the atmosphere as soon as it fell on the still boiling surface. The planet may have had an Earth-like atmosphere, but it was the Earth of three and a half billion years ago. "Geordi," Data called down to Engineering. "How long until we will be ready to implement?" "Give me one more minute to fine tune my adjustments," the Engineer replied. In the background, Scott could be heard cursing loudly. Helping Geordi, he had reversed the polarity on the shield bypass circuit. Final result, a set of scorched fingers and jangled nerves. "Mister Gawron, plot a course to insert us into the planet's atmosphere at 75 degrees to the surface." "Aye, Commander Data," the young man replied. "Mister Worf, status of Borg ship?" "Sensors show they will arrive in 35 seconds. Energy readings are 89% of normal. No exterior damage evident," the Klingon said simply. Of all the foes he had faced, the Borg scared him the most. He did not like to admit it, but he was terrified by their emotionless natures. "Mister Gawron, is course laid in?" asked Data. The android was nervous, if such a thing was possible. He alone, after much analysis, knew the Borg's full potential for destruction. "Course computed and laid in. Ready on your command." On the arm of Data's chair, a light flashed, indicating that Geordi, also, was ready. In a ripple of space, the Borg ship appeared, dropping out of Warp space less than 5 kilometers. As it rotated, everyone saw the truth of Worf's sensor scans. They could see no damage. In fact, the Borg ship looked more powerful than before it was damaged. Slowly, almost warily, it advanced on the Enterprise. The tractor beam lashed out, but the Enterprise was no longer there. It had retreated into the planet's atmosphere. The Borg fired again, seemingly reluctant to follow the Stardrive Section. Another clean miss. This time, however, the Enterprise's tractor beam fired, locking on dead center to the face of the Borg cube nearest it. The Borg entered the atmosphere, having no choice other than to enter Warp again and risk losing the Enterprise. As the two ships moved deeper into the cloud of swirling gases, the glow of the Enterprise's tractor beam dimmed, atmospheric particles interfering with its intensity. On the Bridge, Data watched with satisfaction as the Borg were drawn ever deeper toward the planet. Geordi's status report had not been encouraging and the computer kept reminding them that the Enterprise would experience fatal structural failure if they did not leave the planet's atmosphere. Data thought back to his plan. It seemed foolish now, but in theory it would work. Data had reasoned that if the Borg could adapt to a purely energy attack, then what was needed was a more physical approach. Unfortunately, in space, such a physical assault would be impossible, short of colliding the Enterprise with the Borg. No, instead he had opted for a different approach. He theorized that if some kind of connector between the Borg and the Enterprise could be set up, and the correct vibrational frequency found, that the Borg could be destroyed. The best connector he could think of that was nearby, was a planetary atmosphere. And, because of it's content of water vapor, an Earth-like atmosphere was sufficiently thick to conduct the sound vibrations he intended to use. When Gawron reported that the Borg were fifteen kilometers from the surface, Data press the control studs on the right chair arm without looking, eyes intent on the viewscreen. The image on the viewscreen, the Borg ship in pursuit, swung quickly sideways and had to be reoriented to face forward once the spinning had stopped. The Enterprise was now facing the Borg at a range of one kilometer. "Mister Worf, fire," ordered Data. A deep, basso rumbling filled the Bridge, deafening all on it. Data knew that it must be worse for those in Engineering, closer to the deflector. The power continued to build up, threatening to tear the ship asunder. Geordi lost consciousness first, then Scott. Gawron was next, followed quickly be Worf. They just slumped over where they were sitting or standing, dead to the world. Data did not notice however. He, too, was suffering under the onslaught from the sound waves. Although more resilient than the others, his hearing, so much more sensitive, went first. Then his optic and vocal circuits were interrupted. Finally darkness closed in and Data's last thought to himself, trying to speak and failing, "So, this is death. Intriguing." Then Data slumped over sideways, too soon to hear the computer. "Warning, forward progress not abated. Planetary collision imminent. Five minutes to impact." These warnings joined the ones about structural failure, the computer talking to itself in stereo, yet with the same voice. The Enterprise continued its descent, followed by the Borg cube, until, sufficient power built up, a beam of solid sound erupted from the navigational deflector dish and slammed into the Borg ship. "Mister Callari, how long until we reach Wolf 359?" asked Picard. "About five minutes, sir," the young officer replied. "Preliminary sensor scans?" queried Riker. The young blond lieutenant at Ops spoke without turning, "Sensors show a massive energy discharge deep within Wolf 359C's atmosphere. Sensors unable to detect any ships in the area." "None whatsoever? That does not bode well, Number One. Surely, after the saucer, we're next. All hands to emergency battlestations. Red Alert." The red tracer lights flashed and the klaxon sounded as Picard grimly sat down in the command chair, contemplating what was almost certainly to be a battle to the death, with his side coming up short. "Captain, life support falling below minimum," Spock reported calmly, face neutral. If Spock feared death, he did not show it. "Dammit, Spock, show some emotion for a change!" shouted McCoy from his customary position behind the Captain's chair. He was perhaps a bit more irritable than usual because, now that Geordi LaForge was no longer on the Enterprise, McCoy was the only one who remembered him. He knew Scotty belonged on the Enterprise, but he had vanished. "Calm down, you two," Kirk said wearily from where he had been pacing up and down in front of the viewscreen. Spock raised an eyebrow, not realizing he had shown any emotion, because he indeed had not. McCoy continued to bluster. "But, Jim, if we don't do something soon --" Kirk interrupted, "I understand, Bones. I've got Spock working on the Science angle and Kyle and Leslie working in Engineering to get us up and running." Kirk seemed pleased with himself, but McCoy would not be distracted and finished his proclamation, "We're dead, Jim. Or as good as dead." "Thank you, Doctor." Kirk realized, too late, his unintentional and exagerrated emphasis on the last word. McCoy turned on his heel and stormed off the Bridge. "The good Doctor's concern is overly emotional, but it is also logical, Jim," said Spock, for once siding with McCoy. Spock felt fortunate that McCoy would never learn of it, or he would chide Spock about it for the rest of their days. As they only had four hours left, however, it would be barely tolerable. "I know, Spock, but I had to get McCoy off the Bridge so that we could concentrate. Uhura, have all off-duty personnel return to their quarters and tell them to take it easy, conserve as many resources as possible. Also, have someone distribute the oxygen tanks from the space suits to all on-duty crewmen." "Aye, sir," Uhura answered and went to work at her console, giving the appropriate orders to the appropriate people. "Mister Sulu, get us as close as possible to an M class planet. Mister Chekov, prepare to abandon ship." Kirk turned to Spock. "Spock, I'll need your help, when the time comes, with the self-destruct command." "Unwise, Captain, but I will assist." The crew set about their given assignments, trying to ignore the steadily decreasing readouts on the life support monitors. Well, what do you think? Enjoy... -- ** " (Quantum Leap) If at first you don't succeed, Leap, Leap again! "Will you stop STARING at me!" - Homer J. Simpson Doug Geiger - geiger@klaatu.cs.canisius.edu Semi-Official Net.Nozzle on Rec.Arts.TV (EXCELLENT.Dude #B-) ??????