Is Resistance Really Futile?

[+ Alix Harford]

This sim by Daniel "Mac" McGillian's writer offers something different in the stream of borg assimilations happening through the fleet. No spoilers, just read to the end... error...

 

Message Recieved... Error

(( Bridge, Deck 3 - Primary Hull, USS Chin’toka ))

Standing behind the tactical station on the Chin'toka was both an exhilarating and stressful moment for Mac. He was currently the highest ranking tactical and security officer on the ship. While he firmly believed in what they were doing, on some level he felt like he was a fish out of water. He barely had any combat experience, and fewer still his experience behind the tactical station on the bridge amounted to the small amount of time he had been standing at this very station. No pressure or anything.

 

Serala: So, you mean we don’t have a full store of supplies, correct?

 

Perkins: That’s right, Serala. But this ship wasn’t meant to launch yet. We aren’t expecting those supplies until Thursday.

 

The Captain blew out a frustrated breath and gritted her teeth as Sherlock dropped her head to the side at Perkins response. 

 

Serala: Fine. We’re not planning an extended launch anyway. If that’s all there is, we will be fine.

 

T’Ama: There’s also no tractor beam, captain.

 

The Captain grimaced again and turned to her Operations officer.

 

The XO's lips tucked, eyebrows raised, and then she looked down at her PADD.

 

Serala: No tractor beam?

 

T’Ama: It’s low priority on the load order.

 

Neshala: Captain, we’re getting a transmission. The parade is starting. Admiral Shelby is broadcasting to all the ships.

 

Captain Serala nodded at the Orion woman.

 

Serala: Very good. Place it on viewer.

 

Mac looked up at the viewscreen.

 

Shelby: =/\= A quarter millennium after the NX-01 took that first vital step, we gather on Frontier Day to take another; as we demonstrate our newest advancement, “Fleet Formation”. =/\=

 

Serala spun and looked at T’Ama.

 

Serala: Please tell me we were able to keep that from being installed.

 

T’Ama: I removed it from the update scripts before we booted the computer.

 

The Captain breathed a sigh of relief then turned back to Perkins as he began trying to defend himself.

 

Perkins: It wasn’t supposed to be installed until Thursday, Serala. I swear, you act like we knew you would be launching this ship today.

 

Was there anything this guy could say that wasn't going to annoy his CO and XO? Mac was beginning to have serious doubts that it was possible.

 

Shelby: =/\= Our next demonstration is the summation of decades of technological advancements. =/\=

 

Serala turned to her First Officer, determination clear on her face.

 

Serala: It’s time, Number One. Prepare the ship for immediate launch.

 

oO And here we go... Oo

 

Sherlock: Aye, Captain. ::standing and addressing the bridge officers:: All stations, ready for departure.

 

Serala: Lieutenant T’Ama, open a shipwide channel.

 

T'Ama tapped at her console.

 

T’Ama: Channel open, Captain.

 

Serala: =/\= All hands, this is the Captain. Prepare for immediate launch. Engineering, I need those engines online now. All stations, Red Alert. =/\=

 

The lights on the bridge dimmed and red lights illuminated even as alert klaxons began to sound throughout the ship.

 

Xiron / Is’Kah: =/\= Responses =/\=

 

The sound of the klaxons brought back childhood memories when the ship his parents served on would be in a dangerous situation. None of those memories involved himself being on the bridge. This was one of many firsts Mac expected he'd be experiencing in a very, very, short span of time.

 

Serala: =/\= We don’t have four hours, Lieutenant. Give me impulse power. We shouldn’t be going to warp anytime soon, anyway. Once we’ve launched you can continue working on getting the warp engines online. I’m sending Commander Ilsam down to assist. =/\=

 

She nodded at Ilsam to go ahead and head down to assist.

 

Islam: Response, if any.

 

Xiron / Is’Kah: =/\= Responses =/\=

 

Serala: =/\= Counselor Brodie to the Bridge. Commander Kel and Lieutenant Doucet, prepare sickbay for potential casualties. =/\=

 

Kel: =/\= Kel to Bridge. Understood Captain. =/\=

 

Brodie / Doucet: =/\= Responses =/\=

 

As the Engineering team brought the engines up to full power, the hum throughout the ship intensified. Mac felt goosebumps run down his spine. He wasn't sure what he was more excited about, the familiar feeling of being on a ship, or the fact they were stealing it in order to protect the Federation from one of the gravest threats that may have ever presented itself. On second thought he was sure, it was the latter.

 

Moving to her seat in the command center, Serala turned to face the viewscreen briefly before slowly sitting in the chair for the first time ever.

 

She paused for a moment. Mac noted the importance of this moment, and a smile escaped. As quickly as it had begun, it was over as the Captain began to issue orders, starting with Mac.

 

Serala: Mister McGillian, bring weapon systems online. Arm torpedoes and standby.

 

McGillian: Already? 

 

She turned to face him. Mac felt his eyes widen for a moment.

 

Serala: I am aware this is supposed to be a celebration, Ensign. But trust me, it’s about to go very badly. We don’t know what the Borg and Changelings have planned, but it has something to do with this celebration and I want to be prepared.

 

McGillian: Uh, yes Sir. We... ::pause:: don't have any torpedoes.

 

The Captain turned to Perkins, her irritation showed, perhaps it was escalating beyond mere irritation at this point. Mac was just glad it wasn't directed at him.

 

Serala: Let me guess. Thursday.

 

Perkins tried to say something, but quickly closed his mouth and shrugged apologetically.

 

The Captain turned back and looked at Mac. She had his full attention.

 

Serala: Very well, we’ll have to make do with phasers. But let’s see if we can’t beam at least one load of torpedoes off the shipyards before we get too far. We can load them in the bay as we go.

 

With a nod, Mac quickly punched in the necessary actions to bring their phasers online and ready.

 

McGillian: Phaser's at the ready Captain, I'm sending a message down to the transporter room to get us some proton torpedoes.

 

With the clock ticking before they left dock, Mac quickly scrambled a message to the transporter room closest to the torpedo bays. He made sure to indicate that it was a direct order from the Captain, and was priority one.

 

Sherlock: ::turning to face Serala:: Captain, all stations reporting ready.

 

Mac looked up from his sent message to see the Captain give the XO an approving nod, then she sat forward.

 

Serala: Then let’s get out of here. Lieutenant Neshala, clear all moorings and take us out, one-quarter thrusters until clear of the drydock, then ahead full. We don’t have warp yet, but we’re not going to need it anyway.

 

Neshala: Aye, Captain. :: tapping some buttons to disconnect the umbilicals from the shipyard :: Clearing moorings. Ahead one-quarter thrusters.

 

Mac grinned as he watched the ship begin to inch forward. A message popped up on his station as the Captain ordered the ship to set a course for the parade. Mac smirked as he read the message from the transporter room. They had torpedoes.

 

The grin faded as he suddenly felt fire in his veins, and in his head. Mac stumbled back from his station.

 

oO We..... Borg......We...are..the.... NO! What in the hell! Oo

 

One hand on the side of his forehead, Mac looked up in horror. He felt his other hand moving towards the phaser at his side.

 

Several of his crewmates had stopped moving, and the black lines on their faces... and their eyes suddenly looked like his own.

 

Borgified Crewmen, including T'Ama (in unison): We are the Borg.

 

oO What in the hell? Oo

 

Serala: Security alert! Computer, secure the bridge.

 

Serala pulled out the hidden phaser in her armrest and immediately rose to her feet.

 

Lt. Cmdr. Sherlock immediately tossed her PADD towards the nearest wall and made a dash for her chair, presumably to retrieve the phaser from its compartment. The Captain had now opened fire.

 

Sherlock: Protect the Captain!

 

The fire in Mac's veins and head was still there as he felt himself draw his phaser, but it wasn't really himself drawing it... Was it?

 

McGillian: I'm on it!

 

Any: Responses

 

Seeing the XO draw her phaser, she then turned to look at T'Ama. Mac moved towards the Captain. The pain was dizzying, and he nearly tripped as he moved past his station.

 

T'Ama (in Unison): Eliminate the unassimilated.

 

She stood, raised her phaser, and pointed at the captain.

 

Sherlock: Lieutenant! Stand down!

 

The XO fired a shot into their Operations Officer, who in turn fired into CO.

 

oO Elim.. unassim..... error.... Oo

 

Sherlock leveled the phaser again but she'd become target focused and hadn't noticed a crewman come from behind and suddenly dropping his arm atop hers, knocking the phaser out of her hand. She turned to face the new threat, stepping back just enough to give her room to think for a split second.

 

Mac watched in horror as his arm raised, pointing at the Captain.

 

McGillian: NO! 

 

Using his other arm, he redirected his arm so that the shot that came from his phaser went directly into another Borg infected crew member. One who had been coming directly at the Captain to her right. The Borg hit the ground, and stopped moving.

 

Serala: response

 

Sherlock lunged at the crewman, keeping her shoulder low, she shoved into his abdomen, pushing him towards the wall. For the moment he was pinned, but his strength felt immense and she knew she wouldn't be able to hold him long.

 

Sherlock: Mac! Get the Captain to the ready room!

 

Sherlock was pressing her shoulder into the crewman as hard as she could, digging her feet into the deckplate.

 

The pain in his veins began to subside as Mac wrestled his phaser out of his right hand, and into his left.

 

Any: Responses

 

McGillian: Captain, with me!

 

Moving up next to her, Mac realized his phaser wasn't on stun. He flipped the setting as he moved, keeping himself between the Captain and anyone who would try to take a shot at her.

 

Serala: Response

 

Mac fired a few shots into another Borg that had just stepped onto the bridge. His right arm loosened, and he felt like he was once again in full control of his limbs.

 

The ready room door opened as Mac approached it, and to his surprise he was immediately grabbed, and slammed into the wall by a Borg, sending his phaser bouncing into the ready room.

 

McGillian: ::pained and surprised:: Ahhh!

 

Mac put all of his strength into pushing the assailant off of him to give the Captain a clear shot.

 

Serala: Response

 

McGillian: Thank you Sir. Let's move!

 

Any: Responses