Star Trek: Season 8 - The Perfect Reflection

[Jen]

Joint post by Jen and Rico

Outside the Ready Room, the staff manning the bridge traded glances. They had learned much from the tense exchange moments ago with the Cooperative. The Queen had referred to Mistress Sevryll as 'Servant of the Cooperative' and then, almost mockingly, as 'Empress'. Did the Vulcan woman murder the Emperor and take the throne?  Was Admiral Talbot involved in some way? The Tactical Officer pitched his gaze to the soldier manning the station nearby—they could not permit an alien to rule the Terran Empire.

The Ops Officer observed the unspoken exchange between the men at tactical, and met the gaze of the officer sitting at the Con. As long as his name wasn't on the Queen's list...yielding a handful of people to Cooperative, in order to survive as a whole, was an adequate solution to their current dilemma in the Ops officer's opinion. The soldier positioned at the Con turned his eyes from the man at the Ops station, back to his terminal. Unlike the tactical officers, he was not opposed to a non-Terran Emperor. His paternal grandfather, a Vulcan, had raised him on stories of Spock's reformation. It had been many years since a Vulcan held power in the Empire and the Con officer hoped that the next ruler would revisit Spock's changes, and make them permanent. Perhaps the two individuals debating their futures in Captain's Ready Room, would bring about that reform. The Con and Ops Officers would support the new Emperor, if for no other reason but for the prospect of societal progress.

In the Ready Room, Sevryll spoke to the Admiral with the dignity she lacked the last time they met face to face. "you withheld important details from me during our little telepathic exchange" said Talbot. "I said I would support you, but I don't know that I trust you completely." He took a pull of Romulan Ale from a mug and offered it to Sevryll. She wanted to refuse, but accepted the container and cautiously sniffed the alcoholic beverage. A brow arched in alarm at the potent smell and against her better judgment, she took a small experimental sip. It had a disgusting flavor, but the last thing she wanted to do was offend the man who held her fate. She subdued the look of revulsion and swallowed the horrible drink that rested on her tongue. It burned her throat before settling at the bottom of her queasy stomach. Sevryll felt like gagging but managed to confine the reflex to a cough and handed the metal cup back to the Admiral. Amused, by her willful nature he shrug and a crossed his arms.

The lanky Romulan was sitting on the edge of the desk with his ankles crossed and stretched before him. He leveled a stern look on Sevryll as she lowered herself into a chair and met his gaze,  "You question my honesty...I do not blame you.  But let me assure you Admiral that I do not desire power nor do I wish to see the Empire destroyed. My only aim was to obtain retribution for the crimes the Emperor committed against me. I used the Cooperative to reach this goal and Aria used me to achieve her own. I did not expect to live long enough to suffer for her triumphs. My plan was to end my life shortly after I ended David's, but as you now know...I would not die alone.  I was not pregnant when I made the decision to enter this agreement with the Cooperative—my condition has changed my perspective and I will fight to guarantee a future for my children rather than surrender them to death or the Cooperative." She leaned back in her chair wearily as she continued. "I was recruited as an agent two years after the Emperor 'acquired me'.  It was the Cooperative Queen, Aria, who informed me of the conspiracy that killed my husband and bound me to the Emperor.  After learning this, I cared for nothing but vengeance. Aria took advantage of that vulnerability by offering me justice in exchange for information.  I accepted her proposition, and over the years I provided her with intel that I gathered from the debriefings that David foolishly included me in."

Talbot smirked as he recalled the last time he and Sevryll met. The Admiral had been concerned by her presence in his debriefing with the Emperor, but David had insisted that she remain. Sevryll noticed Talbot's grin, "If he had taken your suggestion, Admiral, he would be ruling his Empire rather than charging in his newly assigned alcove." His grin shrank slightly as he envisioned the drone who was once David Locke. It was an appropriate fate for the cold-hearted Terran, but the thought of her decisive action still sent a chill down his spine.  Sevryll picked up on his discomfort, stood and walked to the viewport to gaze out at the Cooperative ship. "Aria's need for information soon transitioned to more demanding assignments. My latest mission was to obtain the Tiberius's shield modulation codes...I'm sure you can imagine why the Queen would want them. I attempted to gain those codes, but after I disposed of the Emperor I tasted freedom. I do not wish to exchange one master to another—the Cooperative would offer my children and I nothing but the promise of further servitude. In exchange for refuge and freedom, Admiral... I offer you the Empire. You would make a fitting Emperor." She uttered smoothly as she turned to face Talbot.


He tilted his head slightly in reaction to her proposal, "You must have sensed the distrust and uncertainty on the bridge when we left.  I'm not nearly the telepath you are, but I did notice several glances that made me very uneasy.  You don't get to my position in the Fleet, without watching for such movements.  If we are not careful we will have a mutiny on our hands.  We have that to worry about plus the Cooperative and Alliance—our current situation will make survival very difficult to say the least."  Talbot said as he took another long drink of ale—he welcomed the burn of the blue liquid as it slid down his throat.

"Yes, I sense the tension you mentioned. But they would fall in line eventually," she said.

He straightened, "I have no desire to rule the Empire, Sevryll... I prefer to be less of a target.  I propose a partnership between the two of us, for the time being. I'll announce to the crew that the Emperor is dead. I will inform the Imperial Council as well—let them name their new leader.  We need to deal with the immediate threat," Talbot said as he handed a PADD to Sevryll. "Here is the list of names from the Cooperative.  How do you propose we handle this?" 

Sevryll studied the Admiral's chiseled face as he spoke. The best rulers were those who did not want the responsibility... Like Tevian, Talbot was a respectable man and she admired his rejection of power.  She took the Personal Access Display Device that he offered, and scanned the information.  Sevryll did not wish to turn anyone over to the Cooperative, especially the name at the top of the list: Rhys Peters. She stifled a grimace and continued to scan the names as she paced before Talbot. Below Rhys was the name "Nathan Quinn"—the telepath Sevryll recently brushed minds with. Quinn had claimed that he was not from this dimension, and that he knew Sevryll.  He had asked for her help. She did not owe him anything, but something inside her disliked the thought of betraying his confidence in her.  Of all the individuals the Cooperative demanded, Quinn was the one addition that Aria's stood to benefit the most from, for he was an extremely powerful telepath.

The Vulcan stopped her pacing and glanced up at Talbot, "We can not afford to grant her these individuals...but I see no other option. Aria will simply take what we refuse to freely give." Sevryll narrowed her eyes in thought and grew silent a moment, "what of the Alliance fleet? Could a pact be made with their leader? Is there something we can exchange for their support?"

"I was contacted by Admiral KoraQ a short time ago...he seemed eager to aid us.  I know that the Regent is in our Brig.  Perhaps if we returned Worf to his people, we could gain honor in the Klingons' eyes.  I think we could use all the allies we can get at this point.  KoraQ and I got off on the wrong foot, but I'm sure I can persuade him to listen.  What do you think?"  Talbot said as he raised an eyebrow at Sevryll.

She failed to quell a slight smile that surfaced in reaction to the Admiral's very Vulcan gesture. The smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared, "I think you should explore that option, Admiral. Let's hope it is the solution to one of our many problems." She paused a moment and regarded him in silence. She would not venture to probe his thoughts, this was a question that required a verbal answer, "Admiral, am I to assume that this partnership you propose means that you are granting me refuge?"


"Of course.  I know what you have done and I understand your reasoning.... We all have our ghosts. You are under the protection of the Tiberius and have my word that you will not be harmed while you remain aboard my ship.  In the meantime, I will assign my personal guard to watch over you, for there will no doubt be attempts on your life in an effort to avenge the Emperor.  You and your children deserve a better future...We will make one for them together, by our actions today."  He said as he extended a hand in friendship to her.  As Sevryll moved to take the Admiral's hand, her stress was momentarily lifted and an overwhelming relief washed over her.  She shook his hand once, then stepped close to the man she had come to trust and respect and hugged him in an innocent gesture of honest gratitude.  For a brief moment, he was surprised by the atypical emotional display but soon wrapped his arms around her when he felt the muted sobs.

[Geekyfanboy]

Joint post Trekkygeek and Startrekfanatic5

It had taken what seemed like hours but Rhys had finally freed himself from his restraints. His captors had relaxed enough to leave him in the room alone thinking he was more out of it than he actually was and he had waited until he was sure he was alone before he struggled free.

He had to get out of this cell and discover if Nathan Quinn was in fact alive, and if he was, then to get him off this dreadful ship. Rhys skillfully ran his fingers over the number pad at the side of the door, within a few seconds he had hacked the system and the door whooshed open. He didn't know the layout of the ship but knew that Quinn would have tucked himself into an enclosed space somewhere. Rhys figured he would start where Quinn was last said to be held, Margon's Lab.

As he reached the corridor there were security teams all over the place as well as clean up crews mopping up the mess that was Margon's lab. Rhys noticed a jefferies tube hatch just left of the main doors and knew if he was Quinn and needed a quick place to hide that this would be ideal. Peters causally walked over to the jefferies tube entrance and when the security team had their backs turned he quickly opened and entered the tube. He crawled on his hands and knees for a few meters when he noticed a body slumped against the bulkhead just ahead.

Rhys sat up and pulled the unconscious man's head into his lap and looked down at his old friend. "Oh my god... it is you Nathan" Peter's bent down and kissed Nathan on the forehead and said. " I must get you to safety and off this ship." Nathan stirred and opened his eyes slowly looking at the man who's lap he was in. "Rhys" he said quietly. "How can this be??" "Shhhhh, don't speak, I need to figure out where we can hide." Rhys said as he propped Quinn up against the bulkhead. Nathan sat there confused staring at the friend that he had lost so many years ago.

[X]

Joint post by Wraith1701 and Just X

Aria stood in the center of her protected command center and observed the status of the battle. Her people had yet to fire a shot on the non-borg, but the humans had exceeded their time limit. It was time to make an example.

"Transport the probe though the rift and hail the Commander of the Alliance Fleet," Aria commanded and waited for a response. Her people had already acquired significant Klingon and Cardassian genetics and thus far they had no real need for additional subjects, but the Alliance could be useful in this instance. Even as she waited for contact, she extended her mind outwards towards her target on the Tiberius. While she searched for Quinn, she informed her ships to bring weapons lock on the Imperial vessels and prepare for battle.

Meanwhile, on the bridge of the NegVar, Admiral KoraQ stared mutely at the viewscreen.  He was irked by the newcomer's demand that all combatants stand down, but his desire to lash out was quelled by the ease with which the Cooperative had neutralized the other Borg ships.

It appears as though they have us outgunned, he thought.

At least, for now.

A warrior at a nearby terminal turned to address Captain K'Lara.

"I'm detecting heavy comm traffic between the Cooperative and the Terrans," he said.  "Could they be plotting against us?"

"Good question," the Captain replied.  Turning to face KoraQ, she asked "Should we fire on all of the vessels, Admiral?"

The Admiral shook his head.  "Not yet, Captain.  Patience is one of the most valuable tools in a hunter's arsenal.  I think now is a fine time for us to use it."

At the communications station, a clearly agitated warrior turned to once again address K'Lara.

"Captain; we are now being hailed by the Cooperative Ship!"

Both KoraQ and K'Lara answered simultaneously.

"On screen!"

As the striking image of what KoraQ assumed to be a young woman of vulcanoid ancestry appeared on the monitor, he returned to the center of the dimly-lit bridge.  After taking the seat at K'Lara's side, KoraQ glared at the comm officer.  "Mute audio until further notice.  And contact the 9th fleet.  I want all ships to rendezvous with us here as quickly as possible."

Leaning back in his chair, KoraQ slowly stroked his beard.  Let's see how these cyborgs react to a little Thalaron radiation, he thought with a grin.

The Admiral squared his shoulders, and locked eyes with the image on the viewscreen.  "Activate audio," he rumbled.

After the communication's officer signaled that a channel was opened, KoraQ leaned forward aggressively.

"I am Admiral KoraQ of the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance," he growled.  "What do you want?"

"To save innocent lives Admiral," Aria said and offered a polite smile. "The Cooperative is not here to do battle with either you or your enemies. We wish to avoid unnecessary bloodshed and would hate to devolve into pointless and futile combat."

Aria quietly observed the Klingon in command of the fleet before she continued. "As you can see, we have only engaged our wayward cousins in combat and we would like to keep it that way. What is your purpose in this system Admiral and how long before you withdraw? We would hate to see your fleet suffer damage as we exterminate our cousins. I am prepared to sterilize this system to achieve that goal."

In truth, she did not care what his purpose was. Unlike her Borg cousins, she did not rely on a single vessel to enforce her might. She brought decisive firepower with her. Gunboat diplomacy was after all one of her favorite tools.

KoraQ's jaw clenched with anger as he absorbed the woman's threat.  Sterilize the system? he thought.  Well, two could play at that game.

KoraQ glanced at a nearby tactical display-- the remainder of his fleet, including the vessels armed with Thalaron Generators, would be arriving at any moment.

I have to stall for time, he thought.

KoraQ's first instinct was to answer the Cooperative with a roar of defiance and a brace of torpedoes, but as the ancient Klingon gambling saying went: One had to know when to hold them, and know when to fold them.
 
He stood, visibly trembling with the effort to appear calm and nonthreatening.  "You say that you only want to save innocent lives and prevent bloodshed," KoraQ said.  "Forgive me, but that doesn't sound like the Borg I know.  Since when were you appointed the Galaxy's shepherds?"

"Apparently you are not as informed as your title would dictate," Aria said while maintaining her almost innocent smile. "We are not the monsters that our cousins are. We have better means to pursue perfection. We became the shepherds of the Galaxy when others proved incompetent to do so. You are not our enemy unless you choose to do so. We are here to destroy the Collective and those that plot against us. We invite you to fight beside us and ask that you not fight against us. Today is not a good day to die admiral."

KoraQ chuckled at the woman's use of words.  "Your so-called cousins are a scourge, fit only to be wiped out.  If your aim is to destroy them, I'd be glad to assist you.  But bear in mind; the Alliance bows to no one!  Any unsanctioned activity in our space will be met with deadly force."

KoraQ dropped back into the chair to K'Lara's left, and offered Aria a cold smile.  "Every man, woman and child of the Alliance will fight to the death before tolerating a threat to our sovereignty."

A quiet beep issued from K'Lara's armrest; KoraQ turned to meet her vicious grin.  "The fleet has arrived, Admiral," she said.  "They await your orders."

KoraQ turned an eye to Aria's image on the viewscreen.  "It seems we have a truce, at the moment.  Our new allies aren't like the other Borg.  Target only the Borg ships that I indicate, and then send them all to Grethor!"

KoraQ turned to the comm officer.  "Close channel!"

Aria's image winked out, to be replaced by the starscape surrounding the NegVar.  Space seemed to waver as the combined Klingon - Cardassian Armada decloaked and rippled into view.

As he watched the weapons ports of the nearest ships iris open, KoraQ smiled.  He had no reason to trust the Cooperative.  Once the remains of the original fleet were dealt with, he would have to reconsider just how long this so-called truce would last...

[Meds]

Dunn had lost Margon. The spray from several tubes had blocked their path and when Dunn had turned round all he saw was a trail of blood heading in the other direction.

"Damn him, wish I'd never helped him. D'Callan will have me for this"

He turned and headed for the Brigg, his way was obstructed by security officers all running in different directions.

"Its like caged rats" thought Dunn.

It took him ten minutes to reach the Brigg. He stood straight and pulled his tunic down so he looked representable in front of his master, walking towards the glass frosted his door he was about walk in as the glass shattered. The huge figure of the Klingon Worf passed him and he crashed into the computer panel causing it to burst into sparks.

"Nice to see you again Mr Worf"

The Klingon ignored Dunn and jumped straight up, howling with rage he ran back into the Brigg. Dunn peared round, the first things he saw were bodies of the prisoners. He winced at the sight.

"What animal did this" he whispered.

Looking up he saw the animal in question. D'Callan was fighting Worf, he had one eye and the side of his face had near enough been caved in, blood sprayed from a wound on his thigh and it looked like a rib was poking from his black tunic. It was clear to Dunn that Worf would win this, the Klingon had cuts and bruises but he had the stamina. Worf quite clearly hadn't been fighting with five other men. Dunn waited and enjoyed the scene as Worf brought his clenched fists down onto D'Callans neck.

"Oh Mr Worf, your attention please"

Worf turned and growled at Dunn, but that was all he could do. It took no more than a second for Dunn to blast the Klingon in the chest with his phaser. Silence around the brig was new to the officer, nothing from D'Callan and the Klingon lay still.

Dunn laughed and bent down to D'Callan.

"I think i will make an excellent Interrogator, don't you? The Emperor will be so pleased with me"

Dunn stood back up and bellowed with laughter only to be cut short by a knife gliding through his ankles, screaming in pain he fell like a sack of potatoes and glared in horror at the one open eye of Joseph D'Callan.

[X]

As the Queen of the Cooperative plotted her next move, she received word from her children harvesting the inhabited planet of the system. They had met little resistance and the harvest progressed smoothly. She was more than pleased at their progress in the short window.

While the normal method of the Cooperative was to abduct a small test sample of a population and enhance her children to produce pheromones that inspired peace within a species. This time, she did not custom tailor her children, but relied on their already enhanced abilities.

Her agents on the surface offered cures to illnesses and the mending of the infirmed. In exchange for their aid, the Cooperative would also take some of their number to the stars. Her agent were honest of their intent to the native people they visited. They would make the population better and some would be chosen to travel with them to other worlds.

Those that were selected to join the Cooperative were first assimilated into the hearts and minds of her children. Their minds became awash in the harmony that comprised the Cooperative. Doubt and fears were replaced with understanding and a sense of complete belonging. The aggression that thrived in the universe was replaced with a sense of divine purpose within the Cooperative.

Those outside of the Cooperative might see her actions as brainwashing her children, but she saw it as bringing clarity to those that had traveled in the darkness for far too long. It was rare for her people to resort to combat when harvesting a selected world, but was not unheard of. There were always those that would give their lives to resist inevitable change. She was happy that this was not one of those worlds.

Life was important to the Queen of the Cooperative and each death at the hands of her children was not forgotten. She knew that there were those that did not deserve the harmony she offered and while it hurt her, they did not have a place in her harmony.

From the moment that reality shifted around her, a part of her had been lost. In her haste to save herself she had given her father her katra and it was he that was lost to her. If the signal beyond the rift was true then she might once again find her father and share her new purpose with him. She existed in the balance between life and death.

The lives that she saved and the blood on her hands were her burden to carry. The universe she now called home was too flawed to continue without help. She was completely aware that innocent people might die in her quest, but it was a necessary evil. The needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few. She had a galaxy to save and logic dictated that individual worlds could be lost in those efforts.

Shivers rolled down her spine as new genetic material and perspective of a new culture flowed into the Cooperative. The world they now harvested saw them as gods and fought for the right to be one of the two percent that the gods allowed to ascend into heaven. The old ties of her new children were replaced by the love of her and their new siblings.

With a battle waging around her, she did not have time to savor the new genetic and cultural information that entered the Cooperative. She would have time for that later. Other priorities required her focus and her prize awaited her.

[Meds]

His fingers glided over the smooth plastic, looking up every now and again to the main view screen his ears desperately searched for background conversation. He couldn't help but wonder what the Vulcan and the Admiral had planned. A flash on his panel broke his thoughts and he adjusted the sensors and the ship glided back onto its course. Turning, he caught the eye of the Ops Officer who acknowledged him with a simple raised eyebrow. Glancing back to his control panel, he locked onto the flight path and navigated the area around him and logged the reports. Suddenly he had a sixth sense that someone was watching him. He couldn't turn round as he had to concentrate on a new set of co-ordinates that flashed under his fingers.

[Jen]

Joint Post by Jen, Wriath 1701 and Rico

Feeling awkward after her emotional display, Sevryll straightened and abruptly stepped away from Talbot, "forgive me, Admiral..." she smooth her disheveled robe and wiped the remnants of tears from her eyes. "The Cooperative will not wait for an answer regarding our decision... They do not require our response. I can sense Aria's thoughts and she intends to acquire the individuals she has requested, despite of our reply. Perhaps you should consider contacting the Alliance sooner rather than later."

"I agree.  Please, follow me," Talbot said as he strode with purpose through the door that lead to the bridge. As Sevryll fell in step behind him, she noticed an air of urgency and new energy in the Admiral.  Perhaps he too, now had a reason to live.  After a very brief and discrete conversation with his personal guard, Talbot moved to the communications station positioned on the second level of the bridge.

"Hail the NegVar and put it on screen," Talbot barked to the communication's officer as he squared his shoulders to face the viewer.  The crew that awaited their fate with buried anxiety, now shifted at their stations with eagerness.  They too sensed something different in their leader and the ones that had served with Talbot the longest, grinned inwardly.

The viewscreen flickered to life as Talbot's guard moved undetected to stand near Sevryll.  She was surprised by their stealth—it made her both uncomfortable and reassured to have them standing so close. One of the guards glared down two security officers. The soldiers at the Tactical station turned back to their work, but Sevryll could hear their thoughts... resentment simmered within them.

"Talbot!  Have you come to realize you need our help after all, RomuluSngan?"  KoraQ said, pleased with seeing what he thought was weakness in this Romulan PetaQ.

Admiral Talbot narrowed his eyes at the Klingon, "Not exactly.  But I do think we can help each other.  I have a Klingon aboard... a great warrior I believe.  Does the name "Worf" mean anything to you?"  Talbot inquired with wry anticipation.


KoraQ's grin dropped instantly, and his eyebrows drew together in a scowl.

"I'm not sure I understand what you are saying, Admiral.   Because it almost sounds as though you are holding our Regent captive."

"Let's just say Worf is our, guest currently.  If you would like him back, I suggest we work together against this Cooperative fleet of ships and this Aria person.  I don't think it's in the interest of the Empire or the Alliance to let them continue to take who and what they want...  Do we have an agreement, KoraQ?"  Inquired Talbot as he stared at the viewscreen.

KoraQ's fist clenched involuntarily.

"I have already agreed to aid Aria in clearing away the remaining Borg vessels in the area.  Until then, I won't make a move against her.  Unless,"  he added,  "She attacks one of my ships, or one of my allies."

With a sigh of resignation, KoraQ leaned forward, steepeling his hands beneath his chin.  For just a brief instant, the burly Klingon dropped his combative, aggressive demeanor.  With those shields dropped, it was a tired, battle-weary man who met the Romulan Admiral's stare.

"Let me be frank with you, Talbot.  A part of me actually admires your Empire.  For centuries, the Terrans managed to hold both the alpha and beta quadrants in an iron grip.  You took what you wanted, crushing all who stood in your way."

A sad, wistful smile flitted across KoraQ's face.  "Why, if it hadn't been for the sabotage of your late Emperor Spock, you might have even one day posed a threat to the Klingon Empire!  It is out of respect to what your Empire once was, and what it aspires to become again, that I will enter a temporary alliance with you."

Like quicksivler, KoraQ's demanor reverted to his normal surliness.  His shoulders stiffened, and his face contorted into a craggy scowl.  "A word of advice though, Admiral.  Don't drop your guard.  We may be allied for now, but the Galaxy isn't big enough for two alpha-predators.  Sooner or later, our governments will face off on the field of battle, and only one will survive."

KoraQ's scowl warped into a sinister smile.  "Perhaps we will meet on that glorious day.  But until then, we have some Borg to Kill.  Q'pah!"

Sevryll quirked an eyebrow at the Klingon's gift for uttering reluctant complements and idle threats in the same breath. She folded her hands before her in thought as she watched Talbot return KoraQ's smile with a grin of his own. The temporary coalition formed between the Alliance and Empire would be mutually beneficial, but it would not ensure victory. Success was preferred, but the ultimate goal was to prevent the Cooperative and the Borg from gaining a foothold within the Empire. Agreeing to Aria's terms would only postpone the Cooperative's conquest of the Quadrant—the pact made between the Alliance and the Empire was simply a vow to sacrifice their lives rather than surrender their independance.

She swept a strand of tousled hair from her eyes and pushed it behind a tapered ear.  In a silent request for privacy, the Vulcan eyed the escorts who stood too closely to her. Stepping back, they watched  from a safe distance as she warily strode to the Admiral's side on the upper bridge, "Perhaps we should speak with Quinn and the others regarding the Cooperative's list," she whispered. "They should know of the danger they face. Our agreement with the Alliance may not avert their procurement by the Queen. These individuals should be prepared to do what is necessary to prevent their capture during the subsequent battle with the Cooperative."

The Admiral kept his face on the viewscreen,  "I'm certain we shall speak more soon, KoraQ.  Close channel."  The image from the Klingon vessel blinked out  and he stepped down to his command chair and lowered himself into it. The lanky Romulan turned to glance back at Sevryll, "We shall speak later.  I would suggest you find a quiet place and rest.  A lot has happened....and right now I have work to do."  Talbot said nodding back to the Vulcan woman and giving her a reassuring grin.

Sevryll had no intention of resting now, but she inclined her head to Talbot and left the bridge with the guards following close behind. She would warn Quinn and Peters herself... with little telepathic effort she found the powerful telepath and told him to meet her in Doctor Peterson's quaters.

[Meds]

The communications officer pressed his finger on his panel and nodded to the Admiral to acknowledge the communication had been cut. He kept on eye on his sensors and monitored communication activity. He turned his head slightly so he could grasp the conversation between the Admiral and the Vulcan. Catching the words "place and rest" the officer assumed that all was not well with the Vulcan. This stirred mixed feelings inside him, could this be weakness? is she ill? The bridge doors swooshed open and he caught the robe of Sevryll disappear into the lift followed by her guards. Watching the doors close he turned and looked at the back of Talbot who stood upright with his hands behind him, he noticed though that the fingers opened and closed as if to reassure himself.

[Geekyfanboy]

Quinn passed in and out of consciences, he recalled Peters telling him to stay there and that he would be right back. What seemed liked minutes or maybe hours, Rhys returned with a medkit and ran a tricorder over Nathan body.

Rhys' face fell. "You've been infected by the Borg", he said grimily.

Quinn looked up into Rhys' battered face, "I know" he said with a slight grimace remember his time aboard the Cube only days ago. Rhys continued, "There is nothing I can do to stop it. We can try and prolong the effects of them taking over your entire system, but I'm not a doctor, I can't do anymore than that."

Quinn smiled and placed a hand on Rhys' shoulder, "That will be plenty my friend, it's so good to see you."

Peters smiled and went back to the medkit and pulled out a small cylinder of red liquid, he inserted into the hypospray. Peters slowly held it up to Quinn's neck, you could hear the hiss as the liquid was injected into his carotid artery. Instantly Nathan began to feel better. He knew it wasn't a cure but he was hoping it would stay off his transformation until he could get back to his universe and they would be able to remove the Borg nanoprobes.

Quinn looked over at Rhys, "We need to get to a shuttle bay" Peters just sat there looking at Nathan. "Rhys come on we don't have time to waste" but Rhys did not move. "How is this possible?" he said slowly. "I saw you die, where have you been all this time?" Nathan began to crawl down the jefferies tube. "Come on.. I'll explain on the way.. we must move... now!!!" Both Quinn and Peters made their way down the jefferies tube heading toward shuttle bay 1 when suddenly Quinn was telepathically contacted. Nathan could hear concern in Servyll's thoughts, "Meet me in Doctor Peterson's quarters immediately."  Quinn stopped crawling and looked back to Peters. "Change of plan.. we need to get to Doctor Peterson's quarters." Rhys didn't ask any questions and said "I know where they are.. follow me." 

[ElfManDan]

This is a strange turn of events, Reese thought, strange indeed. David Locke is dead and his Vulcan maiden has taken the throne. How does this change of events effect the future of our Universe?

Reese stood in the doorway of his small hunting ship, not sure if he should enter and leave the Tiberius for good. He was the one who had caused the events that pushed Sevryll to kill the Emperor. He might be the next person she would be killing. He thought of getting in his ship and running as far from the war as he could, but that would mean failing to finish his father's mission. He had worked for it since his father died at the hand's of a barbaric warlord. He wasn't going to let his father's dream shatter because of this. He closed the door to his ship and returned to the halls of the Tiberius.

[wraith1701]

The battle was furious, but painfully short.  The Collective fleet, already worn down by the Tiberius and her escorts, was mortally wounded by the intervention of Aria and her Borg Cooperative.  As they converged on the battlesite, the ships of the Klingon/Cardassian Armada found little to occupy them.

The few remaining cubes were quickly dispatched; multiple warships unleashed their disruptors and torpedoes on the limping Borg ships, leaving smoldering wreckage in their wake. 

At the head of the Klingon armada, the odd-shaped ship of Captain Vass circled lazily.  The cruiser wove through the debris field like a vulture searching for carrion.  On the bridge, Captain Vass frantically searched the viewscreen for more targets.  Caught up in the fever of battle, the Klingon silently chewed on his lower lip.  "Please tell me that we missed a ship or two," he hissed.  Frustrated at the lack of targets to vent his aggression on, the lanky Klingon leaned forward in his seat. 

"Negative, sir," replied the tactical officer.  "The only remaining ships belong to the Terrans."  The officer turned and spat on the deck in disgust.  "And of course, to our new Allies, the Cooperative." 

On the command armrest, Vass' hand hovered over the trigger to the softly thrumming Thalaron Generator.  Despite KoraQ's orders, Vass was determined to activate the device, cleansing the area of all threats to the Alliance. Perhaps the Admiral's judgement is slipping, he thought.  Either that, or he is being influenced by the leader of the Borg Cooperative.  It is my duty to end this now, before he dishonors himself further!

"Activate personal log," Vass said. 

As the 'ready' light winked on, the Captain began to fabricate his justification for his intended actions. 

"Due to a malfunction of our communication systems, Admiral KoraQ's last orders were somewhat garbled.  As per his last clear instructions, I am going to activate plan 'Klingon Fire'.  Once the device housed within this vessel is activated, a pulse of Thalaron energy will  irradiate this entire sector, purifying it of all traces of the Terran and Borg filth. " 

A maniacal grin lit Vass' face.  "What I do now, I do to ensure the survival of our Glorious Alliance.  Q'plah!"

As Vass opened the cover to the trigger, his attention was drawn by a disturbance at the rear of the bridge.  Glancing over his shoulder, he was greeted by the sight of a dark-skinned Terran slave, struggling with one of his guards.  A blow to the head by the butt of the guards' disruptor pistol sent the slave to his knees, where he knelt looking up at Vass. 

"I wont let you do it!" the slave yelled.  "Aria offers the Galaxy the promise of order and harmony.  I'll die before I let you threaten that dream!"

"Yes you will, slave," Vass replied.  "Someone kill this Terran dog and throw his corpse off my ship!"

[Meds]

The Ops officer, hovered his finger over the internal sensor section of his panel. He had turned it off around an hour ago now and had been able to keep his actions quiet. He'd got nervous when he had heard the voice of the interrogator come through the communications system demanding to know why the sensors were off line.  It was only a bit of luck that no one had noticed what D'Callan was saying because of the huge explosion on one of the Borg cubes had caused everyone to concentrate on the view screen. He couldn't keep the sensors off line any longer, it was clear that changes had happened and that maybe his involvement had helped. He pressed six lights quickly and a small flash came up and then off again. He muted his panel so not alert anyone and then the internal sensor panel began churning out information. He shot back in slight panic as there was no way he could hide this. He looked over at the Com officer but he was too busy trying to spread the bandwidths of the other ships, then at the other officers but no one noticed. He turned back and watched as the lights slowly disappeared. Behind him Admiral Talbot watched out of the corner of his eye, and then drew his eyes back to the view screen.

[wraith1701]

Onboard the NegVar, an officer manning the tactical station turned to Captain K'Lara, his eyes wide with alarm.  "Captain; we are reading a massive energy build-up in one of our ships!  It almost looks like the beginnings of a warp core detonation."

K'Lara gazed nonchalantly at the officer.  "Which ship?" 

"It is the vessel commanded by Captain Vass," the officer replied.

KoraQ's grip tightened on his armrest.  "Open a channel," he said. 

After repeatedly tapping at his control interface, the tactical officer slowly shook his head.  "No response to our hails, Admiral."

With mounting anxiety, KoraQ turned to face the main viewscreen.  The Thalaron Generator. 

It appeared as though the fanatical Vass was determined to go out in a blaze of glory, and take the entire fleet with him.  KoraQ had no problem with the officer's dedication, but he did take issue with his apparent disregard for the chain of command.  KoraQ grimly shook his head.  No one was dying until He gave the word.

"Lock disruptors on Vass' ship, then hail the Tiberius.  They have a guest on board who is probably eager to return home."

[X]

Aria moved fluidly around the center of her command center and processed the information that flowed through her. It was time for her to continue her objectives. She quietly closed her eyes and reached out to her followers and commanded them to hold fire until fired upon. To her secret agents, she informed them to do what was necessary to protect the Cooperative.

With the commands out of the way, she turned her attention towards the slowly destabilizing rift. Tapping to her Nacene legacy, Aria focus on bending subspace and strengthening it until she completed her objectives. She needed several things from the other side of the rift and there was nothing that she would allow to get in her way.

"Begin to acquire transporter locks on all non-expendable covert agents and targets." Aria said curtly. "Establish transporter relay to targeted vessel beyond the rift."

She then turned her attention back to the primary view screen and opened a channel to all ships, audio only.

"Attention all ships with in this system. The Borg are now defeated. There has been enough blood shed this day. It does not need to continue. I ask that we discuss how to prevent this day from being marred by an unnecessary war. You have achieved a great victory this day, but it would be foolish and fatal for war to continue. The Cooperative is not your enemy. We are your legacy. We are your children, siblings, parents, and lovers. We are all around you and part of you. The universe is changing and we are the instruments of that change. We invite you to join us or leave in peace."

Without a word she terminated her transmission and ordered her agents to be prepared. The fear of change would drive some of her enemies to move against her children and that would force her to make examples of them.

Soon it will be time to defend the hive and recover Quinn, she told her children and borrowed the words of one of the many races that had been incorporated into her Cooperative. Victory is life.

[Meds]

Several lights flashed in front of his panel and the comm officer concentrated, he turned and caught the Admirals eye and tapped his ear. Admiral Talbot turned back to the view screen.

"Lets hear it then".

The sound echoed around the bridge.

"Attention all ships with in this system. The Borg are now defeated. There has been enough blood shed this day. It does not need to continue. I ask that we discuss how to prevent this day from being marred by an unnecessary war. You have achieved a great victory this day, but it would be foolish and fatal for war to continue. The Cooperative is not your enemy. We are your legacy. We are your children, siblings, parents, and lovers. We are all around you and part of you. The universe is changing and we are the instruments of that change. We invite you to join us or leave in peace."

The voice finished abruptly and the bridge officers all looked at each other and then at the Admiral who stood tall and proud. He took a deep breath of the stale air and turned to the comm officer who continued to monitor any replies coming from the other ships. He looked up at the Admiral and shook his head and then cut the band search.