Going to the Killing Fields

In the conference room, Lieutenant T'Kul was standing at the front monitors giving a mission briefing to Captain Devore and Lieutenant Harris. She had only been on the Leviathan for 2 hours and she was all ready beginning to feel accustomed to the ship and her crew. There was a level of professionalism on the ship, unlike what Admiral Beard had told her. She was starting to question her own mission.

"On Stardate 0151.37, Starfleet command sent the *USS Blake* to Tares V where Rear Admiral Andrew Colion one of the Federation's top negotiators was to initiate peace negotiation with the Romulans. On Stardate 0159.56 as it entered the Tares Star System, we lost contact with them. They were to have reached Tares V 2 days later.

"Figuring something was not right we tried to establish contact with the Romulan delegation that was to rendezvous with the *Blake*. We couldn't. That was stardate 0178.9. At first Starfleet command thought that the Romulans were trying to start another a war, but Starfleet intelligence discounted that theory quickly considering they had taken tremendous losses during the war and would not be able to sustain a long, drawn out conflict. We figured that is one major reason they have petitioned for this treaty.

"The other reason we didn't figure they wanted to start a war was that few days ago, the Romulans sent a message via one of their own scout ships to the nearest Starbase about a mysterious wormhole which appeared in the Tares System. Now the Tares System is deep within Romulan space so we weren't going to necessarily get involved. This was an internal matter and because of the Prime Directive we couldn't. Then when the *Blake* disappeared, that shifted the power of influence. We began to wonder and speculate the worst. Then a second message came. This is what changed everything and but the fear of God in most of Starfleet Command. Computer play complete message T'Kul Borg 1"

<Standby. Capable of audio only. Certain files are corrupted or missing.>

"Fine computer. Play message." T'Kul said.

< "- Sir, there is something on our sensors coming out of the wormhole. Wait it's gone now.

"- On screen "

"- NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"- Ahhhhhh."

<We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is Futile. Lower your shields your bio--------- The remaining data is either corrupted or missing.>

The haunting echoing voices of millions speaking as one still resonated in the conference room. "We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is Futile."

Captain Devore shifted in his seat. "I don't like this."

"Nor does Starfleet, Captain." Rashad said. "But you are the closest ship and the most capable. The know everything that we know up to a few years ago. This ship is the newest ship in the fleet that doesn't conform to any known styles. The Borg would not be able to adapt easily to the various 'surprises' the Leviathan has."

"That is true Captain," Harris said. "We can modify a whole lot to vary the shield harmonics and even phaser frequencies. The refractive shielding also in itself will by us enough time to find out what is going on!"

"Okay. I want to know everything there is to know about the Tares System, new sensor readings, previous anomalies, and I definitely want more information on that wormhole. There is something about it that makes me nervous." Devore said.

"Understood." Harris said.

"Lieutenant T'Kul," Devore said with a small smile. "Welcome aboard. Now let's get to work."

"Yes sir." T'kul said. She had originally wanted to relax a bit, but oh well. Now she knows the Admiral was wrong. Devore is a no nonsense kind of guy.

Lieutenant Harris stepped into his quarters and took off his tunic and went over to the replicator. He had just finished a 13 hour shift plus a the mission briefing and was looking forward to his off hours, "Vulcan Tea". The tea appeared and he took it almost burning his hands on the hot cup. As he sat down, he started to look at a PADD to get a jump on the next days duty.

[Lieutenant Harris. Incoming message from Starfleet Command.] Lieutenant Toran said from the bridge.

"Lieutenant, I'll take the call on my private com channel." Harris thought, *Man, no one can take a breather around here.*

He walked over to his work station which made his quarters look bigger then what was usually assigned to a man of his rank. Harris sat down in front of his own personal view screen and turned it on. There appeared Admiral Beard, looking more like an Admiral then ever before.

[Lieutenant there is something of the utmost importance you must handle.]

Harris looked at the Admiral, " Sure sir. Be glad to take an assignment for you. But is this for the first officer or for a the intelligence officer." The sarcastic tone was evident. There were no lost feelings between the two officers considering Beard was on the panel that court marshalled him.

[Cut the crap, Lieutenant. It is for a Starfleet officer. I trust that you have had your mission briefing all ready?] Harris simply nodded. [Good. Now listen. I want you to work with Lieutenant T'kul and make sure that she has all information about the Leviathan and her capabilities. You will need it against the Borg.]

"Fine sir. But why tell me? Why not the Captain?"

[Because I want you to take care of it. Beard out!]

*Cool. Here is a fun job! I have to play baby-sitter for another officer. I might as well take a look at that file again* "Computer play downloaded message."

The computer played it and all Harris heard was a lot of background noise and static. "Computer play message but filter out the static and background noise. Search for understandable words and possible weapons noise.." <Working. Task Complete.>

"Computer. Begin Playback."

After listening to the audio over and over again something didn't sit right. He noticed something that made him wonder why Starfleet Intelligence didn't pick up on this earlier. Harris stood up and put his tunic on urgently trying to gather his PADD and the information he had collected. Heading out the door he hit his com badge. "Captain, Lieutenant T'kul. Please meet me in the ready room. And please open a line to StarFleet Command.

[Lieutenant Do you know what time it?] Devore said groggily. He had obviously been awakened.

"Yes Sir, but I think that you will want to hear this. It is very important."

[Fine Mr. Harris. But this had better be good or you will be on my list for life. Devore out.]

"Understood, Captain."

The Borg. He hated the Borg with every nuance of his being, but still looked forward to battle them at some time. However, the danger of failing and losing his individuality also didn't thrill him that much either. He jumped into a turbo lift. "Bridge." The turbolift started and was on its way to the bridge when Harris began thinking of the hail. There was something he didn't like about it, but he could finger it. When the turbo lift stopped he saw only 4 people on duty. He thought *time for red alert*. Harris stopped off the turbo lift and yield, "All decks red alert!"

The four officers on the Bridge jumped up and worked harder on the stations they were assigned to. The ready room door opened and Devore walked out. "Computer Belay that order." Harris walked in avoiding the Captain and noticed that the Captain was talking with Admiral Beard for his image was still on the view screen and Rashad was sitting sipping a cup of coffee. Harris blurted out, "Sirs! The Borg have found another way to invade the alpha quadrant."

Captain Devore looked at Lieutenant Harris in complete disbelief.

[Lieutenant. I feared this. Are you sure?]

"Yes Sir. Computer Playback time index 02221.221." <Standby>

<We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is Futile. Lower your shields your bio--------- The remaining data is either corrupted or missing.>

[Captain! I'll send three ships to help and see if the Klingons can spare a few ships, but the fastest they will be there is 90 hours.]

Devore looked at Lieutenant Harris and smiled. "Yes Sir! Computer Yellow Alert!"

[Very well Captain Devore. I will see you in a few days. Beard out.]

The Captain switched his gaze between the two Lieutenants worriedly, " I need a working battle plan against the Borg, and I needed 2 minutes ago."

"Sir I'll do what one can sir." T'Kul said.

"I will help you," Harris said.

"Lieutenant Shaka prepare the SS drive for warp 21. Helm set your course for the Neutral Zone maximum warp. What is the estimated time of arrival?" Devore said.

[1 hour 15 minutes, Sir.]

Devore and Lieutenant Harris walked out of the ready room. Devore stood and looked over the crew, 4 members at different positions. Lieutenant Shaka was on the bridge all ready entering some information into the slip stream computer.

"Mr. Ambrose. Enter the stream! Grant. May God help us."

"God help us all Captain." Harris said to the Devore.