The Killing Fields (Part 3 of 6)

Harris walked out and saw the Captain who was reading over a few reports sipping on a cup of coffee. " Captain we have a plan of attack that just might work."

"Okay. Let's go to my ready room. Lieutenant Rhoukann, you have the bridge," Devore said getting up. "Lieutenant T'Kul?"

"Aye sir, " the new Ops officer said.

Lieutenant T'Kul followed the Captain, the first officer, and Lieutenant Toran. In his ready room, Devore sat behind his desk with his elbows on the table. "Let's hear your plan."

"Commander Worf gave me the Idea. You see we can blow the ships up easily with our quantum torpedoes and our enhanced phasers by aiming at random but precise locations. We may be able to download some information about previous successful encounters, if there are any, to discover the precise locations, but we can ultimately destroy their ships, " Harris said.

"But as discussed before, when the Borg analyze and realize there is a threat, they will probably beam to our ship and re-establish another collective here. Our phasers will be ineffective after one or two shots, so I figure that we do something that they haven't necessarily encountered before- old time weaponry," Toran said.

"I am sorry?"

"Lieutenant. What do you mean 'old time weaponry'?" Rashad asked just as confused.

"We need to use late 1990 fire arms- projectiles, bullets if you will. Elite paramilitary groups called the US Navy SEALs and the British SAS used firearms for close combat. Even closer, was hand-to-hand using things like knives like the M-12." A figurative light came on in Rashad's mind. She understood now what they were talking about. "Bullets and knives?" She said contemplating its possible success

"I bet the Klingons would love that," Captain Devore said trying to make light of the situation.

"As a matter of fact, the Klingons have had a better record at holding back a Borg attack longer than the rest of the federation because they were better at hand-to-hand combat." Toran said. Devore sat back and absorbed the impromptu report by his two officers.

"I am sure then they have assimilated Klingons and other warrior like races that would probably out skill us, right?" Devore asked. "That is a possibility, but it is our best chance."

Devore sat and said nothing more. His eyes watched the zeal of his officers before him and smiled. *Outstanding work boys.* He thought as he got up and looked out his window at the stars. Each star to him represented a life, free to do what the wanted- individuals. The Borg posed a threat to the entire universe and a stand must be made by someone, united or not. Devore returned to his chair and looked at his officers.

"How long would it take to train the crew?" He said sitting upright.

"It could take two hours give or take to train the crew in use of old fire arms. The computer can have the weapons replicated in a matter of hours and as long as the crew can point and shoot, there should be no problem." Harris told the Captain.

"So to beat the borg we must go back almost 400 years. Ironic. Beat the future by resorting to the past. I like it, Lieutenant! So what do you think, Rashad?'

"Captain it just might work. It has great potential and I remember a report about Picard using holographic bullets to kill Borg of course the safety protocols were off." She said with a smile. "Ops. How long before the Borg attack The Romulan Army HQ?" Devore asked.

[It will be 9 hours at warp 15.]

There was a slight pause. Devore knew his skeleton crew wasn't ready to go into battle, but the repercussion was something he was ready to face. He couldn't let this infestation spread. But after the encounter with the Loreans, was his crew ready? *Well if they never go into battle, they will never get experienced.* "Conn plot a course to Tares System Warp 21. Lieutenant. You have 4 hours to have the crew trained and ready. First thing in the morning though. You go get some rest."

"But Captain..."

"Lieutenant. You have your orders. I want to know when the arms are ready." Devore walked to the door to go on the bridge. "Lieutenant Toran, Walk with me!"

"Yes sir!' Harris said heading for his quarters. As he headed for the turbolift, he thought, * I want this to be over, now more than ever.*

Lieutenant Rashad took her seat next to Lieutenant Rhoukann and started to download files on the Borg looking for something, anything that might give them an edge. She too wanted this to be over quickly. She hated the Borg as much if not more than the officer sitting next to her, but as she began to read, Captain Devore shouted from the turbolift just before the doors shut, "Lieutenant Rashad, you too. Go get some rest. I need you fresh and alert in the morning."

"Yes sir." She said with a smile.

In the turbolift, Lieutenant Toran and the Captain talked as they headed for the forward lounge. "Lieutenant, you think this will work?" Devore asked candidly.

"Captain, This is as good of an idea as any. I think the Lieutenant Harris has a great idea. I just wished we had more time."

"Well, old man. That is a luxury we don't have. We just have to deal with it and press on."

"Yes sir."

They entered the forward lounge and sat down. "I hope this is a good idea!" Devore said.

"It is Mark, I mean Captain," Toran said.

"It is okay, Toran. If I can call you old man, when we are alone, you can call me Mark."

"Thank you."

After a few hours of discussing the possibilities and possible casualties and outcomes, Devore finally ordered Toran to bed. Toran had looked liked he needed it, but resisted always saying that there was too much to do. Finally though, Toran understood the reasoning and dismissed himself. However, Devore was just as tired, but couldn't dare lay down to rest but instead went to his ready room where drank more coffee and rested.