A Little Exploring" (Part 1 of 2)

"Main Shuttle Bay." Kirk said stepping into the turbo lift.

He was on his way to the vital mission that Captain Devore and Lieutenant Harris had spoken of and was looking forward to piloting a runabout once more. Once the turbolift stopped, He left it and walked into the shuttle bay where the oversized shuttle rested in the middle of the bay. Ambrose took a moment and walked around the shuttle gently running his fingers along side the hull as if he was caressing a female topping off his inspection with a once look over. Once he was fully satisfied at what he saw he entered the runabout on the port side. Inside the ship, the con panels were not online. "Computer. Initiate power up sequence." The con panel once again showed life as the ship's system and life support came online.

Lieutenant Harris heard the shuttle come to life as he walked into the shuttlebay carrying a side arm and two MP5s in hand. As he entered the runabout carrying the weapons, Mr. Ambrose asked respectfully, "Sir ? Do we need those ?"

Harris looked at him. "It's a lot easier to be safe then sorry. Mr. Ambrose."

With a shrug, Kirk went over to the con panel and ran a system check as a nice looking brunette walked into the runabout. She wore a blue uniform which identified her as a science officer, but Ambrose paid little attention to the young beauty that approached, however Lieutenant Harris seemed to.

"Ensign Lewis reporting for duty, sir." She said to Harris.

"Nice to meet you ensign. This is Warrant Officer Ambrose." Harris said but Ambrose just politely nodded in acknowledgment. "Stow your gear and take your post at science."

"Yes sir." Lewis said with a smile. "Mr. Ambrose. Let's close her up and take off." Harris said.

"Aye sir. Leviathan this is *Runabout Nile* requesting permission to depart." Kirk said on the com channel.

[*Nile*. You're clear to depart.]

"Understood. Beginning launch procedures," Ambrose said pushing some buttons. The shuttle bay klaxon began to go off as the computer announced the atmospheric depreciation in the shuttle bay.

"Mister Ambrose when we leave the shuttle bay, don't exceed 1/4 impulse. There is a lot of debris to avoid," Harris told Kirk.

Once the runabout was out of the shuttle bay, battle damage was clear all over the the hull of the Leviathan. She had taken quite a beating, but still was there. It produced feelings of awe from both Harris and Ambrose. The immediate area was covered in debris consisting of both dead Borg drones and pieces of Borg cubes which floated helpless in space.

"Bring us to bearing 023 mark 5. I'm picking up an energy signature. This may be a transwarp coil." Harris said with energy in his voice.

"Sir. It is an active transwarp coil" Ensign Lewis said after evaluating the sensor readings. Harris ordered the ship to stop and beam it aboard to one of the spare crew quarters onboard.

"Sir picking up something. A piece of debris 156 meters in length. It may have been part of the Borg cube because I am picking up life support but no life signs." The young science officer informed the group."

"Kirk open a com line to the Leviathan." Harris said.

"Leviathan this is *Runabout Nile*. We are detected a large piece of debris that may have been part of the ship. Request permission to proceed."

[This is Captain Devore. Investigate it but use extreme caution.]

"Understood sir." Grant said. "Helm take us to those coordinates."

"Aye sir."