The Serenity is in orbit of a previously undiscovered planet in the Gamma Orianis Sector. The planet is M class, and our Science Chief Kaa Mare is positively flustered with excitement over a possible life form reading that appears to be naturally emitting tachyons. Dr. Kaa has orchestrated away teams, and we will beam down shortly. This mission is a welcome change from our recent diplomatic intrigue, and a good opportunity to observe how the new crew will function together.
Admiral Croft: ::smiling:: "It seems our eagar science chief has gotten lost in his work again. Have you seen him recently Nox?"
Cmdr Nox: "Not since his team checked in an hour ago. This could be a dangerous place Admiral, and Dr. Kaa is -not- good at keeping his lobes to the ground."
Croft: "It's natural to get excited about something of this magnitude Commander. I think we can give him a little leeway. After all, you were positively giddy after uncovering that True Way subterfuge last month."
Nox: ::eyes narrow in annoyance:: "THAT was important and tangible. Crawling around in the underbrush and ferns of this forest for some lemur that throws off radiation is dubious at best. He would be better off if he observed Rule of Acquisition 102, 'nature decays, but latinum lasts forever.' "
Croft: ::chuckling:: "You could be right." ::taps communicator:: "Commander Kaa, your status?"
Xenobiologist: "Sir, Ensign Baatu here. Dr. Kaa is halfway up a tree trying to coaxe this lemur species down."
Croft: "Understood Ensign. Please remind him that his team needs to change rotation in the next hour."
Xenobiologist: "Yes sir."
::Communicator Chirps:: "Croft here."
Operations Officer Asiro: "Sir, Admiral Quinn is hailing."
Croft: "Put him through Yamilè."
Admiral Quinn: "Rear Admiral, The Copernicus reported that it engaged the Borg less than 5 minutes ago. You are the closest ship. I've ordered reinforcements, but they may not arrive in time. Get The Serenity to that system as fast as possible!"
Croft: ::face paling:: "Yes sir! Serenity, beam up all away teams immediately and set course for The Copernicus, maximum warp!"
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"FEDERATION SCIENCE VESSEL USS COPERNICUS REGISTRY NUMBER NCC-98954. WE ARE THE BORG. THE FEDERATION WILL NO LONGER RESIST US. YOU WILL BE DESTROYED!"
::USS SERENITY WARPS WITHIN RANGE OF THE ADVANCING BORG CUBE::
Strategic Opeations Officer Nox: "Borg in firing range Admiral. Copernicus is badly damaged. Hull integrity 17%. Shields down to 5%."
Admiral Croft: "Attack pattern Omega Three. All weapons fire!"
::MASSIVE SUPSPACE DISTURBANCE::
::BOOMING DISEMBODIED VOICE:: "Oh no no no, this won't do at all! One cube is no challenge. THIS IS BORING! There, let's add some more and make it more interesting!"
First Officer Robin Baxter: ::London West-End Accent:: "Sir. I don't believe it! It's a Q! Two more tactical cubes have just materialized out of nowhere."
Cmdr Nox: "Sir, we're being targeted now on multiple vectors. Shields down to 50%"
Croft: "Ok, change of plan, Transporter room, prepare to beam all of The Copernicus's crew to Cargo Bay 5. I refuse to be a pawn for the Q continuum's amusement. We're cutting our losses and getting the Hell out of here!"
::Q appears on the bridge::
Q: "Tsk tsk mon capitaine, like you can ruin my fun so easily. Aunt Kathy would have known better."
::HUGE FLASH AND ALL GOES WHITE::
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DECK FIVE OF AN UNKNOWN FEDERATION VESSEL. A FIERCE BATTLE BETWEEN THE FEDERATION AND THE BORG WAGES ON OUTSIDE THE TRANSPARENT ALUMINUM WINDOW.
Croft: ::looking puzzled:: "What the??! Q! Where? When? My crew?? And, what the in the name of the holy elements happened to my uniform?"
Q: "Hmm, not exactly the Picard level of elocution to which I'm normally accustomed. Relax dull horns. Your crew is safe, for now. And, I changed that ghastly uniform choice. Seriously, you might be good with the ladies, and the men, and all the other genders for that matter, but fashion sense is not your forte, so I helped you out. Like I'm helping you now. Frankly, you have bigger concerns than your threads my exotic friend."
Croft: ::takes a deep breath:: "Q, I'm sure you know that my species LOVES a good prank, but this is a bit too far, even for us." ::looks around:: "And how are you helping us exactly? Where are we?"
Q: "Oh, and here I had hoped you'd be a bit more fun. Now, your ancestors that visited ancient Greece, THOSE were satyrs who knew how to party! ::sighs:: Oh well, if you insist on indulging in your human side's mediocrity, I suppose I can oblige. You are on the USS Saratoga, and, ....this exciting period....is Wolf 359. Just look at all that magnificent carnage going on out there."
Croft: ::EYES WIDE:: "This was Sisko's ship!"
Q: "Oh good you're not completely useless after all. Yes, it appears some other powers of wind and darkness have a little beef with "The Sisko," and have cracked the space/time continuum just enough to ensure his destruction. That is, unless you and your hapless crew can stop them."
Croft: "I see. And, what's in this for you?"
Q: "Oh, amusement really. I -was- perfectly content to sit by and watch this all unfold, but, my dad told me what a great left hook Benjamin Sisko threw, and I -do- love a human that has the audacity to try and clock an omnipotent being. So, my horny friend, you have -one- chance. Stop the borg boarding parties long enough for the crew to get to their escape pods, and you preserve history. Then I'll send you and your team back to your present."
Croft: "And if we fail?"
Q: "Oh well then you die and your existance changes irrevocably. Toodles!"
::Q DISAPPEARS IN A VIOLENT FLASH OF WHITE LIGHT::
::CROFT AGAIN JOINS THE ACTIVE TIMESTREAM. KLAXONS FLARE AND A CORE GROUP OF CROFT'S BRIDGE OFFICERS APPEAR NEXT TO HIM::
Dr. Movaak: "Agh! I HATE THE Q!"
Security Chief T'ien: ::WITH TYPICAL SHAOLIN TRANQUILITY:: "What is our situation sir?"
Croft: "I'll shorthand it for you all. Q. Wolf 359. The Saratoga. Destroy Borg boarding parties. Let survivors get to the escape pods."
T'ien: "Let us get to work then."
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CAPTAIN'S LOG SUPPLEMENTAL:
A member of the Q continuum has transported us to Wolf 359, where we are to stop what sounds like a pah-wraith plot to wipe Captain Sisko from existance before his assignment to Deep Space Nine. They have interfered sufficiently to allow borg boarding parties onto The Saratoga, which, according to my Security Chief, never happened. We have fought several waves of borg invaders, as well as our own fatigue. Despite overwhelming odds and particularly viscious borg, I am pleased to report that all escape pods have successfully launched from The Saratoga. Question is, will the Q live up to his promise to return us to our timeline before The Saratoga's warp core goes critical?
Q: "Well played mon capitaine. You amuse me. I may just have to come back sometime and visit you again. Back to your timeline with you, and, please, trim that pretentious goatee, will you?"
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