Time Delay

Posted on Mon Oct 17th, 2016 @ 1:16pm by Captain Li Hawke & Commander Oralia Zeferino & Lieutenant Commander Michael Darwin

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: Admiral Wegener's Office

Oz was on her feet, one hand clenched in a fist as she nearly shouted at the console on the Admiral’s desk, “He was on a Borg cube? With just you as his defense? Darwin! Tell me you’re kidding!”

Darwin, his lips twisted in a smirk as he tried not to laugh at his boss’s impotent anger, made a placating motion with one hand and said, “Oz, it’s okay. He’s okay. Really. We both made it back to the cha’Do in one piece, with no new attachments. The Borg cube is coming back to the Station with us - under their own power. They’ve allied with us against the Krenim.”

“That’s--” Oz was about to say ‘that’s nuts’, but she saw Admiral Wegener join Darwin. She straightened her tunic and sat down. “Ah... well... that’s ... I’ll make sure the Station is prepared for their approach. Will any of them be coming aboard the Station?” Her tone suggested the answer she wanted to that question was a resounding ‘no’.

“No.” The reply came from Li, who scooted in beside Darwin. “They have no need to do so and I won’t have that...woman...set foot on our station.” Li’s tone was harsh, but then she softened. “Sorry Oz, not your fault. I had an interesting visit with the Queen.”

“Visit?” Oz looked at Darwin, who suddenly slipped just outside of the console’s view. Oz’s blood pressure went up but she decided not to make a fuss... not now, not when she couldn’t beat on the Security officer while doing so. “Don’t tell me. I’ll read it in your report. What about the Kohana and our crew?”

“The Kohana is back from beyond the rift that swallowed it, which is good news, right?” Li smiled but it was brief.

“Yeah.” Oz could tell Li was holding something back. “So what’s the bad news?”

“The female crew is missing,” Li answered. “They are on...a version of the original Korenna. According to what we’ve been told by the men, that crew is made up of Niro, Suresh, Riley...a few others.”

Oz blinked then nodded. “They have a history of surviving bad situations,” she said blandly. “You’ll be back here inside a week, Li?”

“That’s the plan. We were delayed to repair the Kohana but it’s up and moving so we’re starting the return trip. From what Vic said, I don’t think the women are in danger at this point, at least nothing they can’t handle until we can recover them. We had to make a decision Oz and the Krenim are already en route to 900.”

Oz nodded in understanding. “I’ve had my own encounter with a Krenim here. We’ll have the Fleet ready.”

“Dae and Nico are on stand-by when you need them, as is Aros. He’s coordinating with the Brenari Fleet and they can put you in touch with the rest that have joined with them. We will be there before the Krenim arrive, though, barring anything unforeseen.”

“Good. And I’m glad to know that your, and the Admiral’s, trips to the Borg cube were ...not permanent,” Oz said.

At that Li did laugh. “She hates me. I’m probably the last thing she wants in her head 24/7. They have a lot to lose if the Krenim are successful. What about the sphere?”

“Leroy’s team is working on it. We have two; one is not as stable as the other,” Oz said. Flippantly, she added, “We should just give the Krenim the unstable one. Let them figure it out before it destroys them.”

“Two? Wow we have been gone a while. Now I’m looking forward to your reports and I know the Admiral will be too. I like the idea. Anyway, we’ll be in touch. Call if anything happens we need to know about.”

“Will do,” Oz agreed then closed the comm channel.

The office was silent in the wake of the call but then a rough voice broke the quiet.

“Sooo, you’ve roped in the Borg I see.” Nevros had materialized before the desk and stood, staring down at Oz.

Oz jumped, nearly out of her skin. At least she didn’t yelp. “You!” She looked behind him. When he also glanced back, she hit a button on the console to let Hope know she needed Security. “Perhaps we have roped in the Borg.”

“Such help comes with a price, you of all people should know that.” He tapped his wrist band, then continued. “Do you really want to return to the collective if you happen to defeat the Krenim? You know the Queen will be satisfied with nothing less and you’ll have brought the fleets of ten planets here to feed her ego.”

“And the fleets of ten planets will be here to defeat her. Our technology against the Borg has improved.” She glanced down at her console and frowned. The clock had stopped. “Time manipulation. What do you want, besides to gloat?”

Nevros actually smiled. “Just to wish you well, if you don’t make it and we do not see each other again. That I regret as I think you would be a worthy adversary, Commander. This station has been an interesting experiment. Perhaps, in another time, it might succeed. Who knows?”

“This Station will continue on just fine, thank you.” She rose, feeling a little off by having him tower over her. She wished she had pulled a phaser when he’d first shown up. “Next time, give a little warning before popping in.”

“You won’t see me again,” Nevros answered. “Assuming everything goes as it should. If not, we may be having this conversation again.” He touched his wrist band once more and vanished from sight. Once he was gone, footsteps could be heard rushing into the outer office.

“And the cavalry arrives...,” Oz muttered as the first Security officer entered the office.

**************
Commander Oralia Zeferino
Lt. Commander M. Darwin
Captain Li Hawke
Nevros