“Heart rate and blood pressure are increasing... as is neural activity in the cerebral cortex.”
“The implant has stopped transmitting, but I’m still detecting significant activity. I thought this program of yours was supposed to shut it down,” asked the Stonewall’s CMO.
“No, we didn’t have enough time. I was worried that a complete shutdown of the implant might cause a serious disruption to his neural activity, which in turn might cause brain damage. This program only partially inhibits the implant,” replied the Pandora’s science officer as she kept her eyes on her tricorder.
“So it’s still going to be active? In what way?”
“Right now, we’ve only stopped it from transmitting and accessing the Admiral’s memories. Remember Doctor, our first priority was to stop the Borg from using Admiral Ford to compromise Federation defenses. We can work on the rest once this battle is over... hopefully.”
The Stonewall’s CMO clearly didn’t like that response, but turned her attention back toward the display above Nick’s bed.
“This is odd. His physical vitals are elevated for his current state, but they’d be normal if he were awake. However, his brain activity is still anomalous. Some areas are showing conscious activity, but others are subdued.”
“I think he’s trying to wake up,” suggested her counterpart from the Pandora. “I’m performing a toxicology analysis now. There’s nothing around the area of the implant. Damn... I thought the thing might be injecting him with a sedative.”
The Stonewall’s CMO perked up and looked over at the analysis. “No... but it might be making Nick’s body do the work for it. Look, there’s increased levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, and these levels are elevated beyond that normal for a sleeping human.”
“You’re right! And if they’re not coming from the implant directly, it could still be inducing Nick’s own body to produce them via electrical stimulation. That requires very specific signals and... there!” thought the other doctor aloud, pointing his finger at a new readout of the display.
“There it is. The implant is stimulating serotonin and norepinephrine production. Can that program of yours stop the implant from doing it?”
“I’ll need a few hours to develop that program and run simulations to make sure it’s safe,” responded the science officer.
“Well, while you’re doing that, I’ll have to implement a temporary fix,” responded the Stonewall’s CMO as she reached for a hypospray.
“What is that?”
“A stimulant that will overwhelm the effects of the serotonin and norepinephrine. With any luck, this will wake our Admiral. Nothing special, just a little miracle drug called caffeine,” said the doctor as she actuated the hypospray on Nick’s neck.
“Brain activity is increasing. I’d say he’s waking up.”
The officers looked at Nick who, sure enough, was beginning to stir. Suddenly, his eyes shot open and he bolted into a sitting position. His eyes darted around as he took in where he was.
“Easy Admiral,” said the Stonewall’s CMO as she placed her hand on Nick’s chest. “You’re in Sickbay. Your Borg implant became active and sedated you.”
Nick studied her then seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “I... I was dreaming that I had been assimilated into the Collective. Just like... just like the first time.”
“It was accessing your memory centers, so that’s not surprising. And in some ways, you were being re-assimilated. That thing has been transmitting a lot of data to the Borg in the last few hours. We were only just now able to stop it and wake you back up.”
Nick nodded, but then looked off to the side. “I can still hear them. I can hear the voices of the Collective. Why do they sound so close?”
“We only stopped the implant from transmitting. We need more time to stop it from receiving information,” replied the science officer.
“As for why the signals are so strong... it’s because we are currently engaged in a massive battle with the Borg,” added Nick’s doctor.
Nick’s eyes widened and he immediately moved off the bed, much to the disdain of his CMO.
“Admiral, I woke you up, but not so that you could go back to the bridge. You need to remain here so I can monitor your condition. The stimulant I gave you will wear out in a few hours anyway.”
“Then send an assistant with a hypospray. I’m returning to my bridge and nothing short of a court martial is removing me from it,” snapped Nick.
“Besides... I think it’s time the Borg got a taste of their own medicine.”
“Sir?”
Nick grinned wryly as he tapped his head with his finger. “Remember... I can still hear them. And they’re talking a bit too loudly about some things they really might want to keep quiet about.”
The Pandora’s officers grinned as Nick’s CMO let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, go. Just make sure to wrap this up soon. Hours of caffeine injections aren’t exactly healthy, Admiral.”
“Yes, Doctor,” Nick said with a grin as he turned and left Sickbay. The CMO turned to the science officer from the Pandora and pointed at a nearby medkit. “Well, since you’re here, you can help take the place of the nurse I’ll be sending to the bridge.”
The woman groaned, but obliged.
Back on Starbase 82, T’Rehes was doing all she could to keep the fleet intact. While shutting down the conduit had given them a chance, it was still a small one. Too many Borg ships had managed to make it through. Even if they won, at this rate it would be a costly victory that would take Starfleet months, if not years, to recover from.
“Admiral! I’ve received a report from the Stonewall. They report that Admiral Ford has returned to active duty and has taken command.”
The reporting officer could swear she saw a flash of a relieved smile from T’Rehes. However, if there had been one, it was extremely short-lived.
“Transfer coordination of the ships defending Starbase 82 to Admiral Ford. I will continue to coordinate Battle Group Omega at their position on the far side of the engagement.”
The next phase of the Battle for Starbase 82 had begun. With Nick’s return to the command of the Stonewall and coordination of the fleet, along with the information he was receiving from the Borg Collective, Stonewall Fleet and Battle Group Omega made headway against the Collective. However, the Borg still had the advantage of superior firepower in their monstrous cubes. Slowly, but surely, the Borg had managed to push through closer to the starbase.
“Borg vessel within estimated transporter range. Sensors are detecting transmissions which match that of Borg transporter signals. However, internal sensors are not detecting any Borg materializing within the starbase. It appears the dynamic shield modulation system is working, Admiral.”
Suddenly, the starbase’s lights flickered as the room shook.
“Shields are down to 90%, Admiral.”
“The brute force approach. This matches past tactics of the Borg. Order Battle Group Omega to move to assist with defense of the Starbase. Tactical, change target prioritization to ships firing on us.”
“Admiral, the Stonewall and ships under her also moving toward a more defensive posture of the Starbase.”
The assault continued. The change in tactics was able to slow the Borg’s assault on the Starbase, but not stop it. The Borg, through sheer attrition, were able to whittle away at the Starbase’s defense systems.
“Shields down to 30%, Admiral! At this point, Engineering can’t guarantee adequate coverage. Intermittent failures could occur and allow the Borg to invade.”
“Transfer power from half of our weapon systems to shields,” responded T’Rehes. At this point, stalling for time was the only tactic left to them. Starfleet still had reinforcements on the way.
“Admiral, we are being hailed by the Khyfa. She is reporting in from the transwarp gate for our sector!”
“On-screen!”
A large viewscreen on a side of the room came to life, showing the face of Dugzon Jaz.
“Admiral, the Khyfa, Garret, and Aurora are en route to provide assistance. We have also brought other reinforcements.”
T’Rehes’ eyebrow lifted. “I was under the impression Starfleet’s reinforcements were still farther out.”
“They are.”
Across the room, an officer practically yelled for T’Rehes. “Admiral! The transwarp gate’s sensors are reporting a large number of ships entering the sector behind the Khyfa. They’re Klingon ships, ma’am!”
T’Rehes looked at Dugzon. “Klingon ships?”
“The House of Nagh reD, Admiral,” responded Dugzon with a smile.
On the Stonewall, Nick’s comm officer was also reporting the arrival of the Klingon ships.
“We are also being hailed by the lead Klingon ship, the QaQ Hegh.”
“On-screen!” commanded Nick, barely able to stop himself from grinning ear-to-ear.
“Admiral!” roared loS in greeting as he appeared on the Stonewall’s viewscreen. “It is an honor to finally speak with you. I am Captain loS cha’maH of the House of Nagh reD. I have been told you wished to speak with me, but I believe we have a battle to win first.”
“Yes, that we do, Captain. It would be an honor to fight alongside your House. I will have Starbase 82 transmit current tactical data to your ship. Thank you.”
loS only nodded before the hail cut off. Nick nodded to his comm officer, who relayed the coordination order to Starbase 82.
Thankfully, the Stonewall Fleet and Starbase 82 were able to hold the Borg off long enough for the reinforcements from the House of Nagh reD and its allies to arrive. The addition of a fleet of Klingon ships swung the odds of the engagement away from the Borg. However, it was by no means an easy fight. The wreckage of Borg, Starfleet, and Klingon ships alike was strewn for thousands of kilometers. When all was said and done though, Stonewall Fleet and the House of Nagh reD emerged victorious and Starbase 82 remained standing as the first line of defense against the Borg.
