One of Seven (My attempt at writing)

Program
I entered into a trance and suddenly batches of data were being loaded. Text, Pictures, Video and CODES. The codes were of the collective and seemed to be access codes to ships of all kinds, all Borg. It seemed I was being given the keys to the collective. Searching through the data being delivered I found that they were starting to form a file structure. Outlining command codes for all their ship designations. Armament profiles etc. This was interesting information but why was a drone giving me this info. The stream stopped. The tubes retracted and I came back to reality. 11 of 10 smiled wryly. "You just smiled" I said.

"Yes, I have been slowly consistently disconnecting my self form the collective for the last few days. The information I just gave you will be useful in the fight against he borg in the coming months. They are preparing an assault on the alpha quadrant."

I turned and left sickbay and headed to the nearest turbo lift. "Deck 1".

I entered the bridge passing by tactical towards my ready room. As the doors shut behind me the door sounded...

"Enter" I stated crossing to the replicator. "Coffee. Milk. Hot" I commanded.

Parker walked in and before he could say anything I held my hand up for silence. I sat down, sipped my coffee and tuned into Parker's face. "What is it?" I asked non-nonchalantly while motioning for him to sit down.

"Captain...we approaching Bajor and DS9. Are we about to rush off on some mission that you won't tell us about until we're there or do we have some time to dock at DS9 for some maintenance and repairs? I'd very much like to tune the plasma conduit relays."

"How much time do you need? Wait let me guess....2 weeks." I stated, knowing what he was about to say. Before he could respond I said "fine! Prepare my shuttle when we dock. You're in command until I return." I stood up and approached Parker motioning for him to stand. I hugged him for several minutes. "Now get out and get to work!" Silently he left. As the door slid shut there was another tweet at the door. I knew I wasn't going to get any peace until I was able to leave. "Come!" I barked.

There he stood, a sweet innocent look on his face, though I knew he was far from innocent. He was smiling until he caught the drift of my mood. He pursed his lips and walked through the door. Behind him was 11 of 10. They had deborgafied him to the best of their ability. He looked frail and weak but he was standing upright, walking without assistance. He almost looked humanoid. It was clear now that he was in fact Bajoran. "Hi babe" I said with a half smile. "I see you have a brought a friend".

"11 of 10 is here to ask you a favor" Colin replied with tight lips.

"I will be granting no favors" I snapped. "What do you want 11?"

"To see my home world once again", 11 of 10 replied. "I haven't seen Bajor for many years. I was assimilated before the Cardassians took control. It was such a peaceful planet."

"You wouldn't recognize it now." I stated dryly. "Besides the three of us have other business. I am taking you to Utopia Planetia on my way to Earth Space dock. There you will be returned to as close to your normal "Bajoran" state as possible. I was far worse off than you and look at me. Only the one (visible) implant. After that I will return for you and help you decide your future. It will be possible then for you to see Bajor but not before. They would probably not accept you in your current state."

"Fine!" Shouted 11 of 10 as he headed for the door. "I will be in my....I don't have any....place to go."

"Don't act like an infant. Sit over here, we will be leaving in less than an hour." Colin said and walked him to the couch. Outside the ship was docking at one of the lower stiles of the station. I tapped my comm badge, "This is the Captain all personnel are permitted shore leave during our 2 week stay at DS9. You must have the Permission of Commander Anderson. Engineering personnel are restricted to maintenance." With that I motioned for the other two and we headed to shuttle bay 1.

We departed the Phantom with great haste and set course for Utopia Planetia. The trip was uneventful but gave me time to reflect on the events of the past few weeks. I had pretty much withdrawn into myself after the events in the Mutara Nebula. I wasn't sure how I felt about having 11 of 10 around, fortunately he would be gone soon. I had abandoned Colin for Solitude but he knew I needed some time. The time we did spend together was amazing but was becoming less frequent. I was happy that this trip would serve several purposes: First was to drop 11 of 10 off then head to ESD for a briefing with the Admiral. Then it would be a solid week Skiing the vast hills of the Wasatch front range. I had been fatigued of late and the crew knew all too well that they should avoid me at all costs and for the most part did.

"We're in transporter range, Captain" Colin stated.

"Ok 11, we're here. I will transport you to the medical facility. I will check in on your progress and return for you..." I stated. I knew this to be a half truth. I wanted him restored as best as could be and while my ships doctor was good he just didn't have the time to save this one from himself. I knew it would be months before he would be able to live a mostly normal life. I didn't have the time or desire, at this point, to deal with it. After all I had been through the drama he was about to face and didn't want to see him in that state.

"This is the shuttle Baxter to UP Med Center, I am beaming over your patient now....energize" I ordered as I watched 11 of 10 disappear. "Set course for ESD."

Vacation of Broken Hearts

I entered the Admirals Office plugged into his console and downloaded the new information I received from 11 of 10. When that was complete I disconnected and the Admiral stood up.

"Captain, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your efforts in dealing with the borg. I have new orders for you after your vacation is over. In fact I am not going to deliver them to you until you return to the Phantom. I will tell you that you are being promoted to Admiral as of this stardate and that you are granted a new star ship which will be transferred to you once the Phantom leaves DS9. We are also transferring the designation name of the Phantom to your new starship. Currently in your cargo hold are some items that were transferred from DS9. Commander Anderson wil be installing them on your new ship. Congratulations Admiral, please enjoy your vacation."

I took the new pips and slipped them into my pocket, turned and left the Admirals office. I was not shocked, happy, sad or anything. In fact...I felt no emotion at all. None.

I met up with Colin who was waiting for me in the Transporter room. We stepped on the pad and were beamed to Earth. We found our transport shuttle and quickly set a course for the mountain range to do some skiing and relaxing. I knew that this vacation was going to be enjoyable but I also knew what was coming at he end of it. I know Colin knew something was up but he was not able to read me as well as in he past. I was feeling rather numb. As we arrived at the resort he looked at me with incredibly sad eyes. He had figured out what was coming but didn't say a word. We spent our days on the slopes skiing, snowboarding and playing around. At night we would dine by firelight and fall asleep in each others arms. This was going to be tough but it had to be done. On the fifth night I replicated his favorite foods and had secretly produced a vintage bottle of his favorite wine. He came out of the shower dressed in a lavish robe. He saw the spread I had set out and his look saddened. "I was wondering when you were going to drop the bomb".

"It is no longer possible for us to see each other on a personal basis. I have known for quite some time about you and Parker. I love you both dearly but you belong with each other. I am merely a momentary fascination for you. When we get back to the Phantom there are going to be many changes. I won't go into detail now but it is time for the Intrepid's new captain to take command. I have been given command of another ship and will transfer my flag and designations in 2 weeks. The intrepid is taking on a new designation and a new Captain..." I handed Colin his Captain pip's and motioned for him to sit down.

"Remember our last stop at Bajor?" I asked, taking my chair and motioned for Colin's plate. "Well, while you were off discussing the implications of Borg nanites and human physiology, I spent some time in the shopping district looking for just the right piece to go into my aquarium I met a man, well met is not the right word. Our eyes met but only briefly and I...I...felt something. I don't think he felt the same thing but there was definitely something between us. I believe he is also a scientist but I am not sure of the his field of expertise. Later I bumped into, much by accident and knocked several carefully wrapped packages out of his hand. As bent to pick them I felt his presence in my mind. It was soothing. I blushed, which is something I rarely do. I handed him his packages and with a pat on shoulder I walked away. I don't know if I should ever see him again though I hope I do."

"I can't say I am surprised by this" he said, "Even though you are right, I do belong with Parker. I think we will never be together again. I understand that he will be taking on new duties on another ship. Do you know where he has been assigned, Admiral?"

"No, no I don't but I have a feeling he will be assigned his own ship as well. You two are amazing individuals and I will miss you both terribly. With any luck we will run into each other frequently on the starbase. I know some of the tactical missions I have been assigned are going to require several ships. I intend to have you and Parker along for the ride if I possibly can, but even that may be harder on all of us than can be expected. So... Captain, what will you be calling your new ship?"

"I don't know." Stated Colin.

I noticed the dampness forming around his eyes. He was being dumped, amicably but still dumped and it saddened him greatly. I reached over and grabbed his hand. He got up from the table and pulled me out of my chair. "Computer, raise the music level by .75db" he stated as we pulled each close and danced slowly for the next hour. My shoulder was wet with his tears and his with mine but we knew, both of us, deep down that it was for the best. I kissed him once on each cheek and pulled him towards the couch and we lay there just holding each other until the dawn...

Excelsior

I stepped off the pad at ESD and walked toward the Engineering department and shipyard. It had been a few days since I last saw Colin and I was not in a good mood but I was coping. Yes, I broke up with him but that didn't make it any easier. I couldn't get the Bajoran out of my mind. I figured it would take an act of the gods to ever see him again, let alone ask him out. I stepped up to the console and requested a list of Bajoran Scientists hoping that I would run across his picture and be able to put a name to the face. The list came up with about 1500 Bajoran scientists. I narrowed the search to male; 847 names came up. I then narrowed the search again by putting the region of Bajor in; 62. Not bad, I thought to myself and I started to review the list. There he was. I now had a name to put to the face. He was a Vice Admiral...my heart sunk. It was hopeless. There is no way in hell I was going to try and make a pass at my superior. I cleared the terminal and entered the Shipyard.

There he was! Nacelles brightly charged. Hull plating smooth and freshly painted. I walked toward the windows and there on the side of the ship was the Designation: USS PHANTOM - NX91367

There were shuttles buzzing around the hull here and there. I could hardly wait to get on board. I checked in with the Shipyard Captain and asked to see the specs. He sent the specs to my padd and I walked back over to the window. Off in the distance I could see an Intrepid and it looked like it was in a state of refit. I turned and walked out heading towards the Turbo lift to my temporary quarters...

Excelsior -=Cont=-
I entered my quarters and set the padd on the desk. Moving over to the window I tapped my combadge, "Seven to the Phantom."

"Admiral this is the Phantom Communications officer Ensign Dakota, What can I do for you sir?" the voice responded back.

"What is the status of my quarters, ready room and bridge?" I asked

"Sir, your quarters are ready for inspection as are the bridge and your ready room" stated Dakota.

"Thank you Ensign prepare for my arrival...belay that...This conversation never happened, understood?" I replied

"Understood, Sir."

I was already packed...actually I hadn't unpacked from the vacation. I grabbed my stuff and headed over to the transporter room. I walked over to the console and scanned the Phantom. I was looking for a low population...preferably no population. Once I found what I was looking for I entered the coordinates signaled the engineer to energize and vaporized into tiny specs of light. I re-materialized in a Jeffrey's tube that led directly into my ready room. I pulled out my scanner and began scanning the area. There were a total of 25 life signs surrounding the immediate vicinity. 2 were just walking by in the adjacent corridor. I crept along until I found the hatch to my ready room. Another quick scan found 12 life signs on the bridge. I quickly and quietly opened the hatch and entered my ready room. I was still in my street clothes and with a quick glance around the room headed for the bridge. The doors slid silently open and people were standing around, as if waiting for someone or something to do. Ensign Dakota spotted me and immediately announced "Admiral on the bridge!" Everyone suddenly stood at attention. I walked over to the command console entered my code and the computer announced "Admiral Charles Frost assuming command of the Phantom" 3 chimes rang. The turbo lift doors slid open and a disheveled young man entered the bridge. He walked over to the same command console and tapped in his code to which the computer again announced, "Lt Commander Johns assuming main engineering chief."

He looked at me and then around the room at all of the other crew standing at attention. He wreaked of sweat and cheap booze. I tapped on my pips and he passed out. "This is my chief engineer?" I asked the closest crewman. "Remove him from my bridge. Put him on the couch in my ready room and for god sake fix the computer so it will stop announcing who is doing what, and get some air freshener in here." The crew were now nervously following my orders as quickly as they could. "Computer locate Commander Bryce."

"Commander Bryce is in engineering" the computer responded.

"Commander Bryce to the bridge,double time" I shouted at the computer. "When he gets here send him to my ready room." I ordered and went into the adjacent room. A few moments later the commander requested entry to the ready room. I made him wait. I wanted him to sweat, just a little. The door announce chimed again.