*/*situation assessment---
control centre of species 5618 starship---
unsupported by other collective elements---
assimilation nanoprobes offline---
---queue assimilation nanoprobes for regeneration [0%]---
precautionary adaptation--- species 5618 typical armament--- nadion radiation---
---adaptation [0%]
------[11%]
------[36%]
------[54%]
------[73%]
------[91%]
------[complete]
interface with starship computer---
release infiltration software---
---[38%]
---[79%]
---[complete]
incoming: nadion radiation
---adaptation successful
neutralize hostile elements for later assimilation
engage hostile element subject 1: species 4464
---initiating physical combat protocol 2561-Beta [76% chance to disable: species 4464]
---incoming: impact damage
---damage within parameters
---subject not neutralized--- reassess---
---initiating physical combat protocol 3002-Delta [81% cumulative chance to disable: species 4464]
subject not neutralized
---neural capacitance charge at 74%
---engage neural shock
---engaging
---subject neutralized
---rebuild capacitance charge [0%]
engage hostile elements subject 2: species 5618, subject 3: species 4464
---initiating physical combat protocol 1178-Alpha [36% chance to disable multiple opponents in humanoid species range]
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---damage within parameters
---initiating physical combat protocol 2876-Alpha [47% cumulative chance to disable multiple opponents in humanoid species range]
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---assessing damage
------level: minor
------release analgesia for organic components
------realign structural members for increased resistance
---initiating physical combat protocol 205-Zeta [66% cumulative chance to disable multiple opponents in humanoid species range]
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---subject 2 neutralized
---subject 3 not neutralized
---assessing damage
---level: moderate
------continue analgesic and structural resistance process
---initiating physical combat protocol 1654-Alpha [74% cumulative chance to disable: species 4464]
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---reevaluate: subject 3
------neural capacitance level: 1% [insufficient]
------armament not installed
------assimilation nanoprobes still queued for regeneration [0%]
---initiating physical combat protocol 1976-Delta [96% cumulative chance to disable: species 4464]
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---initiating physical combat protocol 2343-Alpha [99% cumulative chance to disable: species 4464]
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---submit request for reevaluation to central data storage: species 4464
------resistance to physical combat protocols exceeds expectations
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: impact damage
---initiating physical combat protocol 1987-Beta [99% cumulative chance to disable: species 4464]
---incoming: impact damage
---incoming: im[act amaage
---damage critical
---damagee critical
------switch drone to regeneration mode
------OFFLINE */*
Tallasa staggered over to the helm console and leaned against it, supporting her aching body with both hands. The lights on the bridge were flickering in a rapid, disturbing rhythm. She looked down to the deck, where Jhemyl had been felled by the Borg's neural blast. Her sister was groaning and stirring feebly, starting to recover consciousness. Leo Madena, too, was getting slowly to his hands and knees, blood oozing from a gash over his temple.
"Status," she managed to rasp.
"Borg data warfare packages have been inserted into our command structures," said Saval. He was tapping rapidly on his console. "I am implementing countermeasures, but ship's functions will be disrupted while the threat is neutralized."
Tallasa let go of the console and straightened up with a wince. "How bad is it?"
"Containable," said Saval, "in time. The Vice Admiral's Borg programming is several years out of date, and her own knowledge of our computer systems is... inadequate to affect matters. It is simply a matter of time... though it may yet be several hours before we are able to restore functions."
"If we have several hours," Tallasa muttered. She helped Leo Madena to his feet. "Get in touch with the Tapiola. Let them know what's happened. All of it."
She turned to where Ronnie lay unmoving on the deck. Even in that short time of reassimilation, Borg circuitry had spread like shadowy veins beneath her skin. Much of her hair had already fallen out. Tallasa touched her combadge. "Bridge to medical."
"Sickbay here," Zodiri's voice replied. "What the hell are you playing at, up there?"
"The Admiral was reassimilated. We've managed to take her down, but she released Borg viruses into the computer. I need you up here with a field liberation kit, now. You can't trust the turbolifts, so use the emergency accessways. OK?"
"On it." In a crisis, Zodiri didn't waste words. Tallasa appreciated that.
She turned back to Jhemyl, helped her sister to her feet. The two exchanged a brief, wordless hug. It hurt Tallasa's back. Ronnie had hit her so hard -
No. Not Ronnie. The Borg. Ronnie was gone. Maybe they could get her back... and maybe not.
"We should kill her," said Jhemyl.
In response to the shocked looks of everyone on the bridge, she held up her hands and said, "It's what she wanted. Isn't it?"
"It's what she asked for," said Tallasa slowly. "But... look at her. Could you do it?"
Jhemyl looked at the motionless form. She didn't answer.
"In my opinion," said a new voice from the screen, "it would be inadvisable to make the attempt."
Tallasa turned. T'Pia's face was on the screen, wavering and shot through with interference. "Sir," she said.
"There are two reasons behind my conclusion," said T'Pia. "Firstly, if Mr Madena has correctly informed me about the role of the Rift entity in this matter, that entity would certainly act to preserve Vice Admiral Grau's life. Althought it may have limited ability to affect her, there is no reason to suppose that it would be similarly limited with regard to you. My second reason is a more selfish, pragmatic and immediate one. Vice Admiral Grau is the only person able to perceive the energy fields that surround us. Without her assistance, we are unable to move safely from our current location."
Tallasa shot a glance at Saval, who looked up briefly from his work, said "That is logical," and turned his attention back to the console.
"Very well," said T'Pia. "Your primary objectives are therefore clear: to restore the Falcon to operational status, and to bring Vice Admiral Grau back to herself. Tapiola will stand ready to offer whatever assistance is practicable in these matters. So far, the Warhammer has not moved in pursuit, and is holding station at extreme sensor range. We believe Mur is -"
Her voice was suddenly lost in static, and her image smeared sideways and dissolved in a haze.
"Sorry, sir," said Leo. "My board is... doing stuff."
"The Borg viruses are outmoded," said Saval, "but they are still adaptive and highly efficient. It will be some time before any ship functions can be relied upon."
"Ship functions including life support?" Tallasa demanded. "Or antimatter containment?"
"I appreciate that the situation presents causes for concern," said Saval. "The logical course of action, therefore, is to allow me to work without distraction towards its alleviation."
"All right," Tallasa snapped. A noise made her turn, and wince with pain. The emergency access door to the bridge slid open, and Zodiri stepped through, medical packs in both hands, another one strapped to her back.
"Let's see the patient," she said.
"Over here," said Tallasa. "Do what you can."
Zodiri knelt beside Ronnie's body, ran a diagnostic scanner over her, swore softly to herself. "This is not going to be easy," she said. "Damn it, she had too much Borg junk in her system already -"
"Do the best you can," said Tallasa.
"I will." Zodiri looked up at Tallasa. "And then I'm going to take a look at you, because from where I'm sitting, you're in bad shape."
The lights on the bridge flickered again. Tallasa regarded them grimly.
"I think we all are," she said.
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