Disclaimers: Star Trek and its characters, Picard, Riker, Warf, Q, etc, are not mine but are owned by Paramount Pictures. The character of Ray is mine. This story is not meant to infringe on any copyrights and I am not receiving any money for this story. I wrote this story for fun and for the enjoyment of the readers.
To Three From One
by
A.J. Marks
Part 1
He was surrounded and he knew it. The fight had raged on for a couple of hours and it appeared to be about over, or his war was about to be. He gripped his weapon tighter and dove into the bushes. His ammo was low and had already thrown all of his daggers except one. He gripped that dagger in his left hoping the blood on his dagger and on his hands would not affect his ability to fight.
He knew that there would be no re-enforcements coming to help him. His commanders would be reviewing this battle to find out what adjustments would be needed in their tactics. He also knew that he was the last one alive in his unit.
The mission was to be a simple recon of a suspected enemy base. They were to find out the strengths and weakness for a planned attack against the base at a later date.
He did not remember tripping any alarms, but then that meant the enemy had adjusted to their tactics. One minute he and his comrades were slowly creeping along the trees and thick bushes, the next minute they were surrounded by the part living part robot cyborgs.
The killing had started immediately, the captain in front of him was the to go. He was struck right in the middle of his chest, he jerked once and was dead. He guessed it was from poison that they pumped into a person with that chain weapon.
The tow sides then engaged each other. He made his first kill of the day by pumping three trioloslugs into the cyborg. He then killed another in close with a dagger that he used to slit the throat of the cyborg.
The group saw an avenue of escape, fortunally the cyborgs were slow and his group was able to take advantage of it. They had continued to run keeping a close eye on their backs.
His group forgot about the fact that the cyborgs were also smart. The escape avenue was also a trap, but they didn’t know about it at the time. They ran right into the trap a couple of minutes later. The cyborgs dropped out of the trees catching the recon group with their weapons turned the other way.
The rest of the day was made up of skirmishes between what was left of the group and the cyborgs. They were slowly picked off one by one until only he was left. He was tired and sore. He had been cut on his left arm and struck once by some sort of projectile in his left leg.
Suddenly three cyborgs emerged from the bushes and he shot off the rest of his ammo killing two of the cyborgs. The last cyborg received his dagger, but was still able to approach him. He stood to run but his left leg buckled and he went down. Another cyborg emerged from the bushes and raised his arm.
Ray Tribordus jerked awake from the dream. Sweat was all over him and he was still slightly shaking. ‘Damn, I hate that dream’ he thought.
“Computer, what time is it?”
“The time is six forty-one,” the computer voice said.
Ray got up and went to the shower and got ready for his shift.
Captain Jean Luc Picard walked into his ready room and went straight for the screen on his desk.
“Computer, activate message for Picard, Jean Luc, security clearance alpha one delta.”
“Security code accepted.”
Picard looked at the screen and an older bald man replaced the federation symbol.
“Admiral Oveprot, to what do I owe this honor, old friend.” Picard said with a smile. “It’s been awhile since we’ve last talked.”
“It’s been about a year Picard and it is good to see you my friend. However I do have some very serious news to tell you Captain Picard.”
“I’m sure that this ship and her crew will be able to handle it Admiral.”
“That’s what I’m counting on, the Enterprise has the best field record of any starship. The war against the Jem’Hadar is going well and the Federations along with its allies are holding their own, however there is another reason why Starfleet has chosen the Enterprise and her crew.”
Picard raised his eyebrows at this, it did not sound good, not at all.
“Starfleet also needs the experience of its captain, you see Starbase 12 has reported that there has been Borg activity. Last time the Borg attacked Starfleet made the mistake of not sending you, this time we won’t make the same mistake. Picard we need you out there to see what is going on.”
“Are you saying the Borg are back?” Picard asked a bit stunned by what he had just heard. “That’s impossible, we killed their queen.”
“That’s what we thought, but two days ago the starship Healy was destroyed. Examination of the wreckage revealed damage that was consistent with Borg weapons. Go out there and see what is going on, the Federation cannot fight a two front war captain, so I’m afraid you will be on your own with this assignment.”
“Understood Admiral, Picard out.”
The screen switched back to the Federation symbol as he reclined back in his chair and put his arms behind his head. He knew how bad this information was, if the Federation fell to the Borg, they would not be able to be stopped.
A flash of light made Picard sick to his stomach even before he heard his voice.
“What’s the matter Picard?” Q said. “Your looking a bit down, anything I can do to help?”
“What do you want Q?” Picard said while rubbing his forehead.
“I’m hurt Picard.” Q said putting his hand over his heart while making a slightly shocked expression on his face. “I come to offer my services and you think I’m up to something.”
“Because you usually are Q” Picard said as he got up and walked out onto the bridge. Q of course followed him.
Riker and Warf both glared at Q the moment they laid eyes on him. The others around the bridge all thought the same thing ‘O great just what we need now’.
“We are a little busy for you games Q.” Riker said
“So we would all appreciate it if you left Q,” Picard told him. “Data plot a course for Starbase Outpost 12, warp factor 8, and engage.”
The doors to the trubolift then opened.
Roy had finished taking his shower and was checking the mirror to make sure the uniform fit ok, it was a new uniform that he had just received. As he was walking toward his door he felt his skin tingle and knew that it was not good. He stepped onto the turbolift and stated his destination. Sometimes he wished things had gone a bit differently, after all he should be dead. At times he felt guilty about still being alive, but he had slowly learned to deal with the emotions he felt. As he stepped out of the turbolift he heard the captain giving a destination and for the helmsmen to engage. Then he saw him, he was wearing a red Starfleet officer uniform, but he knew that he was not in Starfleet. He knew because every bone in his body was screaming warnings at him.
“Lieutenant, take your post.” Captain Picard told him as he noticed the Lieutenant standing there.
“Yes sir!” Ray replied and he walked over to relieve Warf and take his watch.
“Picard when will you start to trust me?” Q said not noticing Ray.
“Q maybe when you stop talking in riddles and expecting us to know things we do not know, maybe. When you stop putting us in dangerous situations that endanger my crew and my ship, maybe, but at the moment no I don’t trust you.” Picard said. “Now I’ve got enough trouble with the Jem’Hadar and the Borg, I don’t need trouble from you.”
“If it wasn’t for me, Picard, your pathetic Federation wouldn’t be prepared for the Borg at all.”
“HOLD IT!” Ray said. “You mean you introduced the Borg to the Federation?”
“That’s right” Q said smugly, “The Federation thought they could handle anything so I introduce Picard here to them.”
For the first time Q noticed the look on Ray’s face. Ray had a look of pure rage on his face as he walked down toward Q. The rest of the bridge crew was now really interested in what was about to happen. They knew that Q could kill him with a thought.
“Lieutenant, remain at your post!” Picard ordered. He was not ready for what was to happen next.
“Sorry sis,” Ray whispered as he stood in front of Q. Ray then backhanded Q across the face. Picard would later recall that he could not remember who was more stunned, the crew or Q. The backhand that Ray landed on Q sent him across the bridge into the wall.
“DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE?” Ray yelled at the stunned Q.
Q looked at Ray with a stunned and confused look, and then started to get mad.
“Do you know who I am?” Q asked Ray, “I’ll teach you to respect me”
He lifted his hand and pointed at him, but nothing happened. Q again looked confused but also surprised as nothing happed.
“Don’t try your tricks with me,” Ray told Q with a mush calmer voice than before. “It won’t work on me.”
“That’s impossible!”
“No it’s not,” Ray looked around the bridge and seemed to be thinking to himself. After a few minute he looked a t Picard and Q. “Perhaps it is time to tell the story.”
Picard and Q exchanged a confused glance.
“”Perhaps the ready room would be the best place, and Captain Picard, would you please make our destination Earth. We will have to pick something up.”
“I would like an explanation first.” Picard said.
“And you will get on captain, I just hope everyone is ready for the truth, especially you two Captain Picard and Q.” Ray said as he walked into the room.
“I’m still not convinced.”
“Neither am I, besides what truth would I not be ready for?” Q asked.
“Captain we will lose time, and what I have to pick up will stop the war with the Borg.” Ray told him.
Picard was still trying to make up his mind when Councilor Troy came up to him.
“He is not deceiving you captain.” She said.
“Ok, but I expect him to have a good reason for all of this. Ensign set course for Earth, warp factor 9.”
“Course laid in Captain.” The ensign replied.
“Engage.”
End Part 1
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