The Legacy Continues

[Curtis]

Prologue-�An Old Legend Passes�

Captain�s Personal Log: Today is the day I feared and dreaded would come to be, the U.S.S. Adventurer-X has been called back to Earth for decommissioning after spending five years in the Delta Quadrant to search for the U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656. Built during the Dominion War and thought to be the winning pawn for the Federation, the U.S.S. Adventurer-X was completed after the war and assigned to search for the U.S.S. Voyager within the Delta Quadrant. After being assigned this mission, the Adventurer-X did indeed discover the U.S.S. Voyager; however, Voyager and Adventurer-X decided to part ways after awhile and continue their own successful missions of discovery. Perhaps someday in the future, another starship like the Adventurer-X will be constructed and have another successful run. As for me, I still have no idea what I�ll do when I get home�maybe just sit around and await another legend to be born.

�Computer,� Curtis said. �End log.�

The computer responded with a bleep as Curtis got up and exited his ready-room, re-entering the bridge as the U.S.S. Adventurer-X approached Earth and her deciding fate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One morning, Curtis entered a room full of decommissioned starship names, which acted as a sort of starship graveyard. Curtis approached the front of the room and searched through the �A� section until finally coming upon the U.S.S. Adventurer-X engraved across the wall in small teal colored print.

�I never thought I�d have to see you in hear captain,� said Abigail as she entered the room.

�I never thought I�d be visiting this room myself Abigail,� Curtis answered, not turning to face her. �How have you been?�

�Good sir, I�ve been promoted to a commander. I think the real question here is�how have you been Curt?�

�Congratulations on your promotion,� Curtis answered, finally turning around. �I have been miserable. I visit this room each and every day wondering what in the blue-blazes did I do wrong? What did I do to have Starfleet decommission their prized U.S.S. Adventurer-X?�

�Nothing to my knowledge sir, something�s are not meant to live forever you know.�

�Yes, I do know commander. However, some �legends� are never meant to die�so why �destroy� one of their best starships out there? Did they �destroy� the Enterprise-E? Voyager? DS9?�

�Well, no sir, but--�

�Save your breath Abigail, I know what you�re going to tell me. You�re going to tell me that I should stop worrying about what happened and just move on with my life, well I�m sorry Abi I can�t do that�this ship was my life.�

�Actually sir, I came here to tell you that your life may not be as distressed as you think. Starfleet Command has completed construction on another Intrepid-class vessel and have sent me to search for you. Captain, this may be your chance to get back to where you used to be.�

((I should finish Chapter One by the next time i login on Saturday, so hope you all can wait .))

[Curtis]

Chapter One-"The Meeting"

�Maybe your right commander,� Curtis replied, placing his hand upon the U.S.S. Adventurer-X inscription on the wall. �Perhaps I should take this option into consideration and perhaps resume my old legacy. I�ll go with you, lets head to command headquarters.�

�A wise choice sir,� Abigail said, smiling. �Lets head to command headquarters indeed.�

Curtis finally removed his hand from the inscription on the wall and left the room with Abigail, the two of them then headed for Starfleet Command Headquarters�perhaps in search of the future of Captain Skenandore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later on, Curtis and Abigail stepped off the turbo-elevator, after checking into Starfleet Command Headquarters, and approached the desk of the admiral�s secretary.

�Do you have an appointment?� the secretary asked, chewing her gum.

�Yes,� replied Abigail. �Captain Curtis Skenandore to meet with Admiral Jenkins on a matter of urgency involving the newly constructed starship.�

�Oh captain,� the secretary said. �The admiral is awaiting your arrival, right this way.�

The secretary got up from her desk and escorted Curtis and Abigail into Admiral Jenkins� office.

�The admiral will be with you in a moment,� the secretary said. �He�s attending to �other things� right now in the other room.�

�Understood,� Curtis answered.

As the secretary left, Curtis and Abigail took their seats at the front of the admiral�s desk and admired the things he had around the room while awaiting his arrival. Shortly after their arrival, Admiral Jenkins entered the office and took his seat at the desk.

�Glad to see you could make it captain,� Jenkins said. �Did Abigail fill you in?�

�Yes sir,� Curtis nodded. �She has told me everything she knows on the way here.�

�Well then, I suppose you want to know what it is she doesn�t know?�

�It would be nice sir, especially if I accept this job.�

�We have completed construction on another Intrepid-class starship, the U.S.S. Adventurer-XA-2010. She has all that the old Adventurer-X had, but she has several upgrades that Voyager brought back with her. Such as the upgraded weapons and armor, also, we have configured it so that the shields and armor may be on at one time and if one fails�the other will still remain until it fails.�

�I see�and this is supposed to be? The Adventurer-X�s sister ship?�

�Well, no. The only reason we made her was to honor the Adventurer-X as we did other ships. You know, like our Enterprise series of starships.�

�Yeah, I know�and, I�ll take the job.�

�Excellent!� exclaimed Jenkins. �I will have you and Ms. Thomas taken to the ship immediately.�

�Oh?� Curtis asked. �Will Ms. Thomas be with me on this mission?�

�Yes.�

�As what? Helmswoman? Operations? Tactical?�

�No�your first officer.�

�Oh, I see�well, lets go see this ship.�

The three of them got up from their seats and one by one they exited the room, Admiral Jenkins exiting last so that he may enter his security code to protect his office. The three of them then boarded a shuttle and were off in a matter of minutes, heading to where the U.S.S. Adventurer-XA-2010 was docked.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shuttle pod docked at Starbase 13 and the Curtis, Abigail, and Admiral Jenkins all stepped out. The three of them started to the area where the new Adventurer-XA was being built, with Jenkins leading the way. After minutes of walking, they all arrived at a large window�noticing a huge Intrepid-class starship on the other side, the U.S.S. Adventurer-XA-2010.

�Is that?� Curtis asked.

�Affirmative captain,� Jenkins answered. �Your new staff is awaiting you onboard.�

�Understood, lets go commander.�

Curtis and Abigail then headed over to a transporter pad and within minutes were beamed aboard the Adventurer-XA.

�Greetings sir,� said the transporter chief, saluting the captain.

�At ease chief,� Curtis replied. �Return to your normal duties.�

The chief nodded as Curtis and Abigail left the transporter room and entered the turbo-lift, entering the bridge shortly after.

�I guess this is where we sit commander,� Curtis said.

�I guess so captain,� replied Abigail with a smile.

�Are we set to get under way helm?� Curtis asked.

�Aye sir,� replied Tyler. �We were just waiting for Admiral Jenkins� ok to go, and we have just been cleared.�

�Excellent, then take us out Mr. Monroe, then set a course for the test site�lets see what this ship can do.�

�Aye sir, taking us out and setting course, warp 4?�

�Sounds good.�

Tyler nodded at the order and within several minutes, the U.S.S. Adventurer-XA slowly moved out of the Starbase. Once the ship was fully out, her engines hummed to life and in a vertical flash of light she jumped to warp, heading for the test site.

[Tuvok8917]

Please continue. This is very nice .

[Curtis]

Chapter Two-"First Mission"

Approximately thirty minutes later, the Adventurer-XA arrives at the Federation test site and immediately switches over to impulse power.

�Red alert Lieutenant Stewart,� Curtis said. �Lock weapons onto the asteroids in this area, fire all weapons�we must test everything.�

�Aye sir,� Kyle replied. �Red alert, �engaging� the asteroids.�

Within minutes, the ship had moved into an evasive pattern and began firing everything it had at every asteroid in the area. In a matter of minutes, the area was cleared of asteroids.

�Targets eliminated sir,� Kyle said.

�Good work lieutenant,� Curtis replied, smirking. �It looks as if our weapons are fully operational with no side effects?�

�Affirmative sir, everything is operational and no side effects have been detected. How do you propose we test our shields and armor?�

�I have no idea lieutenant,� Curtis answered, turning to the science station. �Any suggestions Mr. Jones?�

�Affirmative sir,� Tommy answered. �It appears that there is one other starship here.�

�Hail them Mrs. Banes, on screen.�

�Aye sir,� Amy replied, tapping her console rapidly. �They are responding�on screen.�

Suddenly, the face of the other starship�s captain appeared on the Adventurer-XA�s main view screen.

�How may we assist you captain?� asked the captain of the other starship.

�Greetings Captain Stewart,� Curtis said. �We were hoping you�d engage us in a friendly battle. You see, we are fresh out of Starbase 13 as I am sure you are aware and we need to test our ship�s new shielding and armor technology. We have already tested our weapons systems so you have my word, we will not return fire.�

�No firing back Captain Skenandore? It sounds fair enough to me�engage the Adventurer-XA!�

Within minutes, Captain Stewart�s starship moved into firing range and fired upon the Adventurer-XA; however, Curtis ordered to have the starship moved out of range just before the phasers and torpedoes hit. Captain Stewart again appeared on the view screen.

�I thought you wanted us to fire upon you captain?� Stewart asked. �How can we do that if you are constantly moving on us?�

�I said I�d let you fire on us,� Curtis replied. �And although I said we wouldn�t fire back�I didn�t say anything about us not be a �moving� target.�

�Very wise captain�very wise, but I�ll get you.�

Stewart�s ship again closed on the Adventurer-XA, but it again moved out of range just before the weapons hit. This went on for several hours, until Captain Stewart finally outsmarted Captain Skenandore and the Adventurer-XA shook from a phaser and torpedo blast.

�Report!� exclaimed Curtis.

�Shields and armor held out sir,� Kyle answered. �Minimal damage to them both.�

�Good, hail Stewart; tell him to cease fire.�

�Done sir,� Amy replied. �He is moving off, and he says �he got you,� but that you put up a valiant effort.�

�Understood,� Curtis chuckled. �Set a course for the next test site��

Just then, Admiral Jenkins� figure appeared in front of the view screen on an oval-like pad.

�Greetings Curt,� Jenkins said.

�Greetings sir,� Curtis answered, puzzled. �May I ask how you got here?�

�Oh this, this is the new holographic communicator. You know, like the one that the Defiant used to use. I had one installed on the Adventurer-XA; therefore, it is one of the few ships to have one�I, obviously, have one in my office.�

�I see, well, to what do I owe this visit sir?�

�I am here to give you your current mission.�

�Understood.�

�Alright then, I have just received intelligence information that a Romulan Warbird is approaching the neutral zone in order to discuss talks of peace with the Federation and Klingons. The Klingons have sent a Bird of Prey to rendezvous with it and I would like for you to do the same. Follow this Bird of Prey to the neutral zone and then discuss talks of peace with the Romulans, who wish to also apologize for the Shinzon incident, and see what they have to say. Also captain be wary on this mission, I have also received intelligence that an old enemy lurks around space�searching for the ones who damaged their kind.�

�An old enemy sir? Any idea on who, or what, it is?�

�Not a one, my intelligence officer was killed in the process of relaying the message, he never got to tell me who it was. So please captain, be careful�you could be in grave danger.�

�Understood sir, I�ll keep my eyes and sensors on the lookout, you have my word sir�we will be cautious.�

�Very well Curtis, I look forward to hearing what the Romulans wish to do, Jenkins out.�

Jenkins� figure disappeared and Curtis turned his attention to the Helmsman.

�You heard him Tyler,� Curtis said. �Rendevous with that Bird of Prey and then head to the neutral zone.�

�Aye sir,� Tyler replied. �Setting a rendezvous course.�

The Adventurer-XA disappeared in another vertical flash of light, meaning that it had entered warp. Several minutes later, it dropped out and met with the Klingon Bird of Prey; then, both vessels disappeared in a vertical flash of light, with Captain Skenandore hoping that this trip to the neutral zone wouldn�t mean the death of him and his crew.

((Chapter Three-"Enemy Revealed" coming shortly, maybe this weekend, or next weekend.))

[Curtis]

Chapter Three-"Enemy Revealed"

Curtis, the Klingon captain, and the Romulan captain all entered the conference room of the Warbird�only to note that Captain Picard was already there.

�Captain?� asked Curtis. �Why are you here? I thought the Federation wanted me to cover this.�

�They do,� replied Picard. �However, the Romulans also wished for me to attend after what happened with the Shinzon incident.�

�I see, well, at least I am not the only Federation officer here then.�

As soon as the Romulan captain sat down, the Klingon captain sat down hesitantly.

�Shall we begin?� asked the Romulan.

�Yes,� replied the Klingon. �I wish to be out of this blasted ship as soon as I can.�

�You didn�t have to come you know, I do not remember extending this visit to the Klingon Empire.�

�Perhaps you didn�t, but your people did! Of course, the Empire elected me to rendezvous with you because I was the closest.�

�Now gentleman,� Picard cut in. �We are here to discuss peace, not start an all out war again.�

�I�ll have to agree with Captain Picard,� Curtis said. �The Romulan Star Empire is finally willing to discuss peace and we should not jeopardize that.�

�Very well, carry on!� the Klingon said.

�I will,� replied the Romulan. �I have invited you all here because, as you all know, the Star Empire wishes to find peace at last between our people. The Star Empire is growing weary of this constant feud between our three people and I am sure your peoples are as well�with the exception of the Klingons.�

�Why not the Klingons?! Are you saying we are unable to grow weary?� the Klingon burst out.

�No, I am just saying that you do not grow weary easily�as your people were meant to be fighters.�

�He is correct,� Curtis said. �When our two people first met, you were almost the most dominant species in the galaxy.�

�That is true,� the Klingon said. �Lets us sign this treaty then shall we?�

�You do not wish to hear more on why we want peace?� asked the Romulan.

�No,� everyone replied.

�We just wish to extend our hands to you in peace,� said Picard.

�Very well,� replied the Romulan. �I shall relay this information to my people and then our peoples can discuss treaty situations.�

�Very good,� Picard answered. �I look forward to working with you again someday.�

Suddenly, Curtis� comm badge bleeped and Abigail�s voice came from it.

�Adventurer-XA to Captain Skenandore,� she had said. �Sir we have a situation up here.�

�What sort of situation?� Curtis asked.

�An series of unknown vessels are approaching at high velocity, sensors can�t identify them yet; however, at their current speed we can ID them within five minutes or so.�

�Understood, I am on my way back to the ship now.�

�Very well sir, Abigail out.�

With that, his comm badge made a click noise meaning that the link had ended and he got up to leave the room.

�I am sorry for rushing out like this,� Curtis said. �But since our peoples are ready to discuss peace, I must return to my vessel to identify this potential threat.�

�We understand completely captain,� the Romulan replied. �Perhaps we may assist you in battle if it comes to that.�

�Perhaps,� Curtis nodded and left the room.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The turbo-lift doors opened and Captain Skenandore stepped off of it and took his seat on the bridge in the command chair, he then turned to Abigail.

�Have you identified yet what it is?� Curtis asked.

�Affirmative sir,� Abigail answered, turning to the science chief. �Go ahead Mr. Jones.�

�Aye ma�am,� Tommy replied, looking at Curtis. �We have identified the seven vessels as�Borg.�

�What?!� exclaimed Curtis. �I thought Captain Janeway had destroyed their Center Collective with Admiral Janeway�s futuristic assistance?�

�She did,� Abigail said. �However, we have concluded that the Borg are trying to rebuild their Collective with a new single mind�as many of their Cubes and Spheres were nowhere near the center collective when the Janeways destroyed it. Therefore, these Borg could be scouters�or assimilators, integrating more people into their new Collective.�

�This is not good, how long until they are within range?�

�Approximately one hour sir, maybe less.�

�Raise shields, red alert! Deploy armor and charge all weapons!�

�Aye sir,� replied Kyle.

Suddenly, the red alert siren went off and red lights were flashing all throughout the ship on the walls. Every crew member aboard the U.S.S. Adventurer-XA was running around frantically; however, not panicking�trying to get to their stations in order to protect their new vessel and the people onboard as the seven Borg Cubes and Spheres sped toward them at high warp, with one goal in their new Collective mind�assimilation.

[Curtis]

Chapter Four-"The Plan"

BANG! Suddenly the Adventurer-XA shook from several phaser shots, all of which came from the Borg Cubes and Spheres.

�Return fire!� exclaimed Curtis.

�Aye sir,� replied Kyle. �Firing all phasers, rotating frequencies, and loading torpedoes.�

The starship moved into position, continuously firing at the Borg vessels; however, for each shot that they made, the Borg returned fire. Within a matter of minutes, the Adventurer-XA was bordering on disaster.

�Several systems are failing sir!� exclaimed Kyle. �We are losing torpedo bays and have worn out must of the phaser banks. Engineering is reporting damage to the engines, another shot or so could disable our warp drive!�

��Evasive maneuvers helm,� Curtis replied with hesitation. �Break away from these ships and get us out. Notify the Enterprise-E, along with the Klingon and Romulan ships.�

�Aye sir,� replied Tyler. �Setting a new course and evacuating the area, engaging at warp 7.�

After a few minutes, the starship had disappeared into a vertical flash of light meaning they had entered warp and were heading for a new destination, Mars.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Adventurer-XA was orbiting the Mars planet when Captain Skenandore had exited the bridge and entered the Conference Room, with all senior officers already there awaiting him.

�Any suggestions?� Curtis asked. �This is a serious situation�the Borg are back, and more dangerous then ever it would appear.�

�Well sir,� Kyle said. �Our armor technology does seem to be the one thing they have yet to adapt to, perhaps we could use that to our advantage somehow.�

�That would be a good idea,� Jessica retorted. �Except that they have already adapted to almost everything else onboard, so what could is just armor going to do us?�

�Jessica is right,� Kai said. �If we were to just go in there with our armor and weapons they have adapted to, we would end up with several casualties and serious injuries.�

�Perhaps captain,� Tammy cut in. �Perhaps we could have an all out war with them?�

�Are you mad Major?!� exclaimed Curtis. �War with a race that could wipe us out entirely in a matter of minutes!�

�The Major may be on to something sir,� said Jerry.

�What to you mean crewman?� Curtis replied.

�If we inform Starfleet Command of this,� Jerry started. �They will most likely prepare a fleet, then, we can take that fleet and attack the small Borg Collective. If we do this before the Borg can assimilate more races and grow more rapidly, we would finally wipe out our most dangerous enemy.�

�Crewman Wiggins and Major Harper may have something,� said Rebecca. �The crew would be most willing to protect this vessel and the Federation, thus if we were to attack and destroy their small Collective before they grow, we would be preventing a galactic disaster and saving this ship along with the Federation.�

�I see what you mean,� replied Curtis. �Starfleet would most likely contact the Klingons, Vulcans, and our new Romulan allies, making this much easier�alright, lets make it so.�

Several minutes later, the senior staff exited the Conference Room and re-entered the bridge�Captain Skenandore sitting in his command chair immediately.

�Alright, everyone know the plan?� Curtis asked.

�Aye sir,� everyone answered.

�Good, then get Admiral Jenkins on the holo-communicator Ensign Banes.�

�Aye sir,� replied Amy, frantically tapping several buttons on her console. Within minutes, Admiral Jenkins� holo-figure reappeared on the bridge of the Adventurer-XA.

�What is it this time Curt?� Jenkins asked.

�Sir,� Curtis answered. �We have bad news�and good news.�

�Give me the good first.�

�We have made an agreement with the Romulans, the are ready to discuss a treaty between our peoples.�

�And the bad news��

��We have re-encountered the Borg.�

�What?! How is that can't be possible?!�

�We aren�t exactly certain, but we think some Borg may have survived the onslaught of the Janeways and are building a new Collective.�

�I�ll notify the Vulcans and Klingons right away, then I�ll contact the Romulans. What do you plan on doing captain?�

�Heading the Borg off before they complete another assimilation. We will head them off after our repairs are complete and await the fleet when we finally reach them and stop them. We will hold off the Borg as long as possible and when the fleet arrives, we will hopefully eliminate this threat and destroy their new Collective before it can grow any larger and faster.�

�Understood, command wishes you the best of luck�Godspeed captain, and stay safe.�

�I�ll do my best sir, Skenandore out.�

With that, Jenkins� holo-figure disappeared off the bridge and every single crewmember onboard the U.S.S. Adventurer-XA was rushing around the ship trying to get her fully operational by the time they re-encountered the Borg for, what they hoped would be the final battle.

[Curtis]

Chapter Five-"Battle for Venal Prime"

As the U.S.S. Adventurer-XA began to approach the designation, Captain Skenandore pressed a series of buttons on his command chair, opening a channel to the entire starship.

�This is your captain speaking,� Curtis started. �We are approaching our designation as planned and it appears the Borg are in the process of assimilating the planet. I have been informed that the planet is known as Venal Prime and is occupied by both Venans and Humans. Please understand one thing people, this mission will not be without casualties. We will enter this battle with all of our crewmembers intact, but we will not leave that way. This mission is going to claim several lives; however, it will be for good cause�these lives will be lost, but they will help to prevent the entire universe from fearing the Borg. Hold your stations and prepare for battle�we must win this one, for the universe.�

Curtis ended the link on that note and left his crew do �ingest� that information, hoping it would ready them for what was to come. As Curtis raised his head to the main view screen, Ensign Monroe turned to him.

�We are approaching the coordinates sir,� Tyler said.

�Red alert, deploy armor, ready the weapons!� Curtis exclaimed. �Drop us out of warp Mr. Monroe, switch to one-quarter impulse, standby evasive patterns.�

�Aye sir,� Kyle and Tyler replied simultaneously.

That said, the Adventurer-XA dropped out of warp, slowed to one-quarter impulse, and had armor deployed all around it covering the shield. For the moment, the Borg did not care that the Federation ship was there, they just continued to assimilate the planet.

�Are your teams ready?� Curtis asked Tammy and Jerry.

�Affirmative sir,� they replied.

�Then head to the surface and save who you can, we�ll distract the Borg ships from up here.�

�Aye sir.�

Tammy and Jerry both got into the turbo-lift, exiting the bridge, then stepping out and entering the transporter room a few moments later.

�Torpedoes and phasers ready?� Curtis asked Kyle.

�Locked and loaded sir,� Kyle answered.

�Fire!� Curtis exclaimed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After materializing on the planet�s surface, Major Harper and Crewman Wiggins faced their teams.

�Alright people,� Tammy said. �This is going to be a very dangerous �search and rescue� mission. We are to search out and rescue whatever people remain on this planet.�

�During this time,� Jerry cut in. �We will most likely encounter several Borgs, our weapons will work on them for awhile; however, after they adapt we will only be able to run from them. We may also encounter several people who are half Borg and half Human, we must leave these people�there is no hope for them.�

�Once we have secured everyone we can,� Tammy resumed. �We will return to this spot and enter the transport enhancers to return to the ship, you two will remain here to guard the enhancers if it must come down to that. Are we clear?�

Every single team member looked at each other and then turned to their leaders and nodded respectively.

�Good, then let�s move out!� exclaimed Jerry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANG! The Adventurer-XA rocked from a torpedo blast and sent sparks from several consoles on the bridge, the ship returned fire at the Borg ship with a series of quantum torpedoes.

�Damage report!� Curtis exclaimed.

�Armor is holding but it sustained heavy damage sir!� exclaimed Kyle. �It is down to 50%, shields are holding at 88%. That last shot took out our left forward phaser bank and cut power to the mess hall!�

�Fire quantum and photon torpedoes at the cubes weak points�resume firing phasers on a rotating frequency!�

BANG-BANG-BANG!!! The starship shook from three more torpedo blasts and sent more damage throughout the ship, knocking one bridge officer unconscious when his console exploded into flames.

�Dang it! Take out those weapons somehow too!�

�That�s easier to say then do sir,� replied Kyle. �They are heavily guarded and nowhere near the cubes weak points!�

�Engineering to bridge,� came Jessica�s voice. �One more shot like that and we�re dead in the water�we have no warp drive and another blast will cut impulse--�

BANG! The starship rocked from another, larger, blast�flinging Captain Skenandore from his chair.

�What happened?!� Curtis demanded.

�We have just lost all communications systems sir!� exclaimed Amy.

�Engines are gone sir! We have no warp drive and no impulse, we�re dead!� exclaimed Tyler.

�Kyle? Good news?� Abigail asked, helping Curtis back into his command chair.

�Negative ma�am,� Kyle answered. �That shot took out every phaser bank and disabled torpedo bays�we truly are dead.�

�We are Borg,� came a Borg�s voice over the comm. �You will be assimilated, do not resist us, it is futile to do so.�
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Harper, Crewman Wiggins, their teams, and the people they managed to save all approached the area where the transport enhancers were supposed to be, only to find out that they were destroyed�and the two officers were assimilated. Tammy reached over and tapped her comm badge.

�Major Harper to transporter room, can you read me?� Tammy asked into her badge�

Nothing, only static.

�This is bad, isn�t it?� Jerry asked.

Tammy nodded and the group moved closer together, waiting to see what the Borg would do next, meanwhile, the Adventurer-XA drifted through space, surrounded by Borg Cubes and Spheres, wondering the exact same thing.

[Curtis]

Chapter Six-"The Rescue"

�We�re goners aren�t we?� Jerry asked Tammy.

�I won�t lie to you if that is what you are wondering crewman,� Tammy replied. �Therefore, yes�it is possible we could be assimilate or even die here on this very day.�

�I never thought it would end like this, did you?�

�Not at all, I hoped to be on the Adventurer-XA or Earth when I died.�
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
�Can we do anything?� Curtis asked Kyle.

�No sir,� Kyle answered. �The Borg are right, we may as well stop resisting sir.�

�Excuse me Kyle? Are you a Starfleet officer or one of them?�

�I work for Starfleet sir.�

�Exactly, and we are here to attempt and save the universe from these�things! If we give up now, all of our people will be assimilated. Dang it Kyle, even your family will be gone�now, do you really want that?�

�No sir, I�ll head to the Armory right now and see if we can�t round up some weapons in case we are boarded.�

�Good, and get a medic up here when you come back.�

Kyle nodded and exited the bridge via the Jeffries tube, since all power was out, making his way down to the Armory and leaving Captain Skenandore and the bridge crew to face the image of the enemy on the view screen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suddenly, the Borg turned their attention to the little group of people and began to move in on them, with one goal in mind�assimilate them into the new Borg Collective. Just as the Borg began to approach, several phaser shots came out of nowhere and a team of men began to lead the group of survivors away. When they stopped to hide behind a large rock, Tammy could see that it was Lieutenant-Commander Tuvok of Voyager.

�Commander?� Tammy asked. �I never thought we�d see another Starfleet officer again.�

�Indeed,� Tuvok replied. �It would appear that the fleet has arrived just in time then, because the Adventurer-XA is severely battle damaged as we speak. The fleet vessels are attempting to save it now, being lead by the Enterprise-E.�

�Picard is here?� Jerry asked. �And everyone else? Can we get out of here?�

�Not at the moment crewman, it would appear to be unsafe at the moment and the Borg could easily assimilate one or all of us during transportation.�

�It�s alright commander,� Tammy said. �We understand, and we saved as many Venans and Humans as we could.�
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Enterprise-E began to circle the Borg ships one more time, while the U.S.S. Titan and Voyager continued to protect the Adventurer-XA.

�Are we in range Mr. Baker?� Picard asked.

�Affirmative sir,� Baker replied.

�Good, fire!�

Two rounds of torpedoes launched from the Enterprise-E at the same time that she fired her phasers on a rotating frequency. All weapons hit on mark and the Borg vessel was at last destroyed, making it so that all the fleet had to do now was find and destroy the rest of the Borg Collective.

Several hours past by and the Adventurer-XA away team and Lieutenant-Commander Tuvok finally got back onboard their respective starships. Meanwhile, the captains of every vessel in the fleet were onboard the Adventurer-XA and were now seated around the conference table.

�How long until your repairs are fully assessed and repaired?� asked Captain Riker.

�They are already fully assessed,� Curtis replied. �We are working on repairs now and it will take sometime, perhaps longer. Our damage stands at nearly everything being shut down. We have lost armor, shields, all weapons, warp drive and impulse engines, communications, the works�so if we returned to battle now, we�d be dead within minutes.�

�Could you get them done faster if each of us spared a few engineers?� asked Captain Picard.

�It is possible, but I don�t want to take valuable crewman from you�we�ll need every available officer for this.�

�It is nothing Curtis,� Captain Janeway said. �Each of us can spare some engineers and we would be more than happy to help, it�s like you said�we need all of our ships.�

�I guess we could use the help, alright�we accept. Now onto the Borg, for those of you worrying about how we�ll find them, worry no more. It appears that before a Borg died, Major Harper attained a piece of valuable information�the exact location of the new Borg Collective. I will relay all this information to your vessels and we may get started right away�this starship will join when repairs are complete.�

Several hours later, all the captains were back on their respective starships and readying for departure. All the ships did send some engineers to the Adventurer-XA to assist in repairs, then in several vertical flashes of light all the starships entered warp and were headed to the coordinates they had received from Captain Skenandore. Meanwhile, Captain Skenandore roamed his damaged starship to evaluate the damage and hoped that they would indeed be finished soon, otherwise the fleet could be in grave danger�

((Chapter Seven-"Final Battle" coming soon...possibly the last chapter.))

[Curtis]

Chapter Seven-"Final Battle"

�We�re ready sir,� Jessica told Curtis as he entered engineering. �All systems are fully operational and we are ready for battle.�

�Excellent,� replied Curtis. �Have everything online by the time I return to the bridge.�

Captain Skenandore turned and exited engineering as fast as he could, entering the turbo-lift and heading back to the bridge.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet dropped out of warp at the designated coordinates and immediately saw the new Borg Collective Epicenter. On Enterprise-E, Captain Picard turned his attention to Worf.

�Have they detected us yet?� Picard asked him.

�No sir,� answered Worf. �Shall I power weapons and order the rest of the fleet to do the same?�

�Affirmative Mr. Worf, make it so.�

Worf nodded and within minutes, the Enterprise-E and the rest of the fleet had powered up their weapons�

�Several hours later, the fleet had moved within weapons range and began to engage the Borg Epicenter. Shortly after engaging them, the U.S.S. Adventurer-XA had dropped out of warp and also engaged the Borg�

�BANG! Hours after engaging them, the fleet vessels had all sustained heavy damage and only had two vessels left with weapons, Adventurer-XA and Enterprise-E. Slowly, the U.S.S. Enterprise-E moved in on one of the last remaining Cubes and began to engage it, while the Adventurer-XA engaged the other remaining two.

�Damage report!� exclaimed Curtis.

�We are down to 20% shields, 40% armor, and have lost our right phaser array!� Kyle retorted. �Torpedoes are very limited, we are ready to fire our third to last round.�

�Hail the Enterprise-E!�

�On it sir! They are responding!� exclaimed Amy.

She was then ordered to place it onscreen and Captain Picard�s figure appeared on the holo-communicator pad.

�This best be important Curtis!� exclaimed Picard.

�It is Jean-Luc,� Curtis answered. �I think I have figured out a way to defeat these last three Borg!�

�I�m listening�anything would be could to me right now��

�We need to initiate the self-destruct sequence on all the vessels that are too badly damaged and are willing to die for this cause!�

�Are you mad?! Destroy Federation vessels?! And Klingon, Vulcan, and Romulan ones as well�what will they think?!�

�That it is the most reasonable way to die captain!� exclaimed a Vulcan commander.

�The Vulcan speaks truth,� said a Klingon captain. �Today is a good day to die!�

�For once we agree with the Klingons,� came the voice of a Romulan. �Today is a good day to die and the Star Empire is willing to go to any depths to prove our new loyalty to the Federation!�

�So be it!� exclaimed Picard�opening a channel to the entire fleet. �This is Captain Picard to all severely damaged Federation vessels. If you are unable to battle and beyond repair, please engage your self-destruct now! If you can escape from your vessels and this area please do so within five minutes, Picard out.�

�You will be forever remembered as a hero to our people Picard,� the Klingon said. �Qapla� Jean-Luc�qapla� Federation!�

Before it was known, all semi-operational vessels and escape pods/shuttles were out of the area within five minutes and the severely damaged ones were self-destructed. Now the remainder of the fleet was on their way back to Earth to inform them of the good news.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
�I don�t know O�Neil,� said Curtis, taking his coffee the next morning. �I still feel as if this is still my fault somehow.�

�How can this possibly be your fault sir?� Jamie asked. �These people knew what they were getting into when they started didn�t they? And it wasn�t you who asked the Borg to reveal themselves again.�

�I guess you�re right, as always, but trust me Jamie�that is not the last we have saw of the Borg��

�What do you mean sir?�

��I have a feeling that there are still many more out there and they are just waiting for the right time to strike, waiting to grow their numbers and for the Federation to be weakened. This battle may have just been their first step in doing just that.�

�Maybe so sir, but--�

�Bridge to Captain Skenandore,� came Abigail�s voice over the COM. �We are approaching dry-dock now sir and I have arranged your meeting with Admiral Jenkins.�

�Understood,� Curtis replied. �I�ll be there shortly, Skenandore out.�

Curtis took one last glance out the window after closing the link, finished his coffee, and then exited the mess hall as he headed for the bridge�wondering when the Borg truly may strike again�

END