The First Battle with the Borg

[Dylan Torngate]

[Bridge]

Alex listened as he heard the plan. It was a good and solid plan, and he smiled knowing the minds behind it were his counterparts. He heard the name of the ship, and thought of something. If most of the fleet had been destroyed... was the Enterprise among the dead? Was she to soon be future space debris? The most advanced ship in the fleet....

He knew somehow the Federation had stopped the Borg, but at what cost?

He spoke up. "The Main Deflector here will need some serious work to put out a blast like that. We're not quite as advanced as your Galaxy Class friends on the Enterprise." He said, knowing the technical limitations of the era. History tended to treat every ship as top-of-the-line, and the little Excelsior they had wasn't quite on par with that.

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge]

[Bridge]

Alex listened as he heard the plan. It was a good and solid plan, and he smiled knowing the minds behind it were his counterparts. He heard the name of the ship, and thought of something. If most of the fleet had been destroyed... was the Enterprise among the dead? Was she to soon be future space debris? The most advanced ship in the fleet....

He knew somehow the Federation had stopped the Borg, but at what cost?

He spoke up. "The Main Deflector here will need some serious work to put out a blast like that. We're not quite as advanced as your Galaxy Class friends on the Enterprise." He said, knowing the technical limitations of the era. History tended to treat every ship as top-of-the-line, and the little Excelsior they had wasn't quite on par with that.

Ian nodded as Alex spoke.

"Aye Sir, that is, as they say back home, the fly in the ointment fer us as an Excelsior can nae match a Galaxy in raw power output. I brought up the tactic only because it was the only thing Enterprise-D noted that had the potential ta be effective. We'll have ta be extra creative ta make up fer that lack of power. I'd say ten kilos of antimatter in a remote controlled shuttle should put a braw dent in the wanker's hat."

Ian blushed slightly when he realized he'd let his Standard slip so far in front of such an august group.

"That is ta say, the antimatter shuttle following the high frequency phaser blast should give the Borg reason ta be concerned."

[Lizzie Vaughan]

[
[Bridge]

James waited a couple of minutes to wait and see most of the officers to show up.  He looked at Mr. Galloway as he entered the ship helm and took control of it.  He smiled and said "Lieutenant, it was your idea...I think you should to the honor of explaining it to the rest of the crew"  He was not sure that the plan was going to work, but it was a good plan for hit them with something hard and making a good first impression.
After that instruction, James sat down his chair.  The noticed that Vice Admiral coming into the ship and said "Vice-Admiral...pleasure seeing you on the bridge...I wanted to see your thoughts of the proposed plan,  I would be honored for your thoughts..."  James said

"Good, that what I expected...take us into Yellow Alert"  James said to Lizzie.

He looked at the officer on the bridge and said "Thank you everyone for being here...I believe Mr. Galoway has a proposed plan and I wanted to hear some thoughts before we implement it"

Bridge

Lizzie nodded.

"Aye Captain." She replied before turning back to her console and activated the yellow alert.

The klaxon sounded as Lizzie turned back.

[T'Ra Jones]

[Bridge]
"When the Borg Cube arrived in the Alpha Quadrant, in response ta the Collective's adaptability, the crew rapidly modulated the frequency of her phasers and were able ta damage the Cube again for awhile. However, durin' this engagement, Data noticed that attacks by phasers in the higher band caused a drop in the Cube's total power output. Data, along with Chief Engineer LaForge theorized that if they could pump enough power at that high frequency by usin' the ship's primary deflector array, that it could cause significant damage ta the Borg. Unfortunately, by the time they were ready ta try this attack, Captain Picard had been captured and assimilated by the Borg, who adapted their defenses which, in turn, caused the attack to fail.

"It is possible that if we attack this second Cube before Picard is taken, that we have a decent chance of the attack succeedin' for us, if only once. If we can score significant damage with that first volley, we stand an increased chance of preventin' the Borg from altering the timeline. After all, we do not have to destroy the Cube, we just have to prevent it from joinin' forces with the first one so that the Enterprise-D can play her proper role in history as we know it."

[Bridge]

T'Ra listened with care to the ensign as he spoke, focusing just as attentatively on the man's facial expressions as the words that came out of his mouth. She watched as both his brows popped up in astonishment to see all eyes were on him. But, to his credit, the ensign plowed right along. Mr. Galloway made his way through his spiel, and to her amusement, his accent begun to slowly creep back in as he went along.

There was a moment of silence when the ensign was done, and T'Ra could almost imagine the hamster wheels spinning in everyone's heads, trying to chow down on the information just thrown at them. Mr. Galoway's plan had merit, that she could not deny, though she didn't even want to begin thinking about what the odds on success were. Slim to none, no doubt, but a plan was a plan.

"So it goes to say, Mr. Galloway, that we are at a point of the timeline before Picard has been abducted. How much time remains before this point?"

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge]

[Bridge]

T'Ra listened with care to the ensign as he spoke, focusing just as attentatively on the man's facial expressions as the words that came out of his mouth. She watched as both his brows popped up in astonishment to see all eyes were on him. But, to his credit, the ensign plowed right along. Mr. Galloway made his way through his spiel, and to her amusement, his accent begun to slowly creep back in as he went along.

There was a moment of silence when the ensign was done, and T'Ra could almost imagine the hamster wheels spinning in everyone's heads, trying to chow down on the information just thrown at them. Mr. Galoway's plan had merit, that she could not deny, though she didn't even want to begin thinking about what the odds on success were. Slim to none, no doubt, but a plan was a plan.

"So it goes to say, Mr. Galloway, that we are at a point of the timeline before Picard has been abducted. How much time remains before this point?"

Ian blinked as the admiral asked her follow up question and managed to keep his face a study in neutrality as he thought.

"Leave it ta a bloody Vulcan ta want ta know the story ta the last bloody farthing."

However, Ian had prepared and had a proper answer ready.

"Sir, the current date is 43990.8. Picard is abducted at 43995.8. That gives us roughly forty-four hours ta hit our Cube before the deflector array weapon becomes compromised by the Captain bein' assimilated. It is a small window and although I am a Scot, I am nae an engineer, so I cannot comment on just how small that window will be."

[Kirok]

[Bridge]

Ian blinked as the admiral asked her follow up question and managed to keep his face a study in neutrality as he thought.

"Leave it ta a bloody Vulcan ta want ta know the story ta the last bloody farthing."

However, Ian had prepared and had a proper answer ready.

"Sir, the current date is 43990.8. Picard is abducted at 43995.8. That gives us roughly forty-four hours ta hit our Cube before the deflector array weapon becomes compromised by the Captain bein' assimilated. It is a small window and although I am a Scot, I am nae an engineer, so I cannot comment on just how small that window will be."

[Bridge]

"That sounds about right" EQ said from his duty station.  Ian seemed to know what he was talking about and had made an effort to welcome the liberated Borg to the group a few days ago.  The least he could do was support the man's idea.

"And the plan seems pretty sound.  If you need extra help adjusting the deflector array or rigging up the shuttle, I'm happy to help" he added.  "Of course with your permission, Captain Hawke" he finished.

[Dylan Torngate]

[Bridge]

Ian blinked as the admiral asked her follow up question and managed to keep his face a study in neutrality as he thought.

"Leave it ta a bloody Vulcan ta want ta know the story ta the last bloody farthing."

However, Ian had prepared and had a proper answer ready.

"Sir, the current date is 43990.8. Picard is abducted at 43995.8. That gives us roughly forty-four hours ta hit our Cube before the deflector array weapon becomes compromised by the Captain bein' assimilated. It is a small window and although I am a Scot, I am nae an engineer, so I cannot comment on just how small that window will be."

Alex almost facepalmed at the man's comment. "All this tech, all this time travel gobbeldygook, and you couldn't have just sent us a week farther back? A few more days? I'm not a Scott but I am an Engineer. You couldn't have chosen a worse way to do this." he said. "The modifications alone, to be safe, should take upwards of a week of field tests before deployment. This short is ludicrous!"

[T'Ra Jones]

[Bridge]

Ian blinked as the admiral asked her follow up question and managed to keep his face a study in neutrality as he thought.

"Leave it ta a bloody Vulcan ta want ta know the story ta the last bloody farthing."

However, Ian had prepared and had a proper answer ready.

"Sir, the current date is 43990.8. Picard is abducted at 43995.8. That gives us roughly forty-four hours ta hit our Cube before the deflector array weapon becomes compromised by the Captain bein' assimilated. It is a small window and although I am a Scot, I am nae an engineer, so I cannot comment on just how small that window will be."

[Bridge]

T'Ra watched the man's face as he replied, his eyes showing only the slightest flicker of what was going on in that Scottish brain of his. She was impressed. "It is clear to me that you have thoroughly thought the matter through, Mr. Galloway." She paused a moment, her own thoughts racing ahead of her. Her brother was an engineer, but this was way beyond him, and in any case, he was years and light years away. "In the grand scope of time," she added, "it is a small window. But we have several advantages to our favour, and probably a good deal more time than was afforded to Picard and his crew."

[Bridge]

"That sounds about right" EQ said from his duty station.  Ian seemed to know what he was talking about and had made an effort to welcome the liberated Borg to the group a few days ago.  The least he could do was support the man's idea.

"And the plan seems pretty sound.  If you need extra help adjusting the deflector array or rigging up the shuttle, I'm happy to help" he added.  "Of course with your permission, Captain Hawke" he finished.

T'Ra had silently noted and tallied each and every member as they stepped onto the bridge. Of the more notable arrivals was a liberated borg, who had remained silent until now. She arched a brow, intrigued by what the borg would have to say. T'Ra nodded in agreement. "I concur that the plan is relatively sound. But it would still do well to have another card up our sleeves in the case that the Borg trump our hand."

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge]

T'Ra watched the man's face as he replied, his eyes showing only the slightest flicker of what was going on in that Scottish brain of his. She was impressed. "It is clear to me that you have thoroughly thought the matter through, Mr. Galloway." She paused a moment, her own thoughts racing ahead of her. Her brother was an engineer, but this was way beyond him, and in any case, he was years and light years away. "In the grand scope of time," she added, "it is a small window. But we have several advantages to our favour, and probably a good deal more time than was afforded to Picard and his crew."

T'Ra had silently noted and tallied each and every member as they stepped onto the bridge. Of the more notable arrivals was a liberated borg, who had remained silent until now. She arched a brow, intrigued by what the borg would have to say. T'Ra nodded in agreement. "I concur that the plan is relatively sound. But it would still do well to have another card up our sleeves in the case that the Borg trump our hand."

[Bridge]

Ian smiled at what was almost certainly high praise from a Vulcan admiral and he made certain to tighten up his Standard as he replied.

"Thank you Sir. Ever since Ferguson asked me to be part of the mission, it's all I've thought about. Given the stakes when combined with limitations of no advanced tech, a single older ship, and not contaminating the time line."

[Kinley Garrison]

[Bridge]

Ian's eyebrows shot up involuntarily at being put on the spot, but never lacking in confidence, he double checked the helm to make certain the ship was on course, then stood to face the senior officers, as was appropriate for a junior officer about to brief his superiors. Nodding to the admiral, Ian took a deep breath before starting.

"Admiral, ladies and gentlefolk. My proposal, comes from an examination of the logs of the era, and is technically that of Lieutenant Commander Data of the USS Enterprise-D. When the ship first encountered the Borg due ta interference from the entity known as Q, the ship's weapons were able ta do damage, but the Borg displayed a rapid ability to adapt their defenses and phasers quickly became ineffective.

"When the Borg Cube arrived in the Alpha Quadrant, in response ta the Collective's adaptability, the crew rapidly modulated the frequency of her phasers and were able ta damage the Cube again for awhile. However, durin' this engagement, Data noticed that attacks by phasers in the higher band caused a drop in the Cube's total power output. Data, along with Chief Engineer LaForge theorized that if they could pump enough power at that high frequency by usin' the ship's primary deflector array, that it could cause significant damage ta the Borg. Unfortunately, by the time they were ready ta try this attack, Captain Picard had been captured and assimilated by the Borg, who adapted their defenses which, in turn, caused the attack to fail.

"It is possible that if we attack this second Cube before Picard is taken, that we have a decent chance of the attack succeedin' for us, if only once. If we can score significant damage with that first volley, we stand an increased chance of preventin' the Borg from altering the timeline. After all, we do not have to destroy the Cube, we just have to prevent it from joinin' forces with the first one so that the Enterprise-D can play her proper role in history as we know it."

[Bridge]

Kinley nodded at Galloway's remarks. They seemed to make enough sense to her, though she did worry slightly about what they were going to do after they delayed the second Borg cube enough to protect the timeline. She raised her hand; "One question, guys. In the situation that we do manage to delay this second cube before they assimilate Picard and the rest of life as we know it, what's going to be our plan then? There's still going to be a lot of Borg left in that cube we're hunting, and I'm pretty positive they're not going to be too happy.

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge]

Kinley nodded at Galloway's remarks. They seemed to make enough sense to her, though she did worry slightly about what they were going to do after they delayed the second Borg cube enough to protect the timeline. She raised her hand; "One question, guys. In the situation that we do manage to delay this second cube before they assimilate Picard and the rest of life as we know it, what's going to be our plan then? There's still going to be a lot of Borg left in that cube we're hunting, and I'm pretty positive they're not going to be too happy.

[Bridge]

Ian smile was feral as he replied.

"That's where the ten kilos of antimatter does its magic Lass. Not even the bloody Borg are immune ta physics and while they are dealin' with that 'inconvenience' we'll be able ta feed them a steady diet of photons and high frequency band phasers from the regular weapons. Furthermore, while their tryin' ta ingest all that, I'm sure one of the engineering toffs can find a way ta keep them bally well on their back heels. If nothing else, we can stuff another ten kilos of antimatter up their...er... available orifice."

[Jettis Jyur]

[Turbolift]

Jettis had gotten sidetracked. If being suddenly recruited onto a ship he was unfamiliar with and sent back in time to fight the Borg, with some people he didn't know and some people he did wasn't disorienting enough, he was instantly tasked with  finding a way to defeat the borg, as a Science officer. "Bridge." He barked, clasping his hands together as he waited for the doors to open.

[Bridge]

By the time he had gotten there, the supposed Captain was already speaking. Taking a spot near the wall, in the background, his eyes were immediately attracted toward the Liberated Borg at the Sec/Tac station. How uncomfortable for him. Jettis could almost find it somewhere, deep deep down in his heart to pity him. He didn't, however, have the ability to pull it up once he did find it.
Shaking himself off mentally, he turned his attention back toward Mr.Torngate as he expressed his plan. From what he could tell, it seemed perfectly sound, the real problem would be executing it. However, even that seemed to be cleared up mostly, so he opted to remain silent until it was beneficial for him to speak.

[Kirok]

[Bridge]

Ian smile was feral as he replied.

"That's where the ten kilos of antimatter does its magic Lass. Not even the bloody Borg are immune ta physics and while they are dealin' with that 'inconvenience' we'll be able ta feed them a steady diet of photons and high frequency band phasers from the regular weapons. Furthermore, while their tryin' ta ingest all that, I'm sure one of the engineering toffs can find a way ta keep them bally well on their back heels. If nothing else, we can stuff another ten kilos of antimatter up their...er... available orifice."

[Bridge]

As Zex stood against the back wall and listened to the conversation, she began to feel hot.  She had expected this to occur, but the timing we very inconvenient.  But there was little she could do about it while on the Bridge.

"Twenty kilos on one shuttle or ten on two shuttles?" the Deltan asked.  "Two would double the odds of success, as long as the explosions are timed closely enough together to avoid the Borg from adapting.  One alone may not even reach the cube if it is destroyed before it reached it's target" she added.

"Which ever we decide, I would like to suggest an additional plan" the Deltan added as she took a step from the wall.  "One that may violate my oath as a doctor to do no harm.  But given the alternative I feel obligated to mention it.  What if we transport an EMP devise to the center of the cube and then set it off?" she suggested after taking in a short breath for courage.

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge]

As Zex stood against the back wall and listened to the conversation, she began to feel hot.  She had expected this to occur, but the timing we very inconvenient.  But there was little she could do about it while on the Bridge.

"Twenty kilos on one shuttle or ten on two shuttles?" the Deltan asked.  "Two would double the odds of success, as long as the explosions are timed closely enough together to avoid the Borg from adapting.  One alone may not even reach the cube if it is destroyed before it reached it's target" she added.

"Which ever we decide, I would like to suggest an additional plan" the Deltan added as she took a step from the wall.  "One that may violate my oath as a doctor to do no harm.  But given the alternative I feel obligated to mention it.  What if we transport an EMP devise to the center of the cube and then set it off?" she suggested after taking in a short breath for courage.

[Bridge]

Ian was immediately aware of the Deltan female and now wasn't so sure standing was the best thing, but as the briefing was still in progress, he hoped that the natural reaction to her pheromones wasn't as obvious to others as it felt to him.

"One shuttle, two, or ten are all fine by me. If'n the deflector blast can rattle the buggers like I hope it will, the Borg might already be dealing with the same effects that an EMP would cause, but I like the way you think Lass. However, I don't think scramblin' their access ta the Collective counts as harm, at least nothing like what ten kilos of antimatter will. I agree that we need ta use as many options as we can ta keep this Cube in knots that everyone can think of doin' ta them."   

[Lizzie Vaughan]

[Bridge]

Ian was immediately aware of the Deltan female and now wasn't so sure standing was the best thing, but as the briefing was still in progress, he hoped that the natural reaction to her pheromones wasn't as obvious to others as it felt to him.

"One shuttle, two, or ten are all fine by me. If'n the deflector blast can rattle the buggers like I hope it will, the Borg might already be dealing with the same effects that an EMP would cause, but I like the way you think Lass. However, I don't think scramblin' their access ta the Collective counts as harm, at least nothing like what ten kilos of antimatter will. I agree that we need ta use as many options as we can ta keep this Cube in knots that everyone can think of doin' ta them."

Bridge

Lizzie listened to the idea and thought it a sound one. She nodded before adding her own.

"I would also recommend we install infinity modulators to as many phasers, both hand held and ship borne as possible. This will increase the number of effective hits we can manage. They will be especially useful if we have to take them on hand to hand." She said in a measured tone.