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Old Wounds - Star Trek: Victorious (A Star Trek Online Fanfic)

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  • ryan218ryan218 Member Posts: 36,106 Arc User
    edited March 2015
    Chapter Nine: Victorious.

    A few days after the battle with the Mauritania, the Victorious is headed back towards the Sol System with the crew of the Excelsior on board and the vessel itself in tow. Ryan has agreed to inform Starfleet Command of the wish of the crew to attempt disrupt the Collective by using themselves as a 'virus of individuality', but has refused to grant them a runabout until he hears back.

    Meanwhile, the joint Federation-Klingon Task Force has succeeded in driving the Borg back, locating their Transwarp Gateway and destroying it, forcing a Borg retreat towards the Gamma Orionis Sector Block. Though many ships were lost by both Federation and Klingon fleets alike, the battle has solidified the new ceasefire and has raised the possibility of new peace negotiations to end the war permanently.

    Ryan stands in his Ready Room, conversing with Admiral Ross at Starfleet Headquarters. "As far as we can tell, the plan worked so well that the Mauritania survivors are completely individualised again."

    "What about their mental state?"

    "Doctor Varenn reports that they're having some trouble adjusting to the Borg implants. Understandable, considering..."

    Ross nods sombrely across the screen. "What do you make of their plan?"

    "To disrupt the Borg by conveying their individuality throughout the Collective? From what Dannover tells me, they have a good chance of succeeding on at least a limited scale."

    "Enough to give us a window of opportunity to drive them out of the Gamma Orionis Sector Block?"

    "It's impossible to say for certain, but I think it's worth a shot, sir."

    "Thank you, Commander. I'll mention it to the Joint Chiefs during my meeting next week. When you arrive at Sol, I want you to leave the Mauritania at Jupiter Station. A tug ship will pick it up from there. How many casualties did you take?"

    Ryan sighs, "7 killed, 4 in critical condition. All the minor injuries have recovered. With your permission, I'd like to transfer the wounded directly to Starfleet Medical's Field Centre in Geneva upon arrival."

    "Permission granted. I've already had McKinley Station cleared for when you arrive. Starfleet out."

    Ryan sits down on his desk, thinking heavily. Why would Starfleet arm an Excelsior-Class Starship with Multi-Frequencial Phasers, still in the prototype stage? Why would they arm the Mauritania with the same transphasic torpedoes that the Victorious is still trialling? Why would Starfleet Intelligence classify the Mauritania's schematics above Admiral Ross' own authorisation code? Something wasn't making sense.

    "Computer," Ryan lets out a sigh, "play music, Tracy Lounge Piano." He sits on the sofa sitting by the window, leaning back as the piano melody fills the room.

    ***

    Meanwhile, Tala taps the doorchime to Corani's Quarters, waiting patiently outside until the Orion answers. "I thought you'd like to know that the Kahless will pick you and your crew up when we reach Earth."

    Corani tilts her head to the side. "With about the entire Federation Fleet as escort, I take it?"

    "That's up to General Torpal. He's cooperated enough that Starfleet Command decided to give you the benefit of the doubt - 2 escorts, minimum."

    Corani smiles. "Would you like to come in? I was just about to have coffee."

    Tala holds a hand out, "I can't. I had a previous arrangement. Besides, I can't think of any logical way to explain having coffee with the enemy."

    "Your loss." Corani hands her a data rod. "I took the liberty of uploading a couple of Orion music tracks to the PADD, in case you wanted to add it to your library computer. The arts embargo is only being held up by the Syndicate, after all. They're new tracks; last couple of years. You'd be surprised how much has changed since the embargo was put in place."

    "I'll let Starfleet Communications know. Thanks." She accepts the rod, nodding before leaving.

    ***

    In Sickbay, several of the Mauritania's crewman are having their implants examined by Varenn, with a nurse giving Dannover a check-up. Dannover smiles as she watches the Trill Doctor work with meticulous focus "Enjoying yourself, Doctor?"

    "Are you kidding? Do you know how often I get to examine a Borg with all implants fully active?" Varenn doesn't look at her, still engrossed in her readings, but letting out a fair hinting of minor glee at the prospect.

    As Varenn continues her examinations, one of the Mauritania crewmen, who Dannover recognises by what's left of the uniform as an Operations Lieutenant Commander, looks to her, asking sombrely "Does it get any easier?"

    Dannover blinks, thinking for a short while about the question, before looking back at the drone, "I don't know."

    The drone lowers his head slowly, nodding, satisfied with her answer, even if it wasn't what he'd hoped for. Dannover slowly stands up as the nurse clears her to leave, picking up her PADD and walking towards the door. Before she leaves, she takes a look back at the group of former Borg puppets assorted across the Sickbay, broken and hopeless. She exhales silently as she turns back and steps out the door.

    Meanwhile, she hears the hum of the ship's power grid as the warp engines cut out, feeling a small shake through the corridors as the inertial dampeners return to operation, counteracting the force of the impulse engines, which hum to life almost immediately and begin the task of moving the ship at sub-light speeds.

    ***

    Captain's Personal Log, Stadate: 87775.8: U.S.S. Victorious.

    The Victorious has arrived at the Sol System and is moving towards Jupiter Station to drop off the Mauritania. In the meantime, I've received an invitation to take part in the Coronation Ceremony for Prince Michael, two separate requests to appear at the Federation Council Chambers and Starfleet Headquarters, 3 interview requests from UEN, FNN and EarthCast, as well as two newscasters I haven't even heard of!

    So, the unexpected, bureaucratic, and chaotic. All-in-all, it's shaping up to be a regular week at home.

    [Sigh]

    I need to take some shore leave.

    End of Log.
  • antonine3258antonine3258 Member Posts: 2,391 Arc User
    edited March 2015
    I like this as wrap-up. Success yes, but questions remain for later investigation.
    Fate - protects fools, small children, and ships named Enterprise Will Riker

    Member Access Denied Armada!

    My forum single-issue of rage: Make the Proton Experimental Weapon go for subsystem targetting!
  • ryan218ryan218 Member Posts: 36,106 Arc User
    edited March 2015
    I like this as wrap-up. Success yes, but questions remain for later investigation.

    Thanks! I'll probably just do some short stories after this until my next big story, focusing on each of the characters (ideally). Expect a new thread for those.

    Anyone wanna share their highlights?
  • worffan101worffan101 Member Posts: 9,518 Arc User
    edited March 2015
    I liked it. As usual, your use of the present tense is strong and interesting.
  • ryan218ryan218 Member Posts: 36,106 Arc User
    edited March 2015
    worffan101 wrote: »
    I liked it. As usual, your use of the present tense is strong and interesting.

    Thanks! Any favourite characters and/or moments?
  • worffan101worffan101 Member Posts: 9,518 Arc User
    edited March 2015
    ryan218 wrote: »
    Thanks! Any favourite characters and/or moments?

    Torpal and Dannover are very well done.

    The final scene was also well-executed.
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