 |
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Highlander: "Captain's Log, Stardate 104231.2:
Star Fleet has moved up to AlertStat Yellow since our...incident with
the Riddler a few days ago and all LMC ships have been recalled to patrol
the vicinity of the two Starbases. The Borg can *have* the Riddler for all
I f***ing care, but it may mean that they're planning something...soon.
In the meantime, I'm very glad to have Crossfire back on board. He's
already begun working on new tactics and weapons designs, should the Borg
make their move on us. (a beat) I just hope we're ready this time."
Ten Forward, _USS Croutonprize_. The lights are dim and the Savvster is
cleaning up behind the bar. The chairs are stacked on tables with care and
Jez the Wonder Kitty pushes a vacuum cleaner across the carpet. Soraya sits
on a bar stool, staring into the half-empty glass before her.
Soraya: Matt, do you remember the Dilemma?
Savoie: The what?
Soraya: The Dilemma... The *Borg* Dilemma.
Savoie (stops wiping the counter): Oh. *That*.
Soraya: I was 28 then...still inexperienced. I figured it'd be easy.
(a beat) I mean, we hadn't heard much of anything from the Borg in over
40 years. But then...
Savoie: What?
Soraya: The ship I was on, the _Reliant_... We and a couple of starships
tangled with a pair of Borg vessels at LV-826. (a beat) Geez, what a name
for a place. (a beat) 80 people...80 people died around me before we
warped out of the area. I...I got hit by shrapnel when the science station
I was working at exploded.
Soraya takes a deep breath and rubs a scar near her left wrist uncomfortably.
Savoie: I didn't know that.
Soraya (choking back a tear): I won a Medal of Valor [1] for it and was
shipped back to Earth to recuperate. Less than a day later, the Borg...
(a beat) The _Reliant_ went down in the Battle of Vulcan. If I hadn't
been hurt at 826, I'd be dead...like the rest of--
Savoie: Don't think like that. It won't get you anywhere but depressed.
Soraya sits for a moment to stabilize herself.
Soraya: The Borg killed a *lot* of my friends eleven years ago. I'm not
about to let them do it again.
Savoie: I don't think they'll ever be a serious threat again. We pounded
them pretty hard then...and even now--
Soraya: Matt, I *know* Missy. *You* know Missy. You know what she's good
at. Do you realize how powerful they'll be now, using her engineering
know-how?
Savoie (shudders): I've been trying not to think about it.
Soraya: *Somebody* has to.
Jez puts the vacuum cleaner away, then hops up on the counter, carefully
maneuvering himself toward Soraya, purring happily. Matt puts away his towel
and the last of the freshly cleaned glasses.
Savoie: Come on, let's get out of here.
Soraya picks up Jez and scratches his ears as she hugs him close. After they
have gone through the doors, Matt flips off the lights and follows them out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION
"The Perfect Game"
Part 4: "Breaking Point"
Written by The Admiral & Kabeta
Guest stars
Janet Jones
Boris Becker
Will Smith as Ensign Fresh
and a galaxy of extras
Special guest stars
Diana Muldaur as Admiral Betty Talbot
Colm Meaney as Admiral O'Brien
Directed by James Cameron
Music by Ron Jones
Notes:
[1] The Star Fleet Medal of Valor is the equivalent of a Purple Heart.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Captain's Ready Room. Acting Captain Highlander sits at the desk, feet up,
with a copy of _Playbeing_ in his hands. The door chimes. He looks around
in a panic, then finds a drawer in the desk. About to shove the magazine
in, he hesitates a moment when he finds it full of empty Mason's root beer
bottles. The door chimes again. He snaps back to reality, puts the magazine
in the drawer, closes it, then says:
Highlander: Come in.
Crossfire walks in and stops before the desk. He remains standing. His
demeanor is a little grim, somewhat subdued.
Crossfire: Commander. (a beat) Excuse me -- ahem -- Captain. I need
to visit the _Heisenberg_, sir.
Highlander: Reason?
Crossfire: I have some design modifications I'd like to discuss with their
people. (a beat) We might as well *all* be up to snuff.
Highlander: Agreed. Contact the _Heisenberg_ and arrange a rendezvous.
Crossfire: Very good, sir.
Crossfire returns to a sour look and turns to leave.
Highlander: How are you doing?
Crossfire: I wish people would stop asking me that. (leaves)
Highlander shrugs. He opens the drawer and begins to retrieve the magazine
when the door chimes again. Fuming and raising a fist at the ceiling, he
closes the drawer again.
Highlander (to himself): F***! (out loud) What is it NOW?
Gretzky and Janet enter, Wayne holding the 3 year old Joanna in his arms.
She sucks nervously at her thumb and stares dreamily at the painting of the
_Croutonprize_ covering the nearby wall.
Janet: You said you wanted to see us, Captain.
Highlander (smiling): Oh, right. I knew I was forgetting *something*.
Highlander powers up the terminal and punches up something.
Highlander: Please. Sit down.
They do. Wayne lowers Joanna to the floor, where she immediately crawls off
across the floor and onto the couch to get a better view of the painting.
Highlander: Take a look. (Swings the terminal around.)
Janet nods. Wayne's face lights up and a wide grin spreads across his face.
Highlander: Congratulations, Captain. You'll serve out the rest of the week
with us, then the three of you can take the weekly transport back to Europa.
Your crew and ship will be waiting for you there.
Gretzky: Thank you, sir. (a beat) I know it's not a big ship...
Highlander: But it's yours. It'll be a good feeling.
Janet: Thank you for your help, Captain.
Highlander: Thank Captain Crouton. He started the paperwork before...um,
before...
They all sit silently for a moment.
Gretzky: Thank you, sir. Really.
Joanna (pointing at the ship): Momma? Momma? Momma?
Janet (getting up and walking to her): Yes, dear?
Joanna: Home?
* * * * *
Somewhere deep inside a Borg vessel, Borg soldiers move about between various
duties. Many are returning to their sleep interfaces. From around a corner
comes a tall Borg with a shock of tousled white hair. It jitters nervously
as it turns opposite the camera and marches off down the hallway.
* * * * *
Kabeta: "Captain's Log, Stardate 104231.4:
We have diverted from patrol in the vicinity of Starbase LMC2 to rendez-
vous with the _USS Croutonprize_. In the meantime, I grow increasingly con-
cerned. This heightened state of tension may only be doing us harm. If and
when the Borg decide to strike, they may well surprise us...and in either
case, it is not a situation I look forward to."
Captain's Ready Room, _USS Heisenberg_:
Kabeta: yaz, would you meet the Commander at the Croutonizer and escort
him to Engineering? I'd like for you to be aware of all his ideas...
(her expression begins to slide)...just in case.
yaz-pistachio: Of course, Captain. (a beat) What's wrong?
Kabeta shakes her head, mostly to shake off sleepiness, and sits up.
Kabeta: Nothing.
yaz: Come on. You don't have to be a Counselor to see there's something
bothering you.
Kabeta: It's the nightmares again.
yaz: Oh. I'm sorry... (a beat) Why don't you go get a nap? We can handle
things without you for a while.
Kabeta sits in silence for a moment, then shakes off more sleepiness.
Kabeta: Maybe you're right.
* * * * *
Far away, in the Small Magellanic Cloud, Admiral Betty Talbot enters the
Starbase SMC1 command center and approaches a young man at the nearest
communications station.
Talbot: What's wrong, Lieutenant?
Communications Officer: We've lost contact with the _Auckland_.
Talbot: Any signs of trouble?
Comm: No, ma'am. Captain Mulroney was doing her hourly check-in when
we abruptly lost the signal...
Talbot: Was it *that* sudden?
Comm: Well, it broke into static *very* quickly. I'm not sure the
captain was even aware there was trouble.
Talbot: Hmmm....
The Admiral taps her fingernails on the console a few times.
Talbot: Contact all vessels and warn them of possible danger. Recall the
_Tasmania_ and the _John Paul Jones_ to our immediate vicinity. We may
need them. (pause) I'll contact Star Fleet Command myself.
Comm: Yes, ma'am.
Talbot turns and marches straight toward the glass-enclosed "Admiral's Ready
Room" at the far side of the Command Center.
* * * * *
_USS Heisenberg_, The Observation Deck. It is dark inside; the only light
comes from the stars outside the windows. A slice of light cuts the room as
the door opens to admit Kabeta. She hesitates near the voice-activated light
panel for a moment, then decides to leave it off. She yawns aloud, mumbling:
Kabeta: I never was very good at sleeping in the middle of the day.
Crossfire (from within the darkness): Who's there?
Kabeta (surprised): It's Captain Kabeta. (a beat) Commander Crossfire?
Is that you?
Crossfire relaxes. As Kabeta steps closer to him and her/our night vision
adjusts, we begin to resolve his outline standing near a window in the corner.
Crossfire: Yes, Captain.
Kabeta: I'm sorry to have disturbed you. Would you prefer that I leave?
Crossfire: N...No, that's all right, Captain. (a beat) I mean...it *is*
your ship.
Kabeta: What brings you here?
Crossfire: I've finished briefing the Engineering staff and McDonagh is
going over the details with his crew right now. Thokk isn't ready for my
Security staff briefing, so I came here to wait.
Kabeta: Reasonable enough.
Kabeta does her best to stifle another yawn. There is a long silence as the
two of them look out the windows in different directions. We see the edge of
the _Croutonprize_ saucer slowly come into view off to one side.
Kabeta: The LMC doesn't seem the same without him, does it?
Crossfire (angrily): What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Kabeta (a bit taken aback): Just that I miss Chris Crouton a great deal.
(a beat) As I know you do.
Crossfire: I wish everyone would stop being so interested in my feelings
about him!
Kabeta: I'm sorry, Commander. I just wanted you to know that I do understand
what you're going through.
Crossfire swings around abruptly to face her, the telltale signs of serious
anger built up in his darkened face.
Crossfire: And what makes you such an expert?
Kabeta (quietly, patiently): I've been there. More times than I like to
think about.
Crossfire: Oh, you have, have you? And when did you lose your two best
friends within a year of each other? (a tic) And not been able to do a
damn thing about either one?
Kabeta: Never...precisely that. But when did *you* lose nearly everyone
who ever mattered to you -- not once, but TWICE?
Kabeta's voice is becoming shaky. It will become increasingly shaky during
the rest of this monologue. By the end, though we won't be able to see for
sure, one would suspect that she is crying...or on the verge of it.
Crossfire: Twice?
Kabeta has turned away. She continues talking, but staring out the window.
Kabeta: When I was sixteen -- I'd just come of age -- I went off to do some
business for my parents. I was adopted, and I knew it, but I'd lived with
these people since I was a tiny baby. As far as I was concerned, they were
my parents. I was betrothed then too.
This surprises Crossfire.
Kabeta: When I returned, I found the village in a total uproar. Men sent by
the king had rampaged through the village, looting and pillaging as they
went. It turned out they were looking for ME, for reasons I didn't under-
stand at the time. I found my parents... (she chokes back a sob) ...and my
fiance lying in pools of blood on the village square. (bitterly) Murdered
for "hiding me."
A moment of quiet passes. Crossfire isn't really sure what to say.
Kabeta: I tried to pick up the pieces and go on. Two years later, two young
men appeared at my door. They claimed to be my brothers -- my biological
brothers -- and wore the same sort of ring I did. It was a ring that had
been found with me when I was left on the doorstep as a babe. (She lifts
her left hand, letting the starlight glance off the ring.) They told me
who I really was -- daughter of the rightful king, whose throne had been
usurped by the current tyrant. I was skeptical, of course, but eventually
I went with them. We found our other sister and overthrew the usurper. My
eldest brother was crowned king, though my sister died of a long illness
before the coronation. She was always frail. (a pause) My brother didn't
reign long, though. Just a year or so later, I was walking with some friends
in the woods and found his drowned body floating in a pond. His daughter and
her husband-by-proxy, who were about three at the time, were his heirs, but
not everyone liked the idea. There was a bloody civil war, in which my other
brother was struck by an arrow and died at my side. Though we eventually
won the war, I had lost all those who mattered to me, or nearly so. Again.
Another long pause reigns as Crossfire stumbles about for *something* to say.
Crossfire: I am sorry, Captain. I didn't know...
Kabeta: Nobody in Star Fleet does, save one other. You're the first one
I've told since I was at the Academy.
Crossfire (surprised): You've kept a secret like that for this long?
(a beat) So what did you do next? How did you cope?
Kabeta, for the first time since she began this long monologue, finally turns
back to face him again.
Kabeta: The same way certain other people have tried to. I ran away.
Crossfire (defensively): I didn't run away...
Kabeta: Maybe not. I wouldn't have admitted it at the time either, but
that's exactly what I was doing. I couldn't stand the guilt and pain,
so when the Federation discovered us, I jumped at the chance to leave.
(a beat) I was lucky. I found somewhere specific to run away to, namely
Star Fleet. I wouldn't change what I did now, not for anything. I thought
that if I was somewhere where nobody else knew about my past, then maybe I
could hide it from myself too. I did pretty well at it for a long time.
(a beat) But the pain came back, Crossfire. I've learned that it always
does. It may take fifteen or twenty years, but it does come back. And
believe me, it's only worse the second time around.
Crossfire: How could it get any worse?
Kabeta (tiring): Crossfire, I haven't slept properly in weeks, thanks to
nightmares. I don't know how many times lately I've seen that village
square in my sleep.
Crossfire: So if running away doesn't work, what does?
Kabeta: I wish I knew, Commander. Sometimes all you *can* do is run. As I
said, I wouldn't change what I did. But if you run, you have to realize
that while distance can help, it doesn't solve the problem. You still have
to acknowledge that you're not going to forget, not ever. (a beat) You
shouldn't forget anyway. But you *do* have to go on living.
Crossfire: And that's the hard part, I suppose.
Kabeta: It is. Very hard. But having something to live for, to work for --
something that means something to you -- makes it easier. That's why I'm
glad the Federation found Xavion when it did.
They stand in silence again, their eyes wandering to the distant starlight.
Crossfire (talking away from her): I've been thinking of putting in for a
transfer off the _Croutonprize_. (Sarcastically) But I guess that would
be running away, wouldn't it?
Kabeta: Remember what I said, Commander. Running isn't *necessarily* the
wrong thing to do. (a beat) All the same, I'd encourage you to stay on the
_Croutonprize_, at least for a while. They need you, now more than ever.
Crossfire (aggravatedly): So everybody keeps telling me.
Kabeta: Crossfire, you're a genius. Everyone knows that. Your intuition has
saved our lives more than once. (a beat) Right now, I'm afraid that the
Borg are about to launch an attack worse than anyone in Star Fleet has ever
seen. (serious) Worse than the time of the Picard Miracle, worse than the
Borg Dilemma.
Crossfire: With Missy's engineering know-how in the Uni-Mind, I'm afraid
you might just be right.
Kabeta: And the _Croutonprize_ is still without a permanent captain. They
need experienced officers right now to give a sense of stability when the
attack comes. I feel a strong tie to the _Croutonprize_ and her crew, you
know. I learned everything about being a captain there... (a beat) I know
your abilities. You should be there, Crossfire.
Crossfire: Maybe you're right. (pause) I still think a transfer might be
my best bet though.
Kabeta: You could be right. It might well. I don't pretend to know what's
best for you...or anyone else.
The door chimes. Kabeta raises an eyebrow and turns away from Crossfire.
Kabeta: Come in?
Michael Kleber and First Officer Furd enter. Confused, Furd shrugs and turns
to leave. Kleber grabs his arm and pulls him back into the room.
Kleber: Lights.
The lights come up. Crossfire squints and holds up a hand to shield his
eyes. He also looks annoyed at the intrusion. Kabeta turns away for a
moment, wiping at her eyes.
Kleber (embarrassed): Please excuse the interruption, Captain, Commander.
Crossfire: Do you have a good reason?
Kleber (glaring at Crossfire): Starbase LMC1 just called...
Furd: They lost contact with the _Los Angeles_ and the _Toronto_ an hour
ago, 10 light-years from Starbase LMC2.
Kabeta turns to Crossfire with a concerned look on her face. An unspoken
message seems to pass between them.
Kabeta: Perhaps you should get back to your ship, Commander. They might be
needing you.
Crossfire (standing): Yes, Captain. They might indeed. (a beat, then a
slight smile) Thank you.
Kabeta: Any time, Commander.
Crossfire puts on his work face and heads for the door.
Kabeta: I mean that -- any time you need to talk.
Crossfire stops, considers it a moment, then acknowledges her with a polite
nod before the door shuts behind him. Kabeta's face turns a pale shade of
pink as she looks down at the table.
Kabeta (shaking her head): I don't believe I just did that.
Kleber raises an eyebrow at this comment, but says nothing. When Furd
believes she has sufficiently collected herself, he continues.
Furd: Starbase LMC2 is on red alert. LMC1 is stepping up its alert status
as well and is requesting our presence there.
Kabeta: All right, make the necessary arrangements.
Kleber: Captain, one more thing... The _Subaru_ went to the area the two
ships were last seen. Their ion trails stopped there, but there was no
sign of debris.
Kabeta: Damn.
* * * * *
O'Brien fills the small terminal screen on Avenger's desk. Every few
seconds, the picture wrinkles in interference, then straightens again.
O'Brien (ss): I'm doing everything I can, Bob. What the hell is going on?
Avenger: I don't know, but I'd suggest you get your stuff and Keiko packed
up and moved into the _Maxwell_ in case you have to get out in a hurry.
O'Brien (ss): Already underway. I--
The picture begins to pick up static and snow at an alarming rate. Avenger
swings around to look out his window, but seeing nothing, returns to the
much worse picture.
Avenger: Miles, are you--?
O'Brien (ss, riddled with static and snow): Bloody--! Bob, tactical just
sighted...
The picture goes completely. Avenger slams his fist onto his desk.
Avenger: Dammit! (slams a button on the terminal) T'Lil?
Admiral T'Lilith carefully sets a test tube into a holder, then turns
toward the small viewscreen.
T'Lilith: nuqneH, bang'wI. What is--
Avenger: Listen to me. Get anything important -- personal or projects --
and get them on board the _Rampage_ ASAP.
T'Lilith: What is wrong?
Avenger: I think they're here...and I think they're attacking Miles.
A shiver ran through T'Lilith's spine as a prelude to opening of flood
gates in her adrenal glands.
T'Lilith: Understood. (a beat) Don't do anything stupid. I will see you
aboard the _Rampage_ if there is any trouble.
T'Lilith turns to one of her lab assistants and begins to relay Avenger's
message before Avenger cuts the channel. Avenger picks up a box from the
corner and begins to fill it with some of the personal effects from his
office -- a Minnesota Twins batting helmet, a model of the complete
_USS Pike_, an electronic Klingon-English dictionary, an antique stapler...
The terminal chirps and Avenger brings up the picture of Mark down at the
command center.
Bradford (ic): Admiral, the _Comatose_ just came across the wreckage of
the _Edinburgh_.
Avenger: Wreckage?
Bradford (ic): She self-destructed...and she's carrying a Borg magnetic
resonance trace...
* * * * *
O'Brien watches in terror as three gigantic cube shapes pull to a halt
outside the Starbase windows. He reaches for his phaser, hesitates, then
drops it. He moves to his wall and takes down a Cardassian plasma rifle.
He pulls out three phaser energy cells from a drawer in his desk and loads
them into the rifle.
O'Brien (to the weapon, his Irish brogue a bit thicker than usual): I only
hope you're half as good at melting Borg as you were at melting children.
He rushes through the door of his office and out into the corridors of the
Starbase. People rush in each direction, running to their posts or to gather
their children or belongings. He makes a swift dash to the command center.
The command center is awash with noise as officers bark orders and updates
in either direction. The OD notices O'Brien and shouts "Admiral on deck!",
which subsequently cuts down on extraneous noise.
O'Brien: Shields up full. Bring all weapons to bear. Vary phaser
frequencies in the upper E-M band. Randomize as much as possible.
The floor lurches.
Generic #1: Borg tractor beam locked on to docking port 2!
Generic #2: Firing phasers!
Outside, the starbase phasers erupt from above docking port 3 and melt a
large hole into the first Borg vessel, knocking out its tractor beam. The
other two ships immediately lock on their own tractors.
Generic #3: _USS Melbourne_ and _USS Logan_ arriving, sir!
Generic #1: Shields dropping! ...60%...40%...
O'Brien: Steady, lads!
The _Melbourne_ sweeps in toward the first Borg vessel. The large hole
in its hull already sealing itself, the tractor beam leaps out at the
_Melbourne_, but just misses.
Muirden: Crouton torpedoes -- now!
The Crouton torpedoes bounce easily off the top of the Borg ship and the
_Melbourne_ continues on by and out quite a distance before turning around.
The _Logan_ makes its own pass at the Borg ships.
O'Brien: Phasers again!
The Starbase phasers leap out and pound the second Borg vessel, leaving a
similar mark as that on the first vessel. The first ship, now fairly well
repaired, attaches its tractor beam to the Starbase again. The Starbase
fires again, but the shields of the third Borg ship prevent the phasers
from causing any damage.
O'Brien: Bloody hell.
Tactical #2: Shields down!
O'Brien (hits communicator): All hands. Evacuate Starbase! Repeat,
evacuate Starbase!
The _Logan_ makes its pass at the first ship. Its phasers fully repelled,
it is hit by a tractor from the second Borg ship. As it sweeps by at high
sublight speed, its right warp engine is completely stripped and pulled off
by the tractor. The _Logan_ spins out of control, heading straight toward
the third Borg ship. At the last second, the Borg ship moves suddenly
straight "up" and the damaged _Logan_ passes right underneath.
O'Brien: Computer, engage self-destruct mechanism in five minutes.
Admiral Miles Edward O'Brien, Base Commander, Code 22321A--
O'Brien feels cold fingers grasping his spine as his ears pick up an
unmistakable sound -- one he first heard some 60 years before, aboard the
_USS Enterprise_...
Communications #1: Oh my God!
The frightened Ensign stumbles backward and trips over a chair as the Borg
soldier marches toward him, metal arm outstretched. Somehow, O'Brien fights
back his fear and a ball of intense energy erupts from his right arm, hitting
the Borg square in the back and melting through its armor and part of its
back. A second soldier merely walks up and removes a few key components from
the downed soldier, allowing the fallen comrade to be quietly "reabsorbed" by
the Collective. The second soldier then turns to O'Brien, whose gun is still
smoking...
O'Brien: RUN LIKE BLOODY HELL!!
O'Brien turns tail and runs as fast as his 90-year old legs can carry him
out of the command center.
Computer: Incorrect code. Self-destruct aborted.
* * * * *
Avenger runs to the command center, nearly colliding with several people
along the way. He talks hurriedly into his communicator...
T'Lilith (ic): Our personal effects and my projects are aboard. I'm just
going to help Ensign Mendez pack.
Avenger: Just hurry, okay? I don't want to lose you in the shuffle.
T'Lilith (ic): You're not the only one with Borg combat experience.
Avenger: All right. See you when this is over. (a beat) I love you.
T'Lilith (ic): I love you, too. Live long and prosper.
The channel closes as Avenger enters the command center, abuzz with activity.
Becker: Ve have picked up three Borg vessels on their vay.
Avenger: How soon?
Bradford (dashing by): Very.
Avenger turns away from Becker a moment, clenching his fists and jaw. He
looks toward the floor and closes his eyes. A moment later, he opens his
eyes and turns, looking toward all assembled in the room.
Avenger (loud -- louder than anyone is used to hearing him): Now hear this!
It's been a pleasure serving with you all these past couple years. Evacuate
all unnecessary crew and personnel immediately. Inform all starships in the
area to join the battle here if they are able. If unable, tell them to get
the hell back to Earth as soon as possible. They'll be needed there.
The young officers around the room look at Avenger with a mixture of fear,
surprise and anticipation.
Avenger: Should we need to get out of here in a hurry, get to the nearest
available ship -- mine, if you have to. We'll put up a fight...and a damn
good one at that. If the tide turns against us, don't hesitate to get the
hell out of here. That is all. Good luck to you all.
The officers resume their flurry of activity as Avenger turns away from them.
He blinks twice, rubs his eyes once, then begins to work the muscles in his
neck.
Avenger (to no one in particular): I never could get the hang of being
awake in the middle of the day.
Ensign Fresh approaches, his Walkman headphones stored around his neck and
his Phillies cap on straight for once.
Fresh: Admiral, man, that was one de*press*ing speech. (seriously for
once, extending a hand) Wouldn't want to hear it from anyone else.
It's been a great first tour of duty.
Avenger: Thanks. (shakes hands) You'll make one..(smiling)..def officer.
Becker: Borg vessels entering sector.
Avenger (nodding): Full shields. Phasers to full. Hit them before they
even have a chance to stop. (Becker moves off) Fresh, do me a favor.
Go find Admiral T'Lilith and *make sure* she gets aboard the _Rampage_.
Fresh (slapping Avenger's upper arm as he runs off): You got it, Admiral.
Rear Admiral Bradford approaches at a nice trot, obviously not intending
to stop for Avenger unless requested.
Avenger: Mark.
Bradford skids to a stop before Avenger.
Bradford: Yes, Admiral.
Avenger: I need your help. (approaches a console) Computer, activate
self-destruct mechanism for detonation three minutes from my command
"Destruct 000". Admiral Avenger, LMC Commander, Code 90361-B.
Computer: Recognize Admiral Avenger. Self-destruct activation requires
confirmation from a second officer of rank Captain or above.
Bradford (swallowing hard): Rear Admiral Mark Bradford, Chief of Staff,
Code BZ232C. Confirm self-destruct.
Computer: Recognize Rear Admiral Bradford. Self-destruct mechanism is
activated. Detonation timer set for three minutes, awaiting command.
Avenger: Let's get to work.
* * * * *
Aboard the _James T. Kirk_ class _USS Volvo_, Commander John Heins paces
nervously at the command center. He stops a moment and looks with disgust
at the sheepskin-covered captain's chair. His dark red hair matches the
red of his uniform tunic, but the streak of grey above one ear clashes.
We notice a dustbuster model phaser attached at his side -- an unusual
sight for a non-security bridge officer, even during a time of AlertStat
Yellow. The turbolift doors open and a wiry, youngish-looking man in red
uniform walks out swiftly.
Bundy: John, how long until we reach the base?
Heins: Four minutes at last count.
Bundy: I hope that's long enough. (looking at his watch) Damn. (taps
panel) Education center, this is the captain. See if you can find a
sub for my second grade class. I'm going to be busy. Lesson plan is
in the computer.
EdCen (ic): Acknowledged, Captain.
Heins: Mike will take care of himself. He always does.
Bundy: That's not what you told me before.
* * * * *
Two Borg cube shapes sweep in on the Starbase. Behind them, a third shape
emerges from warp and follows them in. Before the Borg ships can even come
to a halt or lock on a tractor beam, the Starbase's phasers lance out and
melt a section of the first cube. The other two vessels pull to a stop
and lock on their tractor beams.
Avenger: Continue firing -- randomize frequencies and targets as much as
possible. (thinking a second) Rotate the Starbase -- random axes, random
frequency of rotation.
Bradford (rushing past): Applying Avenger's Revenge to a *Starbase*? Now
*there's* an interesting idea.
Avenger (thoughtfully): Hrmm. I always called it the "Turn-_Pike_ Maneuver"
myself. (intrabase) Attention all decks. All unnecessary personnel should
move immediately to escape ships. Prepare for evacuation.
Becker: It is not dat bad yet, is it?
Avenger (turning): It could be. I want to be prepared.
The Starbase begins to spin, around and around and end over end, constantly
changing orientation. The Borg tractor beams have a harder time finding a
lock and the phasers continue to spew from all around. Very quickly, though,
the phasers fail to effect the Borg. Then, something terrible happens -- a
Borg tractor beam locks on. As the base continues to spin, the tractor beam
slashes up a large section of the base.
Avenger: Dammit! CEASE ROTATION!! (a beat) That didn't work.
Bradford (from across the room): Admiral, we've got help!
The starship _Croutonprize_ jumps out of warp and strafes the nearest Borg
ship with phaser fire as it passes over at high speed. Almost immediately
the _Heisenberg_ appears behind it and continues the barrage, adding in a
few Crouton torpedoes for good measure. Despite the devoted effort, none of
the weapons does a thing and the Borg continue their relentless attack.
Avenger: Forget the torpedoes -- all power to shields! Fluctuate nutation!
The shields of the Starbase begin to glow as they hit full intensity. One
cube loses its lock as the nutation fluctuates. A second loses its lock.
The third holds on strong.
The _Croutonprize_ and _Heisenberg_ swing by together and unleash a combined
barrage of phasers, Crouton torpedoes and PPRs at close range. The phasers
and Crouton torpedoes bounce off harmlessly and the PPRs do, at best, minor
damage.
Kabeta: Hard about. Michael, try hailing the Starbase again.
Kleber (yanking out his ear receiver and throwing it down): I don't know
what the Borg are using, but they've jammed up all the communications
lines. We're lucky we've got intraship.
Back aboard the Starbase...
Avenger (shaking his head): This isn't working. (a painful hesitation)
Um, somebody, how much longer are the shields going to hold up?
Becker: Fifty-four seconds at current attack strength.
Avenger: All right. Non-essential personnel, get to the Croutonizer and
get to your ships. (a beat) You heard me!
Several officers leave their stations and run to the Croutonizer. The Borg
ships keep their tractor beams locked, slowly wearing down the Starbase's
shields. On both starships and on the main viewscreen in the Starbase command
center, the view begins on the oddly shaped Borg vessel. Paying attention
now, our heroes now notice how much it looks like a huge integrated circuit
board hanging in space. The viewscreen images shift from the exterior to
the interior of the same vessel. In the center of the image is a tall Borg
with a shock of white hair. He slowly turns toward the camera, the red laser
beam projected from the right side of his head bouncing about chaotically as
he jitters...
Kabeta (covering her mouth in surprise): Oh!
Highlander (standing up abruptly): F***.
Missy (who is somewhere far across the galaxy and completely irrelevant to
this scene): Damn these lights anyway!
As seen from the 40 foot Starbase viewscreen:
Ridiculus: I am...um...Ridiculus of Borg. Your...eh...resistance is futile.
(a beat) Your starbases and...um...all your efforts outside your...eh...
home galaxy have been futile. We will assimilate your...um...biological
and...eh...cultural distinctiveness as easily as we...um...have assimilated
your...eh...other Starbase. (a beat) ...We will just as easily...um...
assimilate this Starbase momentarily. Oh...um...yes.
Avenger (muting channel and tapping communicator): Admiral to Fresh.
Where are you?
Fresh: Man, she won't move. She says she has to help these kids to--
Avenger: How many?
Fresh: Two.
Avenger (tapping his communicator pin): Loqutus, lock onto T'Lilith, Fresh
and the two children with them and croutonize. (to Bradford) Mark, get
to your ship. Take everyone you can fit.
Bradford: What about you?
Avenger: I have one more duty here.
* * * * *
T'Lilith and Fresh materialize on the _Rampage_ Croutonizer, each holding a
frightened child.
T'Lilith: What?! qu'vatlh! We have got to go back for the others--
Fresh (putting a hand on her arm): Admiral, it's too late. The Borg are
winning this one.
T'Lilith (lowering a child to the floor): Well, I can not just-- (a beat)
Fresh, get the children to Ensign Mendez. She's with her own in the
room just down the hall. Then get up to the bridge and get us out to
half Croutonizer range.
Fresh (smile spreading across his face): Awww, I got you! Be right on it!
T'Lilith (moving to the Croutonizer console): Mike, don't do anything
stupid...
* * * * *
Avenger stands in the darkened command center. It is quiet. On the view-
screen, the Borg ships continue their assault. Several dozen small vessels
leave the Starbase in all directions, amongst them the _Rampage_, the _QIb_
and the _Greyflame_.
Avenger reaches behind a cabinet and pulls out something he left there just
a few hours before...his autographed Kirby Puckett bat. He holds it up and
hugs it a moment before positioning it in his left hand.
Avenger: Computer, code "Destruct zero zero--
Another starship appears on the main viewscreen. Avenger pauses.
Computer: Please repeat your request.
Aboard the _Volvo_:
Heins: It'll work. Trust me.
Bundy (shrugging shoulders): Okay, do it.
The _Volvo_'s own tractor beam comes to life as it moves toward the
second Borg ship at sublight speed. When it grabs on, we realize that
this is actually a repulsor beam and as the _Volvo_ moves closer, the Borg
ship is pushed away -- toward the third Borg vessel.
Bundy: Hot damn! It's working!
Kabeta: What on Xavion? (a beat) Now *that* is thinking! Thokk?
Thokk (staring blankly at the screen): What?
Kabeta: Would you activate a repulsor beam and lock onto the third ship
please?
Thokk (getting a clue): Oh. Right! (does so)
The _Heisenberg_ begins to push the third Borg ship toward the second ship.
Between the combined force of the _Volvo_ and _Heisenberg_, the gap is
closing fast.
Ghiasi: Perhaps we should do the same, Captain?
Highlander: I, uh--
Gretzky: I'm already on it, sir.
Crossfire (moving alongside): Let me help.
As the _Croutonprize_ sweeps in to lock a repulsor onto Ridiculus' ship, a
shadow passes across its hull.
Ghiasi: What the --
A fourth cube passes above the _Croutonprize_ and locks onto the Starbase
hull. A fifth cube appears on the scene and does the same.
Avenger: ghuy'cha. (turning) Computer, "Destruct, zero, zero, zero."
Computer: Self-destruct sequence initiated. T-minus 3 minutes.
2:59. 2:58. 2:57.
Just as the second and third Borg ships are about to collide, they suddenly
begin to push away from one another, using the Federation ships' own tractor
beams against them!
Heins: Damn. Break lock.
Furd: Thokk, break the tractor lock.
Kabeta: O'Forever, take us out to a safer distance. If you see any more
escape ships, move in to escort them.
Back aboard the Starbase, Avenger makes a run for the Croutonizer. The hairs
on the back of his neck tingle as he hears an old familiar sound. In front
of him, three Borg soldiers appear. One immediately turns to the Croutonizer
console and interfaces with it. Avenger turns to run, but finds a dozen Borg
appearing in the command center, immediately turning to interface with
important circuitry.
Avenger: Get away from that, you Belgian petaQ!!!
Avenger chops the bat down across one Borg's metal arm, smashing the arm in
half and damaging the console it was attempting to interface with. A nearby
Borg turns toward Avenger. Avenger brings the bat around from the right side
this time and hits the Borg across the head, but the Borg puts up a shield at
the last second. The bat splits in half and Avenger completes a graceful 360
degree turn with only a piece of the bat in his hand.
More Borg appear. Avenger can't see a way out. The computer continues to
count down in the background. Suddenly, he feels himself disintegrating...
* * * * *
...and reintegrating on the _Rampage_.
T'Lilith: Missed me?
Avenger clambers down from the pad and hugs her tightly. Then he pulls away
and taps his communicator.
Avenger: Bridge.
Fresh (ic): Yo, Admiral. Glad to see you made it out alive!
Avenger: Well, we won't be if we stay here much longer. Take us out to the
_Pike_ Museum.
Fresh (ic): Why?
Avenger: Don't ask questions. Mrowp bo! [Just do it!]
T'Lilith: What are you going to do?
Avenger: I'm not going to let them have my bat, my base AND my ship.
T'Lilith: You're being sentimental.
Avenger: Maybe. Star Fleet may someday thank me for it.
T'Lilith: They already have. At least once.
Avenger (smiling): Oh yeah.
* * * * *
Highlander: Crossfire, what do you think?
Crossfire: The base is on self-destruct and there are 4 Missy-level and one
Ridiculus Borg ship out there. Do *you* want to hang around and watch?
Highlander: Not really. Neal, round up any stragglers and try to get them
to follow us out.
Parker: Looks like Kabeta's got the same idea.
Highlander: Good, between the two of us, maybe we can--
Himle: Captain, the warp engines on the _Pike_ just powered up.
Highlander (whirling): Assimilated?
Gretzky: No. I don't think so.
Crossfire: Look, let's just get the hell out of here! Star Fleet has to be
warned and we can't do it sitting out here.
Ghiasi: Crossfire's right. Let's move.
Highlander (lowering his head): All right. Get moving.
* * * * *
Kabeta: The _Pike_ is what?
yaz: The _Pike_ has powered up and is moving away at sublight speed.
Zenador: It's max is only Six-Warp 9 or so, isn't it?
Ender: A little better, I think.
Kabeta: Enough! (to herself) Sometimes there's so much conversation
going on around here I can't hear myself think. (aloud) Give the _Pike_
an escort out of here. We can get an explanation soon enough.
* * * * *
Kabeta: "Captain's Log, Stardate 104232.6:
All surviving ships that we know of have rendezvoused near SN1987A,
the remnants of a star that died over 100,000 years ago. With great sadness
for what we have lost...and a great amount of apprehension for what the
future may hold, we are preparing for the long journey home. We only hope
that the Borg don't beat us there."
Avenger: _USS Melbourne_, _Subaru_, _Volvo_, _Croutonprize_, _Comatose_,
_Heisenberg_, _Chivalier_ and some assorted escort and support ships.
(He puts his head in his hands.) That's all we've got left?!
T'Lilith: Easy. Easy. They took us by surprise and by force. We weren't
ready for them.
Avenger: That's no excuse! Do you realize I've lost two bases and at
least 8 starships?!
Fresh: Yo, Admiral. Incoming message.
T'Lilith: Who is it from, Ensign?
Fresh: Admiral O'Brien, aboard the _Maxwell_. He says he got out by the
skin of his teeth.
Avenger (looking up, bleary, but half-smiling): Thank the Prophets of Bajor
he's okay. (to Fresh) Give him our flight plan so he can catch up.
(a beat) Has my message to Star Fleet Command been relayed?
Fresh: A couple of hours ago. It should be getting there sometime in the
morning.
Avenger: All right. (to T'Lilith) Just in case, I've dumped the complete
_Rampage_ logs into the _Pike_ and set her on an erratic course to Earth.
It ought to get there in...a few decades. If anybody's still around to
care, they should figure out what happened to us.
T'Lilith: Don't talk like this. We will prevail. Somehow.
Avenger: We did it before, I guess.
Kabeta (ss): Admiral, my crew is getting anxious. They don't particularly
want to wait around out here, what with the Borg...
Avenger: You're right. Could you contact all the ships in our fleet and
tell them to prepare to get underway?
Kabeta (ss): Understood, Admiral. (a beat) Are you all right?
Avenger: I will be when this is all over. (a beat) Oh, and in the future,
could you avoid using the word "particular"?
Kabeta (ss, nodding): Understood.
The ragtag combination of ships sets off past the pair of dead stars and
into the black void between the galaxies...
FADE TO BLACK
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On the next exciting episode of
STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION
"The Perfect Game"
Part 5: "New Frontiers"
With the Starbases gone, the Croutons must make the long journey home...
Ambassador Kennedy (to Crossfire): Listen, kid, I'm glad you're back.
And Star Fleet must prepare for the worst.
Admiral Wesley Van Tripp: Let's get down to business.
Will they make the right moves?
Crossfire: The Borg would never yield such an obvious advantage.
Or will they simply ensure a Borg victory in "The Perfect Game"?
Avenger: Exactly what I was thinking.
STRATEGIC ROSTER MOVES on STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION!
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