The fearsome Borg Cube emerged from a transwarp corridor, towing many ships. The Cube had a greenish colored holding beam on the Sphere, two Type IV Assimilator class cruisers, the USS Carlsbad, the captured Vaadwaur patrol ship, and three Probe class scouts. Once they were secured from transwarp, the holding beams shutdown. All ships flew towards Kaelara’s homeworld of Nexarion. All ships entered in standard orbit. The away team that was on the Cube came back to the USS Carlsbad on the shuttles they used.

Captain Skyrunner sat in his ready room, reading over the latest information Kaelara has on the Underspace tunnels and how to carry out phase three of the plan.

“Bradley to Skyrunner.”

Kirok tapped his comm badge. “Skyrunner here, go ahead Lieutenant.”

“Commander Lionel and his away team have just arrived back to the ship sir.”

“Good, have Commander Lionel and his group report to my ready room.”

“Aye sir, Bradley out.”

Captain Skyrunner sat at his desk when his ready room door dinged.

“Come.”

Captain Rodriguez walked in as the doors whooshed open. Kirok looked up at who it was and smiled when he saw his wife.

“Good morning Captain Skyrunner, sleep well,” Sophia asked with a smile, as she walked to the replicator unit. “Two coffees. Both are extra strong, one with extra sugar and hazelnut creamer.”

Two steaming cups of coffee appeared and she carefully grabbed both, then slowly walked to his desk, sitting down in front of the desk. She placed one mug in front of him. She blew on her mug, trying to cook it down. Kirok carefully picked his mug up and took a sip. He gave a ‘yuck’ facial expression that she caught. She laughed.

“You got my extra sweet coffee again, didn’t you. Sorry love. I know you don’t like sugar in your coffee,” Sophia said apologetically. She reached over the swapped mugs. “So, what are you reading baby.”

Kirok took a sip of his coffee, savoring the bitterness of plain dark coffee. “My plan for the next step of the mission. Going into Underspace and locating the Blackout Station in this region and capturing it, so we can hopefully use the technology against the Vaadwaur and prevent them from using the Underspace tunnels again.”

Kirok hands Sophia the PADD he is working on. Just as Sophia takes the PADD, the door chimes again.

“Come.”

Commander Aramis Lionel and Kaelara walked in and sat on the couch along the wall.

“Either of you want coffee or something? Nice job you both did with getting the Cube ready in time and for capturing that Vaadwaur ship, which I’m dubbing as the SS Bounty Bay II. How are the Borg ships coming along Kaelara,” Captain Skyrunner asked.

Kaelara declined the refreshment offer, but Aramis stood up and walked over to the replicator and got himself a coffee. He carefully took the mug and sat back down next to Kaelara.

“The Borg ships should be fully managed and operational in a few hours. Vera is cross checking all the new Vaadwaur drones we acquired. Sorvath is processing all the new information we have gotten from all the Vaadwaur drones and from the ship. Naomi is preparing several teams of tactical drones to assist in the next phase of the plan, which will be finding and capturing the Vaadwaur Blackout Station,” Kaelara reported to Captain Skyrunner.

Captain Rodriguez, taking a sip of her coffee, mentioned her brief report of how Main Engineering is going since her salvage team arrived back to the ship.

“My salvage mission was like a gold mine. The Borg technology and stuff that happened to be on that asteroid was actually a Borg ship weapons plant. We managed to salvage fifty Borg plasma torpedoes and downloaded the building schematics to produce more onboard the ship. Both Catersha and Flummox have been working nonstop with most of the Engineering department getting that up and running.”

Kaelara suggested, “I can assign Aximo and one of our engineering teams to assist in that?”

Captain Skyrunner glanced at Captain Rodriguez, nodding to her.

“That would be great actually. We can use all the help to be able to manufacture more torpedoes on the fly,” Sophia said.

Kaelara was already in contact with Aximo and told him to get two engineering teams over to the Carlsbad.

“It looks like things are proceeding as planned,” Kirok mentioned. “What is the status of the captured Vaadwaur ship?”

Kaelara replied. “Repairs are still ongoing. Warp engines are back online, as are most weapon systems. Everything should be done in a couple hours.”

“Excellent.” Kirok addressed everyone in the room. “I want to start phase three at 0800 tomorrow. The infiltration team, led by me, will consist of Aximo, Vera, Naomi, Flummox with Beta engineering team, a full squad of security officers and four hundred tactical drones. We will use the captured Vaadwaur patrol ship as a Trojan horse and sneak into the Blackout station that Sorvath managed to find in the maze of the Underspace tunnels. To help convince the Vaadwaur to ‘bring the horse inside’, I think we should use one of the Probe class scout ships to chase the captured Vaadwaur ship we have, breaking off its attack once it gets in sensor range of the station. We will need to know what defenses are there.”

Kirok took a second to look everyone in the eye. Commander Aramis Lionel made eye contact with Captain Skyrunner and nodded his agreement. Kaelara simply nodded her head. Kirok looked at Sophia, who nodded her head as she was taking a sip of coffee.

Kirok then addressed everyone again. “Good, that is one prong of this attack. The main prong will involve the battle group, which is the Carlsbad, the Cube, the Sphere, both Type IV’S and all three Probe class scouts. The USS Carlsbad will lead the ship attack on any Vaadwaur defense ships. Captain Rodriguez will command the Carlsbad in my place and will coordinate the battle group. Kaelara, I’d like you on the Cube as the Borg ship commander, relaying orders from Captain Rodriguez. Commander Lionel will stay on the Carlsbad, acting as the strategy coordinator. My plan is to have the whole group ready to breach into Underspace and head to the Blackout Station after the Trojan horse act. Once the infiltration team succeeds to gain entry into the station, the drones will spread out, capturing Vaadwaur who resist. Everyone else on the infiltration team will work our way to the command center and take it over. When the infiltration team starts our mission, the battle will need to start so the main Vaadwaur defenses are busy engaged.”

Kirok looked at Sophia when he said the last sentence, as if he was making a silent point. She looked at him, nodding.

“Any questions,” Kirok asked them. They all shook their heads. “Very well, everyone is dismissed. Aramis, can you make sure all departments are informed and ready?”

“Of course sir,” Aramis replied.

Kaelara and Aramis walked out of the ready room, leaving the married couple alone.

Sophia, finishing her coffee, set her mug down and took hold of Kirok’s hand. He looked her in the eye, seeing the serious look in her face.

“I’m scared, sugar,” Sophia said softly. “I don’t want to lose you. I can’t afford to.”

Tears started to form in her eyes. He spotted them and he stood up and walked around to sit in the chair next to her. He reached up and gently wiped her tears away.

“I know, baby. I’m scared too. I feel like I need to do this. You know me, I always like to run into trouble head first. You have always been the brains of this marriage, I have been the muscle,” Kirok replied, just as softly. “You feel up for an early dinner tonight, say 1930?”

“Sounds good to me baby,” she answered, leaning over and kissing him softly. “I’m gonna go check on Cat and her teams.” Sophia finished her coffee, stood up and exited the ready room.

***

Captain Rodriguez exited the turbolift in Main Engineering and saw the place was abuzz with activity. Sophia spotted Catersha and Flummox working on the ship’s defenses systems. She walked over to them to check on their progress.

Catersha’s hands moved with precision as she connected the Borg’s energy matrix to the ship’s warp core. Flummox stood nearby and whistled at the power increase to the shield generators.

“Look at that, Flummox,” Catersha said, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders. “We just need to sync the nanoprobe injectors with the ship’s defensive grid and we will be done.”

“Yes, it’s going to be a formidable ship. The Borg’s technology will give us the edge we need to take on the Vaadwaur,” Flummox replied.

“How is everything coming along Catersha,” Sophia asked.

As Catersha finished the connection, the ship’s systems hummed deeply, and a cold, calculating logic infused the air. Catersha felt a shiver run down her spine. The Borg’s influence was spreading, adapting to its new host.

“We’re almost done,” Catersha said. “Flummox, make sure everything is online and ready for a fight.”

Flummox nodded and walked over to the master display to do a quick diagnostic. Catersha turned to Sophia, smiling.

“We are almost done integrating the Borg hardware into the ship’s systems. Phasers and shields will get a big boost in power,” Catersha reported to Sophia.

Sophia replied to her, “that is good to hear. The Captain is wanting to start phase three at 0800. Also, he wants Flummox and Beta team ready to go with him.”

Flummox walked over when he heard his name. “Captain, we will be ready. I look forward to helping Captain Skyrunner.”

Sophia smiled at him. “I know he will be pleased. “Carry on please.”

Sophia walked out of Engineering and took a stroll through the ship. She saw the crew hard at work with ship system upgrades.

Sophia’s stroll took her to the ship’s arboretum, where she walked inside and had the whole place to herself. She slowly walked through the room, taking her time enjoying every plant and flower in there. The doors whooshed open and then closed again, but she was lost in enjoying the roses from Earth.

“Roses are your favorite flower but don’t match your beauty Sophia.”

She turned around and saw Kirok standing behind her. She smiled at him, taking a step toward him, kissing him on the cheek.

“You always knew what to say to melt my heart Kirok,” Sophia softly said to him.

Kirok wrapped his arms around her, embracing her. He softly kissed her forehead.

“I know baby,” he said to her. “How are you feeling sweetheart?”

“I’m nervous as hell babe,” Sophia replied, looking into his eyes, fear in hers. “What we have planned is very dangerous…for both of us.”

“I know love, but it comes with the uniform. Captain Sisko didn’t throw his uniform away when the Borg killed his wife. You know me, I never quit. I will do what is needed for the Federation, for Starfleet, and for you,” Kirok softly said to her.

Sophia kissed him deeply. Kirok embraced her tightly. She broke the kiss.

“I know you do love. Just be careful when you leave please. Come back to me alive,” she softly pleaded to him.

“I’ll do everything I can to come back to you.” Kirok said that as he kissed her again. He broke the kiss. “Let’s go have our dinner date before I leave.”

***

“The time is 0600.” The computer chimed from the alarm that Kirok had set. “The time is 0600 and 30 seconds.”

Kirok groaned as he started to wake up. “I’m awake, computer.”

The computer beeped in acknowledgement, disabling the alarm. Kirok started to rise from his slumber. He swung his legs off the bed and stumbled to the shower.

“Guess we should not have had such a wild night last night,” Sophia said as she woke up, stretching on the bed.

“It comes with being married babe,” Kirok replied.

Kirok stepped into the sonic shower, then put on a clean uniform. Sophia slipped out of bed, wrapped in the bed sheet as she passed Kirok, on her way to the shower herself. He kissed her softly.

“I’ll be on the Bridge, sweetheart,” he said softly, then headed out of their quarters, going to the bridge.

Kirok exited the turbolift and he walked out onto the Bridge. He stepped down to his command chair, where the Gamma shift command officer stood up and gave a report to the Captain. Kirok thanks Ed the officer and relieved her. Kirok sat in his command chair and pulled up the latest status reports on the ships in his makeshift battle group. He wanted to make sure everything was ready. His senior officers started arriving to the Bridge earlier than normal.

“Message from the Cube sir,” Lieutenant Bradley reported from the Tactical station.

“On screen, Mr. Bradley.”

The image of Kaelara appeared on the main viewscreen.

“Greetings Kaelara,” Kirok greeted her.

“Greetings Captain. My people are ready and all of my ships are fully manned and operational. We await your command,” Kaelara reported.

“That is good news. We are getting the final touches ready now. Prepare to meet on the Vaadwaur ship in one hour. Carlsbad out.”

The viewscreen winked back to a view of the Kaelara’s homeworld. Sophia stepped out of the turbolift, a smile on her face but a hint of worry behind her smile. Kirok greeted her as she sat in her chair to the Captain’s right.

Kirok leaned over and whispered, “are you ok love?”

She whispered back, “yes.”

Captain Skyrunner told Lieutenant Bradley to open a ship wide channel.

“All Hands, this is the Captain. We stand on the threshold of a galactic battle, where the fate of the galaxy is at stake. I want you to remember why we’re here. We are not just fighting for our own lives or the safety of our ship. We are fighting for the future of the galaxy. We are fighting for the principles of freedom, justice, and compassion that the Federation has valued from the very beginning. Soon, we will face an enemy who seeks to destroy all that we’ve built and all that we stand for. However, I have every confidence in each and every one of you. I have seen your bravery, your ingenuity, and your unwavering commitment to this ship and our mission. We have trained for this moment. We have prepared for every eventuality. We have worked together as a family, relying on each other’s strengths to overcome our weaknesses. We will put those skills to the test. We will face danger, uncertainty, and sacrifice. I know that we will emerge victorious because of the values that drive us. We are not just Starfleet officers, but we are representatives of hope. We are the beacon of light in a dark and uncertain universe. When the battle rages on, and the outcome hangs in the balance, remember that we are fighting not just for ourselves, but for the countless worlds and civilizations that depend on us. So let’s stand together. Let’s stand tall and proud, with our hearts full of courage and our spirits unbroken. Let’s show the universe what it means to be part of Starfleet, to be part of something greater than ourselves. We go into battle with honor, with duty, and with the conviction that we will prevail. We will defend the galaxy, we will protect the innocent, and we will emerge victorious. Let’s make it happen. Let the galaxy not forget the name Carlsbad.”

Kirok tapped his comm badge. “Skyrunner to Engineering.”

“Engineering, Cat here sir.”

“Have Mr. Flummox and Beta engineering team meet me in Transporter room three in ten minutes. Full tech gear.”

“Understood, sir.”

Kirok looked at Bradley. “Mr. Bradley, I need you here to man the weapons but I need six of your best security people in Transporter room three in ten minutes.”

“Aye, sir,” Bradley left his post and went down to Security to brief his officers.

Kirok looked at Aramis. “Commander, are you ready for your part in this play?”

“Always ready, sir. See you when you get back,” Commander Lionel said as he walked to the turbolift, headed for the transporter room.

Both Kirok and Sophia stood up in the middle of the Bridge. Sophia saw his face, strong determination in his face with a touch of concern and fear. She knew what her husband was capable of doing and handling. She gently took his hand, a silent reassurance.

“Are you ready babe,” she asked him softly.

Kirok looked her in the eyes. She saw a fierce determination that was stronger than duranium. He nodded slightly to her.

“Yes baby. I’m ready to go save the galaxy.”

She gave him a small kiss on the cheek.

“Good. Now get off my Bridge.”

She said it in a playfully serious tone that only lovers would recognize. Kirok laughed for a second, then nodded and headed to the turbolift and transporter room three. When he arrived at the transporter room, it was jammed full with his infiltration team.

Kirok signalled the Bridge to let their captured Vaadwaur ship know that they were beaming over. The full security team handed everyone a Type II hand phaser, while they each had a Type III rifle strapped on their backs, plus each security officer wore a tactical backpack with a med kit, personal force field generators, and concussion grenades. Once all phasers were given out, the security team beamed over first. Flummox had the engineering team go next. Flummox and Kirok beamed over last.

***

The Carlsbad’s away team led by Captain Skyrunner all went to work on the Vaadwaur ship. Aximo and Vera stepped over to Kirok.

“Welcome Captain. Kaelara extends her greetings and says she is ready. We have the tactical drones onboard and Naomi is standing by to lead them. We await your orders,” Aximo reported.

“Thank you Aximo. Is the Probe scout ship ready to chase us,” Kirok asked.

“Yes, Captain.

“Very well. Let’s get this show on the road. Break orbit and move towards the Underspace aperture. Have the Probe scout ship give us thirty seconds and then chase us, firing on us with minimum firepower.”

Aximo relayed the commands to the five new drones they got from the Vaadwaur crew. Kirok felt the Vaadwaur ship move forward. He looked at the viewscreen, watching stars fly by.

“Approaching the Underspace aperture Captain,” Aximo reported.

An Underspace aperture opened, allowing the ship to enter Underspace and start this deadly mission. The captured Vaadwaur patrol ship slipped into one of the many Underspace tunnels and headed towards the target, the Blackout Station in the area.