Most of the senior officers were still in the lounge celebrating, the feed would also go to the lounge so that they would be able to watch. The junior officers were manning their stations, and Tilana and Aleish were on the bridge. They were a few minutes from the USS Enterprise launching from the Starbase, the viewscreen was on to watch the view. The many ships that were in formation, she was in awe at how many were there to celebrate the 250th Frontier Day. To be able to show how the new fleet formation mode worked.

Silence had filled the bridge as everyone looked out the viewscreen waiting for the celebrations to start. Tilana had noticed a few ships from the Fourth Fleet in formation such as the Odyssey and a couple of ships from her squadron. She had sent a message to Fleet Captain McCallister that Fleet Captain Azras Dex sent her regards and regrets being unable to make it due to repairs.

A short time later the doors to the Starbase began to open as the fireworks display started. “This is it,” Tilana commented as the doors completely opened and a short time later the USS Enterprise began to make its way out. The beauty of the Odyssey-class ship was still a sight to see, especially as the flagship that was well-known throughout history.

Ensign Enja Arime was behind the tactical station, and Lieutenant Savu was sitting at the engineering console though turned to face the viewscreen to watch the spectacular view that was taking place. Lieutenant T’Kiv was focused on his work at the operations station that he wasn’t paying much attention to what was happening. Which wasn’t surprising as he wasn’t into such things. While Lieutenant William Bosan was in deep awe of what was taking place as he sat at the helm.

“That is beautiful,” William commented.

“Indeed,” Tilana replied with a smile as they continue to watch until the Enterprise was in position. A short time later the viewscreen changed to see Admiral Shelby on the bridge of the Enterprise as she began her speech.

Just as the fleet formation mode activated things were about to turn chaotic as the junior officers that were on the bridge began to change. Eyes glazed over black for a brief moment, their skin went to a grayish color and dark-looking veins ran through their skin. They all turned around looking at both Tilana and Aleish.

“We are Borg…eliminate the unassimilated,” came the voice of the officers that were no longer themselves but now Borg. Shots rang out onto the bridge as those who were not assimilated were targeted.

“Shit,” Tilana said as both of them began to run toward the conference room. Dodging phaser fire as they entered and sealing the room using her command codes. Some had tried to get through but soon decided to stop as they now had control of the bridge. Chaos was now filling the ship as the younger officers had now become borg and were going after those who were not assimilated.

They were secure for the time being but glanced out of the window and her eyes were wide as she saw every ship firing on the Starbase. She gasped as they to began firing on the Starbase. Tilana tries to contact others on the ship to warn them and have them get somewhere they can seal themselves in but she was being locked out of the systems.

She felt helpless as she was forced to watch everything unfold, looking at Aleish who could see the terror in her eyes. They were able to access the separate channel that connected the ships, she couldn’t stomach what she was hearing happening on the other ships. She heard that the Excelsior had gained control of the bridge, and no sooner than she looked out of the viewscreen to see the Excelsior being destroyed but the ships within the fleet.

Aleish gasped at witnessing the Excelsior get destroyed, “well looks like it’s not a good idea to try to retake the bridge.” Aleish said finally in horror, Tilana shook her head in agreement. They continued to watch helpless unable to do anything else, this put a pit in her stomach.

Those that were still in the lounge enjoying the celebrations watched as tragedy struck as the ships fired upon the Starbase. Lieutenant Zilan walked to the entrance of the lounge as the doors opened Zilan saw the young officers that had turned into the Borg shooting at officers that were trying to escape. She frantically moved over to the console next to the door and sealed them in.

“What is going on?” Khadija asked as she watched Zilan seal them in.

“Borg has taken over the ship,” Zilan replied.

“How?” Khadija asked confused as she didn’t see any Borg ships.

“I am not sure, but these Borg look different and they are not assimilating they are killing those of us who are not assimilated,” Zilan replied in a panic, as they were all stuck there.

A short time later there was banging on the door as those Borg tried to get into the lounge. “We have to do something,” Zain said looking at the others.

“Probably not a good idea,” Zhayva replied as she accessed the same channel the captain had.

“Why?” Zain asked looking a bit annoyed having to stay there watching their ship commit the worst crime one could imagine. “We have to try to stop this ship,” Zain almost yelled.

“And end up like the Excelsior?” Zhayva replied as she listened to the channel the looked at the screen to watch the Excelsior get destroyed. “That is what will happen if we try to overtake the ship.” Zhayva pointed at the feed.

Zain watched and his eyes looked like they were about to come out of his head, “we just need to stay here and hope things stop or where all dead.” Zhayva replied sounding a bit more scared at the thought. She didn’t want to end like this, the pounding continued as they all stood there helpless.

Things continued as they watched the Starbase lose its shields, now they began targeting Earth. Her heart dropped to her stomach as she was about to become sick, feeling helpless. The chaos continued for what seemed like an eternity, thinking that this was going to be it for Earth and the end of Starfleet as they knew it.

Then just as it all started the firing had stopped, Tilana and Aleish looked at each other as their ship had also taken a beating from the Starbase trying to defend itself. She grabbed a phaser setting it on stun before unsealing themselves. They both carefully walked out onto the bridge, it was different as Tilana didn’t see the Borg anymore but her officers who looked confused.

They had some memory of what had taken place and they looked petrified, “I am so sorry Captain…” Enja Arime replied as tears ran down her face.

Tilana looked at Enja, “It’s alright you were not you.” She said placing a hand on her shoulder trying to reassure her as well as everyone else.

Officers began to return to the bridge after everyone seemed to be back to themselves, compared to what they were just moments ago. Was this over, she began to wonder how this all began and how only the younger members of the crew were the only ones affected. She’d probably find that out in due time but now things were over and hopefully, they would be able to move on from this whole mess.

Sitting down in her chair she looked at the viewscreen to see the damage that was done, placing her face in her hands she rubbed it with a loud sigh. There was so much damage to the Starbase as well as other ships in the formation. A short time she got the damage report and casualty report, reading it she sank in her chair more. They had been through so much in such a short time, she wondered if things would get any better.