Panic
Posted on Thu Jun 12th, 2025 @ 4:23pm by Captain M'Raz & Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves
1,305 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Resistance is Necessary
Location: CO's Ready Room
Timeline: MD003 1830
Commander Reeves had been sitting on the bridge, working his shift until it came to an end. Before heading home for the evening, he thought it best to bring some things to the Captain's attention. It had been close to twenty-four hours since the destruction of the USS Broker. There were two things, they now knew for certain. One Borg ship was now three ships. And that diplomacy wasn't an option whatsoever. To be honest, why would it be an option? The Borg were clearly superior in every way they were aware of at the time being. Currently the Jane Addams was hidden in the Mutara nebula. But how long would they remain hidden?
Only a few days after the Borg invasion, things had gone from fear to anger among the refugees. A few fights had to be broken up or contained among the makeshift camps in the cargo bays. There were even some rumors going around about Federation conspiracies regarding the Federation's knowledge of the Borg in general. Walking up to the door, to the Captain's office, Jason pressed the chime wanting to bring some of these issues to M'Raz.
"Enter," Raz called out. His desk was centered on the wall opposite the door; to the right, as one came in, was a raised platform where a sofa and matching chair were arranged with a coffee table in the center. At the moment, Raz way lying on the sofa, stretched out, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. He turned his head, so that he could see who entered, but didn't move otherwise. "Come on in," he said. "Feel free to use the replicator if you want."
Entering the room, Reeves accepted the invite and helped himself to the replicator. Ordering a green tea, he pulled up a seat. "Just wanted to speak with your regarding the morale situation onboard. Which is plummeting fast."
"Israte's fool idea gave us a valuable piece of intel but at what a cost? We have to assume that the enemy knows everything and that means, devising a whole new strategy, one that we don't share with anyone outside of this ship." He turned his attention to his first officer. "But you were speaking about morale? Crew or the civilians specifically?"
"Morale is little down among the crew," Reeves answered. "But they are handling it well. The civilians on the other hand is another story. Too much time cooped in the cargo bay without any real answers regarding their fates. And now the rumors are flying around."
"They need to be off the ship," Raz said as he moved easily into a sitting position. Years in command had done nothing to diminish his lithe, athletic form; his preferred method of thinking a problem through involving strenuous workouts and a captain's life was nothing but problems. "Everyone who isn't a member of the crew. The question is, where." He rose to his feet, restless, and walked over to the replicator to order a cup of hot water. "Didn't we tag a world for settlement a few years back. Do you remember, the one with the unique geological formations that shielded those vast caverns?"
The Commander took a few seconds to remember. "I recall but do these honestly want to build and settle on an unknown world. Perhaps it would be better to drop them off on an already established Federation world. The Federation and Starfleet hasn't come up with a temporary settlement plan yet?"
"It's not about colonization," Raz said quietly. "It's about survival. Yes, we could drop them off on an established world and hope they survive but honestly, I'm not convinced they'll do any better there than they did on Earth. I don't think these Borg are going to stop. If I'm right, Sol system is a staging ground for an invasion of the Federation."
"I am very much in agreement that the Sol system is a staging ground," Reeves acknowledged. "Wouldn't be surprised if those three ship sitting at the edge of the system left soon. If we want to guarantee their safety, then they stay on the Jane Addams. But we need to give them better conditions than they have now and prepare for the long term."
"I disagree," Raz said. "Considering what we have to do, the least safe place in Federation space is this ship. I'm not comfortable with taking them on long-term."
The look on the Commander's face was one of confusion. "So, what's the plan? We have a ship full of unhappy people who want answers. Even though we don't have all the answers. We got to give them something."
"I do plan on talking to them," Raz said, "but I doubt they'll like the answers I have to give. Truth is, nowhere is safe but we'll be a target and staying on board puts them directly in the path of the Borg. Not sure anyone would want to risk that. We'll have to give them options regarding somewhere they can stay and that means contacting member-worlds. I was thinking about starting with the Andorians if they'd be willing. They've got a strong military. And if that doesn't work, maybe the Vulcans."
"Andor is cold," the Commander replied with a chuckle. "But it's the closest. And the people don't have to like your answer. They just need something."
"The choice is Andor or that colony world with the cavern our sensors can't penetrate. It would be ... primitive ... but maybe safer." Raz shook his head. Body language among the Caitians was vastly different than on Earth but his years on board had encouraged an understanding. He chuckled, a raspy, quiet sound. "As for the Andorians, cold is right and that's not just the temperature."
Jason nodded in agreement. "These folks wouldn't be the first non Andorians to live on Andor. They'll survive just fine. When are you thinking about making the drop off?"
"Like to head there now," Raz said. "Free up the cargo space. I'll meet with the Andorian leadership, or whomever is willing to speak with me, and then we'll get started. I mean to find out how we can defeat these Borg and I have an idea or two about places to start."
"When do you wish to address the refugees?"
"Let's do it now," Raz said and rose to his feet almost at once. "It's been a rough two days for them and you're right, they could use some information ... though I'm afraid we don't have a lot in the way of answers for them."
Jason held up his hand. "And just one other matter before you do that. The arrangements regarding those who died during the attack. I know it's just been three days. But probably should prepare some sort of memorial service."
"Let's do that once we deliver the civilians," Raz said. "Just the crew. Seeing as how our counselor died in the attack, how about you take care of making the arrangements. And get with Operations -- see if you can find a spot where we can establish a permanent memorial. Some place the crew can visit when they have the need to do so."
"A memorial is an excellent idea. Will take care of that as soon as possible. That was the last of my concerns."
"Civilians. Memorial service. And then, we'll start gathering data on these Borg. Nothing is invincible. Just takes some figuring things out," Raz said. "But for now, spend some time with your family. You're one of the few lucky enough to have one on board."
Jason stood from his seat. "Thank you, Sir."
He watched his First Officer leave and returned to his position on the sofa, staring up at the ceiling, thinking. Planning. Nothing is invincible, Raz thought. Nothing.
Lt. Commander Jason Reeves
Executive Officer
USS Jane Addams
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