“Entering the Tatarus system now.” Called out Lieutenant Stuart from the Helm. “Dropping use out of Warp.”

“Red alert.” Shouted Lieutenant Devron from his captain’s seat. “Tell me what you’ve got folks.  Full scans.”

The bridge lights dimmed and the red alert beacons flashed as the alarm sounded.  Devron soon cancelled the noise though and turned to his communications officer, behind and to his left. “Any luck getting them back?”

Ensign Cho had been talking to a rather frantic and panic stricken young man by the name of Ramesh.  The Borg had landed in the two transports, sixty plus drones he’d said.  Most had either headed for the mines themselves or the various site buildings.  He’d reported hearing several shots, shouts and screams, knew of a dozen or more people either killed or stunned; he couldn’t tell which.  Probably twice that number within the building had suffered the same fate. The Borg had lost three may be four of their own in the initial attack, but even the well-armed security couldn’t hinder the slow relentless march.  Then he’d said they were coming up the stairs. That had been over two hours ago.  All the young Korean could do know was shake her head in reply to the question and keep trying.

“Tartarus III appears to have 28 moons.” Ensign C’Rren announced from his science station. “And one of them is square.”

“Confirmed” Added Ensign Tholakath. “One Borg Cube currently in orbit around the gas giant.”

“Keep me informed the moment you see it twitch or glow any brighter.” Jason asked the two of them.

“Aye, sir” They answered in unison.  As the Caitian and Cardassian continued to monitor the Borg cube and anything else within the star system, the Orion First Office flew the Raven Class corvette deeper in, as it headed for the inhabited planet of Tartarus II.

**********

In the Brig the as yet unnamed Borg; no one was using his designation which started four of six, was sat behind the force field under the watchful eye of crewman Appleby.  Though the Drone in question had so far remain fairly quiet and well-mannered the young crewman still kept his phaser ready, just in case.

They both felt when the ship dropped out of warp and the Drone commented as much, Appleby just nodded. Getting up from his bed the Borg prisoner/guest; took a long hard stretch walked to the far wall touched his toes a few times turned round got on the floor and started doing press-ups.  Appleby watched him slightly amused by the novel sight, until the Drone stopped and pressed an ear to the deck. “What’s below here?”

“Storage tanks.” Replied the crewman puzzled by the question. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I think I can hear something!” Announce the Drone. “You listen, see what you think.”

“Come on, your just trying to trick or spook me,” Appleby gave a nervous laugh.

“I’m behind a force field lying flat on the floor; hardly a great spot if I’d thought about escaping, is it?”

The crewman conceded that for a moment, before getting down on his hands and knees close to the cell and pressing one of his own ears to the deck. “Can’t hear anything other than the general hums and vibrations I’d expect.” He said confidently.  With his head down low, Appleby didn’t see the hand pass through the force field like it wasn’t there, nor did he have chance to react to the Drone performing what most knew to be a Vulcan Nerve Pinch, whispering softly, “and sleep”, as it did so.

The Borg pulled back his hand and stood up, before reaching through a second time; further and along the edge of the wall.  Despite not being able to see the keys, he tapped out the correct code at the first attempt and the force field around the cell promptly switched off.  Pushing an arm through the energy barrier took effort and concentration walking through was impossible without triggering alarm, and the Borg didn’t want to attract attention by doing that. Stepping out he took the unconscious Appleby’s phaser from him and exited the room; after a careful check to see it was all clear.

**********

Roughly 15 minutes later alarms started going off on the bridge. “Shuttle bay doors opening.” Tholakath called out as he franticly tried to get them closed again. “Systems locked me out. I can’t override it.”

“Shuttle away!” Stuart announced moments later.

“I’m not registering any life signs aboard.” Came the voice of C’Rren. “Shuttle just jump to warp!”

“Course?” Devron asked, sitting forward in his seat.

“Heading right for the Cube.” Bemoaned the Cardassian. “And now the computer lets me close the door!”

“Do we pursue?” Stuart enquired.

“Negative number one.  Keep on our current heading.”  The captain got up, turned and slammed a fist into one of the arms of his chair. “Damn, I trusted him. Get someone to check on Appleby, quick.”  He paced around the bridge, frustrated and angry before the message came back telling him that the Appleby was stunned but otherwise ok.  Jason flopped back in his seat and stared blankly at the main viewer.

**********

There are times when people do something reckless or stupid out a shear panic and desperation; they don’t always get the opportunity to regret their rash decisions.  Ramesh had faced one of those moment.  Not wished to be captured and assimilated by the Borg; he’d chosen to jump out of the window.  Four floors up as his shocked brain registered seconds after the glass had broken from him charging into it, an un-survivable drop, and momentum would only aid gravity in its quest to smash his body into the ground,

What Ramesh could not have realised before he made his ill-advised leap; was that Borg Drone below, would hear the smash of glass and actually catch him.  The impact was still pretty hard and Ramesh felt the sudden jarring deceleration.  He screamed in agony, sure that is right shoulder was dislocated and two ribs possibly fractured.  The Drone didn’t come off lightly either; its one organic leg braking, causing it to topple backwards.  Ramesh landed on top and rolled away, the Borg had his sleeve rather than arm and his jacket ripped as he pulled free. However this Drone wasn’t giving up just yet and rolled over seizing the man’s right leg. “Resistance is futile.” It informed him.

Ramesh felt something hard near to his hand; gripped it and swung with all his strength at his assailant. “Well resist this!” He yelled; smashing the fist sized rock into the skull of the Borg; once, twice, three times.  He didn’t stop until the Drone slumped lifeless and its vice like hold on his leg slackened.  All he had to do now was figure out how to escape.

**********

The Borg Cube constantly watched and assessed the situation as it unfolded; relaying all information to Node One.  The landing of the two acquisitions had taken place as predicted.  Capture and assimilation of additional units was going along pre-determined paths with a less than 5% deviation.  The Raven class corvette detected earlier had arrived as calculated and was heading for the planet.  If it attempted any hostile activity, it would be dealt with.

The one thing that hadn’t been factored into was the launch of a shuttle, piloted by one rogue drone.  This puzzled Node One; there was insufficient data to formulate an assessment of intent.  Scans had revealed no weaponry, explosive compounds or dangerous biological elements that could pose a threat.  There was no indication of concealment or attempts to confuse the Cubes scanning on the small vessel either.

So Node One allowed the shuttle to fly ever closer in the knowledge it was of no threat.