Preparations

Posted on Wed Dec 7, 2016 @ 3:55pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Samantha Summers & Lieutenant AJ Taggart

1,542 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Silence
Location: Main Armory
Timeline: TBD

ON:

AJ stood at a console in the armory going over the complement of weapons. They had over 500 Type IIIs present and accounted for, 450 Type IIs available, and several other heavy weapons under lock and key. AJ was concerned over the fact that the Borg were virtually impervious to any energy weapons that were thrown at them. The only way that anyone, especially Starfleet could have a snowball's chance in hell against a Borg drone in close combat would be to have something that could put them down for good- and for AJ that meant something that packed more of a punch than a phaser. During his childhood, he had used pump action shotguns and the occasional rifle for target practice and the rare hunt. There was no reason why they couldn't use it now, with a few modifications, a rifle could fire an armor piercing projectile with enough force to drop a Borg and keep it down.

Continuing his inventory, activated a diagnostic protocol and began to run it on all of the weapons in storage. Leaving the program to run on its own, he continued through his checklist. He was snapped out of his routine when he heard the doors slide open with their trademark pneumatic hiss.

Summers ducked her head as she came into the armory, then spotting the Lieutenant at a console walked over to him and looked over what was on the screen. "Lieutenant," She began, "What we have here will stop them - at first. But they adapt, and adapt quickly. Any ideas on how to stop them for good?"


AJ leaned on the counter, allowing himself a moment. "I was thinking of using either a modified TR-116 or bringing up an older design. There are records of weapons that use physical rounds being able to take down a Borg with a few shots. The only issue I have with that is that most people aboard have only used phasers or energy weapons. Handing many of them a shotgun or a .357 chambered pistol wouldn't exactly be a safe option. Thoughts?"

"We *could* do a fast training class with them in the Holodeck, juggle the class schedules so everyone gets trained." Samantha sighed. "But you *know,* that will only work once or twice. They'll adapt...and adapt...and adapt..and take over. The only way I know of to *really* finish them would be to blow up their ship before anyone of high rank is 'compromised' and becomes one of them. If that happens *they* will know everything about this ship."

"That's the other problem, we don't know what they know about our tactics and ships. They very well could have assimilated a Prometheus Class ship or two as well as their Captains and intelligence staff during the initial attack. So let's assume that they know everything we know and more. In terms of weapons, we should probably execute a few tests on the holodeck and see what data we can glean from it.

Samantha nodded her head in assent. "Ok, let's see what these modified 'TR-116's' can do. We can set up a test in the holo deck and program the 'Borg' to compensate for varied frequencies. That sound good?"

"Absolutely, Senior Chief." AJ said. Walking over to the weapons replicator. "Computer, replicate 1 TR-116 modified for burst fire and one 16 round magazine of tritanium armor piercing ammunition.

The computer beeped it's acknowledgement. "Enter authorization code."

Tapping in his code, the computer blocked him. "Warning. Manufacture of TR-116 requires command override."

AJ sighed in frustration. "Override- Sanctuary Protocol. Authorization Taggart- Charlie- Four-Six-Beta-Three." The computer acknowledged the authorization and the manufacturing process began. AJ watched intently as the replicator turned out pieces part by part and assembled them.

Samantha watched the replicator begin to 'turn out' a modified 'TR-116.' She stopped the replication at 2, and turned to AJ. "Why don't we bring these two to the Holodeck and see how they check out before going ahead with a 'mass production?'"

AJ smiled slightly. "You read my mind, Senior Chief." Picking up the rifle and slinging it, he walked out of the Armory and down the corridor.

Samantha slung the other rifle over her shoulder and followed AJ, forgetting to duck and banging head head on the bulkhead. "Ouch!" She yelled.

AJ spun around, stifling a chuckle at the Senior Chief's mishap. Tightening the sling against his shoulder, he continued to stroll towards the holodeck.
======= 10 Minutes Later =======


Entering the holodeck, AJ stood next to the entrance running through possibilities in his head of potential entrances and exits that the Borg could take advantage of during a tactical engagement of throughout the ship. The only problem that he was running into was creating viable contingencies- the Borg were devious, blindly loyal, and devastatingly powerful. They didn't have the capacity to feel pain or remorse- their only objective was to assimilate everything in their path or crush it and anything that remained of it. The thought of facing the Borg turned the blood in AJ's veins to ice and brought his heart to a near stop. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for what he needed to do next.

Samantha watched AJ's brow furrow. "Fun time." She thought to herself, as she unslung her rifle and chambered a round.

AJ unslung the rifle in one fluid motion and snapped the magazine into place. Hearing a satisfying metallic click, AJ chambered a round and flicked a switch to select burst fire.

"Computer, run program 'Tactical Rangemaster Simulation Charlie-Six Two. Insert 2 Borg Drones, randomized combat parameters. Initiate perimeter forcefields ' No sooner than he spoke, the wireframe of the holodeck changed into the wide corridor of a Halcyon Class freighter and two Borg drones appeared on either side and began striding toward AJ and Samantha with surprising speed.

Samantha looked at the Borg and then back at AJ" Rotate our firing time, change the frequency and amount of power in the shots, don't give them time to get accustomed to one specific form and strength of attack.."

AJ tried not to speak but failed. "I'll keep this simple, Senior Chief. When it comes to the Borg, just aim for the head." AJ brought his rifle to bear, centered his sights on the drones head, and fired a three round burst. There was a slight click as the rounds fired followed by a meaty popping sound and metallic black spray on a simulated bulkhead as the nanites that now flowed through the drone's veins splattered on the across the deck.

Samantha smiled and yelled "Gotcha!" And blasted away at the next Borg, right between the eyes.



AJ continued to repeat the drill until he ran out of ammunition in his third and final magazine. Turning to Samantha, he motioned to the pile of holographic dead Borg laying on the deck. "And that, is how you drop a Borg. Any questions?" Activating the safety, AJ slung the rifle across his shoulder again. "Computer, end program and run accuracy analysis. Transfer results to Security and Tactical Office." Leaning against the bulkhead, AJ twirled pen between his fingers. "If you've got questions or ideas, I want to hear them." he said, thinking to himself about what he had just witnessed. New and shiny weapons were fine and good but eventually they would run out of ammunition. AJ didn't want to think about what would happen if that occurred.

Samantha thought for a moment. "Nice simulations; but this simulation didn't 'adjust' to our weapons like the 'real Borg' will. I don't want to rain on your parade, but we *should* plan for that eventuality. I can think of a 'stop-gap,' final measure, but I'm not sure if you'd like to hear it."


AJ raised his eyebrow. "Something tells me you're right but lay it on me anyways." he said reluctantly.


Samantha paused for a moment before continuing. "Actually, we have 2 measures. 1) If invaded by Borg, we *could* order an self destruct for the ship; but that would only work if the Commanding crew were not assimilated, and able to provide ways to stop the ship's destruction. 2) Have the entire crew ingest a slow poison, so if they were captured and assimilated, they will spread the poison among the Borg, and after the Borg have been dealt with, have the remaining crew given the poison antidote."


A look of abject horror crossed AJ's face as he comprehended what the Senior Chief was trying to plan. "Absolutely not! I will not put the crew-" AJ stopped and motioned to the room around him. "-and this ship in unnecessary danger. I would rather fight the Borg hand to hand before I decide to kill over 500 people!"

Summers nodded in agreement. "Ok, that's one for the trash pile. Forget I ever suggested it. We may have to have an idea for proposal to the Captain at some later date though. You have any ideas? "

Summers looked around the area, then back at Taggart. " Well, thought of some? " She asked. " Ok, get back to me when you're ready."

Summers@ Taggart: I'm ready to 'post' if you are ? :)

I've waited and waited.... Sorry for the delay in posting, folks.. :(


OFF

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Samantha Summers
USS Victory A

 

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