Roger and Leh’Dor with the rest of the liberated Borg that had followed them quickly secured the control area. Roger used his nanite injectors to directly interface with the computer and by pass security lock outs that had gone into place. The lock outs were designed for non Borg intruders and did not account for liberated Borg.
Though not changing much, his voice did have the slightest bit of fear in it, “Leh’Dor, the ship has had its self destruct sequence activated four times now. Each time something happened to cause it to cancel. I am unable to prevent the self destruct sequence from here. In fact, I am not sure if there is anything we can do.”
Leh’Dor growled. He seemed surprised by his own action. He spoke quickly, “Then perhaps we do need to take a sphere. No point in fighting in a burning house.”
Roger concentrated, “All spheres are deactivated. Each has sustained damage from the malfunctions of the cube. None are functional enough for us to use. Repair estimates range from three to four days.”
Leh’Dor looked at him. “Fine, I will now excuse that tiny bit of fear in your voice. You were human after all. But cut it out and figure something out.”
Roger then looked slightly surprised, “We are transmitting a Federation distress signal.” All the Borg there looked at him with confusion as well. They were in the Gama Quadrant, far away from the wormhole. No Federation ship should be within hailing distance. Why were they transmitting that distress signal? Roger seemed even more surprised, though it was only visible by a slight bounce on his part, “Federation vessels have entered sensor range. I am also detecting Klingon, Romulan, Cardassion, Jem’hedar, and other ships.”
Everyone stared at him with blank faces. That seemed highly unlikely. Roger looked through the data banks. “It is the task force the Dominion formed to help them with the Borg invasion. I had forgotten it existed.” Hope instantly began to spread through the group.
Sounds of transporter activity surrounded the area. Roger turned to see a group of Klingons raising their Bat’leths at him. He didn’t even blink as Leh’Dor shouted, “Stay your weapons Warriors of the Empire, he isn’t Borg anymore. It is nice to have good company join our battle!”
The Klingons turned to Leh’Dor with confused looks. One turned back to Roger and he told her, “What he said. I am Roger Cross, well, mostly.”
She looked at him and said, “You are free from the Hive Mind? Why didn’t you cringe when I was about to strike you?”
Roger thought for a second, “It wouldn’t have helped.” She nodded, not sure whether she was impressed or concerned.
Some of the other former Borg seemed afraid of the Klingons, but more were excited to see them. As the one warrior started gathering up the freed Borg, a few Federation officers entered the area. The two groups lightly glared at each other, but then continued to help the freed Borg. For a second, everyone in the area felt confused, for they could have sworn they heard many voices singing ‘here is our handle, here is our spout’.
A signal was sent throughout the ship. “This is Lieutenant Commander Sansaz, this cube has just had its last self destruct sequence activated. Fortunately, this one is a slow one. The ship is literally starting to dissolve itself, and though irreversible, it is a slow process. Begin evacuating the liberated Borg to respective ships. The Federation will be willing take all unknown species with them.”
Leh’Dor shouted to Roger as the sounds of transporters began whisking people away, “Perhaps we will meet again in the field of battle, Roger Cross. Whether with or against you, it would be an honor.”
Roger called out as well, “I would prefer ‘with’. Qa’pla, Leh’Dor.” He felt the slight tingling sensation, and he went from a world of nightmares to the surroundings of a Federation starship. Already he could tell the ship he was now on was becoming crowded. He turned and bumped into what his eye piece said was an holographic doctor.
“The Captain has got to be kidding me,” was all that the image said.
