//------------------------------// // Engaging the Borg // Story: Star Trek: Equestria // by Robert Emerald Fountain //------------------------------// Captain Jean-Luc Picard had just received a message about the Federation's most lethal enemy, The Borg, beginning an invasion of Federation space. He had already informed his crew that their orders were to pursue the Romulan Neutral Zone. Picard had previously been captured and assimilated by the Borg. The Federation was afraid that an unstable element would be introduced to a critical situation if he were to join the battle. On the bridge, he had Federation frequency 1486 on audio. He made a drastic decision to join. "I'm about to commit a direct violation of our orders. Any of you who wish to object should do so now. It will be noted in my log.", he said to his crew. Data spoke up. "Captain, I believe I speak for everyone here sir when I say . . . "To hell with our orders."" Picard ordered a "Red Alert" and had a course set for Earth. When they arrived, they saw that a Borg Cube was on a direct course toward Earth. The Admiral's ship had been destroyed, so Picard took a temporary command of the fleet. He had all of the ships fire at a specific spot on the cube, which led to it being destroyed. However, The cube released a smaller ship, known as a Borg Sphere to continue its attack. Picard had Lieutenant Hawk pursue the sphere.