Star Trek: Earth Strike
Episode 5: The Company You Keep
“I think I’ve stabilised him for now.” Doctor Crusher said, frowning at her tricorder as she knelt over the prone body of Commander Riker. Ambassador Spock had indicated that his injuries were superficial and that the Doctor should tend her stricken shipmate. “I’ve closed his wounds up, but there’s some kind of
infection spreading like wildfire through his body.”
“Do what you can for him Beverley.” Picard asked.
Crusher tapped her comm badge. “Two to be transported directly to Sickbay.” She requested. Ship’s Counsellor Deanna Troi had already been beamed there; her Betazoid physique had not proved as resistant to the psychic shock as Spock’s.
“Sir; the aliens!” Lieutenant Hawke said as the Doctor and her patient disappeared. The helmsman’s outburst returned the Captain’s attention to the main viewscreen which showed the alien fleet wheeling into a new, more ominous formation. Squadrons of the smaller ships peeled off to take up flanking positions to the main body of the fleet which took on a ‘V’ shape.
“Any contact with Starfleet Command?” Picard asked.
“Unable to contact Starfleet Command due to heavy subspace interference.” Stated Spock. The Ambassador had returned to the station he had commandeered at the rear of the bridge. It seemed that he was fully recovered from his contact with the aliens and had slaved his station to monitor sensors, ship’s systems and communications. Picard considered the Vulcan for a moment, gaining a new insight into how James T. Kirk had gained the reputation as Starfleet’s greatest Captain.
“I have, however, managed to contact several Starfleet vessels in orbit or en route to Earth.” Said Worf.
“Have them rendezvous with us at Lagrange 5.” Picard ordered, naming a point equidistant from the Earth and the Moon in the Lunar plane of orbit. The captain stared at the alien fleet on the viewscreen. “Why are they here?” he mused, “What do they intend?”
“I believe I may be able to answer that.” Spock said, breaking into the captain’s reverie. “Before the counsellor and I received the defensive jolt from the aliens psyche we were able to discern some of their motives and intentions. It is clear that the aliens have somehow formed the opinion that we are willing allies of the Borg, with whom they have some grievance.”
“And their purpose?” Picard asked grimly.
“They are here to destroy the Earth. They have both the will and the capability and are resolute in their intentions.” Spock stated flatly. Picard paused for a moment, examining the cold certainty within Spock’s steady gaze.
“Captain...” Data attracted Picard’s attention back to the main viewscreen which showed the alien fleet suddenly surging into motion. A window opened up on the screen showing a schematic diagram of the fleet's course - aimed directly at the shimmering green jewel that the Borg shield had made of Earth. Picard felt his mouth go dry as the first barrage of destructive energy erupted from the myriad weapons of the attacking fleet.
“Open Starfleet hailing frequencies.” Picard ordered.
“Hailing frequencies open sir.” Worf said.
“This is Captain Picard of the Enterprise. I am taking command of the Fleet.” The captain’s voice was like steel as he gave an order that that morning he would never have thought himself capable of uttering. “Stand ready to assist the Borg.”
