QUOTE=Darkcomet;16175800]
[Operation Ascendant]
"If that is all, we'll proceed. Major?"
"No, Emmy, no other ideas." One gets the impression Xanatov is
grinning up there.
N'alae rolls her eyes under the helmet.
"Infiltration team, proceed as planned. We won't have the Major's intuition in there, so be on your guard, and not just with the Borg."
Hill leads the way into the base, on point. Cross and N'alae keep in formation where the others can cover them, being rather mission-critical.
[Operation Ascendant->Infiltration Team]
The base is dim, warm and humid, lit by eerie, sickly greenish light. The floor and walls are lined with almost crude-looking additions and circuitry, definite signs of Borg assimilation. The entrance area they're in doesn't seem to have any drones, though...
Cross speaks up.
"The Borg likely have control of the system, so I will need to stay at the console we find to keep the hatch open for the Major's assault force. Officers Hill and Chedid, you're it. Richards and Allomyrina will stay with the Emissary." Makes sense. N'alae will need someone to deal with whatever the unknown threat is too, and close combat capability is good to have in extended defense against the Borg.
"Yes sir," Hill responds.
"Looks like you have somehow ended up trying to protect me from aehallhir* again, Officer. I'll try not to make it a habit," N'alae says, referencing the last time she and Allo met.
*'monsters, as in ghosts or nightmares.' The wonders of DC pulling things off the internet.
This is the part where they round a corner to face their first Borg drones. Several of the drones present are in
regeneration alcoves on the wall, others walking along in the hall. The drones are of a variety of species; one of them that might look elven upon first glance appears to be of the same species as N'alae, if you go by the forehead. That one's in regeneration.
The problem is that they look a bit different than the one shown in the briefing. Not quite as crude-looking, as if a bit more advanced.
"Hold your fire. They will not consider us a threat yet," N'alae instructs, sounding ever so slightly unsure. As if something is off.
[Operation Ascendant->Assault Force]
After the infiltration team enters the base, Major Xanatov turns on the comm.
"Alright, everyone, ascend and prepare for the hatch opening. Red, hope you like mountain climbing."
The fighter-gunships, including the Major's, begin climbing to the appropriate altitude. Blu will probably want to follow, and Red is just gonna have to climb.[/QUOTE]