Trouble...again

“Hello Captain Freeman,” you grin and wave as the Captain of the Cerritos and Mariner’s mom got on one knee and catch Jessica's hug. Carol Freeman stood up with Jessica in her arms only straining for a moment before she was able to compensate.

“Hello James.” Carol still looked the same as she did a few days ago (or weeks subjectively) except she had several PADDs on her belt, likely to be full of notes and other data. Standing next to her was Commander Jack Ransom, Captain Freeman’s second in command, looking a bit tired though also a bit distracted as a pair of beautiful Risian woman passed by. Also by Captain Freeman was Chief Engineer Billups and Security Chief Shaxs. Nearly everyone looked tiny compared to Shaxs, the man’s presence and musculature gave you a bit of pause. Meanwhile, Billups was practically weedy compared to Shaxs.

“Grandma! I got to meet my dad and big sister Pixel!” Jessica pointed at you.

“Oh really, congratulations, is he what you expected? And not Auntie Pixel?” Captain Freeman frowned slightly before Jessica responded.

“Well, he doesn’t look that strong but the flowers like him, ohh and we made these flower crowns and brackets.” Jessica lifted up one of Captain Freeman’s arms and wrapped a little bracelet with a single daisy and a bunch of blue buds in the center. She offered some of the accessories to the others and soon we had a gaggle of StarFleet personnel with flower crowns and/or bracelets of varying colors and shapes.

“And Pixel is Big Sister Pixel because dad hatched her egg and…” While Jessica started to explain what she learned about Pixel and their agreement to be sisters to Captain Freeman, Shaxs pulled you to the side.

“...so believe me, just be her dad and everything will be fine.” Shaxs grinned at you. Then the grin turned sinister and you gulped only to be surprised with a bear hug that lifted you off the ground. “And thank you for inventing the Changeling Seeker Daisy. They saved my brother from being replaced by those pagh-less bastards.”

“No problem sir,” you gasped as you struggled to pat his back. While you were glad to have helped, you would prefer not to have to see Aqua today. He finally let you go, letting you stand on your shaking legs. Pressing an arm to your back, you gave it a good stretch. Several satisfying pops and an invitation to visit Bajor later, you and Shaxs rejoined the everyone else.

“...and then we got Fohlich’s and now we are here.” Jessica offered part of what was left of her cone to Captain Freeman.

“Thank you but that’s yours, I already ordered ahead,” Captain Freeman smiled reassuringly. She set down Jessica who went to stand between you and Mariner. “Why don’t you wait here while we get our treats and then we can see what activities are open alright?”

“Wait Captain Freeman,” Boimler said a bit nervously. “How can you order ahead? The sign says ‘first come first serve’?”

“Henry Fohlich and I go way back since Beta Palo 16 when we saved his ship from a rogue subspace photon flux resonance cluster,” Captain Freeman reminiscenced, the corner of her mouth twitching. “He always hails ahead when he sees we are in the same sector.”

“What did the subspace photon flux resonance cluster do to his systems?” You were curious since you had never heard of that kind of anomaly before.

“Well part of his custard making setup started to–” The mystery of what happened to the custard machine would have to wait as new alarms started blaring.

“Ooh, what do you think it is this time? You think the Chu Chu Band arrived?” Rutherford asked excitedly with his hands raised up in anticipation.

“RED ALERT BORG DETECTED IN ORBIT! EVACUATE! STARFLEET AND RISA SECURITY REPORT TO MUSTER POINTS! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!” There was a moment where no one moved then pandemonium.

“Ensigns! Get Jessica and the civilians to the nearest shelter,” Captain Freeman ordered before gesturing to herself and the Cerritos’ senior officers (minus T’Ana who wasn’t present). “We’ll join up with command and see what we can do to help.”

“Shouldn’t we try to get back to the Cerritos?” Boimler asked before getting pushed by a panicking Gorn. You helped steady him while making sure Jessica and Pixel didn’t get trampled.

“No time! We need to–” There was a brief moment where you heard a wavy buzzing sound and before you could react, all you knew was darkness.

“Beckett!” Captain Freeman shouted as several Borg drones had transported away with James, Mariner, Diana, and Boimler. The Borg had transported and injected their victims before leaving with them.

“Dammit, I owe Marinette $50s,” Laura growled to herself before she punched a drone that got too close.

“Move it people, we need to find someplace we can hold out until help arrives,” Shaxs shouted as Tendi picked up Jessica and Pixel under her arms. Together the group ran through the convention center as several more Borg drones transported in causing more chaos.

“Everyone to the main atrium, you’ll be safe there!” Captain Freeman shouted, pointing the civilians to the area most likely to have more security. They were almost there when a ship crashed through the wall. Tendi covered Jessica and Pixel to protect them from debris, not noticing the Protect that Pixel used. Once the dust cleared, the Fohlich’s custard shop/ship was through the wall with several drones attempting entry. Using debris and Laura’s claws, the drones were taken care of allowing the few passengers inside the ship to leave and join the party.

“Kir-lia!” Pixel shouted as she telekinetically tossed drones away from the next set of doors, clearing the way. Shaxs and Laura **** open the doors while the others used whatever they could to keep the Borg away.

“Really wish the Risians allowed weapons about now,” Ransom said as he gave a drone a double fist punch.

“And I wish Airen no get kidnapped again,” Shampoo said, startling the group as she jumped from the rafters and turned from a cat to a human, already with tonfa in hand.

“Didn’t think you brought those,” Laura said with a smirk.

“Always ready for sparring.” Shampoo replied before focusing on the somewhat slow moving fight.