Sep 25, 2025
New Star Trek oc!!!
Lieutenant Sevek, Vulcan Engineer who used to be in the sciences department. Ends up a close friend to Lilip, but stays on the Enterprise when she leaves for DS9.
seen from Italy
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Czechia
seen from Germany
seen from Saudi Arabia
seen from Netherlands
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from Saudi Arabia
seen from United States
seen from Italy
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from Jamaica
seen from Italy
seen from South Korea
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
New Star Trek oc!!!
Lieutenant Sevek, Vulcan Engineer who used to be in the sciences department. Ends up a close friend to Lilip, but stays on the Enterprise when she leaves for DS9.
i’m surprised nobody has done it yet
Star Trek: Lilip
Chapter Twelve: The Best of Both Worlds
Word Count: 7007
Summary: Lilip is introduced to the Borg, and all the terrors that come with it. Their duties as a brand new officer are tested when the captain is taken by the enemy.
Author’s Note: Merry Chips! Holy cow a chapter with six acts!! Strap in folks. Also, introducing a new oc of mine teehee :3c
Act One
Lilip felt a surge of pride when they were let into Commander Riker’s quarters for the evening. It was unfortunate then, that they had no idea how poker was played. Their blue sciences uniform complimented their form nicely, with the oval pip and combadge shining in the light. Standing over Data’s shoulders, Lilip had to lean to the side to avoid his shiny dealer’s cap from blinding them.
Another new face to the game, Commander Shelby, sat on the opposite end of the circular table. Sandwiched between Wesley and Riker, the overhead light cast her curly, blonde pixie cut in a yellow glow. Lilip quite admired the look.
Commander Shelby had arrived aboard the Enterprise temporarily when the ship encountered the destroyed remains of a Federation colony—theorized to be the result of the Borg. As a leading expert in the cybernetic foes, it was imperative to have her valuable knowledge, should the ship face them in battle.
Lilip still had never seen a Borg, nor knew what exactly they were and how much of a threat they posed. Shaking away their wandering thoughts, Lilip went back to focus on the game. Data had just thrown some chips into the central pile to buy another card.
As Troi passed out the cards, she sighed. “No help there.”
“Fold. Again.” Geordi said just as well.
Lilip leaned over Data’s shoulder while Troi continued to deal out the cards. “Why’d he do that?”
Data was quick with his reply, but unfortunately the words went in through one ear and out the other. Lilip still couldn’t grasp the rules of the game.
“Lilip?” Data addressed, finally getting the young ensign back into reality. “It appears that you are not paying attention.”
Lilip shuffled between where Data and Troi were sitting, sinking to their knees and letting their elbows rest on the table. Holding their chin in their hands, Lilip tipped their head lazily. “Not at all,” They said, “I just like hearing your voice.”
“Well, well,” Shelby chuckled, “If I’d have known this was a date night, I very well would have brought my own!”
Wesley leaned towards Shelby with an upturned brow. “Believe me, they’ve given everyone the runaround for so long that they’ve carved a hole in the floor.”
Both Lilip and Data tilted their heads in tandem, confusion reflecting off both pairs of eyes. This pulled laughter out of the remaining players, who continued on with the game.
Wesley had placed chips worth ten into the pot, with Shelby doing the same. Meanwhile, Riker put in one hundred, and Wesley folded, too intimidated by that notion. It was a standoff now between him and Shelby, the two commanders eyeing each other. Both desires to win clashed like opposing waves on a turbulent ocean.
Riker sighed and flipped his card over to reveal a two of spades. It was clear that Shelby had won, but as usual, the reasons behind that win passed through an unaware Lilip. Something about the way Riker glared at the visiting commander made them squirm. They had never thought of Riker as a sore loser, but clearly this loss hurt.
Lilip knew that they wouldn’t understand the answers to whatever questions they had, so they drummed their palms against the table while Shelby slid the pot her way. “Well, that was fascinating,” They said as they stood, “But, I hear my bed calling my name.” They raised their hand to cup their ear. “Tango gets fussy when I’m not there for bedtime.”
“Who’s Tango?” Shelby asked.
“Lilip’s got a stuffed animal,” LaForge groaned as he stretched his back, feeling satisfying pops along his spine, “I’ve gotta get in early tomorrow. I’ll see you all tomorrow!”
“Thanks for letting me watch!” Lilip said as they shuffled towards the door. “I’ll just pretend I understood it, how’s that?”
Shelby smiled as her head whipped around to face the ensign. “Works for me!” She laughed.
The next morning, Lilip had made their way to Ten Forward for a nice breakfast after waking up rather late. They were to have a quiet day recording more of Terys Beta’s biosphere while an away team investigated the planet below. It was only after they had finished their sixth helping of scrambled eggs that the mission proved that the Borg were indeed responsible. The ship was put on Yellow Alert for the time being.
As Lilip passed their plate to the back of the counter, their brain burned with questions. Even through the fears and trepidations, their insatiable curiosity would always win their mental battles.
“Something on your mind?” Guinan had just taken Lilip’s plate and placed it in the replicator behind her. It fizzled away into nothingness while the El-Aurian crossed back over to meet her patron.
“Guinan, what exactly are the Borg?” Lilip asked. “I mean, I know they’re cyborgs, and they’re dangerous, but why? What do they do?”
A slow blink and a shifting of her weight was the beginning of Guinan’s answer. “You’ve been here nearly a year, and no one’s ever told you about them?”
“Only vague bits and pieces,” Lilip admitted, “Sometimes I feel like they’re trying to shield me from the reality of it.”
“I wouldn’t put it past anyone to do so, you’ve been sheltered all your life. It would be a punch in the gut” Guinan crossed the bar and took the open seat next to Lilip.
“I’ve got a full stomach, so try me.” Lilip urged, patting their belly enthusiastically.
Guinan nodded sagely, taking a breath as she began to explain. “They’re a cybernetic hive mind. They aren’t one species, and they don’t procreate—instead they kidnap populations and assimilate them into their collective. Their individuality is stripped from them, and all their memories and knowledge delivered to the collective mind.” She looked out the window wistfully. “Their victims never have a choice in the matter.”
Lilip shivered. “O-oh.”
“I say this from experience. My people were assimilated long ago.”
“They were? How did you escape?”
“Most of us didn’t,” Guinan returned her soft gaze towards her little companion. “We are few and far between, scattered across the galaxy with nothing left of home.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
Guinan placed a soft palm on Lilip’s arm, giving it a comforting squeeze. “Well, we survived, and you found no one better to ask.”
“Has the Enterprise ever encountered the Borg, too? Or is the tension in here all from hearsay?” Lilip suppressed a shudder as on-edge nerves seeped into their skin from everyone.
“They have,” Guinan said, “In fact, the Enterprise was the first Federation ship to make contact with them. Not by choice, mind you.”
“What does that mean?”
“Q thought it would be entertaining to give them that push.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Q I know…”
“That’s because you don’t know him.”
“No,” Lilip sighed, “Apparently not.” There was a pause in the conversation before Lilip picked back up again. “Is there… anything I can do to help right now?”
“Got any experience in cybernetics and tactical?”
“No…”
“Then, I suppose all you can offer is what you usually do.”
Lilip stood from their seat, nodding sullenly. “If, um, you or anyone else needs help, I’m always willing to give it.”
Blinking appreciatively, Guinan smiled warmly. “I know.”
Lilip was crossing through the corridor when they spotted Riker and Troi. “Commander, Counselor,” They greeted as they passed.
“Ensign.” Riker returned, filling Lilip with sparks of pride to hear themself be addressed as such.
Lilip stopped in their tracks and turned tail. “Commander!” When they were met with him pausing and looking at them expectantly, they continued. “I was wondering if there’s anything I can do to help given this current situation.”
“As I recall, you’ve still got some cataloguing to do,” Riker reminded, “I appreciate the attitude, but we’re alright right now.”
“Okay.” Lilip swallowed back their disappointment before returning to their route.
Act Two
“Can I help with anything?” Lilip was pacing down the corridor of Deck Two. Simon Tarses and Nurse Ogawa were on their way to sickbay to begin their respective shifts.
“I thought you hated sickbay.” Simon recalled.
“That is until she needs an overdose of medicine to help her sleep.” Ogawa teased, her eyes playfully smirking Lilip’s way.
“I thought we agreed never to bring that up again!” Lilip cried.
Simon simply glanced back and forth between the two women, confusion ripping into him at the subtle lore drop that he would no doubt never get the story of. Sickbay doors slid open with a hiss as the three made their way inside.
Swallowing back their natural apprehension, Lilip bounced on their heels expectantly. “Is there any medical stuff I can help you with to prepare for an attack?” Lilip offered. They hung back by the doors. “Physiology reports? Organizing hyposprays?”
“Lilip,” It was Doctor Crusher who addressed them as she stepped out of her office, “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but the way you’re acting makes it seem like getting attacked is inevitable. Can't you see it’s putting them on edge?” She swept her hand over to gesture at Tarses and Ogawa, the two of them looking back with unamused expressions.
“Sorry…” Lilip shuffled their feet anxiously. “It’s just that I’ve heard about these Borg, and with how everyone else seems nervous about confrontation, I wanted to help in any way I can…”
Crusher approached Lilip and put comforting hands on their shoulders. “You do plenty enough already,” She said as she tilted her head to and fro with her eyes searching her memories, “When you’re not having mental breakdowns that endanger yourself and others, that is.”
“Hey..!” Lilip whined.
Crusher brushed her palms over Lilip’s shoulders affectionately, a smile curling her lips. She gave them a sweet kiss to their hairline, like she’d do with her own son. “I’ve got to get to a staff meeting, but I promise, if I think of something for you to help with, I’ll let you know.”
Lilip nodded as they watched Crusher pace out the doors with urgency. Turning back to face the younger crew members, they felt a shiver run up their spine. “Am I really what’s making everyone tense?”
“No,” Ogawa admitted, “I guess it would help if we try to channel our thoughts away from the worst case scenario, though.”
“Yeah.” Simon agreed. He sighed, his shoulders going slack. “Can’t help it, though.”
A fog of doom rolled over the three, tensing muscles and weighting heavily on their minds. Lilip shook their head to try and clear the fog. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help right now?”
“Not yet.” Ogawa answered.
“See!” Simon pointed at Nurse Ogawa with accusatory stiffness. “What do you mean ‘not yet?’ We haven’t even found any Borg yet!”
“And there you go with your use of ‘yet!’” Ogawa spat back.
Clearly, this was not a conversation Lilip would want to engage with. Instead, they quietly slipped out into the corridor to leave the two to their lashing of tongues.
It was an hour later, Lilip was sitting at their work station to catalogue the next taxonomic order they needed to get to. PADDs littered their desk with screens black. It was difficult to concentrate when the feeling of foreboding echoed through their skull with such intensity that they briefly suspected they had developed telepathic abilities. The thought was quickly doused. It didn’t take a Betazoid’s mind to understand just how tense everyone was.
Lilip had heard from the grapevine that a starbase had been attacked, and several ships were to rendezvous to assess the situation—The Enterprise included. There was no doubt about it; the Borg had launched their offensive. So it was no surprise that every fiber of their being felt tense with anxiety. Staring out the window did nothing to ease their worries. The expanse of space felt more like a dark hallway, where a villain could leap out at any moment.
And that’s exactly what happened. Through the void, a shape began to take form as something drew itself closer and closer. Lilip had a hard time discerning the strange thing until it was only a hundred kilometers off the bow. It was a giant cube.
It was the Borg.
As the red alert klaxon sounded, Lilip had leapt from their station and rushed out into the hallway. Officers of all stripes were pacing to their stations as the ship prepared itself for battle. Looking back and forth, Lilip wondered where it was that they should go. Without another thought, they paced through the halls to try and make it to the center of the saucer. If the ship were to get struck, there was at least that small ounce of protection within the walls.
They had just turned a corner when they bumped into a Vulcan sciences lieutenant. In fact, Lilip remembered getting caught by this same officer when Wesley’s nanites threatened to destroy the ship. Their stomach dropped at the sight of him.
“Ensign, why are you not at your station?” He asked, tail twitching irritably.
“Sorry, I don’t have a battle station,” Lilip replied, “Where am I supposed to go?”
“There are designated safe zones, you should head to one of those.”
“Okay, thanks.” Before they took off, Lilip pressed their hand to the Vulcan’s shoulder. “Hey, I see you around sometimes, but I never got your name.”
“I am Lieutenant Sevek. Now, please hurry along to your destination.” Sevek answered diligently.
“Okay, thank you Sevek.” Lilip paced away, giving a silent wish to whatever would hear that the fine, young Vulcan survives the encounter.
Lilip had ended up sheltering in a supply closet in a panic after they heard the ship fire. There were moments of shaking, and Lilip hoped that there were no casualties. They wondered if their quarters had been hit, and if Tango was adrift in space.
When things appeared to have quieted down, Lilip crept out of the closet and into the hall. There was no one in sight. Stalking through the corridors, Lilip managed to find the turbolift from the maze of beige walls.
“Deck Nine.” They input as the lift rode through its shaft. The eerie silence made their skin crawl.
Upon exiting the turbolift, Lilip found their quarters in one piece, Tango resting on the bed unscathed. A sigh escaped their chest when something caught their attention. Outside the windows, The Enterprise had hidden itself away inside a beautiful purple nebula. They assumed the ship couldn’t be traced by the Borg here, and supposed this was the perfect time to regroup.
Act Three
It was a pleasant chance that Lilip ran into Worf. While the ship was keeping itself hidden in the nebula and away from Borg sensors, it was an opportunity to repair damages to the ship and strategize. During this lull, Lilip had asked Worf if he’d show them some fighting moves in case they’d ever need to use them. Although apprehensive due to Lilip’s seemingly fragile frame, Worf agreed.
The Klingon had just flipped Lilip onto their stomach by crutching their legs in his arms and twisting. Lilip hit their face against the foam floor, and they wondered if the impact would cause a nosebleed. They pressed their hand to their nostrils, but there was thankfully no purple liquid drawn to their fingers.
“You are not using an even distribution of your weight to remain sturdy,” Worf analyzed, “If you are to remain on your feet, you must—”
“Yeah, yep!” Lilip huffed as they stood. “I’ll try again, and I’ll get it this time.
“Very well.” Worf said. When Lilip was stanced, he pushed himself forward with arms outstretched. Lilip finally managed to get a grasp on his wrists after this fifth try, and blocked the stronger alien from reaching their body.
Lilip threw Worf’s arms back and administered a kick to his abdomen. He curled from the impact, and Lilip took hold of his neck between their elbows. As Worf struggled from the offensive embrace, he reached out his foot and swept it over Lilip’s ankles. The young ensign fell on their back, and the Klingon officer rolled atop them and pressed his arms firmly into their chest.
“You must make sure to leave no openings for your opponent.” Worf advised.
“I was so sure…” Lilip said through fluttering breaths, “I’d had you that time.”
Worf stood up, his hands grasping Lilip just under their armpits and hoisted them up as well. Before he had the chance to say more, the ship quaked.
“What’s going on?!” Lilip asked, pressing themself into the Klingon for stability.
“I’m not sure,” Worf admitted, “But I believe it is time to stop this exercise. We will resume another time.”
Lilip took their place at the aft sciences station on the bridge. They weren’t initially assigned to the bridge today, but the usual officer had gotten a concussion from the quaking. The nebula was emitting magnetometric discharges, causing damage to the Enterprise. Her shields could barely hold off the onslaught of lightning.
“Mr. LaForge, I may have to take us out of the nebula,” Captain Picard warned through the computer as he sat in his chair, “I want all the power you can give me.”
While the captain gave his orders, Lilip kept to their station as they felt the ship begin to move. Lilip felt a chill up their spine once again as the Borg cube gave chase when the ship cleared the nebula.
Glancing towards the forward viewscreen was brief as Lilip noticed a beam of green light enter the room. Transporting in was a humanoid with gray skin and mechanical implants. One eye was covered with an ocular device while an arm was replaced with sharp metallic parts. His entire torso and bottom half were completely cybernetic. He was definitely a Borg.
Lilip froze, eyes wide as they stared at the altercation. Worf whipped out his phaser and blasted the Borg drone with its orange beam. The Borg flailed his arms and landed on his back stiffly like a plank of wood.
Another Borg materialized near Lilip, and they let out a shriek. This caught everyone’s attention as Worf fired another round at the newcomer. A wall of light absorbed the beam, the Borg having adjusted its shield frequencies. As the half-machine turned to face Lilip, Riker took action and darted up the ramp. The Borg turned to face his opponent and threw Riker to the ground.
Lilip held their breath as the Borg turned back to them, but instead of engaging, it turned the other way and faced the captain. Worf charged the second it took a step, but he too was thrown aside.
As Lilip ran towards Riker to help him up, one more drone materialized right next to the captain. It grabbed his arm with force and used its cybernetic arm to paralyze him.
“Captain!” Lilip cried as green light enveloped them both, the two soon vanishing alongside the other drones.
Worf immediately got up and ran to his station. “The Borg ship is disengaging, leaving at warp speed.” He said.
“Maintain pursuit.” Riker growled as his gaze rested on the viewscreen. While he ordered the ship to keep steady, even over warp nine, Riker addressed Transporter Chief O’Brien. “Can you get a fix on the captain?”
“Negative, Sir,” O’Brien replied, “There’s some kind of interference. I can’t lock in on his signal.”
Riker held his stance firm. “Senior officers report to the bridge.” He ordered. Turning to Lilip, he nodded appreciatively. “I want you down in sickbay and tend to any injuries.”
“Yes, Commander.” Lilip barked nervously before shuffling into the turbolift. Before the doors closed, they could hear Worf calculating the Borg’s trajectory… They were headed towards Earth.
Doctor Crusher wasn’t there to assist Lilip, as she was on the away team to the Borg cube to rescue Captain Picard. Lilip had to suppress gagging several times as they used a dermal regenerator to close up a nasty leg wound. Never before had Lilip thought to be on the other end of medical care.
“Lilip, we need you over here!” Nurse Ogawa pushed her way through a group of officers, making her way over to Lilip. “I’ll take care of this for now. We’ve got another wounded.”
“Right.” Lilip galloped out of the way and over to a newly occupied biobed. Lieutenant Sevek had a nasty gash in his neck, and his forehead wouldn’t stop bleeding. Lilip set to work right away, first doing their best to slow the green essence from oozing out of him.
“Ensign.” Sevek wheezed.
“Lieutenant.” Lilip returned. They pressed the openings of the neck wound together, pinching the skin as they let their device glide over the flesh.
“Tell me, Ensign,” Sevek coughed, his eyes showing incredulous amounts of pain, “Is it true that Captain Picard was taken by the Borg?”
The room rumbled briefly. Keeping the dermal regenerator working, Lilip gulped. “Yes.”
With a weak arm, Sevek brought the PADD he had held onto to his stomach. “I have…” He winced as a capillary closed, “…modulated this PADD to mirror what the viewscreen on the bridge sees.” Struggling to swallow, Sevek managed to gulp down the blood pooling in his mouth. “If our enemy opens a channel, it will go through here.”
“Well, well,” Lilip gave their patient a friendly smile, “Look’s like I’m not the only one who’s been a little naughty here and there.”
“Don’t…” Sevek grimaced as Lilip set to work on his head wound. “Don’t think I’m anything like you.”
Before Lilip could get in a playful retort, the PADD’s screen lit up. Immediately, Lilip grabbed the device and turned it so that Sevek could see as well. On screen was Captain Picard, but his skin was pale, his uniform replaced by mechanical armor. On his face was a cybernetic implant that wrapped around his scalp to just under his right eye, where a red laser beamed its light. Wires snaked from his implant to the shoulders of his armor.
Instead of just the PADD displaying the audio, the entire ship’s communications system echoed with the captain’s voice—now mauled with chilling indifference. “I am Locutus of Borg,” The captain began, “Resistance is futile.”
Sevek and Lilip exchanged glances, Lilip showing fear while Sevek tried desperately to suppress his shock. Picard continued. “Your life, as it has been, is over. From this time forward, you will service us.”
Act Four
“The human, Picard, is part of us now.” Locutus said dispassionately, “It has prepared us for all possible courses of action.”
“That rumble I felt while I was treating you…” Lilip gasped.
“The deflector dish was used as a weapon with the power of the warp engines,” Sevek explained, “It appears that it had no effect.”
“Sevek, your voice is coming back, how are you feeling?” Lilip asked.
Sevek rose to a sitting position with his arms holding him up. “You have healed my injuries,” He said, “Am I to assume I am fit for duty?”
“U-uh…” Lilip stammered, “I… wouldn’t know that.”
“The main navigational deflector will no doubt be burned out after that attack,” Sevek said, “I request to be excused so that I may work on repairs.”
“But, you’re not in Engineering, I thought?”
“No, however I was supposed to transfer to that field yesterday. Given the current state of affairs, you can understand why that would not happen.”
“Y-yeah… um,” Lilip gave Sevek another look over. “I think you’ll be okay. Try not to strain your neck too much.”
Sevek whirled to the side of the bed and let his feet touch the floor. Rising from the bed, he looked down at Lilip who he had now overshadowed. “Thank you, Ensign.” He parted, his steps still ringing out with dignity and poise in spite of the damage he had faced.
“Lilip.” Doctor Crusher had finally returned.
“Doctor, what happened on your mission?!” Lilip ran to the doctor and had to stifle back pressing themself into her.
“Lilip, listen,” Crusher cooed. She placed a hand on their scalp and rubbed her thumb affectionately over their deep purple hair. “You’ve done all that you can. We’ll take it from here.” Her hand cupped Lilip’s cheek. “Get some rest. We aren’t going anywhere until we’re warp capable again.”
“When do you need me back?” Lilip pushed.
“Just rest now, Lilip. Please.” Guiding her hand to Lilip’s back, she influenced them to turn towards the door. “It would do you no good, suffering fatigue.”
Obeying, Lilip slumped their posture as they paced out the door.
The walls shook as wind punctured its way inside. Lilip was in a hallway as a ventilation shaft broke from its position on the ceiling and collapsed just a meter in front of them. Tail bristled, they leapt back with a yelp. Glancing around, it was clear that this wasn’t the Enterprise. It was Terys Beta. Lilip’s home.
Climbing over the fallen shaft, Lilip staggered as another shake rocked the building. They had to get to the main control room. Mom was there, and Lilip had to make sure she was safe.
Entering the large room, Lilip immediately noticed a ceiling panel had fallen on top of one of the scientists. There was a humanoid across from them, but instead of lifting the panel, they stepped on top of it with robotic steps. Lilip gasped as they saw another of the scientists, his skin gray and his body morphed by cybernetic implants. He reached out his mechanical hand, claws dancing as they pointed at Lilip.
It took all their energy to avoid being frozen in fear. Instead, they crossed the room, putting the main control panel between them and the Borg.
“Running is futile. Escape is futile.” The Borg said monotonously as he stalked around the console, the person underfoot succumbing to the added weight. “Resistance is futile.”
Lilip was about to turn around when a firm hand grabbed their shoulder. Almost leaping out of their skin, they whipped their head around. It was a Caitian woman who had grabbed them—the only Caitian on the station in fact. Her sandy colored fur was dull and matted, her dark ginger mane undone and mangled. Wrapping around her neck was a dark gray sheet of metal that snaked over her face and cupped her scalp.
“Mom!” Lilip cried as they bolted upright in their bed. Their breath was shaking as their lungs felt like deflated balloons. Mind swimming with the fear of the nightmare, Lilip wondered if assimilation was a worse fate than death. What happens to the mind when the Borg takes them?
Limbs tingled as blood rushed everywhere. They tore the blanket off them as they leapt out of bed.
“Computer, where’s Data?” Lilip asked.
“Lieutenant Commander Data is on the bridge.” The computer responded.
He's busy. Lilip concluded. They were hoping to get some words of comfort from the matter-of-fact android, but it seemed as though that option was nullified. Thinking, Lilip settled on another idea.
“Come in.” Lieutenant Sevek said as the door to his quarters chimed. He stood from his seat at his dining table when he saw Lilip walk in, and brushed his bangs to the side with his hand. “Ensign.” He greeted.
Lilip said nothing as they tore through the room and latched onto Sevek’s torso, their face buried in his chest as their breath faltered.
Caught by surprise, Sevek placed his hands on Lilip’s shoulders, subtly nudging them to try and remove the purple pest. “Ensign, What are you doing? I suggest you remove yourself from me this instant.”
“Everyone else is busy,” Lilip mumbled, “Can I hang out with you?”
“Are you to assume that I, myself, and not busy?” Sevek asked, finally managing to push Lilip away. “I was simply resting briefly.”
Straightening themself, Lilip took in a much calmer breath. “Your PADD has access to the bridge, right?”
“It is able to mirror the main viewscreen, not the entire runnings of the bridge. Unless, of course, those runnings were catalogued into the computer.” Sevek answered, “I fail to understand your reasoning for these questions.”
“Can I see the PADD?” Lilip pressed their index fingers together, looking up with dilated pupils.
“I suppose you wish to view what we are currently engaged with, correct?”
“Yes.”
“In that case, no.”
“Hey!” Lilip put their hands on their hips with anger. “I could tell the Commander that you’ve hacked into the bridge!”
“Your attempts at blackmail are for naught,” Sevek said, picking up the PADD in question, “Commander Shelby is much too busy to listen to a minor complaint, let alone one that has no basis.”
“I meant Riker!”
“With the loss of Captain Picard, William Riker had been given the field promotion to Captain, appointing Commander Shelby as his First Officer.” Sevek turned to face Lilip, stepping lightly to tower over them. “Current affairs must take priority over personal vendettas. It is only the logical course of action.”
Lilip was about to respond when a brief shake nearly knocked them off balance. Looking out the window, they noticed movement of a large object, and approached the glass pane to investigate. The saucer section of the ship had decoupled from the body, and Lilip had realized they had inadvertently trapped themself in the body of the ship.
“You are aware that my quarters are on Deck Twenty on the secondary hull,” Sevek observed coolly, “The saucer section and star drive section are able to disconnect in the event…”
“Ah.” Lilip snapped. They watched as the saucer floated away, while the Borg cube they had been after slipped past the window. In its wake was a graveyard of ships, broken hulls littering the space. The Borg had been here, and they were none too accommodating.
“As I was saying,” Sevek continued, stepping towards Lilip with his PADD in hand, “The senior staff had arranged a mission to return Captain Picard to the Enterprise.” He flipped over the device, the screen showing walls of text. “It is hypothesized that he will have as much information on the Borg as they do of him, should he be recovered safely. You undoubtedly would not need my assistance in ascertaining this information if you knew that you could look for it yourself.”
Lilip held their breath as an enraged cringe shuddered throughout their entire body, still focused on the junkyard. It was disgusting to see these broken hulls litter space. Finally, they let it go as their body went limp. “Ah.” Was the only word they could muster.
Act Five
Lilip watched as the phaser and torpedo banks fired their rounds to what was no doubt the Borg ship. They couldn’t see the action from here. Fear tore through their bones, wondering if anything they tried would work. Still, there was also the matter of Captain Picard, assimilated, yes–but alive.
The ship turned, tilting on its axis. In doing so, Lilip watched the Borg cube pass by as it fired green beams onto the Enterprise. A tractor beam barely missed the ship.
“If the ship were not separated, I would have advised you to return to the saucer section,” Sevek said, “The Borg are channeling all their power towards the battle section.”
“They’re ignoring the saucer…” Lilip sighed as they watched the disc maneuver itself to another side of the cube. They nodded with approval. “Picard is still in there somewhere…”
“They may have altered our captain,” Sevek noted as he stepped forward to look out the window alongside Lilip, “But it is fascinating to see that they have not taken the responsibility he feels for the crew.”
The saucer turned, forward bow facing the cube. It launched an antimatter spread, managing to shoot sparks and flames from the Borg ship. Lilip jumped back as they watched the cube take damage for once. Anxiety prickled at their skin, wondering if any of those shots would hit Picard’s position.
“I suggest we move away from the outer hull,” Sevek advised, “You may come with me if you wish.”
“Thank you…” Lilip backed away, eyes still fixed on the outside window before the doors to Sevek’s quarters closed between them.
Later, Lilip held steady against the wall as a brief rumble told them that the two hulls had rejoined. Their stomach felt like stone. “Sevek, can you use that PADD of yours to tell us what happened out there?”
Sevek was already tapping away at the PADD. “After our last encounter, I had modified this device with the ability to examine the inner workings of the bridge. Your commentary was… inspirational, to say the least.”
“Oh no, I’m a terrible influence.” Lilip groaned exaggeratedly.
Sevek ignored the remark. “When we left my quarters, a shuttle had been launched towards the Borg ship. It was there that an away team managed to capture Picard, and returned him to the Enterprise.”
“They got him!” Lilip nearly squeaked with joy.
“They may have retrieved the captain, but I must remind you that he is a Borg,” Sevek urged, “Although, looking through these readings, it is surprising that the Borg had resumed their course for Earth, abandoning the individual they had sought.”
Lilip tapped their foot and pursed their lips in thought. Snapping their fingers, their eyes glowed with realization. “If he’s got machine bits on him, I bet they’ll take him to the cybernetics lab! Let’s go!” Before Lilip could pass Sevek, the Vulcan grabbed their arm and halted them.
“We will do no such thing,” Sevek ordered, “You must return to the primary hull and find a safe zone. That is an order, Ensign.”
Lilip rolled their shoulder and reclaimed their arm. Stiffly, they eyed the tall lieutenant with a hardened gaze. “Very well.” They acted defeated as they slumped away. Turning a corner, Lilip glanced back quickly to see if Sevek was still in sight. When the coast was clear, they jogged to the turbolift at the end of the hall, inputting their destination for the cybernetics lab.
Picard was stood in the central apparatus surrounded by Doctor Crusher, Chief O’Brien, Counselor Troi, and Commander Data when Lilip slipped through the doors unseen. Data had taken a panel off his scalp, exposing the positronic matrix inside as a wire was plugged into his head and trailed to the computer interface.
“Fascinating,” Data said as his eyes trained themself on Picard, “The Borg group consciousness is divided into subcommands necessary to carry out all functions.”
“That’s incredible.” Lilip commented absentmindedly. They immediately tensed as they realized that they should not be there. How unfortunate it was to have dangerously impressive curiosity.
Crusher turned to face the unwelcome guest. “Lilip, it isn’t safe for you here,” She said, “You need to leave.”
Data continued his analysis. “They are all controlled by a root command implanted in each—”
Lilip jumped through their skin when they saw Picard turn his head sharply, soulless eyes popped open. Immediately, he used his mechanical hand to short circuit the apparatus’ interface. Crackling electricity ruptured the panel he had aimed for.
Act Six
Immediately, Data grabbed the mechanical arm with force, straining to move it out of harm’s way. He glared daggers into Picard’s eyes as his artificial muscles tensed. Twisting his hand, he dislodged half of the mechanical arm from Picard’s body, leaving blinking circuitry exposed at the stub.
During the altercation, Crusher decided it was best to ignore Lilip’s intrusion and return to her post. Looking over a computer screen, she called for Data. “I’m picking up increased neural activity in Captain Picard, localized in the prefrontal and parietal lobes.”
Chief O’Brien was next to speak. “Maybe the Borg are trying to terminate their link with him.”
Data thrummed away at the apparatus’ console. “Negative, the subspace signal configuration remains unchanged.”
Picard twitched his head as he looked at his disarmed appendage. He turned stiffly to look around the room. His eyes found Lilip’s. “Lilip. Ensign.”
Lilip perked up and took a step forward. “Captain..?”
Picard continued in his monotonous, robotic voice. “Species four-one-two-two. Originating from the Gamma Quadrant.”
Lilip gasped as their eyes widened. The Borg knew what they were! If Data and Crusher could manage to restore Captain Picard, there was hope that he could remember. Blinking, they stepped back towards the wall. This was no time to be thinking about their selfish desires. The captain needed help now, not Lilip.
Troi gasped when Picard’s eyes caught her. “It’s him!” She said. Her face wore a sense of urgency. “It’s Picard!”
Picard had turned back to face Data now, reaching out his fleshed hand and grabbing the android’s arm. Once dull eyes shone with recognition as the captain stared into Data’s yellow irises.
Troi tapped her combadge. “Troi to Bridge. Data has made contact with Captain Picard.”
Data discussed his findings with Riker, having established a neural pathway around the Borg implants and to the captain himself. According to sensor logs, the Borg had ceased their path towards Earth and began to intercept the Enterprise’s course.
“We got the Borg’s attention by linking with one individual.” Lilip thought aloud. They glanced up at Doctor Crusher. “If that’s the case, maybe they’re all interdependent on each other!”
“That may be their Achilles heel…” Crusher added. She stepped towards the captain and kept her eyes trained on him. “Yes… he’s part of their collective consciousness now. Cutting him off would be like cutting off an arm or a foot.”
“Yes!” Lilip slipped towards Crusher, their mind swimming with anticipation. They looked at Data, his arm still in Picard’s grip. “Data’s linked up to him now, so…”
“Data,” Captain Riker said from the computer, “Is it possible to plant a command into the collective consciousness?”
“It is conceivable, Captain.” Data confirmed.
“Make every effort, Mr. Data,” Riker ordered, “Input a simple command. Something like ‘power down weapons systems.’ Hurry, Data, we’ve reached the Borg and they’re targeting weapons.”
Data set to work trying to pass through the accessing systems, but it brought no results. Trying a new command wielded the same. Lilip felt a tug in their stomach as the Borg initiated their tractor beam. The ship was being pulled in. As the Enterprise launched its photon torpedoes, the room shook when the adversaries returned fire.
“Sleep.” Picard finally spoke again, causing the room to fall to a hush. “Sleep. Data.”
Troi made her way over to the central apparatus. “It’s Captain Picard speaking, not Locutus!”
Lilip stared at the captain with sympathy painting their eyes. “He’s exhausted…”
“That is an understandable interpretation,” Data responded, “But I do not believe the captain was expressing fatigue, but rather suggesting a course of action.” His brows shot up as he tapped his combadge urgently. “Data to Bridge, please stand by.”
Data tapped away at the console as he attempted to infiltrate the Borg’s command pathways. The room heaved violently as the Borg continued their assault, and Lilip ended up grasping Picard’s arm for stability. The captain arched his head in their direction, and Lilip instinctively let go at his gaze.
Just as soon as the shaking had begun, everything stopped.
“The Borg have disengaged,” Data announced, “I have implanted a command into the Borg collective consciousness, telling them that it was time to regenerate.”
“In essence, you put them to sleep.” Crusher translated. She turned to Lilip. “Please, I think it’s time for you to go. We’ve got a lot to do here.”
Lilip nodded, though it was difficult to mask their disappointment. They gave the captain one last look before whirling around and exiting the lab.
Hours had passed, and by now, it was confirmed that the command Data had entered created a feedback loop in the Borg cube, causing it to undergo its self-destruct sequence. When their ship exploded, it managed to rip Picard from the collective consciousness, returning his control over his body and mind.
Lilip was in their quarters, having replicated a flute. There was no reason for them to do so, other than the desire to play. They studied the fingering chart in front of them, attempting a B flat scale while Tango watched on. It had certainly been a while since they last held a woodwind instrument, but the warmup was worth it. A beautiful melody pooled from the flute as a great, blue ball emerged from the edge of the window. Earth shone with reflected sunlight, the captivating view fueling their musical inspiration as they crescendoed.
They surprised themself as their notes complimented the door chime that rang. Pausing in their playing, Lilip glanced up at the door. “Come in.”
After the door slid open, it was Captain Picard that had stepped inside. His skin was healthy and radiant, his eyes contemplative with his consciousness as if he were waking up from a daze. Along the right side of his face were pieces of the remnants of the Borg implants.
“Captain!” Lilip immediately set down their flute and stood from the couch.
“As you were, Ensign,” Picard said. His eyes scanned the quarters, soon resting on the instrument on the coffee table. “I was… touring the ship, and managed to pick up the music from your quarters.”
Lilip’s face flushed a deep purple. “Sorry, I guess I shoulda moved this to the holodeck. I can stop if—”
“No.” Picard held up a hand as he stepped forward. “No, Ensign, that’s quite alright. In fact, I was hoping you’d continue.”
Blinking Lilip watched with confusion as Picard took a seat on a plush chair opposite of the couch. Giving him a warm smile, they picked up Tango and gently placed him on the captain’s lap before reaching for their flute.
Picard gave a dry smile, letting his hands rest on the plush ferret, genuinely enjoying how soft it was. Head resting against the plush bodied chair, he closed his eyes when Lilip began to play, and let the forlorn melody bathe his soul.
just showing off beautiful Vulcan writing on sketches (i'll probably finish them later)
Sevek (biologist and geologist, medical officer) and T'Shonra (star cartographer, navigator, Solkar's first officer) aaaand headcanons! Sevek is the one who monotonously grumbled that humans are a backward species, the fact that they were not shot immediately upon meeting is a happy coincidence, and in general this is all very unorthodox. (human music (and Cochrane's musical taste) brought him complete cultural horror lmao) T'Shonra, on the contrary, strives to learn new things - and always in practice. She prefers not to watch from afar, but to act directly. (Solkar, despite being a rather uninhibited guy by Vulcan standards, took longer than her to settle in, process new experiences, and draw conclusions. Regarding the relationship of the Vulcan and the Earth, he was skeptical at first.)
LOOOOOK some cool cards for Star Trek CCG First Contact expansion (1996) looks like this is the first time our first contact vulcan captain was named Solkar, at least as Memory Alpha said (the fact that his card doesnt work with Treachery stat is kinda funny) and this is also the first time we get the names of the crew, Sevek and T’Shonra (don't know if it's official though, but I love them and gonna call them that) and Kathleen Tonell also gets a name! i’ve never met any mentions of this character, but it’s a good opportunity to create another semi-canonical OC
Headcanon fact:
T'Shonra beat half of the Bozeman camp at poker. The hope to rip off an alien who first learned the rules of the game half an hour ago crashed on her ability to figure out things on the fly and purely Vulcan cheating - an emotionless physiognomy.
She quickly became involved in establishing contact, by the way, much faster than the others. While Solkar and Sevek preferred to stay in the area of the ship and only cross paths with people on duty, T'Shonra played volleyball with local children. ("logically justified participation in traditional rituals of earthlings" and a nice way to gather information 👍 )
hc that while the entire T'Plana-Hath crew works at the Vulcan Academy of Sciences, T'Shonra hails from Raal, from the east coast, and Sevek from the mid-plains. only Solkar lived in Shi'Kar since childhood.
so the "Gay or European" from Legally Blonde meme breaks in bc Surak knows, as it is customary among these Shi'kars, may be it’s in fact just culturally diverse and they have different concepts of personal space, tactility, facial expressions, clothes, etc., etc. ... or he just generally flirts with earth dudes... like, who knows-
Getting myself a knotted dildo bc my boyfriend won't stop talking about his situationship.
Fucking mint