Prologue: On the Cliff's Edge

Captain's log, Stardate 56453:

It seems that the long range sensors were right; Federation, Romulan and Klingon deep space scanners have detected an incoming warp trail of multiple vessels

Starfleet is unsure of the number of vessels, but given that they're coming from the Delta Quadrant, and the location of the Borg spatial nexus destroyed by the USS Voyager, then Starfleet is taking no chances.

The Vanguard, along with the full 8th fleet, and elements of the 9th, are currently moving towards the expected destination of this Borg fleet, as is a similar number of Klingon vessels. However there's a problem; that being the likely destination of the Borg fleet:

Romulus!

Right now Admiral Sarok, aboard the fleet flagship, USS Ranger, is currently trying to gain permission for the combined fleet to enter Romulan space, but several of their admirals (and, I'm afraid to say, more than a few of our own Captain's) are being almost Tellarite in their stubbornness!

This would be funny except for the seriousness of the situation, and the fact that even at maximum sustainable warp, the combined fleet would only arrive an hour before the Borg, and that's only if we leave right now.

Supplemental:

This is going to be close…

The fleet has crossed the Neutral Zone but at current speeds, we'll be about two or three hours behind the Borg forces.

The Admiral has ordered the fleet to increase speed, but we're slowly losing ships out of formation.

Estimates suggest that only two hundred Federation ships, out of a force of six hundred will make to Romulus in time to setup a defence grid.

The Klingons are even worse, only a hundred of their five hundred will make it in time.

Thankfully we're picking up Romulan forces as we go. A total of fifty Warbirds and heavy cruisers have joined our fleet, with another two hundred expected to meet us in system.

We are rapidly having to work out attack plans, though thankfully with the experience of the Dominion war, we've got a base to work from.

I'm sure I'm not the only officer thinking back to the last time this large a fleet was assembled.

What worries me most is that of the two hundred Starfleet ships that will make it in time, only fifty, including the Vanguard, have had the new armour, shields and weapons that the Voyager brought back added to them, and somehow I know that means that a: we'll be leading the charge and b: the Borg will try their best to destroy us first…

How I wish that the Big-E was here, but she's busy on the other side of the Federation dealing with the Cardassians.

Captain Willard closed the log and walked out onto the bridge of the USS Vanguard, a newly modified Akira-class heavy cruiser. He settled into his command chair and turned to his XO, commander Shar, "Status?"

The Andorian twitched his antennas as way of a greeting before answering, "All stations report ready. Weapons, shields and armour are all showing green and engineering is prepping the last few emergency shield units around critical areas."

Willard nodded, praying that those shields wouldn't be needed, and if they were, that they'd hold long enough to allow his crew to fight of a Borg boarding party.

"I've assigned all my security personnel to those areas, and also I've taken the liberty of issuing all of them with both hand-to-hand weapons, and projectile guns."

Willard turned and looked at his tactical, and second, officer and tried not to scowl. "You've issued guns to the crew? What happens if they damage a critical system in the middle of battle?"

Lieutenant Commander MacLeod stared back with a grim smile, "The guns lack the power to penetrate the bulkheads but should be able to destroy the servos of a Borg drone, if they penetrate their personal shields." He scowled at that idea.

Willard tried not to flinch at the idea of ricochets maiming or killing his crew while they were fighting for their lives, but he had to admit that the idea or projectile weapons was worth the risk, especially after the reports from the Enterprise-E's last encounter with the Borg. "Well let's hope it doesn't come to that." He said wishfully.

"Hoping gets you killed sir." Muttered MacLeod, just loud enough for Willard to hear, cringe and exchange a look with Shar.

Before Willard could reply, MacLeod spoke up again, "Incoming hail from a Romulan cruiser, the Red Mist."

"Onscreen." Willard was confused until he saw the face that appeared on his view-screen. "Commander Mirok, well this is a surprise."

Mirok nodded and smiled warmly, "It's Captain now, and yes it is a pleasant one." He turned and indicated for someone off-screen to step forward, "I believe that your security chief knows my Sub-Commander." Willard turned and was surprised, if not down-right shocked, to see his tactical officer actually smile, and judging by the movement of Shar's antennae, he was just as stunned.

"Hello again Erik," The Sub-Commander was smiling just as freely. "I'm glad to see you survived the war intact."

"Sahe'lagge, it's good to see you again." The Sub-Commander blushed, and Willard made a mental note to ask his security chief what that word means after the battle. "It's been a few years. I tried to get a message to you, but I never got any reply."

"I was… occupied." Mirok coughed gently. "I would like to catch up after the battle; we have much to talk about."

MacLeod raised his eyebrow in a Vulcan fashion, then nodded. "Sure Isha, you still owe me that tour of your family's villa remember?"

Isha smiled, but everyone on the bridge of the Vanguard caught the worry in her eyes. "I remember, and I keep my promises. Glohhaasi' mnekha Commander." Without waiting for a reply Isha walked off-screen. Mirok watched her leave before turning back to Willard.

"With the re-acquaintances out of the way, down to business." He nodded at an officer off-screen. "My ship, and another 5 D'Thrai class heavy cruisers have been assigned to work with your squadron. I've transmitted the transponder codes for those ships and they are now moving into position around your ships."

"So we need to go over attack patterns and plans for our combined unit."

"Yes, I hope your crews will be able to keep up with us." Mirok's smile was predatory, but his eyes betrayed the friendly challenge that he was laying down.

"I'm sure we'll score more hits that you do." Replied Willard, as Shar grunted in support. "Same stakes?"

Mirok laughed, much to the shock of both bridge crews. "But of course, 1 case of Romulan Ale verses 1 case of Tennessee Bourbon. We'll drink on the steps of the senate building when the battle is over. See you on the other side Captain."

"Jolan tru Mirok." The signal cut and returned to the familiar image of stars flying past.

Willard looked around the bridge and stood up. "Ok, we'll reach Romulus in four hours so all alpha and beta shift personnel are to take a three hour break. Gamma shift is to cover for now, then report to their emergency stations when relieved."

Willard watched as the orders were followed, before turning and walking to his ready room to write a letter to his wife and daughters back on Alpha Centauri.