Short Fiction: NX Omega

Captain Lee H'qar alighted from the turbolift entering the Atrium of Admiral Harry Kim's office and crossing it to the office sized alcove where the Admiral sat at a desk, his back to a display window.

"Welcome Captain H'qar," The Admiral, standing, extended a hand in welcome. "I hope you are well."
"Ye..." Before he could say yes, Lee, sneezing into his palm at the unexpected assault of some unidentified irritant, wiped his palm on his uniform and extended his hand to meet the Admiral's. "Sorry, I'm fine, its probably just some irritant in your Atrium."
"Ah, of course." Admiral Kim invited Lee to sit with a gesture. "A Raqdjino?"
"No thank you Admiral," Captain H'qar waved off the offer. "I'm cutting back."
"Well, in that case there is no beating about the shipyard," Admiral Kim lifted a heavy Alloy case marked with the symbols NX Omega onto his desk from the floor which caught the attention of Captain H'qar who went stiff at it's presence. "lets get to your mission."
"You will be taking command of the NX Omega." Captain H'qar nodded. He would command the first Omega powered Federation Starship. "Your mission will involve traversing intergalactic space to the Andromeda Galaxy to establish an Observatory."
"Wait..." They were effectively sending him on a one way trip to... the Andromeda Galaxy? "I'm to go to the Andromeda Galaxy?"
"Yes." Admiral Harry Kim wished it was his twenty year mission just to cross the vast expanse of Intergalactic space. "Good luck."
" How?" Captain H'qar "I mean... I know the Omega molecule is powerful, but there is no vessel capable of traversing the Boundary safely."
"Its all in your mission briefing," Admiral Kim bought up a display of a Borg Cube. "This Borg Cube was found to have entered intergalactic space passing beyond the Barrier."
"You will commandeer a Borg Cube and make its crew your own." Harry Kim pursed his lips at the shear risk that such a daring expedition posed. "You will then use it to cross the Barrier and head for the Andromeda Galaxy."
"Commandeer a Borg Cube." It wasnt what he was expecting on Day One and Captain H'qar looked at the alloy case containing all their expectations hoping it was up to the task though fucking with the Borg wasnt exactly what he was looking for in his career. "Okay."
"Good." Admiral Kim placed a Starfleet comm badge emblazoned with an Omega symbol on his desk and pushed it toward Captain H'qar with a smile. "In that case, the NX Omega is all yours, Captain Lee H'qar."
"You realize Admiral," Captain Lee H'qar nodded in acceptance of the transfer of ownership picking up the comm badge and replacing his old comm badge with it. "You are not getting her back."
"I look forward to hearing from you in twenty years Lee." Smiling, Admiral Harry Kim stood and was joined by Captain Lee H'qar before he gave the Captain a Salute. "On the expected Stardate."

"As will I Harry." Captain Lee H'qar returned the Admiral's Salute and reached for the case on the desk. "You can count on it."

Captain H'qar retreated to the Admiral's Atrium with the case while the Admiral caused the atrium ceiling to retract before following.
"Lets see if this works." Lee touched the Omega Series comm badge on his uniform. "NX Omega, assume Delta Flyer design."
The NX Omega Case projected the holographic form of the Delta Flyer, barely fitting the Admiral's Atrium at which Captain H'qar boarded the vessel.
Admiral Harry Kim laughed at the surprising appearance of the antique and shook his head before offering the departing Captain one final salute.

The NX Omega backed out of the atrium with a few milimetres of clearance on either side before gently turning and heading for the upper Atmosphere. Captain Lee H'qar guided the controls gently until the vessel was clear of the planet.
"NX Omega," Captain H'qar slid his fingers across the controls. "locate the nearest Borg Cube and set in an intercept course at maximum warp."
"Nearest Borg Cube is four hours away." The computer voice of the NX Omega was distinctively beautiful. "Engaging Warp Ten."
The Galactic Starfield became liquid as the NX Omega achieved Warp Ten.

The NX Omega passed Deep Space Nine, detecting the distress call of a small shuttle craft on the edge of Cardassian Space.
"Vessel in distress detected." The computer comprehended the situation. "Warp core breach underway."
"Engage Transporter." The Transporter engaged fetching the aging Ferengi named Brunt a moment before the Ferengi shuttle's warp core perished. "Welcome Aboard."
"Much appreciated..." Brunt stared at the very unfamiliar warp field distortion. "...I think."
"I'm Captain H'qar." Captain H'qar turned his head, looking at the Ferengi. "Computer prepare to transport our guest to Ferenginar."
"Let's not be hasty." Brunt raised an objecting finger and looking about the unpopulated vessel and sensing profit Brunt scratched an ear lobe. "I don't suppose you need crew?"
"My mission will be taking me into Borg Territory." Captain H'qar shook his head at the Ferngi's suggestion. "You might want to think again."
"Normally, yes." Brunt sat down in the Navigation position. "But if I assume you came from Earth, your course past Deep Space Nine takes you in the wrong direction for Borg space."
"Computer," Captain H'qar noticed they were approaching the Borg Cube's location and smiled. "Intercept the Borg Cube."

The NX Omega adjusted to match the Transwarp velocity and course of the Cube.

"Oh my," Brunt gripped the console in panic. "That is impressive from a distance."

"Yes it is." Lee analyzed the data on the Cube. Their course would take them into the Gamma Quadrant. "They appear to be headed into the Gamma Quadrant."
"Computer, lets get the Borg Cube's attention." Captain Lee H'qar smiled at his Ferengi passenger. "Borg Vessel, this is the Federation Vessel NX Omega."

"We are the Borg." The cube slowed sufficient to allow the NX Omega to penetrate the Cube superstructure like an arrow-head into a corpse. "Prepare to be Assimilated."

"You don't usually see that from a Borg vessel." Brunt commented on the situation barely feeling the impact as the two vessels merged, and he turned to look at the Captain next to him. "Or a Federation Captain come to think of it."

"My mission is a long one." Lee adjusted the holographic projection of the NX Omega until the ship exterior was the same organic structure used by Species 8472. "You can still get off at Deep Space Nine before It takes us out of reach."

"And miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime?" Brunt wanted in on wherever this was headed. "I dont mind coming along at all."

"Computer, Assimilate the Cube." The Cube superstructure took on an organic quality as the ship was assimilated centimetre by centimetre by the organic infection, each section then protected by multiphasic shields once secured from the Borg. "I'm headed for Intergalactic space."