Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters written in this story. All major characters are owned by rich corporations and I am just borrowing them. Also, I am making no money by writing this story. I write this for the fun of it as well as to better my creative instinct and grammatical skills.

Classification: Crossover
I think I should explain that part of what I am trying to do with this story is to mix as many storylines together as possible and still make it interesting and true to the characters. The challenge to myself is to effectively blend some old sci-fi with some new sci-fi shows.

This story will include many crossovers starting with Doctor Who, Sliders and Star Trek. Star Trek will always be the main contributor in these stories. Also staring SeaQuest, the A-Team and a sort of cameo appearance from Mystery Science Theater 3000. If anyone is unfamiliar with any of these shows I recommend that they look them up on the Internet. It will help and the information is out there on them. Think of it as a learning experience.

The recipient of this Borg invasion will be Ancient Greece, home setting for the show Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. There will be mythological creatures like centaurs and Greek gods involved, etc etc. I will try to explain each one as I go. Hercules is a half-god who goes around helping people. Iolaus is Herc's sidekick and best friend. Xena was once one of the most terrible warlords around but is now trying to amend for her bad years by helping others. Gabrielle is Xena's best friend who started as a runaway village girl, became a bard and later a part time Amazon queen. Joxer lives in visions of grandeur of his heroic feats. In reality he is a klutz and the comic relief. As for the rest, I'll fill you in as I go. This timeline is before Dahok entered the picture so Solan is still alive, Ephiny is still regent for the Amazons and you should be able to figure out the rest of it.

A-Team: Not exactly a sci-fi related material but then again consider all the bullets that they shoot every episode and never hit anyone. And there is also the fact that they always put together these devices from whatever is lying around with more creativity than MacGyver. The history of how the team came is mentioned in the story so you will have to read about it there. Colonel Hannibal Smith, a brilliant strategist and master of disguise, is the leader of the team. Sergeant B.A. Baracus, (played by Mr. T) a muscle bound fighting machine with a mohawk haircut and mean attitude but a soft heart for kids. Lieutenant Templeton 'Face' Peck, said to be able to scrounge for anything needed almost anywhere and a pursuer of the ladies. 'Howlin' Mad' Murdock, the pilot, escapes from the VA hospital where he is incarcerated for reasons of insanity (viewers of the show believe he is actually faking being insane just to get the attention - which actually sounds kind of insane) and he breaks out continually to help the team whenever needed. The premise of the show is that even though they are wanted by the military, they hire themselves out to help those that can't get any help.

SeaQuest: The SeaQuest was a top of the line experimental vehicle created in 2018 originally intended as a military and scientific research vessel. Years later after its return from a space expedition(don't ask) the ship took on new crewmates and a new captain. The years had changed Earth so the SeaQuest was now just a military vessel. The main characters I am using are Lt. Tim O'Neill, Tony Piccolo, and Dagwood. You can learn more about them in the story.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: I describe the show in the story so I won't explain it here. It was painful enough the first time. Tom Servo and Crow are the only characters that I use for any length of time so I will mention them. Servo and Crow are two insane robot puppets who have spent two much time watching bad horror and science fiction movies.

I will try to make everything clear and interesting as possible. Please send e-mail with advice on how to better my writing style and story. I do not claim to be a good writer, but with good critiquing I can become a better one.

Sidenote: Love the reviews. Keep them coming. And please give some ideas on what you might want to see. It just might happen.

Warning: There will be some character deaths.

Special thanks to Jen for proofreading for me. I am indebted.

A Tangled Web Part 3: When In Greece...
By Charlie Nelson
ordinaryguy2

The bar filled with people as everybody came to see and greet the five people who had been sent out to stop an advancement of the Borg into another parallel universe. Only three of the five were currently there and of those three only one was showing signs of enjoying himself.

"Dad, you were great!"

Rom stared at the six glowing shimmering panels on the wall. "I had no idea you were watching us." After a moments contemplation he asked, "I didn't do anything embarrassing, did I?"

Leeta hugged him closer. She hadn't let go of him since he had returned. "Honey, you were wonderful. I got holos of everything. You should be proud." She kissed his ear. "I am."

Rom grinned until a slap on the back almost knocked him over. Morn handed him a glass of root beer then returned to attending the bar. And all the Romulan Ale Morn could drink before Quark returns from Sickbay.

Another nearby group gathered around Tuvok. The stoic Vulcan calmly greeted his exuberant friends until one, overflowing from the moment, spoke up. "Mr. Vulcan, I have wonderful news!"

Tuvok almost grimaced. In truth, Tuvok liked Neelix, however whenever Neelix got really excited about something, it was a sure sign that his inner calm was going to be put to the test. "What is it, Neelix?"

Neelix pulled the Starfleet officer close as in to confide in him something personal. "When you got dragged off on that mission I thought that it was such a sad set of circumstances. I mean, here you are. Brought all the way from the Delta quadrant in the blink of an eye to a place we have been trying to get to for the past couple of years. Then as soon as you get here you get dragged off on that mission." He paused. And hiccuped. "I said that part already, didn't I? You know that Romulan Ale stuff is really good. You should try some. Let me go get you a glass."

Tuvok sighed. "Neelix, what is it you wanted to tell me."

"Oh yes, while you were on that mission. Um, let me think, oh yes, I called up your family on Vulcan and told them you were back. They were very nice. I even told them about a few of your more heroic feats." Neelix grinned from ear to ear. "I look forward to meeting them."

Tuvok stood still as he imagined how Neelix's conversation with his family had gone. Shaking his head of the image he inquired, "Meeting them?"

"Oh, your wife said that any friend of her husband is welcome at their home at any time. Well, something like that. Anyway, I figure Vulcan would be a good place to begin my tour of the Federation that I am planning. Besides, I'm betting that good old uncle Neelix could tell your kids some interesting stories about your time on Voyager that they would never hear from their father."

"Indeed," was all Tuvok could manage to say.

Elsewhere Data was receiving his praise. While he was glad to see his friends, he kept looking around for two people. Spotting one of those he was looking for he pardoned himself and hurried over. "Captain."

"Data."

"There seems to be a problem. Dr. Pulaski does not appear to have returned with the rest us."

Picard's face became grim. "That is because she is no longer with us. She died, Data."

"My apologies, captain." After pausing for a moment he asked "Captain, how do you know this?"

He doesn't know about the visual aids that Q provided for us, Picard thought. "I'll explain that later. But for now..." Picard stepped up on a table with a glass of wine in his hand. The room of people quickly became quiet as they took notice. The three admirals sat at their table looking on. Having waited while everyone gathered together they were willing to wait a little longer. "Today we have a victory in this war we fight. But it comes with a cost. A cost of a fine officer. A great doctor. A good friend. We remember you Kate Pulaski. You did not die in vain." Tilting his head back he drained the glass of wine, then stepped down.

"Well said, Captain Picard." The little shell of a man that was Admiral Bones nodded his approval. "We should never forget those who lead the way or who had fallen in the ranks."

"Jean-Luc, that was so wonderful," commented Ambassador Lwaxana Troi cheerfully. Pulling Picard closer she whispered in his ear, "I can see you are really hurting now. You put up a brave front but it hides nothing from me. If you need to talk to someone after this-"

It was her tone that really touched him. The kindness in her voice was too much for the dam he had put up to block him personal feelings so that he could work on other matters. "Thank you. But I have to notify her family right after this meeting. I-"

"Jean-Luc." Beverly stepped next to him and squeezed his hand. Words escaped her. But sometimes words aren't needed.

"Captain." Worf gruff greeting provided the distraction Picard was hoping for. "I do not mean to disturb you, sir. I just wanted to say Dr. Pulaski was a strong individual with a warrior's heart. She will be missed."

Picard nodded and shook Worf's hand. "It is good to see you, Worf. We should get the crew together and have night of remembrance and reacquaintance when this is all over and before everyone is spread to the far corners of the Federation again. By the way, where is Alexander now."

"He is well. He is on this station. As a part of the Klingon defense stationed at Bajor." Worf kept his face neutral. He had been around Humans long enough to know that a majority of them choose to distract themselves when someone important to them dies so as if not to face it instead of honoring and contemplating the life the deceased had lived.

After a little small talk Picard dismissed himself to go over to Admiral Paris, who had summoned him.

"Worf?"

"Deanna?"

Waves of grief and torment were flowing over her. "You are troubled by something. What is it?" She reached out and took his hand. "Please tell me."

"Dr. Pulaski had died at the hands of an ally. In a manner in which she was unable to defend herself. Where is the honor in dying that way?"

"Worf, what is the matter? You didn't know Dr. Pulaski very well. Why does it matter to you how she died?"

Worf had his head down and was looking into his drink. "My wife died in a similar fashion."

"Worf, death does not necessarily always come in a manner that is considered honorable. Even for those that deserve it." Deanna looked at the people nearby. This was not a place to get into a therapy session. Plus, they were no longer members of the same crew. "Have you talk to the counselor on the station about this?"

Worf shook his head. "I can not."

"Why?"

He sighed. "Because the counselor currently on this station is my dead wife."

Deanna had not been ready for that answer. Then she remembered that Jadzi Dax, Worf's wife, had been a Trill. And that meant that the current counselor on the station was carrying the parasitic host with all of Jadzi Dax's memories and emotions with her. A complex problem, indeed. "Then come talk about it with me." She held her finger up to his lip to still any objections he might make. "I won't take no for an answer.

Worf just nodded.

Across the room, Riker fumed as he watched the two.

*****

Ancient Greece

Borg droned milled around the once busy town of Brokious, a new town built along trade routes that recent treaties had just made possible. Currently Borg drones searched for useful minerals that could be used for processing. Before that the drones had harvested the residents of the trade town. Those that escaped told tales of what they had seen to all they came upon. Warnings had even been posted along all paths and roads. No rational being would venture near.

"Hello? Hello?" Salmoneous banged on the side of a city's fortified doors. It was open but Salmoneous just wanted some attention. Salmoneous was short and somewhat plump. But what he lacked in muscles he had in determination. Salmoneous had the belief that if he could just find the right item to sell he would become rich and then all his troubles would be solved. However, his only problem seemed to be finding that one item that would make him rich. Everything he had come across so far that had looked promising had crumbled before him leaving him as poor as he was before. "Is this a city for trading or what?" Salmoneous grinned as one of the drones walked by. "I love your fashion sense. It's very, oh, shall we say dark and dangerous. Especially with those things sticking out of your skin on your face. It's probably all the craze around here. Hey, there goes another guy wearing the same thing. Am I perceptive or what?" Salmoneous rambled on for a minute before cutting down to business. He liked to wear out a potential client before doing any serious money talk.

The drone did a sweep of the general area before putting a large vase of cooking oil on a wagon. Salmoneous was beginning to think he was talking to a slave when he saw the drone handling the cooking oil. However, then he saw some of the precious items on board. "I see that you are into precious commodities. Silver, gold, iron, gold, bronze, cooking oil and gold. Well, lucky you ran into me. You see, I have the lead on tons of those goods. A caravan of my wears is coming right this way and will be here in a couple of days. I decided to come ahead and see if I can find some good contacts- mostly for the minerals I'm trying to sell. And there would be no middleman involved. Just me."

The Borg turned to Salmoneous. "We are Borg."

Salmoneous held out his hand and increased his grin. "Nice to meet you. What say you and I go to a tavern and have a drink while we discuss things, eh? The road here has been long and dry."

Instead of answering the drone lashed out with the tubules that had come out of his arm. Salmoneous leapt to the side receiving only a scratch from the tubules. "Hey, I have powerful friends! Xena and Hercules! Good friends of mine! They wouldn't like it if you hurt me!" He began hurrying away from the slow moving drone. Taking a moment he looked down at his aching arm. Little metallic veins began slowly spreading. Salmoneous fell to his knees screaming in pain and shook. The drone walked up behind him to finish the injection.

*****

Q looked at the glowing image of the world before him. "At least it's not very technologically advanced this time. That should slow the Borg up some." On closer inspection he noted, "I'm surprised at all the tropical plants in that region. Oh well, alternate worlds and all that."
(The shows Hercules: The Legendary Journeys & Xena: Warrior Princess were both filmed in New Zealand which is why there is tropical plants.)

Q2 sat filled with glee on the bar that had been vacated by all except Morn. "Well, make you choices already. We may have all of eternity but that doesn't mean I want to spend them with you while you decide."

"Well, there needs to be a leader. I'll go with Riker as my first choice."

Riker grunted in acknowledgement, but otherwise made no move to show he cared whether or not that Q had chosen him.

"A leader, huh." Q2 smiled. "With a leader like that I better supply the diplomat. Lwaxana Troi." This time there was a great deal of comment. Picard and Deanna momentarily lost their fear of this new Q and instantly tore into him verbally. Until Q2 snapped his fingers and their voices no longer worked. "Need I remind you that I can choose anyone I want that is on this station or the two vessels outside. Actually, that is just the perimeters for Q. I can choice whoever I want." He gave them a minute to let them settle and let what he had said sink in. Standing on the bar he began to walk back and forth. "Besides a good diplomat should be able to work things out with the locals so that the problems that had befallen the previous group with the Stormtroopers does not happen again."

"I agree." Lwaxana Troi stepped forward followed by her ever faithful, Mr. Homm.

Mother, Deanna thought telepathically to her mother, what are you doing?

Hush, dear, Lwaxana thought to her daughter, I'm making myself useful. Just as you would do if that being had called your name.

But mother,-

No buts. I don't interfere with your business, don't start interfering with mine.

Deanna almost laughed, but she was so scared she couldn't. Besides, it was unlike her mother to act so docile. Mother, you always interfere, Deanna commented to lighten the mood.

Lwaxana smiled. That's beside the point. "It's not that I agree with how you are all doing this. Personally I think you could have come up a much more imaginative and fundamental approach to solving this Borg infestation but seeing as how you've already set all the boundaries I guess I have no choice but to make the most of it."

"Next?" prodded Q2.

Q was feeling rather nervous. The one person other than Guinin that could make him feel terrified or at least very, very concerned was Lwaxana. It didn't help matters that Picard was currently eyeing daggers at him. "Hmm, oh I don't know." He began scrolling down the list of names that had been compiled for him. "Isn't this interesting. Little Naomi signed up." Q looked up at Captain Janeway with a smile. "Isn't there some kind of child-labor law against this sort or thing?"

"Fine, let's get on with it," snapped Q2. He was getting bored with all these humans. In a flash the sleeping figure of Naomi Wildman appeared on the floor in front of Q.

"Q!" Janeway leaped from her chair, as did several other members of the Voyager crew.

"I didn't do it!" he claimed. Turning to Q2 he added, "She's not my choice! I didn't choose her! I was just making humorous conversation!"

Q2 just waved at the air in annoyance. "Fine. I choose her. Make your choice already."

Q was about to argue some more but the look he was given told him he had better not.

The commotion around her woke up a sleepy Naomi. Neelix and Tom Paris were the first at her side, followed by Seven of Nine. In hushed words Neelix began to sort of explain things until Seven just told her directly.

"Really?" was all Naomi could say. She had wanted so hard to prove herself to Captain Janeway and the crew. When they had suddenly arrived at Earth she thought she would never have the chance.

"Q!" Janeway hissed. "Fix it. Somehow you have to fix it."

"How?" Q asked almost pleadingly.

Seven of Nine stepped forward. "I will go in her place."

"Unacceptable," commented Q2 as he barely acknowledged her.

Seven addressed Q. "Then you must choose me. I will insure the safety of Naomi Wildman."

Q knew better than to argue. "Agreed."

Seven turned walked to a now fully awake Naomi. "We must prepare ourselves and find you more suitable attire."

"Wow! I get to go on a real mission with you. This is better than anything."

"I doubt you will hold that opinion after we return."

Naomi just grinned as she and the former drone left the bar hand in little hand.

"Next," snapped Q2.

"Cheerful fellow, isn't he," Q mumbled.

"What was that?" demanded Q2.

"Um, Constable Odo," Q changed the subject. "Yes, he should do fine."

Odo stood up from where he was sitting with Kira. Kira pulled him down for a quick kiss before he could protest. Public displays of affection was something new for him. As was his relationship with Kira. Standing up finally, he squared his shoulders quite aware that all eyes were on him and walked over to where Lwaxana was waiting.

Q looked at Q2. "Your turn."

"Hmm. I was going to choose him. Oh well, I guess I just pick..." Q2 casually pointed his finger out into the audience of people watching. "...him."

In a flash of light Alexander was brought right in front of Q2. The young Klingon warrior swallowed down his fear as best he could. Without a word he moved over to Odo and Lwaxana. Across the room he could see his father, Worf, trembling in quiet rage. Even as angry as he was Alexander knew his father would not do anything. Alexander was a warrior now. This would give him a chance to prove himself. In combat. With the Borg. Alexander found he had to swallow again.

"Well, at least that's over," commented Q2 nonchalantly.

*****

Ancient Greece

"It doesn't make sense," complained Iolaus. "Why would he go to all that trouble just to do something like this?"

Hercules shrugged his shoulders. "Why don't we just find him and then ask him."

The two friends had been walking down the same path along the stream for five days now. "Well of course we will do that. But until then can you just tell me why he would do something like that?"

Hercules stopped in his tracks and his head drooped. "Iolaus, we've been over and over this for the past five days. Let it rest. Tell me a hunting story or something."

As the two continued their trek Iolaus complained, "You already know all my hunting stories."

"True, but they keep changing each time I hear them," Hercules smirked.

"Oh, hardy har har. Very funny. Say, are we nearing Amazon territory?"

"What happened to those hunting skills of yours?" Hercules scanned some of the more suspicious clouds coming overhead.

"Well, I am at least good enough to know that Amazons of this region live near the Centaurs."

"So," commented Hercules. "That's common knowledge. Do you think it's going to rain?"

"Yes, but a good hunter knows the difference between the droppings of a centaur and that of a horse. It's the texture. Horses eat more grains and vegetable matter." Iolaus paused for effect and timing. "We also know better then to step in droppings."

"What! Arrrgh." Hercules went to the side of the path to wipe his shoe off. "You could have warned me."

"Sorry. I thought it was common knowledge. Especially with all those flies all over it."

"Very funny," said Hercules as he finished wiping his shoe clean. Suddenly, he stopped and scanned the surrounding woods. "Hey, do you hear something."

Three arrows landed beside them at their feet. Standing still the two warriors scanned the trees around them. A woman stepped from behind a tree with a drawn sword.

She didn't fire those three arrows, thought Hercules as he continued to search the trees. "We mean you no harm. We did not realize we were trespassing on Amazon territory."

The black-haired woman with the sword took a step toward the men. "You are not trespassing. Our territory begins at the other side of that far hill. We are searching for a small group of young Amazons who are overdue to return. Have you seen them?"

"No, we haven't." Hercules took a step forward. "However, we are friends of your queen. We can help you if you want. I'm Hercules and this is Iolaus."

The woman took a moment to think about it. "I am Eponin. And I know who you are. No, we will find them ourselves."

"Very well." Hercules thought for a moment and quickly added. "I don't know if you can help me or not but my friend and I are currently on the trail of a very dangerous individual. Perhaps you or your friends may have seen him and his group while looking for these missing Amazons."

"What is his name?" A sharp birdcall came from the woods interrupting. The dark haired Amazon quickly addressed the two warriors. "Someone is coming. Hide or stay. We will watch." As quickly as she came Eponin disappeared up a tree.

"Well?" asked Hercules.

"Umm, I say we stay and see who it is," decided Iolaus as he pulled the arrows out of the ground and put them in some weeds where they would be out of sight.

"Thought so."

In a few minutes the two friends could see three individuals making their way up the path. When they came closer Hercules could make out an old woman, a young boy and a baby centaur. From their appearance Hercules could tell that they had been traveling for a while and had had to leave wherever they started from in a hurry. "Hello."

The woman moved her body in front of the two children but Hercules could see that the boy had managed to draw a sword almost as large as himself. "Who are you?" asked the woman with a little fear and suspicion.

"My name is Hercules."

"And I'm Iolaus," Iolaus added with a nod. "You've heard of us?"

"Hercules?" The woman's eyes went wide with wonder and hope.

"Fer real? Hercules?" The boy let the tip of the heavy sword fall to the ground with a thud.

"And Iolaus," added Iolaus. Noticing that the strangers weren't paying him any attention he muttered, "How did he get top billing anyway? I've been around as long as him." Truthfully he liked to go around helping people, but a little recognition now and then would be nice.

"Have you come to save us and our village?" asked the woman.

"I...wasn't aware there was a village around here that needed saving." At the crestfallen look on the woman's face he added, "But I will look into it now that I know."

"Can I fight at your side? I have a sword." The young boy of about twelve years lifted his sword into the air for dramatic effect.

"Sorry, but I think you should probably stay behind. Besides, Iolaus has more experience fighting at my side."

"I've got experience," protested the boy. "I've fought beside Xena before."

"You know Xena?" piped Iolaus.

"Yeh, she's a good friend of mine. Let me ride her horse an' everything."

"And you are?" Hercules addressed the woman.

"She is Alphene. A sister to one who joined our ranks long ago." Eponin stepped out from behind a tree. Alphene bowed in greeting to the Amazon. "And the child centaur is Xenos. A child of both the centaurs and the Amazons. The son of Ephiny, Regent of the Amazons. And a living treaty between our two nations." The treaty in question was currently trying to pick up a frog that wasn't keen to the idea of being grabbed.

Iolaus leaned over and whispered into Hercules ear. "It's going to be one of those kind of weeks, isn't it?"

*****

2034
Rio de Janeiro

The three men hurried down the dock ready to use their passes to explore the exotic city of Rio de Janeiro. Leading the way was Tony Piccolo, a former convict and former lab experiment - the latter of which gained him his freedom and a pair of gills for breathing underwater. Following him was the most faithful and simple man Piccolo had ever met, Dagwood. Dagwood was large by any standards and even stronger than he looked. He was also the prototype for a genetically created new life form called Daggers and made to do dangerous tasks in inhospitable environments. While the geneticists had been able make their prototype able to meet their physical designs, Dagwood's mental capacity was that of a small child with a tender heart. Bringing up the rear of the group was Lt. Tim O'Neill, language and communications expert, and the longest of the three to have served on the SeaQuest.

"Hey, who put the relic on the pier?" Piccolo pointed out. "I didn't know the city decorated the military docks, too."

"Looks nice," commented Dagwood with child-like interest as he moved closer to inspect it.

"I don't think that old British phone booths placed on a pier can be construed as decoration." O'Neill paused to look up and down the pier. "Especially when there doesn't appear to be any other decorations around."

Tony waved his hands to get his friends attention. "I think you guys have forgotten our mission."

"We're on a mission?" asked Dagwood.

"Yep." He turned to point to the city before them. "To go and meet the most beautiful women we can find in the short time we have off the SeaQuest."

Just then the door to the telephone booth opened. "Is this woman one of the most beautiful?" Dagwood asked innocently.

Piccolo turned to see what Dagwood was talking about and when he saw his jaw almost dropped. Leeta stood there in the doorway of the TARDIS appraising the three men. "Are you men warriors with a heart for battle?"

"Um-" was all O'Neill was able to get out.

"Yes!" cried Piccolo. Tony stared in wonder at the beautiful brown-haired woman and the leather hunting apparel she was wearing.

"I am Leeta. We come seeking brave warriors to stop an invasion of a horrible evil called the Borg. The Doctor tells me that the place we are to go far away near the tribes of the Amazons. Would you help us in this great and perilous battle?"

"Yes!" exclaimed Piccolo.

"What a minute," interrupted O'Neill. "I don't want to go out in the jungle to meet Amazon tribes."

Piccolo grabbed O'Neill by the shirt and pulled him a few feet away. "Tim, this obviously has to be one of those secret entrances to one of those exotic clubs we always hear tales about."

"What clubs?"

"Follow me and you'll find out." Letting go of O'Neill's shirt he went back to address Leeta. "So where we are going there will be more women like you?"

Leeta was a little confused. "That is what you wish?" She had already explained about the Amazons. "Yes, there will be many warrior women."

Piccolo broke out into a grin. "Then lead the way."

Leela turned and entered the TARDIS. "Follow me." She just knew the Doctor was going to be so happy with her taking the initiative to enlist the aid of these warriors she had spotted on the viewer.

O'Neill watched Leeta disappear into the TARDIS followed by Tony and Dagwood. He couldn't imagine the three of them fitting inside, let alone him entering as well.

Dagwood stuck his head out. "Are you coming?"

"Isn't it crowded in there?"

Dagwood looked back inside then reported to his friend, "No, there's lots of room inside."

"What?" O'Neill entered the TARDIS in disbelief. "I bet Captain Hudson isn't going to like this."

*****

2000
Minneapolis, Minnesota

A black van with a red stripe down the side whizzed in and out of traffic on 494 northbound. At first the reason for the speeding van was not apparent, but moments after being passed the other drivers were able to see red flashing light in their rearview mirrors already in pursuit.

The man in the passenger seat consulted a Twins City map while chewing a cigar that had not been lit. "Go east when you come to 694. That will take us to the small airport Murdock scoped out."

The driver, a burly black man with a mohawk haircut and a multitude of gold chains, was not in agreement. "I'm not getting on any plane, Hannibal!"

"Of course not, B.A.." Hannibal took a moment to check his mirror for the cars following them. "The plane is for Murdock and Face. We hide the van, Murdock takes off in a plane, and suddenly you and I no longer have anyone chasing us because Decker and his goons have given up and gone home." Hannibal smiled at the simplicity of the plan. "Besides, did you really think I would make you leave your van in Minnesota?"

B.A. just scowled and gave Hannibal a suspicious look.

"What about us?" came a cry from the back of the van.

"Help! Help! Kidnappers! Abductors! Guy with a bad haircut! Ahhhhh!"

Templeton "Face" Peck stuck his head forward to consult with Hannibal. "Okay, this is your fault, Colonel. You deal with him. He's driving me crazy. And trust me - you don't want two crazy people in here. There's too many already."

Hannibal chuckled. It had all started out routinely. A poor Korean family trying to make it in the United States by starting a local grocery. Then one of the local gangs had made them pay protection money. The family could bear that but not when their oldest son was forced to become a member of the gang. Unable to get help from local police the family had heard from a family friend of the A-Team. A group of soldiers framed for a crime that they didn't commit who go from place to place like mercenary robin hoods. All in all, everything turned out okay for the family. The entire gang, except for the family's son, ended up tied up in a warehouse full of merchandise they had stolen where the police and firefighters soon found them when answering an alarm.

Somehow Decker, a colonel of the military police who had been tracking the team for years, had found out they were in Minnesota and laid a trap for them. A silly little sci-fi show called Mystery Science Theater 3000 just happened to be based near Minneapolis in Eden Prairie. The show consisted of a man named Mike being trapped on a space station all alone except for some robot companions. A mad, egotistic woman would send Mike badly made horror and science fiction films and force him to watch them in order to test his psyche. Mike's only help, Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo, both robotic puppets made from ordinary junk such as a gumball machine and a bowling pin, would try to counter the effect of the movies by making witty comments about the movie as they watched it. As a theme for a television show it is rather silly, however, it became very popular much to the horror of many actors.

When it came to vanity Hannibal had three main strikes against him. He loved it when his plans came together, he loved his cigars, and he loved 'Aquamaniac'. The 'Aquamaniac' had been his first real part in any movie as an actor. The rubber mask of the sea creature offered a true sense of anonymity to Hannibal. Since the 'Aquamaniac' began it became a cult classic and Hannibal always played the monster in every sequel. When he woke up on Saturday morning still enjoying the feeling of taking down that gang of punks he was quite unprepared to find Murdock watching his favorite show. Actually, he was used to having to watch his shows but this time it was a travesty. A tragedy. A horror. The Mystery Science Theater squad had their shadow outlines on the lower right side of the screen as they made mockery of the 'Aquamaniac' in a never been done before live production of the show.

Immediately, Hannibal assembled the team after a few quick phone calls. They had gained entry with no troubles and put a stop to the insults being thrown at the 'Aquamaniac'. It wasn't until they tried to leave that the military raised their ugly little heads. The end result was the same as always. The team got away and the military police were chasing them. But to Hannibal the risk had been worth it. And for Murdock Christmas had come early.

The back of the van had an impromptu curtain drawn covering the bottom half of the van. In his right hand "Howlin' Mad" Murdock had the Tom Servo puppet dancing a jig of fear as he tried to escape the confines of the van. In his left hand the Crow puppet was trying to sooth his panicked friend by threatening to hit him over the head with a crowbar.

The van cut to the left as avoided a slower vehicle.

"You big ape, don't damage the goods back here!" snapped Crow.

The van cut to the right with a vengeance.

"Um, Crow," the Tom Servo puppet audibly whispered, "those gold chains around that creature's neck isn't attached to anything so don't antagonize it!"

"I'm not afraid of him!" Murdock turned the puppet of Crow to the front of the van. "Ya hear that, you mutant monstrosity! I'm not afraid of you!"

B.A. was starting to fume. "Hannibal."

"Ignore them. Just get us to that airport," Hannibal replied.

"C'mon, bring it on, big guy. What? Are you afraid? Huh? Are you chicken?"

B.A. was furious. "Hannibal!"

"It is a little annoying, isn't it." Col. Smith checked the mirrors again and noted that the military goons had gotten up to just six car lengths away.

"Hannibal!" Templeton 'Face' Peck was picking himself off the floor again.

Hannibal rubbed his eyes. B.A.'s driving had become more erratic than usual the more Murdock enraged him. "Murdock."

"Um, yes colonel?"

"Keep those 'prisoners' back there quiet or 'Face' will have to go back there to tie and gag them. Got that, Murdock."

"Yes, colonel."

A flash of light appeared next to Templeton. "Oh, let him be. I rather like his banter."

Peck and Smith had their weapons drawn on Q immediately. B.A. almost drove off the road. Murdock was the only one who didn't seem surprised at Q's surprised. He was merely surprised that the others could also see him. "You're new here, aren't you?"

"You could say that." Q smiled. "I have a proposition for you."

It only took a few miles for Q to lay out the details. The incentive was a copy of a videotape that would clear their names. All that remained for them to agree.

"I don't know about this mumbo jumbo stuff, Hannibal." B.A. took a good look at Q through his rearview mirror. "I don't like it."

"But we'd be in the clear again, B.A., and we could live normal lives again." Templeton leaned back with a smile on his face. "Besides one of the cars is pulling up along side us."

"Not my fault," snapped B.A.. "The Volvo in front of me doesn't know how to drive."

"Colonel Smith?" Q asked with a smile.

Hannibal put of his own answer. "Murdock? What do you think?"

"Sounds good to me," he paused for a moment then looked up with a sly innocent look. "But then I am certifiably insane." As a side note to Q he added, "I even have the papers to prove it."

"We're back here with a cracked nut! We're doomed! We're doomed!" the Tom Servo puppet flailed his tiny hands in the air.

"Will you shut up!" snapped Crow. "Hey, you, colonel guy. Where do I sign up to join the A-Team?"

Colonel Smith ignored them. "B.A.?"

"I still don't like it." Baracus swerved the van away from the car trying to shoot out the tires. Looking ahead B.A. could see that the off ramp they had wanted had been blocked and the traffic was slowing down considerably. "But I like this even less. Okay, I'll go along if it will somehow get us out of this."

"Colonel?" asked Q.

Hannibal lit the cigar he had been chomping and inhaled deeply. The very fact of how Q appeared didn't do anything to verify his story but it did suggest that he might have the ability to get them out of this jam. A lot of people say it is better to go with the devil you know rather than the devil you don't know. Hannibal wasn't one of those people. "Okay, we're in."

In a flash of light the people in the van suddenly found themselves driving on a narrow bumpy old dirt path. B.A. quickly slammed on his brakes. "Oh man, my shocks are going to be ruined!"

Hannibal was laughing. "I'd love to have seen the look on Decker's face when we just disappeared like that."

Murdock took a look out the rear window with his two puppets. "Nice scenery."

"Hey, Crow. I don't think we're in Kansas anymore," commented Tom Servo.

Crow wasn't having any of it. "That's Minnesota, you idiot. 'I don't think we're in Minnesota anymore.' Sheesh!"

"No, that's 'The Wizard of Oz', you moron," argued Servo.

"Hey, fool! Put away the dolls before I put you away!" B.A. was unnerved and ready to lash out.

"Colonel! Look over there! People!" pointed out Templeton.

"Yes, very observant of you," interjected Q. "They will be working with you on your task. Well, got to go now. Ta!" In a flash Q was gone.

"Great. Our contact man fled before he even introduced us. Colonel, you got to find us better work," joked Peck.

Hannibal bit his cigar. "Well, 'Face', let's go mingle. B.A.. Murdock. Cover us."

*****

As the doors to the TARDIS opened it was a grumpy Doctor that chased out his passengers. "Annoying trespassers."

"Hey! We were invited!" corrected Tony Piccolo.

"Ah, but I didn't invite you!" The Doctor had been less than pleased when he had found out that Leela had taken it upon herself to find the recruits for the next attack against the Borg when he had been making some adjustments to the console of the TARDIS. But that having been done there was nothing to do about it now but to make the best of it. "I think next time - if there is a nest time - you will find out more about what is going on before you sign on for a tour of duty in the trenches."

Leela came out last - almost meekly. "But I did explain it to them. And they agreed."

"Yes," snapped the Doctor, "but you didn't tell me!"

"Whataminute!" yelled Piccolo. "What exactly did we agree to do?"

That got the Doctor's attention. "You don't know?"

"There was something about fighting evil Borgs near some Amazon villages, if I remember right," remarked O'Neill to which Leela nodded. The next part he added with a lot of emphasis. "Tony had us joining so fast I really didn't get a chance to get an understanding of hardly anything."

"I agree," commented the Doctor.

"Tim?" Dagwood asked his friend.

"Not now, Dagwood, I think our host is about to give us a better understanding of what Tony has gotten us into."

"But I just wanted to know who those pretty girls are?"

"What?"

Off to the far side of the TARDIS just beyond a few trees was a small clearing with a campfire slowly smoldering. The owners of the campfire were two women standing just on the other side of the TARDIS. One was tall with dark hair and wearing a leather outfit similar to Leela but made to be sturdier. In her hand she held a sword and on her face was determination and fierceness. The other woman was blond wearing a green halter top and a short skirt. In her hands was a staff and on her face was kindness and compassion.

It was the blond who first broke the ice. "Are you magicians... or gods?"

"Forget that part," snarled the dark haired woman, "Back up to that part where Joxer mentions some evil 'borgs' near the Amazon villages."

"Joxer?" asked Tim in confusion.

As the Doctor was about to try regaining some form of order a sound came out of the woods. Everyone became silent for a minute to watch as a man staggered out of the woods trying to carry more dry branches than he could. "Xena. Gabby. I got enough wood for all night long. You can thank Joxer the Thorough for that." Just them the figure stumbled sending the branches flying everywhere.

Being the closest, Tim moved to help the man. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the beautiful blond move to come to help but the dark haired one had stopped her. Reaching down he helped pull the man before him up only to be surprised when he saw...

"Hey, you're me!" yelped Joxer. "No, wait! I'm me." Swallowing Joxer leaned in a little closer look at Tim's stunned face. "You're not Jet, are you?" Joxer referred to his look-alike brother who was the King of the Assassins.
(If you are confused about why Joxer and Tim O'Neill look so much alike then please go back to the beginning and see the note of explanation posted before the story began. That's what it's there for.)

"Who?" asked Tim as he continued to stare in disbelief at a face he had never seen out of a mirror or picture before.

"Forget him," interjected Xena. "You mentioned an evil near the Amazons. I want some answers and I want them now."

*****

The black van moved down the path at a slow rate as it took the abuse of the unlevel unpaved ground. The eleven passengers inside the vehicle tried to ignore unsteady pounding and cramped quarters by trying to get to know each other.

"-so then I quickly ripped off the rest of that particular straight jacket and made it as far as the State fair where they caught me doing my matador routine with the dairy cows. The next straight jacket - the ninth model - I haven't been able to get out of it yet. They were going to give me another week to test it just to be sure but Face said Hannibal needed the Team for a job in Minnesota. So I let him undo the jacket." Murdock began to sniffle. "Those doctors had such faith in my abilities and I let them down by not doing my full week of trying to get out of that straight jacket." Murdock began blowing his nose in a handkerchief. "One of the interns even said they might name that model of straightjacket after me. Oh, the things I do for this team."

Alexander began shifting where he sat in the back of the van next to "Howlin' Mad" Murdock. Alexander, being three-quarters Klingon, had heard stories of Klingon warriors such as this human. Alexander decided that getting to know some things about this man might be beneficial to his safety. "May I ask you a question?" to which Murdock nodded as he wiped away a few nonexistent tears. "When the madness comes upon you do you attack only your enemies or just everybody around you?"

Murdock laughed. "Silly boy, we're all mad"

The young Klingon began fidgeting in his seat. "I'm not mad."

"Oh course you are, boy." Murdock smiled widely. "To paraphrase Lewis Carroll, 'We're all mad, or we wouldn't be here." Then he leaned back as if what he had said had explained everything.

Alexander was beginning to find talking to this 'madman' vexing. "And you didn't answer my question." Murdock just picked up the Crow puppet and began studying its head. "And I'm not a Boy. I am a Klingon warrior."

Murdock looked up from the puppet and stared Alexander right in the eyes. "You are a teenage boy in a hurry to prove something you don't have too. I've seen it lots of times. Did it myself. If you get in this kind of a hurry you quickly get to see all sorts of things that you wish you could forget but never will. Friends that were laughing with you five minutes before gone forever while you have to run for your life. Enjoy your innocents while it remains." All of this Murdock explained clearly with a soft but direct voice that carried a lot of emotion behind it. Alexander found it rather unsettling.

"I've been blooded in battle!" Alexander proclaimed in protest.

"A pity," was all Murdock answered.

Up front Colonel Smith sat in the front passenger seat watching the landscape around them for everything and anything it could tell him. "It's starting to rain."

Will Riker was kneeling between the driver's seat and Smith's passenger chair as he studied the readings Seven had taken. "Luckily we're inside." As the van tires hit another rock Riker almost fell over. "Or maybe we aren't lucky."

A growl from the driver made Riker quiet his opinion. The driver, a large black man with a scowl on his face, wasn't about to let anyone say anything even remotely bad connected to his van or his driving. Will took a minute to look in wonder at little Naomi Wildman sitting on B.A. lap as he drove. At first she had had Baracus explaining to her how to drive, now she was sorting through the many gold necklaces the man was wearing by size and if she thought it was pretty. How can a man with such a fierce attitude still be a magnet for children, thought Riker. The sternness of the man reminded him of Worf. Riker shook his head as he went back to studying the readouts before him. Worf was never that good with children, thought Riker out of the blue. Thinking of Worf led him to immediately think of Deanna. And the sight of Worf and Deanna together in Quark's Bar.

"Everything all right, commander?" asked Smith. Hannibal knew something had been bothering Riker for a while. It never does well to let those who are trouble to get out of your sight or your attention, thought Smith to himself. This guy's got it bad, whatever it is.

"Fine," lied Riker. "According to this if we can get past the turn in the bend up here then the village or town the Borg appear to have taken residence in will be up around the next hill."

"Lwuxana, are you eavesdropping again?" Odo whispered into Lwuxana ear in the backseat.

"What?" she replied. "Eavesdrop, why Odo, I'm surprised at you. Do you really think that someone in the position of ambassador would listen in on someone else thoughts?"

"I especially think that someone who is in the position of a ambassador would eavesdrop on other peoples thoughts." He softened the expression on his face. "Besides you do it all the time."

Lwaxana shrugged. "I can't help it. It's like asking a Ardenian to not breathe on you."

"An Ardenian can hold its breath for five hours at a time. It's not the same thing."

"Yes," Lwaxana agreed. "But eventually it needs to breathe again."

"I don't think that analogy helps to prove your point. Besides, I am sure Commander Riker would not appreciate it if he knew that you were reading his thoughts."

"Ah, but what makes you think I was listening in on him. I could have been contemplating the step by step thoughts that Mr. Peck was having about Seven of Nine."

"What?" A perplexed Templeton Peck snapped his head away from where he had been observing Seven as she did more scans with the equipment that Mr. Homm was attempting to hold for her.

*****

"What is it?"

Hercules and Iolaus each grabbed an arm of the young boy and pulled him back under cover of the high grasses. "Stay down while Iolaus and I will check it out." Seeing that Solan was about to protest Hercules brought up another important matter. "Besides you have to watch over Xenos, remember." Solan, being around such legendary figures, had felt it only right to boast of some his own exploits as well as the fact that his adopted father, Kaleipus, had put him in charge of watching over the young centaur while he was at their village.

Iolaus's sharp ears had heard the strange sound while it was a ways off giving everyone some time to get ready for it. The amazons took defensive stances high in the trees while the old woman had moved down by the river behind some boulders. Solan wanted to fight alongside his heroes but the heroes in question didn't even know if there was a fight yet.

"Alphene can watch him," pushed the boy. "You might need me here. And I know how to fight."

Iolaus took a good look at the boy. There was something so familiar about him. Something about the eyes. And the willingness to fight. Iolaus shrugged off that thought as a large shape came around the curve in the pathway. Ducking down lower he tried to study the thing. "What is it?" he asked Hercules.

Hercules took a moment to take in the black shape. It was the wheels that gave him his first clue. "I think its some kind of chariot."

"Chariot?" Iolaus gave it another hard look. "Where are the horses? In back of it?"

"Cool." Solan stared in wonder at the approaching object. "I can see people in the front of it. But there looks like there's some kind of barrier or something between them and everything outside that thing."

"It's got to be something similar to a chariot." But what is it's purpose? What other functions is it capable of? pondered Hercules. He had fought a lot of things on his past that had at one point looked very harmless. He was not about to believe that the thing before him had the sole function of transportation.

*****

B.A. slammed on his brakes. He automatically reached forward to grab Naomi. B.A. was a big promoter for seatbelts and normally everyone on board would be wearing one but that was impossible considering the strange circumstances that had dropped these extra people on them. Besides it wasn't to much of a factor because he couldn't drive very fast on the narrow bumpy path.

Hannibal pulled himself and Commander Riker off the dashboard. Groans of complaint told him that similar activities were taking place behind him. "B.A., what's the problem."

B.A. stared wide-eyed at the road in front of him. "Tell me you see it, Hannibal. Tell me I'm not goin' crazy like Murdock. Tell me you see it."

Looking out in front Hannibal saw nothing at first. Then a little further up the road a butterfly with striking colors of violet and black crossed. Then came a little boy followed by...

Hannibal spit out his cigar and stared in disbelief.

Riker, holding his head from where he had hit it, looked at him. "What is it?"

"You tell me," said the exasperated colonel who had finally let go of the breath he hadn't known he had been holding.

On the road in front of them a little centaur caught his first butterfly. After a moment of inspection the butterfly was released. The little centaur, looking for more interesting things, noticed the vehicle on the road in front of him. Seeing the people through the window he smiled. Then he waved.

*****

Quark's Bar
Deep Space Nine
Currently orbiting Earth

Deanna graciously thanked Morn for the drinks and brought them over to her table. "That's one Earl Grey tea for you, Captain, a glass of prune juice for Worf, and a large chocolate ice cream special for myself." She dug into the dessert with more gusto than she felt. "Any changes?" she asked referring, to six panels showing the activities of their friends and comrades on their mission.

"None," answered a sullen Worf.

"Your mother seems to have taken an interest an interest in one of the men from the van," commented Captain Picard.

Deanna grimaced in embarrassment. "That doesn't surprise me."

"At least she isn't hitting on Odo any more." Kira Nerys walked over to the table with her own cup of Raktajino. "Mind if I join you keeping vigil?"

"Please do," answered Deanna.

"Would have been here sooner but I had an encounter with a religious delegate from my world."

"The Kai?" inquired Picard.

Kira nodded. "I think she was just a little flustered being so far from Bajor." Flustered, she thought, she was almost ranting.

"She is a prominent figure there," pointed out Worf. "Here there is no one to listen to her but you and a few of the other Bajorans who stayed on board."

Kira didn't know what to say. Worf was right. The Kai was used to people hanging on her every word. Here her views were not considered of sacred importance and most of the people had no idea who she was until she told them.

"Here's a suggestion," commented Picard, "perhaps she could put together and send some encouraging messages to the Bajoran people letting them know all is well for know. They probably feel a little abandoned without Deep Space Nine watching out for them overhead."

Kira brightened immediately. "I'll suggest that. It'll probably be just the thing to make it bearable to be around her. Thank you."

Picard smiled. "I'm a captain. I'm suppose to come up with things for people to do."

"I'm sure it will all work out," added Deanna encouragingly.

Kira nodded. Looking up at Picard she decided to change the subject. "I'm sorry about your friend."

Picard tensed immediately. "Kate Pulaski was a good friend... And very headstrong and stubborn. I'll miss her."

"Captain." Deanna put a hand on his hand. The next minute was spent in quiet reflection as they all thought about their loved ones on the current mission and kept watch.

"Speaking of headstrong women," commented Deanna, "I still can't believe that my mother got Q2 to allow her to bring Mr. Homm along." The next few minutes were spent in laughter and incriminating comments about how Lwaxana had tore into Q2.

Another person keeping watch in the bar for his friends was currently throwing darts at a dartboard. He was waiting for the Borg to appear. And so far Rembrandt Brown was having no luck. He hadn't decided if that was good or bad.

*****

Ancient Greece

"A metal boat that floats underwater?" She paused to she if she had gotten that right. "And you stay underwater for days at a time? Sometimes even weeks?" The concept was fascinating but imagery was hard for the young woman to accept. "But why would you do that?"

Tim chuckled. "Where I am from mankind has already covered the earth. The ocean floors were the only option left for mining, farming and exploration. The SeaQuest, the, uh, underwater boat I was telling you about, was made as a joint military and scientific exploration vessel." Tim was heaven. This beautiful, exotic woman walking with him was more like a dream then anyone he had every met in reality.

"They farm under the ocean?" asked Gabrielle with surprise.

Tim smiled. "Why should that surprise you?"

"Well," answered Gabrielle, "the military always go wherever they can just on the off chance that their enemies might as well. And miners will dig anywhere because of greed. But farmers?" Gabrielle shook her head. "I would have thought they would have more sense."

"Ah, but it would also depend on what they find they can grow underwater."

"True," admitted the young woman. A thought occurred to her so she asked, "Do you have any troubles with Poseidon?"

"Who? Or should I ask what?"

"Poseidon," interjected Joxer. "Don't they teach you sailors about the gods of the oceans?"

Tim laughed. True, he didn't appreciate Joxer's constant interruptions-even if the two of them looked like twin brothers and Joxer was showing a lot of jealousy-but the concept of a water deity was a bit much. "You actually believe in the existence of Poseidon. Do you believe in Zeus, Hera and Hercules, too?"

Gabrielle's face hardened at Tim's remark and she gripped her staff a little harder. "I've met some of them."

Tim was struck with a moment of embarrassing confusion. Surely he must have misunderstood something. "But they are just people who have those names right? It's not like Zeus can actually throw lightning and Hercules can lift a mountain."

Gabrielle grinned. "Actually, I've never met Zeus and I haven't seen Hercules lift a mountain-" As Tim began to relax she added, "-but I have seen him throw a few good-sized boulders over a mountain. And he's a demi-god. Not a full blown god."

"You mean over like in-" Tim did a few hand motions to try explain his perspective. "-not down the mountain, but over..." Tim was getting perplexed. He was not understanding-at least he hope he wasn't understanding-what it was she was trying to convey and worst of all he could tell it was starting to make her angry at him. Off to the side Joxer snickered.

Gabrielle was not finished. "I don't recall mocking some of your more colorful stories about where you come from living under water."

"Um," Tim was trying to come up with a quick way to make peace. "Have you met any other gods?" he asked lamely.

"Oh, Hades, Ares and Aphrodite," Gabrielle rattled off nonchalantly.

Suddenly next to Joxer there was a shimmer of light. Then standing there was a gorgeous blond woman wearing a scantly clad pink outfit. "Hey there, how is my sweet Joxer-woxer?" The woman leaned in and planted what Tim thought was a very interesting kiss on Joxer's lips. Joxer giggled in delight for a moment then fell over in a dead faint. Taking a moment, the woman considered Joxer's fallen form. "I still got it!" she commented to herself. Looking up she took in her surroundings and Gabrielle. "Hey, Blondie."

Gabrielle nodded to the Greek goddess. "Hey yourself. What brings you here?"

Aphrodite looked hurt. "What kind of greeting was that. Hello? I'm the goddess of love and beauty. I think a little more respect should be coming my way considering how much more interesting and enjoyable I could make your life if I chose to."

Tim leaned into Gabrielle to whisper. "This is the goddess of love?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah. Not what you expected, was she?"

Aphrodite gave her stunned look. "Hello? I'm right here. Can't you at least wait for my back to be turned before you insult me like everyone else?"

"But why would she just pop up now?" asked Tim as he tried to make sense out of what was going on.

Gabrielle shrugged. "Gods usually turn up whenever they are bored, or they are up to something petty, or when there is about to be a lot of action." It took a moment for her words to sink in. Once it did Gabrielle cried out, "Xena!"

Xena, who had been leading the group on the trail, rushed back to where Gabrielle had been guarding the rear. Seeing the disturbance she grinned. "Hello Aphrodite, what brings you here?"

The goddess shrugged. "Some of the gods on Olympus have been watching what's been going on at the next town. I was bored so once I saw you heading this way I thought I would take a closer look."

"So what is going on at the next town?"

"I don't know. Even Athena doesn't know. Whatever it is, it has them all earth-gazing. Oh, speaking of gazing, hello big, tall and studly!"

Dagwood, who had followed Xena back from the front of the line, froze as the new woman began walking toward him with a strange look in her eye. At least it was strange to him. "Um, hello pretty lady."

Aphrodite ran an appraising finger up one of Dagwood's arms. "Tell me, are there any more like you at home?"

Dagwood, who was the genetic prototype for the entire Dagger race, nodded innocently. "Yes."

Aphrodite giggled. "Oh goodie. Do you think they would mind if I keep one?"

Tony and Leela raced up having been left behind by Xena and Dagwood. "Hey," exclaimed Tony between breathes, "what's with the yelling-" seeing Aphrodite on Dagwood's arm he immediately brightened up. "Well hello. I don't think we've been introduced."

*****

The Doctor continued on his merry way. He was certain that there was no real trouble that the others had gone to investigate; he really wanted to get a look at the town that the Borg now occupied, which was almost in sight.

"A thousand yards more beyond the trees, master."

"Thank you, K-9. Can you listen in on them again?"

"Affirmative."

"Be careful. Don't want to disturb them."

"Yes, master."

"And be sure to check for anything relevant."

"Yes, master."

As the Doctor and the little robotic dog cleared the trees, a cluster of buildings surrounded by a thatched wall came into view. "Someone's left the front gate open. Let's have a look, shall we?"

*****

Iolaus ran his hand over the dashboard and a smile crossed his face. "I gotta get one of these."

The driver grunted in understanding. Everybody loved the van.

In front of the slow moving vehicle walked a motley group of people. The Amazons mostly stayed in the trees and scouted ahead, but Eponin walked in the middle of the group with Hannibal trying to work out some mutual grounds. Just in front of them Naomi walked alongside the baby centaur while talking to her new friend Solan and Murdock. Hercules led the way with Lwaxana attached to his arm followed by a dutiful Mr. Homm and a very amused Odo. Templeton and Alexander had chosen to walk in front of the van while trying to see which of them could catch the most glimpses of the Amazons moving amongst the trees.

It hadn't started out this nice. The initial fight had been brief. The people piling out of the van to see the baby centaur in the middle of the road. The over-zealous Amazons began firing arrows before they even determined if the child was being threatened. The Starfleet personnel responded, firing their phasers into the trees above them. Fortunately, Odo had managed to catch the two Amazons that had been stunned before they hit the ground. Alexander found himself wrestling on the ground with Solan. Iolaus had found his match in battling B.A. Baracus. Hannibal and Face had found themselves thrown into the river by Hercules.

It was Lwaxana who finally got everyone on track. "Knock it off! We're all on the same side!" There was a moderate slow down as everyone let the possibilities of her words sink in, but not before there was another splash and Murdock joined his two friends in the river. Lwaxana gave Hercules an accusative glare. "And you're scaring the baby." The tears rolling down the little centaur's face stopped everyone, giving the saner members of the groups to work things out.

Fortunately, there had been only one real injury other than peoples' pride. Riker had taken an arrow in the thigh. After having the arrow extracted and his leg bandaged, he was placed carefully in the van. After some discussion about the why and wherefores of the different groups, a common interest arose in the Borg. They agreed to travel to the town together and decide upon further action when they got there.

Inside the van Seven of Nine looked up from her instruments. "I have located the Doctor."

Riker, laying on the van floor, gritted his teeth to keep himself from groaning in pain. "And..."

"And he had entered the location of the Borg."

"That was rather impetuous of him."

"And foolish," commented Seven.

Riker had no love for the Borg but he did have a high appreciation for beautiful women, which made his being around Seven very awkward for him. However, regardless of his mixed feelings he was always ready for a challenge and right now that was to work effectively with the former drone. "He's already wandered around on one Borg vessel. He probably got the idea to look around inside to check for weak spots. It's what I would have done. As long as he doesn't disturb the drones milling around he should be safe."

"You're wrong. He's wrong."

Riker gasped in pain as he sat up. If it was one thing he was sure of about Seven, it was that Seven would have a better idea of what the Borg would do than he would. "What's wrong," he managed to get out.

"This is a technologically deficient time for this planet. The drones are currently searching for valuable minerals that can be used to create more Borg technology and eventually a Borg vessel. As always, the top of drone search priorities is to seize any and all advanced forms of technology."

Riker nodded. "I see. And here any form of technology would be advanced."

"Correct. More to the point, however, is that the Doctor is currently traveling with his robot dog, K-9."

*****

Xena ran along the path with a purpose. "Does he often goes off on his own?"

Easily keeping pace with the warrior princess, Leela answered the question. "The Doctor may be one of most intelligent persons I know, but he wanders with the frequency of a curious young child. And with no concern of letting others know what he's going to do!"

Xena grinned in spite of herself. "Yeah. A lot of men are like that."

The two women slowed to a jog as they came up to the village entrance.

"The gates are open," noted Xena. "Would he..."

"Yes!" exclaimed Leela. She was angry: angry with the Doctor for running off without her and angry with herself for being afraid of going in after him. She took a deep breath as she prepared herself mentally to enter. These are not creatures of the Underground, she recited to herself. They can only kill me. Not torture my soul for the rest of Eternity. "I'm ready. Should we wait for the others to catch up or should we just go in after him?"

Xena didn't answer. Instead her hand went for her sword. "We're not alone!"

Leela pulled out her knife. "I sense them, too."

Xena and Leela watched as a group of over forty men came out of the trees off to their left. Further away more men came out into the clearing casting weary glances at the walls around the village. It was the one who wasn't human that Xena wanted to talk to. "Kaleipus," she called.

The old centaur regarded Xena with just a hint of wariness that anyone how had ever fought against her in battle would always have. Even though they were no longer enemies Kaleipus could never quite forget how hard she had fought against the centaurs. "Xena, I trust you already know of the troubles we are facing?"

"Yeah. I've run across some people who have a vested interest in the creatures that took over your village." Her eyes scanned the group of people with Kaleipus looking for a face. And found one she didn't expect. "Draco?"

A tall solidly built man with black hair stepped forward with a smirking grin on his face. "Hello, Xena," greeted the man casually, "been a while." His eyes briefly ran over Leela before they returned to Xena. "You trade in Gabrielle for a different sidekick? Looks like you would have more in common with this one."

Xena's eyes narrowed. "Don't worry about Gabrielle. What are you doing here?"

Draco chuckled. "Merely offering my services to the good people here."

"And for what price?" snapped Xena.

"No more than you would ask. Just room and board. If it's available, that is."

Xena looked doubtful but Kaleipus nodded in agreement to the statement. "There's got to be a catch."

"Xena, I'm surprised by you." Draco paused in thought. "Actually, I'm not surprised."

"What's the catch?" insisted Xena.

Looking over at the walls he noted, "I really don't think that discussing this near the walls used by are enemies is a very wise tactic."

Xena grinned menacingly. "I have it on good authority that the Borg will not do anything to us at this point unless provoked."

"Very well," acknowledged Draco. "Remember when we last met?"

Xena remembered. Cupid's baby boy had been playing with his father's bow making everyone who got hit with an arrow fall in love with the first person they saw. For Draco that had been Gabrielle. Draco had been all for dragging Gabrielle off to be his wife but it had been Xena explaining to him that Gabrielle could never love him the way that he was that made Draco let her go. He had proclaimed that he would try to become a new man. A man that Gabrielle would want to be with. A man who would help others in need. The two women had not seen or heard of him since. And now he's back, thought Xena. "Yes, I remember."

"It wasn't easy. First I went back to the different places I've looted in the past and tried offering to help. That didn't work out so well. So my next plan was to gather together cutthroat men like myself and take out the local bandits and outlaws. Some of the men I had captured I offered a chance to join or die. After a while I got to the point where I was able to take out a few minor warlords."

And he talks so casual about it all. Did I used to talk that causal about all they fighting and killing that I did? wondered Xena. "And the loot that had belonged to the bandits, outlaws and warlords?" asked Xena.

"Fully returned to the owners when we could find them. And the valuables of those that had been killed and had no relatives were given to local charities."

Xena looked out at some of Draco's men. She could easily pick them out because them were more scruffy and filthy then the local town people. "And your men have no problem with your returning the loot?"

"If they have a problem with it, then I deal with them. I run my men with an iron fist. You taught me that, Xena. And all of my men that have 'questioned my practices' have failed."

Xena looked over to Kaleipus who looked like he wanted to talk to her in private, which was fine with her because she wanted to talk to him as well.

Just then Gabrielle came out of the woods leading Aphrodite, Joxer and their new friends from the SeaQuest. Draco immediately lost all interest in his conversation and walked over to officially greet his lost love. Gabrielle's eyes pleaded for help as soon as she saw Draco but Xena motioned for her to distract Draco for a while. At this point Gabrielle began eyeing daggers at Xena.

Xena quickly grabbed Kaleipus by the arm and led the centaur a few feet away from the others. "Solan?" was all she asked.

The centaur's shoulders sagged. "I don't know. I haven't seen him since these strange creatures attacked."

Xena's heart froze.

*****

Autolycus spat in self-preservation. Something of a very disgusting nature had crawled into his mouth and died. Groaning, he attempted to open his eyes but shut them again as soon as he discovered that the sunlight had set them on fire.

Somewhere in the background he could hear feet shuffling around. "Water," he croaked pitifully. After a little while he tried again to call for water but to no avail. His mouth and throat stressed the urgency of the matter to his already aching brain so he decided to override the orders his eyes had placed and opened them once again.

He was in a cell. Somehow that didn't surprise him. Being the King of Thieves, he had long ago accepted the fact that there were going to be nights when his 'hosts' would insist that he spend the night. He simply chalked it down to being one of those work-related problems. Thinking back to how he had arrived to this particular cell he could only go back as far as trying to match drinks with a couple of guys in a small tavern.

"Oh," he held his head delicately as he sat on the hard stone floor. "There should be a law against feeling this horrible." With some effort he looked about his cell, already planning his escape. Which is why it came as such a surprise to him to see that half the bars to his cell were missing. And upon closer inspection he could see that they had been torn out.

"Well that makes my getting out of here a little easier," Autolycus muttered to himself. Giving himself a little pep talk, the thief slowly got to his feet. Once there he decided standing up was bearable yet extremely unpleasant.

Suddenly a pale figure in black moved into the entrance.

"Hey, can you do a fellow a favor and get me a bucket of water?"

The figure ignored the thief's request and instead proceeded to pull out the remaining bars of the cell one by one.

Autolycus winced at the sound on the metal being torn out. "Okay, I guess that's a no." Moving a little closer Autolycus was able to see that the figure before him was all dressed in black and had tubes and metal pieces attached to various parts of his body.

The man before him gathered all the metal bars together and departed.

"Okay, sure, I'll follow you." Autolycus slowly walked out of the cell making sure it wasn't some sort of cruel trick. Not seeing any other people or any traps the thief made for the doorway the building.

Blinking from the light that managed to make it through the overcast sky, Autolycus tried to take in the view around him. The strangely attired man was a few feet away loading the metal bars onto a cart. A cart, Autolycus noted, that was being pulled by a similarly attired female centaur. Further down the dirt lane there were other people dressed the same way wandering around. "Okay, I must have slept through one of those trend-setting events. Considering the outfits, I'm rather glad I did."

"Hello. I see that they haven't gotten around to you yet."

Autolycus turned to see who had spoken and almost fell over. Steadying himself with a hand on the wall he took in the appearance of the man in front of him. In Autolycus' opinion, the man was dressed about as badly as the others wandering about. What really got his ire was the man's wide smile that was matched by his wide eyes. "Who are you?"

"I'm the Doctor," he stated as if that explained everything.

Autolycus put a hand to his forehead. "I didn't realize I was feeling that badly. So what's wrong with me, Doc?"

The Doctor smirked. "If I'm any judge I think you had too many rounds at the cups." Becoming more serious he asked, "Did you just wake up now? Do you have any idea what's going on here?"

"Doc, I'm still trying to take in the sight of what you're wearing."

"What?" He looked offended. "It's very practical and fashionable."

"Yeah, that's probably what all those people running around in black with metal pieces attached to themselves are saying."

"Master." Autolycus looked down to see a small metal box with a metal shaped dog head speaking. "The Borg hive mind has changed its focus. It is now centered on this K-9 unit. The technology this unit bears has become the first priority. This unit's metallic shell has become the secondary priority. The Doctor and the human have become the third priority."

The Doctor looked up and down the street and noticed five drones turning from their tasks and heading their way. "Oh dear. I believe I've miscalculated their behavior. I should have taken in account the change in their environment. This technologically deficient time period would most definitely change some of their basic perimeters."

"This is bad, right?" asked Autolycus.

"Very bad!"

Looking around quickly Autolycus spotted a beam sticking out of what was probably at one time a mill. Quickly, the thief opened and let loose the grappling hook that he carried on his person. Once the hook was secure he gauged the distance to where the thatch wall was located. "Grab your mutt, Doc. It's time to fly!"

"We are the Borg. We will assimilate your biological and-"

By this time the Borg realized that their prey had already flown the coop, so to speak.

*****

Seven of Nine looked up from her instruments. "Something seems to have attracted the attention of the Borg. The people out there could be in danger."

Riker tapped his comm badge. "Riker to Odo. Seven says there's a change in Borg activity. The people out in the open could be at risk."

"I'm on it, commander," answered Odo.

"Just in time, too. We're here," announced B.A. to those in the back of the van. The small town before him reminded him painfully of the small villages he had passed through in Vietnam. He found out quickly that evil could raise its ugly head to strike at small villages as well as big cities. Looking at the people standing around outside the village wall B.A. could spot some of the farmers and village people. It got B.A. mad thinking of those people who worked so hard for there meager living only to have somebody else come in and take it all away. He was going to do what he could to make it right. "And it seems our big longhaired friend know some of the people out there."

"Hey, that's Xena and Gabrielle!" exclaimed Iolaus from the front passenger seat.

"Looks like our short longhaired friend here knows some of the people here, too," B.A. commented to those in the back.

"And I think I recognize that guy talking to Gabrielle. I'm not sure but it could be-"

"Hey, dude, two people just fell over the wall and are running away from the town!"

"Hey, that looks like Autolycus!" cried Iolaus.

B.A. gave Iolaus a look. "You know everybody around here, don't you?"

Iolaus shrugged. "I get around."

*****

"Riker to Odo. Seven says there's a change in Borg activity. The people out in the open could be at risk."

"I'm on it, commander," answered Odo. Odo took quick strides to reach his objective. "Hercules, something's come up. These people may be in danger here."

"Right," acknowledged Hercules. "Okay, people," he raised his voice as he addressed the various people, "let's move this back toward the trees. There's a reason to believe that there may be trouble. Right this way."

"I'll go inform those other people to take cover," said Odo.

Hercules looked over at the far group. "Go to the blond woman with the green halter top carrying a staff. Her name's Gabrielle. She should be able to help you."

Odo nodded, turned and shifted. Where there had once been a man now was the departing shape of a small gliding beast that had never been seen on Earth before.

"That was-different." Noticing the other people staring in shock at the flying creature that had once been a man in their midst, Hercules raised his voice again. "C'mon, people. I know you heard me the first time. You really don't want to be caught out here gawking if things start going bad."

"You do that so well," sighed Lwaxana.

"Do what so well?" he asked while he began motioning people to the woods.

She sighed again. "Take charge." At her side Mr. Homm made gestures to the people similar to those Hercules made to encourage the people to leave the field.

At the far end of the clearing Odo came to rest next to Gabrielle. "Pardon me, but are you-" Odo paused as he felt a sword blade put at his throat. "-Gabrielle?"

"Draco! Put the sword away!"

"You saw what he did. He's some kind of creature," answered Draco.

"That doesn't mean he's evil," defended Gabrielle. Ignoring Draco, Gabrielle addressed Odo as casual as she could even though Draco still kept his sword at Odo's throat. "I apologize. Now why were you asking for me?"

"Hercules, he's one of the taller ones in the clearing over there, said to tell you it's not safe to be out in the open right now. That is why you can see him moving all the people over by him safely in the woods, which is what we should be doing rather than playing these tiring games."

"If you're lying, creature, I'll cut your head off," threatened Draco.

"Oh really," smirked Odo. Odo's head suddenly sunk into his torso. Startled, Draco was unable to do anything as Odo's body calmly walked away from him. Then a few feet away Odo turned and resprouted his head with a grin.

"What are you?" asked Gabrielle in a whisper.

"Not the enemy," answered Odo. "Now we really should be getting these people to some cover."

A little ways off Xena was trying to find out more from Kaleipus. A tug on her arm ended the questioning. "Leela? What?"

"Over there! Two people running from the city. The Doctor and another."

Xena looked with surprise. "Autolycus?"

Along the thatched walls figures unlike any Xena had ever seen before began lining the ramparts. One of the figures seemed familiar to Xena.

"Salmoneous?"

*****