I Will Not Need To Try

[bungakertas]

Rating: G
Warning(s): none
Pairing(s): none
Disclaimer: Star Trek and all attendant characters and concepts are the property of Paramount Studios. No money changed hands and no copyright infringement is intended or implied.
Summary: Seven of Nine reacts to Starfleet's reception of Voyager's crew.
Spoilers: Everything is up for grabs barring anything involving AOS or any Trek released since. Anything falling into those categories is Emphatically Not Canon™. Anything about Vulcans in ENT that contradicts previously established canon from TOS through VOY is likewise tossed.

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Seven of Nine had learned to expect a number of odd displays from humanity during her time aboard Voyager, but she was treated to a vast array of interesting examples during this "reception" that Starfleet put on for the crew upon their return to the Alpha quadrant. The meeting between the Voyager crew and the members of the Pathfinder Project had been one of particular note. As had Captain Janeway's declaration that Reginald Barclay was to be considered an honorary member of the crew of Voyager with all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges thereunto pertaining. Barclay, clearly an anxious individual, had stammered his way through a brief thank you before B'Elanna had laughingly ordered him to "shut up" on the grounds that she was the chief engineer and therefore ranked him (a false assertion on multiple grounds—not least being that the legal status of the Maquis crewmembers had yet to be determined—but it had created humor among all those assembled).

Admiral Paris had called a halt to what he termed the "official" business—despite the fact that no official business had been conducted—and instructed everyone to "enjoy his next surprise."

That surprise had turned out to be an influx of family members and close friends—a small number, likely to prevent overwhelming the Voyager crew—into the room to mingle with those present. Among the surprises of this entrance was the discovery that Ensign Vorik had a twin, also a Starfleet engineer, named Taurik. A fact known to some of the members of the crew who had "forgotten" to tell the others in the hopes of witnessing just this reaction, apparently. The two had commenced a conversation that, if Seven's observation of Vulcan behavior had any merit even with her limited data set to make those observations, was intensely animated. Seven had remained close to Icheb, the Doctor, and the Wildmans until Samantha Wildman's husband, who designated himself Greskrendtregk, managed to convince Naomi that he was safe to meet—an impressive accomplishment, given that his exo-cranial spikes were significantly more pronounced than hers—and now the three were seated at a table on the far side of the room, enjoying dinner. The Doctor remained until they were approached by none other than Commander Data. The two formed a rapid initial bond over their shared experiences as artificial life-forms and were now recounting to one another the various encounters they had had with non-biochemical life.

She and Icheb were now alone. Two individuals, alone in a sea of people.

"It seems our link to the collective has been severed," Icheb observed.

Seven's mouth twitched. An appropriate joke. "No doubt it will be restored in time."

"I am unfamiliar with the nutritional selections we have been provided. Assist me in determining which ones will add to our perfection."

Seven considered his suggestion and deemed it superior to remaining motionless on the edge of the room. "I will comply."

The two approached the buffet table and selected a number of items between them to sample the dietary selections. The gagh was rejected untasted. Chicken Parmesan, when unfortified by leola root, tasted significantly different to their previous experiences, but was deemed acceptable. The pre tarmeeli, a Vulcan dish, was spicy, but served with biscuits called kreila to balance the heat of the dish. It was interesting. Perhaps this was the beginning of something Seven had heard referred to as an "acquired taste."

They were engrossed in sampling the unfamiliar dishes when an unknown voice addressed them.

"State your designation."

Seven and Icheb looked up and both took in shocked breaths. Standing beside Captain Janeway was none other than Locutus himself.

"I am Seven of Nine, tertiary adjunct of Unimatrix 01," Seven replied. Then frowned. The words had come by instinct. Powerful, particularly confronted with Locutus, but no longer relevant. "My human name was Anika Hansen. My friends most commonly call me Seven."

"I no longer retain my designation. My name is Icheb."

Locutus—surely he had also abandoned that designation—responded with a blink. "Captain Janeway tells me you are no longer members of the Collective."

"Captain Janeway is correct. Our link to the Collective has been severed. We are Individuals now," Seven replied.

"I came to ask if I could borrow Icheb. We need to get him to make friends with a few admirals as soon as we possibly can," Captain Janeway said.

"That will assist me?" Icheb asked in surprise.

"More than you realize," Janeway nodded. Icheb nodded, and the two made their way towards Admiral Paris on the far side of the room.

A strained silence reigned between Seven and Locutus. She determined to meet it head-on and said, "I recognize you, of course. But I am unaware of your human name."

"That knowledge was not retained by the Collective?" Locutus asked with a frown.

"Names are irrelevant. Designations are efficient."

"I am not convinced a name is irrelevant at all."

Seven nodded ruefully. "I have…come to agree."

Locutus looked at her in surprise and finally said, "I am Captain Jon Luc Picard."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain," Seven replied, offering him her hand.

He reached out with his own to complete the greeting ritual. "I see you have been learning the social graces."

"My education is incomplete, but the crew of Voyager have greatly assisted me. The Doctor, in particular," Seven replied.

"You have learned social skills under the tutelage of a Mark I EMH?" Picard asked in surprise.

"The Doctor has exceeded the limits of his original programming, he is an Individual now as well. His experience of transition greatly assisted me in navigating my own." Seven began to wonder if she would "like" Locu—Captain Picard.

Picard glanced at her, looking surprised at the intensity of her tone. After a moment, he nodded, "Yes, I do see how that could be helpful. You are quite correct to defend him. I apologize."

Seven nodded. They stood quietly again until Seven blurted out, "Icheb is planning to join Starfleet."

"I can see Captain Janeway intends to give him her full assistance."

"She is very supportive of our growth as individuals."

"And you?" Captain Picard looked at her. "Do you intend to join Starfleet?"

Seven frowned thoughtfully. "I am uncertain at this time. The future holds a number of variables." She paused and then added, "I was Borg for a considerably longer period than Icheb. I believe he is capable of a greater degree of recovery than I. I want him to do so. But I will…miss him. When his recovery is complete."

Picard nodded. "It is a difficult experience. Particularly one to bear alone."

"You bore it alone for some time."

"I always had my crew. My friends."

"The crew of Voyager has been my new collective. They have…supported me. I had not considered this aspect of our return." The full weight of what would happen suddenly pressed down on her in a way it had not before. Regardless of what happened next, the full crew would not return to Voyager. Her collective—her home—was being destroyed. She began to understand, in a way she never had before, Captain Janeway's intense drive to return to the Alpha Quadrant. A part of Seven was suddenly consumed in a deep sadness at the loss of her home. But she felt a hopelessness accompanying it, because she could not and would not be able to undo what was being done. She would not harm her crewmates in that way. She had seen them regain their home. It was not their fault that the price was her own.

In some ways, it was a loss of connection far more shattering than her first disconnection from the Collective.

Alone. One. I am small now. I cannot function alone.

Picard looked at her now, in a way he had not done before. It was an emotion she knew. Sympathy? "The loss of a crewmate is always hard to bear. I cannot imagine the loss of all of them at once. But I can tell you that your friendships are not contingent upon a ship to hold them in place. And the nature of change is that you will have the opportunity to form new ones."

"Anika Hansen had an aunt named 'Irene.' I am to meet with her soon. Perhaps she will…become a new friend to me," Seven said slowly.

Picard nodded. "I'm pleased to hear it. I'll be honest with you, Seven, I was asked to evaluate you by Starfleet Intelligence."

Seven glared in irritation. "No doubt to assess my potential as a threat."

"And a source of information."

"I have never withheld my knowledge of the Borg. I have no intention of beginning now," she said.

Picard nodded. "So I'm beginning to sense. I believe I may ask something else of you."

Seven was curious despite herself. "And what is that?"

"Some time ago, my officers and I assisted a drone initially designated Three of Five to become more independent and self-aware. He, in turn, aided several other drones in breaking free of the Collective. However, they have succeeded only in blocking their link to the Hive. They retain a collective consciousness, and most of their implants. Despite their desire to achieve greater individuality, they have remained, at their core, drones."

Seven frowned. "No effort has been made to assist their growth as individuals?"

"A number of efforts have been made. By myself, numerous doctors, members of Starfleet intelligence, and multiple concerned citizens. Unfortunately, to date, little progress has been made," Picard explained.

"What would you ask of me?"

"That you, your Doctor, and Icheb assist me in restoring these drones to themselves. It will be an undertaking of no small magnitude, but with your experience and help, I believe we can finally break the Colony free of the Borg in truth," Picard said.

"The Colony? The designation of this group?"

"Yes."

"Efficient." Seven thought for a moment. "It is a worthy task. Individuality is difficult, but a goal worth attaining. I must allocate some time on Earth to meet my…aunt, and speak with Starfleet, but I will notify you of my availability upon completion of these tasks."

Picard smiled. "The Colony will be pleased to hear it. Hugh contacted me on their behalf when they learned of you."

"You may convey my regards to them." A silence fell between them.

And stretched.

And turned awkward.

Seven thought for a long moment and finally said, "I…am uncertain what to say next. I do not wish you to remain because you feel obligated. Please do not mistake this for a wish that you go. But…I am uncertain what to say next."

Picard blinked again. Then he said, "Actually, Ms. Hansen, I came here to meet you. You and Icheb. The truth is, I don't know anyone of your crew very well."

Seven nodded. "Is there anyone you would like to meet? I am quite capable of making introductions."

Picard smiled. "Truthfully, I would like to meet your Ensign Vorik. His brother served with me on the Enterprise for some time. I never knew he had a twin."

"I will be pleased to acquaint you." She paused for a moment, then added, "Vulcans seem to find the human fascination with identical twins illogical."

Picard grinned. "They are correct. It is illogical. But we have it all the same."

Seven felt her mouth tip up. "Indeed, Captain, I believe we do."

Seven escorted Picard over to the two brothers and introduced him. Taurik reported himself pleased to see the captain again, and Vorik to make his acquaintance for the first time. Vorik noted that the captain had been counted a friend of the late Ambassador Sarek and when Seven asked who that was, she found herself drawn into a conversation quite by surprise.

Several hours later, Seven returned to Voyager—where she was still living for the next few days—with the recommendation of several books Sarek had written. As she began with a book called The IDIC Essays and started in on the introduction, Seven found herself surprised by the turn of events. Vorik and Captain Picard both had been insistent that she record their contact links, so that they could remain in touch. And Taurik, while she did not know him as she did his brother, had stated he would have insisted if Vorik had not.

Her link to her new collective had not been severed after all. It was only the ship she would lose. And she would miss it, but it was a thing.

I cannot function alone. And I will not need to try.

THE END

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