Joseph Travis

Good night...

*Slips into sleep for the first time since he had been assimilated*

It is...Much more comfortable than a regeneration alcove...

Yes...It has been so long since I have slept...

Yes, we have. We need to rest.

What is it?

Yes...the Collective brought us together...

No, we...we were used. We had no choice but to obey the Collective...

Destroying civilizations...to assimilate their biological and technological distinctiveness into the Collective.

*Sighs*

I remember...everything.

I hope so too.

[I like that idea.]

*Nods*

[Yes, I can.]

You are welcome.

And I will be with you to the end.

*Hugs him back*

*Shows Kheris his own amputated arm to remind him*

I have no qualms about you hugging me.

Indeed. We were part of the same node before our liberation, and you have no one else as it can be presumed that your biological family is all dead.

He will remain with me for as long as he likes. For good, bad, or indiffferent...I am the closest thing to family he has.

Perhaps.

Th-that is a good reason...

*He recognized the voice as that of Seven of Nine, formerly Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01.*

Destroying it? Why?!

What is happening?!

*Joseph was panicking down in sickbay.*

I'm surprised...

What about my father?

I'm...pleased to meet you, Beverly...Is my mother alright?

I didn't think anyone would remember...or care enough to come for me...

She came...for me? To save me after all these years?

*Despite the remnants of his Borg personality that remained, he began to tear up. He looked like he was about to cry.*

Austin...Trip! I remember!

It helps that I subconsciously resisted the Collective for years.

I recall a young woman with Vulcanoid features, yes, though I did not know that she is my sister.

*A tear came to his organic eye.*

I owe her.

*Gets off the biobed and looks at his own*