Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [4]
The ship had managed to complete what should have been a much longer journey from the Delta quadrant to the Alpha quadrant. Upon her return to Earth, Seven was initially considered a curiosity by all but her aunt, who had welcomed her home with open arms, despite having given up her niece for dead. Ultimately Starfleet had begun to appreciate Seven’s brilliance and over the past few years had often called upon her to lend her expertise and to teach at the Academy. Her input had never been more valued than a few months earlier when the Borg had launched an invasion of the Alpha quadrant, intent on destroying the Federation. Seven had stood at the Federation president’s side, advising her throughout the conflict. The Caeliar, a powerful and xenophobic species—heretofore unknown to the Federation—had transformed the Borg from members of the Collective to members of the Caeliar gestalt, ending the hostilities.
The transformation had liberated billions of Borg, and had rid Seven of her Borg nature—synthetic implants that regulated many of her critical biological systems. Physically she was still as strong as ever. However, mentally she was now torn between her own thoughts and a voice that constantly repeated, “You are Annika Hansen.”
Seven had struggled valiantly against this voice for months, but her control had begun slipping recently as a series of traumatic occurrences overwhelmed her: her aunt’s ever-worsening condition and the deaths of her former crewmate and dear friend B’Elanna and her little daughter, Miral Paris. Seven had not questioned her ability to keep the voice in check until she realized that she would be forced to do it alone; all her other friends departed aboard Voyager on a dangerous new mission to the Delta quadrant.
When Chakotay learned that Seven was struggling alone, he realized he had to help her through it. They formulated a plan and were now only days away from leaving Earth to begin their new journey.
Clearly in the last few hours something had pushed Seven beyond her formidable endurance.
There was an untouched glass of nutrients by Seven’s computer interface, but otherwise the desk’s surface was clear. What the hell happened? Chakotay thought as he teetered frantically toward panic. Shifting his attention to Seven’s computer, he noted that her message center was active on the display and the most recently completed transmission had come from the hospice center. With trembling hands, he activated the playback and one of Irene’s nurses appeared on the screen.
“I’m so sorry to tell you this, Professor Hansen, but Irene has passed away. I was certain you would want to know immediately. We will keep her remains in stasis. We know how important it is for you to say good-bye.”
Despair and anger welled in Chakotay’s heart. He had been fond of Irene and comforted by the eagerness with which she had accepted Seven into her life. She was a bright and compassionate woman, and Seven had bonded with her quickly. Irene was the first real family Seven had ever known. Irene’s illness had contributed to Seven’s current state and the nurse who had contacted her with the sad news couldn’t have known the damage she had done. Still, Chakotay felt the irrational urge to wring the nurse’s neck.
He perched on the edge of Seven’s bed, taking her clammy hands in his.
“Seven, you have to listen to me. I know this is difficult, but we both knew this day was coming. Irene wouldn’t want to see you like this. She loved you and only wanted the best for you. You brought great happiness to her life when you came back and the way you have cared for her during the last few years of her life has been her greatest comfort. Come with me