One of Many

Posted on Sun Sep 6th, 2026 @ 9:48am by Captain Rovak & Doc & Captain Sotek
Edited on on Sun Sep 6th, 2026 @ 9:49am

464 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: UnderMind [4]
Location: Base Hospital - DS13
Timeline: MD07 - Evening

“He’s awake. Try to keep it light, simple. We’ve done some basic cognitive and awareness tests, he knows what year it is, but we haven’t probed much further. You’ll be setting a baseline for us.” The holographic Doctor told Rovak in a low voice.

Rovak entered to find his father sat up by the biobed. He looked fully Vulcan again, other than the remaining Borg technology running from his lower jaw, up the side of his head, in front of his ear, into his temple. His hair was returned, and cut in the Vulcan style. It had gone grey since Rovak had last seen him. Or perhaps that was a side-effect of assimilation.

“Father?” Rovak spoke.

Sotek opened his eyes and looked for the source of the sound, finding Rovak. His left eye glowed green as though from within.

“Rovak.”

“It has been some time. How do you feel?”

“Incomplete.” He answered without melancholy.

“A common symptom of assimilation withdrawal. It will pass.” Rovak reassured him.

“So I am told.” Sotek’s tone was flat.

“Many have experienced what you are going through, father. All report that the negative feelings pass.”

“I am Borg. I do not experience positive or negative feelings.” Sotek responded instinctively.

“You do not consider yourself Vulcan?” Rovak asked.

“I was Vulcan. Now I am Borg.” He responded simply.

“Which do you prefer?” Rovak asked.

“The latter.”

“Do you remember your time in Starfleet? The oaths you took?” Rovak asked, trying to stir the Captain within him.

“I do.”

“And do you believe in them?”

“Starfleet is inefficient. It is illogical to pledge one’s loyalty to an inferior organisation.”

“You would dishonour yourself and your family by breaking an oath?” Rovak asked, with his poker-faced version of incredulity.

“These are Vulcan concerns. I am Borg.”

“You were a Vulcan for 150 years before you were a Borg.”

“And now I am Borg. It is a superior arrangement.”

“You are Captain Sotek of the USS Ganymede. Your individuality was taken from you, you were made Borg.”

“I was made Locutus of Borg. To be a Captain is nothing compared to guiding even the smallest extension of a collective of trillions.”

“Perhaps not. But you are no longer Locutus. You may consider yourself such, but you are no longer an active member of the Borg collective. The Federation will not allow reconnection.” Rovak said with firm but fair warning. “But as I have said, these feelings will pass in time. They are normal for one in your position.”

His father did not respond.

“In any event, I will come back another time. You are in very capable hands. Live long and prosper, father.”

Once again, he did not respond, watching without emotion as Rovak backed up and left.

RSS Feed