The characters, themes, and any other familiar material are the property of Paramount as well as the creators of Star Trek: The Next Generation. They are not my creation and I will willingly delete this story if it is asked of me by the owners of the copyright.

Star date: 5467.02

Captain's Log:
We have just received word from Star Fleet that we are to be assigned to a special assignment. It's nothing we haven't done before, however I have some doubts about some of the crew, their opinion on the matter might be a bit challenged. We are to set a course for an unknown system in the far regions of the Alpha Quadrant, we are to explore each planet, one by one, search for new species of life and gather samples of plants and soil. The problem with this mission is that, according to the transmission, Borg vessels have reportedly gone in and out of the system in question. My senior officers are of course, concerned about me in particular. However, I feel confident that if we are to come into contact with the Borg, we will be more than ready…Lucutus is still a part of me, unfortunately. My experience with the Borg is something that gives us strength, and is something that will aide us. Also, Start Fleet has appointed a new member of the crew, a Lieutenant Brookes. Apparently, she has excelled in knowledge of the Borg. A former assimilated officer herself, she has dedicated her career to knowledge of our most dangerous enemy. I myself was only a part of the Hive mind for a short few days before Commander Riker rescued me, but Brookes…According to her history report, she was a part of the collective for three years before she was rescued. At that time, she joined Star Fleet and has become a fine officer, I'm told. Her Borg implants are all but removed, save for a few mechanical wiring they have missed, like my own. I have a feeling that Lieutenant Brookes will make a fine addition to my crew. I have assigned Commander Data to give her a tour of the ship. I intend to keep those two in close proximity, as I plan to make them a part of the away team and I want them to do a project together, something they will benefit from and perhaps gain Data more knowledge of the Borg himself…Picard out.

I.

It is an interesting day aboard the Enterprise. Captain Picard and his crew are on their way to an uncharted system in the farther reaches of the Alpha quadrant. Tensions are high, however there is new excitement as well. Right now, a welcome is at hand. Lieutenant Heva Brookes has just joined the crew, apparently assimilated once herself by the notorious Borg. It has been fifteen years since then, and most of her implants have been removed. She is as human as the captain now, some people are skeptical, however thankful to have a new and eager expert on board.

"I trust you are excited about the assignment at hand, Lieutenant." Data inquired, taking a brief glance at the woman beside him. Heva glanced back, smiling.

"Excited is hardly the word, Commander. I prefer…enlightened."

Data looked at her, his head cocked to one side in a look of curiosity. "Why, enlightened? I would think excitement to be the primary human emotion for someone of your high standing and experience. Considering your history report, one would expect you to be more than just…enlightened."

Heva considered this, then gave a small chuckle. "Well, Commander, to be perfectly honest…my research has only been for one purpose. That purpose is to find a weakness, find a way to either make peace or destroy the Borg. I am enlightened to the possibility of all my hard work coming to a point of success. I am hardly done, mind you. I still have years of progressing to go through before I find the true secret to the Borg.." she trailed off, coming to halt and looking dreamily down the corridor.

"I see," Data began. "Well, what about the excitement of new territory? I understand that this system is unsearched, unknown. Would that bring excitement to you?"

Lieutenant Brookes snapped out of her daydream and gave Data a peculiar look. "Hmm? Oh! Well of course, Commander." she began walking again, briskly, making Data have to jog a little bit to catch up.

"I suppose I do feel some excitement, knowing that we on the Enterprise are going to be the first to discover this new territory. Well, to be honest I'm more excited to serve with Captain Jean-Luc Picard! He's becoming quite the legend. Almost as famous as Captain James Kirk."

"Yes," Data replied. "The captain has heard of these marvelous things being spread about him. I find him to be quite modest though, he claims he is nothing special. That he is just, doing his job. That it is part of his life and it's nothing to be taken at a special standard."

Heva stopped, looking dreamily down the corridor once more. "When I heard that he had been assimilated into the collective, I felt this…longing to meet him. I wanted to meet someone like me. Someone, partly mechanical and partly human. I feel like we are the only ones who understand the longing to be truly human again…" she looked up at Data, who had a small frown on his face. "Oh…Commander! I didn't mean-"

"I understand, Lieutenant. I myself may not be organic, and have a longing to be human, but I do know that I could never understand what you and the captain feel. You do not need to feel regret for your statement. I feel…pity for you and Captain Picard."

Heva tried a small smile, it came out awkwardly but it reassured Data that his point had gotten across. His emotion chip began to surge. He looked at her briefly and then back down the corridor. They came to their destination, Heva's new quarters. They stopped and faced one another. Data held an arm out toward the door, directing Heva to enter.

"It's mine?" she asked. He nodded.

Heva opened the door and walked in. She nodded as she explored her quarters. The bed sat on a far wall, against a window looking outward into the blackness of space. It had a welcome basket on it, with a card attached. Inside, there were all kinds of treats from around the galaxy, a com badge specifically programmed for the Enterprise, some Welcome cards from the senior officers; including Data, and a few other trinkets and gifts. She inspected it with a smile, picking up Data's welcome card specifically.

"Uh..you don't have to read that right now if you don't want to, Lieutenant." Data stepped forward nervously.

Lieutenant Brookes looked at him, smiling widely. "Oh, Commander. It's fine, I really like it, thank you. Do all new recruits get this treatment?"

Data straightened up and nodded. "It's a new procedure that Captain Picard and Counselor Troi came up with as a more pleasant method to welcoming people to the ship. There are separate baskets, one for new officers, and one for guests. I find it to be relieving, knowing that our guests and new officers will feel a homey and friendly atmosphere. That is what the counselor was hoping I would feel. She has been attempting to help me experience my emotions at a more relaxed flow."

Heva stared at him. The expression on her face made Data's emotion chip flux again. "Have I been…blabbing?"

Heva giggled. "No, of course not. I have never seen anyone quite like you, Data."

Data smiled. "I had better get back to the bridge, perhaps later you would like a more detailed tour of the ship?" he felt the surge again, it was becoming difficult to determine what emotion the chip was putting into his system, but one thing was for sure: he liked it.

Heva set down the card, looked back at Data and nodded. "Of course. The captain informed me that you and I are going to be working together quite a lot. The more time, the better. For now, I think I'm going to brush up on my studies, and perhaps have that sit down I promised the captain."

Data shuffled awkwardly before bowing his head slightly. He walked to the door and opened it. He paused, looked back at Heva and said "I hope you have a satisfying day, Lieutenant."
Heva stood and bowed her head quickly toward him. "Please, commander. Call me, Heva."

Data struggled at a smile and nodded himself out, walking briskly down the hall. A big smile had pasted itself on his face, something he hadn't experienced in a long time.