Part II -- Memories...

Posted on Fri May 2nd, 2025 @ 3:42pm by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Zero
Edited on on Fri May 2nd, 2025 @ 3:43pm

2,045 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Deck 15 | Arboretum | USS Ontario
Timeline: Current

[PREVIOUSLY]

Zero looked at him, in a way some might consider cold, but for Xavier it was something he was used to when it came to interacting with Zero. "I shall accept your offer, Lieutenant." He replied as he walked over to the bench and sat down. It was almost mechanical in nature. Paused slightly between each action until finally sitting down at the bench. He looked straight ahead for a moment before turning his head to Xavier. "You appear to be reading, Lieutenant. I did not mean to interrupt that. You may continue if you prefer. I also apologize for causing such an interference. I do not know what triggered me to come to the Arboretum. It was not my destination. This is the second time I found myself in this location unexpectedly. It is curious and also... perplexing."

Xavier smiled. "I've been thinking about you the last while so perhaps this is what the Gods call fate. As for reading I prefer catching up with you." He studied Zero. "You have not changed since the Academy. Perhaps a bit more mature but still very much the same. I must say I'm...ashamed that we did not keep in touch."

[AND NOW THE CONTINUATION]


"You should not feel shame, Lieutenant. We were aware of the possibility that our paths would diverge once graduation was reached. Although our paths diverged in the method they did, our experiences at the Academy did not change. You can be assured my memory of you and our experiences together has not been removed or damaged. Nor will it ever." Zero countered firmly as he took a moment, which was an unexpected pause as he was always so quick and decisive. "I also must correct you. I have changed since our last encounter. Not only physically as well as biologically, but mentally as well. I have become more aware of my emotions and individuality. While I have not completely grasped them as someone who has grown with them naturally, I have begun to form new experiences with them. For example: I have recently had an experience with a fellow officer where she introduced me to... eating. We had Pasta with Sauce. We made it together before partaking it in. It was an interesting experience and... one could say I quite enjoyed it."

Xavier did something he rarely did amongst others. He smiled. "The food you make always tastes better." He sighed. "As for changes your right you have grown we all grown. I guess in my mind you never changes. Over the years I've learned to name that which was between us. We were friends and I don't think I understood that for a long time. I didn't understand friendship then and I'm sorry if I ever made you feel bad."

"I was unaware of what feeling bad would be like, so I can assure you, I would not have felt such a way towards you, Lieutenant." Zero replied quickly. "I, as well, have learn to categorize many things differently not what I have learned a it more with the help of my fellow officers when it comes to my emotions and feelings. For example: The Officer which I shared that meal with has left the ship. When she left I experienced loss. A longing for her return. While I understood her need to leave, I still find myself expecting to hear her voice and laughter. Although I am capable of remembering these things with 100 percent accuracy... I feel a pain when I do. A pain the Borg Nanites in my body can not repair. I have come to understand that I may have... fallen in love with her... and this pain is a consequence of said loss."

"I am sorry you had to go through that. You are not communicating with her at all? Some form long distance relationships."

Zero shook his head. "Any attempts at locating her has failed. However... as some may say... it was not without a lack of trying." He paused slightly, looking away for a moment, before turning back to Xavier. "With respect to your inquiry and our renewed friendship, I would like to respectfully request we not continue to speak on the subject. It may trigger the pain that cannot be repaired." He formed a slight smile before quickly adding. "Also, now that we have been categorized as friends, I would like your permission to refer to you as Xavier again when possible."

"You did at the Academy. In fact you even called me Xav a few times. If you remember I called you Zee."

Zero nodded his head. "Yes... I do recall doing such at your request. However, since we have both grown since then, I did not want to presume it would continue upon our reuniting." He looked away for a moment, as if the conversation triggered something, before turning back to face Xavier again. "I do recall the first time I referred to you by your birth name and you scolded me for it. I made a note in my memories to refrain from doing that again." He gave Xavier a small smile before adding. "A decision I made to continue our interactions at the time. You could say I did this to preserve our friendship... Xav."

"I am glad that we've reconnected. A new start is always difficult and as you know I trust very few people. In fact I only trust you and Kerberos." He sighed. "And yes, I am still a part of the Starfleet Letter Exchange Program."

"Yes..." Zero replied, instinctively placing a hand on Xavier's shoulder, as if subconsciously driven to do so. "I recall many conversations regarding Kerberos. How is Kerberos... and yourself? Please feel free to give me whatever data you require is important to update my date in regards to you and Kerberos."

He had to admit Zero's tone was more Vulcan then his own. He wondered, not for the first time if Zero had Vulcan blood in him. He sighed. "Nothing has changed. We still talk about everything but I still don't know what ship he's on or he where I am. We're still anonymous but it works. He did get a posting...not that I know what department he's in. He was in the Sci/Med division and given his wealth of knowledge on astronomy I'm guessing he's in Science." He shrugged. "We pretty much send messages daily though...that started just after my first posting. I almost feel...lost if there is no message."

"I am sure, with my Chief Operations position and extensive Borg knowledge, I could devise a way to locate Kerberos if you wish." Zero replied before adding. "Also, now that we are on the same ship and friends again, you may confide in me when you are feeling lost or desire a dialogue with someone. I will do the same, with your permission, of course. I do not wise to impose such a responsibility on you so quickly now that our friendship has resumed. I have many questions in regards to me path to be come a more adequate individual, as well as, fears I have recently discovered. I am told it is customary to divulge such matters to good friends before confiding in a trained medical professional."

"Don't overthink things Zee. I will always be here to listen. About anything. As for Kerberos I think we're both good keeping things as they are. In some ways it makes the friendship easier." He sighed. "Well I should get going. I have to run to the station to pick up my pets now that they are out of quarantine."

"Curious? How does lack of knowledge make a friendship... easier?" Zero asked as he looked to Xavier with a confused look. "It was my understanding that sharing is an important part of the bond two individuals share when categorized as friends. Wouldn't not sharing cause damage to said bond?"

Xavier shrugged. "We do share. I know everything about his hobbies, his likes and vice versa. We talk about emotions and feelings and things about our day but nothing solid in terms of identity. I know he's a Trill and He knows I'm a Vulcanoid but not that I'm half Romulan. We've never shared pictures only letters and it's easier sometimes to open your feelings to someone who will never know what you look like. It's odd I guess but it works for us." He studied Zero. "Have you ever though of being a part of the letter exchange program?"

Zero paused for a moment, the metallic blue in his eyes shifted slightly as if adjusting his vision, before replying quickly. "When you revealed to me that you were involved in the program I inquired about it. However, it was brought to my attention that, because of my nature I may reveal more than necessary. Causing a potential security risk. Upon further thought, I deduced, there would not be much to reveal. I know nothing of my origins prior to being assimilated. As you know, my knowledge of all this has been lost to me. The only thing that I am aware of is my ability to interface with technology by just touching it. A skill, I am told, has not been observed in other species that have been liberated from the Borg. I know nothing of who I am. So, by this conclusion, being friends with me should be easy. Yet, I have very little friends."

Xavier tilted his head to the side. "Being friends with you is easy. But not because of what you know or don't know. I remember how you saved me that day the Klingon cadet was causing a scene. You also, if I remember protected many a cadet so it's easy because you care and you have a good heart and you are objective and easy to talk to. Sometimes a small circle of friends is better then a larger one. I guess now that I'm here you have one more friend."

He looked away for a moment before returning his gaze to Xavier. "Your conclusion is valid, Xav. While I may not express it, I am appreciative of your insight and welcome you into my small collective of friends where assimilation is not required for admission." Zero stood up quickly and turned back to Xavier. "I was attempting at making a joke in relation to my naming of my small circle of friends as a collective since I was once Borg. Did I succeed?"

Xavier smiled. "It was a good joke. And in a sense true. A friend group, a small one, is like our collective. I am glad to be a part of your and to have you as a part of mine." He sighed. "No I have to get Deimos and Phobos. They need to get used to their new home."

Zero returned the smile. At the same time also wondering as to why, if it was a good joke, why it did not spark a laugh from Xavier. His wonder was quickly removed as he concluded it was Xav's way. "I shall not keep you to your animal companions." He stood there for a moment before tucking the PADD under his arm. Slowly, he reached down to his right hand, before slowly removing the glove with his left. For a moment, he was a bit hesitant, as he was always cautious to expose his hands to others due to the Borg tubules that came out of them. He found the sight of the often made others uneasy. However, to those he knew, he was less hesitant. After all, they were classified as his friends. Friends, from his understanding, were very accepting of ones defects and flaws. With that, Zero extended his hand to Xavier and said with a small smile. "It was nice to see you, Xavier. Please be well and I anticipate a future interaction with you."

"Indeed. I look forward to reconnecting."


-----

Lieutenant Zero
Chief Operations Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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