"We must know what you want."
"Choose what I want...I choose to stay.
With those words, everything changed on the Enterprise. One choice can transform you, or so one of my Academy teachers had always said. He left out that one choice can transform others, too. Because now I, the one Starfleet captain who had every reason to hate Borg more than anyone else, now had a Borg on my crew roster.
Third of Five, or Hugh, had been on my ship both to and now from the Federation conference site. He served as the ambassador for the group now known as the Borg Cooperative. He was elected its leader, so he was the only logical choice, though he never wanted power of any kind. But even I had to admire him for accepting the role with grace and dignity, realizing his people would be satisfied with no one else. He took to his roles naturally, his people's safety and wellbeing always his first priority, unlike the Ferengi ambassador, who sought only personal gain.
On the return trip, much to my annoyance, one of my command staff (my personal assistant, to be exact) was transferred to another ship without any warning for me. In what was likely the act of a desperate, very stressed man, I offered the position to Hugh, remembering how he'd considered staying with us when we first rescued him. He said he would have to discuss it with his people, and he would immediately do so when we docked at Harmony Station, the Cooperative's spaceport.
It was like Earth Spacedock, except with huge docking bays and dry dock structures for the enormous Assimilation class cubes the Cooperative used. There were accommodations for ordinary ships as well, and it was to one of these we were guided by a single Borg with a lighted baton in each hand. A long tether line kept him (or her, I couldn't tell) connected to the station. Ahead, I could see the control tower and the Borg communications officer who was instructing my helmsman through the docking procedure. Another officer stood behind him, and I could tell by the wide silver collar over his shoulders that he was an admiral, likely Admiral Mino, who was in charge of the station. Much like a Starfleet outpost, I knew Mino and at least some of his senior staff would be there when we got off the ship.
Sure enough, when we left the docking doors, Mino was there with five other officers. He called them to attention as we entered the station.
"Captain Picard, welcome to Harmony Station. These are some of my senior officers. My First Officer, Nine of Ten." A tall thin Borg gave a solemn nod.
"Ensign Makkar, Communications officer." This one had been a Cardassian once.
"Lieutenant Sotak, chief Science officer." A Vulcan.
"Lieutenant Commander Goval, chief engineer." Goval was short and perhaps had been a little overweight when he was assimilated.
"And Lieutenant Commander Tayaar, Chief of Security and Tactical officer." A female Klingon.
"At ease." I said, and they relaxed as Hugh approached.
"I apologize, but we have a change of plans, Admiral. I need the Enterprise to stay here while I attend to a very important matter with my advisors and the heads of the Councils."
"Of course, sir." Mino answered, "Captain Picard and . his crew are welcome to seek out accommodations either here on the station or in the city on the planet's surface."
"Thank you Admiral, I will inform my crew."
"I shall go and call my meeting." said Hugh. And he swept off toward the transporters, his long Ambassador's robes dragging behind him as he walked.
"I recommend the bar here on the station." Mino said, "Nera does a good job of keeping her replicators working. In fact, I'm going to head there myself. Care to join me, Captain?"
"Certainly, Admiral." It had been a long trip, and for once my Earl Grey just wasn't doing the trick. I needed something a little stronger.
Hours later, I was called to the Council Chambers on the surface. I beamed down into the bustling plaza in front of the citadel, its enormous phoenix statue towering over me. The city still amazed me, but I didn't have time to even look at it as I went inside. To my surprise, I wasn't sent to the formal conference chamber. Instead, I entered a small meeting room off to the side. Hugh was there, along with the legendary Dr. Sennex, head of the Medical Council, and Athena, head of the Executive Council. I didn't know the others, but I could tell by the badges on their chests they were from the Science, Diplomatic, Military, Legislative, Justice, and Trade Councils. Hugh turned to me and smiled.
"We finally got him to choose." Athena said.
"Hah! I had to threaten him with a medical order! He never does anything for himself and it's not healthy." Sennex said.
"Yes, well I...-" Hugh seemed nervous, yet there was a tinge of excitement in his voice as well, "You gave me the option of going back to my jobs here or staying to become part of your crew."
"I did, Hugh, and I'm sure Geordi and Beverly would love to have you. But it's not their choice. We must know what you want."
"Choose what I want, you said. Well, after much discussion and prodding from my people..." He shot Sennex a glare, "...I choose to stay." I found myself smiling for some reason.
"Then welcome aboard, Hugh."