"Chakotay?" someone called. "Chakotay, are you there?"
Chakotay opened his eyes and reached to his combadge, which was on the small nightstand beside his bed.
"I'm here", he said once activating the comm link.
"Is this real?" he heard then.
"Hytan?"
"Is this real or is this still a dream?" Hytan wanted to know.
"This is real", Chakotay told. "I'm here. What's the matter?"
Silence.
"Do you want me to come over?" Chakotay asked.
"No", Hytan sighed.
"Are you sure?"
"Just stay on your bed. I'm alright."
"You don't sound alright, Hytan."
" I just saw that nightmare again."
"The one?"
"Yes. Space, the dead corpses and the whispers. I'm just glad I'm awake; that it is over for now."
"Are you sure you don't want me to come?"
"I'm sure. I'm sorry to wake you."
"It's alright", Chakotay said as he put his head on his pillow again.
"It was different this time, though."
"In what way?"
"I finally heard what the dead said", Hytan told.
"You did?"
"Yes."
"And what did they say?"
"Just some nonsense", Hytan told. "It's not important."
"But it could be something significant", Chakotay suggested.
"It was just some gibberish my unconsciousness fabricated", Hytan sighed. "Maybe I am finally losing my mind."
"You are not losing your mind", Chakotay assured.
Silence.
"I'm tired."
"Try to get some sleep."
"I know I should. I have regenerative treatment tomorrow again."
"So you need rest", Chakotay said.
"I just don't want to fall asleep now. Not after this one."
"That doesn't sound very good", Chakotay said.
"It'll be alright in a moment."
"What did the dead say Hytan?" Chakotay asked then.
Silence.
"Hytan?"
"They said…" Hytan sighed.
Chakotay waited her to continue. He heard Hytan moving on her bio-bed, seeking more comfortable postision.
"Hytan?" he asked again.
"They said...", Hytan finally continued. "We are the Borg. Resistance is futile."