Mezoti heard the doors to the cargo bay slide open behind her, but did not turn around, focusing instead on the PADD in her hands. It was all about building your own colony of Denebian beetles. Of course, they didn't have any Denebian beetles on board the ship, but it was still interesting.

    To be sure, a lot more interesting than what the person who had just entered would have to say.

    "Mezoti." Seven's voice seemed even more cool and clipped than usual. Reluctantly, Mezoti turned around to face Seven of Nine, but did not rise from the Cargo Bay floor, where she was sitting with her legs crossed.

    "Icheb told me about your… viewing session yesterday. He also informed me that you were the one who had the idea to spy on the Bridge, and who put together the required apparatus."

    Mezoti muttered something unflattering about Icheb and his dutifulness.

    "Do not attempt to deflect the conversation," Seven advised her. "Icheb was simply following regulations in reporting your activities. Granted, he should have intervened earlier, but his trespasses will be dealt with separately. Here and now, we will address the issue of your behaviour."

    "I was only trying to monitor our conflict with the Borg," Mezoti said, calling on some distant memories of similar situations and injecting as much innocence into her voice as she could muster. "Should we have been boarded, we would have had advance warning, and could have acted accordingly."

    "Yes," Seven replied. "I have heard that version."

    Mezoti turned back to face the PADD, her shoulders drooping in a sulk.

    "I believe that your true reason for monitoring the bridge was not in any way preventative, but rather another manifestation of your seemingly inexhaustible curiosity."

    Mezoti stood up abruptly, took a few steps away from Seven, and then turned to face the former drone.

    "What do you want me to do? The ship is entering into combat with the Borg, and I am expected to simply sit and wait and hope that the Captain will be able to see us through intact?"

    "Yes," Seven replied unyieldingly.

    "Unacceptable," Mezoti answered with equal resolve.

    "On the contrary, it is expected. This is not the collective – you cannot expect to know everything that is happening in and about the ship at once."

    When Mezoti made no answer, Seven continued: "All the members of this crew recognize that they will be unaware of portions of the ship's activity. But they trust that the Captain and the other crewmembers will be able to perform their tasks adequately. You should do so as well."

    "Your comparison is flawed," Mezoti answered. "All those other crewmembers have assigned tasks to which they are devoted during a time of crisis. They don't have to just sit and wait – they have assigned functions that they can tend to."

    Mezoti began pacing the Cargo Bay, going back and forth between two piles of stacked crates.

    "Everybody on this ship has his or her function," she said. "The Captain oversees ship-wide operations, you staff Astrometrics, Neelix tends to the Mess Hall, and even Naomi Wildman has her function as the Captain's assistant. When I was part of the collective, I had a function too." Mezoti stopped pacing and looked at Seven. "What is my function now? I have none."

    Seven seemed to mull her words. "You are no longer Borg," Seven started slowly. "You should be raised like other children, as an individual. And the primary function of children is their education. Your task is to learn what you can now, so that as you grow older you will be able to add to your existing store of knowledge and in doing so gain valuable skills. Every crewman on this ship went through the same process as you are currently undergoing."

    "It's not enough. My studying doesn't take up all my available time. But," she quickly added, "I do not wish for more studying."

    "What do you wish for?" Seven enquired.

    "I want… I want something to do. Not studying, but something I can work on during my spare time. Something that I will be able to see results."

    Seven seemed reflective. "I believe what you need is a hobby."

    Mezoti turned the idea over in her head. "Perhaps… yes."

    "Do you have any specific activity in mind? Is there a subject or activity that particularly draws your interest?"

    Mezoti walked over to the PADD still lying on the Cargo Bay floor and picked it up. "This article on building insectariums is interesting."

    "Then I believe we have found a good candidate," Seven said pleasantly. "I need to return to Astrometrics, but when my shift is finished I will return here and we will discuss possible ways of beginning your new hobby."

    Mezoti smiled. "Thank you."

    "You are welcome," Seven said, then turned around and walked towards the entrance. Mezoti sat back down with her PADD and began reading with doubled enthusiasm.

    Just as the double doors of the Cargo Bay slid aside, however, Seven turned around and called out: "Mezoti?"

    The young girl turned to face Seven of Nine with an inquisitive look on her face. "Yes?"

    "We will discuss punishment for yesterday's transgressions at a later date."

    Seven spun around and walked out of the Cargo Bay, leaving Mezoti with a scowl on her face.