Belong
That nanobot crew was dying. The nanobots could no longer maintain a false living body. The version of me created by the nanobots was horrified knowing that he was eventually going to suffer the same fate.
We all watched until Arnold J. Rimmer was the only nanobot life form left. We all sat with him, Dave, Kristine, Kryten and my recruit, Ace. Cat brought along snacks; he thought it was entertaining to watch 'flared nostrils' die. Then Arnold 'nanobot' Rimmer was gone. Leaving two A. J. Rimmers.
Ace was affected having seen another version of himself die. I'd seen other me's die before but still affected just the same. I helped finish Ace's training and said my goodbyes to him. He promised to return when he found Kristine's home dimension.
Then there was one A. J. Rimmer. Me. I was me again, not Ace just Arnold. I was back where I belonged. With the people, I belong with, my considered family. I was home.
Updated 1 August 2017