Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 5

Tuvok sat opposite Sora, guiding him through the exercises. Sora was not attempting to remove emotion as Vulcans did, but he did need to be able to control them for his own health. Too strong an emotion could cause his implants to react to the perceived threat. They had undergone two further mind melds and they would perform another after meditation. He had not been confronted by the memory form of a younger Sora again the way he had the first time but it had also not taken quite as much work to find buried memories.

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"Red Alert! All hands to battle stations!"

Sora stiffened in alarm, unable to say why red alert caused him to react like that, it had not before…before that day in astrometrics. He looked at Naomi who had tensed, he could see her pulse jump in her throat, the slight dilation of her pupils. A glance at the kitchen showed Neelix moving around to get everything stowed safely. It was up to him to keep her calm then. "This happens far too often," he commented. "The lights and alarms are rather annoying," he stated flatly, and she stared at him before giggling. He smiled and picked up her PADD, quickly finding something to keep her occupied.

The ship shuddered under weapons fire and she shifted closer so he picked her up and settled her in his lap. He may no longer have exo-plating but his body was still stronger and sturdier than a normal humans. He would keep her safe. He looked up and saw Neelix smiling at him, ducking his head, feeling…embarrassed?

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Riku was once again in the lab at Radiant Gardens, the three scientists hovering around him. He ignored the equipment and closed his eyes, reaching for the link, it felt stronger to him, he could truly sense it without having to focus all of his attention for several minutes, although he sensed very little through it, distance? Or something else? Sora had only reached back that once, there had been nothing from him since.

"All done," Ienzo told him some time later.

"And?" he looked between them, watching as Ansem smiled.

"Do bring young Sora home soon," he answered, and Riku slumped back in relief.

Finally, he could go after Sora using the link, which meant going alone this time. Kairi knew that so she would remain in the Land of Departure to work with Aqua. She could not go with him when he Dove after all, and that would leave her alone, likely very far from backup.

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Sora walked into Engineering, nervous, his brand new combadge pinned to the chest of his form-fitting bodysuit, a blue so dark it almost appeared black. He was really part of the crew now, he did not want to let them down. "Mr Sora, you're on time, good." Chief engineer B'Elanna Torres greeted him. "Welcome to engineering."

"Thank you Lieutenant."

"Let's get started. We've been working on the transwarp coils we salvaged from the cube, think you can keep up?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Well, we'll see."

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"So what did you think of Sora?" Tom asked as he set the table.

"He's quiet and a hard worker, I had to order him to take breaks," she admitted as she sat down.

"Try and get him interacting with the others."

"They're very different to each other," she admitted, she hadn't really interacted with Sora before after all, outside of the party to celebrate astrometrics.

"Why would they be alike?" he asked her as he poured the drinks. "The only thing they have in common is being assimilated and then ending up here. He's very much a child in many ways B'Elanna, without his memory, he's barely over two years old, everything he knows came right from the Collective. He's more open to emotion than Seven but he is also more confused by it too."

She sighed but nodded. "You're right, I can't judge him by Seven's behaviour. He's smart, willing to listen, and just kind of disappears into the background."

"So nothing at all like Seven…or you," he smirked and she tossed her fork at him which he dodged. Dating someone with a Klingon temper could be dangerous, especially when he teased her.

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Sora followed Tom into a set of quarters, seeing no trace of anything personal in them. "Are these yours?" he asked in confusion.

"No Sora, they're yours," Tom was grinning.

"I do not understand."

"Well making you and Seven share the cargo bay all the time is hardly fair or appropriate. You'll still need to Regenerate there, but now you both also have your own private quarters. That doesn't mean you get to hide away in here when not Regenerating or on duty," Tom warned, and Sora nodded, still shocked by the gesture.

He felt like part of the crew already but he had no thought he would be given quarters, not when space was at such a premium on board.

"They're just standard crew quarters, but you can do what you like to decorate. You have your own replicator, but it still works on rationing. You have your own facilities in here, no bath but can you even take a bath with…" Tom motioned at his body.

"Borg implants are waterproof. Wouldn't want the Drones to fry in the rain," he smirked slightly, and Tom chuckled, shaking his head.

"Good point," he agreed.

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It was good to see the smirk, to see him showing more and more personality as time passed. He was often hesitant and unsure, and they all figured it was the memory loss on top of recovering from Assimilation. He was more open around those who knew the best, especially Naomi. Who knew being around a kid would be so good for their resident ex-Borg?

Sora was finding his feet, B'Elanna praised both his work and his worth ethic which was amazing with how exacting she was. He was even talking with others among the crew off duty. Thanks to Seven already being part of the crew at least Sora wasn't facing the snide comments she'd had to deal with, or the distrust. Although, his age probably helped there too.

He'd been the one to talk to the Captain about assigning both of them their own quarters, to give them privacy and somewhere to be alone. Sora was a good kid, he wasn't any kind of threat and it seemed that the Captain agreed, although several restrictions would remain for some time. The rules existed for a reason and Seven was still under several restrictions too.

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"Telepathy. I don't like it, never have. It's bad for negotiations, it's bad for relationships, and it's certainly been bad for B'Elanna," Neelix shook his head as they packed to return to Voyager with the supplies.

"The fault was her own," Seven told him and Neelix looked at her.

Sora paused in his own work. He was…worried about B'Elanna. She was his supervisor and she had been kind to him. She took the time to teach him, to answer his questions. He had read the Starfleet protocols but under the circumstances he did not agree with them.

"What are you talking about?" Neelix asked her.

"She was careless with her thoughts. The result was violence."

"B'Elanna's not used to being around telepaths. That doesn't make her guilty."

"Then her crime was ignorance. A common affliction among your crew," Seven pointed out.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You make contact with alien species without sufficient understanding of their nature. As a result, Voyager's directive to seek out new civilisations often ends in conflict."

"What you call ignorance, we call exploration. And sometimes it means taking a few risks. But it's certainly better than assimilating everything in your path."

"Your goal is to share knowledge. Assimilation is the perfect means of attaining that goal."

"No, it is not," he spoke up and they both looked at him. "All I have is the Collectives' knowledge and it is not perfect. There is nothing on social interactions which is most detrimental. It is all facts and figures as Tom put it."

"Perfect?" Neelix asked her, seeming amused, but Sora's disagreement with her?

"Idiot! Watch what you're doing!"

Sora tilted his head, hearing the yell, so out of place on the planet. He turned in the direction it had come from, taking a step, but then there was scream. The three of them rushed over to find an old woman standing over a younger one, bloodied knife in hand.

Neelix knelt down shakily and Sora joined him, checking the woman himself.

"She is dead. I am sorry Neelix." He recognised her, the young woman that Neelix had been spending time with.

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Sora stepped down from his alcove, puzzled. He still heard his name being shouted, always Riku's voice. Now and again though, he could feel something strange, as if foreign emotions, not his own, reaching out to him. How was that possible. Was it something he should bring to attention?

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Kairi hugged him tightly and Riku clung on just as tightly to her. They didn't know how long he'd be gone, but he wasn't coming back until he found Sora. "Be careful, please," she begged.

"I'll do my best," was all he could promise. They weren't children anymore, they had been through so much, it was hard to believe he'd be twenty one soon. Would he even recognise Sora anymore? He'd been sixteen when he vanished. No, no matter what, he would always know Sora.

She kissed him and he held her close, a hand in her hair. He eventually pulled away and boarded the ship, taking off and leaving the Destiny Islands behind. Who knew when he'd see them next? He would not fail, he would not leave Kairi to live without them there. No, they'd only returned briefly, she would leave in a day or two for the Land of Departure. If they did not return, he knew she could live there or on any World if she wished.

He didn't like leaving her behind, they'd done that to her too frequently as teens. It was too dangerous for her to go though, they still travelled in pairs for safety. Her flying skills weren't the best which would mean she would be alone on the ship when he was going to Dive as soon as he could and may need to abandon the ship altogether.

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Tuvok removed his fingers from Sora's face, the meld over. Despite the ongoing trouble, he had refused to cancel their appointment. He had made a commitment to help Sora with his memory. It was hard to try and bring up a whole memory, only snatches appearing.

"Commander?"

"Yes Sora?"

"I understand you are returning to the planet to continue investigating?"

"That is correct," he nodded and stood.

"May I accompany you?" he asked, which Tuvok hadn't expected.

"If I may ask why?"

"Lieutenant Torres has been…good to me. As someone who has lost their memories, I do not want her to have to have her mind touched in that way. I wish to help."

Tuvok considered it. 'Your observation skills may indeed be helpful," he said after some thought.

"Thank you sir."

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"Mister Guill. I'm Commander Tuvok, Voyager's Chief of Security. This is Mr Sora."

Being introduced by his name and not a number was still a new thing but it felt right. He did not speak as he was there to observe, discreetly using everything, including his ability to see in different ranges than a human, to examine the man before them.

"My children get upset when I'm late for supper. If you're here to do business we can make an appointment for tomorrow."

"I'm here to talk to you about the attack," Tuvok informed him.

"Why me?"

Was that fluctuation when Tuvok told him their purpose in being there? Interesting.

"My crewmate, Lieutenant Torres, has been charged with the crime. I believe you're acquainted with her."

"Lieutenant Torres, yes. She was arrested?"

Sora studied him closer, sure that the question was irrelevant, the man already knew of the arrest, so why act surprised?

"The Chief Examiner believes it was her violent thought which prompted the beating."

"Ah. She seemed like such a pleasant young woman."

"Apparently she was almost knocked over while doing business with you. Do you recall that?"

"Yes. A man accidentally ran into her. You're not like the others from your ship, are you? You're a telepath."

"That is correct." Tuvok agreed.

"And you…Mr Sora?"

"No Sir, I am not."

"Why are you so curious about what happened?" Guill continued finishing closing up.

"I am conducting my own investigation of the crime."

"I see. For a moment I thought you had another reason for asking. You struggle with violent thoughts as well. Terrible images, but they're hidden deep within your mind."

"I am in control of those images. All members of the Vulcan race learn to inhibit emotions. If my unconscious thoughts are disturbing you, I will attempt to suppress them further."

"No, please, don't trouble yourself. I can't see them clearly enough to be affected," he looked to Sora. "I sense nothing like that from you."

Sora glanced at Tuvok who nodded slightly. "I lost my memory and I have implants that inhibit strong emotions," he answered.

"Very interesting."

"I sense that you are fascinated with my unconscious thoughts. That you would like to see more of them if you could," Tuvok guided the conversation away from Sora, for which he was glad.

"No. I was just thinking, maybe I could help you."

"Help me?"

"In learning how to deal with these dark impulses."

That offer had Sora on alert. He did not think he liked the man at all, there was something off about him. For a second the image of a man…and alien?...with blue fire like hair.

"No, thank you. I have sufficient means of controlling them.," Tuvok informed him.

"I'm sure you do. Any other questions?"

"No," the Commander denied.

"Then if you'll excuse me, I really can't be late for the table."

"He was withholding information and his reaction to the Lieutenants' arrest was false," Sora pointed out.

"Indeed. We will follow, separately, in case it is an ambush. Be careful."

Sora nodded and waited while Tuvok began following merchant, before he began to follow Tuvok.

Even with his enhanced hearing, he was too far to hear what Guill said to the man he met up with, although Tuvok was close enough to hear them. He glanced down as his combadge chirped, activating it. He blinked but then nodded as the conversation came through once Tuvok joined the men.

"Why are you following us?" That was Guill.

"I was thinking about what you said. Your interest in my unconscious thoughts. Perhaps we could help each other."

"How would we do that?"

"By telepathically exchanging violent images. That is what you want, isn't it? To see what's buried in my unconscious," Tuvok answered.

"Who is he?" That was the third man.

"Quiet. Why should I trust you?"

"Because you know we are very much alike. Perhaps I was mistaken."

"Wait. Maybe we can be of use to each other, but you'll have to get rid of this."

He did not like the sound of that, there was an odd sound and then the talking dropped in volume.

"Come back later, Malin. If I'm right, I'll have thoughts to share that are darker than anything you could imagine." There was silence for some time. "Well?"

"Fascinating."

"Now. Show me."

"I'll need a few moments to recover," Tuvok told the merchant.

"I'm surprised you're so easily tired. Your telepathic abilities are strong."

"It is not often that I exercise those skills." For a Vulcan that was close to a lie as he had been getting a lot of exercise in melding with Sora.

"There must be violent thoughts to be had from your shipmates, whether they want to share them or not. After all, they couldn't stop a telepath from probing their minds, could they?"

Sora had never considered how hard it would be on a starship for anyone with telepathic or even empathic abilities.

"Is that how you acquire your merchandise? "

"Sometimes I buy, sometimes I find a person like you who's willing to share, and yes, when the opportunity presents itself, I take what I need."

"Which is what you did to Lieutenant Torres."

Sora frowned as Tuvok began leading the conversation, attempting to get a confession from the man. Would it be enough? If necessary, Sora would allow the information to be copied from his cortical implant.

"Enough! It's time you gave me what you promised," Guill snapped.

"The only person you'll be sharing thoughts with tonight is the Chief Examiner," Tuvok turned in Sora's direction to leave.

"Where are you going?" the third man had returned and was blocking Tuvok's way.

Sora prepared to step in, wishing he had permission to carry a phaser. It would be easier if he could stun them should they attempted to stop the Commander.

"Stand aside."

"Tuvok's taking me into custody."

"No!"

Sora moved, he grabbed the man's arm, flipping him off his feet, a gentle, calculated tap to the head rendering him unconscious. Guill turned to flee and Tuvok knocked him out with a nerve pinch.

"Thank you for your assistance Sora."

"I was happy to help Commander. Should we contact local law enforcement?"

"Indeed."

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"Enter," Sora called, setting aside the PADD he had been using to study, surprised to have a visitor. "Lieutenant, is there a problem?"

"No, Sora. I came to thank you. Commander Tuvok told me about your role in getting me released."

"No thanks are necessary, it is not right for them to make other species follow those particular laws. If they wish contact with other species then they need to make allowances for the fact that others do not have their mental control. And…"

"And?" she asked.

"You have been kind to me, I did not wish for you to suffer any alteration to your mind. It is not something that should ever be done."

"Like it was done to you," she said and he nodded. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you Sora." She smiled and he smiled back. "Now, I expect you at 0800 for your shift."

"I will be there."

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Sora's fingers flew easily over the console, equations and theoretical simulations flying across the screen, his implants allowing him to take in the information far quicker than other humans. Nothing was working and he did not understand why, neither did Lieutenant Torres. He knew how to alter Voyagers' systems through assimilation, but that was not what they wanted. Borg technology had already been integrated into the ship so why could they not get the transwarp coils to work? He did not even notice when he occasionally rubbed his chest.

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Riku sat on the bunk in his ship, Keyblade across his lap. The link was stronger now but had not increased, he didn't know where to go next. All he could think to do, was to attempt to Dive into Sora's dreams, to reach him there somehow. Of course, he needed to know when Sora was actually sleeping. He'd tried twice already with no result and was ready to try again.

Riku reached for their link and lifted his Keyblade, Braveheart, feeling the power thrum threw it and he knew, this time it would work.

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He was on the Island somehow…he was not on the holodeck, he was Regenerating. He remembered going to his alcove, was still distantly aware of it as Regeneration was not actually sleep, it was closer to stasis, his mind aware. A Drone did not dream when connected to the Collective, its mental capacity was apportioned to various tasks while the body remained in the alcove. Without the Collective it was different, lonely, and while the crew was becoming a surrogate Collective, they were not linked. He thought if he remembered more, he would miss having other voices in his head less.

He walked across the sand, was this what it was like to dream? It was very different to simply hearing a voice screaming one word. It almost felt real, it was as vibrant as anything the holodeck could create.

"Sora?" a voice called, and Sora turned around. It wasn't the child's voice but the one he heard screaming his name. Standing in front of him was someone his own age, hair shorter than the child's, body taller, fit and strong. "I found you," he smiled and reached out, and Sora stepped back, looking around.

He did not dream, so what was happening? The memory flashed he had were not interactive and yet this image could see him. "Who are you?" he demanded, and that made the silver haired male freeze.

"Sora? It's me, Riku. I never gave up, neither did Kairi. We've been searching all this time."

"How are you doing this?" he asked warily. "I do not dream. I am in my Regeneration alcove."

"Your what?" he frowned in seeming confusion. "Sora, I'm your Dream Eater. Don't…don't you recognise me?"

"Dream Eater? What is that?" he had never heard that term before but it did not sound good.

"Sora where are you? What happened?" he sounded worried

"This is not real, I need to see the Doctor," he backed away, but then the thing that looked like the boy in his memory moved, grabbing his hands, and Sora froze, staring up into cyan eyes. There was so much emotion there, he could not bring himself to look away.

One of his hands was released so that Riku, or the being using his appearance, could touch his cheek. "Sora please, this is real. I have the ability to enter your dreams, I have since you were sixteen and we faced the Mark of Mastery. Have you…really forgotten me?"

TBC…