Very well, what can I help you with?

I’m sorry…

I mentioned it earlier, it was… the only way we could break through the Collective.

Do you mean the twins? When we… commandeered you to free the others.

Presence…?

Truthfully, I’m not sure.

*she smiled kindly*

Not for a while. The nanoprobes in your bloodstream should prolong your lifespan quite a while beyond a normal Ocampa, closer to a human.

I think that might be just what you both need

And they still do, in part. Though we may need to remove more Borg components over time as your native physiology reasserts itself

We can give you somewhere to stay in the Federation, if you’d like

That might be the results of the implants and nanoprobes we needed to leave in place in order for you to survive.

We had to remove the Borg appendage that had been attached in place of your original arm… when we return to Federation space we’ll be able to outfit you with a much less invasive prosthetic, if you would like.

I think it would be best if your sister or mother explained it.

He’s… on leave.

Yes, she’s back in the Alpha Quadrant, on Deep Space 9.

Your family never forgot, I promise you that.

My name is Beverly, i served with your mother when she was aboard the Enterprise-E.

And she’s never forgotten you.

Yes, strong minds can do that… to a point.

You wouldn’t have. You would have known her as Austin Travis. Her name is Aurora now, and she’s quite relieved to have you back.

All things considered… you seem to be adjusting rather well.

I don’t know if you remember… but… your sister led this mission. To save you.

It’s alright. You had every right to be upset. I can’t pretend that we asked you if you wanted to be separated.

I’m sorry that our people controlled you to disable the others.

*Beverly stayed quiet, letting them have this moment as it seemed to help*

We… needed to pierce the Collective’s control. I’m sorry.

We… made an assumption based on the fact that the Borg typically assimilate by force.

We can’t return you, I’m sorry.

To free you from the Borg… do you remember your life before you assimilated?

You… you’re free now! It’s not an error! You can be yourself now…

He’s destabilizing…

*she used her tricorder to access his cybernetics and begin working to stabilize them*

*Beverly continues working*

There we go… should take just another hour

*Beverly tried to be very careful, hoping to make his separation as minimally traumatic as possible*

*she makes sure he’s secure then assigns a member of the medical staff to him, continuing to work on Joseph*