Hello

Posted on Sat May 16th, 2026 @ 1:27am by Crystal Steele & Lieutenant Zero

2,235 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: During away mission

ON:

Crystal had just finished reading the books that were kept in the quarters that she shared with her mother. She also had finished up her homework. Mom was on an away mission and she trusted Crystal to stay out of trouble, as she was of that age and has shown that she was mature enough not to get into trouble. Still though, maybe she could go do something in the holodeck, go walk along the beach and gathering seashells. Or go look for rocks. She checked the scheduling on the holodeck to see if there was anything open. There seemed to be one opening up soon. Crystal put herself in for the next one, and headed towards the holodeck.

She had her favorite dark blue jeans, with a lighter shade of blue shirt, wearing some runners, wearing a hat to protect herself from the sun. carrying a bucket. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep her unruly curls from getting in her face.

Zero was inside the Holodeck, tapping away at the controls, trying to get the landscape just right. He had no idea why the program he pieced together was stuck in his mind, but he felt he had to figure it out because it might be a clue as to his origin species. The Borg have assimilated many planets and civilizations, so the Borg part of his brain that had retained a large part of that information, was helpful in identifying many species and ruling them out. However, there were a few that he couldn't identify, so he had no idea if these images were part of his Borg life or that of his origin.

The program itself showed an amazing, but also interesting, planet surface. A clearing that was surrounded by odd looking trees with a clear cobalt blue sky. In the distance a red sun was setting creating a horizon that pierced the sky and rose up to meet it, causing an interesting mixture of the two colors. Also, visible in the sky, were two moons. One was far in the distance and, the other, seemed to be closer, but not too close. The idea of one or both moons, drifting in front of the red sun, brought to mind an image that made the idea of exploring a planet like this a rare opportunity that a Starfleet Officer, Scientist or Not, would not pass up.

He finally reached a point where he wouldn't be able to get much else and began to walk to the doors leading out. The emotionless expression on his face, hid his curiosity for his project, as Zero walked out. The doors to the Holodeck remained opened as he made his way to the main controls of the Holodeck. However, he paused as he saw a new person he had yet to come across. Immediately, his Borg in him identified her as a human, but what he found curious was her unique eye color and red hair. Zero's mechanical blue irises of his eyes lit up, circling slightly as they began to scan the little girl, taking in the information and storing it for future interactions.

As his head seemed to tilt, while the blue in his eyes dimmed, he formed a slight smile. "Hello." Zero said as his head straightened up. "May I assist you?"

Her eyes rose up to the man's features, looking at him with curiosity. "Hello sir, I'm Crystal Steele. I'm here to take a walk and collect some seashells on a beach. What's your name? And would you like to come with me on a walk?" one of the things that Crystal had noticed that sometime in order to get to know a person an invitation for a walk and talk is the best thing. Just something about him had struck her interest. "What do you think?"

"As I have no further duties to attend to, I will accept your invitation, Crystal Steele." Zero replied, a slight smile on his face, as he bowed his head a bit. "I am unfamiliar with a beach located on board. Were you perhaps going to utilize the holodeck for this activity or are the schematics I have procured faulty?"

Crystal shook her head, "Not faulty. I just have my own that comes with me. A program that my mother and I developed She explained that those who arrive on a ship can enter in their own programs. I like to walk along the beach where there isn't any houses present. Just the natural sound of the beach and seeing the pretty flowers. And Mama took me there. its called, Guiones Beach, Costa Rica the seashells are pretty and I also liked to find the driftwood there that had different shapes."

"And what do you do with those seashells and driftwood upon discovery?" Zero question curiously. He was interested to know what the young Steele's end goal was with these objects. He was familiar with the means of observing species and things as a means to learn more about them, but he wasn't sure what knowledge could be obtained with these objects. Perhaps, due to his still unfamiliar status as an individual, there were still things he was not capable of processing with his limited knowledge and experiences after being liberated from the Collective.

"Sometimes the driftwood is made smooth due to it being ground upon the beach or battered against rocks. And can look artistic. And the shells pretty and you can make necklaces and some jewelry. and you can hear the ocean if you put it up to your ear." Crystal informed him.

Zero looked at her oddly, before raising a brow, widening his eyes a bit. He found her explanation interesting. To him, those things would look plain and just as they should be. A Borg would not find objects like that of interest or discover the artistic way someone like Crystal would see it. To the Collective, the condition of the wood and appearance of the shells would just be acknowledged as a result of the environment where they were discovered. No purpose in developing their goal of perfection. However, to a human, even a small one there was so much more to them.

He lowered his brow and remembered some of the locations he was just reviewing from his Borg database. Zero recalled several beach locations in the file and soon looked back down to Crystal. "Miss Steele, would you perhaps like to visit a different area for your seashells and driftwood expedition?"

Her eyes widened, Crystal nodded. "I would love to, please?" a beseeching eagerness appearing in her gaze. "You probably have some very interesting scenes programmed. And I do like seeing new places and exploring." clutching the handle of her bucket tightly and smiling.

Zero seemed to smile in return. A part of him felt pleased he was able to excite Crystal with his suggestion. The other part felt it was simply necessary to smile back. Regardless, he made his way to the controls outside the recently closed Holodeck and began to tap it. His hands dancing quickly from button to button, tapping it just as fast in order to initiate the command.

Many of the programs he was looking through didn't have any names. Just designations. Borg Designations to be more accurate. A mixture of letters and numbers in which labeled them in some way. Perhaps it was based on their location. When they were first encountered. Whether they were full of resources or inhabited. Maybe they were just going down a list in some way. Regardless, the only ones that were named were probably ones Zero could identify or learned about in some way. Him putting their accurate identification only felt... right.

As he scrolled down the list, Zero seemed to stop in place. For a moment, freezing in time, before turning to Crystal with a curious look. "I must ask you something so that I might understand your purpose for this activity." He said as he turned his body to face hers. "You said you do this often to collect these items which you proceed to make things out of them. However, I must assume, your visits often lead to the Holodeck which only prompts my proceeding question. Do you make those items and leave it in the holodeck since leaving would cause the items to fade since they are still just holograms. Is there a process I am missing that you neglected to expose or do you only return with the items when you have visited an actual place?"

Crystal mused on what Zero had said and asked. "I do have my own collection of shells that I've picked up at various locations. At times I do take the shells from the holosuite, as it generates the object to where they can be used. From what my mother has told me, the replicator manifests said item so it is physical. Matter being transformed into something else." she wondered if she explained that part decently.

Zero nodded his head before turning back to the console. After going through several descriptions, he finally decided on one with a sandy beach setting. Once the time and setting was put in, he initiated the program to begin, as he looked over to Crystal. "This is Planet designation: M0974905." He said as the doors to the holodeck separated and opened up for them.

The holodeck doors opened to a beach with white sand, which only got dark toward the boarder where the clear blue water meet the sand. The water was so clear that it wasn't all that difficult to see the variety of fish and plants which lived in it. The skies were a mixture of orange and green with minimal clouds to cover the blazing sun that was high in the sky. In the sky there were several varieties of birds and some that appeared much bigger than normal.

Zero stood by the door and gestured inside. "Please, come in." He said, holding a light smile, as he continued. "This is what Planet: M0974905 before the Borg arrived. This planet was home to a great deal of species, both animals and humanoids, which provided no form of defense or struggle against the Borg considering the technology they created. The Borg took their technology, their metals, and the rare minerals provided by the planet for their own uses. This planet no longer looks like this." He put his head down, remembering the attack on this planet, before raising his head again. "I hope this planet is suitable for your collecting needs."

Crystal had heard of the Borg, she'd they were a scary part of the history of the Federation. "You were part of them, but you are not of them anymore." the girl looking up at Zero before she stepped inside the holoprogram.

"Yes" Zero replied in a quick and somewhat cold tone. "My only memories are that of my service with the Borg. I have no other memories prior to assimilation. My only conclusion is that I was either created by the Borg or my assimilation began when I was an infant. If it is the latter, my planet of origin has yet to reveal itself. I often wonder if it is one of the planets I have recreated here, in the holodeck." As he spoke he slowly followed her further inside.

She walked inside to where she could have a good look at the surroundings, slowly turning around. "I like this it is very pretty." taking a moment to sniff at one of the flowers that she spotted blooming nearby.

She wandered around examining the scenery, picking flowers.

There came a ping upon her padd, and Crystal answered it. "Yes?"

"This is Nanny McPhee, say goodbye to the nice officer. It is time for you to come back to your quarters it is dinner time." the communication ending.

"Curious." Zero said, his brows raising slightly, as he placed his hands behind his back. This Nanny McPhee seems to monitor your movement with efficiency. She is aware of my presence." He looked around for a moment. "Perhaps she is utilizing the internal sensors. I must decide whether this monitoring is authorized by the Captain or any other Department Head."

Crystal frowned slightly, her brow furrowing giving out a sigh. "I am sorry, Mr. Zero, but I've got to go back home and I don't want to miss dinner. Besides Mama trusts me and I don't want to disappoint her. Thank you for showing me this." She gave a wave and headed for the archway disappearing from view.

Zero raised his hand, mimicking the way, as he observed the little girl designated Crystal Steele leave the holodeck. He lowered his hand and stood there quietly, motionless to the world, as his mind processed the information he obtained and the events with her. The mechanical blue irises in his eyes rotated slightly, moving clockwise before shifted counter clockwise, before he finally began to move again. "Computer... End program." He said as the scenery faded away, leaving the liberated Borg surrounded by the holodecks default appearance and a slight smile on his face.



Crystal Steele
Daughter of Madelyn Steele

&

Lieutenant Zero
Chief of Operations
USS Ontario

 

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