Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
Dark Frontier

Season 5, Episode 15
Stardate: Unknown

Guest Stars:
Susanna Thompson As the "Borg Queen"
Kirk Baily as "Magnus Hansen"
Laura Stepp as "Erin Hansen"
Scarlett Pomers as "Naomi Wildman"

Co-stars:
Catelin Petersen as "Annika"
Eric Cadora as "Alien"
Majel Barrett as "Computer Voice"

Written by:
Brannon Braga & Joe Menosky

Author's Note:
"Dark Frontier" is a two-hour episode. As such the entire episode is described here. It seems likely that this episode will be split apart and aired on separate occasions once in syndication. Within the Events section I've placed a statement designating where Part I of this two hour episode ends and thus where Part II begins.

Events:
The episode starts with a dark screen and the Voice of the Borg announcing that a ship has been detected. The command "Activate" is given and the screen presents an image from within a Borg vessel. Actually we are viewing the ship from a Borg's point of view (greenish tinges and wall-eye vision).

Through the Borg we learn they have detected Voyager in their vicinity. They engage, with the intent to assimilate the ship and crew. An external shot of this ship shows it to be a different design to previous Borg vessels. It is not a Cube or a Sphere. It is a Rectangular Block.

The Borg announce themselves and intentions to Voyager. Through a Borg data screen we can see a shot of the bridge through which communications occur. Kathryn announces her intent to resist, claiming their fire-power is evenly matched.

The Borg disengage communications and begin to fire on Voyager. As they make their closest approach Voyager fires back, bringing down the Borg shields. The Borg commands repairs to begin, but before they can be completed Voyager has beamed an active photon torpedo onto the Borg ship. The Borg commands its deactivation, but the drone assigned to the task discovers that time has run out. The torpedo explodes, totally destroying the Block.

Chakotay: "I thought we were trying to disable it."

Seven responds that the torpedo was placed near the power grid and subsequent damage to the grid caused the destruction.

Tuvok reports no survivors and Harry reports badly damaged yet intact components in the debris field. Kathryn orders a salvage operation.

The show cuts to opening credits and commercials.

When the show returns we are presented with chunks of debris strewn around the cargo bay. Kathryn and Chakotay are surveying the salvaged material and discussing the next step.

Kathryn is certainly pleased the Borg were destroyed. Chakotay reports that B'Elanna found a transwarp coil. Examining one of the pieces (a sphere) Kathryn is surprised at how light it is. Harry warns her not to touch it, as he'd found it crawling around a few minutes earlier.

Continuing their inspection, Kathryn tells us that she figures they've added two years to their voyage by trying to avoid Borg contact. Chakotay reminds us they are better avoiding them than being assimilated by them.

Kathryn seems to be getting lost in her thoughts, and Chakotay regains her attention by suggesting he save time and go to red alert now. Kathryn asks him what he means, and he explains this looks like one of those occasions when Kathryn gets an idea that will launch the ship into another dangerous adventure. She asks him why he thinks this and Chakotay points out she's fiddling with her comm badge. He claims she does this every time she plans such a mission.

Doc interrupts this discussion, thrilled that he's found a servo armature from a medical repair drone (one of the gizmos that the Borg attach to the end of an arm in place of a hand). At the end of the device, scissors-like scalpels open and close which the Doc swings about while he is pre-occupied with the other functions at the other end of the device. Kathryn suggests he turn it off, as Chakotay parries the sharp devices away from his eyes.

This discussion ends just as Kathryn overhears B'Elanna mention something about a "coil". Kathryn and Chakotay move on to find B'Elanna and Seven trying to reactivate a transwarp coil without success. It seems the Borg equip their vital technology to self-destruct when their ships are destroyed.

Seven brings to the attention of Kathryn the fact they've recovered data nodes (data storage devices) that contain the crew manifest as well as tactical reports on all Borg movements within a 30 light year radius. She reports it will take two hours to prepare the data for review. Kathryn commands it be done and Seven leaves with the tactical node.

Kathryn then gives a rub to her comm badge for Chakotay's benefit and ours, signaling that this is the kind of news she has wanted for the benefit of her budding plan.

Chakotay chuckles.

In Astrometrics, Seven reports to Kathryn and Tuvok. She presents a tactical grid on the large screen indicating Borg movement over 25 sectors. Kathryn asks of any dangers along their path. Seven announces there are three cubes nine light years away on a parallel course that do not pose any threat.

Kathryn points to another ship and asks about it. Seven arranges the display to focus in on the ship and reports it's a scout, heavily damaged in an ion storm and currently regenerating while returning to its home base at warp 2.

Kathryn orders up a detailed schematic ("down to the power nodes") of that ship, suggesting they may have struck gold.

The scene cuts to the briefing room where the senior staff and Seven have been brought together. Kathryn suggests the scout is "Fort Knox", a reference which Tuvok hasn't heard before. Offered the opportunity Tom explains that Fort Knox was Earth's largest repository of gold bullion.

Kathryn adds that it was never successfully raided. Tom points out a couple of Ferengi tried ten years ago (;-).

Their goal is a transwarp coil. B'Elanna admits if they can get that they'll shave 20 years off the trip. Tuvok asks if Kathryn thinks the Sphere is damaged enough to allow them to get the coil.

Kathryn's plan is to plot a course "that doesn't attract their attention", create a diversion and then send in an away team. She claims there will be no margin for error in this mission. Everything must be planned to the "millisecond".

Chakotay suggests the data might allow them to use the holodeck for trial runs. B'Elanna announces they need to mask their warp signature and claims she has a few "Maquis tricks" she can use, though they aren't Star Fleet approved. Kathryn approves them.

Concluding, she gives a pep talk about how they've survived two Borg attacks and that it's time to take the offensive.

The scene cuts to Kathryn's ready room. Meeting with Seven, she asks Seven for her opinion. Seven announces the plan is "ambitious" with many variables. Kathryn tells her she wants Seven to review the work of Seven's parents, who accumulated over 9,000 entries on the Borg. Kathryn points out they studied a Borg cube at close range for over two years (Seven corrects her by claiming it was three years).

Kathryn claims the information has been "collecting dust for a year" in the database and that it was time for the information to be analyzed to see what the "experts" could offer in the way of advice on handling the Borg. If Seven refuses, Kathryn will ask Chakotay to review it. Seven accepts the job.

The scene cuts to the cargo bay where Neelix delivers the first set of records he downloaded for Seven. He claims the Hansens (Seven's parents) were "courageous" to study the Borg. She thinks them "misguided".

Neelix decides to mention that all he has left of his family is a "faded holo-image". He envies her all these records from her parents.

He leaves and Seven begins reading a report from her father.

She reads an entry of her father's log for stardate 32611.4. Her father reports that the Federation Council on Exobiology has given approval for the Raven's mission to learn more about the Borg. Star Fleet is informed of this mission. They have concerns about security but will not prevent the mission from occurring.

The scene cuts to Seven's childhood room on the Raven. A young Seven (Annika) is playing with a rather detailed model of a Borg cube, flying it around with all the sound effects of an airplane. Her father (Magnus) enters the room and takes the model, claiming it's not a toy. Then he sets her down and tells her they'll be leaving Earth the following day to study the Borg.

Annika has many questions about the Borg. Magnus admits they don't know all the answers yet but their mission will hopefully get the answers for them.

The scene cuts to an external of the USS Raven. It has two outboard warp nacelles on a horizontal line through the centre of the hull of the ship. The hull itself is block shaped.

Magnus reports the stardate as 32623.5. He reports they've been pursuing stray energy readings for eight months but have yet to find the Borg. He is starting to believe the Borg are a myth.

On board the Raven, Magnus and Erin are having a disagreement. Erin thinks they should stop to take on more dilithium crystals while Magnus thinks they should push on. He suggests they either continue or go home. Erin points out they strayed from their flight path, entered the neutral zone (presumably the Romulan neutral zone), and disobeyed a direct order to return.

According to Erin their colleagues think they're insane and they have no home to return to.

Their discussion is interrupted by Annika, who can't sleep because of their discussion.

This touching family moment is interrupted by a sensor alarm. Energy readings 600,000 km away. Artificially generated. Enormous power. They suspect a transwarp conduit. Annika is sent to bed, though she only goes as far as the doorway before she stops to watch. The ship shudders and a Borg cube appears 2000 km away from the ship.

The Borg scans the Raven, but doesn't alter course. Magnus suggests this might prove his theory that they ignore anything they do not consider a threat or a target.

The Borg moves off and the Raven follows at 5 million km.

The scene fades back to Seven reading the transcripts. She is interrupted by Chakotay calling her to the bridge.

The scene cuts to the bridge, where we can see they have rendezvoused with the Borg Sphere. They remain undetected.

Janeway orders the arriving Seven to scan the vessel to get their current status. Seven reports that weapons, shields and transwarp drive are all regenerating. Transwarp drive won't be online for 72 hours. Janeway orders the crew to prepare for their mission. She permits double shifts and round the clock simulations.

The show cuts to commercials (and this is one of the longest presentations without a commercial I've seen in a long time).

The show returns to the Borg Sphere, where we see the Borg busy making repairs. Seven and Janeway appear around a corner, Seven carrying a transporter transponder and Janeway carrying a phaser rifle. In another part of the ship Harry and Tuvok are searching for the shield matrix.

On the bridge of Voyager, Chakotay reports to the away teams they are six seconds behind schedule. Tuvok duly reports they have arrived at the shield matrix. Harry identifies the main generator and Tuvok tells him where to place the spatial charges. He instructs Harry to place three spatial charges around the generator.

Meanwhile Seven and Janeway have found the transwarp coil assembly. Janeway sets up the transponders around the assembly while Seven raises the assembly cover to expose the coil.

Chakotay announces they have 55 seconds. Harry finishes placing the charges and Tuvok reports this to Janeway, then reports they are returning to the transport coordinates.

Seven announces the transwarp coil is offline and Janeway orders that the charges be exploded. This takes down the Borg shields, permitting Voyager to beam the transwarp coil off the Borg ship.

The away teams head back to their transport coordinates.

Chakotay watches the clock count down and announces they're out of time. Tuvok and Harry run into a couple of Borg who are obviously there to detain them. Tuvok and Harry both fire their weapons and the Borg fall.

Janeway and Seven also run into a pair of Borg, but these have adapted to the phaser frequencies and their personal shields protect them. Janeway chooses a path and heads off, but Seven freezes. Janeway calls to her and Seven follows.

Finally the two away teams meet up at the transporter coordinates, Borg following. A beam out is ordered and the Borg use the beam to send their own away team to the bridge of Voyager.

Chakotay orders Tom to beam them out but Tom is unable to get a lock. As the Borg start to spread out Chakotay calls for a "freeze program, both holodecks".

Seems we've just been witnessing one of the simulations.

During the analysis we discover they somehow cause a problem in the Borg sensors to avoid detection, but that the Borg regenerate their sensors in two minutes. The simulation took two minutes twelve seconds, thus allowing the Borg to find out what was going on.

They discuss options. Harry suggests they beam into the transwarp chamber, but Janeway claims there is too much shielding. Tuvok suggests they might modify the transporters but Janeway claims she's already looked into it and that it is impossible.

The situation looks hopeless until Seven recalls her parents' notes describing how they remained within a cube for hours. She doesn't know how they did it, but Janeway orders her to keep looking for the information, and then brings an end to the simulation for the day, suggesting they review their tactics.

In the halls Janeway and Seven are discussing the simulation. Janeway expresses her concerns for Seven's ability, noticing that she froze and seemed nervous. Seven claims she'll adapt and handle the situation. Janeway isn't so sure but hopes so because the next time they face the Borg it won't be a simulation.

The scene cuts to Seven's cargo bay. She is about to review her parents' notes when interrupted by Naomi Wildman.

Naomi claims to have had a bad dream, and asks Seven if she can stay. When asked where her mother and Neelix are, Naomi claims they're working. With a promise not to bother Seven, Naomi is permitted to stay, and promptly starts bothering Seven with questions.

Naomi explains that her nightmare was about the away mission. She claims everyone was assimilated. Seven tries to reassure her by explaining that nightmares can't hurt her.

Naomi starts asking about the mission. Then she asks what it's like being a drone. And then she asks whether the Borg have kids (which are the exact words younger Seven asked her father in a previous scene). This stops Seven from reading the padd and she pays closer attention to Naomi. Naomi asks a couple of other questions that younger Seven once asked and Seven orders Naomi back to her quarters.

Naomi steps up and says "Resistance is futile" and a Borg implant makes an appearance on her cheek (quite an effective sfx).

Seven steps back, appalled, and realizes Naomi is no longer there. Looking around she finds Borg stepping out of the rest chambers and calls out an intruder alert. She hears a female voice assure her that no one can hear her. Demanding to know who the voice is she is told "I am the Borg".

Those familiar with "First Contact" will recognize the voice of a Borg 'queen'. Seven at first believes she is dreaming. But the queen tells her that they've accessed her neural receiver and are aware that there is a plan to board the Sphere. The queen claims all will be captured and assimilated. Seven demands to know why this hasn't already been done, and the queen tells her that she wants to offer Seven a deal. If Seven returns to the collective Voyager will be allowed to go free.

Seven demands to know why her. The queen claims she is unique, and the 'dream' ends.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we learn from Magnus that the Borg ship the Raven had encountered entered a transwarp conduit. The Raven tagged along and found itself in the Delta Quadrant.

On board the Raven, Seven's mother monitors the progress of her father, who is on board the Borg cube. Magnus is wearing a micro-cam on his head gear, beaming back pictures to the Raven. Little Annika sits in her mother's lap, watching the proceedings.

Erin asks about "Junior", a Borg they've nicknamed. Magnus reports that "Junior " took a lot of damage from a plasma conduit explosion. We see a Borg drone limping back to a regeneration chamber. Once safely ensconced, a pair of drones approach ("Bill" and "Needle-fingers" according to Magnus). They deactivate, and then dismember "Junior". Magnus believes they are recycling the components because poor "Junior" is too badly damaged to salvage.

A shimmering light appears around Magnus and then disappears. Erin notices this and tells him his "bio-dampener" is running out of energy and that he needs to return for recharging. Magnus makes some minor adjustment on a device he wears like an armband, to stabilize the bio-dampening field.

The scene cuts to the present, where Seven is explaining the use and function of the bio-dampener to Tuvok and Doc. Seven explains it acts as camouflage, allowing the bearer to blend into the background (the camouflage is specially adapted to simulate the inside of a Borg ship).

Tuvok asks Doc for four of them and Doc explains it will take a few hours and that each one must be attuned to the person wearing the device.

Tuvok leaves to report to the captain. Doc makes polite chit-chat, complimenting the Hansens for the ingenuity of the device. Seven is showing obvious signs of resentment towards her parents. As she says, she paid for their arrogance when they were destroyed, by being raised as a Borg.

She storms out of the medical lab and into a hall. She is obviously shaken by the thoughts.

The scene cuts to the sphere being followed by Voyager. Janeway announces to her log that the mission is ready and will leave at 0600.

In her ready room, Janeway and Seven are having a little talk. Janeway has allowed her doubts about Seven decide that she shouldn't be brought on the away team. Janeway explains that she needs Seven on the bridge should the Borg attack. She's assigning B'Elanna to the mission instead.

Seven counters by telling Janeway she might run into forcefields and encryption codes which Seven can handle. Janeway suggests Seven is underestimating the crew. Seven claims Janeway is underestimating the Borg.

Janeway starts again. She confesses she is worried about Seven's ability to perform on the mission. She notes that Chakotay, Neelix, Doc and others have all noted her unusual recent behaviour. Seven shows no sign that this behaviour is past. She shakes with frustration and manages to beg Janeway to let her go, without telling her anything of the message she received from the collective. She makes it clear the mission will fail unless she is on the team.

Janeway agrees to let her go.

The scene cuts to the Borg ship, and is very similar to the show's opening scene. The vessel detected is a Federation shuttle craft with three life forms aboard.

On board Voyager, Chakotay notes the Borg do not try to seize the shuttle. On the transporter pad Janeway orders an increase in the shuttle's warp energy signature to entice the Borg. B'Elanna complies and the Borg decide to assimilate the shuttle.

When the Borg drop their shields to bring the shuttle in, Voyager beams over the away team. Chakotay orders a transporter lock on the away team.

Meanwhile, on the Borg ship, the plan is executed much as it was during simulation. Seven gets a flashback of herself as a drone and a whispered warning from the unseen queen to never forget who she is.

Janeway interrupts Seven's attention, getting a shocked "gasp" from the unprepared Seven. Seven collects herself and continues on the mission.

Meanwhile Harry and Tuvok have found the shield generator. Tuvok gives the orders to place the charges and Harry complies.

Janeway and Seven arrive at the transwarp coil assembly chamber and deactivate the coil. Janeway sets up a transponder and gives Tuvok the order to explode the charges. This done, and the Borg shields down, Voyager beams out the coil. The away teams are headed back to the rendezvous point.

On the way back, Seven is halted by the queen whispering her name. Janeway notices Seven's hesitation and orders her to continue, but Seven refuses, announcing she wants to stay. Janeway refuses to allow Seven to stay. She raises her weapon to point at Seven and orders her to continue. Seven refuses and a shield appears in the hallway between Janeway and Seven. The Borg ship rocks to an explosion and Seven tells Janeway to leave.

Chakotay tells the away team that the Sphere has detected Voyager and is preparing to engage them. Janeway tries to argue Seven out of staying, claiming she won't leave without Seven. But Seven counters by pointing out Janeway would be assimilated. With Borg approaching, Janeway decides to retreat.

Meanwhile, Tuvok and Harry realize the Borg can see them, despite their bio-dampeners. They retreat and rendezvous with Janeway, who orders all three to be evacuated.

On board Voyager Chakotay asks about Seven. Janeway claims she had a "change of heart" and demands a report. The Sphere is turning and retreating, bringing the other transwarp coils online.

Janeway orders a pursuit course and has the Borg propulsion systems targeted, but the Sphere enters a transwarp conduit before anyone can react.

On the Sphere, Seven is escorted to the queen. An external shot shows the Sphere coming out of the conduit and approaching a Borg 'city' in space (a la James Bliss' "Cities in Flight").

Seven is finally brought before the queen. She enters a door, down a short hall to a central chamber that houses the queen. As with "First Contact" the queen is bio-mechanical. All that is left of her biology is the shoulders and head. Her spinal column is metallic and fits within a robotic body (conveniently put together and placed under her through automated processes).

The queen steps forward and tenderly extends a hand to caress Seven's cheek.

The queen says: "Welcome home".

The show cuts to commercials. Presumably this is where Part I will end and Part II begins.

When the show returns the queen notices the changes in Seven since she was a drone. She notes that the humans have "taken you apart", referring to all the Borg technology that was removed.

Seven is defiant, but the queen remains calm and self-assured. She points out the collective allowed her capture by Voyager. They wanted her taken so that she could study the humans. Seven has questions but the queen orders her to a regeneration booth adapted for Seven's use. Seven hesitates but under the insistence of the queen Seven steps into the booth to regenerate.

Back on Voyager, Janeway has the cargo bay investigated to find clues about why Seven left the ship. Chakotay arrives to tell her that there are no Borg in the area and no sign of the Sphere. Janeway orders a class 5 probe to detect any residual traces of a transwarp drive.

Out loud she wonders why Seven would leave. Chakotay suggests this was a plan of hers, that Seven had said upon capture that she would betray them. But Janeway dismisses this, recalling her conversation in the ready room with Seven, where Seven announced that Voyager was her collective now.

Neelix interrupts the discussion to announce that the Borg material has been removed. He asks about Seven's regeneration alcove, pointing out it uses a lot of power and asking if he should deactivate it. Janeway says "no".

In her ready room, Janeway reviews the sensor logs. She asks the computer to explain a trace and the computer responds that it is a "random sub-space energy fluctuations". Janeway asks about another trace and the response is the same. Janeway then tells the computer to analyze all such fluctuations.

Before the computer can report back, Tuvok interrupts with a visitor: Naomi Wildman. Whereas Janeway was going to dismiss the visitor, when she learns of the identity of her visitor she accepts the interruption.

Naomi wishes to propose a plan to rescue Seven. She hands a padd to Janeway for her consideration. Naomi proposes they scan for the frequency of Seven's cortical implant. Janeway explains that Seven could be thousands of light years away. Naomi counters by suggesting they post the sensors with energy from the main deflector array. Janeway smiles, thanks her for her proposal and tells her that her initiative is duly noted.

Naomi starts to leave but turns and asks Janeway if they are going to abandon Seven?

Janeway gives Naomi three things to remember about being a starship captain:

1. Keep your shirt tucked in.
2. Go down with the ship.
3. Never abandon a member of your crew.

This makes Naomi very happy.

The computer interrupts their discussion to announce the completion of the analysis. Turns out those random sub-space energy fluctuations were communications signals between the Borg and Seven.

Janeway takes Naomi and leaves the ready room.

Meanwhile, back at Borg Central, Seven wakes up to discover the Borg have made a few adjustments while she slept. Her vision is enhanced and a neural processing adjunct (to improve the efficiency of her synapses) has been attached to her neck.

Seven demands its removal but the queen ignores the demand and advises Seven to rid herself of her human foibles, pointing out that Seven is more than just a human. The queen assures her they won't turn her into a drone, that her individuality is too valuable to them.

Seven asks why they've captured her. The queen tells her that Seven will help the Borg assimilate humanity. That through her eyes the Borg will come to understand the nature of human resistance. She claims Seven is the only Borg to return to being an individual. Seven tells her she will resist. The queen smiles and says "I know".

She announces they are proceeding to assimilate a new species (10026). Seven is to assist. We see they are no longer in a sphere, but rather in a Borg ship shaped similar to two pyramids placed base to base (i.e. a Borg Diamond).

The scene cuts to commercials.

When we return we are in the past with the Hansens. Another Borg ship had rendezvoused with the cube they were studying and 50,000 drones were transferred onto the cube. Magnus claims they have to identify the new drones.

On the bridge he and Erin are analyzing a drone they've brought on board. The drone was in a regeneration chamber when beamed out of the Borg ship and so is unaware of what is happening. They learn that the drone was assigned to unimatrix 001 (the queen). They tag him so they can monitor his movements.

They beam the Borg back when an alarm indicates the drone's regeneration cycle is almost completed.

Erin announces no one missed the drone. Then announces the need for a meal. Magnus holds back to review the logs of the drone they just tagged.

The scene cuts to Janeway's quarters where she and Chakotay have learned that the signal sent to Seven was from the queen (thanks to information contained in the Hansen logs). They deduce that the queen threatened Seven into returning to the collective.

Janeway orders Chakotay to continue analyzing the Hansen logs with the idea of rescuing Seven. Chakotay points out there is a danger in the logs. That the Hansens grew overconfident. Janeway assures him they won't make the same mistake.

The scene cuts to the bridge where Janeway announces her intent to launch a rescue mission for Seven. She claims it won't be easy and will take awhile. But she also claims they have help from the Hansen logs (multi-adaptive shielding which allows them to hide from the Borg and narrow-beam transporters to penetrate Borg ships. She has B'Elanna installing the transwarp coil into the DF to allow them to use transwarp drive.

The DF will be used for the rescue, piloted by Tom and manned by herself, Tuvok, and Doc. Chakotay is left in charge with instructions to stay near the transwarp conduit and be prepared for a battle when the DF returns.

On board the DF the rescue team departs Voyager and engages transwarp drive. As predicted, they detect the residual signature of the sphere and pursue it.

Meanwhile, the Borg have arrived and are confronted with the spacecraft of the 10026s. The 10026s use a weapon that can penetrate the Borg shields. The queen calmly asks Seven how they should adapt. Seven angrily tells her that she is Borg and should know how to adapt. The queen explains confidently that if Seven does not tell them how to adapt they will be destroyed. Seven provides a means of adapting and the shields firm up, thus leaving the 10026s helpless and ready for assimilation.

The queen instructs Seven to monitor the "bio-extraction" process (assimilation of the 10026s). Seven hesitates and the queen suggests she's pushing Seven too fast. She reassigns Seven to the task of repairing the shield damage. Seven leaves the queen's chamber and enters hell. She hears the screams of the 10026s but remains dispassionate. Yet she is also distracted by the horror of suffering that is going on around her.

She moves from console to console, trying to repair the shields. Conduits explode and one sends her sprawling to the floor with a cut to the head. Two burly Borg pick her up and restrain her while one attends to the wound. She returns to her duties.

Standing in a hall while a line of Borg and 10026s march past she is surprised by a 10026 who tries to make a break for it. She catches the shoulder of his tunic and he stops until a Borg steps up behind him and injects him with nanoprobes, bringing the usual changes to the face through the darkening of the veins. The horror sends Seven wandering blindly down a hall, bumping into another line of oncoming Borg and their victims. She pushes her way through and finds herself watching a portion of the bio-extraction process. A 10026 is on a table, his right arm removed and his right shoulder showing a cybernetic implant. A drone stands above him adjusting a servo armature from a medical repair drone. A group of 10026s huddle together waiting their turn while being guarded by another drone.

A nearby conduit explodes and the drone guard moves to repair it. Seven takes the opportunity to disable the medical drone and then she checks the sensors and locates a 10026 ship, badly damaged but capable of sustaining life. She tells the prisoners she is setting them free and that they should wait on the ship till the Borg leave. She asks them if they understand and they nod. She then beams them off the Borg ship.

The scene cuts to an external shot of the Borg leaving the battlefield. A 10026 ship floats burning in space amidst debris.

Back in the queen's chambers, the queen congratulates Seven on her assistance to the Borg. Seven angrily points out 300,000 individuals were assimilated. The queen claims they've left their "trivial selfish lives" behind and joined a greater cause. Seven is unconvinced and we get the usual argument between the Borg perspective and Human perspective.

This debate is interrupted when the queen realizes that four of the 10026s have been hiding on a ship. A screen shows their ship, which the queen describes as "trying to escape". The queen asks Seven what they should do and Seven tells her to leave it alone, that it wouldn't be worth their while.

The queen disagrees, pointing out that to leave these 10026s free would mean to allow 10026 to continue to resist assimilation. A Borg cube grabs the ship with a tractor, pulling it in.

Seven grows upset, finally begging the queen to let the survivors go. The queen consents to this request and the screen shows the ship leaving at high speed.

Seven, failing to understand, states that she thought compassion was irrelevant. The queen just looks at her and then moves on.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we are back in the past with the Raven. The Raven was hit by a sub-space particle storm that caused it to lose its multi-adaptive shielding for thirteen seconds. That was long enough for the Borg to detect them and consider them a threat. The Borg pursue them.

Magnus and Erin discuss the pros and cons of hiding in a Mutara-type nebula (named after the Mutara Nebula seen in "Wrath of Khan"). They finally agree that such a nebula would breach the hull.

Little Annika listens to their argument from the safety of her room.

The discussion is interrupted by a Borg cube appearing out of a transwarp conduit 2.3 light years away. Magnus tells Erin to find an M-class planet so they might abandon the Raven if necessary. He then leaves Erin to look in on Annika who has called out.

Annika is worried. Magnus tries to reassure her. At the end Annika asks him if it will hurt to be a drone, showing she is unconvinced by his efforts. Magnus tells her to sleep and leaves the room.

Back in the present, Doc has figured out a way to send Seven a message, even if she is connected to the collective. Janeway offers her assistance in preparing the communications array.

While doing this they briefly discuss the Hansens. Doc is now of the opinion it was wrong for them to take their four year old (Annika) along). Janeway reassures him that with the help of the Hansen logs they'll get Seven back.

There discussion is interrupted by an alarm. Tom has located the sphere. He claims it's two hundred light years ahead. Janeway orders the ship to prepare to come out of the conduit, and the DF arrives at Borg Central, undetected.

Within the sphere, the queen is explaining her new task for Seven. Species 5618 have been particularly troublesome and requires Seven to program the nanoprobes for assimilation. Seven counters by claiming their technology has changed and that her information is insufficient. The queen claims her information is perfectly suited for the task. She presents an image of 5618: a human male.

She lists off the attributes of humanity (none very flattering) and then claims that all previous efforts to assimilate humans were direct assaults and thus failed.

So the Borg have a new method for assimilating humans. They propose to explode a device that will scatter nanoprobes over Earth, infecting whatever they touch. They will act as a virus, infecting those who come into contact with others who are already infected. The Borg recognize this will take longer than the usual method. But they are willing to be patient.

She gives Seven a series of commands regarding her assistance, and Seven refuses them. The queen gives her an ultimatum, agree or be turned into a drone. Seven refuses, recalling that the Borg killed her family.

The queen scoffs, claiming they didn't kill them. She then presents Magnus. Magnus is now a Borg drone. Seven instantly recognizes her "Papa".

Just as Seven is given no hope regarding her future a signal breaks through, garbled but clearly Janeway. Seven whispers "Captain" and the queen demands to know what she said. The queen probes Seven's mind through and realizes it is Janeway.

The scene cuts to commercials

When we return we're on the DF which is still flying around obstacles in Borg Central. Janeway's signal is blocked by the Borg; however, Tuvok manages to locate her position. They adjust their course.

In the queen's quarters the queen has determined that Janeway is in the area. She also realizes they cannot be detected. That they're using multi-adaptive shielding. But the queen notes that Magnus invented that technology and that by assimilating him they have already assimilated the technology he created. The Borg adapt and on the DF Tom realizes they've been spotted. Janeway orders the shields re-modulated and evasive maneuvers. It is enough to avoid capture.

The queen tries a ruse, claiming they've captured the rescue team. But Seven points out if this were true she'd sense them through the collective. The queen offers Seven the chance to cooperate and save her friends. Seven declines.

Janeway and Tuvok, now on the Borg ship wearing bio-dampeners, try to find Seven. They come across a shielded hall and begin searching for a control panel for the shield when Janeway notices a Borg walking right through the shield. She asks Tuvok for a sub-dermal probe (the instrument Magnus used to tag Borg drones).

Meanwhile on the DF the Borg have once again located the shuttle. Tom remodulates the shields again and on the queen's screen the DF disappears.

Seven gloats, pointing out that the Borg underestimate the humans.

In retaliation the Borg start firing blind on the DF, not knowing where they are but knowing they're near and hoping to get a lucky hit.

Meanwhile, Janeway inserts the probe into a regenerating drone and then they pull the regeneration plugs. The drone becomes active and begins walking. It walks through the shield and Janeway is able to get a reading on the shield modulation. Tuvok reprograms the bio-dampener on Janeway's arm and she manages to get through the shield.

But in doing so her dampener is damaged and goes off-line. Tuvok tells her she will be detected They agree to split up. Tuvok is to take out the shields preventing transport from the chamber while Janeway collects Seven.

Meanwhile, Tom and Doc are having a difficult time keeping the DF in one piece. They are finally caught in a tractor beam. The "We are the Borg" mantra starts up again. However, this time we get a twist as we return to the queen's chamber to find it is she who speaks the words. The sound of her voice is changed to sound like the "Voice of Borg" we are all familiar with.

The queen speaks to Seven, telling her she has failed them. Seven angrily moves to strike the queen who deftly catches the oncoming backhand. The queen pronounces judgment on Seven, announcing that the Borg plan to use Seven was flawed and that Seven will be transformed into a drone.

This is interrupted by Janeway making a dramatic appearance. In the shadows, holding her phaser rifle pointed at the queen, Janeway corrects the queen's harangue, calling the queen "irrelevant".

The Borg drones move in to intercept her but Janeway orders them back. The queen orders the drones to stand still.

Janeway describes how Tuvok has turned off the shield around the room and then checks in with Tom, making sure he has targeted the room. Janeway demands the release of her crew and Tom reports the tractor beam attached to them has been shut off. Ordered to beam out the queen raises a dispersal field to prevent it. They argue for Seven's loyalties and Seven chooses Janeway. Seven tries to shut down the dispersal field but the queen adapts, keeping it up.

The queen then commands the drones to assimilate Janeway and Seven. Seven informs the captain that a control node above them allows the queen to command the drones. Janeway destroys the node and Seven is able to shut down the shields and Tom beams them out.

The scene cuts to an external view of the DF avoiding shots from a cube while making its escape. A shot takes out their weapons array while Doc checks out Seven. Janeway orders transwarp drive and from the external shot we can see the DF is pursued by three cubes and the diamond. The DF enters the conduit and the cubes are too slow to follow. However, the diamond is faster and manages to get into the conduit.

Along the route the Borg continue to fire on the DF, hitting a nacelle. Janeway orders life-support energy to be diverted to propulsion to keep them in the conduit.

They manage to hold on just long enough to return to Voyager. Janeway tells Chakotay to expect company and Chakotay orders up a full spread on a Borg conduit to destroy it and everything in it up to a light year away. B'Elanna complies and the transwarp conduit explodes spectacularly.

Janeway and Chakotay make arrangements for recovering the DF. But B'Elanna reports lots of Borg signatures coming through the conduit. Chakotay braces for battle, but as the Borg breach this end of the conduit it appears to be in pieces, a result from the photon explosions. It's a spectacular sight.

Janeway records a log entry for 52619.2. She claims they got another 20,000 light years by using the coil on Voyager. She estimates this has shortened their journey by 15 years.

In Seven's cargo bay we find her recording the tactical data she acquired while with the Borg. She is interrupted by Janeway, who points out Doc ordered two days of regeneration for Seven.

Seven reflects that the Borg thought she understood humans. However, she believes she doesn't since she never expected the crew to come and rescue her. Janeway points out Seven has more to learn, then orders her to her regeneration alcove. Seven complies and Janeway wishes her sweet dreams.

End of episode.

Personal reflections:
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this two-part episode. It had potential, it had sfx, it lacked attention to detail. There are a lot of nits for this story.

On the bright side this episode presented some very good special effects. Notable were the scene of destruction around the 10026 planet and the destruction of the Borg diamond at the end of the show. Borg Central is quite a sight, especially with ships whizzing by.

Kudos to the actress who played the Borg queen (and I do wish Voyager would identify these people). It couldn't have been easy to get into the outfit, makeup, contact lenses and then deliver a very calm, self-assured performance. She did remarkably well.

Nice touch bringing Magnus into the picture as a drone. I expected Annika to grab him when they beamed out or something. After all, he hasn't been a drone much longer than she.

And of course the question not answered in the episode was where is Erin. Somehow I suspect they are saving her to appear later as a queen herself (just a guess).

While the episode had its moments, it didn't go very far before it tripped over some internal illogic and challenged my willingness to suspend disbelief. A little more thought to the story could have smoothed out a lot of the rough edges.

Thank you for your attention,



All episode summaries and nits copyright © 1999 Wulf
Site design and graphics copyright © 1999 Holotech Enterprises
All rights reserved

Star Trek^TM, Voyager^TM and Deep Space Nine^TM
are trademarks owned by Paramount Pictures Corporation.

Design and Hosting by