Captain's log, star date 43989. 1.
We have arrived at Jouret IV in response to a distress signal
from one of the Federation's outermost colonies.
- Anything from the surface? - No, sir.
No communications from the colony for over 1 2 hours.
- Sensors picking up signs of life? - None.
The surface environment is safe for transport, Commander.
Mr. O'Brien.
Verify the coordinates for the New Providence colony.
Coordinates verified.
You're at the centre of town.
Captain's log, star date 43992.6.
Admiral Hanson and Lt Cmdr Shelby of Starfleet Tactical
will review the disappearance of New Providence colony.
No sign remains of the 900 inhabitants.
The truth is... Hell, we are not ready.
We've long known they were coming.
We threw all our resources into this, but...
- You're convinced it is the Borg? - That's what I'm here to find out.
Surface conditions are identical to your report from System J-25.
Cmdr Riker wrote those reports. He agrees with you.
Cmdr Shelby took over Borg tactical analysis six months ago.
I give her a wide latitude when I want to get things done.
That's how I intend to operate here.
My priority has been to develop some kind, any kind, of defence strategy.
Nothing we have now can stop them.
We're designing new weapons, but they're all on the drawing board.
We expected much more lead time.
Your encounter with the Borg was over 7,000 light years away.
If this is the Borg, they have a power source far superior to our own.
I'd like to see the colony site.
It'll be dark there soon. A team is scheduled for dawn.
Number One, why don't you show the Commander to her quarters?
It's poker night, Admiral.
There's always an open seat for you.
Another time. Your captain and I have a lot to cover.
But rumour has it Cmdr Shelby has played a hand or two!
Keep your eye on her, Jean-Luc.
She's one very impressive young lady.
- You seem taken with her, JP. - Just an old man's fantasies.
When she came to Tactical,
every admiral's uncle had a take on this Borg business.
She cut through it. She put us on track.
- Earl Grey? - Please.
She'd be one hell of a first officer.
I already have one of those.
Don't tell me he's going to pass up another commission!
- One's available? - The Melbourne.
It's his if he wants it. Hasn't he told you?
He'll make a fine captain, JP.
You may want to tell him that. We're still waiting on his decision.
This is the third time we've pulled out the captain's chair for Riker.
He just won't sit down.
Let me tell you something, Jean-Luc.
There are a lot of young hotshots like Shelby on the way up.
Riker could suddenly look like he's standing still next to them.
He's hurting his career by staying put.
If I were you, I'd kick him in the rear end for his own good.
I don't know exactly what I'm looking for,
but we've tested the sections of the hull damaged by the Borg.
There were some unusual magnetic resonance traces.
- A Borg footprint? - That's my theory.
I'll see if it holds up tomorrow.
I'm assigning Mr. La Forge and Mr. Data to accompany me on the away team.
I've already assigned them to the away team.
- And I'll be with you as well. - Of course.
I appreciate any assistance you can offer.
Is serving aboard the Enterprise as amazing as I've heard?
- Every bit. - Good.
I intend to convince Capt Picard that I'm right for the job.
- Job? Which job? - Yours, of course.
I'm sorry. I heard that you were leaving.
If I were, I'm sure you'd be the first to know.
Poker's at 1 700 hours in my quarters.
Deck eight.
- Got another king in the hole, Data? - I cannot answer that, Wesley.
And as you are a newcomer, it is inappropriate for you to ask.
I will buy another card.
No help there.
Fold again!
Three jacks for the handsome young ensign.
Pair of deuces stands. Flush. Possible straight flush.
Your bet, Mr. Crusher.
- I'm in for ten. - Call.
Now it's time for the long pants. There's your ten...
- One hundred. - He's got the straight flush.
Not necessarily.
Cmdr Riker may be bluffing, Wesley.
- I don't think so. Fold. - With three jacks? Are you kidding?
You may get "As in school, but you don't know about poker.
Well, I've only got two pairs,
but I've got to see your hole card.
I'll call.
You got him!
Mr. Data and our guest appear to be tardy.
Sir, they beamed down to the planet's surface an hour ago.
- On whose authority? - On hers, sir.
Morning. Early bird gets the worm, eh?
We've had some interesting results.
Cmdr Shelby.
Walk with me, Commander.
Early bird? I believe Cmdr Shelby erred.
There are no avifaunal or vermicular life forms on Jouret IV.
That's not what she meant, Data.
But you're right. She erred.
Sorry, but I woke up early and saw a weather system moving in.
- It may have affected soil readings. - So with no regard for the risk...
If we ran into the Borg, two extra bodies would make no difference.
We had three hours before the storm hit. Less than two hours now.
Data was available. I took him. We came. I don't see your problem.
I expect to be notified before there's a change in my orders.
Noted for future reference. Do you wish to hear my report, sir?
Go ahead.
The soil contains the same magnetic traces. That's our footprint.
There's no doubt any more. It is the Borg.
Captain's log, star date 43993.5.
With confirmation of the Borg's presence,
Admiral Hanson has returned to discuss strategy with Command.
Lt Cmdr Shelby remains on board to continue tactical preparations.
I've ordered a standing yellow alert. Federation outposts have been warned.
Ops will monitor long-range sensors.
Data, La Forge and Mr. Crusher will work with Cmdr Shelby.
Good. You've covered all the bases.
What's your impression of Shelby?
- She knows her stuff. - She has your full confidence?
I think she needs supervision.
She takes the initiative too easily, sometimes with risks.
Sounds like a young lieutenant commander I recruited!
Perhaps.
Will.
What the hell are you still doing here?
- Sir? - You've been offered the Melbourne.
I've decided not to pursue that.
- She's a fine ship, Will. - Yes, but she's not the Enterprise.
With all due respect, sir, you need me. Particularly now.
Indeed? Starfleet needs good captains, particularly now.
Reconsider your decision.
Are you telling me to leave?
I'm asking you to look at your career objectively.
Will.
You're ready to work without a net. You're ready to take command.
And you know, the Enterprise will go along just fine without you.
What am I still doing here?
Deanna, I pushed myself hard to get this far. I sacrificed a lot.
I said I wanted my own command, yet something's holding me back.
- Is it wrong for me to want to stay? - What do you think?
Maybe I'm afraid of the big chair.
I don't think so.
The Captain says Shelby reminds him of the way I used to be. He's right.
She comes here full of drive and ambition. Impatient, taking risks.
What happened to those things in me? I liked those things about me.
- I've lost something. - You mean you're older,
more experienced.
A little more seasoned.
Seasoned? That's a horrible thing to say to a man.
I don't think you've lost a thing.
And I think you've gained more than you realize.
You're more comfortable with yourself than you used to be.
Maybe that's the problem. I'm too comfortable here.
I'm not sure I know what that means.
You're happy here, happier than I've ever known you to be.
So it comes down to a simple question.
What do you want, Will Riker?
A manipulation effect in the Borg ship's field.
A pattern at 4.8-minute intervals during your first confrontation.
Might be high-output auxiliary generators.
Their systems may be decentralized,
with redundant power sources throughout the ship.
A reasonable conclusion.
Borg technology enables all of them
to interface and function collectively.
It is likely they constructed their ship that way.
Knock out one generator and another one takes over.
What damage would we have to do to shut them down?
A Borg ship like this could probably continue to function
even if 78 percent of it was inoperable.
And our best shot barely scratched the surface.
From what I've seen, none of these new weapons
can be ready in less than 1 8 months.
We've been projecting 24.
Is there anything we could do here to adapt our current defence systems?
We'll have to go through the specs again, but...
I don't know. My mind's turned to clay.
Mine, too.
Let's modify the plasma phaser design.
Let's call it a night. That's an order. Reconvene at 0500.
Sir, may I continue with Mr. Data who does not require rest?
You need rest, Commander.
If we have a confrontation with the Borg...
If we have a confrontation,
I don't want a crew fighting the Borg and their own fatigue. Dismissed.
At 1900 hours yesterday the USS Lalo departed Zeta Alpha II
on a freight run to Sentinel Minor IV.
At 2200 hours and 12 minutes,
a distress signal was received at Star base 157.
The Lalo reported contact with an alien vessel,
described as cube-shaped.
The distress signal ended abruptly and she's not been heard from since.
How long would it take to get there at warp nine?
- One hour, 1 7 minutes. - Make it so.
We're coming with every available starship to assist, Captain,
but the closest help is six days away.
We'll try and keep them occupied until you arrive.
I know you will. Hanson out.
All hands stand to. Battle stations.
What is the status of our defences?
Mr. La Forge will change shield nutation. That should hold them off.
And we're retuning phaser frequencies to disrupt their subspace field.
What's your assessment of our potential effectiveness?
It's a shot in the dark. But for now it's the best we can do.
Dismissed.
Sir, reading unidentified vessel just entering sensor range.
Bearing 21 0, mark 1 51 .
Hail them, Mr. Worf.
No response, sir.
- Move to intercept. - Aye, sir.
Sir, the vessel has already changed course to intercept us.
Approaching at warp 9.3.
- Entering visual range. - On screen.
Magnify.
Mr. Worf, dispatch a subspace message to Admiral Hanson.
We have engaged the Borg.
Captain, you are being hailed.
- I am? - Yes, Captain. By name.
Data, is it the same ship we faced at J-25?
Uncertain. But the dimensions are precisely the same.
On screen.
I'm Captain...
Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of the Enterprise,
NCC-1701-D.
Lower your shields. Prepare to transport yourself to our vessel.
If you do not cooperate, we will destroy your ship.
You committed acts of aggression against the Federation.
- If you do not withdraw... - Surrender yourself
or we will destroy your ship. Your defences cannot withstand...
What do they want with you?
I thought they weren't interested in humans, only our technology.
Their priorities have changed. Open.
Channel open.
We have developed new defences since our last meeting.
And we will use them if you do not withdraw from Federation space!
Captain, the shields are being probed.
I'm modulating nutation.
They are attempting to lock on to us with a tractor beam.
Load torpedo bays. Arm phasers. Lock on to the source of the beam.
- Shield status? - Holding, sir.
The nutation confused them.
They have the ability to analyze and adapt.
Shield modulation has failed. They've locked on.
Shields are being drained. 90 percent. 80...
Trying to recalibrate nutation. Damn!
- Shields have failed. - Fire all weapons.
Their subspace field is intact.
- New frequencies had no impact. - Reverse engines.
Full reverse.
- We're not moving. - Fire at will.
Launching torpedoes. Phaser spread continuing.
Still no damage to the Borg vessel.
Warning, outer hull breach.
They are cutting into Engineering.
- Geordi, evacuate Engineering. - Computer, evacuation sequence!
- Sealing doors to core. - Move it, people. Let's go.
Decompression danger, deck 36, section four.
Sealing main Engineering.
Data, fluctuate phaser resonance frequencies.
Random settings. Don't give them time to adapt.
- Tractor beam released. - Warp nine.
Course, 1 51 , mark 330.
Engage.
- They're in pursuit, Captain. - Maintain course.
Damage report, Geordi?
Hull rupture. The damage is pretty heavy.
- We lost a lot of good people. - Eleven dead, eight unaccounted for.
- Repair teams, seal hull breach. - I can control functions from here.
- Approaching the Paulson Nebula. - Drop to impulse.
Take us in, Ensign.
- The field's getting too dense, sir. - Steady.
- Analysis of the nebula cloud? - 82 percent dilithium hydroxides.
Magnesium, chromium. It should be a screen against their sensors.
Mr. La Forge, prepare to reverse engines. Full stop.
The Borg ship is continuing scans, attempting to locate us.
Good. As long as they're looking for us, they won't hurt anyone else.
Time index 51 4. Data fluctuates phaser resonance frequencies.
The Borg's beam breaks contact. Slow playback.
Take a closer look. Mr. La Forge?
There's a brief two-percent drop in power, but it is system-wide.
Phaser frequency spread was high and narrow.
Borg power nodes may be vulnerable to those frequencies.
If we can generate a burst of power at that same frequency distribution,
more than our phasers or torpedoes could provide.
- How do we do that? - The main deflector dish.
It's the only component designed to channel that much power.
End program.
Unfortunately, there is one slight detail.
In the process, the blast destroys the Enterprise as well.
If we got further away, increased the deflector's range...
It could work. Meanwhile, we should retune phasers to the same frequency.
- Proceed. I'll inform the Captain. - I have one other recommendation.
Separate the saucer. A skeleton crew can create a diversion.
- We may need power from its engines. - It'd give them more to worry about.
- It's too great a risk. - I'd like the Captain to decide.
I bring all the alternatives to his attention. That'll be all.
I need to install stronger power transfers to the dish.
- How long? - Better part of a day.
- She gets a full head of steam. - She's a formidable presence.
- But I'm convinced she can help us. - I am, too.
Don't worry about it. I can handle Shelby.
Come.
Come in, Number One.
Cmdr Shelby was just telling me of your concerns about her plan.
I have already informed her...
I agree with you, Number One. It's not the time.
But the time may come when we will have to take greater risks.
Consider her plan as a fall-back position. Make the preparations.
Very good, sir.
- Deck eight, battle bridge. - Halt.
You and I need to have a conversation.
You never ordered me not to discuss it.
You disagree with me, fine.
You need to take it to the Captain, fine. Through me.
You do an end-run around me again,
I'll snap you back so hard, you'll think you're a first-year cadet.
- May I be speak frankly, sir? - By all means.
You're in my way.
Really? How terrible for you.
All you know how to do is play it safe.
That's why you've sat in the shadow of a great man for so long,
passing up one command after another.
Proceed to deck eight!
When it comes to this ship and this crew,
you're damned right I play it safe.
If you can't make the big decisions, Commander,
then make room for someone who can.
Captain's log, star date 43996.2.
We remain concealed in the dust cloud.
To my surprise, the Borg have held position, waiting for us to come out.
I have no explanation for their special interest in me or this ship.
We continue to prepare for the inevitable confrontation,
but I must admit on this night I contemplate the possibility
that no defence may be adequate against this enemy.
Trouble sleeping?
It's something of a tradition, Guinan.
The Captain touring the ship before a battle.
Before a hopeless battle, if I remember the tradition correctly.
Not necessarily. Nelson toured the HMS Victory before Trafalgar.
Yes, but Nelson never returned from Trafalgar, did he?
No, but the battle was won.
Do you expect this battle to be won?
We may yet prevail.
That's a conceit,
but it's a healthy one.
I wonder if the Emperor Honorius,
watching the Visigoths coming over the hill,
truly realized that the Roman Empire was about to fall.
This is just another page in history, isn't it?
Will this be the end of our civilization?
Turn the page.
This isn't the end.
You say that with remarkable assuredness.
With experience.
When the Borg destroyed my world,
my people were scattered throughout the universe.
We survived.
As will humanity survive.
As long as there's a handful of you to keep the spirit alive,
you will prevail. Even if it takes a millennium.
Capt Picard, report to the bridge.
I'm on my way, Lieutenant.
They're some sort of magnetometric-guided charges.
- Status of shields? - Back to 48 percent, Captain.
We may have to leave the nebula. I want all the power you have.
Recommend we adjust shield harmonics to the upper EM band when proceeding.
Acknowledged.
- Direct hit, deck nine. - Damage report?
- Latching-system integrity breached. - Prepare to take us out of here.
Fire up. Half-impulse till we clear the nebula, then warp nine.
Ready phasers. Load forward torpedo bays.
Engage!
- Tractor beam trying to lock on. - Fire at will.
Continue rotating shield frequency.
Shields failing.
Tractor beam has locked on.
It's no use. They've adapted to the new frequencies.
The Borg ship disengaging. Leaving at warp speed.
Maintain pursuit.
Borg vessel has reached warp nine.
- 9.4, 9.6. - Stay with them.
O'Brien, can you get a fix on the Captain?
Negative, sir. There's interference. I can't lock in on a signal.
Senior officers, report to the bridge.
The coordinates they have set, they're on a course to Sector 001 .
The Terran System.
Earth.
Capt Jean-Luc Picard, you lead the strongest ship in the Federation.
You speak for your people.
I have nothing to say. I will resist you with my last ounce of strength!
Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile.
We wish to improve ourselves,
to have your biological and technological distinctiveness.
Your culture will adapt to service ours.
Impossible! My culture is based on freedom and self-determination.
Freedom is irrelevant. So is self-determination. You must comply.
- We would rather die. - Death is irrelevant.
Your archaic cultures are authority-driven.
To facilitate our introduction into your societies,
we have decided a human voice will speak for us in all communications.
You have been chosen to be that voice.
They are leading us into the heart of our own defences.
So far they haven't had much reason to worry about those!
If the Borg stay at warp 9.6,
we'll have to discontinue pursuit in less than three hours.
- Two hours, 40 minutes. - When will the deflector be ready?
We're close. A few hours maybe.
I know, I'll get it done in two.
But I need serious power from the engines to make this weapon work.
We're using all we've got just to keep up.
Sir, we've got to get that ship down to impulse.
I'm leading an away team to get the Captain back.
We'll get them out of warp. Crusher, continue to help Mr. La Forge.
Cmdr Shelby, you'll take the bridge.
Data, Worf, Doctor, you're with me.
- With my knowledge of the Borg... - Those are my orders!
Cmdr Riker.
It is inappropriate for you to lead the away team.
Until the Captain's return, you are in command of the Enterprise.
We're in a state of war and your place is on the bridge.
Cmdr Shelby, you'll lead the away team.
Make it so.
First Officer's log, star date 43998.5.
Our pursuit of the Borg is taking us to the core of the Federation.
The devastation they could bring is unimaginable.
These have been retuned.
Each has a different frequency on the upper EM band.
We can only use each of these once, maybe twice, before the Borg adapt.
Don't fire until you have to.
What resistance should we expect?
At our first encounter, the Borg ignored us when we beamed aboard.
Clearly they did not consider us a threat.
That may change, however, if we start interfering with their plans.
Shelby to bridge. Away team ready.
We have 58 minutes before we have to disengage.
- Understood. - Proceed.
No unnecessary risks. Clear?
Very clear, sir. Shelby out.
- Velocity matched for transport. - Energize.
Tricorder functions minimal.
- Any signs of human life? - Inconclusive.
Look at this! This is extraordinary.
These appear to be some kind of power-wave-guide conduits
which allow them to work collectively as they perform ship functions.
We can't take out enough of these to disable them.
What if we look at this from a mosquito's point of view?
Interesting metaphor, Doctor. What is your idea?
If we sting them in a tender spot, they might stop to scratch.
Distribution nodes.
If we take out a few of these, it might make them scratch.
The Captain's communicator. It is still activated.
Crusher to Picard. Can you hear me?
Can you locate it, Worf?
This way!
I strongly recommend redeploying all defences to protect Sector 001 .
We're moving to intercept at Wolf 359. We'll make our stand there.
How much longer can you maintain pursuit?
22 minutes at their current speed. If we can't bring them out of warp,
we'll do as much damage as we can before we have to disengage.
Picard?
Nothing yet, sir.
In here.
- Shelby to Enterprise. - Go ahead.
We've found the Captain's uniform and communicator. Resuming search.
Stand by, Commander.
- We're in business. - It'll burn out the deflector,
- but it'll be a hell of a bang! - Radiation danger?
We have to evacuate half the secondary hull
and the lower decks of the saucer.
I'll see to that.
Cmdr Shelby,
we have only 17 minutes of warp power left.
Try to get them out of warp.
Acknowledged. Shelby out.
Let's take out some distribution nodes and see what happens.
Sir, they've done it. The Borg ship is dropping out of warp.
- Go to impulse. - Aye, sir.
Diverting warp power to deflector.
Move us to within 40,000 kilometres. Match velocity.
Commence arming sequence.
Increase deflector modulation to upper frequency band.
Shelby to Enterprise. Encountering resistance. Prepare to beam us back.
They're adapting!
Jean-Luc!
Captain!
Enterprise, get us out of here!
- The Captain? - We were unable to retrieve him.
- He has been altered by the Borg. - Altered?
He is a Borg!
We'll go back. I need more people.
We'll retune the phasers. We'll get him out.
Reading subspace field fluctuations from within the Borg ship.
Looks like they're restoring power.
They'll be capable of warp any minute.
Is the deflector ready?
- It's ready. - Will, he's alive.
If we get him back here maybe I can restore...
This is our only chance to destroy them before our weapon is useless.
- We'll sabotage them again. - We can't maintain power.
We don't have time. Prepare to fire.
Consult with Starfleet Command. Get Admiral Hanson.
Belay that order. There's no time!
Sir, we are being hailed by the Borg.
On screen.
I am Locutus of Borg.
Resistance is futile.
Your life as it has been
is over.
From this time forward,
you will service us.
Mr. Worf.
Fire.
The Borg ship is undamaged.
lmpossible.
Warning. Warp reactor core primary coolant failure.
l can't maintain it much longer, Commander.
Warning. Exceeding reaction chamber thermal limit.
Cease fire.
Shutting down warp engines.
They couldn't have adapted that quickly.
The knowledge and experience of the human, Picard
is part of us now.
lt has prepared us for all possible courses of action.
Your resistance is hopeless...
Number One.
First Officer's Log, Stardate 44001.4.
The Borg ship has resumed its course toward Earth.
We are unable to pursue pending repairs to the Enterprise.
As we anticipated, the blast burned out
our main navigational deflector.
We also have damage to our shields
and our reactor core.
We should be back up in eight to 12 hours, Admiral.
Well, we'll miss you at the party.
The Enterprise will be there.
Maybe a little late, but we'll be there, sir.
Your engagements have given us valuable time.
We've mobilized a fleet of 40 starships at Wolf 359.
And that's just for starters.
The Klingons are sending warships.
Hell, we've even thought
of opening communications with the Romulans.
You realize, Admiral, that with the assistance of Captain Picard
the Borg will be ready for your defenses.
Lieutenant, a few years ago, l watched a freshman cadet
pass four upperclassmen on the last hill
of a 40-kilometer run at Danula ll.
The damnedest thing l ever saw.
The only freshman to ever win the Academy marathon.
l made it my business to get to know that young fellow
and l got to know him very, very well.
And l'll tell you something--
l never met anyone with more drive, determination
or more courage than Jean-Luc Picard
and there is no way in hell that he would assist the Borg.
l want that clear.
Of course, Admiral.
He is... a casualty of war.
Then we have abandoned all hope of recovering him.
ln less than 24 hours
this armada's going to hit that Borg vessel
with everything we can muster.
Either they survive or we do.
And as for Picard...
a great man has been lost.
Your Captain. My friend.
Commander Riker, l hereby promote you
to the field commission of Captain.
The Enterprise is your ship now.
Congratulations.
l wish the circumstances were different.
Likewise.
Good luck, Admiral.
Mm. To us all.
And Mr. Crusher suggests we might design a chip
that would automatically re-tune the phasers
to a random setting after each discharge.
Engineering.
That would be a great advantage.
We should also see if there's some way
that we can neutralize their force fields.
We've got to let them know that we can adapt, too, Mr. Worf.
We're no longer just fighting the Borg.
We're fighting the life experience
they've stolen from Captain Picard.
Now, how the hell do we defeat an enemy
that knows us better than we know ourselves?
The Borg have neither honor nor courage.
That is our greatest advantage.
l hope it's enough.
Accelerator coils are responding normally.
Excellent.
Aft shields... Sensors must be down.
Checking. Sensors are fine.
No, aft shields have completely failed.
Damn it!
Auxiliary generators are out again.
Just the man l need.
We're having some problems with the aft shields.
The generator's going on and off-line.
l could really use your help, Worf.
How soon do we get underway, Geordi?
Still a couple of hours.
Commander Shelby can fill you in.
The main navigational deflector is functional again.
Sherbourne and Barclay are running through
the final testing sequence now.
The warp reactor core?
Reconstruction is proceeding normally.
lt's slow work.
lf we can nail down this shield generator problem
l agree with La Forge.
We should be back at operating capacity in two to three hours.
Good.
Anything else, sir?
Yes. You did a good job on the Borg ship.
l didn't get Picard.
You stopped them.
You gave us our shot.
Sir, l...
Commander, we don't have to like each other
to work well together.
As a matter of fact
l'd like you to continue to keep me on my toes.
Some might define that as the role
of a First Officer.
Damn, you are ambitious, aren't you, Shelby?
Captain Riker, based on our past relationship
there's no reason for me to expect
to become your First Officer
except that you need me.
l know how to get things done
and l have the expertise in the Borg.
And you have a lot to learn, Commander.
Yes, sir.
Almost as much as l had to learn when l came onboard
as Captain Picard's First Officer.
A fact he reminded me of
when l commented on what a pain in the neck you are.
Yes, sir.
Data to Riker. Message from Starfleet, Captain.
Go ahead, Data.
Starfleet reports it has engaged the Borg
at Wolf 359, sir.
Admiral Hanson on subspace, Captain.
On screen.
Admiral?
The fight does not go well, Enterprise.
We're attempting to withdraw and regroup.
Rendezvous with fleet...
Captain's Log, Stardate 44002.3.
Repairs are complete and the Enterprise
is warping to rendezvous with Starfleet at Wolf 359.
Communications from the site of battle have been cut off
possibly due to Borg interference.
Lieutenant Worf, everyone in this room
shares my respect for your service to this ship
but, right now, l need your experience at tactical.
Commander Data, l realize your very nature omits ambition.
Nevertheless, l want you to know
l seriously considered you as First Officer.
Thank you, sir.
But this is not the time for change.
l need all of you where you are
where Captain Picard always relied on you.
l have been... reluctantly... forced to conclude
that Commander Shelby, our expert on the Borg
is an ideal choice at this time
for First Officer.
Based on our latest communication, we can assume
that the Borg survived the fleet's attack.
Your thoughts on our next encounter.
What about the heavy graviton beam we were talking about?
l've gone over it four times.
The local field distortion just wouldn't be strong enough
to incapacitate them.
Dr. Crusher and l have been working on
an interesting premise.
With our recent experience in nanotechnology
we might be able to introduce
a destructive breed of nanites into the Borg.
Nanites?
Robots
small enough to enter living cells.
How long would it take to execute that?
That's the problem-- two to three weeks.
ln two or three weeks, nanites may be
all that's left of the Federation.
We have the new phaser adapters.
Maybe in concert
with the photon torpedoes, we can slow them down.
l'm sure Captain Picard
would have something meaningful and inspirational
to say right now.
To tell you the truth, l wish he was here
'cause l'd like to hear it, too.
l know how difficult this transition
has been for all of you.
l can take over for him
but l could never replace Captain Picard
nor would l ever try.
Whatever the outcome
l'm sure our efforts in the coming battle
will justify his faith in all of us.
Dismissed.
What would you do?
Come.
May l speak to you, Captain?
Actually, Guinan, l...
You know, Picard and l used to talk
every now and then, when one of us needed to.
l guess l'm just used to having the Captain's ear.
What's on your mind?
l've heard a lot of people talking down in Ten-Forward.
They expect to be dead in the next day or so.
They trust you.
They like you.
But they don't believe anyone can save them.
l'm not sure anyone can.
When a man is convinced he's going to die tomorrow
he'll probably find a way to make it happen.
The only one who can turn this around is you.
l'll do the best l can.
You're going to have to do something you don't want to do.
You have to let go of Picard.
Maybe you haven't heard.
l tried to kill him yesterday.
You tried to kill whatever that is on the Borg ship--
not Picard.
Picard is still here with us.
ln this room.
lf he had died, it would be easier.
But he didn't.
They took him from us a piece at a time.
Did he ever tell you why we're so close?
No.
Oh.
Then let me just say that our relationship
is beyond friendship, beyond family.
And l will let him go.
And you must do the same.
There can only be one Captain.
lt's not that simple.
This was his crew.
He wrote the book on this ship.
lf the Borg know everything he knows
it's time to throw that book away.
You must let him go, Riker.
lt's the only way to beat him.
The only way to save him.
And that is now your chair...
Captain.
We are now approaching the Wolf system, Captain.
On my way.
Slow to impulse.
Take us to the battle coordinates, Mr. Crusher.
Yellow Alert.
Sensors are picking up several vessels, Captain.
The fleet?
No active subspace fields.
Negligible power readings.
Life signs?
Negative, sir.
Visual contact.
On screen.
The Tolstoy.
The Kyushu.
The Melbourne.
Sir, sensors are picking up unusually strong eddy currents
bearing 200 mark 21 1.
Data, analysis?
lt could indicate the course of the Borg ship, sir.
Ensign Crusher, set in a course that follows those currents.
Commander Shelby, prepare to initiate
your plan to separate the saucer section
when we find the Borg.
Sir, l must remind you
that Captain Picard was briefed on that plan.
The Borg will be prepared for it.
l'm aware of that, Commander.
ln fact, l'm counting on it.
Crusher, Cartaino, Gleason, report to the Battle Bridge.
Mr. Data, Mr. Worf
l have a special mission for you.
Locutus of Borg
this is Captain William T. Riker of the USS Enterprise.
You may speak.
We wish to end the hostilities.
Then you must unconditionally surrender.
We are prepared to meet to discuss your terms.
lt is unlikely you are prepared to discuss terms.
lt is more likely that this is an attempt at deception.
Come now, Locutus.
lf Picard's knowledge and experience
is part of you
then you know that l've never lied to him.
You should also implicitly trust me.
ls that not so?
Picard implicitly trusted you.
Then trust me now.
Meet to discuss your terms.
Discussion is irrelevant.
There are no terms.
You will disarm all your weapons and escort us to Sector 001
where we will begin assimilating your culture and...
Mr. Gleason, can you pinpoint the source
of the Borg transmission?
l can put you within 30 meters of it, sir.
O'Brien, report.
The Borg have adapted their electromagnetic field
to prevent main transporter function, sir.
As expected.
Mr. Data, Mr. Worf, proceed as we discussed.
Aye, Captain.
Channel open, sir.
We would like time to prepare our people
for assimilation.
Preparation is irrelevant.
Your people will be assimilated as easily as Picard has been.
Your attempt at a delay
will not be successful, Number One.
We will proceed to Earth
and if you attempt to intervene, we will destroy you.
Then take your best shot, Locutus
'cause we are about to intervene.
Channel closed.
Reset subspace communications.
Scrambler code, Riker One.
Scrambler code Riker One, acknowledged.
Shelby, report.
Ready for separation.
Make it so.
Auto-sep sequence initiated.
Docking latches clear.
Separation complete.
Saucer velocity, 100 meters per second and increasing, sir.
Open fire. All weapons.
Fire.
Borg tractor beam attempting to lock on, sir.
Evasive maneuvers, pattern Riker Alpha.
Riker Alpha, confirmed.
They're ignoring the saucer section completely.
Just as you should, Captain.
Ensign, evasive pattern Riker Beta.
Riker Beta, confirmed.
Proceed to second phase, Commander Shelby.
Acknowledged.
Fire antimatter spread.
Shuttle launch sequence confirmed.
Departing Enterprise in exactly three seconds.
The Borg tractor beam has moved toward the antimatter spread.
They might be picking up the engine ionization
from the shuttle.
Data, cut your engines.
Take her in unpowered.
Shuttle has penetrated the Borg electromagnetic field.
Understood.
The shuttle escape transporter should provide enough power
to beam us onto the Borg ship from here, sir.
Proceed.
Data!
Mission accomplished.
We have him.
Firing shuttle thrusters.
They're clear of the Borg field, sir.
Beam them out of there, Mr. O'Brien.
Locked in.
Transport successful, sir.
Captain, we've sustained damage to the impulse drive.
The saucer section is disabled.
Reading subspace field fluctuations from the Borg ship.
Looks like they're getting ready to increase power.
Stand by, Mr. La Forge.
Aye, sir.
The saucer section's a sitting duck.
Prepare to draw their fire.
Captain, the Borg ship is moving away.
lt's resuming its course towards Earth, sir.
Rendezvous with the saucer section.
Lay in a course of pursuit.
There is extensive infiltration
of the microcircuit fibers into the surrounding tissue.
His DNA is being rewritten.
Can you revive him?
l'd like more time to study
the structural changes in the motor pathways.
We don't have more time, Doctor.
Once he was wired into the Borg
they knew everything that he knew.
l just hope it goes both ways.
lf we're lucky, he had access
to everything we need to know about them.
Especially their vulnerabilities.
Jean-Luc, it's Beverly.
Can you hear me?
Beverly... Crusher... Doctor.
Yes.
Don't try to move.
l am on board the Enterprise.
That's right.
A futile maneuver.
lncorrect strategy, Number One
to risk your crew and ship to retrieve only one man.
Picard would never have approved.
You underestimate us, if you believe
this abduction is any concern.
There is no need for apprehension.
l intend no harm.
No harm.
l will continue
aboard this ship, to speak for the Borg
while they continue, without further diversion
to Sector 001
where they will force your unconditional surrender.
Using multimodal reflection sorting
l have been able to detect
a complex series of subspace signals
between Locutus and the Borg ship.
That's how they're controlling him?
lt is not just a matter of control, Doctor.
The signals are interactive across a subspace domain
similar to that of a transporter beam.
l would hypothesize that these frequencies
form the basis of the Borg's collective consciousness.
Can't we block them?
Possibly, but as you may recall, on several occasions
we have witnessed the Borg removing key circuits
from injured comrades.
No doubt separating them from the group consciousness.
The injured Borg immediately self-destructed.
That is correct, sir.
Cutting the link to Locutus might be fatal to the Captain.
We have to find a way to reach him.
We must know what he knows.
Without these interactive signals
it would only be a matter of microsurgery--
l could do it.
But as long as these Borg implants
are functioning, there's no way
l can separate the man from the machine.
Then perhaps there is a way
l can access the machine, Doctor.
Worf. Klingon species. A warrior race.
You, too, will be assimilated.
The Klingon Empire will never yield.
Why do you resist?
We only wish to raise quality of life
for all species.
l like my species the way it is.
A narrow vision.
You will become one with the Borg.
You will all become one with the Borg.
The android...
Data... primitive artificial organism.
You will be obsolete in the new order.
Take him to your lab, Data.
Shelby to Riker.
Go ahead.
Captain, the Borg have entered Sector 001.
The Borg have dropped out of warp, sir.
Jupiter Outpost 92 reported visual contact
at 1200 hours, 13 minutes.
Planetary defenses?
Responding. No reports on effectiveness
but l really can't believe that against the Borg...
Ensign Crusher, at their current speed
when will they reach Earth?
27 minutes.
The soonest we could intercept?
42 minutes, sir.
Riker to Data.
What's your status?
The initial cybernetic connection
into Captain Picard's neural net pathways has been established.
Mr. O'Brien is ready
to process the Borg signal
through the transport pattern buffer.
Make it so.
With dispatch, Mr. Data.
Proceeding immediately, sir.
Data out.
The neural link will be established
in three stages.
Doctor, l suggest
you closely observe Captain Picard's life signs
while, at each stage
Chief O'Brien monitors my positronic matrix activity.
Counselor
hopefully, you will be able to determine
whether l am reaching Captain Picard.
At what point
should l shut it down if there's a problem?
l do not know.
l have never done this before.
lnitiating first neural link.
The Captain's vital signs are stable.
Positronic activity unchanged.
First neural connection is confirmed.
l cannot report
any significant access to the Borg consciousness.
lt is confirmed.
The Borg have broken through the Mars Defense Perimeter.
Enterprise now approaching Terran system, sir.
Slow to impulse.
Time to intercept?
23 minutes, 14 seconds, sir.
Second neural connection is confirmed.
l still cannot report
any significant access.
Proceeding with the final link.
Significant increase in premotor area
and hypothalamus activity.
His heartbeat is accelerating rapidly.
Sir, your submicron matrix activity
is increasing exponentially.
Neural connections complete.
l have access to the Borg subspace signals.
Processing.
Data.
Stand by.
Processing.
Fascinating.
The Borg group consciousness is divided into subcommands
necessary to carry out all functions.
Defense, communication, navigation--
they are all controlled
by a root command implanted into ea...
Data, l'm picking up increased
neural activity in Captain Picard
localized in the prefrontal and parietal lobes.
The Borg might be trying
to terminate their link with him.
Negative.
The subspace signal configuration is unchanged.
What is causing the increased neural activity is unclear.
No, it's not.
lt's him.
lt's Picard.
Troi to Bridge.
Data has made first contact with Captain Picard.
Can you communicate with him, Data?
l have been unable to create a neural path
around the Borg implants, sir.
lt is Captain Picard himself
who has somehow managed to initiate contact.
Sir, the Borg have halted their approach to Earth.
l think we got their attention.
Time to intercept?
Two minutes, four seconds, sir.
They're worried.
They're worried because we have access to Picard.
Mr. Data, we have two minutes
to figure out what we can do with it.
Sir, it is clear the Borg are either unwilling
or unable to terminate their subspace links.
That may be their Achilles heel, Captain--
their interdependency.
What do you mean, Doctor?
He's part of their collective consciousness now.
Cutting him off would be like asking one of us
to disconnect an arm or a foot-- we can't do it.
They operate as a single mind.
One of them jumps off a cliff, they all jump off?
Data, is it possible to plant a command
into the Borg collective consciousness?
lt is conceivable, sir
but it would require altering the pathway
from the root command
to affect all iterative branchpoints in...
Make every effort, Mr. Data.
Sir, what command shall l attempt to plant?
Something straightforward
like ''disarm your weapons systems.''
Visual contact with the Borg.
On screen.
Magnify.
Sensors reading increased power generation from the Borg.
Red Alert.
Load all torpedo bays.
Ready phasers.
Aye, Captain.
Status of Borg weapons.
Their weapon systems are fully charged.
Data?
Attempting to reroute subcommand paths, Captain.
Defense systems are protected by access barriers.
Borg attempting to lock on tractor beam.
Rotate shield frequencies.
Data, report.
l am unable to penetrate
defense systems command structure, Captain.
Try the power systems, Data.
See if you can get them to power down.
Acknowledged.
Attempting new power subcommand path.
Shields have failed.
They've locked on, sir.
They're pulling us in.
Fire all weapons.
l cannot penetrate Borg power subcommand structure, sir.
All critical subcommands
are protected, Captain.
Then it's over.
Mr. Crusher, ready a collision course with the Borg ship.
You heard me-- a collision course!
Yes, sir.
Mr. La Forge, prepare to go to warp power.
Aye, sir.
Sleep.
He's regaining consciousness.
Sleep.
lt's Captain Picard speaking
not Locutus.
Sleep, Data.
He's exhausted.
Yes, Doctor.
But if l may make a supposition, l do not believe his message
was intended to express fatigue
but to suggest a course of action.
Borg cutting beam activated.
Mr. Crusher.
Eng...
Data to Bridge. Stand by.
Stand by all stations.
l am attempting to penetrate
the Borg regenerative subcommand path.
lt is a low-priority system and may be accessible.
Warning. Outer hull breach.
Sir, shall l execute evacuation sequence?
Negative, Mr. Worf.
Mr. Data, your final report.
Stand by.
l can't, Mr. Data!
Warning. lnner hull failure imminent on decks 23, 24 and 25.
Decompression danger.
Mr. Data, what the hell happened?
l successfully planted a command
into the Borg collective consciousness.
lt misdirected them
to believe it was time to regenerate.
ln effect, l put them all to sleep.
To sleep?
Yes, sir.
Status of Borg power drive?
Minimal power.
Electromagnetic field?
Nonexistent.
Commander Shelby, take an away team
and confirm that the Borg are... asleep.
Delighted, sir.
Mr. Worf.
Shelby to Enterprise.
lt's true.
They're all in a regeneration mode.
They're dormant, sir.
Any indication to how long we can keep them like this?
Checking.
Tricorder readings are fluctuating rapidly, Commander.
Shelby to Enterprise.
There are indications here that their entire power net's
about to feed back on itself.
l'd say we're looking at a self-destruct sequence
activated by the Borg's malfunction.
Do you want us to attempt to disarm it?
Stand by.
There's no way to know
what the destruction of the Borg ship will do to him.
We should also consider the advantages
of further examination of the Borg and their vessel, sir.
l don't think so.
Data, separate yourself from Captain Picard.
Away team, get yourselves home.
Mr. Crusher, upon their return move us to a safe position.
Aye, sir.
Life signs are stable.
The DNA around the microcircuit fiber implants
is returning to normal.
How do you feel?
Almost human.
With just... a bit of a headache.
We'll get you to Sick Bay.
We won't have any trouble getting those implants out now.
How much do you remember?
Everything.
lncluding some brilliantly unorthodox strategy
from a former First Officer of mine.
...and Earth Station McKinley has advised
that they're ready to begin refitting the Enterprise.
And the estimated time for repairs?
Five or six weeks.
-Come. -Come.
Request permission to disembark, sir.
Permission granted.
They picked a fine officer for the task force, Commander.
We'll have the fleet back up in less than a year.
l imagine you'll have your choice
of any Starfleet command, sir.
Everyone is so concerned about my next job.
With all due respect, Commander... sir
my career plans
are my own business and no one else's.
But it's nice to know
l'll have a few options.
l hope l have the fortune of serving with you again, sir.
Captain.
Course for Station McKinley ready and laid in, sir.
Make it so, Number One.