PICARD: Captain's log, stardate 43989.1.
The Enterprise has arrived at Jouret IV
in response to a distress signal
from one of the Federation's outermost colonies.
- Anything from the surface? - No, sir.
There have been no communications from the colony for over 12 hours.
Sensors picking up any signs of life?
None.
The surface environment is safe for transport, commander.
Mr. O'Brien.
Verify these are accurate coordinates for the New Providence colony.
Coordinates verified, sir. You're at the center of town.
PICARD: Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission: To explore strange new worlds,
to seek out new life and new civilizations,
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
PICARD: Captain's log, stardate 43992.6.
Admiral Hanson and Lieutenant Commander Shelby
of Starfleet Tactical have arrived
to review the disappearance of New Providence colony.
No sign remains of the 900 inhabitants.
The truth is, hell, we are not ready.
We've known they were coming for over a year.
We've thrown every resource we have into this, but still...
Then you're convinced it is the Borg?
That's what I'm here to find out.
The initial descriptions of these surface conditions
are almost identical to your report from System J-25.
Commander Riker wrote those reports. He agrees with you.
Commander Shelby took over Borg tactical analysis six months ago.
I've learned to 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 defense strategy.
Obviously, nothing we have now can stop them.
We've been designing new weapons,
but they're all still on the drawing board.
We expected much more lead time.
Your encounter with the Borg was over 7000 light-years away.
If this is the Borg, it would indicate they have a source of power
far superior to our own.
I'd like to see the colony site as soon as possible, captain.
It'll be dark there in 30 minutes.
We've scheduled an Away Team for dawn.
Number One, why don't you show the commander to her quarters?
It's our poker night, admiral.
There's always an open seat for you.
Another time, commander. Your captain and I have a lot to cover.
But rumor has it, Commander Shelby has played a hand or two.
[HANSON CHUCKLES]
Keep your eye on her, Jean-Luc.
She's one very impressive young lady.
You seem rather taken with her, J.P.
Just an old man's fantasies.
When Shelby came into 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 make you one hell of a first officer.
Already have a hell of a first officer.
Don't tell me he's gonna 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, J.P.
You may wanna 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.
Well, 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.
And 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 Enterprise's hull
that were 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've reviewed your personnel.
I'll be 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, commander.
Of course. I appreciate any assistance you can offer.
Tell me, commander, is serving aboard the Enterprise
as extraordinary an experience as I've heard?
Every bit.
Good, because I intend to convince Captain Picard
that I'm the right choice 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 1700 hours, in my quarters. Deck 8.
Got another king in the hole, eh, Data?
I am afraid I cannot answer that, Wesley.
And as you are a newcomer to the game,
may I say, it is inappropriate for you to ask.
[ALL CHUCKLING]
I will buy another card, counselor.
- No help there. LA FORGE: Ugh.
Fold, again.
Three jacks looking back for the handsome young ensign.
Pair of deuces stands.
Flush, possible straight flush.
Hmm.
Your bet, Mr. Crusher.
- I'm in for ten. - Call.
Well, it's time for the long pants. There's your ten, 100.
He's got the straight flush, folks.
Not necessarily. Commander Riker may be bluffing, Wesley.
I don't think so. Fold.
With three jacks? What, are you kidding?
Wesley, you may get straight A's in school,
but there's a lot you need to learn about poker.
Well, I've only got two pair, but I've got to see your hole card.
I'll call.
[LA FORGE CHUCKLING]
LA FORGE: You got him.
[GROANS]
Mr. Data and our guest appear to be tardy.
Sir, Commander Shelby and Data beamed down
to the planet surface an hour ago.
- On whose authority? - On hers, sir.
Morning. Early bird gets the worm, eh?
We've had some interesting results.
Commander Shelby.
Walk with me, commander.
Early bird...?
I believe Commander Shelby erred.
There is no evidence of avifaunal
or crawling vermicular life forms on Jouret IV.
That's not what she meant, Data. But you're right, she erred.
I'm sorry, but I woke up early
and I saw that a weather system was moving in.
It could have affected the soil readings.
So without any regard for the risk of coming down here alone...
Really, commander, if we ran into the Borg here,
two extra bodies wouldn't have made a hell of difference, now, would they?
We had three hours before the storm front hit,
less than two hours now.
Data was available. I took him, we came.
I don't see your problem.
My problem, commander, is 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 resonance traces.
That's our footprint.
There's no doubt anymore. It is the Borg.
PICARD: Captain's log, stardate 43993.5.
With confirmation of the Berg's presence in Federation space,
Admiral Hanson has returned to Starbase 324
to discuss strategy with Starfleet Command.
Lieutenant Commander Shelby remains on board
to continue tactical preparations.
I've also ordered a standing yellow alert.
All Federation allied outposts have been warned.
Ops will continue to monitor long-range sensors.
I've assigned Data, La Forge and Mr. Crusher
to work with Commander Shelby.
Good. You've covered all the bases.
What's your impression of Shelby?
- She knows her stuff. - She has your full confidence?
Well, I think she needs supervision.
She takes the initiative a little too easily, sometimes with risks.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
Sounds like a young lieutenant commander
I recruited as a first officer.
Perhaps.
Will,
what the hell are you still doing here?
- Sir? - You've been offered the Melbourne.
I've decided not to pursue that commission at this time.
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, captain?
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 always said I wanted my own command
and yet, something's holding me back.
- Is it wrong for me to want to stay? - What do you think?
[SIGHS]
Maybe I'm just afraid of the big chair.
I don't think so.
The captain says Shelby reminds him of the way that I used to be,
and he's right.
She comes in here full of drive and ambition, impatient, taking risks.
I look at her and I wonder 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 much 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?
SHELBY: A manipulation effect in the Borg ship's subspace field.
A definite pattern.
At 4.8-minute intervals during your first confrontation with them.
Might indicate high-output auxiliary generators kicking in.
One theory is that their systems are decentralized
with redundant power sources located throughout the ship.
That is a reasonable conclusion.
Borg technology has given each member of their society
the ability to interface and function collectively.
It is likely they have constructed their ship with the same philosophy.
You knock out one generator
and another one takes over without interruption.
What kind of damage would we have to do to shut them down?
Projections suggest that a Borg ship like this one
could continue to function effectively even if 78 percent of it was inoperable.
And our best shot barely scratched the surface.
Well, from what I've seen,
I can't believe that any of these new weapon systems can be ready
in less than 18 months, commander.
We've been projecting 24.
Is there anything we could do here to adapt our current defense systems?
We'll have to go through the specs again, but...
[SIGHS]
I don't know. My mind's turned to clay.
Mine too.
I think we should look at modifying the plasma phaser design.
Commander, I think we should call it a night.
That's an order. We'll reconvene at 0500.
Sir, if I may be allowed to continue with Mr. Data, who does not require rest.
You need rest, commander.
If we have a confrontation with the Borg
without improving our defense systems...
If we have a confrontation, I don't want a crew fighting the Borg
at the same time they're fighting their own fatigue. Dismissed.
At 1900 hours yesterday,
the U.S.S. 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 Starbase 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.
Mr. Data, how long would it take to get there at warp 9?
- One hour, 17 minutes, sir. - 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.
RIKER: All hands stand to battle stations.
Commander Shelby, what is the status of our defense preparations?
Mr. La Forge has a plan to modulate shield nutation.
Hopefully, that'll hold them off for a while.
At the same time, we'll be retuning phasers
to higher EM base-emitting frequencies,
try to disrupt their subspace field.
What's your assessment of our potential effectiveness?
[SIGHS]
It's a shot in the dark, captain. But for now, it's the best we can do.
Dismissed.
[COMPUTER BEEPING]
Sir, reading unidentified vessel just entering sensor range.
Bearing 210, mark 151.
Hail them, Mr. Worf.
No response, sir.
- Move to intercept. WESLEY: 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.
[ALARM SOUNDING]
Captain, you are being hailed.
- I am? - Yes, captain. By name.
Data, is it the same ship we faced at J-25?
Uncertain, commander, but the dimensions are precisely the same.
On-screen.
- I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard... BORG: Jean-Luc Picard,
captain of the Starship Enterprise, registry NCC-1701-D.
You will lower your shields
and prepare to transport yourself aboard our vessel.
If you do not cooperate, we will destroy your ship.
You have committed acts of aggression
against the United Federation of Planets.
If you do not withdraw immediately...
You will surrender yourself or we will destroy your ship.
Your defensive capabilities are unable to withstand the...
What the hell do they want with you?
I thought they weren't interested in human life forms, only our technology.
Their priorities seem to have changed.
- Open. WORF: Channel open.
We have developed new defense capabilities
since our last meeting, and we are prepared to use them
if you do not withdraw from Federation space.
Captain, shields are being probed.
I am modulating nutation.
Captain, the Borg are attempting to lock on to us with their tractor beam.
Load torpedo bays, arm phasers.
Lock coordinates on the source of the tractor beam.
Shield status?
Holding, sir.
The nutation modulation has them confused.
They have the ability to analyze and adapt, commander.
Shield modulation has failed. They've locked on.
Shields are being drained. Ninety percent, 80.
Trying to recalibrate nutation. Damn!
Shields have failed.
Fire all weapons.
Their subspace field is intact.
New phaser frequencies had no impact.
- Reverse engines. LA FORGE: Full reverse.
We're not moving.
- Fire at will. - Launching torpedoes.
Phaser spread continuing.
Still no damage to the Borg vessel, sir.
COMPUTER: Warning. Outer hull breach.
They are cutting into the hull, Engineering section.
Geordi, evacuate Engineering.
Computer, evacuation sequence!
COMPUTER: Sealing doors...
Come on now, let's move it, people, let's move! Go, go!
Decompression danger, Deck 36, section four.
Sealing Main Engineering.
Data, fluctuate phaser resonance frequencies.
Random settings, keep them changing.
Don't give them time to adapt.
The tractor beam has been released.
Warp 9. Course 151, mark 330.
Engage.
They are in pursuit, captain.
Maintain course.
Damage report, Geordi.
Hull rupture in Main Engineering. The damage is pretty heavy.
We lost a lot of good people down there.
Eleven dead, eight more unaccounted for, captain.
Repair teams to Engineering, seal hull breach.
They didn't get to the core. I can control functions from here.
Now approaching the Paulson Nebula, sir.
Drop to impulse.
Take us in, ensign.
- The field's getting too dense, sir. - Steady.
Analysis of the nebula cloud, Mr. Data.
Eighty-two percent dilithium hydroxyls, magnesium chromium.
Should provide an effective screen against their sensors, captain.
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 514.
Data started to fluctuate phaser resonance frequencies.
The Borg's beam breaks contact. Slow playback.
Take a closer look, commander. Mr. La Forge?
LA FORGE: There's a two-percent drop in power for an instant,
but it is system-wide.
The phaser-frequency spread was in a high, narrow band.
Conceivably, the ship's power distribution nodes
are vulnerable to those frequencies.
If we can generate a concentrated burst of power
at that same frequency distribution,
I mean, a lot more than anything our phasers or photon torpedoes
could ever provide...
- How do we do that? - The main deflector dish.
It's the only component designed to channel
that much power at controlled frequencies.
End program.
Unfortunately, there is one slight detail.
In the process, the blast completely destroys the Enterprise as well.
If we could get further away, increase the deflector's range...
SHELBY: It could work.
In the meantime, we should re-tune all phasers,
including the hand units, to the same frequency.
Proceed. I'll inform the captain.
There is one other recommendation I'd like to make, commander.
Separate the saucer section.
Assign a skeleton crew to create a diversion.
We may need the power from the saucer's impulse engines.
It would give them more than one target to worry about.
It's too great a risk.
I'd like the captain to make that decision, sir.
Commander, I bring all the alternatives to the captain's attention.
That'll be all.
I'm gonna install higher-capacity power transformers to the deflector dish.
- How long? - Better part of a day.
She gets a full head of steam, doesn't she?
Mm-hm. She's a formidable presence, to say the least,
but I'm convinced she can help us here, commander.
I am too.
Don't worry about it. I can handle Shelby.
[DOOR BEEPS]
Come.
Come in, Number One.
Commander Shelby was just telling me of your concerns about her plan.
I'm sorry she troubled you, sir. I have already informed her...
Yes, I entirely agree with you, Number One. It's not the time.
But the time may come when we will be required to take greater risks.
I want you to consider her plan as a fallback position.
Make the necessary preparations.
Very good, sir.
- Deck 8, Battle Bridge. - Halt.
Commander, you and I need to have a conversation.
You never ordered me not to discuss this with the captain.
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 again.
- May I 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.
I suppose that's why someone like you sits in the shadow of a great man
for as long as you have,
passing up one command after another.
Proceed to Deck 8.
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,
I suggest you make room for someone who can.
PICARD: Captain's log, stardate 43996.2.
The Enterprise remains concealed in the dust cloud.
And to my surprise, the Borg have maintained their position,
waiting for us to come out of hiding.
I have no explanation for their special interest in me or this ship.
We continue to prepare our defenses for the inevitable confrontation.
But I must admit, on this night, I contemplate the distinct possibility
that no defense may be adequate against this enemy.
Captain?
Trouble sleeping?
It's something of a tradition, Guinan,
the captain touring the ship before a battle.
GUINAN: Ooh.
Before a hopeless battle, if I remember the tradition correctly.
Not necessarily.
Nelson toured the H.M.S. 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 seventh 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.
[COMMUNICATOR BEEPS]
WORF: Captain 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.
Mr. La Forge, I may have to take us out of the nebula.
I'll want all the power you can give me.
LA FORGE: Engines are ready, captain.
Recommend you adjust shield harmonics
to favor the upper EM band when you proceed.
PICARD: Acknowledged.
- Direct hit, Deck 9. - Damage report.
Structural latching system integrity breached.
Prepare to take us out of here, Number One.
Fire up the engines, half impulse till we clear the nebula,
then punch it up to warp 9.
Ready phasers, load forward torpedo bays. Engage.
Borg tractor beam is attempting to lock on.
Fire at will. Continue rotating shield frequency.
Shields failing.
Tractor beam has locked on.
It's no use. They've already adapted to the new frequencies.
[HIGH-PITCHED WHINING]
WORF: The Borg ship is disengaging, leaving at warp speed.
Maintain pursuit.
Borg vessel has reached warp 9. Nine point four, 9.6.
Stay with them.
Riker to O'Brien. Can you get a fix on the captain?
O'BRIEN: Negative, sir. There's some kind of interference.
I can't lock in on his signal.
Senior officers, report to the Bridge.
Sir, the coordinates they have set,
they are on a direct course to Sector 001, the Terran System.
Earth.
BORG: Captain Jean-Luc Picard,
you lead the strongest ship of the Federation fleet.
You speak for your people.
I have nothing to say to you.
And I will resist you with my last ounce of strength.
Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile.
We wish to improve ourselves.
We will add your biological
and technological distinctiveness to our own.
Your culture will adapt to service ours.
Impossible.
My culture is based on freedom and self-determination.
Freedom is irrelevant. Self-determination is irrelevant.
You must comply.
We would rather die.
Death is irrelevant.
Your archaic cultures are authority-driven.
To facilitate our introduction into your societies,
it has been decided that a human voice
will speak for us in all communications.
You have been chosen to be that voice.
WORF: Commander, they are leading us into the heart of our own defenses.
Yeah, well, so far,
they haven't had much of a reason to worry about our defenses.
Commander, if the Borg stay at warp 9.6,
we'll be forced to discontinue pursuit
and power down in less than three hours.
Two hours, 40 minutes, three seconds.
How long before the deflector's ready?
We're close. A few hours, maybe.
I know, I'll get it done in two somehow.
But I'm gonna need serious power from the warp engines
to make this weapon work.
So far, we're using everything we've got just to keep up with them.
Sir, we've got to get that ship down to impulse.
I'm leading an Away Team over there to get the captain back.
We'll find a way to get them out of warp.
Ensign Crusher, you continue to assist Mr. La Forge.
Commander Shelby, you'll take the Bridge and coordinate with Starfleet.
Data, Worf, doctor, you're with me.
Excuse me, sir, with my knowledge of the Borg...
Those are my orders, commander.
TROI: Commander Riker.
It is inappropriate for you to lead the Away Team.
Until the return of Captain Picard, you are in command of the Enterprise.
We are in a state of war and your place is on the Bridge.
Commander Shelby, you'll lead the Away Team.
Make it so.
RIKER: First officer's log, stardate 43998.5.
Our pursuit of the Borg continues on a course
that will take us to the very core of the Federation.
The devastation they could bring is beyond imagination.
These phasers have been retuned.
Each has a different frequency span in the upper EM band.
All right, a reminder.
We only get to use each of these once, maybe twice,
before the Borg learn to adapt.
Don't fire until you have to.
What kind of resistance should we expect?
At our first encounter, the Borg virtually ignored us
when we beamed aboard their vessel.
Clearly, they did not consider our being there a threat.
That may change, however, if we start interfering with their plans.
Shelby to Bridge. Away Team ready.
We've got 58 minutes before we have to power down and disengage.
- Understood. - Proceed.
Commander, no unnecessary risks. Clear?
Very clear, sir. Shelby out.
We've matched warp velocity for transport, commander.
Energize.
WORF: 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.
There's no way to take out enough of these to disable them.
What if we look at this from the mosquito's point of view?
Interesting metaphor, doctor. What is your idea?
If we sting them in a tender spot,
they might stop for a minute to scratch.
Distribution nodes.
If we take out a few of these, it just 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 available defenses
to protect Sector 001, admiral.
We're moving to intercept at Wolf 359. We'll make our stand there.
How much longer can you maintain pursuit?
Twenty-two minutes, if they stay 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.
[TRICORDER BEEPING]
In here.
[TRICORDER BEEPS FASTER]
- Shelby to Enterprise. - Go ahead.
We found the captain's uniform and his communicator.
We're resuming our search.
Stand by, commander.
We're in business.
It'll burn out the main deflector, but it'll be one hell of a bang.
Radiation danger?
We're gonna have to evacuate the forward half of the secondary hull
and the lower three decks of the saucer.
I'll see to that.
Commander Shelby.
We have only 17 minutes of warp power left.
Do whatever you can to get them out of warp.
Acknowledged. Shelby out.
Let's take out some of these 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 more power to main deflector.
Move us to within 40,000 kilometers, match velocity.
Commence arming sequence.
Increase deflector modulation to upper frequency band.
Shelby to Enterprise. Encountering resistance.
Prepare to beam us back on my signal.
SHELBY: They're adapting to the frequencies.
Jean-Luc.
Captain.
[GASPS]
Enterprise, get us out of here.
The captain?
We were unable to retrieve him, sir.
The captain has been altered by the Borg.
Altered?
He is a Borg.
We'll go back. I need more people.
We need to re-tune the phasers again. We'll get him out of there.
Commander, reading subspace field fluctuations
from within the Borg ship.
Looks like they're regenerating, restoring power.
They could be capable of warp any minute.
Is the deflector ready?
It's ready.
Will, he's alive.
If we could get him back, I might be able to restore...
This is our only chance to destroy them.
If they get back into warp, our weapon is useless.
We'll sabotage them again if we have to.
We can't maintain power.
We don't have the time. Prepare to fire.
At least consult with Starfleet Command.
Get Admiral Hanson on subspace.
Belay that order, lieutenant. 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. - Impossible.
COMPUTER: Warning. Warp-reactor core primary coolant failure.
Can't maintain it much longer, commander.
Warning. Exceeding reaction-chamber thermal limit.
- Ceasefire. - Shutting down warp engines.
They couldn't have adapted that quickly.
The knowledge and experience of the human, Picard,
is part of us now.
It has prepared us for all possible courses of action.
Your resistance is hopeless, Number One.
RIKER: 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,
I watched a freshman cadet pass four upperclassmen
on the last hill of a 40-kilometer run at Delula II.
The damnedest thing I ever saw.
The only freshman to ever win the Academy marathon.
I made it my business to get to know that young fella
and got to know him very, very well.
And I'll tell you something:
I 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.
I want that clear.
Of course, admiral.
He is a casualty of war.
Then we have abandoned all hope of recovering him.
In less than 24 hours,
this armada's going to hit that Borg vessel with everything we can muster.
Either they survive or we do.
As for Picard,
a great man has been lost.
Your captain. My friend.
Commander Riker,
I hereby promote you to the field commission of captain.
The Enterprise is your ship now. Congratulations.
I wish the circumstances were different.
Likewise. Good luck, admiral.
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 gotta 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. - I hope it's enough.
Accelerator coils are responding normally.
Excellent. Forward shields at 58 percent, aft shields...
- Sensors must be down. SHELBY: Checking.
Sensors are fine. No.
Aft shields have completely failed. Damn it!
Auxiliary generators are out again.
Just the man I need.
We're having some problems with the aft shields,
generators going on- and off-line. I could really use your help, Worf.
How soon do we get under way, Geordi?
Still a couple of hours. Commander Shelby can fill you in.
The main navigational deflector is functional again.
Sherbourne and Barclay are running the final testing sequence now.
The warp-reactor core?
Reconstruction is proceeding normally. It's slow work.
If we can nail down this shield-generator problem...
I agree with La Forge.
We'll be back at operating capacity in two to three hours.
Good.
Anything else, sir?
Yes. You did a good job on the Borg ship.
I didn't get Picard.
You stopped them. You gave us our shot.
- Sir, I... - Commander,
we don't have to like each other to work well together.
As a matter of fact, I'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.
I know how to get things done and I have the expertise in the Borg.
And you have a lot to learn, commander.
Yes, sir.
Almost as much as I had to learn
when I came on board as Captain Picard's first officer,
a fact he reminded me of
when I commented on what a pain in the neck you are.
Yes, sir.
DATA [OVER PA]: 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...
RIKER: 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, I need your experience at tactical.
Commander Data, I realize your very nature omits ambition.
Nevertheless, I want you to know
I seriously considered you as first officer.
Thank you, sir.
But this is not the time for change.
I need all of you where you are.
Where Captain Picard always relied on you.
I 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?
I've gone over it four times.
The local-field distortion just wouldn't be strong enough to incapacitate them.
Dr. Crusher and I have been working on an interesting premise.
With our recent experience in nanotechnology,
we might be able to introduce destructive nanites into the Borg.
- Nanites? DATA: Robots.
Small enough to enter living cells.
How long would it take to execute that?
That's the problem. Two to three weeks.
In 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.
I'm sure Captain Picard would have something meaningful
and inspirational to say right now.
To tell you the truth, I wish he was here, because I'd like to hear it too.
I know how difficult this transition has been for all of you.
I can take over for him,
but I could never replace Captain Picard, nor would I ever try.
Whatever the outcome,
I'm sure our efforts in the coming battle will justify his faith in all of us.
Dismissed.
What would you do?
[DOOR CHIMES]
Come.
- May I speak to you, captain? - Actually, Guinan, I...
You know, Picard and I used to talk every now and then,
when one of us needed to.
I guess I'm just used to having the captain's ear.
What's on your mind?
I'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.
I'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.
I'll do the best I can.
You're gonna have to do something you don't want to do:
You have to let go of Picard.
Maybe you haven't heard. I tried to kill him yesterday.
You tried to kill whatever that is on the Borg ship,
not Picard.
Picard is still here with us. In this room.
If 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 I will let him go. And you must do the same.
There can only be one captain.
It's not that simple.
This was his crew. He wrote the book on this ship.
If the Borg know everything he knows,
it's time to throw that book away.
You must let him go, Riker.
It's the only way to beat him.
The only way to save him.
And that is now your chair,
captain.
[INTERCOM BEEPS]
WESLEY: 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.
SHELBY: The Tolstoy.
The Kyushu.
The Melbourne.
Sir, sensors are picking up unusually strong eddy currents,
bearing 200, mark 211.
Data, analysis?
It 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, I must remind you that Captain Picard was briefed on that plan.
- The Borg will be prepared for it. - I'm aware of that, commander.
In fact, I'm counting on it.
Crusher, Cartaino, Gleason, report to the Battle Bridge.
Mr. Data, Mr. Worf, I have a special mission for you.
RIKER: 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.
It is unlikely you are prepared to discuss terms.
It is more likely that this is an attempt at deception.
Come, now, Locutus.
If Picard's knowledge and experience is part of you,
then you know that I've never lied to him.
You should also implicitly trust me, is 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 techno...
Mr. Gleason, can you pinpoint the source of the Borg transmission?
I 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.
RIKER: 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, because we are about to intervene.
GLEASON: Channel closed.
Reset subspace communications. Scrambler code Riker One.
Scrambler code Riker One, acknowledged.
- Shelby, report. - Ready for separation.
Make it so.
Order subsequence 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, out your engines. Take her in unpowered.
Shuttle has penetrated the Borg electromagnetic field.
RIKER: Understood.
The shuttle escape transporter should provide enough power
to beam us onto the Borg ship from here, sir.
Proceed.
[GRUNTING]
WORF: Data!
[POWERS DOWN]
[COMMUNICATOR BEEPS]
Mission accomplished. We have him.
Firing shuttle thrusters.
WESLEY: 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. LA FORGE: Aye, sir.
The saucer section's a sitting duck.
Prepare to draw their fire.
Captain, the Borg ship is moving away.
It'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?
I'd like more time
to study the structural changes on the motor pathways.
RIKER: We don't have more time, doctor.
Once he was wired into the Borg, they knew everything that he knew.
I just hope it goes both ways.
If 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.
- I am on board the Enterprise. - That's right.
A futile maneuver.
Incorrect 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. I intend no harm.
No harm.
I 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 multi-modal reflection sorting,
I have been able to detect a complex series of subspace signals
between Locutus and the Borg ship.
That's how they're controlling him?
It is not just a matter of control, doctor.
The signals are interactive across a subspace domain
similar to that of a transporter beam.
I 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. I could do it.
But as long as these Borg implants are functioning,
there's no way I can separate the man from the machine.
Then perhaps there is a way I 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.
- I 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.
[INTERCOM BEEPS]
SHELBY: Shelby to Riker. - Go ahead.
Captain, the Borg have entered Sector 001.
SHELBY: 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 I really can't believe that against the Borg...
Ensign Crusher, at their current speed, when will they reach Earth?
- Twenty-seven minutes. - The soonest we could intercept?
Forty-two 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.
DATA: The neural link will be established in three stages.
Doctor, I 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 I am reaching Captain Picard.
At what point should I shut it down if there's a problem?
I do not know.
I have never done this before.
Initiating first neural link.
The captain's vital signs are stable.
Positronic activity unchanged.
First neural connection is confirmed.
I cannot report any significant access to the Borg consciousness.
It is confirmed.
The Borg have broken through the Mars defense perimeter.
Enterprise now approaching Terran System, sir.
Slow to impulse. Time to intercept?
Twenty-three minutes, 14 seconds, sir.
Second neural connection is confirmed.
I still cannot report any significant access.
Proceeding with the final link.
CRUSHER: Significant increase in premotor-area
and hypothalamus activity. His heartbeat is accelerating rapidly.
Sir, your submicron-matrix activity is increasing exponentially.
Neural connections complete.
I have access to the Borg subspace signals.
Processing.
- Processing. - Data.
Stand by. Processing.
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 each...
[GASPS]
[GRUNTS]
CRUSHER: Data, I'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. It's him, it's Picard.
[COMMUNICATOR BEEPS]
Troi to Bridge.
Data has made first contact with Captain Picard.
Can you communicate with him, Data?
I have been unable to create a neural path around the Borg implants, sir.
It is Captain Picard himself who has somehow managed to initiate contact.
Sir, the Borg have halted their approach to Earth.
I 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.
If one of them jumps off a cliff, they all jump off?
Data, is it possible to plant a command
into the Borg collective consciousness?
It is conceivable, sir.
But it would require altering the pathway from the root command
to affect all iterative branch points in the...
Make every effort, Mr. Data.
Sir, what command shall I attempt to plant?
Something straightforward, like "Disarm your weapon systems."
- Visual contact with the Borg. - On-screen.
RIKER: Magnify.
Sensors reading increased power generation from the Borg.
Red alert.
[ALARM WAILING]
- Load all torpedo bays, ready phasers. - Aye, captain.
Status of Borg weapons.
- Weapon systems are fully charged. - Data?
Attempting to reroute subcommand paths, captain.
Defense systems are protected by access barriers.
[EXPLOSIONS]
Borg attempting to lock on tractor beam.
Rotate shield frequencies. Data, report.
I am unable to penetrate defense systems command structure, captain.
Try the power systems, Data.
See if you can get them to power down.
DATA: Acknowledged.
Attempting new power-subcommand path.
[EXPLOSION]
Shields have failed. They've locked on, sir.
- They're pulling us in. - Fire all weapons.
I 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.
LA FORGE: Aye, sir.
Sleep.
He's regaining consciousness.
Sleep.
It's Captain Picard speaking, not Locutus.
Sleep, Data.
- He's exhausted. - Yes, doctor.
But if I may make a supposition,
I do not believe his message was intended to express fatigue,
but to suggest a course of action.
Borg cutting beam activated.
Mr. Crusher.
- Enga... DATA: Data to Bridge. Stand by.
Stand by, all stations.
I am attempting to penetrate the Borg regenerative-subcommand path.
It is a low-priority system, and may be accessible.
COMPUTER: Warning. Outer-hull breach.
Sir, shall I execute evacuation sequence?
Negative, Mr. Worf. Mr. Data, your final report.
DATA: Stand by. - I can't, Mr. Data.
COMPUTER: Warning. Inner-hull failure imminent
on decks 23, 24 and 25.
Decompression danger.
Mr. Data, what the hell happened?
I successfully planted a command into the Borg collective consciousness.
It misdirected them to believe it was time to regenerate.
In effect, I put them all to sleep.
To sleep?
DATA: 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. It'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.
I'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.
I 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.
WESLEY: 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 Sickbay.
We won't have any trouble getting those implants out now.
How much do you remember?
Everything.
Including 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.
Have they estimated time for repairs?
Five or six weeks.
[DOOR CHIMES]
- 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.
I 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 I'll have a few options.
I hope I have the fortune of serving with you again, sir.
Captain.
Course for Station McKinley ready and laid in, sir.
Make it so, Number One.