First officer's log, stardate 50614.2.
Kaplan and I are returning to Voyager after scouting the Nekrit Expanse.
The nebula's scrambling our readings. I can't get a fix on our position.
Are you saying we're lost, Ensign?
That depends what you mean by lost, sir.
You can't get a fix on our position.
- I'm sorry, sir. - Try hailing Voyager again.
We must still be out of com range.
We'll have to navigate the old-fashioned way. Engage optical scanners.
I'm picking up an asteroid field at coordinates 113, mark 7.
- Record it. - Sir, that asteroid field...
It's the same one we passed two hours ago.
Great. We're not only lost, we're flying in circles.
It's a Federation hailing beacon, originating bearing 309, mark 4.
It's Voyager.
- Someone knows where we are. - Setting a course.
- The signal's coming from the surface. - Is it possible Voyager's landed?
I'm detecting 80,000 humanoid lifesigns on the western continent,
some rudimentary structures, but nothing big enough to be a starship.
I'm getting another hail.
The signal's very weak and it's not being sent by Voyager.
Try adjusting the bandwidth.
We need your help urgently.
This is Commander Chakotay of the starship Voyager.
I'm not reading you. Federation vessel...
- We lost them, sir. - They know we're a Federation ship.
- Who would know that? - They're asking for our help.
Launch a message buoy letting Voyager know we've landed.
This place looks like a war zone.
I can't pinpoint the source of the transmission.
Commander.
I'm Commander Chakotay of the starship Voyager.
We're responding to a distress call.
We're looking for whoever asked for our help.
Commander!
Take him inside.
I'd lie still if I were you.
You've got a nasty head injury.
You're human.
My name is Riley Frazier.
What's yours?
- Why did you attack us? - Those weren't my people.
I sent the distress call. We rescued you.
- What did you do with Kaplan? - Your ensign?
She didn't make it. I'm sorry.
I've got to get to my shuttle.
Your shuttle isn't there any more.
The people who attacked you
have already pulled it apart.
Relax, Commander. I'm here to help you.
- How did... - How did I get here?
I could ask you the same question.
I was surprised when I picked up a Federation ship,
not that I wasn't happy.
It's a long story. Why don't you go first?
Seven or eight years ago,
I was working as a science officer in the Bolian sector.
We were attacked by aliens.
Those of us who survived were put in some kind of stasis.
The next thing we knew we were here on this planet.
It didn't take long to realise we weren't in the Alpha Quadrant any longer.
- There are other humans here? - Three that I know of.
What was left of my crew.
Along with some Klingons, Cardassians, Romulans and dozens of others.
- And the ones that put you in stasis? - I don't know.
They must have had a colony here at some time
because of the ruined buildings and equipment they left.
We've never seen them again. Everyone here has the same story.
They were just grabbed and dumped.
Why did those people kill Kaplan? We were no threat to them.
There are dozens of different races on this planet.
Many of them are suspicious of other species.
It's not exactly a United Federation around here.
So those kind of attacks go on all the time?
Resources are limited. It didn't take long for the fighting to start.
First, a group of Klingons attacked the Cardassians.
Eventually things just got out of hand and now it's anarchy.
But a few hundred of us have tried to make the best of it.
We've established a co-operative, sharing work and provisions.
I've got to contact my ship.
They destroyed the communications array. It will take days to fix it.
I can help you.
You suffered serious neural trauma.
You're staying put. And that's an order, Commander.
Captain's log, stardate 50622.4.
While Chakotay scouts for a faster route through the Expanse,
we are continuing our month-long journey through the region.
They should rename this the Negative Expanse.
We haven't run across anything interesting.
If you're bored, I can find something for you to do.
The warp plasma filters are due for cleaning.
Now that you mention it, I find this region of space a real navigational challenge.
I may have found something else to peak Mr Paris' interest.
It's an unidentified ship on long-range sensors.
The vessel appears to be stopped directly in our current flight path.
- Harry, send a standard greeting. - Aye, Captain.
- They're not responding. - Try wideband subspace.
- Still no response. - We are entering visual range.
- The Borg. - Red Alert.
All stop, shields to maximum. Tuvok, are they scanning us?
None of the Borg systems appears to be operational.
Maybe they're trying to lull us into a false sense of security.
That would not be consistent with Borg tactics.
Try a multiphasic scan. Tom, stand by to get us out of here.
Proceed, Mr Kim.
I'm not picking up any energy signatures. And no lifesigns.
- That's a relief. - We should avoid complacency.
The Borg are known to retrieve their damaged technology.
It is quite possible we will encounter additional Borg vessels.
That's exactly why we're going to board that ship.
This is a rare opportunity to learn about Borg technology.
I might be able to find out what disabled their ship.
We may find a weakness we can use against them.
In case we run into one of their ships. Assemble an away team.
Tom, take us into transporter range.
We grow all our own food in the co-operative garden.
Sorry there's no meat.
- No problem. I'm a vegetarian. - Really?
I have reoccurring dreams about my mother's Texas barbecue.
Your journey home. How much longer do you expect it will take you?
About 67 years, provided we don't find a wormhole
or some other faster way of getting back.
Haven't you thought about finding a planet and putting down roots?
We'd be missing an incredible opportunity to explore unknown space.
We've made a good life for ourselves on Voyager.
I'm sure Captain Janeway would take as many of your people as possible.
- Take us with you? - That's not why you sent the call?
You misunderstood. We want to stay.
You were brought here against your will. You said it was dangerous.
This place has become our home.
The people in the co-operative are like my ancestors.
- Texas homesteaders. - I understand that, but...
We have a connection to one another that I've never felt before.
I guess it's because of what we've gone through together.
What about those neighbours of yours?
We've brought a few into our group, but you're right. They're a problem.
That's why we want your help.
Security upgrades, medical supplies. Maybe some weapons.
We're creating a society here based on tolerance, shared responsibility
and mutual respect that you and I were raised to believe in.
We won't give it up just because it's difficult.
I'd better get back to work on the communications array.
- I'll come with you. - No.
You're still in no shape to fight if we're attacked.
I'll be back to check on you soon.
It's like a ghost ship.
Allowing yourself to become apprehensive is counterproductive.
I'm not being apprehensive, Tuvok. I'm just nervous as hell.
This is an access node. If we can get it operational,
I should be able to tap into the main data systems.
Tuvok, there should be a compatible conduit somewhere in that module.
Connect it to this generator.
Lieutenant.
It's dead.
All activity on the Borg ship ceased abruptly five years ago.
Scans have detected 1,100 corpses.
A spatial vacuum preserves several of the bodies.
An autopsy might give us some clue as to what killed them.
Why have the Borg left one of their ships and all its technology
adrift in space for anyone to find?
Perhaps the deactivation of the ship severed the link with the collective.
- But what caused the shutdown? - Some kind of natural disaster.
- Or... - Or what?
Maybe the Borg were defeated by an even more powerful enemy.
Continue scanning for Borg vessels
and any other ships that might be more powerful.
B'Elanna, you and the Doctor start on that autopsy.
It would be a good idea to rendezvous with Chakotay ahead of schedule
and let him know we've run into some old friends.
Hello? Anybody there?
Riley?
- What are you? Are you Borg? - We were Borg.
You weren't just kidnapped. You were assimilated by the collective.
At Wolf 359. I was a science officer aboard the Roosevelt.
Our cube was damaged by an electrokinetic storm
and our link to the collective was severed.
We could think for ourselves again.
It was like waking from a nightmare. We transported ourselves here.
Everything was new again. The sounds of our voices, forgotten memories.
Our skin pigmentation came back, we removed our Borg appendages.
I was lucky enough to get a prosthetic arm using Borg replication equipment.
It was a joyous, hopeful time.
Then after the euphoria wore off,
people found they were living among cultures they didn't understand,
species they'd been taught to hate.
- They turned against one another. - The fighting. The raids.
But everything I told you about forming a co-operative, I meant it.
Riley's telling the truth.
I was Romulan. I was taught to hate humans and the Federation.
- Riley and I are friends now. - Orum's our medic.
Why didn't you tell me?
I know how people feel about the Borg.
They're right. We did terrible things.
You weren't in control of your actions.
Then you'll still help us?
Right now it's Commander Chakotay who needs our help.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We are moving towards a message buoy launched by Chakotay.
The autopsy of the Borg corpse is under way.
There's nothing like the vacuum of space for preserving a handsome corpse.
Hm...
Subject's abdominal organs are unremarkable.
Pulmonary system exhibits evidence of extensive alveolar damage.
Ah. In addition there are signs of severe cardiac depolarisation.
Sounds like he was electrocuted.
That would support our theory about what happened.
We think their power conduits were overloaded by a massive discharge.
- Hm. This is intriguing. - What do you think that is?
It may be some sort of axonal amplifier. Kes, hand me a cortical probe.
Shut it down!
What the hell happened?
- Is it still alive? - Of course not.
Apparently, I inadvertently activated a back-up neuroelectric power cell.
The response was purely autonomic.
- I wouldn't be so sure about that. - Why?
That response caused this drone to reset back to its original programming.
If the rest of those corpses reactivate...
we have a major problem on our hands.
- He's getting worse. - There must be something we can do.
You know how limited our medical resources are.
- There is only one option. - Would it be safe?
Would what be safe?
The Borg collective consciousness is extremely powerful.
It allowed us to transfer information instantaneously,
to think with one mind.
But the link also has inherent medical applications.
Medical applications?
We were connected by a continuous neuroelectric field
capable of regenerating the damaged components of an injured Borg.
Think of it as a subspace transfusion, only instead of one person giving blood,
there are thousands of donors transmitting neuroelectric energy.
This process was successful in healing organic and inorganic body parts.
This is all very fascinating, but I don't see how it helps me.
We still have Borg neuroprocessors in our nervous systems.
- Removing them would have killed us. - I see.
Using a portable neurotransponder, we can re-link our brain patterns.
- You said the link was severed. - It was.
But we can reinitiate it among a small group for a short time.
We could generate a neuroelectric field that could heal your injuries.
You want to hook up my mind to some Borg collective?
- No, that's not it at all. - We'd be in control.
You'd be linked for a limited period of time to Riley, me
and a few others in our group.
I'm not letting anyone implant a neuroprocessor in my brain.
I'd attach a small neurotransceiver to the base of your skull.
The transceiver could be removed as soon as the procedure was over.
Other than repairing neural tissue, there would be no lasting effects.
Thanks, but I don't think so.
I can see why you're sceptical. I would be, too.
Orum and I, the others, we're individuals. We have distinct personalities.
We're not about to turn you into some kind of automaton.
- I'll wait for Voyager. - That help may come too late.
If we don't slow the neural degradation immediately,
you will die.
Chakotay, you have to make a decision.
- Any sign of Voyager? - No.
I can't change who we are,
but please believe me when I tell you we only want to help you.
Orum will take every precaution. At least let us try and save you.
It's either that or the happy hunting grounds, huh?
OK, then?
This is the neurotransceiver.
Don't be afraid, Chakotay. We're here to help you.
Open your mind to our thoughts and concentrate on getting well.
Hear our voices, open your mind to our thoughts.
Our collective strength can heal you.
You're safe with us. Feel the connection. We're with you.
See who we are, know us. Our strength is your strength.
We can overcome your pain. We welcome you into our thoughts.
There's nothing to fear. We won't let you die.
We're all one circle, no beginning, no end.
How do you feel?
Don't worry, it's gone.
It looks like the treatment worked.
The degraded tissue has shown marked improvement.
It was incredible.
I know.
I heard all of you, your thoughts, inside my head, as if they were my thoughts.
And I could see myself through your eyes.
Then you must have caught me staring.
I saw faces, planets. What were they?
Images from the minds of the people who linked with you.
Memories of their families, their homes.
I know things about all of them, about you.
- You like blue bonnets. - My favourite flower.
You used to pick them back home with a man who carried a walking stick.
- My grandfather. - I know so much about you.
We shared a very rare experience.
I felt that.
What about this?
It's a residual effect from the link.
- How long will it last? - An hour, maybe two.
Long enough.
- Can you hear what I'm thinking? - Yes.
Then you know I want to be closer to you.
I want us to know everything about each other.
I want you to feel everything I feel.
Commander Chakotay and Ensign Kaplan
landed in response to a distress call.
- Can you locate the shuttle? - There's no sign of it.
- What about their combadges? - I'm only picking up one signal.
It's in a heavily populated region. Very weak.
Voyager to Commander Chakotay. Do you read?
Ensign Kaplan, come in.
Turbulence from the nebula is interfering with the transmission.
Hand me that hyperspanner.
That should at least get the short-range transmitters operational.
I never would have figured you to be quite so handy.
I guess you haven't learnt everything about me.
Commander, I just wanted to say how grateful to you we all are.
- You saved my life. - But you've added so much.
A renewed sense of hope, an infusion of energy.
You have no idea how invigorating it was to have a new mind in the link.
There have been so few of us for so long.
Well, I'll let you two get back to work.
I was so resistant to being linked, now I'm almost sorry it's over.
I know.
Last night when we were connected, I realised what it is you want from us.
It's more than just supplies and security upgrades.
- That's right. - It's a pretty radical concept.
Sometimes radical problems require radical solutions.
We've detected a ship in orbit. It must be Voyager.
I hope you'll at least discuss our idea with your captain.
Why don't you tell her about it?
We believe the solution to our problem is to re-establish the neural link
among all the former Borg on the planet.
You can't be serious.
I know it sounds extreme, but I think you should hear her out.
When we were linked, we had no ethnic conflict.
There was no crime, no hunger, no health problems.
We lived as one harmonious family.
With all due respect, you were one harmonious family
bent on the violent assimilation of innocent cultures.
But we're not Borg any more and we've learnt from our past.
All we want to do is take the one good thing that existed -
our unique ability to co-operate and problem solve
and use it to create a safe, productive community.
Tell me how exactly.
The neurotransponder we've built can only link a small group of people,
like the one that helped heal Chakotay.
The effect is only temporary.
To reconnect the population permanently,
we'd need a bigger generator.
- We don't have anything like that. - But the Borg cube does.
They're asking us to reactivate that ship's generator
and redirect it toward the planet.
They want us to reactivate a Borg ship?
Just the generator.
It only needs to be operational for a few minutes.
There's no telling what would happen if we turned on one of the generators.
I can assure you we'd take every precaution.
I admire your tenacity, I respect your courage.
I'll give you medical supplies, I'll assist you with your security,
I'll even take some of you with us,
but as to what you're proposing, I'm extremely sceptical.
In fairness, however, I will give it some further thought.
Thank you.
What do you think?
If you're asking me whether she's sincere, I have to say yes.
You got to know them very well.
That's an understatement. I heard their thoughts,
felt their feelings, saw through their eyes.
You never sensed anything negative? No hidden agenda, destructive intent?
No.
Bottom line - do you think we should do what they're asking?
I really care about what happens to these people.
So in my heart, I'd like to do everything we can to help them.
But if I were you, I'd take other considerations into account.
Not only would it mean imposing a choice on thousands of people,
it would also be taking a terrible risk.
Helping to create a new collective.
Who knows what the repercussions might be?
I'll let Riley know.
- I'm afraid her decision was final. - I expected as much.
How long do you think you can hold out against the raiders?
We'll have to do the best we can.
Maybe we'll find some other way to reinitiate the link.
Come with us. We could replicate some Texas barbecue.
Don't think it's not tempting, but my place is here.
I know you understand.
I've never understood anyone better in my life.
We're finished laying in the supplies.
Thank you, Neelix.
We'd better get going.
Are you OK?
You need a thrashing on the hoverball court to take your mind off things.
- You're on. - Good.
I'll reserve some holodeck time as soon as we're back.
Chakotay, can you hear us?
- Did you say something? - No.
- Are you getting a com transmission? - No. Why?
Must have been my imagination.
- You're sure you're OK? - I'm fine.
Chakotay, we need your help.
- Chakotay? - We need your help.
I'm going to tell the Doctor he needs to take a look at you.
- Torres to sickbay. - Don't do that.
Chakotay, give me the phaser.
Chakotay's shuttle has changed course.
- Try hailing them. - No response.
They're increasing speed to maximum impulse.
Lay in a pursuit course. Tell Neelix we'll rendezvous with him later.
Chakotay, transport to module 47 Omega.
The bunker is under attack. 47 Omega, section 9.
Mark co-ordinates. We are under attack.
9 Alpha Alpha. We must hurry.
The bunker is under attack. 47 Omega, section 9.
We are under attack.
Proceed to interlink console 3 Beta 6.
Hear our thoughts.
Interlink 3 Beta 6. Proceed to interlink console 3 Beta 6.
Hear our thoughts.
This way.
Lower right panel. Attach power conduit 166.
Hurry. Pathway Pi 2. We are under attack.
Pathway Pi 2.
Activate the neuroelectric generator. Quickly. Power circuit mechanism.
Activate the generator. Help us.
We must activate the neuroelectric generator now.
We need your help. Losing time.
Commander...
take your hand away from that console or I will be forced to fire.
You must not let them stop you. You must do this.
You must move power circuit mechanism Alpha to position 1.
Hear our voices. We welcome you into our thoughts.
Feel the connection.
Mr Kim.
Voyager, emergency beam out.
Chakotay, B'Elanna and the away team are back.
- And we've tractored in the shuttle. - Take us out of here slowly.
The Borg ship is powering weapons.
Full power to the shields. Prepare to fire.
The Borg ship has initiated a self-destruct sequence.
Get us out of here.
- Report. - Shields are holding.
- No injuries or hull damage. - What happened back there?
Audio transmission from the planet's surface.
Let's hear it.
We are the new co-operative. We have destroyed the Borg cube.
We regret that we forced Commander Chakotay to assist us,
but it was necessary for our survival.
His link with the co-operative has now been severed.
Our lasting gratitude.
His neuropeptide levels are normal.
There are no traces of the link?
How did they re-establish the connection?
The neuropeptides heightened his telepathic receptivity.
I thought they couldn't form the link over great distances.
The communications array amplified the signal from the neurotransponder.
Would you two please excuse us?
I don't know what to say except I'm sorry.
It's clear you were acting against your will.
Maybe so, but somehow that doesn't make me feel any better.
I helped them repair their communications array.
Helping others is part of who you are.
I don't see how you could have behaved differently.
I couldn't have been more wrong about them, could I?
I don't know. I'm not saying I'm happy about what happened,
but they haven't acted like typical Borg.
They saved us from that cube.
But they didn't hesitate to impose their collective will on me, did they?
No, they didn't.
I wonder how long their ideals will last in the face of that kind of power.