The Borg’s Shadow: A Warning from the Void
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Admiral Hanson informs the Enterprise crew of the USS Lalo's destruction by a cube-shaped alien vessel, later identified as Borg, cutting off all communications and indicating an imminent threat.
Picard orders Data to set a course for the Lalo's last known location, while Admiral Hanson announces Starfleet's assistance but confirms they are six days away, leaving the Enterprise to confront the threat alone.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Somber and urgent, with a underlying current of concern for the Enterprise crew. Hanson’s professionalism is tinged with a sense of helplessness, knowing that the crew is facing an enemy that Starfleet is ill-prepared to combat.
Hanson’s transmission is delivered with a grave tone, her voice carrying the weight of the Lalo’s destruction. She emphasizes the abrupt end of the distress signal and the cube-shaped vessel, her words hanging in the air like a warning. Her assurance that Starfleet is sending reinforcements is tempered by the stark reality that help is six days away—a timeline that feels like an eternity in the face of the Borg. Her demeanor is professional but somber, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the unspoken fear that the Enterprise crew may not survive long enough for assistance to arrive.
- • Inform the *Enterprise* crew of the Borg threat and the *Lalo*’s destruction with clarity and urgency.
- • Reassure the crew that Starfleet support is on the way, even if it is too distant to be immediately helpful.
- • The Borg represent a existential threat that requires Starfleet’s full resources to counter.
- • The *Enterprise* crew is the first line of defense, and their actions in the coming hours will be critical to the Federation’s survival.
Determined but slightly anxious, with a underlying sense of urgency. Shelby’s confidence is tempered by the realization that their strategies are inadequate against the Borg, but she pushes forward, driven by her desire to contribute and prove her worth to the crew.
Shelby stands beside Picard, her posture confident but her tone slightly defensive as she reports on the crew’s defense preparations. She outlines Geordi’s plan to modulate shield nutation and the phaser retuning strategy, acknowledging that these are 'desperate stopgaps' but presenting them as the crew’s best current options. When Picard queries the effectiveness of their plans, she defers to Geordi, her expression betraying a flicker of uncertainty. Her presence in the room is a reminder of her ambition and tactical expertise, but the desperation of their situation is palpable in her voice.
- • Present the crew’s defensive strategies to Picard, even if they are imperfect, to demonstrate her value and readiness to lead.
- • Support Geordi’s technical assessments and ensure the crew is as prepared as possible for the impending confrontation with the Borg.
- • The crew’s survival depends on their ability to adapt and innovate, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
- • Her tactical expertise and ambition will be critical in guiding the crew through the crisis.
Feigned calm masking deep anxiety and a growing sense of existential dread. Picard’s surface composure belies an internal struggle with the realization that the Borg represent an enemy unlike any Starfleet has faced—a threat that could erase everything he stands for.
Picard stands at the center of the Observation Lounge, his posture rigid with authority as he absorbs Hanson’s transmission. His face tightens at the mention of the cube-shaped vessel, and his immediate order to investigate at warp nine is delivered with a mix of urgency and resolve. He queries Data for the ETA with clinical precision, then turns to Shelby for a status report on defenses, his tone sharp but controlled. When Geordi admits their strategies are a 'shot in the dark,' Picard dismisses him with a curt nod, his expression betraying a flicker of dread beneath his composed exterior. His dry remark to Hanson—'We'll try to occupy them pending your arrival'—is a thin veneer over the crew’s dire situation, masking his underlying fear with dark humor.
- • Gather as much intelligence as possible about the Borg threat to inform the crew’s response.
- • Maintain morale and a sense of purpose among the crew despite the overwhelming odds.
- • Starfleet’s preparedness and adaptability will be tested to their limits against the Borg.
- • The crew’s survival depends on their ability to think creatively and act decisively, even in the face of the unknown.
Neutral and efficient, with no visible signs of anxiety or fear. Data’s synthetic nature allows him to process the situation logically, but his departure signals his readiness to contribute to the crew’s efforts in any way he can.
Data stands beside Picard, his expression neutral as he provides the ETA for the Enterprise to reach the Lalo’s last known location. His response is precise and efficient, reflecting his synthetic nature and lack of emotional bias. He acknowledges Picard’s order and exits the Observation Lounge to execute it, his departure unceremonious but purposeful. Data’s presence in the room is a reminder of the crew’s reliance on his technical expertise, even in the face of an enemy that may adapt to their strategies.
- • Provide Picard with the necessary information to make informed decisions, such as the ETA for their arrival at the *Lalo*’s last known location.
- • Execute Picard’s orders efficiently and without delay, ensuring the crew’s readiness for the confrontation with the Borg.
- • The crew’s success depends on their ability to leverage all available resources, including his technical expertise.
- • The Borg’s adaptive nature may require innovative solutions that he can help develop.
Focused and determined, with a underlying sense of dread. Riker’s professionalism is tempered by the realization that the crew is facing an enemy that could destroy them, but he channels his fear into action, ensuring the crew is ready for battle.
Riker stands beside Picard, his posture alert and his expression focused as he listens to Hanson’s transmission. His command to stand to battle stations is delivered with a sense of urgency, reinforcing Picard’s orders and signaling the crew’s transition to a combat-ready state. Though he does not speak beyond this command, his presence is a steadying force, his loyalty to Picard and the crew evident in his readiness to act. His silence speaks volumes—he understands the gravity of the situation and the need for the crew to be prepared for what lies ahead.
- • Ensure the crew is prepared for immediate action, reinforcing Picard’s orders with his own command to stand to battle stations.
- • Support Picard’s leadership and maintain the crew’s cohesion in the face of the Borg threat.
- • The Borg’s sudden appearance signals a shift in the nature of Starfleet’s conflicts, requiring a new level of preparedness and adaptability.
- • The crew’s survival depends on their ability to work together and respond swiftly to the unknown.
Frustrated and slightly anxious, with a underlying sense of urgency. Geordi’s technical expertise is tempered by the realization that their strategies may not be enough to counter the Borg, but he pushes forward, driven by his desire to protect the crew and contribute to their survival.
Geordi stands beside Shelby, his expression frustrated but professional as he describes the crew’s defensive plans. He explains the shield modulation strategy to disrupt Borg nutation and the phaser retuning plan to disrupt their subspace field, admitting that these are 'a shot in the dark' but presenting them as the best available options. When Picard queries the effectiveness of their plans, Geordi’s tone is blunt, reflecting his awareness of their desperation. His dismissal by Picard is met with a nod, his frustration evident but his professionalism intact.
- • Present the crew’s defensive strategies to Picard, even if they are imperfect, to ensure transparency and prepare the crew for the realities of their situation.
- • Support Shelby’s efforts and ensure the crew is as prepared as possible for the impending confrontation with the Borg.
- • The crew’s survival depends on their ability to innovate and adapt, even in the face of an enemy that may be beyond their current understanding.
- • His technical expertise is critical in developing strategies to counter the Borg’s adaptive nature.
Stoic and alert, with a underlying sense of determination. Worf’s silence is not a lack of engagement but a focused readiness, his mind already preparing for the combat that lies ahead.
Worf stands silently in the Observation Lounge, his posture rigid and his expression stoic as he listens to Hanson’s transmission. Though he does not speak or act during this event, his presence is a reminder of his readiness for combat and his loyalty to the crew. His silence is not passive—it is a quiet vigilance, a preparation for the battle to come. Worf’s Klingon heritage and tactical expertise make him a formidable asset, and his presence underscores the crew’s unity in the face of the Borg threat.
- • Stand ready to support the crew in whatever capacity is required, whether in combat or tactical planning.
- • Demonstrate his loyalty to Picard and the crew, reinforcing their unity in the face of the Borg threat.
- • The Borg’s arrival is a test of the crew’s strength and resolve, and he is prepared to meet that challenge with honor.
- • His tactical expertise and combat skills will be critical in the coming battle.
Concerned and attentive, with a underlying sense of dread. Beverly’s medical background makes her acutely aware of the crew’s physical and emotional fragility, and her silence is a quiet preparation for the challenges that lie ahead.
Beverly stands quietly in the Observation Lounge, her expression concerned as she listens to Hanson’s transmission. Though she does not speak or act during this event, her presence foreshadows her later role in the away team and her emotional plea for Picard’s life during his assimilation. Her medical expertise and compassion are evident in her attentive demeanor, and her silence speaks to her awareness of the crew’s vulnerability in the face of the Borg threat.
- • Support the crew in any way she can, whether through medical expertise or emotional reassurance.
- • Prepare for the possibility of casualties or injuries, ensuring the crew is as ready as possible for the confrontation with the Borg.
- • The crew’s survival depends on their ability to work together and support one another, both physically and emotionally.
- • Her medical skills will be critical in mitigating the damage caused by the Borg’s assault.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The monitor in the Observation Lounge serves as the primary medium through which Admiral Hanson’s transmission is delivered, bringing the grim news of the USS *Lalo*’s destruction into the room. Its sterile glow casts sharp shadows across the faces of the crew, amplifying the tension and urgency of the moment. The monitor’s role is not just functional—it is symbolic, representing the fragile connection between the *Enterprise* crew and the broader Starfleet command. As Hanson’s voice fills the room, the monitor becomes a conduit for the unspoken dread that the Borg’s arrival brings, its flickering display a reminder of the vulnerability of all Starfleet vessels.
Shelby’s EM-phaser retuning plans are introduced as another layer of defense against the Borg, involving the retuning of phasers to higher EM-base emitting frequencies to disrupt the Borg’s subspace fields. Like the shield modulation plans, these are presented as a 'shot in the dark,' but they reflect the crew’s attempt to disrupt the Borg’s technology at a fundamental level. The plans are a testament to the crew’s ingenuity, but their uncertain outcome underscores the desperation of their situation. Their inclusion in the briefing signals the crew’s willingness to try anything that might give them an edge, no matter how slim.
The recording of the USS *Lalo*’s distress signal plays a critical role in this event, serving as the first concrete evidence of the Borg’s presence and the immediate threat they pose. The abrupt end of the distress signal—cutting off mid-transmission—hangs in the air like a warning, underscoring the Borg’s efficiency and the crew’s vulnerability. The recording is not just a piece of evidence; it is a harbinger of the horror to come, a chilling reminder of the fate that awaits the *Enterprise* if they are not prepared. Its inclusion in Hanson’s transmission frames the Borg as an enemy that does not negotiate or hesitate—it simply assimilates.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Observation Lounge aboard the *Enterprise* serves as the epicenter of this event, its sterile lighting and high-stakes atmosphere amplifying the tension as the crew absorbs Hanson’s transmission. The room, typically a place for strategic discussions and diplomatic meetings, becomes a battleground of sorts—where the crew grapples with the reality of the Borg threat and the inadequacy of their preparations. The large viewports framing the starfield beyond underscore the isolation of the *Enterprise* and the vastness of the threat they face. The crew’s reactions—Picard’s urgency, Shelby’s defensiveness, Geordi’s frustration—are all shaped by the confined, high-pressure environment of the lounge, where every word and decision feels weighted with consequence.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Federation Starfleet is represented in this event through Admiral Hanson’s transmission, which delivers the grim news of the USS *Lalo*’s destruction and the Borg threat. Starfleet’s role is that of a distant but supportive ally, offering reassurance that help is on the way—even if it is too far away to be immediately useful. The organization’s influence is felt in the crew’s sense of duty and their determination to uphold Starfleet’s values, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Hanson’s transmission also underscores Starfleet’s limitations, highlighting the crew’s isolation and the need for them to rely on their own resources.
The Borg Collective is the antagonist force in this event, represented by the cube-shaped vessel that destroyed the USS *Lalo* and the abrupt end of its distress signal. The Borg’s presence is felt in the crew’s reactions—Picard’s urgency, Shelby’s desperation, Geordi’s frustration—and in the unspoken dread that hangs in the air. The Borg’s adaptive nature and relentless efficiency are underscored by the crew’s awareness that their strategies are inadequate, but their determination to fight nonetheless. The Borg’s role in this event is not just as a physical threat but as a symbol of the unknown and the crew’s vulnerability in the face of an enemy they do not fully understand.
The USS *Enterprise* (NCC-1701-D) crew is the protagonist force in this event, representing Starfleet’s first line of defense against the Borg threat. Their unity and cohesion are on full display as they absorb Hanson’s transmission and prepare for the confrontation ahead. The crew’s collective expertise—Picard’s leadership, Riker’s tactical acumen, Shelby’s ambition, Data’s precision, Geordi’s ingenuity, Worf’s combat readiness, and Beverly’s medical insight—is brought to bear in this moment of crisis. Their desperation is palpable, but so is their determination to protect the Federation, even in the face of an enemy they barely understand.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The Enterprise preparing for defense (battle stations) directly leads to Shelby proposing tactical solutions in the observation lounge, including the saucer separation plan and the setup of the deflector weapon."
"The Enterprise preparing for defense (battle stations) directly leads to Shelby proposing tactical solutions in the observation lounge, including the saucer separation plan and the setup of the deflector weapon."
"The Enterprise preparing for defense (battle stations) directly leads to Shelby proposing tactical solutions in the observation lounge, including the saucer separation plan and the setup of the deflector weapon."
Key Dialogue
"HANSON ((MONITOR)): *At nineteen hundred hours yesterday, the USS Lalo departed Zeta Alpha Two on a freight run to Sentinel Minor Four. At twenty-two hundred hours and twelve minutes, a distress signal was received at Starbase one five seven. The Lalo reported contact with an alien vessel... described as cube-shaped. The distress signal ended abruptly. She has not been heard from since.*"
"PICARD ((dry)): *We’ll try to occupy them pending your arrival, Admiral.*"
"GEORDI: *Shot in the dark, Captain. Best we can do for now.*"