06x26 - Unimatrix Zero

[bunniefuu]

Four of Twelve,
subjunction of unimatrix 525.

You have a disease.

You're one of many with this sickness,
we want to cure you.

But we need a better way
to identify those with the mutation.

Our testing method is too slow.

It could take centuries
to identify everyone.

Help me find the interlink frequency
that binds all of you together.

Then we can put an end to this,
quickly, efficiently.

Comply.

I've disconnected you
from the hive mind.

You're alone.

I know how uncomfortable that can be.

Tell me what I want to know.
Then you can rejoin us.

I don't know.

- You must remember something.
- I don't remember.

- The frequency.
- I don't remember.

Deactivate him.

Wait.

Dismantle him.
Bring me his cortical array.

Annika.

Another milestone.
You've had your first dream.

- I felt awake.
- Dreams can often seem quite real.

Tell me more about this forest.

It was... familiar.

Perhaps your unconscious mind

was drawing on a childhood memory.

I spoke to someone.

He called me by my human name.

Did you recognise him?

He seemed... familiar.

This could give us a fascinating glimpse

into your unconscious mind.

These images might be symbolic.

The mysterious stranger, for example.
Is he a father figure

or does he represent a repressed desire
for male companionship?

I don't wish to dream again.
Please repair my cortical array.

This isn't a malfunction.

It's a natural step
in your human development.

It might seem unsettling now,
but you'll get used to it.

Before you know it, you'll look forward
to climbing into your alcove each night.

This'll keep a record
of your REM cycles.

- You're late, Mr Paris.
- Ma'am?

According to the ship's chronometer,
by 22 seconds.

- I'll make it up at the end of my shift.
- See that you do.

Take your station.

Open it. That's an order.

Not only late but improperly dressed.
That belongs on your collar, Mr Paris.

As ship's captain, I hereby reinstate you
to the rank of lieutenant,

with all the privileges
and responsibilities therein.

Your performance over the past year
has been exemplary.

- I expect more of the same.
- You won't be disappointed.

Congratulations...

Lieutenant.

I didn't notice a little box on my chair.

Hiding a cake in the console?

- A distress call.
- Put it through.

I'm getting a carrier wave,
but no message.

Origin?

- An asteroid two light years from here.
- Yellow Alert. Set a course.

- We're in range.
- Drop to impulse. On screen.

Magnify.

I'm reading artificial structures.
It's a colony.

Open a channel.

This is the starship Voyager.
We received your distress call.

- Lifesigns?
- None.

I'm detecting
residual weapons signatures.

- They're Borg.
- Any vessels?

One. A cube at the edge of this system.

Resume course, warp 6.
Make a note in the ship's record.

We responded to a distress call
at 0900 hours,

arrived at the colony two hours later.

No survivors.

We don't know who these people were,

but we know the Borg destroyed them.

- Come with me.
- This is only a dream.

You're not dreaming. I brought you here.
This is Unimatrix Zero.

There is no Unimatrix Zero.
Who are you?

Five of Twelve,
secondary adjunct of trimatrix 942.

- But when I'm here, my name is Axum.
- Axum.

- Sound familiar?
- Yes.

Good.
It's starting to come back to you.

Is anyone here?

- Hello.
- I think I'm lost.

I'm Axum. This is Annika.

My father's ship started shaking.
Men came aboard.

They looked like machines.
Will you help me find my father?

I'll see what I can do.

There are other children here.
Would you like to meet them?

I just got here, too.

This environment is intimidating,
but I believe it's safe.

He was just assimilated.

He's probably
still in a maturation chamber.

This isn't a real place?
It's some kind of virtual construct?

We come here
during our regeneration cycles.

We can exist as individuals here.

Unimatrix Zero.

You used to come here,
before you escaped the collective.

You have the recessive mutation, too.

- Don't you remember any of it?
- No.

What mutation?

Only one out of a million drones has it.

Why did you bring me here now?

The collective
has found a way to detect us.

It's a lengthy procedure,

but they've identified and deactivated
200 of us over the last few months.

It's only a matter of time before
they isolate the interlink frequency.

Once they've done that...

You can help us stop them.

Clarify.

We've designed a nanovirus

to mask the bio-chemical signature
of the mutation,

but we need someone
to release it into the collective.

You're already on a Borg vessel.
Why don't you do it?

After our regeneration cycles,
we have no memory of this place.

But you are not a part
of the collective any more.

You're our only connection
to the real world.

Scan the node for residual harmonics.

It's a shame you're not alive
to experience disembodiment.

It's the epitome of perfection.

Give it to me.

We have isolated the carrier band.

But it's useless to us
without the precise frequency.

We need additional data.

Two more mutations have been
discovered in spatial grid 649.

Have their cortical nodes
removed and analysed.

Bring me the results.

Unimatrix Zero is our sanctuary.

When we're here,
our thoughts are our own.

- What was my function?
- You're thinking like a Borg.

Our only function here is to regain
a fragment of the lives we lost

when we were assimilated.

- Mr Axum?
- Introduce yourself. They won't mind.

- Do you want to play?
- Sure.

Siral, over here.
I was hoping you'd come.

- It's great to see you.
- It's always good to be back.

- I remember him.
- You were friends.

You knew a lot of people here.
You were part of our lives for 18 years.

I'm willing to help,
but I can't do it alone.

I'm part of a starship crew now.
I'll have to inform my captain.

I told you not to bring her here.

- We can't do this by ourselves.
- It's too great a risk.

- We don't have a choice.
- You do not speak for all of us.

What would you rather do?
Have us wait until we're all discovered?

Where's your warrior spirit?

Pahtk!

I'll rip your heart out!

Go ahead, k*ll me.

I'll be back when I begin
my next regeneration cycle.

You can't stop me, Korok.

If you come here again,

you'll be putting your starship at risk
and all of us as well.

Shouldn't you be off
sharpening your teeth?

I know you. Your name is Laura.
You're human.

I was assimilated at Wolf 359.

It's good to see you again.

But you look out of place.
Your cybernetic implants.

Our doctor was unable to remove
all my Borg components.

- You don't have to look that way here.
- My appearance is irrelevant.

No, it's not. They may have turned
us into drones,

but they can't change the essence
of who we are.

My cycle's about to end.
Talk to your captain. We can't...

- Another round with the Borg?
- We only need to infiltrate one vessel.

- Just one?
- I am prepared to do this alone.

How do you know this wasn't
some kind of dream?

Seven never reached REM sleep.
She wasn't dreaming.

Unimatrix Zero is real
and so are the people who go there.

They need our help.

What else can you tell us?
How many drones?

- No one is certain. Axum told me...
- Axum?

He's someone I used to know.

He told me there could be
tens of thousands.

How was it created?

Some believe it began as a malfunction
during the assimilation of a drone

and spread to the others.

This is very interesting, but is it worth
putting our lives on the line?

When we receive a distress call,
we respond. Starfleet protocols.

- She's right. This is no different.
- I understand your reluctance.

But Seven's discovered
a potential weakness in the collective.

I'd like to learn about it.

Too bad you don't have
an interlink node.

There is another possibility.

A Vulcan technique
known as the bridging of minds.

I would need to initiate a mind-meld
with you and Seven

acting as a telepathic conduit.

You make it sound
like a conference call.

- It is my opinion that...
- Objection noted.

I think you'll be turning in early tonight.

Stay at Yellow Alert.
Maintain scans for Borg vessels.

This will be one away mission
for the record books.

Last time I heard "my mind to your mind",
I had a headache for two weeks.

I'm willing to volunteer
if you'd rather hold down the fort.

A chance to see this place
is worth a headache.

How many times have you performed
this "bridging of heads"?

Minds. Never.

- How can you be certain it'll work?
- Nothing is certain, Doctor.

However, I once observed
a Vulcan master perform the technique.

Watching and doing are different things.

Your logic is impeccable.
We're ready, Captain.

Let's do it.

As the conduit,
I'll be aware of both your perceptions.

If something goes wrong,
I'll break the meld.

Your minds to my mind.

Your thoughts to my thoughts.

Your minds to my mind.

Your thoughts to my thoughts.

- Welcome to Unimatrix Zero.
- Seven?

Annika. That's what I'm called here.

- Drones?
- Come on. Let's find Axum.

We're close.
I can almost hear them.

Bring us closer.

There. Amplify.

Disrupt the frequency.

It's not working.
They're using a triaxillating modulation.

You're making this very difficult.

If we can't terminate their link,

then we'll simply have to
pay them a visit.

You can see why
we want to protect this place.

We're willing to help, but I'm concerned
we'd be putting off the inevitable.

Even if we succeeded and you could
remain hidden for a year, ten years,

the Borg would eventually find you again.

Have you ever considered
a more permanent solution?

You've got a remarkable sanctuary here,
but that's all it is.

Maybe it's time to stop hiding
and find a way to fight back.

That's not possible.

If you could carry your individualities
into the real world,

wake up from your regeneration cycle
with your memories intact,

you could undermine
the Borg's control over you.

You're suggesting a civil w*r.

I'd prefer to call it
a resistance movement.

That's very ambitious, Captain.
But we can't retain our memories.

Not yet. But we know a good deal
about Borg technology. Maybe we...

We've found another.
Spatial grid 326, cube 1184.

Continue.

Welcome back.
Spatial grid 982, cube 461.

No!

Janeway.

How's your headache?

- I'm guessing it didn't go well.
- We ran into a little trouble.

- Have a seat, Commander.
- I'd prefer to stand.

The collective's found a way
to infiltrate Unimatrix Zero.

It won't be long before they learn
enough to destroy it from the inside out.

- I plan to stop them.
- What have you got in mind?

The people there are vulnerable.

They don't have the ability to take action
in the real world.

We're going to give them that ability.

- How?
- The Doctor's working on it.

I know what you're thinking. We'd be
violating half a dozen Starfleet protocols.

And if the collective
learned we were involved,

we'd be putting Voyager in the middle
of a civil w*r. Valid objections.

Chakotay, we've had our disagreements

and there have been times when I've
chosen to proceed without your support.

But this can't be one of those times.

I won't do this without my first officer.

Risking the safety of Voyager
is a small price to pay.

This could be the turning point
in our battle against the Borg.

I'm glad we agree,
because I almost talked myself out of it.

Somehow I don't think you were ever
in danger of doing that.

You'll inform the crew?

This is the nanovirus Axum designed

to prevent the Borg from detecting
those with the mutation. I've modified it.

Once infected, they should retain
their memories of Unimatrix Zero.

Does that mean they'll be able
to stand up to the collective?

- There's no way to tell.
- How do we deploy it?

Each Borg vessel has a device
that links it to every other Borg ship.

The central plexus.

If we gain access to one
and release the virus there,

it will be transmitted
throughout the collective instantly.

Any Borg activity in the region?

Just dropped out of transwarp,
3.6 light years from here.

This is a Class IV tactical vessel,
heavily armed.

The central plexus is protected
by security grids.

We'd be detected
before we could reach it.

We're going to find a way in.

- Prepare the virus.
- Aye, Captain.

It's time for you to take another nap.
Pay a visit to Unimatrix Zero.

Tell our friends
we haven't forgotten them.

You were a little different
in Unimatrix Zero.

I don't mean your lack of Borg implants.

- You seemed more...
- Human.

If you don't mind my saying so,
it suited you.

I've been told I spent
a great deal of time there.

But since I don't remember Unimatrix
Zero or Earth, it's irrelevant.

If what I saw was any indication,
Annika would disagree.

The Klingons are giving bat'leths
to anybody who can handle one.

Hirogen hunters are targeting drones,
but we're losing people every hour.

- The captain will keep her promise.
- This isn't your battle.

- You don't owe us anything.
- Voyager won't abandon you.

A gift from Korok.

- Takes some getting used to.
- I'm sure you'll adapt.

11 more drones, 300 metres.

Sorry.

That felt... familiar. Our touching.

I told you. We were friends.

- Elaborate.
- Now is not the best time.

We were more than friends,
weren't we?

- Why didn't you tell me?
- You'd forgotten.

It wasn't my place.

- How long?
- Six years.

Only while we were regenerating.

A very memorable six years.

- For me, anyway.
- I should return to Voyager.

Annika.

My name is Seven of Nine.

Can't we find another Borg ship?
Something less imposing?

I rechecked sensors. There's nothing.

This is our target.
Keep a transporter lock on me.

Once I release the virus, beam me back.

In how many pieces?

I should go.
I'm the only one with experience.

You're our connection to Unimatrix Zero.
You're needed here.

It was my decision to help these people.

- This is my responsibility.
- Starfleet Tactical Directive 36.

"The captain will not engage a hostile
force without a security officer.”

The probability of success is greater
if there are two of us.

Make that three. If you're going to pull
this off, you'll need an engineer.

- Tactical Directive 36-A.
- There is no directive 36-A.

- There is now.
- I appreciate the offer.

But if that cube att*cks Voyager,
you'll be needed here.

You have your orders.
Set a course, Mr Paris.

- I said I didn't have any objections...
- Can't this wait till I get back?

I'll be damned
if you're going in there alone.

- We've got a lot of work to do.
- You said you wanted my support.

- Take Tuvok and B'Elanna with you.
- And if I don't?

I may only be first officer,
but I still pull a few strings around here.

The Doctor could be persuaded
to question your medical fitness.

I was hoping
for your unconditional support.

This is the best I can do.

Tell them to pack light.
Janeway to bridge. Report.

- Someone's tapping into the computer.
- Source?

It's some kind of transwarp signal.

It's activating the com system.

Captain, I think it's for you.

Captain.

It's been a long time.

- How are things in the collective?
- Perfect, for the most part.

- Voyager?
- Never better.

You've established
contact with Starfleet.

Perhaps you'll be getting home
sooner than you expected.

- Perhaps.
- We could help you.

- How so?
- Transwarp technology.

We can be quite accommodating,
but we'd expect the same in return.

I'm not sure I know what you mean.

You know exactly what I mean.

Stay away from things
that don't concern you.

I'm afraid I can't do that,
but thanks for the offer.

I won't be as accommodating next time.

- Reconsider.
- I'm sorry.

We'll see you soon, Harry.

What did she mean by that?

- Why the s*ab at diplomacy?
- To find out what we're up to.

She's worried.

Have B'Elanna and Tuvok
meet me in sickbay.

Watch the starboard plasma injectors.
They run hot at high impulse.

- I'll keep an eye on it.
- The warp matrix is out of alignment.

By 0.3 microns.
Since when are you so meticulous?

Since you volunteered
for this insane mission.

I could sabotage the helm. You'd never
make it out the launch doors.

Then I'd have to put you on report.
You might lose that new pip of yours.

That'd be a small price to pay.

- They're in visual range.
- On screen.

Magnify.

- Torres to bridge.
- Go ahead.

The Delta Flyer's ready for launch.

On my way.

Guess I'd better be going.

Anything you'd like done
while you're gone?

Gravity plating recalibrated,
carpets cleaned?

Surprise me.

You have the bridge.

You need to prepare the others.
They may be startled, disoriented.

But they have to behave like drones
or we could all be exposed.

Most of us will be the only drone
on board who knows about this place.

What can we hope to achieve?

We should gather as much tactical data
as we can.

What kind of ship we're on,
its armaments, location.

Then we'll co-ordinate our efforts
from here.

If all goes well, we'll be working
very closely together.

As colleagues, nothing more.

Our previous... friendship...

Yes?

- It's irrelevant.
- Irrelevant?

Now that I'll be able to retain
my memory, I'll keep that in mind.

- Report.
- Direct hit. No damage.

Increase phaser yield.
Where's the Flyer?

They're approaching.
Heading 017, mark 3.

Status?

Voyager has sustained damage,
but they are continuing their as*ault.

Come on, Chakotay.

One of the cube's
shield grids is fluctuating.

Ventral axis, secondary emitter.

Cut primary power. Thrusters only.

Tactical cube 138 is under att*ck.

Our forward shields are down.

- The Flyer?
- They're closing. 50 kilometres.

Maintain fire.

30 kilometres, 20.

They're in range.

Enhance grid 6119.

Captain, I expected something
more cunning from you.

It's time.

Their ventral shield grid?

Still fluctuating at 0.6 terahertz.

- Align our transporters to match.
- Aye.

They've detected them.

They're inside.

Direct hit to the port nacelle.
We're venting plasma.

- Should I back off?
- No. We need to stay close.

They've adapted.

Hull breach, deck 11!

They're targeting our warp core.

No change yet.

We'll have to take the long way around.

Tuvok.

Their lifesigns are destabilising.

So far so good.

You can take us out of here now, Tom.