Resistance is Fruitless

Oh Borg!

The evolution of the Borg in a galaxy where Warp breaches have rendered long distance space travel and communication impossible.

The effect of isolation upon a species reliant on a constant, long distance telepathic hive-mind communication to maintain uniformity and share information is devastating.  We have seen in several episodes that, when left in isolation for long periods of time, the Borg become unstable and lose their collective unity (See TNG ‘I, Borg’ and VOY ‘Survival Instinct’ & ‘Unity’). Due to Warp breaches Borg Hive-worlds and space stations become totally isolated. Drones cannot cope home alone.

The Warp breaches destroyed the Borg. Explode! The majority of Drones ceased to function as the Warp breaches restricted their ability to connect to the Hive mind. Without constant information updates and Hive support most Drones lost purpose and without this direction they simply cease to function. They remain frozen in their final actions as the code that drives them fails to update. Their upright carcasses are plundered for small aspects of bio-technology by those with enough daring to entire the powered down Borg domains and walk through the standing graveyard. The Borg as we know them cease to exist and two new Borg factions have arisen from this obliteration.

The Fully Organic Borg 

Taking a cue of from Species 8472, one isolated Borg faction eschewed their failing technology and embraced a fully organic mode of being. They operate more typically like an insect hive mind, utilising subtle chemical and biological signals to send messages and maintain uniformity. They still assimilate, injecting unfortunate host bodies with a potent cocktail of genetically modified viruses and bacteria, an array of parasites which modify the host and fast growing fungi. These act quickly (5-10 mins) to mutate the carrier into a Drone which has all the capabilities and motivations of its infector. These Borg are genuinely infectious and are spreading at a slow though insidious rate. The Borg are dangerous again.

These Borg are slightly more uniform in appearance than the original Borg species. Individual appearance obviously differs based on the original species of the host and also the extent to which the cocktail of genetic modifiers take effect. This means that the genetic identity of the host has an impact on how the Borg look and act, so occasionally an infected individual will improve the Borg design. This evolution is used to further develop the species, relegating the current Borg to second tier status.

This faction uses organic space craft to travel system to system. They have no transportation ability. They travel off planet via vast organic matter strands/capillaries which stretch from the surface of the planet into orbit like enormous tendrils. Their Starships are constructed from the humanoid bodies of the second tier Borg after the have been superseded by the next organic upgrades.

The Individuals

A Borg separatist movement which has re-engaged with a portion of their individuality. Each ‘individual’ comprises of a small group of 5-7 Borg Drones which forms a mini-collective. They are more typical of original Borg Drones in that they have a collective consciousness albeit much smaller and idiosyncratic than the super-massive original Collective. They continue to modify organic material with technology though they only do so to replace or upgrade a member of their group. Also, instead of assimilating every being they come across, they are quite selective about whom they will admit into their collective with many people volunteering to join their ranks for a chance to sample collective immortality. They are Borg which can be reasoned with and are often handled as if dealing with a business or a small family.

These Borg are more reminiscent of the original Drones however they are more Industrial in appearance. Each member has a speciality e.g. transportation, shielding, telecommunications, regeneration, maintenance or public relations although there are many different variations and combinations. Each Individual collective contains as much technology as a small shuttle and consequently they often appear less organic e.g. some will have had their heads removed and replaced with satellite technology (of course using their siblings eyes and ears to see and hear), others will roll on tracks or treads in order to carry large amounts of technology as part of their person (I imagine a scene where a large ‘Borg Tank’ is opened up for repairs and the mechanic discovers the missing head of the satellite colleague to be fully wired in).

There you have it. Two different concepts for terrifying industrial pandemic of the future Borg. More images as they develop.

Obvious Borg episode concept titles:

Resistance

Hive

Individual

Back Story/ Storyline

The society which exists aboard the star hulk Kostoglotov is a multi-species colony which was intended to inhabit the class M world named Harbour. Upon arrival at their destination system they discovered the planet had been purposely rendered uninhabitable by an unknown force. Unable to travel back to the galactic hub due to the effects of warp drive use, the crew of the Kostoglotov are forced to adapt their vessel for permanent habitation adding smaller vessels to their massive hull in order to reroute systems or repair damage and scavenging resources from the Harbour system worlds.

After several Generations (approx. 200 years) alone in Harbour system and at a crucial depletion of resources, the crew of the Kostoglotov discover a vessel adrift at the Warp borders which is capable of crossing the intergalactic depths. They have no idea where the vessel came from or what became of the crew, but they realise that they can use the vessel to navigate back to the galactic hubworlds. Unfortunately due to it's small size they cannot relocate the vast society of the Kostoglotov onto this new craft. However with it they can tow the Kostoglotov through the warp breaches and with a small crew on the new ship explore the path they are taking before they reach it.

This series will follow the exploits of the crew & society of the Kostoglotov as they travel though the Warp breaches that have devastated the Star Trek galaxy. There will be scope to focus on domestic/ resource issues and the civilian aspect of running a vast, contained and multicultural society which is based on Federation/Starfleet principles. The premise will also allow for exploration, sci-fi, and action adventure stories utilising the vessel which can cross Warp breaches - A technological ability which the rest of the Star Trek galaxy does not possess. 

Obviously all the names and premises are subject to changes at my whim/ If I think of something better.

Premise

The Federation crew of a vast Generational ship (The Kostoglotov) which has been isolated from galactic contact discover a new type of Starship which is capable of travelling the Warp breaches and reaching nearby stars. This allows them to reconnect with the Star Trek galaxy and as they explore they discover a distorted version of the familiar species, worlds and characters of the Federation which they left behind. 

Why Post Federation?

Why set a series of Star Trek post Federation? Part of the enduring appeal of Trek is the connection something much bigger than ourselves, that we have established a peaceful interstellar community with a degree of power and influence across galactic affairs. I think that concept served the show very well, but this is a new series with new concepts.

By reducing the Federation we provide an even greater level of threat to our crew. They are not just exploring new worlds, they are exploring old worlds many of which will have experienced a type of apocalypse or fall of civilisation due to the impact of the the Warp embargo. The crew will need wits and knowledge in order to establish diplomatic relations with species which have been out of contact for hundreds of years. This Pitch will outline a much more Frontier driven experience. Merely going on the journey places the crew in jeopardy. Life is tough therefore the stakes must be high. Food, fuel and technology are rare and fading commodities - now obviously their are parallels to Voyager here and also Whedon's Firefly, even the cowboy feel of Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope. I want to make Star Trek a bit dirty.

The Galactic/Temporal Setting

This series will be set much further in the future than the previous Star Trek franchises. The first series of The Next Generation is set in the 24^th Century (1^st series TNG set in 2364 with Nemesis being set in 2379). This series will be set in the 27^th Century. The year 2664 is an era where the Federation has crumbled due to the wholesale cessation of interstellar travel. It is now impossible to travel to even nearby stars. Solar systems are isolated from one another, bringing an end to trade and communications between worlds and species. It is no longer possible to establish or maintain an interstellar community. It is only possible to reach a location if you can travel there at sub-light speed. Solar Systems return to their individual systems of government and manage their own limited resources.

In the TNG episode ‘Force of Nature’ it was established that use of Warp drive damages subspace. In this series it will be established that, over time, the regular use of Warp drive has destroyed the fabric of subspace, particularly around heavily populated planets or well established trade or travel routes. The fabric of reality is now torn. Any attempt at moving at light speeds results not in destruction but in breaching the barrier of this reality. This means that the use of Warp drive begins shipping people out of reality and into other realms – equally opening the gateway for passengers from other realms to travel to this universe. However the transit is totally random with no way of ensuring where one will end up and there is certainly no way to return. To travel at Warp speed is to erase yourself from this reality and become utterly lost (see TNG Parallels).

This series will focus on the residents of a mixed species colony world who discover a ship which can safely travel at Warp speed. The show will follow their journey as they re-discover old worlds and species which had previously formed the United Federation of Planets and the familiar species of the Star Trek universe and simultaneously discover new species and new worlds (new life and new civilisations….), facing hitherto unknown threats, ideas and scenarios, whilst combatting old and new enemies who have also evolved in the face of this altered galaxy.

Check out this awesome Trek series timeline which compares the actual production dates to events in the future events dates. It was originally created by Jeroen Kools can be found here.

NB. Yeah, TNG, DS9 and VOY tended to Bunch around the mid-late 24th Century. In Enterprise Crewman Daniels is from the 31^st Century, so I’m hoping at some point we re-establish a Federation!

Why Star Trek is good for TV

A recent Digital Spy article relays the thoughts of Ronald D. Moore on a return to television of the Star Trek franchise, outlining specifically why Star Trek is good for Television.

He states that the movie experience is usually a high stakes action romp and typically focuses on the Captain and one 'other character'. Meanwhile a television series allows a variety of story types and character focus, such as an examination of minor characters.

I think this concept is key. Certainly one of the most exciting elements of Moore's re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica is the you see a whole spectrum of characters from Admirals to Pilots to civilians with bit-part and smaller recurring characters creating the feeling of a universe much larger than the one you are seeing on the screen. The Next Generation had Miles, Keiko & Molly O'Brien adding a touch of recurring colour. Also Lwaxana Troi. Mr Mott? Deep Space Nine did a much grander job establishing a mammoth retinue of regular characters who often stole the show specifically Garak, Morn and particularly Quark's extended family. The Voyager crew expanded a little with the addition of the Borg Children. This Pitch is going to outline an expansive cast.

Regarding the action element I certainly enjoy the reboot Star Trek films they do have a certain StarWarsification (neologism) to them. I'm linking to the Red Letter Media YouTube review of Star Trek into Darkness which aside form being typically funny makes one very good point: There needs to be a little more science-fiction in these new films. It's not just action and peril which capture our interest - excitement can be derived when the the imagination is inspired by exploration, discovery and new ways of looking at the world. These things can be captured in a television in the moments between action, particularly in bottle episodes. There is a place for homage and explosions but this Pitch intends to expand upon Science-Fiction.

Finally Mr Moore claims he doesn't have a 'great new Star Trek idea' and will have to wait for his next brainwave before he can consider participating in a franchise extension. Ron, If you're struggling for ideas, keep an eye on this Blog. The next big Star Trek franchise is in hand.

Star Trek Original Pitch

If I'm going to pitch for a new series of Star Trek where better to begin than by looking back at the original Star Trek Pitch - The high flying exploits of the S.S. Yorktown, Captained by 'Skipper' Robert M. April and ably assisted by "Number One".