Then I also wonder what would assimilation of one or more Talosians would do for the Borg. I don't think that their "biological distinctiveness" would make all the Borg into Talosian-powered Borg, that's going into uber-Borg wanking territory. TNG "I, Borg," and "Descent, (parts I and II)" also show limitations on the Borg's link, because Hugh didn't make all the Borg individuals and there's also the fact that post-individuality, the hive mind was cut off and linking was a voluntary act; Lore had to verbally persuade one of the underlings to link with Crosus to keep him under his control.
The Borg still have biological senses and brains, which could be vulnerable to the illusions. Not sure about the drones with optical sensors. And what about Data and Geordi's time bomb, the M.C. Escher virus, the paradox that couldn't exist in real space and time. Picard saw that thing too...(see below)
So many variables to play with. I google-fu'ed this scene as well:
Anyway, some fun scenarios courtesy of Q being a bored omnipotent dick. He also removes the ability of the Borg to assimilate any other species (no alien help of any sort) and also rules out the use of the Borg using time travel, no escape spheres. We're doing this down and dirty.Chrissie's Transcript Site wrote:MAGISTRATE: The vial contains a nourishing protein complex.
PIKE: Is the keeper actually communicating with one of his animals?
MAGISTRATE: If the form and the colour is not appealing, it can appear as any food you wish to visualise.
PIKE: And if I prefer
MAGISTRATE: To starve? You overlook the unpleasant alternative of punishment.
(Pike is surrounded by fire and brimstone, screaming in pain)
MAGISTRATE: From a fable you once heard in childhood. You will now consume the nourishment.
PIKE: Why not just put irresistible hunger in my mind? Because you can't, can you? You do have limitations, don't you?
A)Talosians vs. Borg Collective. One standard Borg cube is in range of Talos IV.
B)Talosians vs. Miss "I am the Borg." The Borg Queen is aboard one standard Borg cube in range of Talos IV.
C)Talosians vs. Locutus. He is aboard one standard Borg cube in range of Talos IV. Do recall that the Borg have assimilated Jean-Luc Picard's Starfleet knowledge, anything he may possibly know about the Talosians the Borg now know too.
I'm fuzzy on A & B and I'm terrified to consider the existence of Hugh and his newly realized Borg shipmates, so with the snap of his fingers Q removes them from all three scenarios.
Moving on to fight C...I'm imagining long range attacks or some kind of orbital bombardment strategy from Locutus if the Borg can't just scoop up the Talosians like the bases/colonies from "The Neutral Zone" and "The Best of Both Worlds (part I)". That's assuming the Borg are able to detect and accurately target the underground complex of the Talosians. Lastly, underneath his Borg persona is Picard's human willpower, I think it would definitely help the Borg a great deal, so I'm going with Locutus on scenario C.
Total galaxywide genocidal annihilation of the opponent is the goal of all three fights. (Shang Tsung voice) "Let Star Trek Kombat begin!!"
Edit: Picard didn't see the paradox geometric shape until Post-Locutus, so Q removes this as well.