Boba Fett hired to capture Locutus

[DaveJB]

all federation phasers work off the same principles, so yes. the ship mounted phasers did use frequencies.

Must be some other reason then. I suppose it could be the case that ship-mounted phasers have a greater range of usable frequencies, or can fine-tune them better. Or my earlier theory that the Borg have trouble adapting to multiple simultaneous hits. All speculation of course, I'm just trying to reconcile the fact that the Borg cube in FC didn't seem to be adapting to the hits to the fact that the Borg on the E-E were adapting with the greatest of ease.

[Robert Walper]

all federation phasers work off the same principles, so yes. the ship mounted phasers did use frequencies.

Must be some other reason then. I suppose it could be the case that ship-mounted phasers have a greater range of usable frequencies, or can fine-tune them better. Or my earlier theory that the Borg have trouble adapting to multiple simultaneous hits. All speculation of course, I'm just trying to reconcile the fact that the Borg cube in FC didn't seem to be adapting to the hits to the fact that the Borg on the E-E were adapting with the greatest of ease.

Actually, we did see several phaser hits in FC that were "absorbed" via the typical Borg shield flare up.

There is evidence that Borg shielding can be fully functional and yet still be bypassed. For example, in "Best of Both Worlds", when the Enterprise D is held in the Borg tractor beam, Commander Shelby tells Data "randomize phaser frequencies, keep them guessing, don't give them time to adapt." At that point we see the phaser beam fluxuate rapidly. Virtually nothing got through except for the last shot(at which point they of course stopped firing), disabling the tractor emitter and allowing them to escape.

It would appear abundantly obvious that the Enterprise D in no way "overwhelmed" the cube's shield capacity(this same cube dusted forty Federation ships apparently without even breaking a sweat), yet they got through the cube's shields anyway.

This would indicate (to me anyhow) that one of the limiting factors to Borg adaptation is the number of frequencies/modulations they can adapt to at any one time(otherwise why not cover every concievable frequencey the E-D could've come up with?). This may be an issue of a technological limitation, or perhaps shield strength.

One theory I favor is that the Borg need to "layer" shields at specific frequencies. Employing only one shield at one frequency would utilize 100% of total available shield power, while two different shields at different frequencies each would only be able to tap 50% of total available shield power.

Depending upon just how fast an enemy can change their weapon frequencies, the Borg could need to cover possibly thousands or even millions of different settings all at once(depending upon how accurately they could predict the enemy's "random" settings). This would effectively lower their peak shield strength by the relative factor though.

Multiply the enemy craft by many dozens(at least I would think) with each vessel potentially utilizing different "random" settings, one could see how much difficulty this could present for the Borg cube in question.

In other words, the Borg's shields could be there at full strength, but covering the entire possible spectrum of frequencies would deplete effective shield strength by massive factors making them virtually useless anyway. Not to mention those shots getting through are going to be targeting vital systems, like shield emitters, power generators, etc, etc.

Well, that's my current theory anyhow...

[Patrick Degan]

Without the plot device of a transporter device which the Borg are mysteriously unable to interdict, jam, or otherwise impede despite their superior knowledge and prior intel , it would be pretty tricky to get Locutus alive. Mind you, given Boba's history he might just go for the easy disintegration

[Vader]I want Locutus alive. NO disintegrations.[/Vader]

[Solauren]

Boba's best bet in this is to go for the direct approach.

Get some transport inhibitors, find the cube, land on it in stealth mode (according to most sources, the stealth mode on Slave I is damn near impossible to detect), make his way in, and tell the Borg if they don't hand over Locutus, he's gonna blow them to pieces. Then proceed to explode a small detonator to prove his point.

THe Borg resist, start slagging them until he gets to Loctus, knock him out with a stun blast or an ion pistol discharge, grab him, blast a hole in the cube, drop a full powered theromal detonator (like the one Lando uses in Shadows of the Empire to blow up Xizor's palace), fly into space and use a slave circuit call to bring his ship over. If the Borg cube survives, drop a Seismic charge and head back to earth, wondering why the hell starfleet needed to hire him

[Robert Walper]

One question I have is just how is Fett going to get inside the cube? The only way I can think of is utilizing the hatch witnessed on Borg cubes several times, most noteably "First Contact" and STVOY "Collective".

Unfortunately, that requires the Borg themsleves to open it, either when deploying a vessel or pulling a victim one in. Perhaps his best bet would be to delibrately allow his vessel to be "captured" and pulled into the cube in order to get inside. His ship should definitely be unique enough get their attention. After that, it would be up to him to locate and capture Locutus, though he would be facing some huge obstcles. Size of the craft in question, identifiying Locutus specifically(they're all cyborgs), the sheer number of Borg, etc. If Boba Fett alerts the Borg, they might make things difficult for him utilizing forcefields, transporters, drones, etc.

Fett also has to take into account the Borg are going to poking and prodding his vessel while he commences his search. Star Wars Technology Immunity(TM) aside, they might render his escape vehicle no longer viable, if simply by the virtue of damaging it.

The Borg were unconcerned about the Enterprise abducting Locutus, so they might not be too concerned his abduction at the hands of Fett. Then again the Borg undoubtedly knew the Enterprise personnel weren't going to really harm or kill Locutus...they could potentially take a more aggressive stance with Fett as he is a unknown.

[Rogue 9]

Locutus was kept with a distinct appearance; he should be easier to pick out than some other drone. As for the Borg poking around, you know how Slave I is boobytrapped out the Wazoo, right?

[Sarevok]

And the Feds are going to pay in with...?

Latinum.

[1337n1nj4]

Unfortunately, that requires the Borg themsleves to open it, either when deploying a vessel or pulling a victim one in.

How about the old standby?

Meaning, blow a big goddamn hole in the thing.

[Robert Walper]

Locutus was kept with a distinct appearance; he should be easier to pick out than some other drone.

Locutus does have a distinct appearance, but as I mentioned the sheer size of the vessel is going to hinder Fett's search, and I trust his sensors are going to find it extremely difficult if not impossible to isolate Locutus from any other drone.

As for the Borg poking around, you know how Slave I is boobytrapped out the Wazoo, right?

I'm unfamilar with Slave I's actual security measures. If they are anything like the Falcon's though(simply sophisticated hatch and entry locks), then the Borg only need worry about getting inside the craft. Since they have transporters, a technology completely foreign to Salve I, I suspect the typical security measures will be rendered ineffective.

[Robert Walper]

Unfortunately, that requires the Borg themsleves to open it, either when deploying a vessel or pulling a victim one in.

How about the old standby?

Meaning, blow a big goddamn hole in the thing.

I was going by the assumption Fett would attempt a stealth approach as opposed to a outright full assualt.

Presumeably this action would simply be too dangerous for Fett, as it could result in the death of Locutus. The Borg would immmediately classify Slave I as a threat and attempt to destoy it. Fett's resulting defensive actions could easily result in his objective being no longer feasible.

He has no idea where Locutus is located within the cube after all. If Fett's sole source of intel is the Federation during this era, his information is going to be extremely limited.

Frankly, alot is also going to depend upon Fett's knowledge of what is going on. The size of the Borg cube is nothing to sneeze at, it dwarfs a Imperial Star Destroyer. That alone would suggest to me Fett would excerise a extremely high level of caution, particularily since he is so unfamilar with the enemy he is dealing with.

[1337n1nj4]

The Enterprise found him to "within 30 meters" by localizing the source of his transmission inside the Cube, IIRC (BOBWII).

Maybe feign a hail to figure out where he is, then blow a hole in the bastard, sprint like hell to where he is, mowing down drones the whole way.

If Locutus is close enough to the point of entry, he could be in and out in five minutes

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

Unfortunately, that requires the Borg themsleves to open it, either when deploying a vessel or pulling a victim one in. Perhaps his best bet would be to delibrately allow his vessel to be "captured" and pulled into the cube in order to get inside.

BTW, anyone played the computer game Crusader: No Regret? Still remember the opening movie where the Silencer deliberately allow his vessel to be captured in order to get into the space station?

Drone 1: We captured a small vessel.
Drone 2: Duh... (figuring out how to open Slave 1 hatch)
Drone 3: Maybe we can use <insert technobabble>.

Suddenly the hatch opened.

BEOWW!! BEOWW!!! BEOOOWWWW!!!!

Fett is standing in the middle of the smoke, while several Borg drones lying dead on the floor. Cool Crusader theme music plays in the background.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

Locutus was kept with a distinct appearance; he should be easier to pick out than some other drone.

Locutus does have a distinct appearance

Baldness

As for the Borg poking around, you know how Slave I is boobytrapped out the Wazoo, right?

I'm unfamilar with Slave I's actual security measures. If they are anything like the Falcon's though(simply sophisticated hatch and entry locks), then the Borg only need worry about getting inside the craft.

Falcon may not boobytrapped, or at least Han didn't turn them on after he was parking on the Death Star hangar (ANH). Besides, Falcon is a smuggler's ship. Hidden compartments with sensor-blinding equipments are more important than boobytraps (Imagine an Imperial Customs and Excise Officer getting fried by Falcon's boobytraps while searching the ship in a routine inspection. THAT would attract too much attention).

Now, Slave-1, on the other hand...

Since they have transporters, a technology completely foreign to Salve I, I suspect the typical security measures will be rendered ineffective.

So the best bet for Fett is to keep the Slave-1 power and shield on while he is searching for Locutus.

[Solauren]

Actually, if Fett was hired by the Federation, he might know about Transporters. Hell, he could have a full briefing on the borg. (This IS starfleet we are talking about....)

Imagine hooking some kind of subspace jamming device into the power source for the hyperdrive of Slave I?

Jump in near them
Gun that jammer up to full feasible power
Watch the Borg wonder were the hell the collective link went?

[Sarevok]

Borg drones can sometimes function without a link to the collective. In one Voyger episode a group of Borg children disconnected from the collective were still able to run a Cube.

[Uraniun235]

Why can't he just personally blast his way through the Cube until he gets to Locutus? As of BOBW, drones did not have personal energy weapons or vampire-tubules, and as such would pose a minimal threat to him.

As for payment... maybe a few months at Risa?

[Robert Walper]

Why can't he just personally blast his way through the Cube until he gets to Locutus?

Using Slave I's weapons could easily result in him killing Locutus, especially since he does not know where he is. Fett could very well run out of ammo before the Borg run out of drones. The sheer size of the cube is going to hinder his search as well.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

Why can't he just personally blast his way through the Cube until he gets to Locutus?

Using Slave I's weapons could easily result in him killing Locutus,

Agree. Fett's mission is to capture Locutus, not disintegrate him.

especially since he does not know where he is. Fett could very well run out of ammo before the Borg run out of drones. The sheer size of the cube is going to hinder his search as well.

So basically the most important thing for Fett is the location of Locutus. If he can pinpoint Locutus's location accurately, he will save ammo and time considerably, since he won't need to exterminate EVERY drones in the cube on his way to the target.

Of course, exterminating every drones just for the sake of doing it won't pose too much problem, since:
- they don't have ranged weapons
- they're slower and clumsier than Imhotep's zombies in The Mummy

[Wicked Pilot]

Could Fett simply not contract out a freighter of some sort to help him on his mission. They could provide the use of their transporters and a boarding crew. Boba would lend out a few SW blasters and let them go in and get Picard while he flies around in Slave I providing combat support. As soon as Picard is beamed out, Fett waste the cube, picks up Picard, and all is well that ends well.

[1337n1nj4]

Why can't he just personally blast his way through the Cube until he gets to Locutus? As of BOBW, drones did not have personal energy weapons or vampire-tubules, and as such would pose a minimal threat to him.

Drones have had personal shields since "Q Who?" It was the vampire-tubules that didn't show up till FC.

[Praxis]

Let's see...Boba Fett uses blasters...blasters are directed plasma-based energy blasts with no "frequency" to be adapted to...when they can't adapt, Borg are helpless (see Picard with a Tommy gun)...

Boba Fett could probably wipe out Unimatrix Zero, lol.

The one thing the Borg would be able to do is erect forcefields in front of him.

If he's trying to get to the command node of a Borg Cube to get to Locutus, I wouldn't be surprised if he had to use a few thermal detonators to blast through walls to get to him around the force fields, but other than that, he should have no trouble mowing the Borg down where they stand.

[Uraniun235]

Why can't he just personally blast his way through the Cube until he gets to Locutus? As of BOBW, drones did not have personal energy weapons or vampire-tubules, and as such would pose a minimal threat to him.

Drones have had personal shields since "Q Who?" It was the vampire-tubules that didn't show up till FC.

personal energy weapons

And I didn't mean use Slave 1 to crack the Cube open, I meant board the Cube and just kill every drone that got in his way until he found Locutus.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

Why can't he just personally blast his way through the Cube until he gets to Locutus? As of BOBW, drones did not have personal energy weapons or vampire-tubules, and as such would pose a minimal threat to him.

Drones have had personal shields since "Q Who?" It was the vampire-tubules that didn't show up till FC.

personal energy weapons

And I didn't mean use Slave 1 to crack the Cube open, I meant board the Cube and just kill every drone that got in his way until he found Locutus.

Killing every drone wouldn't be too efficient (ammunition cost). It will be best for Fett to pinpoint Locutus' location accurately, then cuts his way through without killing *every* drone in the cube.

Remember, Fett is a bounty hunter. It's *money* that matters for him.

[Uraniun235]

And I didn't mean use Slave 1 to crack the Cube open, I meant board the Cube and just kill every drone that got in his way until he found Locutus.

Killing every drone wouldn't be too efficient (ammunition cost). It will be best for Fett to pinpoint Locutus' location accurately, then cuts his way through without killing *every* drone in the cube.

Remember, Fett is a bounty hunter. It's *money* that matters for him.

...just kill every drone that got in his way...

[Admiral_Fishface]

Okay. Fett's blasters not having any Trek-technobabble frequencies to adapt to is going to make it tougher for HIM, since he can't change the frequency should they adapt to his guns. (And they will, eventually, if it takes three, thirty-three or three hundred and thiry three drones before they're finished analyzing his technology. They have enough.) Then all he could do is using explosives, which would be effective if he weren't facing a few hundred thousand drones who will all eventually teleport to him (in waves of three or four, as to NOT to overwhelm him too fast ).
So assuming the drones are not interested in him or even his ship until he finds Locutus two problems remain. Getting in and getting out.
Now if he just blows a hole in the cube it will get aware of him, and more drones get in his way before he reaches Locutus, and even more thereafter. (BTW; blowing up the cube after the rescue is nothing more than waste of ammunition) It will also get anti-ship guns online, and they could prove... annoying, even to the famous Slave 1.

So he's still facing a hell of a big ship and a bloody awful lot of drones.