“Unimatrix Zero, Part II” is episode one of the seventh and final season of Star Trek: Voyager.
In the season six finale, “Unimatrix Zero”, Voyager went up against a Borg tactical cube (and did surprisingly well, given that a regular Borg cube was one-shotting starships whilst being attacked by dozens during the Battle of Sector 001 in First Contact). The Delta Flyer was destroyed as Captain Janeway, Tuvok and B’Elanna were beamed onboard the cube where they were assimilated. Which, it seems, was the plan.
This is confirmed as this episode opens and Tuvok goes to speak to B’Elanna. Neither are parts of the Collective. They’ve been separated from the captain but are going to head to the Central Plexus.
On Voyager, the Doctor is monitoring all three of the away team’s higher brain functions as the ship follows the cube. In astrometrics, Seven tells Chakotay that the cube will be capable of transwarp in two hours (yes, Voyager was able to knock out the cube’s engines all by itself). Chakotay wants Seven inside Unimatrix Zero, as when the virus is released, her friends will be the first to know. Seven wouldn’t call them friends. Acquaintances, Chakotay suggests. If she’s having issues, she should set them aside.
Seven leaves for her alcove. Once in Unimatrix Zero, she speaks to the Klingon general, Korok, to ask about the virus. No sign as yet; the Borg have increased their attacks and are picking them off one by one. And her mate is not there. Seven insists Axum is not her mate. Korok says if Axum died in battle, he’s sure it was an honourable death. And advises her to treat her heart as the enemy so as not to be distracted in battle. Another appears; they aren’t sure if the virus is activated and don’t remember anything.
Tuvok and B’Elanna arrive at the Central Plexus to find another drone there, which Tuvok heads to remove until discovering it’s the captain. She can’t access the Central Plexus without shutting down the power grid; something she’s sure will draw attention. B’Elanna does have another way. Tuvok is starting to hear the Collective; the neural suppressor is wearing off. In Unimatrix One, the Borg Queen realises she heard Tuvok, but he’s gone, and she can’t hear the others either.
Axum is luring drones into traps in Unimatrix Zero and Seven blunders into one by accident. She was looking for Axum. Because Korok is concerned for him. Axum thinks that’s unlike Korok. Seven will return to camp.
On the tactical cube, the Queen is speaking to Tuvok who is remembering his life to remain focussed. He tells the captain that if he succumbs, he will pose a security risk. She must be prepared to deactivate him. B’Elanna has bypassed the security codes of the Central Plexus as the Queen continues to speak to Tuvok.
Tom heads to see Chakotay in the captain’s ready room. The plan was for the away team to be away for two hours; it’s now two and a half. Chakotay says the Doctor is keeping an eye on them; not everything goes to plan. With Chakotay in command and Tuvok off the ship, Tom says that makes him acting first officer. Technically. His point? It’s his duty to give Chakotay his opinion, which is to pull them out before it’s too late. Chakotay appreciates his concerns, but they are going to wait.
The virus is downloaded into the Central Plexus and Tuvok is struggling. The Doctor notices on Voyager and Chakotay has them move in closer. With the virus downloaded, B’Elanna and the captain head to leave, but Tuvok blocks them. He briefly says they must deactivate him. The Queen knows where they are and sends more drones. Voyager can’t get a lock on their transporter signals as they get cornered on the cube. Which opens fire on Voyager; the Borg also take down their shields with the access codes (and Voyager withstands an unshielded hit from a Borg cube), forcing them to flee. Leaving the away team stuck with the Borg, as the Queen detects the virus starting to take hold. She takes rather extreme action.
The Borg come off as astonishingly weak in this episode. A tactical cube should be stronger than a regular one, yet Voyager is easily capable of withstanding its attacks.