Stronger Than the Borg: The Hivemind in Star Trek
Long a cause of horror in the Star Trek universe, the Borg's hivemind now presents a fresh threat—a hivemind even more strong than the Collective itself. This disclosure—which surfaced on Star Trek: Defiant #16's pages—introduces the "Conspiracy" aliens, a parasitic force able to subvert Borg rule.
Examining Further: The "Conspiracy" Aliens
Originally presented in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Conspiracy," the "Conspiracy" aliens have been veiled in mystery for years. Their comeback in Star Trek: Defiant #16 provides a better knowledge of their nature and capacity. Artist Angel Unzueta and writer Christopher Cantwell have revealed their horrific hivemind, a force that either rivals or maybe surpasses the Borg's Collective.
The "Conspiracy" aliens accomplish their hivemind by natural means, while the Borg depend on technology. They are unique from the Borg because of their natural organic character; they cannot be absorbed. Usually able to overrule any organic life, the Borg's nanoprobes show their special resistance to Borg technology by helplessness against the "Conspiracy" aliens.
Star Trek: Analysing the Borg and "Conspiracy" Aliens
Driven by the necessity to grow their hivemind and seize fresh territory, the "Conspiracy" aliens have a startling similarity to the Borg. The brutal assimilation process of the Borg is well-known; they erase people's identity and turn them into drones, then absorb them into the Collective. Conversely, the "Conspiracy" aliens drive their hosts to madness by means of a parasitic infection, so causing suffering and overrule of their victims.
A disturbing idea that appeals to our basic anxieties of losing control over our own bodies, both the Borg and the "Conspiracy" aliens reflect a kind of body horror. The Borg's threat is in their cold, efficient assimilation process; the "Conspiracy" aliens present a more visceral, terrifying experience, a slow, agonizing takeover that chips away at the victim's sanity.
Can the "Conspiracy" aliens defeat the Borg?
The arrival of the "Conspiracy" aliens begs a fundamental issue: can the Borg be really defeated? Regretfully, the answer seems to be yes. The events in Star Trek: Defiant #16 have demonstrated that the "Conspiracy" aliens are not only able to thwart Borg assimilation but also of rewriting Borg programming. Within the Star Trek universe, very few species accomplish this rare achievement. A great threat to the Collective, the "Conspiracy" aliens' better hivemind gives them an advantage over the Borg.
A terrifying evidence of their might, the "Conspiracy" aliens can override Borg programming. It implies that they have a better awareness of the Borg's structure and maybe could be able to control their systems from inside. This presents a horrifying possibility since the "Conspiracy" aliens could turn the Borg's own technologies against them, rendering the Collective a weapon for their own growth.
Defiant Star Trek: The Future
The "Conspiracy" aliens will be very important for Star Trek: Defiant's future. Their presence seems to present fresh difficulties for Worf and his team, testing their limits and driving them to their breaking point. Fighting the "Conspiracy" aliens will probably call for a mix of knowledge of the shortcomings of the hivemind, creativity, and bravery.
The emergence of the "Conspiracy" aliens not only poses a terrible threat to the Federation but also to the accepted Star Trek universe hierarchy. Once regarded as the ultimate threat, the Borg today face a strong rival force able to challenge their rule. With this fresh threat, the Star Trek universe will be pushed into unexplored territory full of fresh hazards and opportunities, so upsetting the status quo.
