"Scorpion" Line-by-Line

[Brian]

TORRES: That's right. The Borg gain knowledge through assimilation. What they can't assimilate, they can't understand.

 

[kathrynjaneway]

JANEWAY: But we don't assimilate, we investigate, and in this case, that's given us an edge. We've discovered something they need.

 

[Brian]

NEELIX: But the Borg aren't exactly known for their diplomacy. Can we really expect them to cooperate with us?

 

[kathrynjaneway]

KES: Normally, the answer would be no. But if what I've learned from the aliens is true, the Borg are losing this conflict.

 

[Brian]

JANEWAY: In one regard, the Borg are no different than we are. They're trying to survive. I don't believe they're going to refuse an offer that will help them do that.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

TUVOK: What makes you think the Borg won't attempt to take the information by assimilating Voyager and its crew.

 

[LeadHead]

Janeway: Because that won't get them anywhere. Doctor, you're the only one onboard with full knowledge of the nanoprobe modifications. I want you to transfer all of that research into your holomatrix.

 

[kathrynjaneway]

EMH: Certainly.

 

[LeadHead]

Janeway: You're my guarantee. If The Borg threaten us in anyway, we'll simply erase your program. But it won't come to that Doctor. It's in the Collective's own interest to cooperate. Voyager is only 1 ship. Our safe passage is a small price to pay for what we're offering in exchange. B'Elanna, assist the Doctor with his transfer.

 

[Brian]

JANEWAY continues: But it won't come to that, Doctor. It's in the Collective's own interest to cooperate. Voyager is only one ship. Our safe passage is a small price to pay for what we're offering in exchange. B'Elanna, assist the Doctor with his transfer.

Next line...

TORRES: Aye, captain.

 

[LeadHead]

Janeway: Mister Paris, locate the nearest Borg Ship and lay in a course, they shouldn't be difficult to find.

 

[Brian]

PARIS: Yes, Ma'am.

 

[LeadHead]

Janeway: Dismissed.

All leave except Janeway and Chakotay

Janeway: You were awfully quiet.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

CHAKOTAY: I didn't want the others to hear this, but I think what you're proposing is too great a risk.

 

[LeadHead]

Janeway: How So?

 

[JanewayRulz!]

CHAKOTAY: There's a story I heard as a child, a parable, and I never forgot it. A scorpion was walking along the bank of a river, wondering how to get to the other side Suddenly he saw a fox. He asked the fox to take him on his back across the river. The fox said no, if I do that you'll sting me, and I'll drown. The scorpion assured him, if I did that, we'd both drown. So the fox thought about it and finally agreed. So the scorpion climbed up on his back, and the fox began to swim. But halfway across the river, the scorpion stung him. As the poison filled his veins, the fox turned to the scorpion and said why did you do that? Now you'll drown too. I couldn't help it, said the scorpion. It's my nature.

 

[Leandar]

Janeway: I understand the risk and I'm not proposing that we try to change the nature of the beast, but this is a unique situation. To our knowledge, the Borg have never been so threatened they're vulnerable. I think we can take advantage of that.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

CHAKOTAY: Even if we do somehow negotiate an exchange, how long will they keep up their end of the bargain? It could take months to cross Borg territory. We'd be facing thousands of systems, millions of vessels.

 

[LeadHead]

Janeway: But only One collective, and we've got them over a barrel. We don't have to give them a single bit of information, not until we're safe. We just have to have the courage to see this through to the end.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

CHAKOTAY: There are other kinds of courage. Like the courage to accept that there are some situations beyond your control. Not every problem has an immediate solution