Stardate 51001.4   The starship remains on Red Alert after Janeway, in exchange for safe passage through space, reaches an agreement with the Borg Collective to help them fight Species 8472, a race more malevolent than their own.
Although Chakotay strongly objects to the unpredictable collaboration, Janeway and Tuvok transport, with great caution, to the Borg Cube. When a drone attempts to temporarily assimilate Janeway by connecting a neuro-transreceiver to her, the alarmed Captain convinces them to instead choose a representative to communicate verbally with her. Soon, a vaguely human Borg emerges to speak for the Collective; designated Seven of Nine, she helps them prepare to engage the enemy - but when she boards Voyager, the entire crew is on edge. Meanwhile, the Doctor determines that the mysterious alien species is accessing Kes' memory.