Threats of the Galaxy: The Borg

The Borg are a psuedo-species of cybernetically-enhanced beings culled from various assimilated species from both the Delta and Alpha Quadrants. While tales of the Borg had been traded and swapped by deep space merchants and hyperspace explorers for hundreds of years, the Concord has only confirmed the existence of the beings in the last 55 years. A group of Borg Cubes, their starships named after their curious cube shape, penetrated deep into the Alpha Quadrant and began attacking starships and colonies along the Neutral Zone between the Concord and Romulan Empire. Since that time, many other encounters have been recorded and progress has been made in combating these dangerous beings.

The Borg are all connected in a vast hive mind. What any one Borg experiences, they all experience. Species that they deem worthy of assimilation into the Collective are attacked and members are abducted and injected with nanites to make them into drones. The nanites quickly begin to take over biological functions and building implants in the victim. They also instill an overwhelming desire to seek out the Collective should a victim be left behind for whatever reason. However, the nanites are unable to complete the assimilation of a being totally on their own as there are many implants that must be installed on a Borg Cube. These implants include a neural transceiver for keeping the drone connected to the Collective, one arm is typically amputated and refitted with weapons, medical gear, technical gear, and so forth depending on the drone's function, an ocular implant, and various other implants many of which the Concord does not yet understand their function. Upon assimilation, all individuality in the drone is lost.

There are some other trade-off's than just the loss of individuality. Borg Drones do not heal naturally. They must spend a portion of every standard day in a regeneration pad in order to keep their bodies from decaying and to repair any damage. When presented with new or divergent information, Drones are not quick to react as the information is being analyzed by the Collective. Also, the Borg has proven to be vulnerable to computer viruses introduced into the Collective via Drones. On a couple of occasions, the Borg Queen has been forced to wipe out thousands of Borg to keep a virus from crippling the Collective.

The Borg do not procreate. Infants and juveniles that are among adults being assimilated have some implants installed, but are then taken to maturation chambers until they are old enough to be fully assimilated. During their time in the maturation tanks, their young minds are constantly bombarded with knowledge and information from the Collective. Out of all of the being in the process of being assimilated by the Borg it is the children that have the hardest time fighting off the influence of the Borg largely because it may have been all they have ever known.

The Borg are constantly searching for new species to add to the Collective in order to "refine the perfection" of the Collective. Their qualifiers for assimilation is new or sufficiently advanced technology or unique physiology traits that would benefit the Collective. Species deemed unworthy of assimilation or simply uninteresting enough are either ignored or destroyed. Once the Collective has decided that a species (be it a handful of members on a starship or an entire planet of beings), only the Borg Queen can change the Collective's course of action. Most assimilated species are humanoid, but there have been sightings of Borg Drones from non-humanoid species. There are some species that are incapable of being assimilated. In those cases, if the species is deemed to be a possible threat to the existence of the Collective. they are attacked with the end goal of genocide in mind otherwise they are simply ignored.

The Collective is led by a being known as the Borg Queen. This being is always female from a humanoid species. This being is part of the Collective and yet apart from it at the same time. While drones are emotionless, the Queen displays a wide array of emotions and will even use pain and intimidation to sway the emotions of beings she is dealing with. Based on the few recorded interactions with the Borg Queen is it assumed that there is only one Queen in the Collective. If one is destroyed another is created to take her place after an undetermined amount of time. Unlike drones, the Queen is much more machine than organic. Drones that have been liberated from the Collective (coming in a future post!) that have had their implants removed are still largely organic, all that appears to be organic on a Queen is jut below her collar bones and her head. A synthetic spinal column extends from this organic piece to plug into a totally robotic body. It has been theorized that organic part of the Queen are constituted when needed and that the Queen is largely just a very advanced A.I.; the sum total of all the Collective's knowledge, even its knowledge of emotions and individualism.

Other than the Queen there are six types of Borg. Labor Drones are the most basic of drones, designed for heavy lifting and menial, non-technical tasks. Transport Drones are the pilots of the Collective; they are more nimble and quick than other Drones who tend to be slow and plodding. Maintenance Drones handle the upkeep of systems and equipment aboard Borg craft, they are also generally the first Drones to board a craft that is being evaluated for assimilation to tap into their computer systems and test their weapons and defenses. Tactical Drones are the combat heavy hitters of the Borg. Their implants largely consist of weaponry including arm and shoulder-mounted weaponry. Assimilation Drones are those specially designed to assimilate as many beings as possible. All Drones can inject nanites, but Assimilation Drones are simply more precise and effective at their work. They can also quickly implant neural transceivers into those being assimilated to speed up the process of Assimilation. Medical Drones see to the well being of the Drones. They make repairs to regeneration stations, and see to the installation of implants of newly assimilated Drones.

No matter what type of Drone a Borg is they all share similar qualities. Borg are all adorned in what looks like a mish-mash of cybernetic implants and body armor. The color of the armor is typically black, but gray and sometimes silver can be found as well. The flesh of a Drone has the look of death about it (which can vary greatly from species to species, but chalky white to dirty gray appears to be the most common), which makes sense since the nanites do the bare minimum to keep flesh and organs active. They move with a plodding deliberateness as if they were more robot than a living organism. Drones speak of themselves as the Collective only, never as individuals, only the Borg Queen ever refers to herself in the first person, and even then only rarely.

The Collective's hold on Drones can be disrupted. There are two known splinter groups of Borg that were abandoned by the Collective. In both cases, the groups lost their connection to the Collective. The first group immediately set about developing their own Collective. The Deviants, as they are referred to by the Borg, act much like the Prime Collective, with a desire to assimilate other species and make the Collective stronger, however, they give others the choice to join realizing that not all species would wish to join a hive mind. They may still assimilate beings against their will, but so far have only done so when they have been attacked. The Deviants have also shown a desire to barter with other species and coexist. So far the Concord has not had any official contact with the Deviants.

The second group, known as the Pacifists, were severed from the Collective and stranded on a planet in a remote system. They were not able to establish a new Collective for many years, though they could connect in small groups for short periods of time, which acted as a sort of communal regeneration. Many of the Drones could not take the silence in their minds and committed suicide, but those that were able to stay strong were somehow able to regain a portion of what they were before being assimilated. Most of them removed what implants they could and began to build a community. After having "lived" and worked alongside so many species, some of whom came from cultures that actively warred with each other, they were granted a new perspective on the universe and strove for peace and unity. Eventually, they were able to set up a Collective to link their members. They will not assimilate any other beings, but they do feel that their unique perspective would be an inspirational message to other cultures, including the Borg.

Borg in Savage Worlds
(Borg Stats were inspired in part by those found here. I've tweaked them a bit for my own use.)
Labor Drone: Attributes: Agility d4, Smarts d12, Spirit d6, Strength d12, Vigor d10
Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d8 
Charisma: +0; Pace: 4; Parry: 5; Toughness: 11 (4)
Special Abilities:

• Cyborg: +2 to recover from being Shaken and they do not suffer wound penalties. They have 4 points of armor that only covers about 80% of their body; a called shot could be made against the Drone at -4 to hit a unprotected location.
• Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d4 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type. 
• Infection: A Borg Drone can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Vigor roll at -2 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.
• Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can roll a Spirit check to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
• Enslaved: Borg Drones are completely enslaved to the Collective and unable to act on their own.

Transport Drone: Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d12, Spirit d6, Strength d8, Vigor d10
Skills: Fighting d6, Knowledge (Computers) d6, Notice d8, Pilot d8
Charisma: +0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 11 (4)
Special Abilities:

• Cyborg: +2 to recover from being Shaken and they do not suffer wound penalties. They have 4 points of armor that only covers about 80% of their body; a called shot could be made against the Drone at -4 to hit a unprotected location.
• Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d4 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type. 
• Infection: A Borg Drone can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Vigor roll at -2 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.
• Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can roll a Spirit check to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
• Enslaved: Borg Drones are completely enslaved to the Collective and unable to act on their own.

Maintenance Drone: Attributes: Agility d4, Smarts d12, Spirit d6, Strength d10, Vigor d10
Skills: Fighting d6, Knowledge (Computers) d10, Notice d8
Charisma: +0; Pace: 4; Parry: 5; Toughness: 11 (4)
Special Abilities:

• Cyborg: +2 to recover from being Shaken and they do not suffer wound penalties. They have 4 points of armor that only covers about 80% of their body; a called shot could be made against the Drone at -4 to hit a unprotected location.
• Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d4 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type. 
• Infection: A Borg Drone can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Vigor roll at -2 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.
• Computer Hacking: A Maintenance Drone can gain control of a computer using their Knowledge (Computer) skill at +2.
• Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can roll a Spirit check to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
• Enslaved: Borg Drones are completely enslaved to the Collective and unable to act on their own.

Tactical Drone: Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d12, Spirit d6, Strength d12, Vigor d12

Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d8, Shooting d8
Charisma: +0; Pace: 6; Parry: 6; Toughness: 12 (4)

Gear: Tactical Drones are equipped with a weapons arm. The weapon equipped to the arm can vary, but most are equal to Disintegrator Rifles, Plasma Rifles, Heavy Flamers, and Gatling Lasers. They are all equipped with a shoulder mounted Blaster rifle.
Special Abilities:

• Cyborg: +2 to recover from being Shaken and they do not suffer wound penalties. They have 4 points of armor that only covers about 80% of their body; a called shot could be made against the Drone at -4 to hit a unprotected location.
• Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d4 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type. 
• Infection: A Borg Drone can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Vigor roll at -2 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.
• Multi-Task: Tactical Drones can fire both weapons in the same round without a penalty for taking two attacks in a round. 
• Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can roll a Spirit check to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
• Enslaved: Borg Drones are completely enslaved to the Collective and unable to act on their own.

Assimilation Drone: Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d12, Spirit d6, Strength d12, Vigor d10

Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d8
Charisma: +0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 11 (4)

Special Abilities:

• Cyborg: +2 to recover from being Shaken and they do not suffer wound penalties. They have 4 points of armor that only covers about 80% of their body; a called shot could be made against the Drone at -4 to hit a unprotected location.
• Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d4 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type. 
• Infection: A Borg Drone can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Vigor roll at -2 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.
• Multi-Task: Assimilation Drones can make two melee attack in the same round without a penalty for taking two attacks in a round. All melee attacks from an Assimilation Drone results in Infection if their attack does damage. 
• Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can roll a Spirit check to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
• Enslaved: Borg Drones are completely enslaved to the Collective and unable to act on their own.

Medical Drone: Attributes: Agility d4, Smarts d12, Spirit d6, Strength d8, Vigor d10

Skills: Fighting d6, Healing d10, Knowledge (Biology d12, Cybernetics d12), Notice d8
Charisma: +0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 11 (4)

Special Abilities:

• Cyborg: +2 to recover from being Shaken and they do not suffer wound penalties. They have 4 points of armor that only covers about 80% of their body; a called shot could be made against the Drone at -4 to hit a unprotected location.
• Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d4 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type. 
• Infection: A Borg Drone can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Vigor roll at -2 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.
• Triage: Medical Drones can offer assistance to Drones, removing Shaken results with a successful Healing roll. Incapacitated drones can be reactivated to Shaken status with a successful Healing roll with a -2 penalty applied to the roll. 
• Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can roll a Spirit check to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
• Enslaved: Borg Drones are completely enslaved to the Collective and unable to act on their own.

Borg Queen (WC): Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d12+4, Spirit d10, Strength d10, Vigor d10

Skills: Fighting d10, Knowledge (computers) d12+4, Knowledge (electronics) d12+4, Shooting d10

Pace: 6; Parry: 7; Toughness: 11 (4)

Gear: The Borg Queen doesn't typically wield any weapons, but instead is situated in a highly defended alcove defended by many drones as well as automated defenses. She can and will use any dropped weaponry should she need to, however. 

Special Abilities:

• Cyborg: +2 to recover from being Shaken and she does not suffer wound penalties. The Queen have 4 points of armor that only covers about 80% of her body; a called shot could be made against the Queen at -4 to hit a unprotected location.
• Hardened Fists: Str+d6 damage.
• Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone or the Queen, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d4 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type. 
• Infection: The Borg Queen can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Vigor roll at -2 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.
• Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can roll a Spirit check to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  

Borg in Rogue Space

Labor/Transport Drone

DRM +1; TP I; SZ A; MV 20' (Biped); AR M; DM L; HP 3; SP *
Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d6 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type.
Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can make an Empathy roll (TN 5 + Esper's Empathy bonus) to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
Infection: The Borg can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Fighting roll against TN 9 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.

Maintenance Drone
DRM +1; TP I; SZ A; MV 20' (Biped); AR M; DM L; HP 3; SP *
Computer Hacking: A Maintenance Drone can gain control of a computer with a Repair roll with a +2 bonus.
Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d6 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type.
Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can make an Empathy roll (TN 5 + Esper's Empathy bonus) to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
Infection: The Borg can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Fighting roll against TN 9 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.

Tactical Drone
DRM +3; TP I; SZ A; MV 30' (Biped); AR V; DM M or V; HP 5; SP *
Weaponry: Tactical Drones have weaponized arms that act as Flamers, Laser Rifles, or Mini-Rocket Launchers. 
Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d6 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type.
Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can make an Empathy roll (TN 5 + Esper's Empathy bonus) to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
Infection: The Borg can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Fighting roll against TN 9 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.

Assimilation Drone

DRM +2; TP I; SZ A; MV 30' (Biped); AR M; DM M; HP 4; SP *

Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d6 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type.
Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can make an Empathy roll (TN 5 + Esper's Empathy bonus) to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
Enhanced Infection: Assimilation Borgs are more adept at swiftly infecting beings with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Fighting roll against TN 11 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.

Medical Drone

DRM +1; TP I; SZ A; MV 20' (Biped); AR M; DM L; HP 3; SP *

Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against a drone, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the drone has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d6 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type.
Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can make an Empathy roll (TN 5 + Esper's Empathy bonus) to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
Infection: The Borg can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Fighting roll against TN 9 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.
Triage: Medical Drones can heal drones of damage. Each round a Medical Drone can heal one other Drone of 1d3 HP worth of damage (the Drone's HP can never go above their initial number). They can also attempt to reactivate Drones that have lost all of their HP. Roll 2d6 against TN 11. If the roll succeeds, the Drone is reactivated with 1 HP. 

Borg Queen

DRM +4; TP I; SZ A; MV 40' (Biped); AR M; DM M; HP 5; SP *

Adaption: Each time a weapon is used against the Queen, both the attacker and the GM must roll 2d6. If the number comes up the same, the Queen has adapted to that attack form, making that weapon completely ineffective if an energy weapon and dropping the damage of projectile weapons by 1 die (projectile weapons are dropped 1 die each time the 2d6 rolls come up the same for the same weapon).  Within 1d6 rounds all other Borg have the same defense against that weapon type.
Psionic Resistance: Borg receive a +4 bonus to resist mind-affecting psionic powers. Plus, on the next round, an affected drone can make an Empathy roll (TN 5 + Esper's Empathy bonus) to break the power’s affect on him immediately as the Collective adapts to the power.  
Infection: The Borg can infect a organic being with nanites, forcing the victim to make a Fighting roll against TN 9 each round until they fail the roll or are somehow freed of the nanite infection. If the target fails the roll, they come under the control of the Collective and lose their free will.