Locutus of Borg

Locutus of Borg
Type: Borg

Basic Information

  • Name: Locutus of Borg (formerly Jean-Luc Picard)
  • Species: Human (Borg drone after assimilation)
  • Affiliation: Borg Collective
  • Designation: Spokesperson for the Borg; leader of the Borg forces during the attack on the Federation
  • First Appearance: Star Trek: The Next Generation – Episode: “The Best of Both Worlds” (1990)
  • Rank (Pre-Assimilation): Captain, Starfleet
  • Ship (Pre-Assimilation): USS Enterprise-D

Physical Characteristics

  • Height: Approximately 6'0″ (1.83 meters)
  • Build: Lean, muscular (with extensive cybernetic enhancements after assimilation)
  • Hair Color: Bald (as both Picard and Locutus)
  • Eye Color: Brown (but altered cybernetically to include a red visual implant)
  • Borg Implants:
    • Locutus features prominent Borg implants, including a cranial implant attached to the right side of his head and a visual targeting device (a red ocular implant) over his left eye.
    • His body is also enhanced with Borg technology, including mechanical appendages and black armor-like coverings typical of Borg drones, with visible wiring and tubing extending from his chest and arms.

Concept Artwork

Personality and Traits

  • Intellect and Tactical Brilliance:
    As Captain Jean-Luc Picard, he was renowned for his intelligence, strategic mind, and leadership skills. These traits made him a prime target for assimilation by the Borg, who sought to use his knowledge of Starfleet tactics to their advantage.
  • Calm and Authoritative:
    Even as Locutus, Picard’s calm, measured tone persisted. Locutus often spoke in a collected and formal manner, reflecting Picard’s natural authority while under the control of the Borg.
  • Detached and Emotionless:
    As Locutus, Picard’s humanity was suppressed. He exhibited the cold, calculated demeanor of the Borg, entirely focused on the goal of assimilating humanity. His voice, while retaining Picard’s cadence, was devoid of emotion, reflecting the Borg’s collective mind.
  • Spokesperson of the Borg:
    The Borg selected Picard to become Locutus because of his role as a high-profile leader in the Federation. Locutus served as the spokesperson for the Borg, tasked with delivering the Borg’s ultimatum to Starfleet: “Resistance is futile.”

Background: Picard’s Assimilation

  • Capture by the Borg:
    During the Federation's first major encounter with the Borg in 2367, the Borg decided to assimilate Captain Jean-Luc Picard due to his strategic importance. Picard was forcibly taken from the USS Enterprise-D and transformed into Locutus of Borg, becoming the mouthpiece for the Borg’s assault on the Federation.
  • Transformation into Locutus:
    Picard’s assimilation was unique because, rather than being a standard drone, he was chosen to serve as the voice of the Borg. The Borg’s strategy was to use Picard’s authority and deep knowledge of Starfleet’s tactical operations to demoralize and outmaneuver the Federation, making their defeat swift and inevitable.
  • The Battle of Wolf 359:
    As Locutus, Picard led the Borg assault on Wolf 359, a pivotal and devastating battle where the Borg Cube, under his command, destroyed 39 Starfleet ships and killed over 11,000 Starfleet officers. The defeat at Wolf 359 left a deep scar on Starfleet and the Federation.

Role in “The Best of Both Worlds”

  • Spokesperson for the Borg:
    After being transformed into Locutus, Picard was used by the Borg to send a message to the Federation: that humanity would be assimilated, and that resistance was futile. His calm and authoritative delivery of the Borg’s message was meant to instill fear in Starfleet officers who once saw him as a trusted leader.
  • Psychological Warfare:
    Locutus was designed not only to relay the Borg’s ultimatum but to strike a psychological blow against the Federation. The Borg believed that by using a highly respected figure like Picard, they could weaken the morale of Starfleet and make the Federation’s defeat all the more certain.

The Rescue and Aftermath

  • Severing Locutus from the Collective:
    The crew of the Enterprise-D, led by Commander Riker, successfully captured Locutus and used the connection between him and the Borg to access the Collective’s systems. Lieutenant Commander Data played a crucial role in severing Picard’s link to the Borg and helping him regain his individuality.
  • Picard’s Trauma:
    Though Picard was physically restored to his human form, his experience as Locutus left lasting emotional scars. He struggled with guilt and shame for his role in the deaths at Wolf 359 and for being used by the Borg to attack the very people he had sworn to protect. This psychological trauma was explored further in later episodes, including the film Star Trek: First Contact.

Key Abilities (As Locutus)

  • Tactical Knowledge of Starfleet:
    As Locutus, Picard retained all of his tactical knowledge of Starfleet, including ship layouts, defense strategies, and the weaknesses of Starfleet vessels. This made him an incredibly dangerous asset to the Borg, as he was able to anticipate and counter Starfleet’s efforts to stop the Borg.
  • Borg Collective Connection:
    As a drone, Locutus was fully connected to the Borg Collective, able to command other drones and coordinate the Cube’s actions through the hive mind. His consciousness was merged with the Collective, and he had access to the vast knowledge of the Borg.
  • Enhanced Physical Abilities:
    Like all Borg drones, Locutus possessed enhanced strength, endurance, and durability due to his cybernetic implants. His implants also allowed him to interface directly with Borg technology, making him an integral part of the Borg Cube’s command system.

Legacy and Impact

  • The Battle of Wolf 359:
    The destruction at Wolf 359 was one of the most devastating defeats in Starfleet history. Picard’s role as Locutus left a deep impact on both Starfleet officers and civilians who suffered losses during the battle. One notable individual affected by this event was Benjamin Sisko, who lost his wife during the battle and later became the commanding officer of Deep Space Nine.
  • Picard’s Psychological Trauma:
    Picard’s experience as Locutus became a defining aspect of his character moving forward. He was haunted by his time as a Borg drone, and his encounters with the Borg in subsequent episodes and films, particularly Star Trek: First Contact, revisited this trauma.
  • Starfleet’s Response to the Borg Threat:
    The events surrounding Locutus prompted Starfleet to develop more advanced technologies to defend against the Borg, including the creation of Defiant-class ships and the bolstering of Earth’s defense grid.
  • Symbol of Resistance:
    Despite being used as a weapon against the Federation, Picard’s eventual recovery from his assimilation became a symbol of resistance and hope. His ability to regain his humanity and fight back against the Borg served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

Notable Appearances

  • “The Best of Both Worlds, Part I & II” (TNG):
    Locutus of Borg first appeared in this two-part episode, which marked one of the most iconic moments in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The assimilation of Picard and the Battle of Wolf 359 were pivotal moments in Star Trek history.
  • “Emissary” (DS9):
    The aftermath of the Battle of Wolf 359 is explored in the pilot episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where Benjamin Sisko grapples with his personal loss and his feelings toward Picard, who was used as Locutus to attack Starfleet.
  • Star Trek: First Contact (1996):
    The film First Contact revisited Picard’s history with the Borg, delving deeper into his trauma as Locutus. Picard faces the Borg Queen and ultimately conquers his fears and anger, finally gaining closure from his past.

Notable Traits and Weaknesses

  • Dual Identity:
    Locutus represents the ultimate conflict between individuality and the collective mind. While Picard’s identity was suppressed, fragments of his humanity persisted, which made him a critical part of Starfleet’s eventual victory over the Borg.
  • Guilt and Vulnerability:
    As Locutus, Picard was forced to betray Starfleet, and this left deep emotional scars. His sense of guilt over his actions while under Borg control remained with him for years, making him vulnerable in future encounters with the Borg.
  • Strength through Humanity:
    Although Locutus was a powerful asset to the Borg, Picard’s eventual return to humanity and his ability to resist the Borg’s control symbolized the enduring strength of individual willpower and identity.

Legacy

Locutus of Borg is one of the most iconic characters in Star Trek history, representing both the terrifying power of the Borg Collective and the resilience of human identity. His role in the Battle of Wolf 359, his lasting impact on Starfleet, and Picard’s emotional journey following his assimilation all cement Locutus as a critical figure in Star Trek lore.

Locutus of Borg stands as both a warning and a testament to the power of individuality and resistance in the face of overwhelming control.