Editing Assimilation (section)

== Procedure ==

The Borg generally did not assimilate individuals, and instead preferred to target larger groups such as the crews of [[starship]]s and the populations of [[planet]]s. When in the presence of a small number of individuals, Borg drones would ignore them altogether. This policy would remain in effect until an individual demonstrated some quality found worthy by the Collective, or posed a threat to Borg activities. For example, when the [[USS Raven]] was first detected by a Borg vessel it was disregarded. By the time the Raven was detected a second time, its crew had developed technologies to elude Borg sensors, making them a more worthy target. 

The Borg made exceptions and assimilated individuals when circumstances required it, as when they chose Jean-Luc Picard to serve as an intermediary, such as [[Locutus]] of Borg, in 2366, or to allow a small party of drones to bolster their ranks. 

When engaging a starship, a Borg vessel presumed tactical superiority and locked onto it with a [[Tractor Beam]]. With the target immobilized, the Borg defeated its [[Deflector Shields|Shields]] and either extracted sections of the ship with a [[Cutting Beam]], transported drones to key areas, or both. 

With the crew of a vessel assimilated or otherwise subdued, the Borg stripped the ship down for parts to incorporate into their own technology. If possible the assimilated ship was towed into a hangar aboard the attacking Borg ship. It was rare for the Borg to keep an assimilated vessel intact, except in instances where a Borg crew was forced to abandon their own ship and commandeer their victims'. 

Faced with an entire fleet, as in the [[Battle of Wolf 359]], the Borg were willing to destroy individual ships outright, although some might have been spared for assimilation. 

:'''Several episodes of ''Star Trek: Voyager'' controversially suggested that the Borg cube at Wolf 359 assimilated Starfleet personnel during the battle, and that these new drones were not aboard the cube during its eventual destruction.'''

The Collective typically did not seek out individuals or starships, assimilating them only as encountered. It was only known to actively target worlds and civilizations, ranging from [[Colony|small colonies]], such as the [[New Providence]] colony,  to the entire realm of [[Fluidic Space]]. The tactics of these large-scale assimilation missions varied. An entire fleet was dispatched to assimilate [[Species 10026]], but on two occasions, a single ship was assigned to conquer the entire [[Federation]]. If the Borg did not choose to hold an assimilated planet, they removed its populace and any artificial structures from the surface. Alternately, they may have maintained a presence on the planet, [[Terraforming]] its environment to meet their needs. 

The Borg had a standard set of hails which were sent to those targeted for assimilation. The actual wording varied, but the hails almost always included the following information:
*Self identification ("''We are the Borg.''")
*Intention to assimilate the target
*The uselessness of attempted resistance by the target ("''Resistance is futile''")

The following were known Borg hails:
*"''You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.''" 
*"''I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us.''" 
*"''We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.''" 
*"''We are the Borg. Existence, as you know it, is over. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is futile.''" 
*"''We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.''"