'The Best of Both Worlds' (Part I) (Story Code 174) by Michael Piller

The U.S.S. Enterprise investigates the mysterious disappearance of an entire Federation colony. Suspecting this to be the work of the Borg, Starfleet Command appoints Lieutenant Commander Shelby, an ambitious Borg expert, to assist Captain Picard and his crew; however, it soon becomes apparent that Shelby wishes to replace Commander Riker as First Officer, having heard of his recent offer of command of his own starship. However, Riker has decided to refuse the position, preferring to continue serving aboard the Enterprise; Admiral Hanson, an ardent admirer of Shelby, learns of this and advises Picard to encourage his officer to accept the promotion. The Enterprise is sent to investigate the disappearance of another starship, only to be intercepted by a Borg cube; the Borg Collective threatens to destroy the Federation vessel unless Picard transports across to their ship, so that his knowledge can be assimilated into their group mind. When Picard refuses, the Borg attempt to disable the Enterprise; after a desperate battle ensues, the Enterprise crew are able to escape to the safety of a solar nebula, whose radiation prevents the Borg sensors from locating the ship. As the crew works feverishly to find a way to defeat the Borg, tensions between Riker and Shelby continue to mount. Then the Borg ship begins a new offensive, forcing the Enterprise to leave the nebula before the retaliation system can be completed. Three Borg materialise on the bridge, render Picard unconscious and then beam back to their vessel with him…

Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William Thomas Riker), LeVar Burton (Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Security Chief Lieutenant Worf), Gates McFadden (Doctor Beverly Crusher), Marina Sirtis (Councelor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lieutenant Commander Data), Wil Wheaton (Ensign Wesley Crusher), Whoopi Goldberg (Guinan), Elizabeth Dennehy (Lieutenant Commander Shelby), George Murdock (Admiral J.P. Hanson), Colm Meaney (Transporter Chief Miles O’Brien)

Directed by Cliff Bole
Co-Produced by Hans Beimler and Richard Manning
Produced by Ira Steven Behr
Executive Producers Rick Berman and Gene Roddenberry

TX:
18th June, 1990

Notes:
*Featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Thomas Riker, Chief Engineer Lieutenant Geordi La Forge, Security Chief Lieutenant Worf, Doctor Beverly Crusher, Councelor Deanna Troi, Lieutenant Commander Data, Transporter Chief Miles O’Brien, Ensign Wesley Crusher and Guinan