The Federation Faces Its Wildest Twist: The Borg Join as Allies
Fans of Star Trek have witnessed century-spanning clashes between Starfleet and the menacing Borg Collective, a rivalry that shaped galactic stakes and the very identity of the Federation. Now, in a move reshaping decades of canon, the Borg—long Starfleet’s archenemy—are not simply allies, but have become members of the Federation. This seismic shift unfolds in the new comic series Star Trek: The Last Starship, picking up one of the most tantalizing and unresolved threads from Star Trek: Picard.
A New Borg Emerges: The Rise of Agnes Jurati’s Collective
The Borg have been Star Trek’s existential threat, their chilling chant of ‘resistance is futile’ synonymous with doom for countless worlds. But through Agnes Jurati, a former human scientist, a new chapter opens. As leader of the Borg Cooperative, Jurati rejects the old ways of forced assimilation, instead seeking a future where the Borg contribute to the greater good under Federation ideals. Her vision is put to the test during a high-stakes galactic peace conference, where she claims—with conviction—that her Borg are as much a part of the Federation as any other member.
Old Foes, New Goals: Kirk and the Search for Unity
Star Trek: The Last Starship is set in the chaotic aftermath of the Burn—a universe-shaking disaster that shattered the balance of power. Civilizations are in ruins and trust is scarce. Seizing the moment, Jurati’s Borg Cooperative resurrect the legendary Captain Kirk, positioning him as a symbol for a new, fractured Federation. The stage is now radically altered: the Federation, the beacon of diverse unity, now counts among its members the very enemy that once brought it to the edge of extinction at battles like Wolf 359.
This narrative turn leverages iconic images—Kirk’s unwavering resolve, the cold calculation of the Borg, and the uncertain gaze of new Starfleet officers who have only known the Borg through tales of carnage and resistance. Experienced fans will instantly recall the heavy cost of past encounters, from the loss at Wolf 359 to Picard’s personal trauma as Locutus, making the new alliance both thrilling and deeply unsettling.
Why This Change Feels So Monumental
The Federation and the Borg are built on opposite philosophies. While the Federation thrives on voluntary cooperation, the Borg previously grew by absorbing others against their will. This makes their new partnership a radical test of both groups’ capacity to change. The comic doesn’t shy from tension—at the peace conference, historic enemies cast wary eyes at Jurati, openly questioning whether the Cooperative’s methods differ from their collective past.
Technically, this opens up fresh storytelling territory. How does Starfleet monitor and trust a group whose collective memories include some of the most horrific deeds in the galaxy? Can the Borg ever truly be reformed, and will old scars allow for genuine integration? For readers and viewers who have followed the series’ complex relationship to technology, autonomy, and morality, this plotline digs deep.
Pushing Beyond Picard: The Cooperative’s Unfinished Saga
One of the sharper criticisms aimed at Star Trek: Picard was its tendency to spark compelling subplots, only to drop them without resolution. The Borg Cooperative, led by Jurati, was one such case—introduced as a possible leap forward in artificial and organic integration, then left in narrative limbo. The Last Starship breaks that pattern, exploring not only the practical mechanics of a Borg-Federation alliance, but also the cultural and ethical quagmires it inspires.
Shadows of the Collective: Can Old Wounds Ever Heal?
Despite promises of cooperation, skepticism runs high. The legacy of Borg assimilation—species forced to commit atrocities in the name of the Collective—haunts conference halls and away teams alike. How does the Cooperative welcome new members? Are some habits too deeply ingrained to overcome, and could the specter of the classic Borg one day threaten the stability of this newfound alliance?
The answers remain undefined, and that’s by design. This storyline electrifies the Star Trek universe, giving fresh urgency to questions about forgiveness, trust, and the limits of unity when enemies become allies.
Where to Experience This Bold New Era
Readers captivated by this dramatic evolution in Star Trek can dive into Star Trek: The Last Starship from IDW Publishing, which reveals the twists and turns of the Borg Cooperative’s place at the Federation table. With writing by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, and art by Adrian Bonilla, the series is quickly becoming required reading for anyone fascinated by the ever-changing political and technological landscape of Star Trek’s future.
