I've just re-watched "Scorpion: part 1 & 2". This time I noticed there is a problem with the whole premise of the episodes.
It's this part of part 1:
BORG: State your demands.
JANEWAY: I want safe passage through your space. Once my ship is beyond Borg territory, I'll give you our research.
BORG [OC]: Unacceptable. Our space is vast. Your passage would require too much time. We need the technology now.
JANEWAY: If I give it to you now, you'll assimilate us.
BORG: Species 8472 must be stopped. Our survival is your survival. Give us the technology.
JANEWAY: No. Safe passage first or no deal.
We know from the episode 'Gift' that Kes throws them 9500 light-years, (which is safely beyond Borg space). We also know that the Borg have Trans-warp Technology, and Voyager can fit inside a Borg vessel, (or even be given a Trans-warp coil: Voyager uses a stolen Trans-warp coil in a later episode).
The problem I'm having is that towing them across Borg space at Warp makes no sense, not if time is important. There are 2 options here:
- Give Voyager a Transwarp Coil to cross their space fast
- Take them inside a Cube/Sphere and Trans-warp across Borg space
I don't know how long it would take to cross 9500 light-years, but I am sure its faster than towing/escorting them at warp like they did, (Given the risk of 8472 destroying Voyager too).
Which leaves the question: Is there any evidence from what is known about Trans-warp, that might prevent it being an option in these 2 episodes?
I know there would be no story. I'm sure Janeway must have thought about it, when she considered negotiating with the Borg. Is there something I've missed that would prevent Trans-warp here?
(I'm also curious how long 9500 light-years would take at Trans-warp but that's not important.)
Thanks to @Tim the distance requires 2.6 minutes in total at transwarp, so this makes absolutely no sense