Assimilation is the process by which the Borg add new drones and technology to the Collective.
Assimilation has three main inputs:
- Personal, in the form of individuals being turned into drones.
- Technology, in the form of the Borg taking over and augmenting ships and installations.
- Data, in the form of the Borg downloading data to gain better understanding and to reduce resistance.
Assimilating drones
To add drones to the collective the Borg have two tactics. Most common is for drones to physically inject potential drone with nanoprobes using assimilation tubules.
The Borg have also used an assimilation virus subjecting a planet to airborne nanoprobes which find targets and begin assimilation. (Voyager novels: Homecoming and The Farther Shore)
Either technique has the same outcome, the nanoprobes take over cellular functions and begin replication, once they have sufficient control they begin to replicate larger implants some of which erupt through the subjects skin. The flood of nanoprobes in the blood turns the subjects skin grey.
At later stages other drones surgically attach larger more complex implants such as ocular implants, exo-plating and armatures.
Assimilating ships
When the Borg decide to take a ship or are forced to do so to achieve their goals they augment it with their own technology. They introduce Borg programming into the computers to increase efficiency and often build physical alterations both inside and outside of the ship. [citation needed]
Resistance
The Founders and Species 8472 have proved to be resistant to assimilation. (DS9 novel: Lesser Evil)