The crew is mystified when Captain Janeway begins an important, though highly secretive, operation in response to a strange subspace disturbance. Chakotay finally compels her to tell the crew so that they may help. Janeway explains that the U.S.S. Voyager has detected a dangerous, unstable substance called the Omega. The molecule has the power to destroy space and Starfleet's highly classified operating order is to destroy the Omega whenever it is encountered. Seven of Nine speaks out to say that the Borg believe the Omega can be captured and neutralized for study, which puts her in conflict with Janeway's Starfleet mission.

Jeff Austin (Allos)
Kevin McCorkle (Alien Captain)

• To the Borg, the Omega molecule represents perfection: infinite parts working in perfect harmony as one. Particle 010 is the Borg designation for Omega.
  
• A single Omega molecule contains the same power as a warp core. It was developed as a power source, but it is unstable. An Omega explosion destroys subspace, which makes it impossible to create a warp field.
  
• Producer Brannon Braga comments on this episode, "This is not a story about a substance. It's not about Janeway following a directive or not. It's not about science and the hackneyed concept of whether or not we should cross the line and explore what should not be explored. It is about religion. Seven of Nine, we reveal, has an interest in Omega that borders on religious obsession. To her, Omega represents 'Perfection.' And in this way, we explore themes of religion in an unexpected way. I hope you enjoy it."