Inom själva filmen är det ganska klart att Picard verkligen kan höra Borg. Vi ser honom luta huvudet för att höra rösterna i hans huvud, då beställer han omedelbart en attack mot en osynlig svaghet.
I filmen Paramount-licensed novelization görs händelsen ännu mer uttrycklig:
In the millisecond before the android replied, Picard realized that he inexplicably knew —
knew—the information he had requested, for his question had already been answered by a whisper in his own head—a voice that was one, yet many; a voice that evoked the ghost of a half-remembered feminine face.
Without thinking, he rose, entranced, and moved toward the viewscreen where the image of the massive and unlovely vessel hung. They were there; he could sense them, hear them speak. For an instant, he felt as though he had only to reach toward the screen, and he would touch them.
The whisper of the one and the multitude grew briefly louder.
"critical damage to shields at power sector one-one one. All drones coordinate repair immediately...."
The mental whisper died abruptly, as if the speakers had realized he was listening. But it was too late; he had already experienced a revelation beyond the mere words he had detected.
They were wounded. They were vulnerable, and he knew beyond all reason the precise spot.