The Northwest Passage was the term given to a corridor-like
region of space containing large numbers of quantum
singularities, devoid of Borg activity despite extending through
the entire span of Borg territory. The nickname was created by
the crew of the USS Voyager, who intended to use it to cross
Borg space without having to engage the Borg. However, it was
soon discovered that the region was devoid of Borg activity for
a reason: the quantum singularities were being used by Species
8472, a race more powerful than the Borg, to invade the galaxy
from their realm of fluidic space. This species, capable of
completely annihilating the Borg, were bent on doing exactly
that, in retaliation for the Borg's invasion of their realm and
attempt to assimilate them. Moreover, they planned to expand
their campaign to include all other life in the galaxy, after
they were finished with the Borg. Captain Janeway therefore
decided to avoid the corridor entirely, and instead make an
alliance with the Borg to defeat Species 84