The Race to Tin Man: Science, Secrets, and the Shadow of War
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Data presents information about Beta Stromgren and the discovery of "Tin Man," a living starship, but Tam interrupts, impatient to reveal the details himself.
Tam excitedly describes Tin Man as an organic creature born in space, revealing their mission to communicate with it through direct mind-to-mind contact. He emphasizes the failure of previous subspace attempts due to Tin Man's unique nature.
Picard inquires about Starfleet's urgency, prompting the revelation that two Romulan cruisers are also heading toward Tin Man. Data confirms this information, leading Picard to recognize the mission as a race against the Romulans to secure the alien intelligence.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
A volatile mix of excitement, guilt, and defensive anger—his pain and past traumas simmering just beneath the surface.
Tam Elbrun enters the scene already distracted by pain, his posture tense and his movements jerky as he sits beside Data. His frustration with Data’s measured pace is palpable, and he seizes control of the projector, magnifying Tin Man’s image with an almost reverent urgency. As he describes the entity’s organic nature, his voice grows more animated, his gestures expansive—this is a man consumed by the possibility of connection. When the Romulan threat is raised, Tam’s demeanor shifts abruptly; he becomes evasive, his earlier excitement dampened by guilt or fear. His outburst at Riker over the Ghorusda disaster is raw and explosive, a wound laid bare. He storms out angrily, leaving behind a room thick with tension and unanswered questions about his reliability.
- • Convince the crew that direct mind-to-mind contact with Tin Man is the only viable path to communication, despite the risks.
- • Avoid reliving the trauma of Ghorusda by proving his competence, even as his evasiveness about the Romulans undermines his credibility.
- • Tin Man is a kindred spirit—a being as isolated as he is, and thus worthy of his trust and devotion.
- • The Federation (and Riker, in particular) will never fully understand or forgive his past failures, no matter how hard he tries.
Thoughtful fascination masking underlying concern for Tam’s instability and the Romulan threat’s escalation.
Picard stands at the center of the Observation Lounge, his posture commanding yet contemplative as he absorbs Tam Elbrun’s disruptive revelations about Tin Man. He listens intently to Tam’s passionate descriptions of the entity’s organic nature, his fascination evident in the way he leans forward slightly, fingers steepled. When Tam reveals the Romulan threat, Picard’s expression tightens—his strategic mind immediately calculating the implications of a race to first contact. He assigns Data to lead life sciences with a decisive nod, his voice carrying the weight of command. His confrontation with Tam about withholding information is measured but firm, revealing his concern for both the mission’s integrity and Tam’s psychological state. Picard’s authority is tempered by empathy, a rare balance that underscores his leadership.
- • Assess the scientific and ethical implications of Tin Man’s sentience to determine the Federation’s approach.
- • Mitigate the Romulan threat by leveraging the Enterprise’s speed advantage and preparing the crew for potential conflict.
- • First contact with an alien intelligence requires both caution and boldness, especially when Romulan aggression is a factor.
- • Tam Elbrun’s unique abilities are crucial to the mission, but his instability poses a risk that must be managed.
Analytical detachment with a faint undercurrent of intrigue at the mission’s ethical and scientific complexities.
Data sits beside Tam Elbrun at the Observation Lounge table, his expression one of polite bemusement as Tam interrupts his presentation with uncharacteristic urgency. He watches with mild curiosity as Tam manipulates the projector controls, magnifying the image of Tin Man and declaring its sentience. Data’s analytical mind processes the new information methodically, though his bemusement deepens when Tam insists on direct mind-to-mind contact as the only viable solution. When Picard assigns him to lead life sciences, Data accepts with his usual calm precision, though his eyes flicker with a rare hint of existential intrigue—perhaps a subconscious acknowledgment of the mission’s unprecedented nature. His contributions about Romulan ship capabilities are delivered with clinical accuracy, grounding the crew’s speculative discussions in tangible data.
- • Provide accurate scientific and tactical data to inform the crew’s decisions about Tin Man and the Romulan threat.
- • Lead the life sciences team with precision, ensuring that the Federation’s approach to first contact is both methodical and ethical.
- • Direct mind-to-mind contact with an unknown intelligence carries significant risks, but it may also be the only path to communication.
- • The Romulans’ aggressive tactics necessitate a proactive Federation response, balanced with diplomatic caution.
Annoyed and concerned—his skepticism of Tam’s methods and reliability is tempered by the weight of the Romulan threat and the crew’s safety.
Riker stands near the Observation Lounge table, his arms crossed and his expression skeptical as Tam Elbrun disrupts Data’s presentation. He listens with growing concern as the Romulan threat is revealed, his tactical instincts immediately assessing the risks. When Tam turns on him, accusing him of not listening on Ghorusda, Riker’s annoyance flares—his jaw tightens, and he meets Tam’s glare with a steady, unyielding stare. He says little, but his body language speaks volumes: he is a man who values discipline and trust, and Tam’s instability tests both. His silence in the face of Tam’s outburst is not passive; it is the quiet judgment of a first officer who has seen too much to be swayed by emotion alone.
- • Ensure that the crew’s actions are grounded in verifiable intelligence, not Tam’s untested instincts.
- • Protect the Enterprise and its crew from the dual threats of Tin Man’s unknown nature and Romulan aggression.
- • Tam Elbrun’s past failures (like Ghorusda) make him a liability, regardless of his telepathic gifts.
- • The Romulans cannot be trusted, and their presence demands a cautious, militarily prepared response.
Empathetic concern with a hint of professional detachment—she is acutely aware of the emotional stakes for Tam and the crew.
Deanna Troi sits near the Observation Lounge table, her empathic senses attuned to the room’s rising tension. She notices Tam Elbrun’s discomfort immediately, her brow furrowing slightly as she picks up on his pain and volatility. When he magnifies the image of Tin Man, she leans in, fascinated by the entity’s alien beauty but also wary of the emotional turmoil it stirs in Tam. Her question about Starfleet’s urgency is laced with concern—not just for the mission, but for Tam’s state of mind. She says little during the Romulan discussion, but her presence is a quiet counterbalance to the room’s growing hostility, a reminder of the human cost of their actions.
- • Assess Tam’s mental state to determine his fitness for the mission and his potential impact on the crew.
- • Ensure that the crew’s decisions are informed by both logic and emotional intelligence, especially in high-stakes situations.
- • Tam’s telepathic gifts are a double-edged sword—his connection to Tin Man could be invaluable, but his instability poses a risk to the mission.
- • The Romulan threat is secondary to the ethical dilemma of first contact; the crew must not let fear dictate their actions.
Analytical curiosity with an undercurrent of concern—he recognizes the stakes of both the scientific discovery and the military threat.
Geordi La Forge leans forward in his seat, his cybernetic eyes reflecting the pulsating image of Tin Man as Tam magnifies it on the screen. He compares the entity to a cybernetic organism like the Borg, his analytical mind immediately drawing parallels and distinctions. His curiosity is evident in the way he tilts his head, absorbing Tam’s descriptions of its organic nature. When the Romulan threat is raised, Geordi’s expression darkens slightly—he understands the implications of a technological or biological advantage falling into enemy hands. His contributions are concise and technical, grounding the discussion in the practical realities of engineering and warfare.
- • Understand the technical and biological nature of Tin Man to assess its potential as an ally or threat.
- • Prepare engineering solutions to counter the Romulan threat, should it escalate into conflict.
- • Tin Man’s organic technology could be a game-changer, but its sentience complicates its potential uses (or abuses).
- • The Romulans will stop at nothing to claim Tin Man, and the Enterprise must be ready for any outcome.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The **USS Enterprise-D Observation Lounge Display Screen** serves as the focal point of the event, projecting the image of **Beta Stromgren** and its tiny companion, **Tin Man**. Tam Elbrun seizes control of the projector, freezing the motion and magnifying the image to reveal Tin Man’s pulsating, organic form—a slender object networked with faintly glowing energy paths. The screen then displays rotating multi-plane schematics of Tin Man’s interior, provided by Tam, which depict its living structure and potential mechanisms. The screen’s shifting images mirror the crew’s evolving understanding of Tin Man, from scientific curiosity to alarm as the Romulan threat is revealed. Its role is both functional (displaying data) and narrative (symbolizing the unknown and the stakes of first contact).
**Tin Man** is the central mystery of the event, its existence revealed through the **Observation Lounge** screen as a slender, pulsating organic starship orbiting **Beta Stromgren**. Tam Elbrun describes it as a living entity, born in space, with an unknown energy source and a sentience that defies conventional communication methods. The crew’s fascination turns to tension as Picard reveals the Romulan threat, framing Tin Man as a prize in a high-stakes race. Tam’s insistence on direct mind-to-mind contact elevates Tin Man from a scientific curiosity to a potential diplomatic and ethical dilemma. Its organic, glowing form—networked with energy paths like a circulatory system—symbolizes the unknown and the fragility of first contact, while also representing the crew’s hopes and fears about what they might encounter.
Tam Elbrun’s **Interior Diagrams and Schematics of Tin Man** are projected onto the **Observation Lounge** screen, replacing the initial image of the entity. These rotating multi-plane schematics depict Tin Man’s pulsating organic structure, its energy grids, and potential internal mechanisms, reinforcing Tam’s claim that it is a living being. The diagrams serve a dual purpose: they provide scientific evidence to support Tam’s assertions, and they visually emphasize the alien nature of Tin Man, making its sentience feel tangible. The crew’s reaction to the schematics—Geordi’s comparison to the Borg, Riker’s skepticism, Picard’s fascination—highlights the diagrams’ role in shaping the crew’s understanding and apprehension about the entity.
The **Vega Probe** is referenced briefly by Tam Elbrun as the unmanned Starfleet vessel that first detected **Tin Man** orbiting **Beta Stromgren**. Its discovery data is implied to be the foundation for the crew’s current mission, though the probe itself is not physically present in the scene. The probe’s role is symbolic—it represents Starfleet’s exploratory spirit and the serendipity of scientific discovery, but also the unintended consequences of such discoveries (e.g., the Romulan threat). Its mention sets the stage for the crew’s race against time and the Romulans to reach Tin Man first, framing the event as a collision between curiosity and conflict.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The **Observation Lounge** is the primary setting for this event, a space designed for strategic briefings and intellectual discourse. Its long conference table and wide viewport frame the crew as they grapple with the revelation of **Tin Man** and the Romulan threat. The lounge’s atmosphere shifts from scientific curiosity to high-stakes tension as Tam Elbrun disrupts Data’s presentation, magnifying the image of Tin Man and declaring its sentience. The Romulan threat is raised, and the room becomes a pressure cooker of conflicting priorities: Tam’s urgency, Picard’s caution, Riker’s skepticism, and the crew’s collective fear of the unknown. The lounge’s symbolic role is that of a **crossroads**—a place where the crew must decide whether to embrace the unknown (Tin Man) or retreat into familiar (but dangerous) institutional responses (racing the Romulans).
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
**Starfleet** is the institutional backbone of the event, its influence manifesting through the crew’s mission parameters, the data they rely on (e.g., Vega Probe readings, Romulan telemetry), and the ethical framework guiding their actions. The organization’s goals are twofold: to secure first contact with **Tin Man** as a scientific and diplomatic priority, and to counter the Romulan threat without escalating into open conflict. Starfleet’s protocols are implicitly followed (e.g., Data’s assignment to life sciences, the crew’s adherence to chain of command), but the event also highlights the **tensions within the organization**—namely, the balance between exploration and military preparedness. The crew’s debate over Tam Elbrun’s reliability reflects Starfleet’s broader struggle to integrate unique individuals (like Tam) into its structured hierarchy, especially when their methods clash with institutional caution.
The **Romulan Star Empire** is the primary antagonist in this event, its influence felt through the looming threat of two **D’daridex-class cruisers** racing toward **Tin Man**. The Romulans are never physically present, but their shadow hangs over the crew’s discussions, shaping their sense of urgency and fear. The organization’s goals are explicitly stated by Picard: to **secure Tin Man for study or exploitation**, using whatever measures—military or otherwise—are required. The Romulans’ aggressive tactics (e.g., sacrificing warp coils for speed, deploying ambushes) are implied through Data’s tactical briefing, framing them as a **ruthless, preemptive force** that must be outmaneuvered. Their presence forces the crew to confront the **moral ambiguity** of their own mission: is Tin Man a scientific opportunity, or a prize in a shadow war?
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Picard is concerned with Elbrun's volatility after the confrontation, which leads directly into a scene in Sickbay where Beverly and Troi explain Elbrun's background and condition."
"Troi's distress at Elbrun's presence connects directly to the explanation she and Beverly give Picard later about Elbrun's troubled background and unique telepathic abilities."
"Troi's distress at Elbrun's presence connects directly to the explanation she and Beverly give Picard later about Elbrun's troubled background and unique telepathic abilities."
"The Ghorusda incident mentioned by Riker here directly connects to Elbrun's confrontation with Riker later in the observation lounge, where he defends his actions."
"The Ghorusda incident mentioned by Riker here directly connects to Elbrun's confrontation with Riker later in the observation lounge, where he defends his actions."
"The Ghorusda incident mentioned by Riker here directly connects to Elbrun's confrontation with Riker later in the observation lounge, where he defends his actions."
"Troi's distress at Elbrun's presence connects directly to the explanation she and Beverly give Picard later about Elbrun's troubled background and unique telepathic abilities."
"The Ghorusda incident mentioned by Riker here directly connects to Elbrun's confrontation with Riker later in the observation lounge, where he defends his actions."
"Data expresses astonishment about the probe's findings, creating anticipation for the reveal of "Tin Man."
"Data expresses astonishment about the probe's findings, creating anticipation for the reveal of "Tin Man."
"Data reveals the Enterprise's destination as Beta Stromgren, then he and Tam present the information about Tin Man."
"Data begins to present information about Tin Man, but Tam interrupts and excitedly describes Tin Man's organic nature."
"Data reveals the Enterprise's destination as Beta Stromgren, then he and Tam present the information about Tin Man."
"Picard is concerned with Elbrun's volatility after the confrontation, which leads directly into a scene in Sickbay where Beverly and Troi explain Elbrun's background and condition."
"Data begins to present information about Tin Man, but Tam interrupts and excitedly describes Tin Man's organic nature."
"In sickbay, Beverly reveals Tam is drawn to isolation, then later Tam is drawn to Tin Man's loneliness, leading Troi to realize Tam is already in contact with it."
"In sickbay, Beverly reveals Tam is drawn to isolation, then later Tam is drawn to Tin Man's loneliness, leading Troi to realize Tam is already in contact with it."
"In sickbay, Beverly reveals Tam is drawn to isolation, then later Tam is drawn to Tin Man's loneliness, leading Troi to realize Tam is already in contact with it."
"In sickbay, Beverly reveals Tam is drawn to isolation, then later Tam is drawn to Tin Man's loneliness, leading Troi to realize Tam is already in contact with it."
Key Dialogue
"**TAM** *(exasperated, interrupting Data)*: *'Oh, Data—don’t waste time.'* *(He punches the projector controls, freezing the image and magnifying Tin Man’s organic form.)* *'They call it "Tin Man." The Vega Probe found it orbiting Stromgren. Its energy source is unknown. The people who’ve studied the transmissions think it’s a starship. And they’re sure it’s alive.'* *(Softly, to himself:)* *'I’m going to talk to it.'* "
"**PICARD** *(thoughtfully, to the crew)*: *'An alien intelligence—a new life-form—representing a technology far beyond that of either the Romulans or ourselves. The Romulans will take whatever measures—military or otherwise—are required to secure the creature for study.'* "
"**TAM** *(to Riker, glaring)*: *'And no, Billy boy, I wasn’t "distracted" on Ghorusda. If Darson had listened to me, no one would have died. And I don’t care whether you believe that or not.'* "