Gigawatt Signal — Encoded Beam-Down
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Worf intercepts a crackling audio transmission; Picard opens the channel and a voice identifies itself as from Daled Four while Data confirms the signal originates from a gigawatt source on the planet.
Analysis reveals the planet's carrier uses far more power than the Enterprise can generate but encodes beam-down coordinates; relieved at a way to offload their troublesome passengers, Picard and Riker resolve to arrange for the guests to beam down.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Relieved and pragmatic on the surface; privately wary that a powerful planetary signal complicates diplomatic control.
Picard listens to the incoming transmission, authorizes audio, exchanges a charged look with Riker, and verbalizes pragmatic relief at a tactical solution to the Anya/Salia problem.
- • Reassert command control over an escalating diplomatic situation
- • Authorize a safe operational solution (transfer of passengers) to resolve on‑board tensions
- • The safety and order of the Enterprise must be preserved through procedure
- • A direct, pragmatic operational response is preferable to protracted diplomatic negotiation in the ship's immediate interest
Clinically neutral outwardly; internally focused on accuracy and implications of the data provided.
Data analyzes sensor returns, informs the bridge that the transmission is gigawatt-class and capable of penetrating Daled Four's atmosphere, and explains implications for response capability.
- • Provide precise sensor interpretation to enable informed command decisions
- • Clarify technical limitations and capabilities relating to the transmission
- • Objective data should drive operational choices
- • Understanding the physics of the signal is necessary to judge risks and options
Focused and alert; duty-oriented with no visible panic, conveying urgency through concise report.
Worf detects the incoming audio at Tactical, brings it to the captain's attention, and identifies that beam‑down coordinates are encoded in the carrier, framing the signal as both a clue and an immediate tactical datum.
- • Ensure command is informed of any tactical threats or opportunities
- • Provide accurate, actionable sensor information to support bridge decisions
- • Clear, direct reporting is essential to ship safety
- • Encoded transmissions from the planet may be operationally significant and must be treated as such
Relieved that a logistical solution exists, tempered by concern over the planet's demonstrated capability and what that implies tactically.
Riker listens at the forward station, processes Data's power assessment, concedes the ship cannot match the transmission's output, and promptly offers to arrange transport for the guests.
- • Execute a swift plan to remove disruptive passengers from the ship
- • Coordinate bridge resources to implement beam-down safely
- • Operational pragmatism resolves immediate shipboard problems
- • Chain-of-command decisions must convert technical intelligence into action quickly
Attentive and professional, focused on maintaining ship posture while senior officers address the transmission.
Ensign Gibson remains at Conn executing helm and station duties, maintaining normal bridge operations while the tactical and analytical exchanges occur nearby.
- • Keep the ship steady and responsive during the sudden operational pivot
- • Be prepared to execute any helm or navigation orders issued by command
- • Bridge continuity and disciplined procedure prevent escalation
- • Senior officers will issue clear orders when technical input is complete
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The forcefield sealing Anya's quarters is referenced by Picard's log as an active containment measure; it frames the stakes that motivated the bridge's attention and explains why removing passengers (by beam‑down) is a desirable option.
The gigawatt-level planetary transmission is the catalytic object: received on Enterprise sensors, audibly decoded on the bridge, and found to contain beam-down coordinates. Functionally it provides both a plot solution (a way to move passengers) and a narrative problem (the planet's capacity for long-range, high-power signaling).
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The forward stations/conn cluster is where Picard and Riker occupy the decision-making posts; it provides the vantage point for receiving Data's technical briefing and issuing the transport order.
The Bridge Tactical Station (Worf's post) is the sensor focal point that first detects and brings the audio to the captain's attention; its function is to convert raw detection into actionable alerts.
The planet Daled Four is the remote origin of the transmission; as a location it exerts narrative force (its environment and politics created the need for Anya's containment) and now demonstrates the capacity to reach out technologically to the ship in orbit.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Worf intercepting a transmission and opening the channel leads to the analysis showing a gigawatt carrier encoding beam-down coordinates — detection prompts a practical solution to transport the guests off the ship."
"Worf intercepting a transmission and opening the channel leads to the analysis showing a gigawatt carrier encoding beam-down coordinates — detection prompts a practical solution to transport the guests off the ship."
"Discovery that the planet can send encoded coordinates causes Riker/Picard to authorize Salia's transport — the planet's signal produces the logistical decision for departure."
"Discovery that the planet can send encoded coordinates causes Riker/Picard to authorize Salia's transport — the planet's signal produces the logistical decision for departure."
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"WORF: "Captain -- I'm receiving an audio signal.""
"DATA: "Sir, sensors indicate the communication originated from a gigawatt source on the planet.""
"RIKER: "I'll arrange for our guests to beam down.""