Narrative Web
S1E24
· We'll Always Have Paris

Countdown Alarm Ignites Tension in Manheim’s Lab

Upon entering Manheim’s hidden laboratory, Data activates a concealed control panel, triggering a ten-minute countdown alarm that immediately raises the stakes for the away team. Worf’s instinctive concern contrasts with Data’s cautious optimism, while Riker urgently reports the security breach to Picard, speculating on Manheim’s possible awareness. This event crystallizes the looming peril and initiates a race against time, heightening the tension and underscoring the fragility of their mission within a volatile environment.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Worf questions the nature of the alarm, prompting Data to cautiously hope it is merely an easily deactivated security system, while Riker acknowledges the mounting unexpected challenges.

uncertainty to cautious optimism tempered by wariness

Riker alerts Picard to a security problem triggered by their presence, questioning if Manheim might still be conscious, signaling rising stakes.

concern to heightened alarm

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Data
Second Officer
 primary

Cautiously optimistic, maintaining composure while aware of the escalating risk.

Data physically interacts with a concealed wallplate, causing the laboratory lights to activate and the alarm system to engage. He carefully inspects the instrument panel, including the red floating light, numeric board, and countdown clock, and inserts his hand into a slot, attempting to halt or understand the countdown mechanism. His demeanor is methodical and cautiously optimistic as he analyses the security system.

Goals in this moment
  • • To deactivate or understand the alarm system to prevent mission failure.
  • • To protect the away team by quickly assessing threats within the laboratory.
Active beliefs
  • • The alarm system can be deactivated or circumvented.
  • • Manheim's experiments are dangerous but manageable with careful analysis.
Character traits
analytical calm under pressure methodical cautiously optimistic
Follow Data's journey
Worf
Lieutenant, Chief of Security / Tactical Officer
 primary

Concerned and alert, ready to confront emerging threats.

Worf immediately reacts to the alarm's activation by questioning its nature, reflecting his protective instincts and alertness. His concise inquiry signals concern over the potential threat the alarm indicates and readiness to respond to any danger manifesting within the lab.

Goals in this moment
  • • To understand the threat level posed by the alarm.
  • • To ensure the safety of the away team and the mission’s integrity.
Active beliefs
  • • The alarm signals imminent danger requiring immediate attention.
  • • The laboratory environment is hostile and potentially lethal.
Character traits
vigilant protective concerned decisive
Follow Worf's journey
William Riker
Commander
 primary

Urgent and cautious, balancing alarm with leadership responsibility.

Riker observes the unfolding alarm activation with a tone of resigned pragmatism, noting 'more surprises' and promptly communicates to Captain Picard the breach of Manheim’s security system. His urgency and concern imply the gravity of the situation and the possibility that Manheim might be conscious and able to interfere, heightening the operational stakes.

Goals in this moment
  • • To keep command informed about security developments.
  • • To anticipate and mitigate further threats stemming from the alarm activation.
Active beliefs
  • • Manheim’s security measures will escalate the mission’s danger.
  • • Timely communication with command is essential for mission success.
Character traits
pragmatic urgent cautious responsible
Follow William Riker's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Testing Room Entry Door / Environmental Lab Door Wallplate Access Panel

The wallplate serves as the trigger mechanism that Data physically activates, causing the laboratory lights to illuminate and initiating the alarm system’s countdown sequence. This concealed panel embodies the high-security measures Manheim employed, transforming the entering crew’s presence into a catalyst for immediate danger.

Before: Inactive, unlit, and unengaged within Manheim’s shadowy lab …
After: Activated, illuminated, and triggering a ten-minute countdown alarm.
Before: Inactive, unlit, and unengaged within Manheim’s shadowy lab wall.
After: Activated, illuminated, and triggering a ten-minute countdown alarm.
Red-Lit Countdown Clock

The red-lit countdown clock visually and audibly manifests the ten-minute alarm countdown, marking the passage of critical time under threat. It is a focal point of tension as it relentlessly ticks down microseconds, symbolizing the urgent pressure on the away team to act swiftly before catastrophe.

Before: Dormant and unlit, integrated into the instrument panel …
After: Activated, glowing ominously, and actively counting down the …
Before: Dormant and unlit, integrated into the instrument panel awaiting activation.
After: Activated, glowing ominously, and actively counting down the alarm duration.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Planet Vandor

Manheim’s laboratory on Planet Vandor serves as the immediate setting for this alarm activation event, its dim, secretive environment turning hostile as security systems engage. The laboratory, nestled within the mysterious and remote planet, embodies scientific obsession and latent danger, framing the away team’s vulnerable incursion and heightening narrative tension.

Atmosphere Tense, foreboding, and charged with sudden alarm and urgency.
Function Site of high-risk scientific experimentation and critical mission confrontation.
Symbolism Represents the dangerous intersection of human curiosity and uncontrollable scientific forces.
Access Restricted and secured by Manheim’s security measures, implicitly hazardous to unauthorized personnel.
Dimly lit with sudden illumination triggered by wallplate Presence of alarm system instruments including floating red light and countdown clock

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 3
Escalation

"The away team entering the laboratory triggers the countdown clock, escalating the tension and danger, requiring immediate action."

Picard Uncovers Manheim’s Dimensional Rift and Dispatches Away Team
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Escalation

"The away team entering the laboratory triggers the countdown clock, escalating the tension and danger, requiring immediate action."

Picard Authorizes High-Stakes Away Mission Amid Dimensional Threat
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Escalation

"The away team entering the laboratory triggers the countdown clock, escalating the tension and danger, requiring immediate action."

Away Team's Beam-Down Disintegrated by Interdimensional Force
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris

Key Dialogue

"WORF: What is it?"
"DATA: Hopefully, an easily deactivated alarm system."
"RIKER: More surprises."
"RIKER: Captain, a problem with Manheim's security. Any chance he's awake?"