The Hood’s Phantom Warning: A Mission Specialist’s Shadow Arrives
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
The Enterprise, while charting the Hayashi system, is unexpectedly intercepted by the USS Hood, disrupting their routine mission and creating a sense of mystery.
Captain DeSoto of the USS Hood contacts Picard, revealing that Starfleet has new, top-priority orders that require the Enterprise's speed and expertise, delivered via a mission specialist due to Romulan eavesdropping concerns.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Cautiously urgent, with a underlying sense of camaraderie and respect for Picard and the Enterprise crew.
DeSoto appears via a secured channel from the Hood’s Ready Room, delivering cryptic and urgent orders to Picard. His tone is cautious, laced with humor to ease tension, but his urgency is palpable. He reveals Elbrun’s name with a sigh, acknowledging the crew’s potential reservations but emphasizing the mission’s priority. His abrupt departure leaves the Enterprise crew in a state of heightened alert, signaling the gravity of the situation.
- • Convey Starfleet’s orders with the necessary urgency and secrecy to avoid Romulan eavesdropping.
- • Prepare the *Enterprise* crew for the challenges ahead, acknowledging the emotional weight of Elbrun’s arrival.
- • The mission’s success depends on the *Enterprise*’s speed and the crew’s ability to cooperate with Elbrun despite past traumas.
- • Romulan eavesdropping is a real and immediate threat that necessitates caution and discretion.
Not physically present, but his name alone evokes fear, apprehension, and unresolved trauma in those who know his history.
Elbrun is mentioned by name as the mission specialist assigned to the Enterprise, triggering strong negative reactions from Riker and Troi. His past involvement in the Ghorusda disaster is foreshadowed, setting up his volatile and traumatic history. Though physically absent, his presence looms large, casting a shadow over the crew’s morale and the mission’s potential success.
- • (Inferred) Complete the mission successfully, despite his personal demons and the crew’s reservations.
- • (Inferred) Prove his worth and reliability to Starfleet and the *Enterprise* crew, despite his past failures.
- • (Inferred) His telepathic abilities are crucial to the mission’s success, but his mental state is fragile.
- • (Inferred) The crew’s distrust of him is justified, but he is determined to overcome it.
Calmly analytical but inwardly unsettled by the sudden shift in mission and the emotional undercurrents surrounding Elbrun’s name.
Picard stands at the center of the bridge, his posture shifting from relaxed command to alert skepticism as the USS Hood materializes unannounced. He engages in a tense exchange with DeSoto, probing the urgency and secrecy of the mission. His puzzled expression deepens when Elbrun’s name is mentioned, and he subtly observes Riker’s and Troi’s reactions, masking his own unease. He dismisses Troi’s request to join him, revealing his strategic caution and desire to control the introduction of Elbrun, a wildcard with a troubled past.
- • Understand the true nature and urgency of the new mission without revealing his own concerns.
- • Assess the crew’s reactions to Elbrun’s name to gauge the potential impact on morale and mission success.
- • Secrecy and haste in Starfleet’s orders suggest a high-stakes, potentially dangerous situation.
- • Elbrun’s presence is a liability that must be managed carefully, given the crew’s visceral reactions.
Neutral and analytical, with a subtle undercurrent of curiosity about Elbrun’s unique role and the mission’s implications.
Data reacts to the Hood’s approach on the Ops panel, reporting the intercept to Picard with his usual calm precision. He later accompanies Picard to greet Elbrun, his demeanor contrasting sharply with the crew’s emotional reactions. His analytical nature and lack of emotional bias make him a steadying presence amid the tension, though his curiosity about Elbrun’s role is subtly evident in his focused attention.
- • Provide Picard with accurate, unbiased information to aid his decision-making.
- • Observe Elbrun’s interactions to assess his reliability and potential impact on the crew.
- • Elbrun’s presence is an anomaly that requires careful observation and analysis.
- • His own lack of emotional bias makes him an ideal observer in emotionally charged situations.
Startled and apprehensive, with a underlying current of protective instinct toward the crew and mission.
Riker stands beside Picard, his initial skepticism about the Hood’s urgency giving way to shock when Elbrun’s name is mentioned. His sharp intake of breath and tightened jaw betray his deep-seated trauma, tied to the Ghorusda disaster. He engages in light banter with DeSoto but remains visibly tense, his body language suggesting a mix of apprehension and protective caution. His reaction foreshadows the emotional and psychological challenges Elbrun’s arrival will bring.
- • Assess the potential threats posed by Elbrun’s presence, both to the mission and the crew’s stability.
- • Support Picard while subtly signaling his concerns about Elbrun’s reliability and the risks of revisiting past traumas.
- • Elbrun’s involvement in the *Ghorusda disaster* makes him an unstable and potentially dangerous asset.
- • The crew’s past traumas could resurface, jeopardizing the mission’s success.
Distressed and anxious, with a strong sense of responsibility to support Elbrun and shield the crew from potential harm.
Troi is visibly distressed at the mention of Elbrun’s name, her Betazoid empathy amplifying the emotional weight of the situation. She steps forward anxiously, requesting to join Picard in greeting Elbrun, and reveals her past as his therapist. Her body language—gripping her armrest, stepping forward—suggests a deep personal connection to Elbrun’s trauma and a desire to mitigate the fallout of his arrival. Her emotional reaction underscores the gravity of Elbrun’s history and the potential risks of his presence.
- • Advocate for Elbrun’s well-being and ensure he is greeted with understanding and care, given his traumatic past.
- • Protect the crew from the emotional fallout of Elbrun’s arrival, leveraging her therapeutic skills and personal history with him.
- • Elbrun’s mental state is fragile, and his arrival could destabilize the crew if not handled with care.
- • Her past relationship with Elbrun gives her unique insight into how to navigate his presence on the *Enterprise*.
Wesley is mentioned as being at the Conn station but does not speak or act in this event. His presence …
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The classified top-priority orders are the tangible manifestation of Starfleet’s directives, delivered by Captain DeSoto aboard the *USS Hood*. These orders assign Tam Elbrun as the mission specialist and emphasize the urgency and secrecy of the assignment. The orders’ classified nature and the need for physical delivery—rather than subspace transmission—highlight the high stakes and potential dangers of the mission. Their content triggers visceral reactions from Riker and Troi, foreshadowing the emotional and psychological challenges ahead.
The Ops panel on the *Enterprise* bridge is the technical interface through which Data detects the *USS Hood*’s approach. Its sensors and readouts provide critical information about the intercept, allowing the crew to respond swiftly to the unexpected arrival. The panel’s amber and red LEDs pulse as it processes the incoming data, contributing to the tense atmosphere on the bridge. Data’s interaction with the panel underscores the crew’s reliance on technology to navigate the sudden shift in mission.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The *Enterprise*’s main bridge is the command center where the crew’s reactions to the *USS Hood*’s arrival and the revelation of Tam Elbrun’s assignment unfold. The bridge’s layout—with Picard at the center, Riker beside him, and the rest of the crew at their stations—creates a dynamic tension between authority and emotional response. The forward viewscreen displays DeSoto’s image, drawing the crew’s attention to the secured channel transmission. The bridge’s operational atmosphere shifts from routine to high alert as the crew processes the sudden change in mission and the emotional weight of Elbrun’s name.
The *USS Hood*’s Ready Room is the private space from which Captain DeSoto delivers the mission’s cryptic orders via a secured channel. Its stark confines and subdued lighting contrast sharply with the *Enterprise* bridge’s activity, amplifying the mission’s secrecy and urgency. The room’s desk consoles and bulkheads are tailored for urgent briefings, and DeSoto’s abrupt transmission—followed by the *Hood*’s warp departure—leaves the *Enterprise* crew in a state of heightened alert. The Ready Room symbolizes the institutional weight of Starfleet’s directives and the personal stakes of the mission.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Starfleet is the directive authority behind the mission, assigning the *Enterprise* and its crew to a high-priority assignment involving Tam Elbrun. Its orders are delivered via Captain DeSoto aboard the *USS Hood*, emphasizing the urgency and secrecy of the operation. Starfleet’s concern about Romulan eavesdropping necessitates the physical delivery of orders and the use of a secured channel, highlighting the high stakes and potential dangers of the mission. The organization’s influence is felt in the crew’s immediate shift from routine to high alert, as they prepare to cooperate fully with Elbrun despite their reservations.
The Romulan Star Empire is an implicit but looming threat in this event, as DeSoto’s warning about Romulan eavesdropping sets the tone for the mission’s secrecy and urgency. Though not physically present, the Empire’s influence is felt in the crew’s heightened alertness and the need for discretion. The Romulans’ potential interference underscores the high stakes of the mission and the dangers posed by Elbrun’s telepathic abilities, which could be exploited or threatened by external forces. The organization’s shadow looms over the *Enterprise* crew, driving their caution and preparedness.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"DeSoto reveals the need for a mission specialist, then reveals that specialist is Tam Elbrun, eliciting negative reactions from the crew."
"DeSoto reveals the need for a mission specialist, then reveals that specialist is Tam Elbrun, eliciting negative reactions from the crew."
"The Enterprise is intercepted, then Captain DeSoto reveals the reason for the intercept: new orders."
"The Enterprise is intercepted, then Captain DeSoto reveals the reason for the intercept: new orders."
"DeSoto reveals the need for a mission specialist, then reveals that specialist is Tam Elbrun, eliciting negative reactions from the crew."
"Picard invites Data and Troi to greet Elbrun; then, Troi formally introduces Elbrun, setting the stage for his arrival and behavior."
"DeSoto reveals the need for a mission specialist, then reveals that specialist is Tam Elbrun, eliciting negative reactions from the crew."
"Picard invites Data and Troi to greet Elbrun; then, Troi formally introduces Elbrun, setting the stage for his arrival and behavior."
"Picard invites Data and Troi to greet Elbrun; then, Troi formally introduces Elbrun, setting the stage for his arrival and behavior."
"Picard invites Data and Troi to greet Elbrun; then, Troi formally introduces Elbrun, setting the stage for his arrival and behavior."
"Riker's reaction to Elbrun's name (due to the Ghorusda incident) is directly explored in a later scene between Riker and Geordi, where they discuss the specifics of the incident and Riker's reservations about Elbrun."
"Riker's reaction to Elbrun's name (due to the Ghorusda incident) is directly explored in a later scene between Riker and Geordi, where they discuss the specifics of the incident and Riker's reservations about Elbrun."
"Riker's reaction to Elbrun's name (due to the Ghorusda incident) is directly explored in a later scene between Riker and Geordi, where they discuss the specifics of the incident and Riker's reservations about Elbrun."
"Riker's reaction to Elbrun's name (due to the Ghorusda incident) is directly explored in a later scene between Riker and Geordi, where they discuss the specifics of the incident and Riker's reservations about Elbrun."
"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 Enterprise is intercepted, then Captain DeSoto reveals the reason for the intercept: new orders."
"The Enterprise is intercepted, then Captain DeSoto reveals the reason for the intercept: new orders."
Key Dialogue
"**DESOTO:** *(grinning, but with an edge of urgency)* *'Sorry to sneak up on you like that, Jean-Luc—out here, you never know who’s listening. Keeps you on your toes, anyway.'* *(Subtext: DeSoto’s casual tone belies the seriousness of the situation. His reference to "listening" is a deliberate warning—Romulan interference is already a factor, and the Hood’s stealthy approach suggests this mission is being treated as a potential security breach from the outset.)*"
"**RIKER:** *(startled, voice tight)* *'Elbrun? You mean Tam Elbrun—as in the Ghorusda disaster?'* *(Subtext: Riker’s reaction is visceral, not just professional. The *Ghorusda* disaster is clearly a wound that hasn’t healed, and Elbrun’s name alone is enough to make him question the mission’s wisdom. His tone suggests he already views Elbrun as a liability, if not a threat.)*"
"**TROI:** *(anxious, stepping forward)* *'Captain, let me come with you to greet Tam—'* **PICARD:** *(raising an eyebrow)* *'You know him?'* **TROI:** *(hesitant, then quiet)* *'I do... He was at the university on Betazed when I studied psychology there.'* **PICARD:** *(nodding)* *'Ah, I see. He was a colleague, then.'* **TROI:** *(softly, with weight)* *'No, sir. He was a patient...'* *(Subtext: Troi’s hesitation and the way she corrects Picard reveal a **deeply personal connection** to Elbrun. Her past as his therapist isn’t just professional history—it’s emotional baggage. The crew’s dynamic is about to fracture under the weight of unresolved trauma, and Troi’s presence will be critical in either stabilizing Elbrun or becoming another casualty of his instability.)"