Crimson Bluff — The Bussard Gambit
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riker locks on the viewscreen and cuts a look to Worf as the COMPUTER ticks down from six, pressure ratcheting across the Bridge.
In Engineering, SONYA braces over her console while the COMPUTER drives the clock to zero—two, one—ready to execute on the instant.
Riker commits with a hard command—"Fire!"—releasing the held breath into action.
SONYA slams the controls and THE ENTERPRISE hurls a massive crimson energy field from the nacelles, engulfing the Mondor in a roaring shaft of red light.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Concentrated tension — outwardly calm and mechanically exacting while bearing the anxiety of high‑stakes engineering improvisation.
In Engineering Sonya is taut and poised at her console; on Riker's cue she activates the core/nacelle sequence that projects the crimson shaft, executing precise technical commands under pressure.
- • Produce a convincing and controlled nacelle discharge without damaging the ship
- • Synchronize the visual blast with the away team's sabotage to maximize its tactical effect
- • Engineering can create theatrics that serve tactical objectives without compromising safety
- • Precise timing and technical discipline are essential to pull off risky maneuvers
Cautious alertness — prepared for combat, inwardly skeptical of deception but committed to follow command decisions.
Worf stands at the bridge, attentive to the viewscreen and the countdown; he observes the execution of Riker's plan and maintains a vigilant, tactical posture ready to react to escalation.
- • Ensure the ship is prepared to respond if the bluff fails
- • Protect the crew by maintaining tactical readiness during the deception
- • Force or credible threat is often necessary to compel hostile compliance
- • Command decisions must be backed by readiness to escalate if required
Tense resolve — outwardly controlled but driven by urgency and the weight of concurrent medical crisis aboard the ship.
Riker watches the viewscreen, times his command with the audible countdown and issues the decisive order 'Fire!'; he orchestrates the bluff from the bridge with terse authority.
- • Create a convincing visual deterrent to force the Mondor to lower shields
- • Provide a tactical opening to recover a captured crewmember and allow the Enterprise to disengage
- • A dramatic, nonlethal display can achieve compliance where diplomacy failed
- • A controlled risk now will save lives and protect the ship's higher priorities (Picard's surgery)
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The forward viewscreen displays the target and carries the computer's audible countdown to Riker and Worf; it functions as the informational anchor that times and validates the bluff, showing the enemy and focusing bridge tension.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Main Bridge serves as the command center where the countdown is heard, Riker gives the order, and senior officers watch the viewscreen; it is the narrative locus for decision, risk, and the moral calculation of the bluff.
Main Engineering is the operational site where Sonya manipulates reactor and nacelle outputs to create the staged crimson shaft; the space is the technical heart enabling a tactical illusion without standard weapon use.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Riker’s countdown triggers Sonya’s execution of the crimson hydrogen bluff from the Bussard collectors."
"Riker’s countdown triggers Sonya’s execution of the crimson hydrogen bluff from the Bussard collectors."
"Sonya doubts the plan but steps up and executes the decisive hydrogen bluff that saves Geordi."
"Sonya doubts the plan but steps up and executes the decisive hydrogen bluff that saves Geordi."
"Riker commits to confrontation and starts the countdown, culminating in the ‘Fire!’ command to execute the bluff."
"Riker commits to confrontation and starts the countdown, culminating in the ‘Fire!’ command to execute the bluff."
Key Dialogue
"COMPUTER ((V.O.)): six... five... four... three..."
"COMPUTER ((V.O)): ...two... one..."
"RIKER: Fire!"