Picard Confronts Locked Turbolift Amid Auto-Destruct Countdown
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
They reach turbolift nine and find the doors locked; Picard attempts to summon it, but the computer denies access while the auto-destruct countdown looms on every panel.
Picard assesses the locked turbolifts and asserts they must find an alternative entry to the bridge.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Determined and focused, masking underlying urgency as the auto-destruct countdown relentlessly advances.
Captain Picard stands resolute and sharply focused near turbolift nine. After the computer denies access, he quickly assesses their blocked path and rejects riskier proposals, demonstrating calm decisiveness and strategic foresight under acute time pressure.
- • Find a safe, viable entry to the bridge despite sabotage
- • Prevent the destruction of the Enterprise by regaining control swiftly
- • Relying on a single transporter beam is too risky given time constraints
- • A coordinated dual infiltration gives the best chance of success
Tense and pragmatic, balancing hope with the grim reality of dwindling time.
Commander Riker actively engages in tactical discussion with Picard, proposing options to bypass the locked turbolift. Despite concern, he remains pragmatic and adaptive, suggesting a bold, surprise attack via transporter into the turbolift before agreeing to Picard's dual-beam plan.
- • Identify a way to reach the bridge quickly
- • Support Picard’s decisions and contribute tactical alternatives
- • Direct access through the turbolift might catch adversaries off guard
- • Time is too limited for dangerously slow actions
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The auto-destruct countdown timer is prominently displayed on every communication panel, relentlessly ticking down from four minutes and ten seconds, injecting a suffocating sense of urgency that propels Picard and Riker's desperate tactical deliberations.
Communication panels display the auto-destruct countdown and serve as the visual medium through which the crew realizes the gravity of the situation and the locked status of the turbolift, thus heightening tension and informing tactical decisions.
The Enterprise Ship Computer, controlling access to the turbolift and other systems, blocks Picard's attempt to access turbolift nine by returning 'Access denied,' effectively enforcing the sabotage and forcing the officers to find alternative solutions.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Though not physically present at this moment, Transporter Room Seven is invoked as the strategic staging area to execute the daring infiltration plan conceived by Picard, signaling the next critical phase to regain control of the bridge.
The corridor near turbolift nine serves as the immediate physical setting where Picard and Riker confront the locked doors and the harsh reality of denied access. The space's metallic, claustrophobic environment emphasizes the bottleneck and escalating tension as the countdown looms.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Picard and Riker's coordinated transporter beam-in plan leads to their surprise confrontation with the inert Bynars on the bridge."
Key Dialogue
"COMPUTER: Access denied."
"PICARD: They've locked it off."
"RIKER: One of us could beam onto the bridge."
"PICARD: It takes several seconds to materialize. You wouldn't stand a chance."
"RIKER: I could beam into the turbolift, force the doors, and take them by surprise."
"PICARD: No. We'll beam in simultaneously in two different areas of the bridge."
"RIKER: Only four minutes left."