Mendon Pushes a Helm Readout Upgrade
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Mendon crosses to Wesley at Conn, lavishes praise on the helm's design, and presses a concrete improvement—altering input sampling and the helm readout—to tighten emergency response.
Wesley questions whether Mendon has seen the system in practice; Mendon admits his idea is theoretical but declares he will bring it directly to Captain Picard, signaling procedural zeal and foreshadowing a consequential report.
Mendon beams optimism—predicting systems 'running perfectly'—then walks away while Wesley follows him with a look that registers polite tolerance and quiet bemusement at Mendon's overzealous nature.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Eager and earnest on the surface; officious confidence masking a need to prove competence and secure recognition.
Mendon physically leaves Science One, strides to the Tactical station and then Wesley's Conn, offering unsolicited technical critiques, praising the helm, and declaring he will take his theoretical improvement to Captain Picard.
- • To identify and propose technical improvements to bridge systems (defensive shields and helm input sampling).
- • To position himself as a helpful, competent officer by escalating his suggestion to Captain Picard for attention and validation.
- • Small, theory‑based changes can measurably improve operational performance.
- • Formal escalation (telling the captain) is an effective way to enact improvement and secure credit.
- • His training and perspective give him the right to critique existing systems even without operational proof.
Polite restraint tinged with mild annoyance and protective pride over his helm and its demonstrated reliability.
Wesley remains at the Forward Conn, receives Mendon's praise and probing questions politely, defends the helm's real‑world performance and answers Mendon's concerns while watching Mendon walk away with guarded interest.
- • To defend the competence and reliability of his helm systems and his own performance.
- • To avoid unnecessary escalation while maintaining professional decorum with a ranking officer.
- • Operational experience and demonstrated reliability outweigh theoretical critique.
- • Respectful deference to rank is required, but it should not allow unfounded procedural interference.
Neutral, professionally observant; monitors interaction without emotional engagement or interruption.
Data occupies the command chair on the bridge during the exchange; he is present and attentive but does not intervene, providing a calm, neutral backdrop of authority while Mendon moves through stations.
- • To maintain bridge operations and situational awareness while subordinate interactions occur.
- • To observe crew dynamics without disrupting command unless operational necessity requires it.
- • Bridge interactions that do not threaten operations can be monitored rather than immediately adjudicated.
- • Maintaining order and function is the priority; micro‑interpersonal frictions should be resolved through standard channels.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Forward Conn helm console provides the physical locus for Wesley's interaction with Mendon—Wesley manipulates the console while Mendon peers over his shoulder, using it as the proof‑object to rebut theory with lived performance.
Enterprise defensive shields are referenced by Mendon during his initial critique of the tactical operator's methods; they serve as the opening example of his desire to 'improve response time', establishing the pattern of unsolicited technical commentary.
Wesley's 'Input Sampling' helm readout is the technical focus of Mendon's critique. Mendon praises its efficiency but insists a minor tweak to the readout would improve emergency response—turning this UI element into a symbol of theory vs. demonstrated practice.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Science One is Mendon's origin point and the technical vantage from which he launches his critiques; its alcove gives him a slightly removed, diagnostic posture that encourages unsolicited oversight of other stations.
The Bridge Tactical Station is the first locus Mendon approaches to voice his critique about shield response time; the tactical operator's pointed look establishes immediate interpersonal friction and sets the pattern for Mendon's later Conn visit.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
No narrative connections mapped yet
This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph
Key Dialogue
"MENDON: The input sampling. It's simple yet efficient enough. Of course a minor change of the helm readout would be much more helpful in emergency situations."
"WESLEY: We've never had any trouble with it. Have you seen it work?"
"MENDON: Not in a practical exercise, but in theory... my theory... it would be more than a marginal improvement. I'll have to mention this to the captain."