Star Trek The Next Generation
S2E6
· Star Trek: The Next Generation - Loud as a Whisper

Phasers on Stun, Beliefs on Trial

In the transporter room, Riker and Worf prepare for the landing party with phasers set to stun, a tactical precaution that Riva dismisses with quiet confidence in his unarmed diplomacy. Their exchange—Riva's assured "You won't need those" countered by Riker's diplomatic but firm "I'm sure we won't"—encapsulates the tension between Starfleet's procedural caution and Riva's faith in mediation. The scene crackles with unspoken stakes as their beam-out marks the irreversible transition from preparation to mission, setting up the collision of these opposing philosophies on Solais Five.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

The Enterprise hangs over Solais Five as Riva stands in the transporter room flanked by his Chorus; Worf and Riker appear armed, phasers visible and primed, establishing a tense, ready posture.

calm to vigilance ['Orbit around Solais Five', 'Transporter room']

Riker issues a concise, procedural order — 'Set phasers on stun' — signaling caution and formal preparation for a potentially hostile transport.

vigilance maintained ['Transporter room']

A dismissive note undermines the precaution — 'You won't need those' is stated and Riker answers with confident assurance, 'I'm sure we won't,' shifting the mood from guarded readiness to controlled confidence.

vigilance to confidence ['Transporter room']

Worf and Riker physically ready their weapons, Riker commands 'Energize,' and the pair beam out — a brisk transition from preparation to execution as the mission moves forward.

confidence to purposeful action ['Transporter room']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Worf
Lieutenant, Chief of Security / Tactical Officer
 primary

Combat-focused readiness

Worf conducts a silent weapons check, his tactical vigilance contrasting Riva's pacifism. His stoic demeanor and battle-ready posture signal unspoken agreement with Riker's precautions.

Goals in this moment
  • • Execute security duties flawlessly
  • • Ensure personal readiness for planetary hostilities
Active beliefs
  • • Conflict zones demand armed preparedness
  • • A warrior's vigilance prevents diplomatic casualties
Character traits
Tactically alert Professionally restrained Physically prepared
Follow Worf's journey
William Riker
Commander
 primary

Professionally resolved with underlying vigilance

Riker adjusts his phaser settings with deliberate precision, his firm but diplomatic tone asserting Starfleet protocols despite Riva's objections. He stands poised on the transporter pad, embodying disciplined readiness.

Goals in this moment
  • • Ensure landing party safety through armed readiness
  • • Maintain Starfleet protocols despite external objections
Active beliefs
  • • Diplomatic missions require tactical contingencies
  • • Starfleet procedures exist for valid strategic reasons
Character traits
Procedurally disciplined Diplomatically firm Protectively cautious
Follow William Riker's journey
Rivan
Edo Council Host
 primary

Assured in mediation methodology

Riva watches Starfleet’s phaser preparations with quiet disapproval, his serene confidence in mediation techniques radiating through his dismissive remark. His posture remains intentionally weaponless.

Goals in this moment
  • • Project faith in unarmed conflict resolution
  • • Minimize militaristic presence during negotiations
Active beliefs
  • • Mediation requires trust-building through disarmament
  • • His Chorus technology renders weapons obsolete
Character traits
Ideologically confident Diplomatically assertive Technologically reliant
Follow Rivan's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
USS Enterprise Phasers

The phasers become focal points of ideological contention—Riker and Worf activate them as procedural safeguards while Riva dismisses their necessity. Their humming charge underscores Starfleet's protective stance against Riva's pacifistic approach.

Before: Holstered and inactive
After: Set to stun and actively carried during beam-out
Before: Holstered and inactive
After: Set to stun and actively carried during beam-out

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Solais Five

Solais Five looms as the unseen destination—its war-torn surface symbolizing both the urgency of Riva's mediation and the implicit dangers justifying Starfleet's precautions. The planet's volatile status directly motivates the phaser discourse.

Atmosphere Unseen but omnipresent threat
Function Diplomatic mission objective
Symbolism Testing ground for opposing conflict-resolution ideologies
Transporter Room Five

Transporter Room Five serves as the charged nexus between preparation and action, its sterile lighting and humming consoles heightening the stakes of the impending mission. The circular pad becomes a stage for clashing philosophies before matter-energy conversion.

Atmosphere Clinically efficient with underlying tension
Function Transition point to planetary mission
Symbolism Threshold between controlled safety and unpredictable diplomacy
Access Restricted to mission personnel
Blue activation light flooding the chamber Polished metallic surfaces reflecting determined faces

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

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Key Dialogue

"RIKER: Set phasers on stun."
"RIVA: You won't need those."
"RIKER: I'm sure we won't."