Star Trek The Next Generation
S2E21
· Peak Performance

Wesley's Unauthorized Antimatter Run

In Engineering Wesley studies the empty warp chamber and argues that salvaged dilithium could be useful — but only with a fresh antimatter load. Frustrated by the engineering reality and driven by a need to act and prove himself, Wesley abruptly decides to return to the Enterprise to secure what’s missing. Geordi objects, pointing out the time constraint and the risk to the crippled Hathaway. The beat functions as a turning point: a youthful, impulsive gamble that removes a crucial mind from the ship, escalates distrust, and sets up the imminent, high-risk technical fix that will determine survival.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Wesley and Geordi scrutinize the empty warp drive chamber; Wesley pushes a fix using scavenged dilithium chips, but Geordi undercuts the idea—without antimatter, the plan stalls.

cautious optimism to pragmatic skepticism ['on their stomachs, peering into the …

Wesley pivots to a high-stakes solution—he must return to the Enterprise immediately. Geordi pushes back against the ticking clock, but Wesley exits, leaving Geordi bristling over the engines.

urgent resolve to prickly frustration ['Engineering, near the exit']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Wesley Crusher
Acting Ensign
 primary

Urgent and tightly focused; frustration at engineering limits channels into a decisive need to act and prove competence.

Wesley is on his stomach peering into the empty antimatter warp chamber, argues the salvaged dilithium could be useful, then abruptly announces he must return to the Enterprise and exits the engineering bay.

Goals in this moment
  • • Secure antimatter from the Enterprise so the salvaged dilithium can be used to restore power.
  • • Take direct action to change the Hathaway's prospects and demonstrate his value.
  • • Remove the resource bottleneck preventing the engines from functioning.
Active beliefs
  • • The salvaged dilithium chips can meaningfully help if paired with an antimatter load.
  • • Immediate, decisive action (even risky) is preferable to paralysis under time pressure.
  • • He can reach the Enterprise and return in time or that the risk is worth taking.
Character traits
determined impulsive technically curious eager to prove himself
Follow Wesley Crusher's journey
Geordi La Forge
Chief Engineer
 primary

Concerned and pragmatic; a mix of professional skepticism and exasperation because Wesley's impulse threatens the ship's immediate needs.

Geordi is also prone at the chamber, inspects and questions Wesley's assessment, verbally objects to Wesley's plan by highlighting the thirty-two hour limit and the Hathaway's fragile condition, and registers exasperation over Wesley's sudden exit.

Goals in this moment
  • • Keep the Hathaway operational and avoid actions that further destabilize the ship.
  • • Prevent unnecessary or risky departures that remove capable personnel during a crisis.
  • • Clarify technical realities so limited resources are used effectively.
Active beliefs
  • • Dilithium chips without antimatter cannot restore propulsion — they are presently functionally useless.
  • • Time is the limiting factor and removing personnel will degrade the Hathaway's chance of survival.
  • • Caution and careful planning are necessary in a precarious engineering situation.
Character traits
pragmatic protective skeptical exasperated but steady
Follow Geordi La …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Minute Dilithium Chips (Wesley's Salvage)

The salvaged minute dilithium chips are cited by Wesley as the potential core of a makeshift power solution; they function as the narrative pivot that motivates Wesley's plan to fetch antimatter, illustrating both resourcefulness and the current technical deficit.

Before: In Wesley's possession or immediately at hand after …
After: Left on board the Hathaway as Wesley departs; …
Before: In Wesley's possession or immediately at hand after salvage; physically intact but insufficient without antimatter.
After: Left on board the Hathaway as Wesley departs; unchanged physically but newly time-sensitive and dependent on an off-ship antimatter delivery.
USS Hathaway Warp Engines

The Hathaway's aging Avidyne propulsion assemblies provide the physical context for the exchange: their empty warp chamber and finicky, legacy nature are the engineering obstacle Geordi references and the problem Wesley attempts to solve with the salvaged chips and hoped-for antimatter.

Before: An aging, vulnerable bank of Avidyne engines with …
After: Remains nonfunctional and dependent on external antimatter; the …
Before: An aging, vulnerable bank of Avidyne engines with an empty antimatter chamber and diagnostic mismatches; under active inspection by engineering crew.
After: Remains nonfunctional and dependent on external antimatter; the engines' unresolved condition heightens urgency and anchors the risk of Wesley's departure.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"WESLEY: The lining is still smooth, and we ought to be able to do something with the dilithium chips we scavenged."
"GEORDI: Sure the system is functional, but without antimatter what difference does it make?"
"WESLEY: Geordi, I have to return to the Enterprise."