Stargazer Powers Up and Moves Autonomously Amidst Picard’s Mental Assault
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riker reports that Picard has beamed himself aboard the Stargazer, which now powers up and moves away from the Enterprise under its own command, raising alarm among the bridge crew.
The crew opens hailing frequencies and attempts to contact the Stargazer and Picard, but receives no response, escalating tension aboard the Enterprise.
Data confirms the Stargazer's extensive fire damage but intact main systems; Yar reports the ship remains armed except for six torpedoes likely expended in past combat, deepening the strategic stakes.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Composed and attentive, executing orders with precision.
Operating hailing frequencies and managing communications, Tasha handles the technical bridge functions that facilitate contact attempts and tactical updates.
- • Establish communication with Stargazer and Ferengi vessel
- • Ensure clear and secure tactical communications
- • Communication is key to resolving the standoff
- • Technical reliability underpins command decisions
Mentally tormented and fragmented, struggling to assert command despite psychological assault.
Aboard the Stargazer, Picard appears disoriented and defensive, trapped in a delusion induced by the Ferengi Thought Maker. He issues confused commands, insists on defending against imagined threats, and struggles to maintain control amid phantom smoke and tactical overlay disruptions.
- • Protect the Stargazer from perceived threats
- • Maintain authority despite mental disorientation
- • The Stargazer is under attack and must be defended
- • External forces are manipulating his perception and actions
Calm and analytical, focused solely on presenting facts.
Reporting technical status of the Stargazer to Riker, Data confirms the ship's main systems are functional despite fire damage, providing critical tactical intelligence.
- • Provide accurate assessment of Stargazer's capabilities
- • Support bridge command with technical information
- • The Stargazer remains a viable tactical threat
- • Technical data is essential to tactical decisions
Wary and alert, prepared for any security breach.
Reporting location of the Ferengi Thought Maker sphere found in Picard's quarters to Riker, Worf remains vigilant about potential security threats posed by the device.
- • Ensure security of the Enterprise
- • Keep command informed about psychological threat artifacts
- • The Ferengi sphere represents a significant security threat
- • Protecting Picard and the ship is paramount
Concerned and focused, balancing skepticism with urgency to understand the unfolding threat.
Assuming command on the Enterprise bridge, Riker coordinates attempts to hail the Stargazer and Ferengi vessel. He examines the mysterious Ferengi sphere, interrogates First Officer Kazago via the viewscreen, and directs tactical responses amid growing uncertainty.
- • Establish communication with Picard aboard the Stargazer
- • Uncover the nature of the Ferengi deception and the sphere
- • Maintain control of the Enterprise during Picard's absence
- • Resolve the threat posed by the Stargazer's unexpected activation
- • The Ferengi are hiding critical information
- • Picard's actions are linked to the psychological weapon and the Stargazer's condition
Concerned for Picard's wellbeing, cautiously intrigued by the sphere's influence.
Holding and presenting the mysterious Ferengi sphere to Riker, Beverly exhibits concern and curiosity, connecting the device to the ongoing psychological attack on Picard.
- • Assist in identifying the sphere's effects
- • Support the crew's medical and psychological understanding
- • The sphere is central to Picard's mental assault
- • Medical insight can aid in resolving the crisis
Concerned and empathetic, sensing the deep psychological assault on Picard.
Present on the bridge, Troi provides empathic insight diagnosing Picard's state as delusional, interpreting his disoriented behavior aboard the Stargazer and advising the crew accordingly.
- • Advise command on Picard's mental condition
- • Support the crew's efforts to manage the crisis
- • Protect Picard from further psychological harm
- • Picard is suffering from a powerful mental delusion
- • The Ferengi's Thought Maker is the source of the psychological assault
Focused and composed, maintaining situational awareness.
Monitoring the Stargazer's shields and status reports, Geordi provides updates confirming the ship's readiness and alerting the crew to shield activation.
- • Track Stargazer's systems status accurately
- • Alert command of tactical developments
- • Real-time sensor data is critical for command decisions
- • The Stargazer's unexpected capabilities signal a serious threat
Annoyed and hesitant, caught between loyalty and fear of reprisal.
Appearing on the viewscreen as Ferengi First Officer, Kazago responds to Riker's inquiries with evasiveness and defensiveness, displaying annoyance and hesitation while revealing internal Ferengi tensions about the Thought Maker and DaiMon Bok's conduct.
- • Avoid incriminating the DaiMon or Ferengi leadership
- • Deflect responsibility for the Stargazer's condition and Picard's plight
- • Questioning DaiMon Bok is dangerous and inappropriate
- • The Thought Maker is a forbidden and powerful device
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The photon torpedoes are referenced by Lieutenant Yar as part of the Stargazer's armament status, indicating six have been expended in past combat but the ship remains fully armed, underscoring the tactical threat the derelict vessel still poses.
The Enterprise Shields become a critical tactical element as the Stargazer raises its shields before turning back toward the Enterprise, signaling heightened defensive readiness and escalating the confrontation.
The Stargazer, long considered derelict and damaged, unexpectedly powers up fully and maneuvers independently under Picard’s control, transforming from a ghostly relic into an active battlefield and focal point of the psychological and tactical conflict.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Captain Picard’s quarters serve as the origin site of the Ferengi Thought Maker sphere, discovered hidden among his belongings. This intimate space contrasts sharply with the external battle, highlighting the personal invasion and psychological siege he suffers.
The Ferengi vessel acts as the source of the psychological assault and deception, with Kazago appearing on its bridge via the viewscreen. It represents the antagonistic force behind the Thought Maker and the manipulation of Picard and the Enterprise.
The Stargazer Bridge is the setting of Picard’s psychological torment and disorientation as he issues commands amid phantom smoke and confusion. It embodies the haunted past and the immediate battleground of mind and machine, bridging trauma and reality.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The Stargazer’s sudden teleportation and aggressive maneuvers prompt Riker’s urgent commands, escalating the tactical threat imposed by Picard’s mental manipulation."
"Kazago’s skepticism of human culture and dismissal of Picard’s defense parallel the theme of cultural conflict and mistrust underpinning the Ferengi vendetta."
"Kazago’s disavowal of Bok’s command and repudiation of his extreme actions parallels the growing internal Ferengi conflict and the tension between revenge and reason."
"Kazago’s disavowal of Bok’s command and repudiation of his extreme actions parallels the growing internal Ferengi conflict and the tension between revenge and reason."
"Kazago’s disavowal of Bok’s command and repudiation of his extreme actions parallels the growing internal Ferengi conflict and the tension between revenge and reason."
Key Dialogue
"RIKER: "Enterprise to Stargazer... to Captain Picard aboard Stargazer, please answer.""
"KAZAGO: "It... is a forbidden device. A Thought Maker. If your captain is... criminal enough to own one...""
"PICARD: "Do not attack again! We are on a peaceful...""
"TROI: "He's living a delusion, sir. He's seeing things we don't...""
"PICARD: "Give your identity! You force us to defend ourselves! Phasers full up! Arm torpedoes! Why aren't shields at full power...?""
"TASHA: "We've lost him, sir...""