Carving Diplomacy from Scarred Earth

Materializing onto a barren mountaintop scarred by war, Riva immediately assesses the desolate landscape with the practiced eye of a mediator transforming battleground into sacred space. His precise instructions—torches placed at exact intervals, a round indigenous stone table—reveal his deep understanding of symbolic staging's power in diplomacy. Riker acts as the practical conduit between Riva's vision and Geordi's engineering prowess, their coordinated efforts demonstrating Starfleet's adaptability in service of cultural authenticity. The war-torn terrain itself becomes a silent character, its devastation heightening the urgency of Riva's ceremonial preparations. This moment subtly foreshadows the coming negotiations by physically manifesting Riva's mediation philosophy: reshaping hostile environments into spaces where understanding might flourish.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Riva inventories precise staging needs—torches placed at specific points and a round, three-meter indigenous stone table with chairs—while Riker activates his communicator to translate those demands into shipboard action.

ceremonial planning to operational momentum

Geordi, waiting in Main Engineering, answers the call and affirms he can replicate the requested indigenous table and dispatch head-high torches to the provided coordinates, converting the away team's specifications into immediate shipboard compliance.

anticipatory request to confident assurance ['Main Engineering']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5

Attentive and ready to assist Riva.

The Chorus stands by Riva, silently supporting him as he directs the setup of the ceremonial space.

Goals in this moment
  • Support Riva in his mediation preparations.
  • Maintain their ceremonial role as his communication conduit.
Active beliefs
  • Their role is vital to Riva's mediation success.
  • Ceremonial precision is essential for effective diplomacy.
Character traits
Supportive Disciplined Synchronized
Follow Chorus's journey

Alert and ready, prepared for potential threats.

Worf stands guard, maintaining vigilance over the away team and the surrounding war-torn environment.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the safety of the away team during the setup.
  • Maintain a secure perimeter for the upcoming negotiations.
Active beliefs
  • The war-torn environment poses a potential threat to the team.
  • His duty is to protect the team and the mediation process.
Character traits
Vigilant Protective Disciplined
Follow Worf's journey

Focused and task-oriented, with underlying respect for Riva's approach.

Riker acts as the practical conduit between Riva's ceremonial vision and Geordi's technical execution, efficiently coordinating the setup of torches and a stone table.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the away team's safety and readiness for negotiations.
  • Support Riva's mediation setup to facilitate a successful diplomatic outcome.
Active beliefs
  • Proper preparation is essential for successful diplomacy.
  • Riva's expertise in mediation should be respected and supported.
Character traits
Pragmatic Cooperative Efficient
Follow William Riker's journey

Engaged and ready to assist, despite the challenge.

Geordi receives Riker's request and immediately begins coordinating the replication of torches and a stone table, ensuring Riva's exact specifications are met.

Goals in this moment
  • Quickly and accurately fulfill Riva's technical requests.
  • Support the away team's mission with engineering solutions.
Active beliefs
  • Technology should serve the needs of diplomacy.
  • Precision and efficiency are key to successful mission support.
Character traits
Technical Responsive Detail-oriented
Follow Geordi La …'s journey

Focused and purposeful, driven by the urgency of the mediation.

Riva assesses the mountaintop with a mediator's precision, directing the placement of torches and the creation of a stone table to transform the battleground into a sacred space.

Goals in this moment
  • Transform the war-torn mountaintop into a sacred space for mediation.
  • Establish a ceremonial framework that will facilitate understanding between the warring parties.
Active beliefs
  • The physical environment plays a crucial role in mediation.
  • Symbolic staging can bridge divides and foster reconciliation.
Character traits
Determined Symbolic Authoritative
Follow Rivan's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Solari Ceremonial Torches

The Solari Ceremonial Torches are requested by Riva to be placed at precise intervals around the mountaintop, symbolically marking the space as sacred and neutral for mediation.

Before: Not yet present on the mountaintop.
After: Being replicated and prepared for placement by Geordi.
Before: Not yet present on the mountaintop.
After: Being replicated and prepared for placement by Geordi.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Main Engineering

Main Engineering is where Geordi receives Riker's request and begins coordinating the replication of torches and a stone table, ensuring Riva's exact specifications are met.

Atmosphere Focused and efficient, with a sense of urgency.
Function Technical support hub for the away team.
Humming with the energy of the warp core. Flickering console displays casting an eerie blue glow.
Flattened Mountain Top on Solari

The Flattened Mountain Top on Solari serves as the setting for Riva's transformation of a war zone into a sacred diplomatic arena. Its scarred terrain underscores the stakes of the upcoming negotiations.

Atmosphere Tense and solemn, with the weight of past violence lingering.
Function Stage for ceremonial diplomacy.
Symbolism Represents the potential for peace emerging from devastation.
Battle-scarred terrain devoid of life or vegetation. Dusk lighting casting long shadows across the landscape.

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

"RIVA: It is important that we set this up properly."
"RIVA: Commander. If it be possible -- I would like torches -- there -- there -- there -- and there."
"GEORDI: Yes, I thought you might."