Riker Orders Detainment Amid Covert Alien Hostilities

Emerging from the turbolift into a dimly-lit corridor near Engineering, Riker is abruptly assaulted with a concealed garrote by a Selay delegate, who quickly apologizes for the mistaken identity. Recognizing the escalating covert aggression between the Selay and Antican factions, Riker immediately commands security to detain the hostile delegates and return them under guard. Despite Tasha Yar’s reminder about the captain’s expectation for a medical exam, Riker defers it, prioritizing containment of the fragile, dangerous diplomatic situation. This moment crystallizes the rising tension aboard the Enterprise, illustrating Riker’s burden as acting commander balancing security threats with protocol amid a deteriorating peace mission.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Riker orders security to apprehend the Selays and Anticans engaged in lethal covert activity on the Engineering Deck, signaling escalating tension and imminent conflict.

concern to urgency ['Engineering Deck']

Tasha's hesitant reminder about the captain's expectation for Riker to undergo a medical exam introduces underlying concern about Riker's condition amid rising hostilities, which he defers to later.

concern to dismissal ['corridor near Engineering']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3

Alert and worried about Riker’s physical condition yet respectful of command priorities.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar responds promptly to Riker’s communication, expressing concern for his wellbeing and reminding him of the captain’s expectation to undergo a medical exam. Her tone reflects professional duty tempered with hesitation, signaling awareness of the tense security environment aboard the ship.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the security situation is addressed promptly
  • Advocate for proper medical protocol following an assault
Active beliefs
  • Riker’s health is important for command integrity
  • Security threats aboard the ship endanger the entire mission
Character traits
concerned dutiful professional cautious
Follow Tasha Yar's journey

Initially startled and wary, quickly shifting to determined and authoritative with controlled urgency.

Commander William Riker steps cautiously out of the turbolift into an unusually shadowed corridor. Suddenly assaulted with a glittering garrote around his neck by Ssestar, he quickly recovers, questions the attacker, and promptly commands security containment. Despite evident throat discomfort, he maintains authoritative control, issuing orders via the computer interface and prioritizing mission security over personal medical attention.

Goals in this moment
  • Maintain ship security amid covert factional hostility
  • Contain Selay delegates to prevent further violence
Active beliefs
  • The peace mission is dangerously fragile and requires strict enforcement
  • Immediate security threats must be prioritized over protocol formalities
Character traits
alert commanding resilient pragmatic
Follow William Riker's journey

Momentarily aggressive but masking uncertainty and a quick attempt at de-escalation.

Ssestar, the Selay delegation leader, impulsively attacks Riker with a concealed garrote in a dim corridor, but quickly reveals it was a case of mistaken identity with an apologetic smile. He then retreats hurriedly to regroup with his fellow Selay delegates, embodying the fragile, tense hostility inherent in this diplomatic mission.

Goals in this moment
  • Sabotage or intimidate opposing faction covertly
  • Avoid escalating to outright violence with high-ranking officers
Active beliefs
  • The Antican delegates are enemies threatening their interests
  • Covert aggression is a necessary tactic in this fragile peace environment
Character traits
hostile defensive furtive apologetic
Follow Ssestar's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Sparkling Garrote of the Selay Delegate

The sparkling garrote is used by Ssestar in a sudden, covert attack against Riker, wrapping around his neck to choke him briefly before quickly releasing. This weapon symbolizes the underlying covert violence and mistrust between the Selay and Antican delegations, highlighting the dangerous undercurrents threatening the peace mission aboard the Enterprise.

Before: Concealed and wielded in Ssestar's possession, ready for …
After: Quickly retracted and discarded by Ssestar as he …
Before: Concealed and wielded in Ssestar's possession, ready for covert use.
After: Quickly retracted and discarded by Ssestar as he retreats, remaining in his possession as a latent threat.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 1
Escalation medium

"The aggressive pursuit and restraint of Badar N'D'D (beat_4645365763ab9e9e) leads to Riker ordering apprehension of delegates engaged in covert activity (beat_0b4c5e23a4c57932), intensifying the security crisis aboard the ship."

Badar N'D'D Clashes with Security as Ssestar Probes the Deck
S1E8 · Lonely Among Us

Key Dialogue

"RIKER: What in hell... ?"
"SSESTAR: Sorry. Wrong species."
"RIKER: Riker to security chief."
"TASHA'S COM VOICE: Yar here."
"RIKER: Security squad to the Engineering Deck. The Selays are playing hide and seek down here -- obviously with the Anticans -- and it's a lethal game. I want them returned to their quarters under guard."
"TASHA'S COM VOICE: Right away, sir. And are you... aware sir, the captain expects you to take a medical exam?"
"RIKER: I'll do it later."