Star Trek The Next Generation
Object

Cargo Bay Three Transporter Console — Control Panel (USS Enterprise)

A narrow brushed‑alloy control face set into the transporter housing at Cargo Bay Three: touch keys, status LEDs and a schematic readout scarred with screwdriver nicks, faint scorch rings and smeared fingerprints. The technician presses its panels to energize the beam, watch readouts collapse or lock, and toggle safety interlocks as the pad cycles people into and out of the ship. During Kurn's arrival the console serves as the visible locus of transport power and immediate command attention.
7 appearances

Purpose

To configure, energize, monitor, and control transporter operations: select coordinates, lock a transport pattern, manage safety interlocks, and initiate dematerialization/rematerialization sequences for personnel and cargo.

Significance

Functionally it enables Kurn's dramatic materialization and thus the scene's cultural and command conflict; as the physical locus of transport authority it frames protocol disputes, raises stakes for command transfer, and concentrates technical vulnerability when pattern locks falter.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

7 moments
S3E11 · The Hunted
Danar's Transporter Breakout — The Beam Fails

The cargo/transfer transporter console is actively operated by O'Brien to lock and energize the pattern; readouts degrade as the subject resists and O'Brien calls out 'I'm losing him,' signifying a technical failure under unexpected strain.

Before: Fully powered and attended by the transporter chief; diagnostics showing a locked pattern ready for transfer.
After: Functionally compromised—controls register a loss of pattern lock; likely still powered but unable to maintain a stable beam until reset.
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S3E11 · The Hunted
Anastazine Trap on Deck 38 — Flood and Contain

The cargo bay transporter console is the equipment the fugitive is manipulating when the Anastazine is released; it functions narratively as the focal point tying the intruder's presence to a plausible objective and as a device that could facilitate escape or sabotage while the gas is deployed.

Before: Located in Cargo Bay 38 and being actively accessed/adjusted by the fugitive, showing signs of forced tampering or unconventional operation.
After: Remains in the cargo bay as gas floods the compartment; its immediate operational status is uncertain though it is now encumbered by the environmental deployment and security intervention.
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S3E11 · The Hunted
Missing Pressure Suit — Sabotage, Explosion, and Danar's Escape

The cargo transporter console is forcibly powered by a jerry‑rigged phaser; as Danar runs past he taps its faceplates, causing the console and pad to energize and lock the pattern, enabling an unauthorized beam to an external Angosian transport ship—transforming a shipboard system into his escape mechanism.

Before: Idle, with safety interlocks engaged and awaiting authorized use by crew.
After: Energized and temporarily commandeered; circuitry shows evidence of a phaser lead and jury‑rigged override that allowed an unauthorized dematerialization.
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S3E11 · The Hunted
Ambush and Escape: Danar's Transport Break

The cargo transporter console is forcibly engaged by Danar as he runs past; its safety interlocks are overridden (via the jury‑rigged phaser lead) and it energizes the pad to effect the unauthorized transport to the Angosian ship, making it the mechanical enabler of his escape.

Before: Idle but serviceable with some panels showing emergency overrides and scorched access points from prior sabotage efforts.
After: Energized and showing signs of forced override and scorch marks; later inspected by Worf who discovers the phaser lead and reports the power source as tampered.
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S3E11 · The Hunted
Phaser-Powered Vanishing: Danar Escapes as Sensors Go Dark

The cargo transporter console is forcibly commandeered: Danar taps the faceplate and—because a phaser has been jury‑rigged into its maintenance port—overrides safety interlocks and energizes the transport pattern, enabling a direct beam to the Angosian ship. Later Worf inspects the console and discovers the phaser wiring, confirming deliberate sabotage.

Before: Dormant or held with safety interlocks; consoles show normal operational status or minor overrides in progress.
After: Energized under illicit power, shows scorch marks and a makeshift phaser lead; left as physical evidence of tampering and escape.
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S3E17 · Sins of the Father
Kurn's Arrival — Protocol as Provocation

The transporter control panel is activated by the technician at Picard's order; it powers the dematerialization/rematerialization that delivers Kurn onto the stage, visually staging his ceremonial arrival and making the transporter pad the dramatic focal point.

Before: Console idle but staffed at Cargo Bay Three transporter console, showing readiness and with technicians in position.
After: Console active recently used; readouts adjusted to complete the transport and return to monitoring state as officers move toward the bridge.
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S3E17 · Sins of the Father
Kurn Asserts Klingon Command

The transporter control panel is actively operated to dematerialize Commander Kurn and rematerialize him on the stage; its readouts and cycling effect theatrically announce the arrival and make the transporter pad a staged arena for first impressions.

Before: Console powered and attended at the transporter room console, awaiting command input from the technician.
After: Console remains powered and attended; transport cycle completed and control returns to standby for next operation.
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