Object

Crimson Bussard Shaft (Bridge-Bluff Effect)

A single staged effect comprising an external nacelle-projected crimson shaft and its correlated interior manifestation: a brief, blinding crimson wash/semipermeable field on the Mondor bridge. The unified entity captures both perspectives — the external directed Bussard emission and the internal visual/lighting illusion that shimmers across consoles and meters — used as a psychological bluff. Responsibility is shared in narrative terms (bridge-initiated timing by Riker, technical sabotage by Geordi, execution on station by Sonya).

1 appearances

Purpose

A staged, non-lethal visual weapon and tactical bluff: to intimidate and coerce the Pakleds into lowering shields while Geordi sabotages their torpedo systems, creating a diversion and opening an escape window.

Significance

Functions as the decisive gambit that shifts momentum—Riker's bold deception converts technological spectacle into psychological leverage, frees Geordi, enables the Enterprise to break away, and buys critical time for Picard's surgery. It underscores command daring and the use of theatrical force in crisis tactics.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S2E17 · Samaritan Snare

Crimson Bluff and the Silent Shot

The crimson force-field manifests as a sudden, blinding red wash — a visual effect presented as an impenetrable defensive barrier. Whether real or staged, it functions narratively as the explanation that neutralizes the attackers' belief in their weapon's efficacy.

Before: Dormant or non-evident; no visible field is present prior to the red wash.

After: Perceived as active and effective by the Pakleds; becomes the accepted rationale for weapon failure and is credited with disarming the attackers' offense.

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