Object
Main Engineering Turbolift Emergency Stop
A squat, industrial red emergency stop mounted inside the Main Engineering turbolift: a recessed mushroom switch behind a metal bezel, its paint scuffed from years of use and labeled with faded white lettering. Wires and conduit feed into a reinforced panel; the button glows faintly when powered. Geordi claws at it mid-incident, smearing grease as violent accelerations slam him into the cabin while he desperately tries to trigger the control.
2 appearances
Purpose
To immediately cut power and engage braking/safety interlocks on the turbolift carriage, bringing runaway movement to a rapid halt to protect occupants and the ship’s infrastructure.
Significance
Acts as the tactile locus of crisis: Geordi's failed attempts to activate it make the danger visceral, converting an intellectual problem into bodily jeopardy. Its attempted use forces command to recognize a ship-level emergency and raises stakes from puzzle to survival, underscoring crew vulnerability and the program's lethal consequences.
Appearances in the Narrative
When this object appears and how it's used