Narrative Web
Object

Data's Starfleet Insignia

A polished, delta‑shaped Starfleet combadge, roughly palm‑sized and set flush to the breast of Data's uniform. Brushed metal and a faint status glow frame a recessed activation pad; light flares and a soft chime accompany each deliberate press. Data touches the badge to open a voice link to the Enterprise, to call for a beam‑out, and finally to trigger his own dematerialization and Sarjenka's transport. Characters respond to its activation with immediate operational and emotional consequences—the badge moves the plot from quiet tenderness to sudden rescue and afterwards remains the only visible trace of Data's forbidden intervention.
9 appearances

Purpose

Wearable Starfleet communicator (combadge) integrated with uniform electronics: to open and route voice/data channels and to initiate transporter/beam commands for personnel transfer.

Significance

Operative plot trigger and moral fulcrum: Data's use of the insignia precipitates an unauthorized rescue that violates Starfleet protocol, converts abstract ethical debate into immediate consequence, and cements the badge as the instrument of his compassionate disobedience.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

9 moments
S2E15 · Pen Pals
Ten-Forward Lesson: Wesley Chooses to Command

Riker taps his Starfleet insignia to accept Data's comm and indicate departure. The badge is the operational device that terminates the mentoring exchange, signaling the primacy of duty and instantly converting private counsel back into ship business.

Before: Worn on Riker's uniform, idle on his chest while he converses with Wesley.
After: Activated (tapped), opening a comm link; returns to idle state after Riker acknowledges the call and departs.
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S2E15 · Pen Pals
Ash, Recognition, and the Decision to Beam Up

Data taps his Starfleet insignia to open a voice/transport link to the Enterprise and order two beamed up. The combadge functions as the operative instrument that converts Data's private decision into immediate organizational action.

Before: Affixed to Data's uniform, idle until deliberately activated.
After: Pressed and used to dispatch a beam request; remains on Data's uniform after activation.
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S2E15 · Pen Pals
The Child's Plea and Data's Reckless Rescue

Data taps his Starfleet insignia to open a voice link and call the Enterprise, initiating the transporter lock for a two-person beam. The insignia functions as the literal mechanism by which institutional rescue is summoned and the procedural boundary is crossed.

Before: Affixed to Data's uniform, glowing faintly as a normal combadge.
After: Used to place the transport call; continues to be worn by Data after he and Sarjenka dematerialize.
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S2E15 · Pen Pals
Data's Defiant Rescue: Beaming Sarjenka to the Enterprise

Data taps his Starfleet insignia to open a voice link and issue a transport command to the Enterprise. The insignia converts an intimate, emotional choice into an operational order and activates the ship's authority and technology to remove Sarjenka from immediate danger.

Before: Affixed to Data's uniform, inactive, serving as a badge of rank and communication tool.
After: Tapped and activated to call the Enterprise; remains on Data's uniform after the command is given.
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S2E15 · Pen Pals
The Singing Stone — Data's Quiet Farewell

Data touches his Starfleet insignia to trigger dematerialization at the close of the scene. The insignia functions as the practical mechanism enabling his clandestine exit, converting the intimate moment into a silent vanishing act.

Before: Affixed to Data's uniform, inert until activated; on his person as a visible Starfleet emblem.
After: Used to activate dematerialization; remains the unseen instrument of his departure, still affixed to Data though physical traces of him are gone.
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S3E14 · A Matter of Perspective
Duty Over Loyalty — The Brink of Extradition

Data's chest commbadge transmits his concise voice into the Ready Room, functioning as the narrative pivot: its chime and message interrupt a private moral exchange and redirect the captain to action, transforming resignation into procedural movement.

Before: In normal operational state on Data's uniform, inactive relative to the Ready Room conversation.
After: Recently used to transmit Data's message; remains on Data's person while its communication triggers Picard's departure for the bridge.
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S3E14 · A Matter of Perspective
Reluctant Extradition — Duty Over Loyalty (Interrupted)

Data's combadge functions as the narrative interrupt: it emits the synthesized voice that reports locating the radiation source and summons the Captain to the bridge, converting private moral deliberation into renewed procedural inquiry.

Before: Affixed to Data's uniform, quiet and inactive while the Ready Room conversation proceeds.
After: Activated and transmitting; after the message it remains in Data's possession onboard the bridge as communications continue.
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S3E20 · Tin Man
The Threshold of Assimilation: Tam’s Telepathic Surrender and Data’s Failed Call for Help

Data’s comm badge is a critical but ultimately futile tool in this event. He repeatedly activates it to call the Enterprise for extraction, but Gomtuu’s psychic interference silences all attempts at communication. The comm badge’s failure underscores the crew’s isolation and the irreversible nature of Tam’s decision to merge with Gomtuu. Its symbolic role is significant—it represents the limits of human technology in the face of an alien consciousness, as well as Data’s frustration at his inability to intervene.

Before: Functional and attached to Data’s uniform, ready for use.
After: Silenced by Gomtuu’s interference, rendering it useless for communication.
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S3E20 · Tin Man
Tam’s Surrender: The Birth of a Telepathic Bond

Data’s comm badge is the sole technological link to the Enterprise, symbolizing Starfleet’s reach—and its limitations. He taps it repeatedly, his voice calm but urgent as he hails the ship: ‘Data to Enterprise. Come in, Enterprise.’ The badge remains silent, its failure underscoring the crew’s isolation and the futility of relying on external intervention. The object’s inert state forces Data and Tam to confront the reality of their situation: they are alone with Gomtuu, and the bond must be navigated without Starfleet’s support.

Before: Functional and active, pinned to Data’s uniform. It has successfully facilitated communication in prior scenes (e.g., briefing the crew, coordinating with the Enterprise).
After: Non-functional due to Gomtuu’s psychic interference. The badge’s silence marks a critical shift: the crew is cut off from Starfleet, and the mission’s outcome now rests solely on Tam and Data’s ability to adapt.
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