Captain Jean-Luc Picard takes command of the USS Enterprise
NCC-1701-D from his previous posting on the USS Stargazer, NCC-2893. He is somewhat awed at the
size of this ship and his first order as captain of the ship is to travel to Deneb IV and find
out why and how the inhabitants of the planet built the starbase there. Picard is still awed at
the size and complexity of the starship and his log explains that they are still missing several
key crewmembers.
Picard soon moves to the spacious Bridge, where he
informs Data, an android, that Starfleet's mission is hard. Data counters his point by saying
there is nothing hard about their mission. All they have to do is find out how the inhabitants
of the planet build the starbase there. Picard soon elaborates his point by saying they must
negotiate a treaty for Starfleet to use their base.
Soon, they are interrupted by Commander Troi's
Betazed senses, sensing something ahead. The sensors also pick something up and soon the
Enterprise is blocked by a spatial grid. Straight after, a powerful being appears on the
Bridge, introduces himself as Q, and demands that Picard and crew to return to their space, as
they have already infiltrated their space enough. When Lt. Torres, a helmsman, tries to stun
the being, Q simply freezes him. Picard angrily protests, as he states that Torres only
would've stunned him, but Q does not care, as he once again orders Picard back to their space.
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Soon, Captain Picard ponders what to do next, as the Q continues to
coax him into returning to their own space. Q soon calls the Human Race, a dangerous, savage
child-race and illustrates his point by changing costumes. Picard believes that the human race
has moved forward from it's early savagery days, but Q does not back down. Q soon suggests that
they are ready to prosecute and judge them, just as Picard had suggested. Q soon informs Picard
that he must make certain preparations, and thus leaves the ship.
When Q leaves, Picard seeks the counsel of his
crew. Lt. Yar and Worf suggests that they fight their new opponent, but Counselor Troi suggests
that they avoid contact, as Q's mind is far too powerful for her to comprehend. Soon Picard
informs the crew that they will try and outmaneuver that thing that is holding them captive and
soon suggests they seperate the ship.
When ready, Picard orders the ship into maximum
acceleration, but the grid changes into a ball and chases after them. The ball soon accelerates
faster than the Enterprise, and soon overtakes the ship itself. Picard then gives the order to
fire torpedoes, so that they can seperate the saucer section. Worf will command the
Saucer-Section, while Picard and the others will command the Battle-Bridge. The Klingon decides
to protest, but it is no good, as he gives in to Picard's strong objection. Picard, Troi, Data
and Yar move to the Battle-Bridge.
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The crew of the Enterprise prepare to separate the Saucer-Section.
Family and children aboard this giant starship move to the Saucer-Section, while only a skeleton
crew remain onboard the Stardrive-Section.
On the Battle Bridge, Captain Picard orders Lt. Yar
to fire the torpedoes just moments before separation. The torpedoes will be detonated once the
Saucer-Section sets course to a safe position. Picard instructs Worf that the Stardrive-Section
will reverse power long enough so that the Saucer-Section can make a safe getaway, while they
break-off to fight their new foe.
The separation sequence is underway and Picard and
his crew watch as the Saucer-Section separates from their Stardrive-Section. After the
Saucer-Section breaks away from the Stardrive-Section, the Stardrive-Section slows down to a
halt. They watch as the torpedoes detonate and wait for the hostile. Picard then orders Lt. Yar
to send the following message in all languages and form, "They surrender."
Soon, the crew of the Stardrive-Section are
transported by the Q to a courtroom. Picard and crew are put on trial for savagery by the Q
Continuum, just as Picard had suggested. Picard then recognizes this court as the year 2036,
just after the atomic-war age. They soon meet their Judge, Q, the being whom they've met
earlier. Q soon wants Picard to plead their verdict, guilty or innocent. Picard believes that
this is a waste of time, and Yar agree, however, Q freezes her like what he did with Lt. Torres
on the Bridge earlier. Picard argues that Q mentioned that the prisoners will not be harmed,
and Q is merciful, for the last time, and thaws out Lt. Yar. Picard is given one last chance to
answer to their charges of being a griveous savage child-race, or watch his comrades die from
the soldiers gunfire.
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While Picard's crew stands dangerously close to death, Picard must
now answer to those charges and plead guilty. Picard does so, only provisionally. Picard then
gives material to contradict Q's earlier statement that the prisoners will not be harmed and
relay's Data to repeat Q's earlier statement. Q calls it immaterial testimony, and then Picard
suggests that they be tested to make sure they are not what Q calls them. Q agrees and informs
Picard that he does not need a long mission, but rather their next destination should be an
excellent ground for their testing. After agreeing to this, the court is adjourned, and the crew
are returned safely to the Battle-Bridge.
On the planet of Deneb IV, Riker awaits the arrival
of the Enterprise, and also examines the luxury of the Farpoint Station. He meets with
Administrator Zorn, or the Bandi's word for it, Groppler. He wants to know more about the
construction materials used to build this station and it's intricate technique. The Groppler
has the information sent to Riker's quarters on the Enterprise. When the Groppler offers Riker
an Earth delicacy, Riker wants an apple. There is none, but as they continue talking, a bowl of
apple appears from out of nowhere and increases Riker's curiousity about this place. The
Groppler promises that answers will be made about this place and Riker thanks him and leaves.
After Riker leaves, the Groppler speaks to the station and tells it not to do that. The
Groppler is obviously hiding something from Riker that he doesn't know.
Soon, Riker joins Doctor Beverly Crusher and her
son Wesley for a stroll. Wesley can tell that his mom isn't comfortable around men, and when he
mentions this to Riker, he gets an embarrassed emotion from her. Soon its back to business and
Riker mentions some weird coincidences to her, to which she rejects. She then comes upon a
dress that she likes, but adds that gold would be perfect on that. As soon as she mentions it,
the local holds up a dress with gold on it. The subject soon becomes the focus of its new
captain, and Beverly mentions that she knows him as does Wes, as he was the one who brought
home his father's body to them when he passed away.
After Riker is left alone, Lt. Geordi LaForge
reports in. He explains that the Enterprise has arrived, but without the Saucer-Section. He
then informs Riker that Captain Picard wants him aboard immediately.
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Riker beams aboard the Enterprise, and is immediately ushered to the
Battle-Bridge. Riker meets Picard for the first time, but Picard's behavior is sharp and
unrelentless. Picard informs Riker to view a little adventure they recently had with the Q.
Picard retreats to the Ready-Room as Riker intensely view the viewer.
Riker soon enters the Ready-Room and informs Picard
that it wasn't a run-of-the-mill happening. Picard then informs him that they're only alive
because they were put on probation. Picard is interrupted by Data who answers that the
Saucer-Module has arrived. Picard gives Riker his first assignment as First-OFficer of the
Enterprise - to conduct a manual docking with the Saucer-Module.
Riker then does the assignment as ordered and
reattaches the Saucer-Module with ease. He then reports back to Picard, who has certain unease
about his new First-Officer, especially when Riker refused to let Captain DeSoto, his previous
Commander, beam down to Altair III. Riker explains that Altair III was a dangerous location for
the Captain to risk his life and will do the same for Picard. Picard then instructs him to keep
him away from children, as he is not a family man so to speak. He then warmly greets Riker and
welcomes him aboard.
Meanwhile, Data escorts a very well-known Admiral
through the corridors of the Enterprise, for his careful inspection. The Admiral preferred the
shuttle over a transporter-beam, and this perplexes Data as the Admiral is an old man. The
Admiral asks Data if he knows his exact age and Data precisely answers it. The Admiral is
stunned as he thinks Data is a Vulcan. When Data informs him that he is an android, the Admiral
quips, "Almost as bad." Soon the Admiral tells Data that it's a good ship with a right name and
to inform Data to treat her well as she'll always bring her home.
