The USS Hood leaves orbit of Deneb IV. When Picard wants to know the
reply to the message of his goodbye, Q once again appears, saying that the Captain is wasting
his time. Riker is most displeased with this new Q and Picard suggests that they continue as
planned, but in their own way.
Soon, Riker informs Picard of the planet's unusual
geothermal energy, and the pleasures it gives to humans, in a magical way. Picard is ready to
meet with the station's administrator, Zorn, and intends to beam down, with Riker. As they
prepare to leave, Picard introduces Riker to Counselor Deanna Troi, a Betazed female, whom
Riker is already quite acquainted with.
On the planet's surface, Picard, Riker and Troi
meets with Groppler Zorn and he is most surprised when the Captain chose to bring along a
Betazed to their meeting, fearing that she can sense his mind. When Troi informs the Groppler
that she is half-Betazed, he is somewhat relieved. Picard then mentions that he would like to
receive the construction methods used to build this starbase, but the Groppler is most
unpleased with his suggestions, as he suggests that the Bandi do not enjoy leaving their
homeworld. Not even a trade, suggested by Riker, can deter his mind. Then, Counselor Troi soon
senses something. Pain, loneliness and despair, not from the Groppler, but from something
nearby. When the Groppler offers no explanation, Picard and his team leave for now.
Back on-board the Enterprise, Riker tries to find
Commander Data. The computer informs him that Data is in the Holodeck, a holographic simulation
environment. Riker enters a world of lush greens, and hills and follows the source of a
whistling in this luxurious environment. Riker almost falls in the water on a loose rock. Data
is trying hard to complete a tune, but Riker finishes it off for him. He is marvelled at how
easily humans do that. Riker soon informs Data that he has been assigned to lead an away-team
to the surface to find some answers about this starbase, and Riker is perplexed by Data's
android nature. Data says that it is within human nature to be prejudiced and Riker is pleased
with his new companion.
------
Riker is continued to be amazed by this holographic environment.
Soon Data tries to explain the concept of the Holodeck, by using a simple analogy of the
Transporter. They are then interrupted by young Wesley Crusher, son of Dr. Beverly Crusher. Wes
unknowingly falls into the water, after which he steps onto a loose rock that Commander Riker
almost lost his footing on.
The three soon leave the Holodeck Enviornment,
ready for their first assignment together, excluding Wesley. Riker meets with Picard just
outside the Holodeck and informs him that he has asked Lt. Geordi LaForge to join him as well,
which Picard agrees with instantly. He then reacts coolly to a very wet Wesley Crusher.
In Sickbay, Wesley announces Picard's disdain over
children and his reaction to Wesley. Beverly explains to Wes that because Picard is an
explorer, and he doesn't have time for a family, the captain feels distanced from other family
lives. Wes soon then requests for a look around the Bridge. The Doctor feels that this may
invite trouble, as it is against Starfleet's orders to allow children on the Bridge. Wes just
wants one look around and promises to stay on the Turbolift.
On the planet's surface, Riker and his away-team
begin scanning the surface of the planet. Riker assigns Tasha and Deanna to the underside,
still uncomfortable with the counselor's presence, while Data, Geordi and himself will start
topside. While Geordi does have unique visions, he still can't make heads-and-tail out of the
materials used in the construction techniques. Soon Riker informs Troi to open up her mind
again, and once again feels the same emotions she felt inside the Groppler's office. The crew
are perplexed by this encounter.
While Riker and his team are on the surface,
Picard has another problem in hand in space. Beverly has brought his son to the Bridge, and
this upsets him. Beverly only mentions that her son wanted one look and when she informs him
that it is son, whom he met years earlier, he relents. Wes is glad to accept the invitation to
sit in on the Captain's Chair and soon amazes even the captain at his adequate knowledge of the
ship's technology. Soon a perimeter alert sounds, when Wes touches a console. Picard angrily
throws the two off the Bridge. Worf then reports that an unknown vessel is moving toward them,
which was indicative of the perimeter alert.
------
With another ship in orbit, Picard tries to get answers from Zorn,
only to be eluded again. Picard suggests if it's the Ferengi Alliance, and Zorn replies that he
was only making an empty threat. It was merely a suggestion. Soon, the mystery ship in orbit
scans the Enterprise. On the surface, Riker, Troi, Tasha and Data are oblivious of what's going
on the Enterprise. The mystery vessel then opens fire on the old Bandi city, avoid a direct hit
with the Farpoint Station.
On the surface, Riker and his away-team soon find
out that the vessel is attacking the Bandi city. Riker decides to investigate further, but
sends Troi, Tasha and Geordi back to the ship. Zorn is delirious as his city is under siege.
When Riker states that the Bandi city is being hit hard, and not Farpoint Station, Picard soon
suggests that they kidnap Groppler Zorn and Riker agrees. When Picard lock phasers on the
mystery vessel, Q emerges and informs Picard that even he is breaking his own rules.
------
Q continues to taunt the Captain's decision on phasers. Picard
mentions that it was primarily a safety precaution. Q knows who or what's on that vessel, but
fails to mention it to Picard, only to suggest that Picard should be trying to help the wounded
on the planet's surface. Picard confirms this by contacting Dr. Crusher. While Q and Picard
continue to argue about human stubborness, the vessel fires on the surface again. Picard tries
to block the vessel's firing line, but there is no response.
On the surface, Riker and Data are struck hard when
they try to approach Zorn's office. Zorn begs for Riker's help, but when Riker asks who it is
that it attacking, Zorn replies that he does not know. Riker's had enough of this, as he
decides to leave. Zorn tries to explain, but a transporter beam snatches Zorn away.
Riker informs Picard of Zorn's predicament. Troi
then says that she feels satisfaction, not from the planet, but from the vessel, much to Q's
delight. Soon Riker returns to the ship, then Q suggests that they send an away-team to
investigate the vessel, but Picard won't play into his hands. Although not fully satisfied,
Riker agrees with Q for the time being. When Picard agrees, Q leaves the ship.
While Riker prepares to leave the ship, Picard
heads for Sickbay, to apologize to Dr. Crusher for not probably welcoming her onboard. He then
suggests that Dr. Crusher transfer from this ship as being around him will mean facing the
tragedy of her life. But Beverly informs him that her tragedy will not affect the way she will
perform her duty on this ship.
------
Riker and his away-team beam over to the ship. There, they find the
same construction as that on the Farpoint Station, and it is unlike any vessel they've seen
before. Soon Troi feels anger and hate toward the old Bandi City from the walls. They soon find
Zorn entrapped in a forcefield of some kind and being tortured by the vessel. When Riker and
Data free Zorn, the vessel begins to react angrily.
Picard tries to get his away-team back, but it is
no good. Right then, Q appears on the Bridge. Picard then pleads with Q to help him. When he
suggests that he'll do whatever he says, Riker's away-team emerges on the Bridge. When Q tries
to get that agreement, Troi counteracts by saying that it wasn't Q who saved them, but the
vessel itself. Soon, Picard tries to get the answers he needs from Zorn, but Q makes it hard. He
wants Picard to destroy that vessel. When Zorn finally relents the information that Picard
needs, Picard decides to help free the creature.
Picard rigs the main phaser banks to direct an
energy beam from the transporters. He then orders Yar to fire it on the surface below and
points out that there will be no more Farpoint Station, if his guess is right. The crew soon
watches as the creature from the surface rises up to join its mate in space. It seems that Zorn
captured a creature, and fed it energy for his own purpose. Troi then senses great joy and
gratitude from the creature. Picard is angry at Q for using other lifeforms for his recreation
and asks him to leave his ship, as he passed his little test of his. Q promises that he will
interfere again, before leaving.
With Q gone, Picard notes that they have been
successful in obtain permission to use Farpoint Station in the future, and soon they head off
to embark on another mission. To Riker's amusement, he wonders if future adventures will be
exciting as the first. Picard then suggests that much more will be
interesting...
