Riker bound to kill Picard
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Baran proposes a test of loyalty, tasking Riker with befriending Galen to identify his allies within the crew, hinting at a deeper motive beyond simple elimination.
Baran solidifies his test of loyalty by ordering Riker to ultimately kill Galen, binding him irrevocably to Baran's agenda and further implicating him in the mercenary's schemes.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Excited yet cautious—Baran is eager to see his plan unfold but remains wary of Riker’s true intentions. His suspicion is palpable, and he uses the opportunity to test Riker’s loyalty while reinforcing his own authority.
Baran lounges in an overstuffed chair in his decadent quarters, holding a drink as he reveals his plan to eliminate Picard. His body language is relaxed but his eyes are sharp, studying Riker for any sign of deception. He tests Riker’s loyalty by ordering him to infiltrate Picard’s circle and ultimately kill him, probing Riker’s past (Calder Two) to gauge his trustworthiness. Baran’s tone is a mix of excitement and suspicion, reflecting his cautious nature and ruthless pragmatism.
- • Eliminate Picard (Galen) to remove a potential threat to the mission and secure the artifact’s reassembly.
- • Test Riker’s loyalty to determine if he can be trusted as a long-term ally or if he poses a risk to the crew.
- • Riker’s past actions (Calder Two) suggest he is a valuable asset, but his true loyalties are still uncertain.
- • Picard’s perceptiveness and allies make him a liability that must be neutralized.
Unseen but implied to be vigilant—Picard’s absence creates tension, as his actions (or potential actions) could unravel the mercenaries’ plans. Baran’s decision to eliminate him reflects a mix of paranoia and pragmatism.
Picard is not physically present in this scene but is the central subject of Baran and Riker’s conversation. Baran describes him as a 'loud-mouthed fool' but acknowledges his perceptiveness, framing him as a liability due to his allies among the crew. His absence looms large, as his potential discovery of Riker’s true identity or Baran’s plans poses a significant risk to the mercenaries’ mission.
- • Uncover the truth about Riker’s and Baran’s intentions to protect his crew and the mission.
- • Ensure the artifact is not reassembled, as it poses a galactic threat.
- • Baran’s paranoia is a direct result of his ruthless nature and the high stakes of the mission.
- • Riker’s true loyalties are still uncertain, and Picard must remain vigilant.
Feigned indifference masking deep moral conflict—Riker is torn between his Starfleet oath and the necessity of maintaining his cover. His surface calm belies a growing sense of unease about the moral compromises he’s being forced to make.
Riker sits tensely on a couch in Baran’s decadent quarters, feigning enthusiasm for the mission’s profitability while masking his internal conflict. He reacts with calculated compliance to Baran’s orders, agreeing to infiltrate Picard’s circle and ultimately kill him. His body language—leaning forward slightly, then sitting back—betrays his discomfort, but his voice remains steady and controlled. He probes Baran for details about the mission, testing the limits of his cover while ensuring he doesn’t overplay his hand.
- • Maintain his undercover identity to prevent Baran from suspecting his true allegiance to Starfleet.
- • Gather as much intelligence as possible about Baran’s plans and the artifact’s location to thwart the mercenaries’ objectives.
- • Baran’s suspicion of him is a direct threat to the mission’s success, and he must tread carefully to avoid arousing further doubt.
- • Killing Picard (Galen) is not an option, but he cannot refuse Baran’s order outright without risking exposure.
Professionally detached—her focus is on executing Baran’s orders without question, reflecting her commitment to the mission’s success.
Tallera’s voice is heard briefly over the communicator, confirming the delivery of the artifact to Baran’s quarters. Her tone is efficient and compliant, reinforcing her role as a loyal operative in Baran’s crew. While she does not physically appear in this scene, her involvement is critical, as the artifact’s arrival triggers Baran’s plan to eliminate Picard.
- • Ensure the artifact is securely delivered to Baran to avoid interference or theft.
- • Support Baran’s plan to eliminate Picard, as it aligns with the mission’s objectives.
- • The artifact is the key to the mission’s profitability, and its security is paramount.
- • Picard’s elimination is a necessary step to prevent future complications.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Baran’s communicator is activated briefly to receive Tallera’s confirmation that the artifact is being delivered to his quarters. The device serves as a critical link in the chain of command, allowing Baran to coordinate the final stages of the mission. Its activation underscores the urgency and precision of the mercenaries’ operations, as well as Baran’s reliance on his crew to execute his orders without delay.
Baran’s gaudy sculptures, like the overstuffed furniture, contribute to the decadent atmosphere of his quarters. They serve as symbolic extensions of Baran’s taste for power and indulgence, reinforcing his self-image as a successful and ruthless leader. The sculptures remain untouched during the conversation, but their presence adds to the tension, as they contrast sharply with the grim subject matter of the discussion (Picard’s impending death).
Baran’s overstuffed furniture—plush chairs and couches—creates a stark contrast to the utilitarian design of the mercenary ship, emphasizing Baran’s indulgent and self-serving nature. The furniture serves as a backdrop for the power dynamics at play, as Baran lounges comfortably while testing Riker’s loyalty. The opulence of the setting underscores Baran’s authority and the decadence of his lifestyle, which he uses to reinforce his dominance over his crew.
The final artifact is the linchpin of the mercenaries’ mission, and its impending arrival triggers Baran’s plan to eliminate Picard. While not physically present in this scene, its mention looms large, as Baran frames its acquisition as the catalyst for Picard’s death. The artifact symbolizes the high stakes of the mission and the ruthlessness with which Baran and his crew operate. Its reassembly is tied to the broader threat of the psionic resonator, making its delivery a critical moment in the narrative.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Baran’s quarters function as the private lair where the mercenary leader tests Riker’s loyalty and reveals his plan to eliminate Picard. The opulent setting—overstuffed furniture, gaudy sculptures, and plush decor—creates a stark contrast to the utilitarian design of the rest of the ship, emphasizing Baran’s self-indulgence and authority. The room’s decadence mirrors Baran’s ruthless pragmatism, as he lounges comfortably while discussing murder and betrayal. The quarters also serve as a symbolic space of power, where Baran’s word is law and his orders are executed without question.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Starfleet’s influence is subtly but critically present in this scene, as Riker’s internal conflict reflects his struggle to balance his undercover mission with his oath to the Federation. While Starfleet is not explicitly mentioned, its ideals and protocols shape Riker’s actions and moral dilemma. The organization’s presence is felt in Riker’s calculated compliance with Baran’s orders, as he seeks to gather intelligence while avoiding direct betrayal of his Starfleet values. The tension between Riker’s cover and his true allegiance underscores the broader stakes of the mission: preventing the reassembly of the psionic resonator and avoiding interstellar war.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The test of loyalty escalates from identifying Galen's allies to ultimately killing Galen."
"The test of loyalty escalates from identifying Galen's allies to ultimately killing Galen."
"Baran expresses suspicion regarding Riker's motivations, this progresses where Baran proposes a test of loyalty."
"Baran expresses suspicion regarding Riker's motivations, this progresses where Baran proposes a test of loyalty."
"The test of loyalty escalates from identifying Galen's allies to ultimately killing Galen."
"The test of loyalty escalates from identifying Galen's allies to ultimately killing Galen."
"Baran expresses suspicion regarding Riker's motivations, this progresses where Baran proposes a test of loyalty."
"Baran expresses suspicion regarding Riker's motivations, this progresses where Baran proposes a test of loyalty."
Key Dialogue
"BARAN: We have only one more artifact to find... and once Galen confirms it's genuine, his usefulness on this ship will come to a very sudden end."
"RIKER: I can't say I'm sorry to hear that."
"BARAN: When the time comes, I want you to kill Galen."