Picard disguised as barber under guard
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Kelsey, suspicious but needing manpower, assigns Satler to guard Picard while sending Kiros to search for the missing Devor; Picard is moved aside and watched closely, but this allows him to observe the terrorists, while also buying time
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Highly focused and slightly pressured by the ticking clock, but maintaining composure. He is fully engaged in his technical work, aware of the stakes but not allowing them to disrupt his precision.
Pomet assists Satler in adjusting the Mees panels on the upper level of Engineering before moving to work on the trilithium resin containment unit. He reports that the extraction will take 40-50 minutes, prompting Kelsey to urge him to expedite the process due to the impending baryon sweep. Pomet’s efficiency is evident, but the time constraint adds pressure to his work. His demeanor is focused and methodical, reflecting his role as a critical technician in the operation.
- • Complete the trilithium resin extraction within the 30-minute deadline
- • Ensure the containment unit is secure and functional
- • The field diverter will protect them from the baryon sweep
- • Technical precision is the key to success
Paranoid and impatient, masking deep desperation beneath a veneer of control. Her frustration with Devor’s absence and the ticking clock heightens her aggression, but she maintains a calculated demeanor to keep her team focused.
Kelsey, the ruthless terrorist leader, oversees the extraction of trilithium resin with feline grace and unyielding authority. She briefly interrogates Picard, dismissing his 'barber' cover story as harmless but assigning Satler to guard him. Her paranoia surfaces as she orders Kiros to find the missing Devor, fearing he may be looting. Kelsey emphasizes the urgency of the operation, noting the baryon sweep’s 30-minute deadline, and directs Pomet to expedite the trilithium resin extraction. Her demeanor is a mix of impatience, authority, and barely contained frustration, revealing her desperation to secure the volatile substance before the sweep destroys the compartment.
- • Secure the trilithium resin extraction before the baryon sweep hits
- • Maintain control over her team and the operation despite the time pressure
- • The trilithium resin is the key to their success and survival
- • Devor’s absence is a threat to the mission’s integrity
Calmly deceptive on the surface, but internally alert and calculating. His feigned confusion masks a sharp focus on the terrorists’ activities, and his reaction to 'trilithium' reveals his alarm at the stakes. He is fully engaged in gathering intelligence while biding his time for an opportunity to act.
Picard, disguised as the meek barber 'Mott,' is brought into the engineering bay at gunpoint by Kiros. He adopts a befuddled demeanor, claiming to be lost while searching for his saddle. Under Satler’s guard, he subtly observes the terrorists’ operations, noting their focus on extracting trilithium resin and the urgency of their 30-minute deadline. His reaction to the word 'trilithium' reveals his deeper understanding of the danger, but he maintains his cover. Picard’s presence shifts the power dynamic, as Kelsey underestimates him, allowing him to gather intel for a future counterplay.
- • Gather intelligence on the terrorists’ operations and timeline
- • Maintain his cover to avoid suspicion and buy time for a counterplay
- • The trilithium resin is a critical and dangerous asset that must not fall into the wrong hands
- • His knowledge of the *Enterprise* and Starfleet protocols gives him an advantage over the terrorists
Calmly focused, with an underlying tension that reflects the high stakes of the operation. He is fully invested in his role as a guard, ensuring Picard poses no threat while the extraction proceeds.
Satler, a disciplined terrorist, initially works on the upper level of Engineering with Pomet, adjusting Mees panels and monitoring plasma pressure. After Kelsey orders him to guard Picard, he moves the disguised captain to a side of the room, keeping a weapon trained on him. Satler remains vigilant, ensuring Picard does not interfere with the operation. His focus is unwavering, reflecting his role as both a technician and an enforcer in Kelsey’s crew.
- • Keep Picard contained and under control to prevent interference
- • Assist in the trilithium resin extraction by maintaining security
- • Picard’s presence is a potential threat that must be neutralized
- • The mission’s success depends on strict adherence to Kelsey’s orders
Neutral and focused, with no visible emotional reaction to the chaos around him. He is fully engaged in his role as an enforcer, carrying out Kelsey’s orders without hesitation.
Kiros enters the engineering bay with Picard at gunpoint, having captured him on Deck Seven. He reports to Kelsey about Picard’s presence and is later ordered to search for the missing Devor. Kiros exits the scene to carry out this task, demonstrating his role as both an enforcer and a scout within Kelsey’s crew. His demeanor is neutral but efficient, reflecting his disciplined approach to following orders.
- • Locate Devor and ensure he is not compromising the mission
- • Follow Kelsey’s directives without question
- • Loyalty to Kelsey and the mission is paramount
- • Devor’s absence is a potential threat that must be addressed
Neutral (inactive, no emotional output)
The Enterprise computer remains silent and uninvolved in this event, its systems either disabled or overridden by the terrorists. It does not acknowledge Picard’s presence or the hijackers’ activities, reflecting the crew’s loss of control over the ship’s core functions. The absence of its usual voice interface underscores the urgency and chaos of the situation, as the terrorists operate without Starfleet oversight or interference.
- • None (system is non-functional or overridden)
- • No active goals (passive state)
- • Operational directives are being bypassed or ignored
- • Standard protocols are suspended due to external interference
Devor is mentioned as missing and potentially looting the ship, which angers Kelsey. She orders Kiros to find him and …
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Kiros’ weapon is a compact phaser-like device used to control Picard upon his arrival in the engineering bay. It is pressed against Picard’s back as Kiros brings him in, stripping away his tactical control and forcing immediate surrender. Later, Satler takes over guard duty, training his own weapon on Picard as the terrorists continue their operations. The weapons enforce a sense of dominance and control, ensuring that Picard remains a captive observer rather than an active threat. Their steady aim underscores the terrorists’ ruthlessness and the high stakes of their mission.
Pomet assembles the trilithium resin transport assembly, a thermos-sized unit designed to securely contain and transport the volatile substance. This device is central to the terrorists’ plan, as it allows them to extract the resin from the engine core and prepare it for removal before the baryon sweep destroys the compartment. Kelsey’s urgency to secure the resin is directly tied to the functionality of this assembly, which must be ready in time to avoid catastrophic failure. Its presence symbolizes the high-tech, high-risk nature of their operation.
The field diverter sits between the engine core and the pool table, serving as a protective device designed to shield the terrorists from the advancing baryon sweep. It is a critical piece of their operation, allowing them to work on the trilithium resin extraction without immediate risk of being sterilized by the sweep. Pomet mentions that the diverter will protect them, though Kelsey’s focus remains on securing the resin before the 30-minute deadline. The diverter’s presence is a tangible reminder of the ticking clock and the high stakes of their mission.
The trilithium resin is the volatile substance at the heart of the terrorists’ operation. Kelsey emphasizes its critical role, directing Pomet to extract and secure it before the baryon sweep hits the compartment in 30 minutes. Picard reacts with dismay upon hearing the word 'trilithium,' revealing his understanding of its danger. The resin is stored in a containment unit, and its extraction is a high-stakes, time-sensitive process that drives the entire scene. The terrorists’ desperation to secure it underscores the resin’s value and the peril it poses if mishandled.
The Enterprise computer is silent and uninvolved in this event, its systems either disabled or overridden by the terrorists. It does not acknowledge Picard’s presence or the hijackers’ activities, reflecting the crew’s loss of control over the ship’s core functions. The absence of its usual voice interface underscores the urgency and chaos of the situation, as the terrorists operate without Starfleet oversight or interference. Its passive state highlights the vulnerability of the ship and the desperation of the terrorists’ mission.
The pool table in Main Engineering serves as an inert backdrop to the terrorists’ frantic activities. It is positioned near the engine core and the field diverter, framing the chaotic operations taking place around it. While it does not play an active role in the event, its presence adds a layer of surrealism to the scene, contrasting the high-tech, high-stakes theft of trilithium resin with the mundane, everyday object. The table’s normalcy highlights the absurdity and danger of the situation, as the terrorists work desperately to extract the resin while the baryon sweep looms.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Main Engineering is the primary battleground of this event, where the terrorists have overrun the compartment to extract trilithium resin from the Enterprise’s engine core. The space is filled with humming machinery, open Mees panels, and odd equipment scattered about, reflecting the urgency and chaos of the operation. The engine core itself is powered down but reactivates briefly as Neil transfers resin, casting an eerie glow over the scene. The atmosphere is tense, with the terrorists working against the clock to beat the baryon sweep’s 30-minute deadline. Picard’s arrival at gunpoint adds another layer of tension, as he becomes a captive observer in this high-stakes environment.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Kelsey’s Group is the primary antagonist force in this event, fully embodied by Kelsey, Neil, Pomet, Satler, and Kiros as they work to extract trilithium resin from the Enterprise’s engine core. Their actions are driven by a mix of desperation, technical skill, and ruthless efficiency, as they race against the baryon sweep’s 30-minute deadline. The group’s influence is exerted through their control of Main Engineering, the use of weapons to subdue captives (Picard), and their manipulation of the ship’s systems to bypass Starfleet protocols. Their presence in this event underscores their role as a disciplined but paranoid unit, willing to eliminate threats (e.g., Devor’s potential looting) to achieve their goals.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Riker questions Geordi about Picard's absence since Picard had ostensibly returned to the Enterprise to retrieve his saddle (beat_9a1df60d155cb7a1). Later, Kiros escorts Picard to engineering, and, thinking quickly, Picard states that he is a barber named Mott, explaining that he had returned to the Enterprise to fetch his saddle (beat_bb9bb3f5306c641b). This use of the saddle as an explanation suggests it is of particular importance to Picard."
"Riker questions Geordi about Picard's absence since Picard had ostensibly returned to the Enterprise to retrieve his saddle (beat_9a1df60d155cb7a1). Later, Kiros escorts Picard to engineering, and, thinking quickly, Picard states that he is a barber named Mott, explaining that he had returned to the Enterprise to fetch his saddle (beat_bb9bb3f5306c641b). This use of the saddle as an explanation suggests it is of particular importance to Picard."
"Satler pursues Picard into the Jeffries Tube (beat_cb734a51a4b4476a). Trapped between Picard and the sweep, Satler throws caution (and eventually her life) to the wind, pursuing Picard into the sweep to meet her ultimate fate, at Picard's hand (beat_142a92eafebeb474)."
"Satler pursues Picard into the Jeffries Tube (beat_cb734a51a4b4476a). Trapped between Picard and the sweep, Satler throws caution (and eventually her life) to the wind, pursuing Picard into the sweep to meet her ultimate fate, at Picard's hand (beat_142a92eafebeb474)."
Key Dialogue
"KELSEY: Who are you? PICARD: My name is Mott. I'm... the barber."
"KELSEY: The barber? What the hell are you doing here? Everyone was supposed to be evacuated to the surface. PICARD: I... I know. But, I wanted to go riding and I didn't have my saddle, so I came back—"
"KELSEY: The baryon sweep hits this compartment in thirty minutes. POMET: The field diverter will protect us. KELSEY: It's not us I'm worried about, it's that storage unit. I want the trilithium resin... in there and secured before the sweep gets here."