Hickman’s Betrayal Confirmed
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Geordi expresses disbelief that Hickman would desert his family, but Susanna reveals Hickman was spotted heading toward Tarchannen Three, confirming the connection and highlighting the unsettling nature of the disappearances.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Skeptical → Alarmed → Resigned; a dawning horror at the inevitability of his fate
Geordi La Forge begins the event skeptical, shaking his head in disbelief at the idea of Paul Hickman deserting. His skepticism is rooted in his personal knowledge of Hickman as a family man, but Susanna’s evidence—particularly the shuttle’s course toward Tarchannen Three—erodes his doubt. His emotional shift is palpable: from disbelief to alarm as he realizes the pattern applies to him. He sits in stunned silence as the weight of the revelation settles, his VISOR reflecting the monitor’s grim images.
- • To disprove the pattern and protect his mentor’s reputation
- • To understand the mechanism behind the transformations
- • Hickman would never desert his family or duty
- • The disappearances must have a logical, scientific explanation
Grave but resolute; a mix of professional duty and personal dread
Susanna Leijten stands beside the monitor, pointing to the images of Brevelle, Mendez, and Hickman as she methodically outlines their disappearances. She sits beside Geordi, her voice grave as she confirms Hickman’s desertion and the shuttle’s course toward Tarchannen Three. Her declaration that she and Geordi are the last survivors is delivered with quiet urgency, her body language conveying both resolve and dread. She acts as the bearer of truth, forcing the group to confront the inescapable pattern.
- • To make the crew understand the severity of the pattern
- • To prepare Geordi for the reality of their shared fate
- • The disappearances are not random but part of a deliberate, alien-driven process
- • She and Geordi are the last targets of the transformation
Concerned and analytical; a mix of professional duty and personal investment in the crew’s safety
Captain Jean-Luc Picard stands near the monitor, his posture erect as he listens to Susanna’s account. He questions the timeline of the disappearances, connecting them to the original Tarchannen Three crisis. His measured tone and intellectual rigor are evident as he pieces together the implications, his concern growing as the pattern becomes clear. He represents the institutional perspective, seeking answers while grappling with the personal stakes for Geordi.
- • To understand the mechanism behind the disappearances
- • To protect the remaining crew from the same fate
- • The disappearances are not coincidental but part of a deliberate process
- • Starfleet must act to contain the threat
Analytical with underlying concern; a mix of professional assessment and personal investment
Commander William Riker crosses his arms as he listens to Susanna’s revelations, his expression contemplative. He connects the dots between the original disappearances and the current crisis, his tactical mind assessing the implications. Though he speaks little, his presence is a steadying force, grounding the discussion in Starfleet protocol. His focus on the monitor reflects his analytical nature, but his silence speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation.
- • To assess the threat level and potential responses
- • To support Picard in making critical decisions
- • The pattern of disappearances is deliberate and dangerous
- • The crew must act swiftly to prevent further losses
Absent but haunting; her disappearance is a warning
Emilita Mendez is referenced as one of the vanished members of the away team, last seen aboard the Aries before her disappearance. Her name is invoked by Susanna to complete the pattern of vanishings—Brevelle’s illness, Mendez’s abrupt absence, and Hickman’s desertion. Though not physically present, her fate is a critical piece of the puzzle, reinforcing the cyclical nature of the threat.
- • None (deceased/absent)
- • Represents the unpredictability of the transformation
- • Her disappearance was sudden and unexplained
- • The team was unprepared for the threat
Absent but implied to be conflicted; his actions suggest internal compulsion
Paul Hickman is mentioned as having stolen a shuttle and set a course for Tarchannen Three, his actions framed as a betrayal of his family and Starfleet. His disappearance is part of the pattern Susanna outlines, serving as a mirror to Geordi’s impending transformation. Though absent, his presence is felt through the shuttle logs and the crew’s reactions, his fate a warning of what awaits Geordi.
- • None (deceased/absent)
- • Represents the inescapable pull of the transformation
- • His disappearance was not a choice but a compulsion
- • The planet’s influence is irreversible
Absent but haunting; his fate looms as a warning
Ensign Anthony Brevelle is referenced as the recorder of the original Tarchannen Three mission footage, his name invoked by Susanna to underscore the pattern of illness and disappearance. His role in the event is limited to being a historical figure whose fate—illness followed by desertion—mirrors the current crisis. The mention of his recording serves as a haunting link to the past, reinforcing the cyclical nature of the threat.
- • None (deceased/absent)
- • Represents the unresolved past
- • The disappearances were never fully explained
- • His illness was a precursor to the transformation
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The chairs in the Observation Lounge serve as a neutral ground for the urgent briefing, their arrangement positioning Susanna and Geordi at the center of the discussion. Susanna sits beside Geordi as she delivers the grim news, her proximity reinforcing their shared vulnerability. The chairs symbolize the crew’s gathering to confront the crisis, their steady presence a contrast to the instability of the revelations. They are functional but also carry the weight of the moment—each seat a reminder of the absent crew members.
The five-year-old recording of the Tarchannen Three away team is activated by Susanna to show the crew members before their vanishings. It serves as a visual timeline, contrasting their past health with their current fates. The recording is a narrative device, its historical footage forcing the crew to confront the inescapable repetition of the crisis. It is both a clue and a warning, its grainy or static quality emphasizing the passage of time and the inevitability of the threat.
Hickman’s stolen shuttle is referenced through sensor logs, its course toward Tarchannen Three serving as damning proof of his desertion. The shuttle symbolizes the compulsion driving the transformations, its unauthorized flight a mirror of the alien influence. Though not physically present, its mention is a stark reminder of the threat’s reach, forcing Geordi to accept that Hickman’s actions are not a choice but a symptom of the contagion.
The Observation Lounge Monitor displays the critical footage of Brevelle, Mendez, and Hickman from the original Tarchannen Three mission. Susanna uses it to point out key details—Brevelle’s illness, Mendez’s normalcy before vanishing, and Hickman’s shuttle theft. The monitor serves as the visual anchor for the revelation, its sharp images forcing the crew to confront the undeniable pattern. The footage is both a clue and a warning, its static or video quality emphasizing the irrevocable nature of the disappearances.
The recording of Hickman, Mendez, and Brevelle from five years ago is played by Susanna to illustrate the pattern of disappearances. It shows the crew members healthy and alert before their vanishings, serving as a haunting contrast to their current fates. The recording is a critical piece of evidence, its historical nature underscoring the cyclical threat. It forces Geordi to confront the reality that he and Susanna are the last survivors, their fates now tied to the same inexorable process.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Observation Lounge serves as the neutral ground for the urgent briefing, its curved windows framing the starfield outside as a silent witness to the crew’s dread. The lounge’s quiet hum and steady engine pulse amplify the tension, creating an atmosphere of controlled urgency. Susanna plays the monitor recordings here, the images of the vanished crew members casting long shadows over the discussion. The lounge’s usual function as a space for reflection is subverted, now a stage for confronting the inescapable pattern of disappearances.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Starfleet is represented through the institutional protocols and records referenced during the briefing, particularly the sensor logs tracking Hickman’s stolen shuttle and the archived footage of the original Tarchannen Three mission. The organization’s role is twofold: as the keeper of historical data (the recordings) and as the framework within which the crew operates (the shuttle logs, medical reports). Starfleet’s protocols are implicitly challenged by the inexplicable nature of the disappearances, forcing the crew to question whether their systems are adequate to contain the threat.
The United Federation of Planets is invoked through its broader oversight of Starfleet operations, particularly the supply ship that spotted Hickman’s shuttle. The Federation’s role is peripheral but critical, as its resources (e.g., sensor networks, supply routes) provide the data that confirms the pattern of disappearances. The organization’s influence is felt through the institutional frameworks that enable the crew’s investigation, though its direct involvement in the event is limited to the mention of the supply ship’s observations.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Hickman's actions, driven by the alien influence, lead to his death and the discovery of more shuttles on the planet, escalating the situation and prompting the away team's mission."
"Hickman's actions, driven by the alien influence, lead to his death and the discovery of more shuttles on the planet, escalating the situation and prompting the away team's mission."
"Hickman's actions, driven by the alien influence, lead to his death and the discovery of more shuttles on the planet, escalating the situation and prompting the away team's mission."
"Susanna and Geordi are noted as the sole remaining members of the original away team. Susanna's subsequent transformation underlines the danger they BOTH face."
"Susanna and Geordi are noted as the sole remaining members of the original away team. Susanna's subsequent transformation underlines the danger they BOTH face."
Key Dialogue
"SUSANNA: That's Hickman on the right... that's Mendez on the left... and as already noted, the recording was made by Ensign Brevelle... five years ago..."
"GEORDI: I know Paul Hickman. He's a family man... two kids. I can't believe he'd steal a shuttle and desert..."
"SUSANNA: Believe it, Geordi. He was spotted by a Federation supply ship yesterday... on a course toward Tarchannen Three."
"SUSANNA: Geordi and I are the only two left."