Picard proposes Riker as tactical alternative
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Baran announces that their next target is a Federation outpost on Calder Two, prompting Picard to warn of Starfleet defenses and reveal his past experience with the outpost, trying to dissuade Baran from attacking directly.
Other mercenaries express their apprehension, noting the risks of engaging Starfleet; Picard backs up the concerns, compelling Baran to consider an alternative that avoids direct conflict with Starfleet.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Frustrated and defensive, with a undercurrent of desperation as his authority crumbles.
Baran stands on the central platform, briefing the crew with a dismissive attitude. He brushes off Picard’s warnings about the outpost’s defenses, insisting that their weapons are superior. However, as the crew’s skepticism grows, he becomes increasingly frustrated and defensive. His authority is undermined by Picard’s strategic manipulation, and he is forced to concede to the alternative plan. His final threat to Picard—‘in case your plan doesn’t work’—reveals his desperation and the pressure he is under from his hidden employer.
- • Maintain control over the crew and the mission
- • Succeed in the raid to satisfy his hidden employer
- • His crew’s loyalty is unshakable (until it isn’t)
- • Picard’s alternative is a sign of weakness, but he has no choice but to accept it
Worried and cautious, with a growing sense of relief as the crew moves away from Baran’s plan.
Narik stands near the bridge consoles, his expression worried as Picard describes the outpost’s defenses. He voices concerns about sensor jamming and the risks of Starfleet detection, contributing to the crew’s hesitation. His technical expertise makes him a key voice in the debate, and his support for Picard’s alternative plan helps sway the crew. His pragmatic approach contrasts with Baran’s dismissive attitude, and his influence is crucial in the shift away from a direct assault.
- • Avoid a direct confrontation with Starfleet
- • Ensure the mission’s success without unnecessary risks
- • Baran’s plan is too risky and likely to fail
- • Picard’s alternative, while morally ambiguous, is the safer option
Cautiously optimistic, with a undercurrent of frustration at Baran’s refusal to acknowledge the risks.
Tallera stands near Baran, her arms crossed and her expression skeptical as Picard describes the outpost’s defenses. She studies him closely, questioning his knowledge of the site, but her skepticism shifts when Picard proposes using Riker. She quietly urges Baran to accept the plan, citing the crew’s past losses and the need to avoid further casualties. Her pragmatic approach contrasts with Baran’s dismissive attitude, and her influence helps tip the balance in Picard’s favor.
- • Avoid unnecessary casualties in the raid
- • Ensure the mission succeeds without further losses
- • Baran’s plan is too risky and likely to fail
- • Picard’s alternative is the safer option, despite its moral complications
Frustrated and concerned, with a growing sense of resignation as Baran’s plan unravels.
Vekor stands with her arms crossed, her expression concerned as Picard details the outpost’s defenses. She questions his knowledge and challenges the feasibility of Riker’s cooperation, but her skepticism is overshadowed by the crew’s growing unease. She aligns with Tallera and Narik in pushing for a less violent approach, though she remains wary of Picard’s motives. Her defiance of Baran’s plan is subtle but significant, contributing to the shift in the crew’s loyalty.
- • Avoid a direct confrontation with Starfleet
- • Ensure the crew’s safety during the mission
- • Baran’s plan is reckless and likely to result in casualties
- • Picard’s alternative, while morally questionable, is the lesser evil
Absent but looming; his hypothetical cooperation is framed as a moral dilemma that could save lives or doom the mission.
Riker is not physically present on the bridge but is the central focus of Picard’s proposal. His Starfleet uniform and known loyalty to the Federation are framed as the key to infiltrating the outpost without violence. Picard argues that Riker’s moral code—his unwillingness to let innocent people die—will compel him to cooperate, even if it means betraying Starfleet. The crew’s skepticism about Riker’s willingness to help is palpable, but Picard’s insistence plants the seed of doubt in Baran’s plan.
- • Serve as a tactical asset to avoid bloodshed (from Picard’s perspective)
- • Uphold Starfleet’s principles (from his own perspective, if present)
- • Riker’s loyalty to Starfleet is absolute, even in extreme circumstances
- • His presence could be exploited to achieve the mercenaries’ goals without violence
Unsure and relieved, with a growing sense of resolve as the crew moves away from Baran’s plan.
The other mercenaries gathered on the bridge react with growing skepticism as Picard describes the outpost’s defenses. Their unease is palpable, and they ultimately side with Picard’s proposal to use Riker. Their collective hesitation forces Baran to concede, marking a shift in the crew’s loyalty and the mission’s trajectory. Their presence amplifies the tension and underscores the fragility of Baran’s authority.
- • Avoid unnecessary casualties
- • Ensure the mission’s success without further losses
- • Baran’s plan is too risky and likely to fail
- • Picard’s alternative, while morally ambiguous, is the safer option
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Riker’s Starfleet Uniform is the linchpin of Picard’s alternative plan. He proposes using Riker’s visible Starfleet identity and known loyalty to gain passage past the outpost’s security without raising suspicions. The uniform symbolizes Starfleet’s authority and Riker’s unwavering commitment to its principles, making him the perfect pawn in Picard’s strategy. The mere mention of the uniform frames Riker’s hypothetical cooperation as a moral lever—one that could prevent bloodshed while achieving the mercenaries’ goals.
The Mercenaries’ Communications Jammer is referenced by Baran as a tool to silence the outpost’s distress calls. However, Picard counters that Starfleet sensors will detect their approach regardless, undermining the jammer’s effectiveness. The device highlights the mercenaries’ aggressive preparations but also exposes a critical vulnerability in their plan. Its mention reinforces the crew’s growing unease, as they realize that their usual tactics may not be sufficient to overcome Starfleet’s defenses.
The Sakethan Glyph Stone is invoked by Picard as part of his fabricated smuggler past. He claims to have attempted smuggling it from the outpost two years prior, barely escaping with his life. This anecdote serves as a narrative device to lend credibility to his warnings about the outpost’s defenses. The glyph stone symbolizes the high value of the artifacts the mercenaries seek, as well as the dangers of underestimating Starfleet’s security measures. Its mention helps Picard plant doubt in the crew’s minds, making his alternative plan more compelling.
The Calder II Outpost Photon Torpedoes are another critical element of Picard’s warnings. He lists them alongside phaser banks and jamming fields to emphasize the outpost’s lethal capabilities. The mere mention of photon torpedoes—capable of overwhelming shields and crippling engines—reinforces the crew’s growing skepticism about Baran’s plan. The torpedoes serve as a tangible reminder of the risks involved in a direct assault, making Picard’s proposal to use Riker a more appealing alternative.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Calder Two is the mission’s destination and the site of the Federation outpost, which Picard describes as a heavily defended installation. The planet’s Sakethan burial mounds hold the valuable artifacts the mercenaries seek, but the outpost’s phaser banks, photon torpedoes, and jamming fields make a direct assault suicidal. Picard’s warnings about the outpost’s defenses frame Calder Two as a high-stakes location, where the mercenaries’ desperation and the Federation’s moral authority collide. The planet’s symbolic significance lies in its role as a battleground for the mercenaries’ greed and Starfleet’s principles.
The Mercenary Ship Bridge serves as the arena for Picard’s psychological maneuvering and the crew’s shifting loyalties. The sleek, spare command center is bathed in red alert lights and filled with the wail of klaxons, creating an atmosphere of tension and urgency. The raised captain’s platform where Baran stands symbolizes his authority, but as the debate unfolds, the crew clusters around the consoles, their skepticism eroding his control. The transporter pad in the background hints at the crew’s readiness for action, while the flashing warnings and system groans amplify the sense of a powder keg about to explode.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Starfleet is invoked as the primary antagonist force from the mercenaries’ perspective, but its moral authority is also a critical factor in Picard’s strategy. The outpost on Calder Two, defended by phaser banks, photon torpedoes, and jamming fields, symbolizes Starfleet’s unwavering commitment to protecting its installations. Picard leverages this authority to frame Riker’s cooperation as a moral imperative—one that could prevent unnecessary bloodshed. The mere mention of Starfleet’s defenses sows doubt among the mercenaries, forcing them to reconsider their approach. Starfleet’s presence in this event is both a tactical obstacle and a moral lever, shaping the crew’s strategic calculations.
The Romulans are the hidden antagonists behind the mercenaries’ mission, though they are never explicitly named. Their influence is felt through the pressure Baran is under to succeed, as well as the high stakes of the raid. Picard’s questions about who the mercenaries are working for hint at the Romulans’ involvement, but Baran refuses to answer. The Romulans’ role in this event is indirect but critical, as their demands drive the mercenaries’ desperation and shape the crew’s strategic calculations. Their shadowy presence looms over the debate, adding an layer of urgency to the mercenaries’ need to succeed.
Tallera’s Mercenaries are the primary protagonists of this event, gathered on the bridge as they debate the best approach to the raid on Calder Two. Their skepticism about Baran’s plan and their growing support for Picard’s alternative reveal internal fractures in their loyalty. Tallera, Vekor, and Narik emerge as key voices, challenging Baran’s authority and pushing for a less violent solution. Their collective hesitation forces Baran to concede, marking a shift in the crew’s cohesion and the mission’s trajectory. The mercenaries’ desperation and the pressure from their hidden employer are critical factors in this event, as they drive the crew to accept Picard’s proposal.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Key Dialogue
"PICARD: Calder Two isn't just another archaeological site. There's a Federation outpost there."
"PICARD: Fifteen minutes is more than enough time to transmit a distress call."
"PICARD: Why don't we use Riker? A Starfleet Commander might be able to talk us past the outpost security without raising any suspicions."
"BARAN: All right. We'll try it."
"BARAN: ... in case your plan doesn't work."