Fabula
Object
Object

Possessed Crew's Hand Phasers

Standard-issue Starfleet handheld phasers wielded by Ux-Mal possessed crew members during the bridge seizure and Ten Forward standoff. O'Brien grabs Worf's weapon, then draws his own to stun Ensign Ro after she fires at him. Troi aims hers steadily at Worf to enforce control. Data paces restlessly, brandishing his while taunting the Klingon. The devices emit stun beams that injure five hostages and subdue security teams, their orange glow cutting through the chaos as entities dominate the ship.
17 appearances

Purpose

Directed energy weapon for stunning or injuring targets at close range

Significance

These phasers enable the possessed crew to disarm Worf, stun Ro, injure hostages, and hold Ten Forward, turning familiar tools against loyal officers and escalating the Ux-Mal takeover from psychological influence to armed domination.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

17 moments
S5E15 · Power Play
Picard gambles with hostage exchange

The possessed crew’s hand phasers are wielded by Troi, Data, and O’Brien (though O’Brien is not physically present in this scene) to maintain control over the hostages in Ten Forward. These phasers are set to stun, their orange glow cutting through the tension as the Ux-Mal enforce their demands. The weapons are a constant threat, their presence reinforcing the entities’ dominance and the crew’s vulnerability. When Worf is silenced by Data, the phaser is brandished as a tool of intimidation, underscoring the Ux-Mal’s willingness to use force. The phasers also serve as a narrative device, highlighting the asymmetry of power in the negotiation—Picard must rely on words and strategy, while the Ux-Mal have the upper hand through violence.

Before: Fully charged and set to stun, held by the possessed crew members (Troi and Data in this scene). The phasers are active threats, their presence ensuring compliance from the hostages and reinforcing the Ux-Mal’s control over the situation.
After: The phasers remain in the possession of the Ux-Mal, but their role shifts as Picard’s hostage exchange is agreed upon. The weapons are no longer needed to enforce compliance from the wounded, but they are kept at the ready as a deterrent against any resistance. The phasers’ status is unchanged in terms of function, but their symbolic weight diminishes slightly as the negotiation reaches a temporary resolution.
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