Object

Data's Shuttlecraft Controls

Away team discovers Data's shuttlecraft abandoned amid planet-surface vegetation, tricorders jammed by interference. Riker directs Geordi to tap these controls, revealing exact shutdown time and timeline for Data's departure with the Borg. The panel, part of the grounded craft's cramped cockpit, yields crucial forensics amid the urgent search.

3 appearances

Purpose

Determine precise shuttlecraft shutdown time to establish Data's departure timeline

Significance

Provides key clue prompting Picard's 20km search radius calculation, additional away teams, and low-altitude shuttle recon—escalating from discovery to desperate pursuit before Borg leverage Data's vulnerabilities

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S6E26 · Descent, Part I

Abandoned shuttle reveals Data and Borg vanished

The shuttlecraft’s controls are tapped by Riker to determine the exact shutdown time, which helps establish the timeline for Data’s departure. This forensic evidence is crucial for calculating the potential search radius and coordinating the away teams’ efforts. The controls, though simple, play a pivotal role in shaping the crew’s strategy and urgency.

Before: Functional and accessible; Riker interacts with them to extract the shutdown time.

After: The controls remain intact but have provided critical data for the search effort.

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S6E26 · Descent, Part I

Picard escalates search for Data and Borg

The controls of Data's abandoned shuttlecraft are tapped by Riker to determine the exact shutdown time, providing critical forensic information for the search plan. These controls serve as a tangible link to Data's recent activities, offering clues about his whereabouts and the timeline of his departure with the Borg. Their examination is a key step in the transition from passive investigation to active pursuit, grounding the search effort in concrete data.

Before: Part of the abandoned shuttlecraft, with the engine shut down for over three hours and controls inactive.

After: Accessed by Riker to retrieve forensic data, aiding in the planning of the search effort.

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S6E26 · Descent, Part I

Picard entrusts Beverly with command

Data’s shuttlecraft controls are referenced indirectly as part of the broader context of the search mission. While not directly involved in this event, the controls represent a critical piece of forensic evidence used to estimate the timeline of Data’s departure with the Borg. Their analysis provides the crew with a starting point for their search, underscoring the importance of technological precision in the face of an uncertain and dangerous situation.

Before: Abandoned on the planet surface, with shutdown time recorded in the shuttlecraft’s systems.

After: Analyzed by the away team to determine the timeline of Data’s departure, contributing to the search plan.

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