First Contact at the Shuttle
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Data scans with his tricorder as Haritath and Kentor, with two workers, cautiously approach the shuttle, unaware of Data's presence.
Haritath and Kentor react with wonder to the shuttlecraft, identifying its Federation markings.
Data steps into view, startling the humans with his sudden appearance and android nature.
Haritath and Kentor recognize Data as the first visitor ever, revealing their isolation and connection to the Federation through ancestors from the Artemis.
Haritath and Kentor offer to take Data to Gosheven, expressing their confidence in their accomplishments and heritage.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Enthusiastic and proud on the surface; slightly anxious that the visitors might not give them time or recognition.
Haritath approaches the shuttle eagerly, interprets the markings as Federation, expresses pride in ancestral ties, and tries to engage Data socially while also grasping that he may be on a schedule the visitors won't share.
- • Showcase the colony's legitimacy and achievements to the Federation representative.
- • Secure attention and possible aid or recognition from the Federation.
- • The settlers' Federation ancestry confers honor and should create affinity with Starfleet.
- • Demonstrating accomplishments will make the Federation proud and sympathetic to their situation.
Curious but controlled; intent on preserving communal protocol and avoiding rash personal commitments to outsiders.
Kentor steps forward with a pragmatic, measured tone: he notes this is the first visitor and immediately directs Data toward Gosheven, positioning the leader as the appropriate arbiter of any outside contact.
- • Ensure that any decisions or talks with outsiders are routed through Gosheven.
- • Protect the colony's social order by preventing premature promises or unilateral agreements.
- • Gosheven, as the colony's leader, must be the one to receive and decide about external visitors.
- • Outsiders should be funneled into established channels to avoid destabilizing the community.
Externally neutral and unemotional; internally focused on duty and information gathering with nascent curiosity about human social response.
Data conducts a covert environmental scan with his tricorder, then deliberately steps into sight and delivers a single courteous greeting before offering his rank and affiliation. His actions convert sensor-gathering into formal contact, supplying clear identification to the settlers.
- • Establish clear, verifiable contact with the colony.
- • Identify local leadership and gather information about the settlers' origins and status.
- • Direct, factual disclosure (name/rank/affiliation) will engender trust and clarify Starfleet's purpose.
- • Finding the colony's leader is the most efficient route to resolving larger logistical or legal concerns.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Data's tricorder is actively used to sweep the shuttle landing site, gathering atmospheric and life-sign data before he reveals himself. The tricorder's readings justify Data's confidence and enable him to engage without immediate risk, functioning as both tool and dramatic signal of his methodical approach.
The colony ship Artemis is referenced verbally by Haritath as ancestral origin rather than appearing physically. Its invocation supplies historical legitimacy and emotional weight, converting Federation insignia on the shuttle into a genealogical bond that humanizes Data to the settlers.
The shuttle occupies the center of the scene: it blocks the settlers' initial view of Data, bears Federation markings that trigger Haritath's recognition, and physically stages the reveal when Data steps around it. The vessel is the tangible proof of Starfleet presence and origin.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Ard'rian's initial fascination with Data's android nature culminates in her emotional attachment to him, despite his lack of emotions."
"Ard'rian's initial fascination with Data's android nature culminates in her emotional attachment to him, despite his lack of emotions."
Key Dialogue
"HARITATH: "A shuttlecraft!""
"DATA: "Hello.""
"DATA: "That is correct. I am an android. I am Lieutenant Commander Data of the Federation Starship Enterprise.""