Frozen Simulation — Manua's Holo-Testimony of Assault
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riker invades Manua's personal space, testing her discomfort while complimenting her sanctuary.
Manua deflects Riker's probing questions about her marriage with forced politeness.
Riker physically blocks Manua's exit and insinuates her husband neglects her.
Riker makes unwanted physical contact as Manua pleads for him to stop.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Procedurally curious and insistent — he is emotionally restrained, driven by process rather than sympathy.
As Tanugan chief investigator, Krag watches the frozen tableau with professional detachment and, prioritizing evidentiary procedure, orders the program resumed to continue the demonstrative reconstruction.
- • To obtain incontrovertible visual evidence to support his extradition case
- • To preserve and exploit the holodeck reconstruction as admissible proof
- • To keep the investigation moving forward without being swayed by interpersonal dynamics
- • To challenge denials with demonstrable simulation
- • That a frozen holoprogram is a reliable procedural artifact to demonstrate causality
- • That emotional protests from the accused are less relevant than the reconstruction
- • That his jurisdictional mandate compels him to gather and present clear proof
- • That resuming the program will clarify contested moments
Ashamed and pleading during the simulated assault; afterward steady, angry and wounded as she reaffirms the accuracy of the recreation.
Portrayed by the reconstruction as the victim, Manua pleads, resists and later, confronted by Riker's denial, calmly insists the depiction mirrors what happened — her testimony anchors the simulated evidence with emotional conviction.
- • To have her version of events accepted as truthful by investigators
- • To seek recognition and perhaps justice for the violation she describes
- • To protect her husband's memory and the factual record of what occurred
- • To resist intimidation or dismissal by the accused
- • That the holodeck reconstruction accurately reflects her experience
- • That saying the truth is necessary even if it causes pain or scandal
- • That the investigators (and Picard) can use this depiction to find justice
- • That Riker's denials are defensive rather than honest
Controlled concern: visibly unsettled by the content but determined to preserve evidentiary procedure and fairness toward his officer.
Picard intervenes authoritatively: he interrupts the running reconstruction with the command 'Freeze program,' crosses into the holodeck space, inspects the frozen tableau, and mediates between the enraged Riker and the assembled witnesses while maintaining procedural control.
- • To maintain the integrity of the investigation and the holodeck evidence
- • To protect the ship's discipline and to avoid a summary rush to judgment
- • To give Riker an opportunity to respond without the program running
- • To ensure the investigative process remains under Starfleet standards
- • That holodeck reconstructions are powerful investigative tools but must be handled carefully
- • That due process and command responsibility require him to intervene calmly
- • That his presence and authority can temper the emotional escalation
- • That the truth will emerge through controlled examination rather than immediate verdicts
Righteously indignant on the surface, tightly wound fear and humiliation underneath; angry at being misrepresented and desperate to protect reputation.
Two Rikers are in play: a holographic depiction commits the invasive acts while the real Commander Riker reacts in the present — rising, protesting, denying the actions, confronting Manua, and finally returning to the table as his composure frays.
- • To repudiate the holographic depiction and prevent it being taken as literal truth
- • To be believed by Picard and the investigators and preserve his career
- • To understand Manua's motive for testifying or permitting the reconstruction
- • To regain composure and avoid a procedural collapse under accusation
- • That the holoprogram is an inaccurate or malicious reconstruction and does not reflect his real actions
- • That his honor, command eligibility, and relationships depend on disproving this depiction
- • That Picard and Starfleet process can be persuaded by direct denial and presence
- • That Manua or others may be misremembering or manipulating the record
Supportive and professionally anxious — she senses the emotional rupture and prioritizes stabilizing Riker and the room.
Troi moves quickly to Riker's side, attempts to calm and seat him, offers quiet, practical comfort and emotional regulation in the immediate fallout of the frozen reconstruction.
- • To calm Riker and prevent an uncontrolled reaction
- • To protect Riker emotionally while the investigation proceeds
- • To preserve the integrity of testimony by keeping tempers contained
- • To be a steadying presence for both accuser and accused
- • That Riker is vulnerable under accusation and needs support
- • That emotional regulation will make it more likely fair process is followed
- • That her presence can influence how others perceive Riker's composure
- • That Manua's testimony should also be treated sensitively
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The wall-mounted environmental control pad is used in the reconstruction to close and seal the guest-room door, physically blocking Manua's exit; its activation is a key causal beat that the investigators highlight to show constrained agency and intimate proximity.
A small alcove table functions as the neutral furniture anchor in the guest quarters; Riker returns to it after his denial, using it as a physical point to recompose, making it the stage for his defensive posture after the program is frozen.
The Investigative Reconstruction holoprogram projects the Tanuga Four guest quarters at full scale and stages the disputed interaction; it renders a holographic 'Riker' performing the invasive acts and is frozen by Picard to serve as demonstrative evidence. Its operation and pause drive the room's emotional and procedural choreography.
The holodeck doors serve as the aperture that closes to turn a domestic space into a sealed scene; the closing seals the confrontation, making the room feel claustrophobic and evidencing an obstruction of escape in the reconstruction.
The shoulder garment is the tactile prop slipped over Manua by the holographic 'Riker'; narratively it becomes the intimate, visible token of contact and the physical anchor for the assault allegation in the reconstruction.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Tanuga Four guest quarters (rendered by the holodeck) function as the intimate, claustrophobic stage for the alleged assault; its small scale, control panel and private door turn a domestic sanctuary into a sealed scene of accusation and memory, making the location itself an evidentiary battleground.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
No narrative connections mapped yet
This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph
Key Dialogue
"PICARD: Freeze program"
"RIKER: This isn't me. I wasn't the one who closed the door... I didn't proposition her... I certainly didn't try to rape her... (turning to Manua) Why are you doing this?"
"MANUA: It's exactly what happened..."