Fabula
S3E8 · The Price
S3E8
· The Price

Mendoza Collapses — Sabotage Forces a Diplomatic Vacuum

Mendoza staggers into Sickbay disoriented and suddenly collapses in Dr. Beverly Crusher's arms. Beverly immediately initiates emergency procedures, calling for assistance and ordering urgent tests. The physical collapse functions as a sharp narrative turning point: it removes the Federation's lead negotiator from the table and, as subsequent medical analysis reveals, is the result of a Ferengi-engineered biochemical agent. The incident escalates a scientific/diplomatic encounter into a political crisis, forcing command to scramble for a replacement and exposing deliberate sabotage that raises the stakes for every player.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Mendoza staggers into sickbay displaying visible physical distress—sweating and dizziness signal immediate medical crisis. Beverly Crusher instantly detects his compromised state and moves to intercept.

routine to alarm ['Sickbay treatment area']

Mendoza slumps into unconsciousness, his body failing completely as Beverly catches his collapse. She immediately calls for backup, transforming the space into an emergency response zone.

alarm to crisis ['Sickbay central area']

Beverly summons medical personnel to stabilize the fallen negotiator, activating emergency protocols that confirm the Ferengi biochemical sabotage has achieved its crippling effect.

crisis to mobilization ['Sickbay with medical supernumerary']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3

Disoriented and physically overwhelmed—surface embarrassment or concern about his condition, quickly overtaken by incapacitation and loss of agency.

Mendoza enters Sickbay unsteadily, sweating and dizzy; he admits feeling warm, then stumbles and loses consciousness, collapsing into Dr. Crusher's arms and becoming the immediate focus of triage.

Goals in this moment
  • Seek immediate physical relief or explanation for his symptoms
  • Maintain composure and dignity in front of medical staff and colleagues
Active beliefs
  • This is a transient physical symptom that will be treated if he seeks help
  • Medical staff aboard the Enterprise will provide competent, prompt care
Character traits
Vulnerable Stoic under distress Physically compromised Dignified even while ill
Follow Mendoza's journey

Professionally urgent and concerned—maintains clinical calm while the core emotion is a rapid, protective focus on the patient's welfare.

Dr. Beverly Crusher notices Mendoza's unsteady entrance, immediately approaches, addresses him, supports his fall, physically holds him as he loses consciousness and vocally commands assistance while beginning triage actions.

Goals in this moment
  • Stabilize Mendoza and prevent further injury
  • Mobilize medical support and initiate diagnostics
Active beliefs
  • Immediate hands-on intervention will maximize Mendoza's chance of stabilization
  • Rapid diagnostics are required to determine the cause and seriousness of the collapse
Character traits
Decisive Clinically alert Compassionate Authoritative under pressure
Follow Beverly Crusher's journey

Hurried but focused—professional response to an urgent medical command, with attention fixed on safe patient transfer.

The medical supernumerary rushes to Dr. Crusher's call, helps support Mendoza's weight, and assists in moving him onto a biobed for triage—acting as the necessary hands-on support that frees the chief medic to direct care.

Goals in this moment
  • Securely transfer Mendoza to the examination biobed
  • Follow Dr. Crusher's directions to prepare for immediate triage
Active beliefs
  • Following the chief medic's instructions is the correct protocol
  • Speed and careful handling will prevent further harm to the patient
Character traits
Efficient Responsive Cooperative Physically competent
Follow Medical Assistant's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Sickbay Examination Biobed

The examination biobed functions as the immediate platform for triage: the assistant supports Mendoza onto it while medical staff prepare to expose him for assessment, attach monitoring leads, and begin diagnostic procedures. It transforms from idle equipment into the focal point of urgent medical care.

Before: Prepared in the triage area with sterile linen, …
After: Occupied by Mendoza; linens disturbed and positioned for …
Before: Prepared in the triage area with sterile linen, unoccupied and ready for incoming patients.
After: Occupied by Mendoza; linens disturbed and positioned for examination, rails and supports adjusted to secure the patient for assessment.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Sickbay (USS Enterprise)

Enterprise Sickbay serves as the immediate site of medical intervention: its triage layout and diagnostic readiness allow Dr. Crusher and staff to respond instantly to Mendoza's collapse, converting a diplomatic contingency into a clinical emergency within an institutional medical setting.

Atmosphere Clinically efficient but suddenly urgent—sterile, focused, with a spike of tension as staff move from …
Function Triage center and clinical command post for stabilizing patients and coordinating urgent medical response.
Symbolism Represents the point where private bodily vulnerability collides with institutional duty—where human fragility forces procedural …
Access Typically restricted to medical staff and patients; in an emergency the space opens to attending …
Fluorescent antiseptic lighting that emphasizes clinical clarity Pulsing diagnostic monitors and the low thrum of the ship's engines underscoring the scene The metallic tang of disinfectant and the close clustering of biobeds and consoles

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 1
Causal

"The Ferengi's biochemical sabotage directly causes Mendoza's collapse."

Ferengi Biochemical Sabotage: The Proof
S3E8 · The Price

Part of Larger Arcs

Key Dialogue

"BEVERLY: "Mister Mendoza?""
"MENDOZA: "I seem to be a bit warm...""
"BEVERLY: "I need some help here...""