Flashing the Transponder — A Test of Trust
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
As KLAG begins the countdown, RIKER produces the small transponder Worf supplied and inspects it openly, drawing KARGAN's suspicion who demands to know whether it's a weapon and orders RIKER to hand it over.
RIKER flicks the transponder on as he hands it to KARGAN; a faint signal light blooms, and KARGAN seizes the device to examine it—an innocuous gesture that thickens mistrust and foreshadows tactical deception.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Aggressive and suspicious; a leader stoking readiness for violence while seeking justification for preemptive action.
Kargan asserts command, orders weapons armed, watches Riker's actions closely, demands the device be handed over, then seizes and scrutinizes the transponder — searching for evidence of deception or threat.
- • Ensure the Pagh's safety by identifying any threat from the Enterprise.
- • Establish decisive control of the situation and validate the decision to attack.
- • Protect Klingon honor by exposing possible trickery.
- • The Enterprise's actions are potentially hostile and must be punished preemptively.
- • Objects in an outsider's hand are suspect — any device could be a weapon or a ploy.
- • Strength and decisive action preserve Klingon status and authority.
Respectful pragmatism mixed with tension; impressed by Riker yet committed to ship protocol and survival.
Klag follows the captain's orders, initiates the range countdown, assigns Riker the duty of calling distances, and offers a grudging nod of approval at Riker's steadiness — balancing ceremonial expectation with pragmatic command execution.
- • Ensure the firing sequence and range calls proceed accurately and on schedule.
- • Evaluate Riker's worthiness within Klingon ritual and the ship's decision-making.
- • Support the captain while minimizing unnecessary risk to the Pagh.
- • Klingon ritual and chain-of-command must be upheld to maintain cohesion.
- • A capable outsider can earn respect through visible courage and competence.
- • Measured, procedural action is preferable to rash improvisation.
Focused and concerned; performing a factual duty that has escalatory consequences beyond personal control.
The Tactics Officer reports tactical status (Enterprise shields raised) and provides sensor information that fuels Kargan's decision to arm weapons; remains at duty station, alert and procedural.
- • Maintain accurate tactical awareness and keep command informed.
- • Execute orders promptly and ensure systems are ready if commanded to fire.
- • Sensor data is decisive evidence for tactical decisions.
- • Clear reporting of defensive measures (like shields) is required to justify actions.
Tense, coolly resolute — outwardly composed with underlying anxiety; deliberately defiant but attempting conciliatory transparency.
Riker argues tactical restraint, disputes Kargan's judgment, then physically produces a small transponder, inspects it, flips it on to reveal a faint signal light, and steps forward to hand it candidly to Kargan while keeping his face composed.
- • Prevent premature Klingon attack and reduce risk to the Enterprise.
- • Demonstrate non-hostility through radical transparency to preserve diplomatic and personal honor.
- • Buy time and frame the confrontation as avoidable to influence Klingon decision-making.
- • Open disclosure will reduce suspicion and de-escalate a volatile situation.
- • He is duty-bound to fulfill his exchange obligations even at personal risk.
- • Klingon honor protocols can be influenced by demonstration of courage and openness.
Expectant and suspicious; energized by the prospect of combat but attentive to ritual propriety.
The Klingon crew collectively watches the exchange, heeding commands, nodding in moments of acceptance, and responding to the growing tension as Riker offers the device and Kargan examines it — their reactions lend social pressure to Kargan's judgment.
- • Support the captain's decisions and enforce Klingon codes of honor.
- • Assess the outsider's behavior to determine trustworthiness or deceit.
- • Collective judgment enforces cultural norms and validates command choices.
- • Outsiders must be tested publicly to reveal their true intentions.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Phasers are ordered armed by Kargan and constitute an immediate and visible threat in the scene; their arming heightens stakes and frames Riker's transponder gesture as insufficient to stop violence, even if sincere.
Pagh's photon torpedoes are called to be prepared and locked for simultaneous firing by Kargan; their priming forms the other half of the imminent kinetic threat that makes Riker's act of openness a gamble against a catastrophic first strike.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Riker produces the transponder as Klingons prepare to fire (f0e8bc...), and in the next beat he flicks it on and hands it to Kargan, who seizes and examines it (0460bb...), advancing the deception/tactical gambit."
"Riker produces the transponder as Klingons prepare to fire (f0e8bc...), and in the next beat he flicks it on and hands it to Kargan, who seizes and examines it (0460bb...), advancing the deception/tactical gambit."
Themes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"RIKER: "It is normal procedure when entering into a suspicious situation. The act is not aggressive. The Enterprise will not fire first.""
"KARGAN: "Is that a weapon?""
"RIKER: "No sir, it is a signaling device.""