Fabula
S1E2 · Encounter at Farpoint: Part Two

Riker’s Team Reaches Threshold of Old Bandi City Amidst Escalating Danger

Riker's away team arrives at the critical juncture where alien, glowing tunnel walls transition abruptly into the familiar stone and tile corridors of the ancient Bandi city. As Geordi and Troi confirm the significance of this landmark, a sudden, explosive energy blast echoes from above, accompanied by a distant scream, signaling escalating peril. Reacting decisively, Riker orders Troi, Tasha, and Geordi to beam back to the Enterprise for safety while he and Data press forward alone, underscoring his determination to uncover the truth despite mounting risks. This moment marks a tense turning point, isolating Riker and Data and heightening the stakes underground.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Riker’s team halts at the boundary where the alien glowing tunnel walls yield to familiar stone and tile corridors, signaling their approach toward the old Bandi city via a stone stairway.

curiosity to mounting unease ['underground passageway beneath Farpoint Station', 'transition …

Troi identifies the stairway as their prior entry point, while Geordi confirms the corridor’s stone and tile walls match those above, underscoring the tunnel’s connection to the Bandi city.

uncertainty to clarity ['stone block stairway leading to old …

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5

Alarmed and tense but obedient; focused on crew safety and tactical response.

Yar reacts alarmedly to the sharp explosion sound, questions its nature aloud, and complies with Riker's order to beam up, evidencing alertness and readiness amidst unexpected peril.

Goals in this moment
  • Identify the source and threat level of the explosion.
  • Follow command instructions to retreat safely.
Active beliefs
  • Any unknown explosion underground signals a serious threat.
  • Prompt evacuation is essential to prevent casualties.
Character traits
alert responsive vigilant dedicated
Follow Tasha Yar's journey

Focused and composed, driven by curiosity and duty rather than fear.

Data calmly analyzes the explosion sound to assess danger, confirms it is not a phaser blast but similar, and follows Riker up the stairway, demonstrating analytical focus and loyal companionship.

Goals in this moment
  • Determine the nature and source of the explosion.
  • Support Riker's leadership by accompanying him deeper into the unknown.
Active beliefs
  • Accurate analysis of environmental phenomena is critical for crew safety.
  • Following the captain is essential for mission cohesion and success.
Character traits
analytical precise calm loyal
Follow Data's journey

Serious and focused determination masked by concern for his team's safety; unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth despite risks.

Riker leads his away team to the critical boundary where alien tunnel walls give way to the ancient stone corridors, scrutinizes the environment with intense curiosity, commands an urgent retreat of Troi, Yar, and Geordi after explosive danger erupts, then resolutely ascends the stairway with Data alone, embodying leadership and determination.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the safety of his team by ordering a timely evacuation.
  • Investigate and uncover the mystery of Farpoint Station's underground passages.
  • Maintain command authority under pressure.
Active beliefs
  • The truth beneath Farpoint Station is vital and worth risking danger to reveal.
  • His responsibility as a leader includes protecting his crew while pursuing mission objectives.
Character traits
decisive determined authoritative courageous
Follow William Riker's journey

Concerned for Riker's well-being yet resigned to following orders; a mixture of anxiety and professionalism.

Troi points out the stairs leading to the old city with concern, voices worry about Riker's safety, initiates the communicator call for beam up, and executes orders with an obedient yet anxious demeanor as the team retreats.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure safe extraction of team members from escalating danger.
  • Provide emotional and tactical support within her counseling and command role.
Active beliefs
  • Riker's decision, though risky, must be respected and followed.
  • Her empathy signals the real human cost of the mission's dangers.
Character traits
concerned empathetic dutiful obedient
Follow Deanna Troi's journey

Curious and puzzled initially, shifting to alarm and cautious compliance under threat.

Geordi quickly examines the transition from alien tunnel walls to traditional stone and tile, confirming the structure's link to old Bandi city. Puzzled by the implications, he reacts with alarm to the sudden explosion and complies promptly with Riker's evacuation order.

Goals in this moment
  • Confirm the nature and significance of the underground architecture.
  • Follow Riker's orders to ensure personal and team safety.
Active beliefs
  • The architectural continuity is a key clue to understanding Farpoint Station.
  • Adherence to Starfleet command protocols ensures survival and mission success.
Character traits
curious analytical obedient alert
Follow Geordi La …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Enterprise Transporter System

The transporter beam serves as the critical evacuation technology enabling Troi, Yar, and Geordi to be rapidly beamed up to the USS Enterprise from the underground passageway, swiftly removing them from imminent danger caused by the explosive blasts and escalating threat conditions.

Before: Operational and ready on the Enterprise; prepared to …
After: Successfully engaged to transport three crew members from …
Before: Operational and ready on the Enterprise; prepared to beam personnel from the underground location.
After: Successfully engaged to transport three crew members from the underground passageway to the Enterprise; remains fully operational.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Farpoint Station Underground Passages

The underground passageway beneath Farpoint Station serves as the immediate investigative environment where the away team discovers the unsettling transition from alien glowing tunnel walls to ancient stone and tile, marking the boundary of Bandi City. It is the stage for escalating danger as explosive energy blasts disrupt their mission, intensifying the atmosphere of mystery and threat.

Atmosphere Tense, foreboding, and charged with sudden violence and unknown menace.
Function Primary investigation site and battleground for the away team’s exploration under Farpoint Station.
Symbolism Represents the intersection of alien enigma and ancient human civilization; a physical and metaphorical threshold …
Access Restricted to Starfleet away teams and authorized personnel due to hazardous conditions.
Glowing, smooth alien tunnel walls transitioning into rough stone and tile. Echoing explosive rumbling sounds and distant screams. Dim lighting with flickering light flashes from above.
Stone Block Stairway to Old Bandi City

The stone block stairway acts as the critical physical threshold linking the underground alien tunnels to the old Bandi City above. It is the path Riker and Data ascend alone after ordering their team’s evacuation, symbolizing the imminent ascent into greater peril and revelation.

Atmosphere Ominous and tense, lit intermittently by flickering light reflections from explosions.
Function A strategic conduit and juncture for advancing deeper into the subterranean mystery.
Symbolism Embodies the gateway between the unknown alien presence and the known ancient human past, marking …
Access Open but dangerous; passageway only navigable by authorized away team members.
Rough-hewn stone blocks weathered by time. Flickering light flashes reflecting from upper-level explosions. Echoing sounds of distant screams and energy blasts.

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

"TROI: Those stairs are where Tasha and I entered down here, sir."
"GEORDI: At this point, it becomes ordinary stone and tile, sir."
"RIKER: You, Tasha, and Geordi will beam up to the ship from here. Now!"
"RIKER: Come on, I want to see exactly what's happening."
"TROI: Don't. If you should be hurt..."
"RIKER: You have your orders, Counselor! Carry them out!"