Object

Deanna Troi's Starfleet Insignia

A palm‑sized, delta‑shaped brushed‑metal Starfleet combadge with a recessed activation pad and a faint status glow. Affixed to Deanna Troi's uniform near her heart, the badge bears slight wear around the pad from repeated taps. Troi keys it with a quick motion to open a short‑range voice channel; the device's soft chime slices through quiet quarters and converts domestic stillness into formal contact. In the sundae-and-letters moment the insignia's call drags Troi from private solace back into duty, its small light insisting on immediate professional attention.

5 appearances

Purpose

Wearable Starfleet communicator (combadge) used to open and route short‑range voice communications and summon command attention.

Significance

The insignia functions as the mechanical bridge between personal vulnerability and chain-of-command obligation: its activation punctures a private moment and enforces duty, underscoring Troi's emotional conflict between human need and professional responsibility.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

5 moments

S3E8 · The Price

Sundae, Mother's Letters, and the Pull of Duty

Troi activates her Starfleet insignia to answer Picard's comm; the combadge converts the private moment into a formal channel and physically drags her back into professional reality.

Before: Affixed to Troi's uniform, faint status glow, idle.

After: Activated to open a short‑range voice channel with the Captain; it performs its communicative function and returns Troi to duty.

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S3E8 · The Price

Interrupted Solace

Troi's Starfleet insignia is used to activate a short-range voice channel; its soft chime converts her private moment into a formal communication, enabling Picard's com to reach her and abruptly ending her solitude.

Before: Affixed to Troi's uniform, idle but ready with a faint status glow.

After: Tapped/activated to accept Picard's incoming call; remains attached and glowing as she answers.

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S3E8 · The Price

Probe Ultimatum — Offer of Data, Challenge to Credibility

Picard keys his Starfleet insignia to acknowledge Dr. Crusher's com call, using the badge as a tactile communication device that shifts his attention away from the Ready Room confrontation and outward toward an urgent medical duty.

Before: Affixed to Picard's uniform, idle and available for use as a short‑range voice channel.

After: Activated briefly to acknowledge the Sickbay summons; returns to idle state after he responds.

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S3E8 · The Price

Ferengi Probe Ultimatum and Picard's Safety Directive

Picard keys his combadge to acknowledge Sickbay's call. This small device punctuates the scene, shifting attention from political theater back to shipboard duty and signaling the commander's multiple responsibilities.

Before: In possession of the captain (worn on uniform); inactive until keyed.

After: Activated briefly to acknowledge the comm from Sickbay; returns to standby on Picard's uniform.

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S3E8 · The Price

Red Alert Gambit — Devinoni Reframes the Crisis

A crew insignia is keyed to open a short-range communication: Riker taps his badge to summon Picard's voice, transforming private conversation into immediate command relay. The insignia functions as the tactile trigger that punctuates calm and propels operational movement.

Before: Worn on Riker's uniform (tapped as needed), idle in the lounge context.

After: Recently activated and tapped; returns to passive worn state as Riker departs for the bridge.

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