Object

Fento's Gag

A compact, improvised cloth gag pressed into the bound villager's mouth and secured behind his head. The fabric rides tight across lips, muffling shouts and rendering speech into choked whispers; edges bunch against skin where hurried knots bite into the nape. Small, lightweight, and plainly utilitarian, the gag moves with the victim as Riker hauls him toward the transporter—Palmer's face tightens at the sight, Data registers the tactical necessity, and Oji's recognizing gaze makes the silenced captive suddenly the pivot of a fragile extraction.

1 appearances

Purpose

To physically prevent audible vocalization and alarm by a restrained individual during an emergency extraction.

Significance

Functionally essential to keep the rescue covert—silencing Fento prevents a public alarm that could escalate cultural contamination and collapse the mission. Morally charged, the gag registers Riker's pragmatic choices and Palmer's discomfort, turning a tactical tool into a symbol of the rescue's ethical cost.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S3E4 · Who Watches the Watchers

Compromised Extraction — Oji Sees Riker

A compact cloth gag is secured over Fento's mouth to muffle protest and prevent alarm; it functions as a control tool enabling Riker to move freely and begin the extraction without immediate vocal escalation from the assembly.

Before: Already tied into place across Fento's mouth, secured behind his head and restraining his speech within the assembly hall.

After: Remains in place on Fento as Riker departs with Palmer; still restricting vocal protest while the community watches.

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