Lonka Pulsar

The Lonka Pulsar is a neutron star located within the Lonka Cluster, a remote stellar expanse. It emits intense rhythmic energy beams and gravitational forces, drawing the USS *Enterprise-D* off course at warp two (later half impulse) under the False Picard's unexplained orders. This detour disrupts the ship's planned rendezvous with the USS *Hood*, creating delays and tensions among the crew. Key interactions include Wesley Crusher's hesitation at consoles, Data's logged suspicions, Riker's questioning of the deviation, and Worf's operational involvement. The pulsar's isolation and the False Picard's actions amplify a test of obedience, fracturing trust amid blocked communications and rising defiance. The Lonka Cluster serves as the broader stellar region anchoring this pulsar, though the pulsar itself is the primary focus of the narrative conflict.

1 events

1 rich involvements

Detailed Involvements

Events with rich location context

S3E18 · Allegiance

The Lonka Pulsar Gambit: False Picard’s Isolation Play

The Lonka pulsar is the False Picard’s chosen destination—a remote, hazardous stellar phenomenon that serves as a symbolic battleground for his test of obedience. The pulsar’s intense radiation and gravitational force mirror the psychological pressure the crew is under, as they are diverted from their mission to the Hood without explanation. The detour stretches the 36-hour deadline, sharpens Riker’s suspicion, and amplifies Wesley’s hesitation, transforming this astronomical anomaly into a crucible of doubt and defiance. The pulsar’s isolation reinforces the crew’s sense of being cut off from support.

Atmosphere

Hazardous and foreboding, with the pulsar’s rhythmic energy beams pulsing like a countdown to an unknown outcome.

Functional Role

Symbolic battleground where the False Picard’s test of obedience collides with the crew’s instinct to resist.

Symbolic Significance

Represents the crew’s deviation from protocol and their growing defiance against the False Picard’s authority.

Intense radiation and gravitational force, visible as streaking stars on the viewscreen. Rhythmic energy beams pulsing with a hypnotic, ominous cadence. Remote stellar expanse, isolated from the *Hood* and Starfleet support.

Events at This Location

Everything that happens here

S3E18 · Allegiance

The Lonka Pulsar Gambit: False Picard’s Isolation Play

The False Picard seizes control of the Enterprise’s trajectory with a series of abrupt, unexplained orders—diverting the ship toward the Lonka pulsar at warp two and cutting off all external …