Force of Nature (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"Force of Nature" (S07, E09) is the 161st episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Premise

In this episode, a pair of sibling scientists show that warp drive propulsion is harming the very fabric of space. A sub-plot involves Data attempting to train his pet cat, Spot.

Plot

The Federation Starfleet Starship USS Enterprise is sent to the Hekaras Corridor, the only safe path through the sector, to investigate the disappearance of the medical ship U.S.S. Fleming. In the process they find a Ferengi ship, which is badly disabled. The Ferengi daimon contends a Federation buoy disabled his ship.

The Enterprise crew learns that a Hekaran brother and sister, Rabal and Serova, are responsible for disabling the ships by using ship-disabling mines disguised as signal buoys. These siblings contend that sustained warp drive is destroying the fabric of space near their homeworld, and will eventually destroy their planet. Data determines that the research has merit, but requires more study. Picard requests a more thorough investigation from the Federation's Science Council.

However, Serova is not willing to wait for any more studies. In order to prove her theory, she causes a warp breach in her ship, killing herself in the process. A rift is formed, and the Fleming becomes trapped in the damaged space. The Enterprise crew manages to find a way to "surf" through the rift without using warp drive within it by initiating a short warp jump at maximum speed, then beams up the Fleming crew and escapes by "riding" the disruption waves produced by the rift.

Later, the Federation Council issues a new directive limiting all Federation vessels to a speed of warp five except in extreme emergencies. In addition, they have informed every known species capable of warp travel of the newly discovered dangers of its use. The Klingon Empire agrees to the limitations, but it is uncertain whether the Romulan Star Empire, Ferengi Alliance, and Cardassian Union would also follow suit.

References

Bibliography

• Star Trek The Next Generation DVD set, volume 7, disc 3, selection 1.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Force of Nature

• "Force of Nature" at the Internet Movie Database
• "Force of Nature" at TV.com

• Force of Nature at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

• Force of Nature at StarTrek.com