Conference

We're a little busy right now. The Enterprise has been engulfed by a mysterious cloud and cannot move. However, we think we know the solution.

Have a conference in the Ready Room and talk about it.

LaForge chips in with reversing the polarity of the warp core, which will create an anti matter fusion device and scatter the cloud.

Not that old chestnut again. He fails to mention that there is a 90% chance the ship will explode.

Worf suggests a direct approach.

"Launch a full spread of photon torpedoes together with tetrion particles and destroy everything in sight. It is a good day to die."

Why do I always feel depressed when I listen to Worf?

Beverly thinks we may not be able to handle the casualties if we adopt such a procedure.

"Not even if we activate the Emergency Medical Hologram?" I ask.

Beverly mumbles a few disparaging words about the EMH.

Deanna Troi is having empathic thoughts and thinks the cloud is alive and might be trying to communicate with us.

Riker suggests that I pilot a shuttlecraft into the heart of the cloud.

Is the man mad?

Data finally says something.

"The Counselor might be right about the cloud being alive. Perhaps if we show we are a peaceful ship, it will let us go?"

"How do we do that, Data?"

"I have no input on that matter."

Troi interrupts by suggesting we all go in a yoga trance and think peaceful thoughts.

Worf disgustedly adds, "I still think we should obliterate it."

Ten minutes later, the entire crew of over 1000 is sitting in a harmonic trance in a lotus position with a peaceful "Ummm" coming from them all.

As we do, the cloud gradually vanishes away.

Everybody gets up, with the problem over.

"Excuse me, Captain." says Worf, irritatingly, "I have some aliens to kill in the holodeck."