Stardate 43779.3: The Enterprise is summoned to the Beta Stromgren system to make contact with "Tin Man", a strange organic vessel. They pick up the Betazoid Tam Elbrun, a specialist for first contacts with a controversial reputation. Elbrun, who feels uncomfortable among humanoids, is already secretly in telepathic contact with the creature that calls itself Gomtuu. The creature may be the last of its kind. Its crew was killed, and it now intends to commit suicide as Beta Stromgren is about to explode. The Romulans, who claim this region of space, are interested in Gomtuu as well. They send two Warbirds of which one is destroyed by Gomtuu, under the influence of the telepathic contact with Elbrun. Picard allows Elbrun to beam over to Gomtuu, and sends Data with him. When the second Warbird arrives, Gomtuu hurls the Enterprise and the Romulan ship through space, far away from Beta Stromgren. Data is transferred back to the ship just before the star goes nova. Elbrun decides to stay with Gomtun, their whereabouts remain unknown.

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