Stardate not given: Riker, cosmetically altered to look like the planet's population, is on an observation mission to Malcor III, a planet that is about to launch its first warp vessel. He is injured and taken to a hospital where his alien physiology is discovered. To retrieve Riker and prevent further confusion, Picard and Troi beam down and establish a proper first contact with Malcor III. While Chancellor Durken and Science Minister Mirasta Yale welcome the aliens, Security Minister Krola conceals Riker's whereabouts and interrogates him with harmful drugs. When his methods fail, Krola tries to stage his on death, shooting himself with Riker's phaser. Beverly Crusher saves both Riker and Krola and finds out the truth about the shooting. Nevertheless Durken, angry about the observation of his planet and aware that his people are not yet ready to meet aliens, tells Picard to leave Malcor III alone for the time being. Mirasta Yale, on the other hand, leaves the planet on board the Enterprise.

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