- The crew ferries a deaf mediator to Solais V to negotiate an end to a civil war.
- Worf is most anxious to meet Riva, the almost mythical negotiator who played a key part in appeasing the Klingons so they could enter the Federation. The Enterpise picks him up at his home planet and learns he's mute and comes with a 'chorus' of three who not only speak for him but also represent complementary views on things and emotions.He confidently goes about his mission, but a rogue member from the delegation of one of two centuries-warring planets suddenly murders his entire chorus. Disheartened, Riva wants to retreat altogether, only Troi hopes to persuade him to persevere and senses an angle.—KGF Vissers
- Worf is most anxious to meet Riva (Howie Seago), the almost mythical negotiator who played a key part in appeasing the Klingons so they could enter the Federation. Before Riva, there was no Klingon word for peacemaker. Enterprise is diverted to the Ramatis Star System, to transport the master mediator that has been selected by both planets of an inter-planetary conflict in Solais V.
The Enterprise picks him up at his home planet and learns he's mute & deaf and comes with a 'chorus' of three who not only speak & hear for him but also represent complementary views on things and emotions. Riva has a thing for Deanna. The 3 associates are Harmony (Marnie Mosiman) (she brings everything together and represents harmony, wisdom, and balance), Scholar (Randy Oglesby) (he represents intellect and speaks in matters of judgment, philosophy and logic) and Warrior (Leo Damian) (he represents passion, libido, the anarchy of lust. He is the romantic and the lover and the warrior). Riva is also an Empath, and their way of communication has evolved over many millennium. Riva's ancestors were served by the associates ancestors in the same way.
Riva is pleased to meet Geordi, who he also considers special, since he is blind and uses instruments to see the world and interpret it for him. Riva understands that the warring planets have been at conflict for 15 centuries and is curious as to why they suddenly want to talk peace now. Riva says he will find something like he always does. He has never failed in his career as a mediator. Riva invites Deanna to dinner and continues to hit on her. Deanna is impressed with Riva. Riva can read Deanna's lips, but she needs the sign language from Riva to help understand what he is trying to say. Riva confidently goes about his mission. Enterprise arrives at Solais V and immediately Riva manages to get the warring factions to cease fire and agree to a meeting. Riva takes Picard's help to select a location for the meeting and wants to go to the surface without a full security compliment as he does not want to complicate the situation. The location is a hilltop sufficiently equidistant from the current positions of the warring factions. Picard sends Roker and Worf with Riva, to cover all contingencies. Riva takes Riker's help to prepare the hilltop for the meeting, along with transporting a 3-sided desk. A rogue member from the delegation of one of two centuries-warring planets suddenly murders his entire chorus. Only Riker and Worf's quick thinking saves Riva from a certain death.
Disheartened, and without his associates, Riva wants to retreat altogether. Riva can only make some hand gestures, but those are not enough for him to be understood by anybody on board the Enterprise. Pulaski says that Riva's condition is hereditary, so there is no surgery or prosthetic that could help him. Without Riva the Solais will destroy themselves. A solution to the situation needs to be found. Picard asks Data to learn all sign languages to at least allow communication with Riva. It works, but Riva says Data cannot understands his feelings, only his words. Riva still doesn't agree to mediate.
Pulaski tells Geordi that she can attempt to regenerate his optic nerve, and create normal eyes using the replicator. This way Geordi will get his sight back. But the procedure is risky. Geordi wants to think about it.
Picard then asks Deanna to play mediator. Deanna goes to Riva for tips. Riva tells her to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Deanna tells Riva to do the same in his situation. Riva gets an idea and decides to beam down again with Riker, Worf and Deanna. Riva says his plan is to teach the warring factions sign language. As they learn sign language to communicate with Riva, they will also learn to communicate with each other, which is the first step towards friendship. They leave Riva to do his job.
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