From: tlynch@cco.caltech.edu (Timothy W. Lynch)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.info
Subject: Synopsis, "Rascals"
Followup-To: rec.arts.startrek.current
Date: 8 Nov 1992 00:54:43 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Reply-To: tlynch@juliet.caltech.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: sandman.caltech.edu
Summary: == synopsis
Keywords: TNG, Ferengi, kids

WARNING:  The following post contains spoilers for this week's TNG episode, 
"Rascals".  Those not wishing to be exposed to the little rapscallions should 
probably hold off for now.












Picard, Ro, Guinan, and Keiko are hurrying back from shore leave in a 
shuttlecraft to the Enterprise, which must answer a far-off distress signal.  
However, the shuttle is enveloped by a strange energy field, and while the 
four survive an emergency transport back to the Enterprise, they suddenly 
have the physical appearance and abilities of twelve-year-olds, although they 
are normal mentally.

While a very relaxed and playful Guinan attempts to convince Ro that their 
plight is not an unmitigated disaster, Picard attempts to resume command of 
the Enterprise as though nothing had happened.  He quickly finds, however, 
that the reactions of those around him greatly reduce his ability to command, 
and on Beverly's suggestion hands command to Riker for the nonce.  At the 
same time, Keiko has perhaps the most difficult time of all, having to help 
her husband and daughter deal with her changed circumstances.

Shortly after Picard considers his future options in the event that a cure is 
impossible, Beverly and Geordi deduce what has occurred.  The field was a 
"molecular reversion field", which made the shuttle begin to deteriorate, and 
began to do the same to the crew, masking certain key genetic sequences from 
the transporter.  Theoretically, then, sending them back through the 
transporter with the adult-level sequences included should cure them.  
However, that line of thought is temporarily put on hold when the Enterprise 
reaches orbit around Ligo 7, source of the distress signal.

They find no evidence of planetary distress, however; only interference.  
They prepare to investigate, when suddenly two Klingon birds of prey decloak 
and begin firing.  They catch the Enterprise flatfooted, and the Enterprise 
is subdued without firing more than one shot.  The boarders, independent 
Ferengi privateers in search of slave labor for mining down below, assume 
control of the ship in short order, although not before Riker orders computer 
command functions disabled.  

Picard and the other children, meanwhile, are left on board in a classroom, 
thought to be harmless.  They quickly work to lend what assistance they can, 
with Guinan and Ro moving down a service corridor to Engineering, Alexander 
luring a Ferengi out of the medical lab long enough to grab a couple of 
hyposprays, and Picard and Keiko using Alexander's remote-controlled car to 
sucker a Ferengi out of the transporter room, leaving them time to program 
the transporter and get some phasers.

With everything in place, all they need is to gain access to the command 
functions; and to do that, they need Riker to understand what's happening.  
Picard throws a tantrum at a nearby Ferengi, demanding to see Riker, his 
"father".  The meeting goes well; although both speak in code, Riker appears 
to understand what they need.  However, matters are complicated when DaiMon 
Lurin threatens Riker with the deaths of all the children unless he 
reactivated the computer and instructs Morta, another Ferengi, in its use.

Riker relents, but makes up explanations as he goes, confusing Morta.  At the 
same time, he secretly gives Picard access to the command functions.  The 
children move fast, slapping Ferengi right and left with communicators.  The 
Ferengi, once "tagged", are beamed onto a transporter platform surrounded by 
a force field, and with their weapons deactivated.  In short order, all but 
the two on the bridge are dealt with; and those two prove no difficulty for 
Picard and Riker to subdue themselves.  With the crisis resolved, the 
children return to normal.

NEXT WEEK:

The Wild West comes to the final frontier.  

Tim Lynch (Harvard-Westlake School, Science Dept.)
BITNET:  tlynch@citjulie
INTERNET:  tlynch@juliet.caltech.edu
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"I believe you're in my chair."
--
Copyright 1992, Timothy W. Lynch.  All rights reserved, but feel free to ask...