Power Hungry " Commander Riker and the " Enterprise " crew struggle to help a Federation ally regain control of their lives – and their world . . . " Power Hungry is a Pocket TNG novel – # 6 in the numbered series – written by Howard Weinstein . Published by Pocket Books , it was first released in . Summary . Prologue . Counselor Troi , Captain Picard , and Commander Riker are in Riker ' s quarters listening to classical music when the captain receives a priority code communication from Starfleet Command . Picard is informed by Captain Kimberly Schaller that the planet he is headed to , Thiopa , is under pressure from the Ferengi to join their alliance . He is warned the Ferengi may also attempt to steal the humanitarian cargo the " Enterprise " is bringing to Thiopa . Chapter One . With the " Enterprise " still en route to Thiopa , the captain reminisces about his first tour on the " Enterprise " , guided by his Oktonian escort , Lieutenant Snephets . He is called to the bridge when a a group of Nauran starships attack the " Enterprise " and the cargo ships it is escorting . The Naurans are able to destroy one of the five unmanned ships before being chased off by the " Enterprise " . The captain is then contacted from sickbay by Ambassador Frid Undrun , a Federation specialist assigned to the Thiopan aide mission . The captain is scolded by Undrun for allowing some of the much - needed supplies to be destroyed . Chapter Two . In Ten Forward , Ambassador Undrun sits alone , facing aft , away from the majestic outer windows of the lounge . Guinan offers him a drink – a synthehol ic version of Kinjin wine . The ambassador notes that synthehol is probably the only good thing the Ferengi have contributed to the galaxy . Undrun explains to Guinan that he doesn ' t face the windows because spaceflight makes him queasy . He goes on to say that he envies Captain Picard and Commander Riker for having the skills necessary to run a starship . He explains that he is somewhat underqualified as an ambassador – that he was trained as an ecologist – something this mission required due to extensive pollution on Thiopa . In the observation lounge , the senior staff discusses the upcoming mission . Data explain the despotic Nauran Imperium made contact with the then - early - industrial Thiopans several years ago . When Thiopa ' s new leader , Ruer Stross , came to power the relationship grew . In exchange for technological advancements – the Nauran ' s plundered the planets natural resources and polluted its oceans and atmosphere . The Thiopans have apparently kicked out the Nauran ' s and asked for Federation assistance to rebuild their homeworld . Data also informs the captain the Nauran ' s have set up several slave - labor camps nearby Thiopa . Counselor Troi explains that the Naruans are extremely different than Human s . They are completely motivated by self - gain , and have very little understanding of the consequences of their actions – something Troi speculates their brains may be incapable of . Captain Picard dismisses his staff , but Troi asks to stay behind to speak with the captain and first officer . She says she has sensed fear and a lack of self - confidence in Ambassador Undrun . The captain suggests they proceed with caution – keeping an eye on the ambassador . The " Enterprise " reaches scanning range of Thiopa . On the bridge , Wesley Crusher reports that Thiopa is extremely polluted . Data describes the situation as analogous to a critically ill patient . The captain wonders what would cause a people to allow their planet to be so badly damaged before taking action against the ones causing it . Chapter Three . On Thiopa , Lord Ruer Stross , the dictator of Thiopa , is being fitted by his tailor , Supo , for an outfit to wear to his anniversary feast . He is impatient and stubborn , refusing to help Supo in any way . Stross is also quite gluttonous – he insists on having another snack , something Supo refuses to allow – citing that he will not be able to fit into the outfit just tailored . A mysterious and uncanny women enters the room . Her name is Ayli , and she is a " shadow reader " – someone supposedly able to predict the future based on the flicker of lights against a wall . Ayli warns Stross that he may not be able to achieve his goal of " Fusion " – to have all of Thiopa united before his death . He sees this as a gift to his people , but believes he can only achieve it when all of Thiopa ' s differences have been made null . He wishes for everyone to speak the same language and have the same culture . His goal however , is opposed by the Sojourners – a group of Thiopan ' s resistant to Stross ' leadership . They began with only philosophical opposition twenty years prior , but have recently , under new leadership , began using violence to accomplish their tasks . Ootherai , the Minister of Policy , and Stross ' close adviser enters . He warns Stross that the Sojourners , and their radical leader Lessandra , will attempt to use propaganda to sway the " Enterprise " s views on Stross . He worries that if the Federation finds out about the Sojourners , they may withhold the much needed supplies – or worse , give them to the Sojourners . Otherai and Stross agree that any Sojourner sympathizers should be rounded up and arrested until after the " Enterprise " leaves . Chapter Four . At last , the " Enterprise " arrives at Thiopa . As Wesley places the ship in standard orbit , close range sensor s are able to confirm the massive ecological damage previously detected on the planet below . The " Enterprise " hail s Thiopa , requesting communication with Stross . Instead they are put in contact with Policy Minister Ootherai , who explains that Stross in unavailable . Ootherai invites the senior staff to join Stross at his anniversary feast – a peculiarity considering they are in the middle of a famine – but the crew speculates it may only be a symbolic feast to raise morale , and they agree to attend . Captain Picard also arranges to have Commander Riker and Ambassador Undrun beam down to prepare for transfer of the relief supplies the " Enterprise " has brought along . The away team beams down , forced to wear oxygen masks to protect them from the various pollution - related toxins in the atmosphere . They walk into an enormous storage bulding – only to find the condition much below Federation hygiene standards – a large problem considering they are planning to beam down food , water , and medical supplies . They are greeted by Chardrai , supervisor of the facility . Undrun confronts Chardrai about the unhygienic situation . Chardrai brushes him off , saying the Federation has authority over how the Thiopans use their supplies . Undrun responds by explaining that he is responsible for the supplies – and for the safety of the relief workers he has brought along with him . Chardria is appalled to learn Federation aide workers will be staying on Thiopa , but Undrun replies that the workers are there at the request of the Thiopan government . The confrontation is quickly interrupted as a large explosion is heard outside the compound . They soon learn that Sojourner rebels have bombed a nearby facility . One of the attackers is caught by Thiopan guards , and brought to Chardrai , who is still in the company of Riker and Undrun . Chardrai calls the man a traitor , but the Sojourner retaliates saying it is not treason to oppose a tyrannical dictator . Chardrai orders his immediate execution . Appalled by the events that have taken place , Riker and Undrun beam back to the " Enterprise " to brief Captain Picard . Back on the ship , Riker and Undrun are being treated by Doctor Pulaski for the pollution they were exposed to . Picard realized this already complicated mission has just become much worse . Chapter Five . Picard , Troi , and Data beam down to Thiopa ' s central government building where they are greeted Ootherai . The trio is puzzled by the fact that a new government complex is being built , and that the people in the capital seem healthy and fit – all in a time of great famine . Ootherai explains that the new complex is to be named after Stross , and leads them to the feast . Meanwhile , Lord Stross is still being prepared for the feast by Supo . Stross struggles to ensure he his at his best while Picard and company arrive for the feast . Stross cordially introduces himself to Picard , thanking him graciously for the assistance the Federation is providing . Stross introduces Picard to Dr . Kael Keat , a promising young Thiopan scientist who leads Thiopa ' s Science Council in an attempt to reverse the ecological damage . Data is fascinated by her studies and asks if he can speak to her after about her work . Keal is in turn fascinated by Data , as an android . Ootherai interjects , stating that the feast is about to begin , and leads the group into the complex . Back on the " Enterprise " , Riker and La Forge are discussing the possibility of starting a jazz band . La Forge warns Riker that Worf wants to join the band , playing a Klingon instrument called a " chuS ' ugh " ( which translates roughly to " heavy noise " ) . Riker is worried that no jazz music has been written for the " chuS ' ugh " , but is interrupted by Undrun , who storms in , very worried about what he experienced on Thiopa . He is slurring his words , still under the influence of the sedative administered by Pulaski , and not officially released from sickbay . Riker orders him back to sickbay . Undrun refuses , so Riker picks up the small man and carries him there himself . Riker and La Forge then walk to Worf ' s quarters , where they hear him warming up his " chuS ' ugh " . On Thiopa , the Feast is beginning . Much to the disbelief of Captain Picard , it is in fact a feast , serving enormous amounts of food to almost 3 , 000 people . Troi suggests the Thiopans may have lied to the Federation about the famine – but Data interjects that the ecological damage to the planet is quite real . Picard believes it is simply bad leadership , and relates this to the 17th century French nobility who lived in complete luxury while their people starved . He refers to Marie Antoinette saying " " Let them eat cake , " " which , Data points out , she did not in fact say . The trio is troubled by their recent discovery , giving them all the more reason to meet with Stross and Ootherai . Troi feels guilt eating so much when the Thiopan people are starving , but Picard points out that with the Federation supplies they will not be starving for long . Worf finishes tuning his " chuS ' ugh " and begins to play . Riker and La Forge dislike the sound , but say nothing . They begin to jam , and Worf explains that his Human parents went to great length to find a Klingon instrument , and that he learned from a computer program since no teacher was available . Worf plays a Klingon classic , which Riker and La Forge note is by no means jazz . Worf is disappointed , and puts his " chuS ' ugh " back in its case . Memorable quotes . " " I face a decision that is both difficult and simple . In spite of the paradox there , such decisions are all too common in this line of work . The simple part is this : I feel morally bound to present Thiopa ' s leaders – both government and Sojourner – with the facts as we know them to be . And to offer our help , if they ask for it . After that , it ' s up to them . " That " is the hard part . " "