The Defector ( episode ) The " Enterprise " grants asylum to a defector from the Romulan Empire , who claims to have vital information concerning a renewed Romulan offensive against the Federation . Summary . Teaser . As Data performs in Shakespeare ' s play " Henry V " on the holodeck , Captain Picard watches , and applauds him that he is getting better and better with his performance . Data intends to study the Human condition through Shakespeare . They are interrupted by Commander Riker , who informs them that sensors have detected an unidentified craft in the Romulan Neutral Zone headed towards Federation space . Picard and Data leave the holodeck and discuss why a king would want to pose as a commoner . Picard arrives on the bridge , and Riker informs him that Outpost Sierra VI has confirmed that the vessel is a Romulan scout ship . The ship hails the and its pilot requests assistance and asylum , as he is under pursuit . The ship enters visual range and Worf displays it on the main viewer , just as a Romulan warbird decloaks , chasing the scout ship . Act One . The warbird begins firing on the scout ship . Picard immediately brings the ship to red alert and attempts to communicate with the warbird . He informs them that they have crossed the Neutral Zone and are engaged in hostile action , and demands an explanation . No response is received , so they contact the scout ship again , this time visually . Its pilot pleads for help as the " Enterprise " moves to intercept , but then the ship is struck by weapons fire and communication is lost . The ship drifts into Federation space and the " Enterprise " extends its deflector shield s around it . The warbird approaches , entering Federation space . Picard orders phaser s locked on and demands that the warbird withdraws from Federation space . They turn around and do so , having never communicated with the " Enterprise " . Life support on the scout ship begins to fail , so Picard orders that its pilot be transported aboard , and the scout ship taken in tow . Worf and Riker go to the transporter room to meet the pilot . The pilot is injured , unable to move his left arm , and has severe burns on his face . He demands to see the captain , and when Riker suggests he go to sickbay he refuses , insisting the information he has is vital to their survival . He claims to be a low - ranking logistics officer with vital information . In the observation lounge he tells them that the humiliating defeat suffered by the Romulan s at the Battle of Cheron has not been forgotten and their new leaders have vowed to disregard the Treaty of Algeron – Nelvana III is just the first step . The Romulans have already established a base there , and it will be operational within forty - eight hours . Riker is suspicious , wondering how the Federation sensors that monitor the Neutral Zone just happened to have missed this new base . The pilot insists that within two days a fleet of warbirds will be within striking distance of fifteen Federation sector s . Picard tells Worf to take the pilot , Sublieutenant Setal , to sickbay . Picard , Riker , Data and Geordi La Forge discuss " Setal " ' s intentions . Whether he is legitimate or not , this could be a ploy by the Romulans to make the Federation look like the aggressors . As La Forge talks about the scout ship the defector has left them , with a suggestion that Picard sends an away team to the ship , it suddenly explodes just outside the observation lounge ' s windows . Riker questions " Setal " in sickbay . " Setal " insists that he is not a traitor and he set the ship ' s auto - destruct sequencer to prevent it from being captured . " Setal " is surprised when Dr . Crusher displays knowledge of Romulan medicine . She says she had gained experience recently , at the incident at Galorndon Core . Worf remains suspicious , asking how a clerk knew of that incident and questioning the authenticity of his credentials . " Setal " defiantly spouts Klingon insults , but Riker artfully counters with a Romulan insult then has Worf leave the room to see to other arrangements . " Setal " laughs and admires Worf , but reminds himself that a man like Worf could get everyone killed . Act Two . Riker shows " Setal " to his quarters . When Riker leaves , " Setal " asks the replicator for water , giving the temperature in onkian s . The computer does not understand and asks for the temperature in Celsius degrees . He impatiently asks for water at the cold side of whatever their temperature scale is . He then sits on his bed and removes a small , round object that was concealed in his boot . On the bridge , Data reports that no unusual activity has been detected in the Nelvana system . A priority communication from Starfleet Command on Lya III arrives . Admiral Haden informs Picard that the Romulan government has officially demanded the return of the defector but the Federation Council has refused . He suggests taking the " Enterprise " to a Federation position proximate to Nelvana III . Picard then calls Lieutenant Worf to his ready room . Back on the bridge , Picard , La Forge , Data and Dr . Crusher watch sensor recordings from the chase . La Forge reports that the warbird deliberately slowed down to avoid catching the scout ship . Data also reports that the Romulans have the same ability to direct the impact of their weapons as they do . Crusher admits that despite the severity of his wounds , it is conceivable that " Setal " could have inflicted them upon himself . Picard receives another communication from Admiral Haden . The and the are on their way but will not arrive in time . All Federation outposts have been warned , and all starships have been placed on yellow alert . Starfleet does not want a war , but is prepared to take the Romulans on if that is what they want . Picard orders Data to prepare a Class - 1 probe to scan " every meter of Nelvana III " . He also asks for Data ' s clarity of thought , asking Data to keep a clear record of these events , so that history will have an unbiased account . He also asks about the crew ' s spirit , confessing that , unlike King Henry , he cannot disguise himself and walk amongst his men . Act Three . Riker and Deanna Troi interrogate " Setal " . Riker tries to make him prove that he is not a spy by asking about the strength and locations of the Romulan battle fleet . Setal says he does not know . He tells them he is a logistics officer for only one sector , under Admiral Jarok . He responds with the exclamation " " Irrelevant ! " " to the rest of Riker ' s questions . The " Enterprise " receives a priority message from the security officer on the , which Worf leaves the bridge to deal with . Data , in the meantime , launches the probe . In main engineering , Data and Geordi analyze the probe ' s telemetry . The probe has picked up low - level subspace radio communications and ionization disturbance s coming from the planet , which may be evidence of cloaked Romulan ships . However , they have not detected a base . The only way to be certain is to go to the planet and look for themselves . In Ten Forward , Data observes " Setal " . " Setal " recognizes him as the android he had heard about . He apparently knows of a number of Romulan cyberneticists who would love to study him , but Data realizes that that is not something he would want . " Setal " asks if the replicators are capable of producing Romulan ale but Data says they are not as they do not have the appropriate molecular pattern , as their knowledge of Romulan culture is very limited . " Setal " and Data discuss the possibility that he will never be allowed to return to Romulus . Data takes him to the holodeck where he recreates the Valley of Chula on Romulus , but he does not need to stay for long . He tells Data to arrange a meeting between himself and Captain Picard , and to tell him that Admiral Jarok wishes to speak with him . Act Four . Admiral Haden confirms that " Setal " is , in fact , Admiral Alidar Jarok , the commander responsible for the massacre at the Norkan outposts . Jarok is brought in to the ready room , where Picard questions his credibility . He suggests that the massacres at the Norkan Outposts are an example of the fact that Jarok is not a man of peace . Jarok counters , saying what Picard calls massacres were called the Norkan Campaign s on his homeworld . Picard asks Jarok if he is willing to help them overcome the Romulan B - type warbirds , and deactivate their cloaking shields . Jarok says nothing , and Picard invites the Admiral to consider Picard ' s dilemma : Jarok wants them to act , yet stubbornly refuses to tell them any of what he certainly knows of the Romulans ' military capabilities , which means his credibility is less than nothing . Jarok insists that he cannot betray his people , and Picard snaps that Jarok already has , and he had better get used to the fact that he is a defector . After a pause , Jarok asks if Picard has children . Picard attempts to return the discussion to the present , but Jarok stops him , saying that when a man becomes a father , he realizes it is his duty to make the whole world a better place for his child . After Jarok ' s daughter was born , he pleaded with the Romulan High Command for months , telling them that another war would destroy the Empire but they would not listen . They censured him and sent him off to command some distant sector . He had no choice but to defect . His daughter will now grow up believing her father is a traitor , but at least she will grow up , if Picard acts . Picard , unmoved , says he will only act unless Jarok cooperates , completely and unequivocally . In the observation lounge , Picard announces that Jarok has given him the strengths and locations of the Romulan fleet and will provide them with technical data on Romulan ships . Picard orders the ship to Nelvana III . Act Five . The " Enterprise " enters the Neutral Zone , in direct violation of the Treaty of Algeron , but suspiciously meets with no resistance . The ship arrives , but no lifeforms , power systems , weapons or any sign of a base are detected on the planet . Data realizes that the signs are coming from a unknown source in orbit about the planet . Jarok arrives on the bridge . He is stunned when Picard confronts him – he claims to have seen the tactical communiqués , the timetables describing this base , " et cetera " . Picard asks if the whole incident could have been a test of Jarok ' s loyalty . The " Enterprise " prepares to withdraw but two warbirds decloak and attack them . Picard tells Worf not to fire back and then receives a hail from the lead Romulan ship . Commander Tomalak appears and tells them that this time it is they who have made an aggressive move across the Neutral Zone . Tomalak reveals that the communications they picked up were coming from an orbiting probe sent to conduct archaeological research . He announces that they will dissect the " Enterprise " and display its broken hull in the center of the Romulan capitol . There it will serve as inspiration for their troops for generations and also a warning to any other potential traitors . Jarok confronts Tomalak , but Tomalak refuses to listen , demanding that Jarok be returned and then the " Enterprise " crew surrender as prisoners of war . Picard refuses to accept Tomalak ' s terms , and Tomalak is not at all surprised . He asks if Picard is willing to risk the lives of his crew for a lost cause , and Picard says if the cause is just and honorable , his crew will follow him . He asks if Tomalak is also prepared to die , and Tomalak scoffs at him , expecting more than an idle threat , to which Picard replies " " You shall have it . " " He instructs Worf to signal three cloaked Klingon Birds - of - Prey to reveal themselves – surrounding the Romulan ships . Tomalak boasts that " Enterprise " will still not survive their assault and Picard tells Tomalak that they will not survive his , either . Picard asks if they shall die together . Tomalak then tells Picard he looks forward to their next meeting and closes the channel . Worf reports the Romulan disruptors are powering down and the warbirds retreat from the Nelvana system . Picard asks Worf to extend the appreciation of the Federation and his personal gratitude to the Klingons . Extremely bitter , Jarok laments to no one in particular , " " I did it for nothing . My home , my family ; for nothing . " " Later , Jarok is found in his quarters – dead , having committed suicide with a Felodesine chip , leaving only a letter for his family . Data remarks that Jarok must have realized that they could not deliver it , given the Federation ' s current relations with the Romulan Empire . Picard replies that if other Romulans show the courage of Admiral Jarok then , perhaps they will see a day of peace when they can take his letter home . Memorable quotes . " " How do you allow Klingon " peta ' Q " to walk around in a Starfleet uniform ? " " " " You are lucky this is not a Klingon ship . We know how to deal with spies . " " " " Remove this " tohzah " from my sight ! " " " " Your knowledge of Klingon curses is impressive . But , as a Romulan might say , only a " veruul " would use such language in public . " " " " Oh , what a fool I ' ve been , to come looking for courage in the lair of cowards . " " " " One world ' s butcher is another world ' s hero . Perhaps I am neither one . " " " " We have less than 48 hours to prevent a war or perhaps . . . to start one . " " " " This . . . " this " is my home now – my future . I have sacrificed everything . It must " not " be in vain . Arrange a meeting between myself and Captain Picard . . . tell him . . . Admiral Jarok wants to see him . " " " " You already betrayed your people , Admiral ! You made your choices sir ! You ' re a traitor ! Now if the bitter taste of that is unpalatable to you I am truly sorry , but I will not risk my crew because you think you can dance on the edge of the Neutral Zone . You crossed over , Admiral . You make yourself comfortable with that . " " " " It does appear unlikely you will ever be allowed to return to your planet . " " " " The cold reaction of an android . " " " " There comes a time in a man ' s life that you cannot know . . . when he looks down at the first smile of his baby girl and realizes he must change the world for her . . . for all children . " " " " Now if these men do not die well , it will be a black matter for the king that led them to it . " " " " They let you escape with an arsenal of worthless secrets . What other explanation is there ? " " " " Today , perhaps . But if there are others with the courage of Admiral Jarok , we may hope to see a day of peace when we can take his letter home . " " " " If the cause is just and honorable , they are prepared to give their lives . Are you prepared to die today , Tomalak ? " " " " You still will not survive our attack . " " " " And you will not survive ours . Shall we both die together ? " " " " I did it for nothing . " " Links and references . References . 2366 ; antidote ; Apnex Sea ; apogee ; archaeology ; auto - destruct sequencer ; B - type ; Battle of Cheron ; ; ; Celsius ; censure ; chess ; class - 1 probe ; cloaking device ; colorful metaphor ; ; cybernetics ; ; defector ; disruptor ; dissection ; EM ; ; Federation ; Federation Council ; felodesine chip ; firefall ; Gal Gath ' thong ; Galorndon Core ; hailing frequency ; " Henry V " ; ; holo - programs ; holodeck ; ; interrogation room ; ionization disturbance ; Jarok ' s daughter ; Jarok ' s scout ship ; Jarok ' s wife ; kilometer ; king ; Klingon ; Klingon Bird - of - Prey ; Klingon language ; Kullnark ; lair ; legion ; Little Bighorn River ; logistics clerk ; Lya III ; meter ; ; naked ness ; Nelvana III ; Nelvana system ; Norkan Campaign ; Norkan outposts ; number one ; ; life support ; " onkian " ; orbital probe ; outpost ; Outpost Sierra VI ; " petaQ " ; political asylum ; power transfer field ; priority code gamma ; priority one ; prisoner of war ; radiation ; rating code ; reactor core ; Romulan ; Romulan ale ; Romulan capitol ; Romulan High Command ; Romulan language ; Romulan Neutral Zone ; Romulan scout ship ; Romulan Star Empire ; Romulan warbird ; Romulus ; sector ; security officer ; security station ; Setal ; Seventh Cavalry ; ; Shapiro ; short - sightedness ; spire ; Starfleet Command ; Starfleet Tactical ; sublieutenant ; subspace radio ; suicide ; tent ; tohzah ; Thames ; Treaty of Algeron ; " Twelfth Night , or What You Will " ; water ; Valley of Chula ; " veruul " ; viewport ; violet ; warbird class ; ; yellow alert Other references . Starfleet Tactical Intelligence Analysis : Beta Hutzel ; Epsilon Legato ; Gamma Hydra ; Moore ' s Star ; Nelvana I ; Nelvana II ; Nelvana IV ; Nelvana V ; Outpost 3 ; Outpost 4 ; Outpost 5 ; Outpost 6 ; Sigma Nelvana ; Theta Curry Deleted references . Sector 814 ; Sector 815