Sirna Kolrami Sirna Kolrami was a male Zakdorn and Master Strategist during the mid - to late - 24th century . History . In 2365 , Kolrami was recruited by Starfleet to observe a battle simulation between the and the . Kolrami was quite skilled at the game of Strategema , reaching the rank of third level grand master . While aboard the " Enterprise " - D , he easily defeated Commander Riker at the game , causing him to have a low opinion of Riker ' s ability as a strategist . During the simulation , however , Kolrami was impressed by Riker ' s highly unorthodox style which saw the heavily outmatched " Hathaway " score several simulated hits on the " Enterprise " - D . Once the battle simulation was underway , the Ferengi marauder " Kreechta " interrupted in the false belief that the " Hathaway " held some secret value . Offering his strategic advice , Kolrami insisted that the " Enterprise " - D abandon Riker and his crew as acceptable losses ; Captain Picard refused , and Riker was able to fool the Ferengi into believing his ship had been destroyed . Further impressed by Riker ' s strategic machinations , Kolrami filed a favorable report on Riker ' s performance to Starfleet . After witnessing Riker ' s earlier defeat at Strategema , Doctor Pulaski encouraged Lieutenant Commander Data to challenge Kolrami to a game of Strategema , in the belief that Data was infallible and could not be defeated by an organic person . Kolrami easily triumphed , causing Data to question his own abilities and to even request to be relieved of duty , believing that his advice could be flawed and that Captain Picard should not rely on it . Data later realized that his own strategy was flawed and challenged Kolrami to a second game ; this time passing up obvious avenues of opportunity to gain an advantage . This stalling defensive tactic so frustrated Kolrami that he quit the game , handing victory to Data by default . ( ) Memorable quotes . " " I prefer brains over brawn as well . I think it ' s a waste of effort to test our combat skills . It ' s a minor province in the make - up of a starship captain . " " < br > " " Your objection is noted . Let us hope your distaste for the exercise will not affect your strategic abilities . " " < br > " " Mister Kolrami , when I agree to do something . I do it . " " < br > " " Well , Number One , you are allowed a complement of forty , so select whom you will , save of course Mister Data , who will serve as my first officer during your absence . " " < br > " " I had envisioned you defining the crew . " " < br > " " On my ship , the leader of an away team has total control of the mission . If you want to judge leadership , why not start at the beginning ? " " < br > " " Very well , Captain . " " < br > " " It appears we will have some time before reaching Braslota . I was wondering if you ' d agree to play me in a game of Strategema . " " < br > " " Although I am intrigued by the audacity of your request , I can ' t fathom why you wish the encounter . " " < br > " " I enjoy a challenge . " " < br > " " Very well . An opponent of limited dimensions can often be quite diverting . " " < br > " " What ' s the Zakdornian word for mismatch ? " " < br > " " Challenge . We do not whine about the inequities of life . And how you perform in a mismatch is precisely what is of interest to Starfleet . After all , when one is in the superior position , one is expected to win . " " < br > " " I don ' t blame you . It ' s no fun going into a game when you know you ' re going to lose . " " < br > " " But I wouldn ' t lose . Now you ' re no doubt going to tell me that I have to prove it to you . " " < br > " " Come on , Data , you can ' t let that pass . " " < br > " " Indeed , I . Cannot . " " < br > " " His work record is exemplary , but , as you well know , a starship captain is not manufactured . He , or she , is born from inside . From the character of the individual . My interviews have revealed a man who displays circumstantially inappropriate joviality , belying the seriousness of his station . " " < br > " " Don ' t confuse style with intent . Only a fool would question Commander Riker ' s dedication to Starfleet and the men and women under his command . He is simply the finest officer with whom I have ever served . " " < br > " " We shall see if your faith is well founded . " " < br > " " The test is if a crew will follow where Commander Riker leads . His joviality is the means by which he creates that loyalty . And I will match his command style with your statistics any time . " " < br > " " I must admit your Commander Riker acquitted himself quite admirably . And so , Captain , have you . My report to Starfleet will be most favourable . " " < br > Appendices . Background information . Sirna Kolrami was played by actor Roy Brocksmith in his first of two " Star Trek " appearances . The costume worn by Brocksmith consisted of thick green - gold pants with a matching robe - like long - sleeved top . It was later sold for $ 315 . 00 in the It ' s A Wrap ! sale and auction . The script of describes Kolrami as " " a slender weasel - like creature " " . It also gives the pronunciation of his name as " cole - ROM - ee " . " " Kolrami was the first Zakdorn seen on - screen . Makeup designer Michael Westmore was given no direction as to what the character should look like so had to wait until the casting department had made a decision on who would play the role before he could get to work on his design . " " There was nothing in the ' Peak Performance ' script telling me what the character would look like , " " Westmore recalled . " " It wasn ' t until I started sculpting over the cast of Roy ' s head that I was able to come up with an idea for his character , Sirna Kolrami . Roy has a full , round face , and I developed a set of appliances that would work with his features . We made a piece that went over his nose and upper lip , two pieces for the cheek , and an appliance for his forehead . " " Westmore didn ' t want to do anything with Kolrami ' s hair so he instructed the stylist to slick it back . " " That exposed more of his face , " " he explained . " " I also left his hands alone , because I knew there would be several scenes of him playing a game , and he would need his hands free . " " Once the look of the Zaldorn had been established with Kolrami , it was simply a matter of adjusting the appliances to match the actor in future appearances , such as for Klim Dokachin in . ( " " , p . 113 ) In his review of " Peak Performance " , " Star Trek " author Keith R . A . DeCandido writes , " " Roy Brocksmith has always been an excellent character actor , but I ’ d argue that this was his strongest performance , playing Kolrami as a distinctive , hilarious character . " " Apocrypha . Kolrami and the events of " Peak Performance " are shown in the " " - " What ' s Past " eBook " Many Splendors " . Kolrami also has a card in the " Star Trek Customizable Card Game " which highlights his leadership skills .