After an unlikely rescue from the exploding Scimitar, Data meets a certain Gallifreyan Timelord. They team up to prevent a dangerous weapon from falling into the wrong hands. Together they travel back to the year when the Enterprise-C was lost defending the Klingon outpost Narendra-III against the Romulans. Meanwhile Captain Riker deals with with some unresolved issues.

When a strange, blue box appears in the middle of Federation territory, motionless and without power, it's up to the crew of the Enterprise D to determine just who its strange occupant is... and if he is friend or foe. Even as that very madman wonders just what kind of reality he's found himself in... and if he really wants to find his way back... (SOME REVIEWS CONTAIN SPOILERS)