"Captain's log, stardate 44257.5. The Royal Family of the independent planet Tilonus IV has granted Starfleet the privilege of ferrying a young Tilonian epidemiologist and immunologist princess, Princess Erania, to a public health conference on Bolarus IX. The Enterprise is en route to the Tilonus system to beam the princess aboard. Pursuant to a request from the princess that the planet's democratically elected prime minister communicated to the higher-ups at Starfleet, a few crew members and I will greet the princess in the Transporter Room while wearing standard Starfleet duty uniforms."
The NCC-1701-D Enterprise was cruising at Warp Factor 7. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Cmdr. William Thomas Riker, and beautiful sentient gynoid Lt. Commander Data were on the bridge, along with the starship's half-Betazoid counselor, Lt. Commander Deanna Troi, its adolescent flight control officer, Ensign Wesley Crusher, and Klingon tactical officer and chief of security, Lt. Commander Worf. They were all, including Troi, dressed in everyday Starfleet uniforms. "It's unusual for a dignitary to ask Starfleet people to not worry about their attire, Captain," Riker said. "According to what the higher-ups at Starfleet said to me, Princess Erania told the Tilonian prime minister we would already have enough on our shoulders with the Princess aboard, and that our attire was just one more problem the princess did not want to burden us with, Number One," Picard said. "Mr. Crusher, how long before we reach the Tilonus system?" Riker said. "Twenty-seven minutes, Commander," Wesley said.
About twenty-seven minutes later, the Enterprise reached the Tilonus system. The starship dropped out of warp and went to impulse. A few minutes later, the ship entered into standard orbit around Tilonus IV. "Hail the Tilonian Royal Palace, Mr. Worf," Picard said. "Aye, sir," Worf said, and hit some buttons on his console. "They are replying, sir," Worf then said as Picard stood up and walked toward the screen. A couple of young Tilonian women then appeared on the viewscreen. "Queen Sylaura of Tilonus IV. This is my sister, Princess Erania. Am I speaking to the crew of a Federation starship?" One of the women on the viewscreen said. "That is correct, Your Majesty. Captain Jean-Luc Picard from the starship Enterprise, representing the United Federation of Planets," Picard said. "I trust that your superiors made you aware of my request for you to not worry about your attire, Captain?" Erania said. "Yes, they did, Princess. We are now in orbit and are ready to greet you in the transporter room. Just transmit your transporter coordinates and we'll beam you aboard," Picard said. "I am transmitting Transporter coordinates, Captain. Sylaura out," Sylaura said, and the viewscreen went blank. "Number One, Miss Data, come with me to Transporter Room 4 so that we can greet our guest. You have command of the bridge, Miss Troi," Picard said, and Picard, Riker, and Data stepped into a turbolift at the front of the port side of the bridge.
Some time later, they stepped off the turbolift and walked to Transporter Room 4. When they got to the Transporter Room, they found a human gentleman, Miles O'Brien, at the transporter controls. "I have locked onto the Princess, Captain," O'Brien said. "Energize," Picard said. The transporter energized, and Princess Erania materialized in the transporter chamber. "Permission to exit the chamber, Captain?" Erania then said. "Permission granted." Picard said, and Erania stepped out of the transporter chamber. "Welcome aboard the starship Enterprise, Princess. This is my first officer, Commander William Riker, and this is my chief science officer, Lieutenant Commander Data," Picard then said. "Forgive me, Captain, but is Commander Data the gynoid that a Federation court declared was a sentient gynoid?" Erania said. "That is correct, Princess," Data said. "Commander Data will take you to your quarters, and once you are settled in, she'll give you a tour of the Enterprise," Picard said. "Once Commander Data finishes with the tour of your starship, I would like to join you on your bridge as an observer, Captain," Erania said. "Of course, Princess, by all means," Picard said. Riker tapped his combadge. "Riker to Mr. Crusher. Set a course for Bolarus IX. Warp 7," Riker said. "Aye, sir. Entering a course for Bolarus IX, at Warp 7," Crusher replied. The Enterprise left orbit, powered up its warp engines, and went to warp.