The Enterprise explodes without warning as a microfracture in the warp core containment field generator allows for an instantaneous breach. Nearby vessels, participating in a close-formation parade in observation of the peace keeping holiday Federation Day are also destroyed or crippled. Thousands are dead and the moment is seized upon by Maquis rebels and Romulan forces who stage a devastating incursion into Federation territory. Hope is lost.

Commander Riker, vacationing on Risa, is informed of the disaster on the way out of a doctor’s appointment during which it is revealed he has cancer. In the remaining 45 minutes Riker explores “alternatives” to the Starfleet lifestyle as he is forced to live out the remainder of his life crushing rocks in a Romulan dilithium mine.

Data wakes up to realize it has all been a vision caused by a mote of dust on a critical subprocessor that misaligned his “waking time” with the continuation of normal neuronetic processing by .00002 nanoseconds.

