'Tin Man' (Story Code 168) by Dennis Putman Bailey and David Bischoff

The U.S.S. Enterprise is instructed to convey Tam Elbrun, a Federation emissary from Betazoid, to a distant star system so that he can attempt to establish first contact with an alien intelligence codenamed Tin Man. This mysterious, spaceship-like entity is currently in orbit around a star that is due to explode imminently, and the Enterprise must reach it before it can be intercepted by two Romulan Warbirds that are also hoping to make contact. While en route to the star, Tam confesses to his old friend Counselor Troi that he is frustrated and unhappy with his incredible telepathic powers, and is constantly bombarded by the thoughts of those around him; he also reveals that has already made preliminary contact with Tin Man. When the Enterprise arrives at the star it is immediately attacked by one of the Warbirds, which then prepares to destroy Tin Man before the Federation can make contact; however, Elbrun telepathically warns the alien, which emits an energy wave that destroys the Warbird, but inadvertently causes serious damage to the Federation ship. With his damaged ship facing the threat of the other Romulan ship and the impending stellar explosion, Captain Picard has no choice but to ask Elbrun to coax Tin Man into moving away to safety; but Elbrun explains that Tin Man, having lost its crew years earlier, has actually come to the star to die in the explosion…

Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William Thomas Riker), LeVar Burton (Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Security Chief Lieutenant Worf), Gates McFadden (Doctor Beverly Crusher), Marina Sirtis (Councelor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lieutenant Commander Data), Wil Wheaton (Ensign Wesley Crusher), Michael Cavanaugh (Capt Robert DeSoto), Peter Vogt (Romulan Commander), Colm Meaney (Transporter Chief Miles O’Brien), Harry Groener (Tam Elbrun)

Directed by Robert Scheerer
Co-Produced by Hans Beimler and Richard Manning
Produced by Ira Steven Behr
Executive Producers Rick Berman and Gene Roddenberry

TX:
23rd April, 1990

Notes:
*Featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Thomas Riker, Chief Engineer Lieutenant Geordi La Forge, Security Chief Lieutenant Worf, Doctor Beverly Crusher, Councelor Deanna Troi, Lieutenant Commander Data, Transporter Chief Miles O’Brien and Ensign Wesley Crusher