“Chain of Command, Part I” is episode ten of season six of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise has rendezvoused with the USS Cairo for an urgent meeting with Vide Admiral Nechayev. She’s brought into the captain’s ready room by Commander Riker, who she then dismisses. Nechayev says there’s no time for pleasantries and that she’s there to relieve the captain of command.
The admiral briefs Troi, Data and Riker that Cardassian forces withdrawn from the Bajoran sector have been redeployed on the Federation border. Three divisions of ground forces have been mobilised and increased comms traffic suggests they are ready to make an incursion into Federation space. Riker asks if the Cardassians think they are ready for war. Not a war; an incursion. It’s thought the Cardassians will seek to seize one of the disputed systems on the border, gambling the Federation won’t go to war over one system. The Enterprise is being sent to meet with a Cardassian representative to open talks and send a message to the leadership.
She explains that Captain Picard, Dr Crusher and Worf have been reassigned. Captain Jellico, current commander of the Cairo, is being given command of the Enterprise; he helped negotiate the armistice two years ago and is believed to be the most qualified. Afterwards, Riker questions this; Nechayev says they need someone on the bridge with a great deal of experience with the Cardassians and, no offence, that’s not him.
Worf and Dr Crusher are in black in some tunnels, where they get caught by a Cardassian. The captain freezes the program. They’re all training on the holodeck, and the captain currently can’t tell them any more about the mission.
Riker welcomes Captain Jellico aboard. Jellico wants to change the number of shifts, to see all the details on the crew and arrange to meet with the senior staff.
A change of command ceremony is done in Ten Forward. Picard speaks to Jellico afterwards about his mission; it seems their most recent plan of the facility is two years old. Jellico asks how Nechayev talked Picard into this. Picard was given no choice. Jellico suggests launching a probe before they reach the border and calls Riker over to get delta shift to do it. Apparently, there is no delta shift yet; setting one up will cause problems. Jellico wants delta shift fully manned and ready for when it starts. In two hours. Jellico does not seem impressed with Riker.
The Enterprise is heading to the rendezvous with the Cardassians and Jellico is instructing everyone on the changes he wants doing. They might end up in a war zone. There’s little time to do them, either.
Troi heads to speak to Jellico in the ready room to talk about how the change of command is affecting the crew. They need to adjust to their new captain and just need time. Jellico appreciates this. Unfortunately, they don’t have time. He wants Troi to take charge of the morale problem. And wear a uniform when on duty.
Geordi complains to Riker; he’s not objecting to the work but they aren’t being given time to do it. Riker says Jellico is making major changes in every department. And the new captain has made it abundantly clear he won’t listen to Riker. Geordi suggests Riker speak to Captain Picard. The captain has just returned to his quarters, clearly exhausted, when Riker arrives. Riker tells him it’s nothing urgent.
Picard is speaking to Jellico in the ready room when Riker tells Jellico they’ve arrived. Jellico asks if the probe has been launched. It has; Riker wasn’t aware that Jellico wanted to be informed. Afterwards, Jellico comments he can see why Riker is still just a first officer. Even though he knows Picard thinks highly of him. Picard says it’s not just him; Riker has been decorated and offered his own ship. Give him a chance and Jellico will see he’s an outstanding officer. Jellico says that chances are good Picard isn’t coming back and they will be at war. He doesn’t have time to give Riker and chance. And Enterprise is his now.
Picard, Worf and Dr Crusher’s mission is to head into Cardassian space to investigate reports of a metagenic weapon. Meanwhile, Enterprise rendezvouses with a Cardassian ship.
The story continues in “Chain of Command, Part II”.