While orbiting Bre'el IV to investigate a descending asteroidal moon which could cause landquakes and tidal waves on the planet, the crew is surprised by the unexpected arrival of 'Q'. Although Picard immediately suspects that the mischievous 'Q' is responsible for the moon's deteriorating orbit, 'Q' admits that his superiors in the Continuum have stripped him of his magical powers and made him human, thus unable to indulge in such chicanery. Fearful that 'Q' is lying, Picard assigns Data to keep an eye on 'Q' while the crew deals with the perilous situation on Bre'el IV. But 'Q's' presence on board the ship becomes problematic when the Calamarain, a gas-like life form with a grievance against 'Q', begins attacking him. Picard soon realizes that 'Q' came aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise to receive protection from the Calamarain. But a short time later, the life form attacks 'Q' again and in an attempt to save him, Data sustains serious electrical damage to his android body.
