Picard's old professor pays a visit to the Enterprise and attempts to convince the captain to leave his post and join him on an expedition to new worlds. The professor claims to be on the verge of a remarkable discovery, but will not share the details with the captain unless the captain joins him. Picard declines, and professor Galen leaves the ship but sends a distress call some time later when his ship is attacked by a strange vessel. Professor Galen is killed in the attack and captain Picard continues following Galen's discovery - something that the Cardassians, the Klingons and the Romulans are all interested in.
