Loud as a Whisper

The Enterprise collects Riva, a famous mediator, to negotiate an end to the centuries-old fighting between two factions on Solais V. Riva was born deaf and communicates through a chorus of three companions, linked to him telepathically, who voice his thoughts and moods. He charms the crew, and Troi in particular. When Riva beams down with an away team to meet the warring parties, a fighter opens fire and kills the chorus. Robbed of his voice, Riva sinks into despair and wants to abandon the mission. Data quickly learns his sign language so he can interpret, but it is Troi who helps Riva see his loss in a new light. He decides to return to the talks alone and to begin by teaching both sides to sign. A language they must learn together, he reasons, will give the old enemies common ground. Riva stays behind, ready for negotiations that could take months.