A Matter of Perspective

An away team led by Riker visits a research station orbiting Tanuga IV, where Dr Nel Apgar is developing a new power source based on Krieger waves. Seconds after Riker beams back to the Enterprise, the station explodes and Apgar is killed. Tanugan investigator Krag accuses Riker of murder, and under Tanugan law the accused is presumed guilty. Picard persuades Krag to hold a hearing aboard ship, using the holodeck to recreate events from each witness's testimony. Riker recalls Apgar's wife Manua trying to seduce him and Apgar attacking him. Manua remembers Riker forcing himself on her, and the assistant Tayna's account differs again. Bursts of radiation are hitting the Enterprise, and La Forge traces them to Apgar's generator, still working on the planet. Picard pieces it together: Apgar had secretly made the device work, intending to sell it as a weapon, and fired at Riker during beam-out. The energy rebounded and destroyed the station. Riker is cleared.