A Matter of Time

The Enterprise is heading to Penthara IV, where an asteroid strike has thrown up dust that is plunging the planet into deep cold. On the way, a time pod appears carrying Professor Berlinghoff Rasmussen, who claims to be a historian from the 26th century studying this era. He shows a keen interest in the crew's equipment. At Penthara, the crew's attempt to warm the planet by releasing carbon dioxide sets off volcanic eruptions that make things worse. A riskier plan could save the population or destroy the atmosphere, and Picard asks Rasmussen what history records, but he refuses to say. The plan works. As Rasmussen prepares to leave, items are found missing. Data confronts him in the pod, and Rasmussen draws a stolen phaser that fails to fire. He is really an inventor from the 22nd century who stole the pod and planned to pass off future technology as his own. He is left stranded in the 24th century.