A rebellious Bajoran officer joins the crew to track down a terrorist.
Starfleet assigns Ensign Ro Laren, a Bajoran officer with a troubled past, to the Enterprise. She is sent on a secret mission to find a group of Bajoran terrorists who are suspected of an attack on a Federation colony. Her manner is prickly and independent, and she clashes with Riker and others.
As the mission goes on, Ro finds that her loyalties are tested, and Picard has to decide whether to trust her. The episode introduced the Bajorans to the audience, setting the stage for their appearance in Deep Space Nine. Ro became a popular recurring character. The story is a serious exploration of occupation and resistance, and it gives viewers a fresh, strong new character.