In 2368 the Crystalline Entity attacked the colony on Melona IV and was later destroyed by a vengeful scientist while Picard tried to communicate with it.
The Crystalline Entity, a huge being that stripped planets of life, had destroyed the colony on Omicron Theta where Data was built. In 2368 it attacked the new colony on Melona IV, where the Enterprise crew was helping settlers, and most of the colonists hid in caves to survive.
Scientist Kila Marr, whose son had died at Omicron Theta, joined the Enterprise to hunt it. Picard hoped to communicate with the entity, but Marr used the ship's graviton beam to shatter it. Picard had her relieved of her duties.