"Game, Set and Match!" was the final issue in the four-part TNG miniseries The Modala Imperative. Released by DC Comics in October 1991, it was collected in an omnibus in October 1992. This story was written by Peter David and drawn by Pablo Marcos.
Summary[]
Jean-Luc Picard's rescue of Deanna Troi and Leonard McCoy fails. Stroyka accuses Owz of allying with the Ferengi until Owz explains that his men had been corralled, captured, and some killed. The group is taken into custody by Daimon Tran. It is much later before Tran realizes that Ambassador Spock is not among his prisoners.
Under Tran's orders, Krag heads down to the prison level, where McCoy and Troi are kept. Tran looks forward to removing Troi's clothing per Ferengi custom, but Spock mind melds with her, enabling her to use a Vulcan nerve pinch to knock out Krag, and they are able to unlock their cell and escape with Spock.
Meanwhile, Picard, Stroyka, Neera, Owz, Thermish and others are led before a Ferengi firing squad. Picard urges Tran not to execute them, and Tran relents, offering any of the Modalans their lives in exchange for a life of servitude. Thermish and many others accept, which disgusts Stroyka, but Neera and Owz stand firm, preferring death to slavery.
Just before the squad opens fire, however, Picard offers Tran a deal: personal combat, with the victor gaining control of Modala as well as the USS Enterprise-D, affirmed in writing under his personal authority as the ship's CO. Hidden nearby, Spock, Troi, and McCoy see Tran accept. A pair of Ferengi challenge cubes are given to Picard and Tran. The cubes are semi-sentient, loathe being touched, and assault whomever holds them telepathically until they are released. The person who holds it longest wins. Picard begins to succumb, but Spock mind melds with him to fortifiy his resilience until Tran collapses. McCoy finds an implant on Tran's neck, a device that had boosted Tran's mental strength.
- Captain's log, stardate 44398.7.
- We have stayed long enough to ensure the departure of the Ferengi... and, in an interesting sideline, witness the appointment by Stroyka of a new second-on-command: Owz. I suspect there will be a great deal that they can learn from one another. It is regrettable that the anniversary celebration on Modala was disrupted, and yet... Stroyka is now of the opinion that it may have been the best thing that could have happened for long-term planetary growth. A very pragmatic view to take. The Enterprise is now en route to Qapmoc, and matters are now proceeding in a far more routine, normal fashion.
Believing Vulcans never bluff, Chief Miles O'Brien loses to Spock at poker.
References[]
Characters[]
- Beverly Crusher • Data • Krag • Lacey • Geordi La Forge • Leonard McCoy • Neera • Miles O'Brien • Owz • Jean-Luc Picard • Pugliese • William T. Riker • Spock • Stroyka • Thermish • Tran • Deanna Troi • Worf
Starships and vehicles[]
- USS Enterprise-D (Galaxy-class explorer)
- Referenced only
- Tornado • unnamed Ferengi starships (Tran's starship)
Locations[]
- Modala • the galaxy
- Referenced only
- Qapmoc
Races and cultures[]
States and organizations[]
Science and classification[]
- android • challenge cube • phaser rifle • transporter • tricorder • viewscreen • weapon
Occupations and titles[]
- admiral • ambassador • captain • commander • guard • hostage • slave • subcommander
Other references[]
- arrest • blood • bluff • bridge • death • execution • Federation Starfleet ranks (2360s-2370s) • firing squad • gambling • government • honor • life • money • museum • nebula • orbit • poker • Starfleet uniform (2366-2373) • technology • telepathy • Vulcan death grip • Vulcan neck pinch
Appendices[]
Images[]
Connections[]
Timeline[]
| published order | ||
|---|---|---|
| Previous comic: Prior Claim |
TNG comics The Modala Imperative |
Next comic: final issue in series |
| Previous story: Prior Claim |
Stories by: Peter David |
Next story: Q-in-Law |
| chronological order | ||
| Previous adventure: Prior Claim |
DC Comics Timeline | Next adventure: The Wounded |
| Previous adventure: Prior Claim |
Memory Beta Chronology | Next adventure: Vendetta Chapters 2-30 |
External link[]
- Game, Set and Match! article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.