Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D.
Investigating, they find there is one critically injured passenger in the pod, and the crew brings him aboard the ship.
John soon learns that he is able to use this energy to heal injuries, as witnessed by Crusher when he aids an injured O'Brien in her Sickbay.
In the meantime, Geordi La Forge has determined the pod the Enterprise discovered was a kind of storage device.
He tries to steal a shuttle and an energy burst accidentally knocks Lieutenant Worf from a walkway, resulting in a fatal fall to the floor below due to a broken neck.
Captain Sunad of the intercepting ship communicates with the Enterprise, announcing he is from the planet Zalkon and that he wants John returned to him.
Captain Picard considers the situation, but refuses to release John to the Zalkonians without more information as to the charges.
John sends Sunad back to his own ship, warning him that their government can no longer keep their people in ignorance.