 Responding to a distress call from Rana IV, a Federation colony under attack from an unknown alien ship, the Enterprise finds the surface of the planet destroyed, except the house of one couple, Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge, who refuse to be evacuated, but why were they spared by the mysterious alien enemy? Their music box s melody haunts telepath Deanna Troi pathologically. After Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge stated his reputation of thoroughness on the enemy being gone, it suddenly appears; Picard decides not to follow it but return to Rana IV, where Rishon overcomes Kevin s reluctance to welcome them, even baring a most useful matter replicator, he is an extreme pacifist. After an even stronger starship knocks their shields out, Picard takes surprising measures...