Stardate 42477.2 Leaders of warring factions in the Ramatis Star System have asked for the Federation to send a mediator to help resolve their differences. The Enterprise has been ordered by Star Fleet to act as courtesy transportation for the arbiter, a man named Riva who was instrumental in brokering treaties between the Klingon Empire and the Federation.

Riva, who is a mute, is assisted in his arbitrations by three people who speak his thoughts and feelings. When the three are killed in an ambush, Riva tells the crew that he can not continue the arbitration with them. Capt. Picard must convince Riva to find another way to proceed, if a peace is to be brokered.