Worf, while working at a console, hears a strange noise. The Enterprise begins scanning the cloud. La Forge replies that all equipment is online and functioning perfectly. Yar signals sensor maintenance to see if there are any problems with systems, since they are making a close sensor pass. Worf tells him it is simple, because Picard wants his junior officers to " learn, learn, learn". La Forge wonders why Worf is so interested in routine maintenance on sensors. In sensor maintenance, Lieutenants Geordi La Forge and Worf are running diagnostics on sensor assemblies. Picard, intrigued, orders Data to make a close sensor pass on the cloud, then jump back to warp speed so they are still on schedule for Parliament. Data notes that it is also traveling at warp speed. On the viewscreen, an enormous cloud is shown. On the bridge, Lieutenant Commander Data notes that his sensors are picking up an unusual energy object ahead of the Enterprise. Later on, the Enterprise leaves orbit of Selay on course for Parliament. Picard agrees and believes that Parliament's peacemakers may have difficulty satisfying the two species' needs. After the delegation leaves the transporter room, Yar tells Picard that neither species seems like promising Federation candidates. Riker attends to this and leads them to their quarters. Riker is about to lead them to their accommodations, but Ssestar insists that the Selay's quarters be upwind from the Anticans and be as far away as possible. Picard introduces himself to Ssestar, a male Selay. Riker and Lieutenant Natasha Yar stand in the transporter room wearing their dress uniforms awaiting the delegates.
On the Enterprise, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William T. The Enterprise has been ordered to transport both peoples to a neutral planet called Parliament, in the hopes of resolving their conflicts. However, the two species are mortal enemies. The two species of those worlds, the Anticans and the Selay, have both achieved space flight and they have applied to become members of the United Federation of Planets. The USS Enterprise-D has begun orbiting the two major planets in the Beta Renner system, Antica and Selay.