Date: 2371

The El-Aurian scientist Tolian Soran attempted to destroy the Veridian star in order to enter the Nexus, knowing the resulting shockwave would annihilate the inhabited Veridian system. Captain Picard pursued him to the planet’s surface, where the fate of millions hung on a single missile launch. With help from James T. Kirk, pulled from the Nexus itself, Picard confronted Soran on the ground while the USS Enterprise-D engaged Lursa and Betor in orbit. Although the missile was destroyed, the Enterprise suffered a fatal breach after being attacked by Klingon forces earlier and was forced to crash-land on Veridian III. Soran was killed, the star was saved, and the Nexus threat ended, but at a terrible cost. Kirk died stopping Soran, and the destruction of the Enterprise-D marked the end of an era. Veridian III became a place of quiet victory, remembered for sacrifice, loss, and the passing of the torch between generations.