A 26th century time-traveller appears, claiming to be a historian from the future and is taken aboard. Picard wants him to reveal the outcome of their risky attempt to save the planet Penthara IV, which has been hit by a massive asteroid.

Matt Frewer (Prof. Berlingoff Rasmussen)
Stephan Gierasch (Dr. Hal Mosely)
Sheila Franklin (Ensign Felton)
Shar Garner (Pentharan Scientist)

• Rasmussen is actually a 22nd century "inventor" who stole a time machine from a real historian and brings back technology from the future to "invent" it in his present.
  
• Rasmussen is taken into custody and the time machine leaves without him.
  
• Though unnamed in this episode, Ensign Felton shares the conn with Ensign Ro for the remainder of the season.