One of the most delicate missions for a starship crew is that of first contact.  When a civilization enters its space age, the United Federation of Planets send experts to make peaceful introductions.  Although this procedure can shock the emerging civilization, it's better than letting them chance a haphazasrd meeting in deep space with alien hostiles.  Sometimes, however, an emerging civilization isn't ready to join the galaxy's vast space-faring brotherhood.  Sometimes technology develops faster than cultural awareness, and the concept of alien races is too much for an emerging civilization to handle.  Such is the case of Malcor III -- a planet with a fledgling space program that is despised by people like Krola, a xenophobe who fears what he does not understand and who refuses to understand what he does not already know.

Disguised as a Malcorian on the first contact mission to Malcor III, Commander William Riker is injured and brought to the hospital where he's discovered to be an "alien."  Rumors spread, and soon word reaches Chancellor Durken, leader of Malcor III.  On Durken's staff are two diametrically opposed officials -- Mirasta, who yearns to discover what lies beyond the stars, and Krola, whose greatest goal is to preserve the Malcorian way of life as it is.

Krola may seem close-minded or even backwards to some, but he represents a common point of view.  Like a turtle hiding in its shell, he values restraint, conservatism, and security.  Those are not bad values in themselves, but Krola is willing to kill to maintain his people's status quo.  When Krola learns that aliens actually exist and have been moving amoung his people in disguise, his paranoia explodes beyond all reason.  He doesn't want to hear about the possible advantages of a peaceful alien relationship -- he simply wants to kill Riker and cover all traces of alien existence.

Krola Might be considered a sympathetic man, in his own way, if not for the fact that his methods are brutal and unjust.  He won't listen to facts -- he sees only what he wants to see.  He uses his power to bully others.  He allows his fear to obscure the truth.  Chancellor Durken doesn't blame Krola for his opinions.  He simply realizes that his people aren't ready for alien encounters yet, "and Krola is the best evidence of all."  So Durken asks Picard to leave, quietly, and let Malcor III develop a little more before returning.  Picard honors that wish, and Krola's world remains unchanged... for now.