Commander Picard's Dilemma: Would He Turn Captain Sisko in After Learning about His Actions in 'In The Pale Moonlight'?

What would Starfleet Command’s former commander, Jean-Luc Picard, do if he discovered Captain Benjamin Sisko's covert actions in In the Pale Moonlight before the Dominion War's conclusion? This article delves into the complex ethical, strategic, and personal considerations Picard might face.

Context: The Double Cross and Sisko's Actions

It's worth noting that if Picard was involved in the same double-cross as Garek, the damage could have been minimal. Sisko had admitted in In the Pale Moonlight that the fate of the entire Alpha Quadrant is a small price to pay for one guilty conscience. In fact, Picard would have likely simply deleted the computer log with Garek's involvement. Computer delete that entire log. [Boo, boo-beep].

Starfleet Command's Role and Response

Starfleet Command, while blind to the extent of Sisko's actions, would likely ensure he faces minimal consequences. Sisko already had Starfleet Command's blessing for his actions. “They didn’t know what he would do or how he'd get Romulus involved—they didn’t WANT to know.” As a result, they would likely turn a blind eye to Sisko's deeds, much like they did in “When It Rains, It Pours”, where they swept an incident under the rug for the greater good.

Therefore, it is highly probable that if Picard were to find out, he would either keep it to himself or bring it up only to Admiral Ross, Sisko's superior. Even if Picard confronted Sisko, it is likely he would give Sisko an admittance of his actions, similar to the speech he gave Admiral Dougherty in Insurrection.

Picard's Propensity to Protect the Greater Good

Like Picard in The Wounded, he might prioritize the greater good instead of punishing an officer. He might let Sisko off the hook for the sake of peace in the Alpha Quadrant. In past scenarios, such as The Wounded, Picard helped derail an officer's career to maintain peace with Cardassia. “They needed the help of the Romulans, and lying to them about why they joined the war was a small price to pay to defeat the Dominion.”

It is reasonable to assume that in this situation, Picard would similarly decide that “the greater good” means not ruining another officer's career for the sake of victory against the Dominion.

Conclusion: Complicated Ethical Terrain

Thus, Commander Picard’s decision would be fraught with ethical and strategic complexities. He would need to weigh his responsibilities to uphold the law and command integrity against the paramount need to end the Dominion War and protect the Alpha Quadrant. This conundrum illustrates the nuanced moral decisions that lie at the heart of Starfleet's leadership during times of conflict.

Keywords: Commander Picard, Captain Sisko, Dominion War, In The Pale Moonlight, Starfleet Command