10 No-Win Scenarios In Star Trek (And How They Were Resolved)
6. The Scimitar's Thalaron Weapon
Scenario: The Enterprise is crippled and Shinzon's vessel is powering up its Thalaron radiation weapon. When it fires, all life on the Enterprise will be destroyed. But by disabling the machine, you will cause a chain-reaction that will incinerate you.
Resolution: There was only one route out of this trap for Data once Shinzon had activated the generator. Having already established earlier in the film that, once engaged, it couldn't be deactivated, the crew of the Enterprise-E watch in horror as the spiked wing tips begin to extend so that the ship can fire. Transporters are disabled and the shuttles are out of action.
With no other option available to him, Commander Data flings himself through space to reach the Scimitar on time. He enters the ship, plants a personal, independently powered transporter on the captive Picard's chest, and bids him farewell. With the countdown ringing around him, he fires his phaser into the Thalaron intermix chamber, causing it to overload and explode. Data, the remaining Remans, and the Scimitar itself are all vaporised. The Enterprise is saved, though it is a pyrrhic victory.