10 No-Win Scenarios In Star Trek (And How They Were Resolved)
3. The Battle Of Narendra III
Scenario: Returning to the past means certain death for the crew and destruction for the Enterprise-C. Remaining in the present means eventual defeat by the Klingon Empire, with little to no chance of affecting the outcome.
Resolution: Captain Rachael Garrett elects to bring her ship back in time to fight the Romulan Warbirds once more. She asks for, though is refused, modern weapons technology so that the Enterprise-C can stand a better chance against the stronger force. Captain Picard reasons that if that technology was to fall into Romulan hands, it could affect the outcome of history more drastically still.
The sacrifice of the Enterprise-C is one of the triggering factors in peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Though neither party were allied at the time, the Starfleet vessels response to the Klingons' distress call was an act of selfless heroism, costing the ship and the lives of its crew.
Though Garrett's crew never stood a chance in either scenario, their legacy became one of lasting peace in the Alpha Quadrant, with both sides winning in the long run.