Star Trek: 10 Times Captains Lost Control
8. Captain Maxwell Takes On The Cardassian Empire
While most of the Starfleet action in the Next Generation would be contained to the Enterprise, on occasion the universe widened to include other officers and other starships. One such event involved the hunt for O'Brien's former CO, Captain Benjamin Maxwell of the USS Phoenix.
A survivor the Cardassian wars, Maxwell is convinced that the Cardassians are arming for another conflict. While later years would prove his theory, at the time there is no evidence and so he resolves to find some.
Maxwell comes across as a very reasonable, affable man. He engages with Picard and O'Brien, seemingly oblivious to the seriousness of his infractions. The very fact that the Enterprise has been sent to hunt him seems to simply slide off in the beginning.
Picard brings him down to Earth with a bang. Quickly assured that he does not have the support of the Federation, Maxwell returns to his ship with the promise of coming along quietly. With that, he takes the ship away, ending his career in a heartbeat.
He both attacks and destroys several Cardassian ships, straining relations with the Union even further. Picard sends O'Brien in to attempt to calm the situation, as the next option is to engage and destroy the Phoenix.
Maxwell is not lost beyond hope. O'Brien talks him down, sympathizing with the man's position, but ultimately reminding him that the wars can't destroy their future as well as their past. The Phoenix stands down and Maxwell is taken into custody.