Captain Picard is believed to be dead after DNA evidence from debris is identified as his. Riker, in temporary command of the Enterprise, is given a free hand to track down his killers, who are revealed to be mercenaries heading for the Barradas system.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Commander William Riker is kidnapped by intergalactic treasure hunters, who reveal that Captain Jean-Luc Picard has surprisingly joined their ranks after going missing.