Riker fails to prevent Picard from going down to the planet surface

Commander William T Riker has been found to have "failed in his duties" after being unable prevent his Captain, Jean Luc Picard, from visiting the surface of an unknown and entirely alien planet. The incident, recorded in log 921789312.32, first came to the attention of news site Gawker, after social media had been reporting the story for many days. Though the incident has yet to be officially confirmed, it is likely to leave the United Federation of Planets, along with Starfleet, with something of a black eye.

Riker has always had an excellent reputation for preventing his commanding officers from taking part in dangerous trips to fresh alien worlds, which is one of the primary objectives of a Star Fleet first officer. The explanation for this particular incident, however, brings into light a possible weakness in Riker's character, as explained by blind and excitable work colleague, Geordi La Forge:

"Riker has always been one for the ladies. It's well known throughout the ship that that's his real reason for demanding the Captain stay on board - so that he and a few of his rowdier chums can go down to the surface and shack up with a green blob or two. Sometimes three. Anyway, on this planet - Royheq 8 - the aliens were essentially asexual air pockets that even he couldn't easily expose to 'Riker Jr.'. So he let the Captain go, instead."

While on Royheq 8, Captain Picard mysteriously contracted a rare form of syphilis, which has caused parts of his own body to become bloated, red and spongy. The disease has prevented Picard from undertaking several rescue missions so far, which is supposedly the catalyst behind this week's announcement that Riker will receive a demotion, as punishment for his lapse in care and duty. Picard, meanwhile is still recovering, but will receive his badge for "doing it with an air pocket".