From the 1st Edition rules:

The Star Trek: The Next Generation Collectible Dice Game allows each player to take control of a starship in the fantastic future depicted in the episodes of the STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION TELEVISION SHOW AND THE STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT MOTION PICTURE. Each player commands a ship, represented by the Control Panel, the dice, and the Ship Screen. Each player needs to have their own ship to play the game. The game can be played by two or more players.

The dice represent various aspects of your ship: weapons, movement capabilities, shields, damage control, special abilities, special orders and heroic Personalities. They also track the status of various elements of the game.

Each turn, you will allocate power from your ship to power up or repair the systems on your ship, move your ship or take special actions. You will be able to attack your opponent, and if you are able to out fight the opposing ship and destroy it, you will win the game!