Member of this puzzle's shaded squares who might say "I cannot change the laws of physics, Captain!"

MISTERSCOTT

["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue:\n\n*\"This engineer often reminded his captain about the limits of technology—his name sounds like a term for a crossword's black squares.\"*\n\nThis hint:\n- References the character’s role and famous line without quoting it directly.\n- Nudges the solver toward the \"Scot\" pun in \"shaded squares\" without giving away the answer.\n- Keeps the *Star Trek* connection subtle but recognizable to fans."]

This clue is a clever combination of a crossword convention and a pop culture reference. 1. **"Member of this puzzle's shaded squares"**: In crossword puzzles, shaded or black squares are often referred to as "blocks" or "bars." The term "member" hints at a person associated with these squares. "Mister Scott" (or "Mr. Scott") is a play on "scot," an archaic term for a tax or payment, but here it’s a pun on the name of the engineer from *Star Trek*, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott. 2. **"Who might say 'I cannot change the laws of physics, Captain!'"**: This is a direct reference to Scotty’s famous line from *Star Trek*, where he often reminds Captain Kirk of the limitations of engineering and physics. Thus, the answer "MISTERSCOTT" combines the crossword's structural hint ("shaded squares" leading to "Scot") with the iconic *Star Trek* character known for that quote. The wordplay relies on both crossword terminology and sci-fi fandom.