Disclaimer: All Star Trek people, places, things, and ideas belong to Paramount Studios. This story is based on the episode Ship in a Bottle containing spoilers. Dr. Evangeline Muller is mine.
Ship on a Petrie Dish
Chapter 1: Human notions.
"But why can't you release the countess?" the hologram of Professor James Moriarty pleaded.
Captain Jean Luc Picard sighed and folded his hands in front of him. "We don't know how it is that you are able to leave the holodeck. We do not know what would happen if we duplicated the event."
Moriarty sighed and sat down at one of the off-white tables for a moment. Picard wandered over to one of the replicators and ordered his tea. Lieutenant Reginald Barclay had observed the discussion and sat at the bar with a glass of water. Silently attempting to evaluate the probability of what Moriarty had done, Lieutenant Commander Data watched the hologram with curiosity.
After drinking half of the water, Barclay decided to find Lieutenant Geordi La Forge. He was finishing his own glass of water and suddenly turned as Barclay was about to approach him. Barclay dropped his glass and broke as it contacted with the table. He rushed to pick up the glass fragments.
"Reg, I wouldn't clean it up that way if I were you. You might cut yourself," La Forge advised.
However, as Barclay scooped up the pieces in his hands, it became evident that he would not be injured. Data noticed the incident and walked over to examine the fragments. He lifted a piece to his eye and then placed it on the table. "Computer, why isn't the glass injuring Lieutenant Barclay?" Data asked.
"Holodeck safeties are on," the computer replied.
Picard, Barclay, La Forge, and Data all turned to face Moriarty. "My ship is in trouble and I refuse to be held here another minute. Professor, I would like to be let out of this blasted holodeck now!" Picard told him sternly.
At first, Moriarty felt a surge of defeat at the realization of his deception. But then another plan formed in his mind. "Captain, I am sorry for the inconvenience. Though I do not know whether or not I should actually trust your word again, I have a bargain for you. If I let you go, I will take your word if you promise to help me once your ship is out of danger."
The captain raised an eyebrow. "You don't know if you should trust my word? How do I know that we can trust yours?"
Moriarty nodded with understanding. "Computer, arch," he called out. The exit arch appeared and he looked back to Picard. "Do we have a deal or not?"
Picard sighed and nodded slowly. "Yes, I promise that we will try to help you find a better way to exist after the ship is out of danger," he uttered through clenched teeth. The professor ended the program and it was once again stored in the ship's memory.
"Captain, might I ask what you intend to do with Moriarty?" Data inquired as they left the holodeck and headed toward the bridge.
"To be honest, Data, I would rather not deal with him again for quite some time," Picard bluntly answered.
The android raised his eyebrows. "But Sir, you did promise him that you would try to help him. Would it not be better for the ship's future if you were to honor that promise? As a sentient program, Moriarty could still find a way to get control of the ship," he advised.
The captain dealt Data a half-smile. "Practical as always, I suppose you do have a point. We'll cross that bridge when the time comes."
After the others had left the holodeck, Moriarty rematerialized and began pacing in the checkered grid, clasping his hands behind his back. "There has got to be a way to get the captain's attention. I can't stay here like this! Perhaps if I make a pest of myself enough by traveling through other programs, he will help me just to get his holodeck back."