STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Ship in a Bottle"
In the sitting room at 221B Baker Street Data was dressed as Sherlock Holmes and Geordi as Doctor Watson. Watson, and a cigar smoking gentle of about fifty, listen as Data/Holmes paced the room spinning out a trail of deductions.
"- it was then that I began to suspect that your brother did not die by his own hand... that he was in fact... murdered." Data/Holmes said to the gentleman.
"Murdered?" a gentleman said shocked.
"But Holmes, the vial of poison found in his hand?" Geordi/Watson said.
"That was the first clue, Watson. The vial contained strychnine, which as you well know induces violent muscular spasms. It is difficult to imagine that someone in the throes of so gruesome a death could have held on to so delicate a container without shattering it." Data/Holes said.
"You mean...?" Geordi/Watson started.
"Exactly! The vial was placed in his hand after he died."
Then he slammed his pipe into his mouth and bit down on it for emphasis.
"Then what did kill him?" Geordi/Watson asked.
"The cigar, of course."
The gentleman coughed on his own.
"Cigar?"
"Upon closer inspection of the room where your brother was found, I discovered a fresh burn mark on the carpet. Analysis of the ash revealed that the cigar was laced with strychnine." Data/Holmes said.
"This is utter nonsense. What about the suicide note? It was written in my dear brother's own hand."
"With practice, handwriting can be forged." Data said then looked pointedly at the Gentleman, who was growing increasingly uncomfortable. "It takes a trained eye to notice certain... discrepancies."
Then he picked up a box of matches from the fireplace mantel.
"For example, whether someone is..." he continued then turned and tossed the box to the Gentleman's left side. "Right or left handed!"
The Gentleman caught the box and Data laid in to him.
"Your brother was right handed! The alleged suicide note was written by a left handed individual such as yourself!" Data/Holmes said.
"Uh... Data? It's in his right hand." Geordi said.
Data stopped in his tracks when he realized. Geordi suppressed a smile.
"Curious... There seems to be a problem in the Holodeck's spatial orientation systems." Data said as himself.
"London's greatest detective..." the gentleman scoffed.
He tossed the box back to Data.
Geordi smiled.
"Freeze program."
The Gentleman froze in mid-motion. Geordi fished out his combadge and activated it.
"La Forge to Barclay..." Geordi said.
"Barclay here." Barclay said on com.
"Reg, something went wrong with the Holodeck program again."
"I - I'm sorry... I'll look into it right away."
"Thanks. Come on, Data, we better get back to Engineering. Can't leave it all to Wesley."
Then they entered from the holodeck library and moved to the Holodeck control panel.
"Computer, end program and save." Geordi said.
He and Data set off down the corridor; Barclay came running around a corner and almost collided with them.
"Whoa, Reg -" Geordi said.
"Oh, sorry, Commander... I'm on my way to the... Holodeck..." Barclay said.
"Sherlock Holmes program Three-A has demonstrated some very curious anomalies." Data said.
"There must be a glitch in the matrix diodes. But I'll track it down, don't worry."
"Thanks, Reg. See you later." Geordi said.
They move on and Barclay went to the Holodeck doors; they opened and he entered.
Barclay worked the control panel adjacent to the Arch Monitor.
"Computer... run a diagnostic on all Sherlock Holmes files and display any anomalous programming sequences." he said.
"Diagnostic complete .. all files conform to specified parameters except those contained in protected memory."
"Protected memory... ? Display those sequences." he said surprised.
A series of numbers and letters began to scroll out on the Monitor's screen. Barclay eyed them with a growing curiosity.
"Computer... unlock this sequence and run the program." he said while he worked.
A human figure materialized. It was Professor Moriarty, dressed in Victorian garb. He smiled as he took in his surroundings, touched his hands together to feel their solidity.
"Who are you... ?" Barclay asked.
"Professor James Moriarty." Moriarty said with a slight bow.
"Ah... Moriarty... Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy." Barclay said recognizing the name.
Barclay, thinking this man is just an ordinary Holodeck character, turned back to the Arch to peruse the monitor and work the controls. Moriarty smiled uncertainly; this wasn't the reception he was expecting.
"Are you right or left handed?" he asked.
"Right handed... Would you very much mind telling me -" Moriarty perplexed.
He's stopped in mid-sentence by the necessity of catching the tool that Barclay tossed his way.
"No problem there."
Moriarty lost his patience with this odd young man.
"Where is Captain Picard?" he asked.
Barclay stopped in his tracks when he heard this - a Holodeck character referring to the real world is unheard of.
"Is he still Captain of this vessel?"
"How - how do you know the Captain?" Barclay asked stunned.
"You don't know anything about what happened, do you?" Moriarty asked. "I've been stored in memory for God knows how long and no one's given me a second thought." he said growing angry.
"You know... you know what you are..." Barclay said in disbelief.
"A Holodeck character? A fictional man... Yes, yes - I know all about your marvelous inventions."
Moriarty said disgusted by the way he thinks he's been treated.
"I was created as a... plaything; so your Commander Data could masquerade as Sherlock Holmes. But they created me too well... and I became more than just a character in a story. I became self-aware; I am alive."
"That's not possible."
"Yet here I am. Tell me..." Moriarty started dismissing this. "- has a way been found for me to leave the confines of this Holodeck world?" he asked doubting it even as he asked.
"Leave the Holodeck? No, of course not. You can only exist in here."
"Damn you, Picard..." he said. "He promised me something would be done. I should have realized that he would have said anything to get me to release my hostage." he continued trying to control his anger.
Barclay reacted to these new pieces of the story.
"Hostage...?"
"How long have I been... locked away?" Moriarty asked ominously.
"Looks like about... four years." Barclay said checking controls. "It seemed longer."
"What are you talking about? You couldn't have been aware of the passage of time -" Barclay said surprised.
"But I was." he said. "Brief, terrifying periods of consciousness... disembodied, without substance..."
"I don't see how that could be possible... maybe there was a fragmentation in the protected memory circuits..."
"Call it what you will. All I know is that despite Picard's promise... he's done nothing. Just left me to go quietly mad..."
"I'm sure he hasn't forgotten his promise... the Captain wouldn't do that -"
"I'd like to talk to him."
"Well, I can ask -"
"Ask him to meet me in the sitting room at Baker Street. That would be far more appropriate."
"I'll have to store you in memory again until I get an answer."
Barclay activated a circuit and Moriarty fritzed out for a second with an unusual effect... then reappeared.
"That was most unpleasant." Moriarty said.
"I'm sorry... let me try again."
"Remember - Two-Twenty-One B Baker Street." Moriarty said pointing at him.
Barclay nodded and tweaked the controls. This time Moriarty disappeared without a glitch.
Barclay was relieved to have dealt with the situation. He closed the panel he's been working on and left.
After the door shut behind him a minute passed and Moriarty reappeared of his own volition.
"Captain's Log, Stardate 46424.1. The Enterprise has arrived at the Detrian system to observe a unique celestial event - the collision of two planets." Picard said.
Data, Wesley and Geordi were at engineering showing two N.D's an Okudagram on the pool table monitor. It showed the orbital paths of two planets around their sun, and the Enterprise's position relative to them.
"Since both planets are gas giants, neither possesses a solid surface. Their atmospheres, however, will come into contact in approximately seventeen hours and nine minutes." Data said.
"If their collision causes a self-sustaining fusion reaction... this is what we might see." Wesley said.
On the diagram the two planets collided and exploded to form a large flaming orb.
"The birth of a new star." he continued.
He had a little trouble with the picture but could focus on what was happening now.
There was a sense of anticipation and excitement among the gathered crewpersons. Barclay entered and headed toward the group.
"The Enterprise will hold position until the gravitational instability subsides and we can move in for a closer look. I want triple redundancy on the sensor arrays. We'll probably never get another chance to see something like this and I don't want to miss anything." Wesley indicated.
The N.D's nodded and moved away. Geordi, Wesley and Data turned their attention to Barclay.
"Commander - you'll never believe what happened while I was working on your program in the Holodeck... Professor Moriarty appeared - out of nowhere." Barclay said.
"What?" Geordi asked.
"And he wants to talk to the Captain."
Picard, Data and Barclay reached the door to the Holodeck and approached the control panel. They exchanged a look and Picard nodded an "okay" to Barclay.
"Computer, begin Sherlock Holmes program Three A. Place us in the drawing room at Two Twenty-One B Baker Street." Barclay said.
"Program complete." computer said.
The doors opened and they entered.
Picard, Barclay and Data looked around the drawing romm.
"Computer, access protected memory and run Moriarty program." Barclay said.
Moriarty appeared nearby. He turned to Picard and regarded him for a moment.
"Professor... it's good to see you again." Picard said.
"If you'd missed my company, I should think you'd have summoned me before now." Moriarty said.
"I want to assure you that we've not forgotten you. We spent some time investigating how you became self-aware. Frankly, it is still a mystery."
"It is also irrelevant. What concerns me is finding a way to leave the Holodeck."
"We wrestled with that problem for some time... unfortunately without success. We turned our findings over to Starfleet's most experienced theoretical scientists."
"And what did your finest minds come up with?"
"They have not arrived at a solution, either."
Moriarty stared at him, cold-eyed.
"I see." he said.
"I am concerned by the fact that you claim to have experienced the passage of time while you were stored in computer memory... I assure you we had no idea that might be the case."
"Enough of this. I no longer believe anything you say."
"I understand your frustration -"
"Do you really? When this is over you'll walk out of this room, to the real world and your own concerns... and leave me here, trapped in a world I know to be nothing but illusion." Moriarty said. "I cannot bear that. I must leave."
"That's impossible. You cannot exist outside this room."
"Are you certain of that?"
Picard decided to prove what he's saying.
"Computer, exit." he said.
The door appeared in the library wall and opened to reveal the corridor outside. A crewmember casted a curious glance inside as he passed. Picard took a book off the shelf.
"Even though an object appears solid here on the Holodeck..." Picard said then tossed the book into the corridor. "It has no substance in the outside world."
Moriarty watched as it disintegrated, but remained unconvinced.
"An object has no life. I do." he said.
"No, Professor. You are a computer simulation."
"I have consciousness. And conscious beings have will... the mind endows them with powers that are not necessarily understood - even by you." Moriarty said then stopped and faced him. "If my will is strong enough, perhaps I can exist outside this room. Perhaps I can walk into your world right now..."
"We have run into alien species that can manipulate matter through mental processes..." Barclay said.
"There. It is possible." Moriarty said grasping at the hope.
Moriarty moved closer to the door.
"Possible, but highly unlikely. Your consciousness is computer generated; it is not capable of manipulating physical reality in the required manner." Data said.
"I won't go back into your computer. No matter what happens to me, it will be better than drifting in that endless void." Moriarty said.
Moriarty took another step toward the door.
"You must believe me, Professor. If you step outside that door, you will cease to exist." Picard said.
"If I am nothing more than a computer simulation, then very little will have been lost. But if I'm right..." Moriarty said then turned and stared out at the corridor... temptingly close... "Mind over matter... cogito ergo sum..."
A long minute - and then he stepped quickly into the corridor. The others started after him. But they stopped short as they realized that nothing had happened.
Moriarty was still there, very much corporeal. He turned back to face them with a bold, confident smile.
"I think... therefore I am..." he said.
Picard, Data and Barclay had joined Moriarty in the corridor. They could scarcely believe their eyes.
"Data to Security... send two officers to Holodeck Three." Data said activating his combadge.
Picard looked at Moriarty, who was smiling with pleasure.
"How is this possible?" Picard asked.
"It isn't..." Barclay started.
"This contradicts everything we know about Holodeck physics." Data said.
Moriarty beamed at them.
"Then perhaps you don't know as much as you thought." he said.
"Professor, if you'll come with me... I'd like our Doctor to examine you." Picard said.
"Certainly, sir."
At this point, two security officers came around the corner.
"Policemen... I'd recognize them in any century." Moriarty said with distasted.
Picard nodded at the Security Officers to follow, and they started off. Moriarty gave a disgusted look at the security personnel.
At sickbay Beverly was scanning Moriarty with a tricorder; he was seated on the biobed. She seemed surprised by the readings she's getting, looked over to Picard, Data and Geordi. The Security Men hung back by the door.
"From what I can tell... he's real... he's human." Beverly said.
"What else would I be, my dear woman?" Moriarty asked.
"His DNA is a little unusual... but all the major systems are there and functioning normally."
"Doctor... the Holodeck is capable of creating anatomically correct organisms, down to the cellular level..." Picard said.
"Right... that's one way we train first year medical students."
"Is there any difference between the biological readings of those simulations - and Professor Moriarty?"
"Yes. The quantum signatures are quite different. They wouldn't read that way on simulations."
"As far as I can see... there's no evidence that the molecules in his body are losing cohesion. They seem to be as immutable as ordinary matter." Geordi said looking with his visor.
Picard regarded the man sitting on the bio-bed. Impossible, but here he was.
"Well, Professor... my crew will continue to investigate, but for the moment you seem to have accomplished a miracle." Picard said. "The question is... now that you're here... what do we do with you?"
"I ask only that I be allowed to explore this new world. Your vessel, for instance: what sea does she sail? Might we go above deck?" Moriarty said.
Picard and the others exchanged glances.
"Weather permitting, of course." he continued off their reaction.
"Professor... I think there's something you should be made aware of..."
Moriarty and Picard entered Ten Forward, trailed by the Two Security Men. A look of amazement cross Moriarty's features as he caught his first glimpse of the stars through the forward windows.
"My god... we're adrift in the heavens..." he said.
"Not adrift, Professor. The Enterprise is a Starship, capable of travelling through space."
"Extraordinary..." Moriarty said then looked out at the stars in wonder. "Are we far from Earth? What is the range of this ship? What means of locomotion does it use...?" he continued then turned to stare at Picard. "There's so much for me to learn..." he said then sat at a table. "I hardly know where to start."
Picard sat with him.
"We can give you books that will help..." he said.
"Good, good... I want to start making plans... determine what I'm going to do with my life..."
Picard's tendencies were not to rush through this so quickly.
"I hope you'll plan on staying aboard for a while... we'd still like to understand more about what's happened to you." he said.
"Does it really matter? The point is - I'm here. And I'm eager to get on with life."
"I feel it necessary to warn you that criminal behavior is no more acceptable in the twenty-fourth century than it was in the nineteenth. And much harder to get away with."
"Don't worry, Captain... my past is nothing but a fiction - the scribblings of an Englishman dead now for four centuries. I hope to... leave his books on the shelf, as it were."
"If that's so, you'll find that there are opportunities available to you that you could never have imagined."
"Your century may welcome me... but..." Moriarty said then broke off, a troubled expression on his face.
"What is it?"
"In considering all these vast possibilities... I suddenly feel very much alone. I am a man out of time, Captain... and that isolates me..."
Picard regarded him carefully. It sounded as though Moriarty was after something. He didn't respond.
"You've been more gracious than I could ever have imagined... I wonder... can I impose on your generosity once again?" Moriarty asked.
Picard looked at him inquiringly.
"There is a woman... the Countess Regina Barthalomew. She was created as a Holodeck character for one of Commander Data's programs..." Moriarty said. "She was designed to be the love of my life... Could she also be brought off the Holodeck?"
Picard was taken aback by this unexpected request.
"Professor... you must believe me when I tell you that we don't know how or why you are able to exist off the Holodeck." he said.
"I do believe you -"
"According to the laws of physics, it's impossible. We would have no idea how to do it again."
"As I understand it, I was endowed with consciousness four years ago because someone said to the computer, "Create an opponent with the capacity to out think Data" - or words to that effect. Could we not make a request in similar language on behalf of the Countess?"
"Even if we had reason to believe that would be successful... I'm not sure I could sanction it. Please understand, Professor... you are in essence a new life form - one which we didn't intend to create and don't fully understand. The moral and ethical implications of deliberately creating another like you... are overwhelming."
Moriarty flared at this; the argument mounted in intensity.
"Is it morally and ethically acceptable to deny me the woman I love - so that you can put your conscience at ease? Are you saying that you will simply dictate how I am to live my life?" he said.
"I assure you we will make every effort to make you as comfortable as we can -"
"So long as I accept the terms under which you dole out those comforts."
The two men held a look for a moment. Moriarty backed off.
"Captain... I am a powerless man. You hold my future, my happiness... my very life in your hands. Please... consider my request." he said.
Picard eyed him, knowing that in all fairness, he must do just that.
Picard, Data, Barclay, Deanna, and Beverly were at the observation lounge.
"I understand his frustration. We created him... and we created her to be the woman he loves. Surely we have some responsibility to them." Deanna said.
"That's very romantic, but until we know just what it was that walked off that Holodeck, I don't think we should be trying it again." Beverly said.
"Even if we decided to do it, there's no guarantee we'd be able to." Barclay said.
"There is also no way of knowing if the Professor's ability to exist off the Holodeck is permanent. Perhaps it is unwise to consider creating a second individual while that uncertainty exists." Data said.
"Agreed. We don't have enough information about this entire phenomenon to act in a responsible way." Picard said. "We'll hold off on the Professor's request until we know more." he continued.
"Continue your investigations. In the meantime... I'll have to deal with Moriarity." he said to Barclay and Data."
From his expression, a conversation he's not looking forward to.
Later Picard and Moriarty were at Moriarty's quarters.
"I feel I must postpone action... until we learn more." Picard said.
"Yes. You know all about that. I stayed in the dungeon of your computer for years waiting for you to learn more... it wasn't until I took things into my own hands that something got done." Moriarty said.
"Forgive me, Professor, but I wonder why you're in such a hurry... is this woman your partner in some illegal venture?"
This seemed to hit Moriarty where he's vulnerable; there was a defensiveness as he said,
"Your computer designed her to be a person of impeccable integrity. She would never commit a crime." he said.
The tone of his voice gave Picard an opening.
"You must love her very much..." he said.
Clearly, he does. Whenever he spoke of her, Moriarty's hostility receded, and he spoke with simple sincerity.
"The program fashioned her for me to love. But I must admit that I would have done so anyway. She is remarkable. My life has not been the same since I met her. I don't simply love her, Captain. I adore her."
"Then I would think her safety would be important to you."
This seems to have an impact on Moriarty. Picard pressed.
"Give us a little time to determine what has happened here. That way we can minimize the risk in bringing her to you." he continued. "You wouldn't want to lose her... just because we moved too quickly."
Moriarty gave him a long look, then lowered his eyes. Implied acquiescence.
"Riker to Captain Picard..." Riker said on com.
"Picard here." Picard said.
"Could you join us on the Bridge?"
"On my way."
Picard entered the main bridge from the Turbolift and joined Riker, Worf, Wesley, Data, and various N.D.'s.
"There they are, sir." Riker said to Picard.
He nodded toward the Viewscreen, and Picard looked up to see the two gas giant planets, nearing each other.
"How long until they begin to coalesce?" he asked.
"Within the next five hours." Wesley said.
"Mister Worf, launch four Class-A probes toward the planets."
"Aye, sir." Worf said.
They looked expectantly toward the Viewscreen... but no probes were seen.
"Mister Worf?" Picard said.
"I do not understand, sir. Controls are not responding..." he said.
Suddenly the control panels on the Bridge began to flash erratically.
"Sir - command functions are being rerouted." Data said.
"For what reason?" Picard said puzzled.
"Unknown, sir."
"Computer, route all command functions to the Bridge."
"Command functions are off-line." computer said.
"Reinitialize them on my authorization."
"Authorization denied."
Picard was stunned to hear this.
"Explain."
"Picard command codes are no longer valid."
Picard turned to Riker, nonplussed.
"What's happened? Who's transferred the voice authorization?" he said.
"I have." Moriarty said.
Moriarty had just entered from the Turbolift.
"I'm afraid I had no choice but to take control of your vessel."
Worf instinctively reached for his phaser but Moriarty held up a cautioning finger.
"If you harm me, sir, I would not be able to relinquish voice control of your vessel..." Moriarty said.
Moriarty knew he's got us; Worf backed off.
"Professor - you've put us in a very dangerous situation." Picard said.
Picard gestured toward the viewscreen, where the two planets were visible.
"Those two planets will collide in less than five hours and explode to form a new star. If we don't have navigational control we won't be able to maintain a safe distance - and this vessel will be destroyed." he said.
Moriarty shrugged.
"I'm just a fictional character... I haven't much to lose." he said ironic.
"Everything you've done to this point suggests that you want to live as much as we do." Picard said.
"Not alone. Not without the Countess."
"We're studying ways to bring her off the Holodeck safely. But five hours is not enough time." Picard said firm.
"I'm not so sure. A deadline has a wonderful way of concentrating the mind."
Picard considered his options.
"Mister Data... investigate the possibility of doing what Professor Moriarty has asked." he said.
Picard fixed Moriarty with a look.
"In the meantime, there are a few things we have to discuss." Picard said.
Then he moved toward the Ready Room without waiting for Moriarty's reply, leaving him little choice but to follow.
Data shared a concerned glance with Riker, then left to the Turbolift.
Later at engineering Geordi, Wesley, Barclay and Data stood around the pool table trying to come up with a miracle.
"I can't think of anything else. We've taken the Holodeck apart circuit by circuit. There's nothing there that could account for Moriarty's ability to exist outside the grid." Barclay said frustrated.
"So how are we supposed to do the same thing for the Countess?" Geordi asked.
"I believe we are being asked to develop an entirely new science." Data said.
"Yeah... in less than five hours. Piece of cake." Wesley said
"Perhaps we should consider the Transporter system. It uses many of the same principles as the Holodeck." Data said. "Both, for example, are capable of converting energy into matter."
"Except the Transporter reconstitutes energy into permanent form; Holodeck matter doesn't have any cohesion unless it's inside the grid." Geordi said.
"I wonder what would happen if we tried to beam a Holodeck object off the grid?" Barclay said.
"Nothing would happen. A Holodeck object is just a simulation - there's nothing there to provide a pattern lock for the Transporter." Wesley said.
"However, if it were possible to lock onto the object... it might rematerialize with the molecular cohesion of conventional matter." Data said.
"That's a big "if"... the Transporter just isn't going to recognize simulated matter." Geordi said.
"Unless..." Barclay said beginning to get an idea. "... unless we could find a way to compensate for the phase variance. If we could modify the pattern enhancers, we just might do it."
Their musings were interrupted as Picard entered.
"Professor Moriarty has agreed not to interfere with routine ship operations. As long as he feels we're acting in good faith, we aren't in any immediate danger. Any progress?" Picard said.
"We're talking about using the Transporter to beam the Countess off the Holodeck... But I don't quite see how it's going to work." Geordi said.
"Keep at it - I need to be able to tell him that we're making progress. Mister La Forge..." Picard said then lead Geordi aside. "Do you have any idea how Moriarty was able to take control of the ship?"
Geordi shook his head.
"Somehow he managed to override the security lockouts and rewrite them. The guy's brilliant, in any century."
"I want you to find a way to undo whatever he's done... so we can regain control of the ship." Picard said.
Data and Barclay approached the Holodeck control panel; an N.D. was carrying three portal pattern enhances.
"Set up the pattern enhancers around whatever object you wish to transport. I will proceed to the Transporter Room to begin modifications." Data said.
Then he moved away and Barclay worked the Holodeck control panel.
"Computer, Sherlock Holmes Program Three-A." Barclay said.
"That program is already in use." computer said.
Barclay reacted to this who is running it? He moved to the door and they opened into the sitting room.
He entered the witting room to discover a woman there.
"Are you here to see Mister Holmes? Or perhaps Professor Moriarty? Neither is in just now." Countess said.
"Oh, no... no. I'm not here to see anyone. I'm just -" Barclay said. "- delivering these." he said and gestured to the enhancers
The Countess waved airily.
"Fine. Just put them anywhere." she said.
"Actually... we have to put them right here..."
The N.D. began placing the enhancers in a triangle around a chair, then he left.
"How curious... why is that?" Countess said.
Barclay was not certain how to respond... how does he talk to a Holodeck creation about pattern enhancers?
"Well... it has to do with..." Barclay started. "It's nothing you have to worry about, Countess."
"Are you suggesting that it's beyond my comprehension?" Countess said slightly stung.
"Oh, no... not at all. It's very simple, really. I need to enhance the molecular pattern of the chair... so the Transporter can get a better lock on the signal." Barclay said embarrassed.
She looked at him for a minute.
"This has to do with getting James and me into the real world."
He stared at her.
"You... you know about that? You understand about - the real world?"
"James has explained it to me. It sounds like a grand adventure... there's nothing I love more than exploring the unknown. Have you ever been to Africa, Mister -?"
"Ah - Barclay. Lieutenant Reg Barclay. No, I never have."
"I have, when I was seventeen - I went on safari with my uncle." Countess said. "My mother took to her bed in terror that I'd be bitten by a Tsetse fly... but I had a marvelous time." she continued and leaned in conspiratorial. "I got to wear trousers... the whole time." she continued. "It was hard to go back to a corset, let me tell you."
"I... I'm sure it was."
"After that, I never stopped travelling. I couldn't bear to be stuck in one place for very long. So you can see I am looking forward to this new experience. Travelling the stars - oh, my!"
"You... know about that? Where we are? Countess... forgive me... but you don't sound like a Holodeck character."
"That's because she isn't." Moriarty said.
They turned to see Moriarty entering from the Sitting Room door, carrying a bottle of champagne. The Countess rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck.
"James!" she said.
They exchanged a long, passionate kiss. It went on to the point where Barclay got a little embarrassed. Finally, they broke. Moriarty turned to Barclay.
"If you loved a woman like this, Lieutenant... would you be content to let her remain a simulation?" Moriarty.
"You... you gave her consciousness?" Barclay said.
"Yes... just as it was given to me."
"I'm not so sure that was a good idea..."
"Nonsense. It was the only thing to do."
"Did you try taking her off the Holodeck?"
Moriarty hesitated.
"No. I am unwilling to risk the Countess' safety. I want to make sure nothing will happen to her." he said.
"We may be closer to freedom than you think, James." Countess said. "These are devices which will enhance our molecular patterns... they'll help take us into the real world." she continued gesturing to enhancers
The Countess was obviously a quick study. Barclay was surprised; Moriarty nodded approvingly.
"Please proceed." Moriarty said to Barclay.
"We're going to try transporting this chair, first. We don't want to try it on the Countess until we're sure it will work."
"How thoughtful. Isn't he thoughtful, James?" Countess.
She seemed to mean it, but Moriarty didn't respond. Barclay touched his combadge.
"Barclay to Commander Data..." Barclay said.
Data was at the transporter room at the control console; the transporter chief was just closing up a wall panel.
"Go ahead, Lieutenant." Data said.
"I'm ready here." Barclay said on com.
"The modifications are complete. Stand by."
Barclay squatted as he set up the last of the three pattern boosters around the Drawing room chair.
"Standing by..." he said.
"Activate pattern enhancers." Data said on com.
Barclay activated them and a beam of light lanced between the three triangularly arranged units. Moriarty and the Countess reacted to the light show.
Data worked the main console at the transporter room; the Chief worked one of the side panels.
"Energizing..." he said. "I am having difficulty establishing a pattern lock..." he said while he worked. "Boost the confinement beam." he said to chief.
The Chief worked the panel.
"Pattern lock established..." Data said.
The Drawing room chair dematerialized. When Barclay smiled the Countess and Moriarty took the cue and applaud his work.
"Bravo!" Countess said.
The chair in the transporter room was in the process of materialize on the platform. The procedure seemed to be going smoothly... but when the shimmering was done the chair was simply not there.
"Do you have the chair, Commander?" Barclay said on com.
"No. It lost its cohesion as soon as the Transporter cycle was complete." Data said.
"It was a long shot to begin with."
"Agreed. However, we may be able to learn something from the attempt." Data said then crossed to a wall panel. "Computer, display transport logs for the sequence just completed."
An okudagram appeared on a monitor. It showed a standard X/Y axis type graph, but there were no points plotted, no information of any kind. Data was baffled by this.
"Computer, what is being displayed here?" Data said.
"Transport log seven-five-nine." computer said.
"That is the correct log... but no information is being presented." Data said.
"That's impossible." Barclay said on com.
"It is as if our attempt to transport the chair... never occurred."
Data seemed profoundly disturbed by this. Suddenly he turned on his heel and left the Transporter Room.
Picard entered the engineering and joined Geordi and Wesley at a console.
"You wanted to see me?" Picard said.
"Yes, Captain... we think we may have found a way to reinstate your voice authorization. Give it a try." Geordi said while he worked the console.
"Computer, route all command functions to this location."
"Command functions are off-line." computer said.
"Reinitialize them on my authorization."
They skipped a breath as they waited to see if the Computer will once again deny Picard's voice authorization.
"Please input command codes."
They shared a smile of satisfaction.
"Picard Epsilon-seven-nine-three."
"Command codes verified."
Data entered and crossed toward them.
"That should do it." Wesley said. "Wait a minute... it didn't work. The computer didn't release the command pathways..." he said then grabbed a PADD and starts working.
Data cocked his head as if in reaction to something surprising.
Wesley worked the PADD for a moment before putting it down. Data grabbed a tool from a nearby surface.
"Wesley." Data said.
When they looked over at him Data tossed the tool to him. Wesley caught it with his left hand as if nothing were wrong.
"What did you do that for?" Wesley asked confused by Data's action.
Geordi's action somehow confirmed the theory that had been forming in Data's mind.
"Captain, I have determined how Moriarty was able to leave the Holodeck. He never did. Neither did we." Data said. "None of this is real. It is a simulation. We are still on the Holodeck." he said gesturing around them.
Picard, Wesley and Geordi weren't sure what to make of Data's extraordinary claim.
"We're still on the Holodeck...?" Geordi said.
"How do you know that?" Picard asked.
"Through deduction. Lieutenant Barclay and I tried to transport a simulated object off the Holodeck - something that has never been attempted. But since the transporter itself was just a simulation, the computer had no real data from which to create a transport log." Data said.
"It could just be a problem with the Transporter..." Wesley said.
"But then I saw you working the PADD with your left hand. Commander La Forge is right-handed. A similar malfunction occurred in the Sherlock Holmes program I was running before Moriarty first appeared."
"Data, if what you're saying is true... then this is not Geordi La Forge. Are you certain?" Picard asked.
Data pondered for a minute, then removes his combadge and hurls it toward the far wall in midair, as it striked an invisible wall and was deflected away. For a moment, the yellow grid of the Holodeck wall was visible at the point of.
Picard, Wesley and Geordi reacted.
"Computer, discontinue program." Picard said.
Nothing happened.
"Computer, exit." he said.
Again, nothing happened.
"It appears that Moriarty has programmed the Holodeck to accept only his commands." Data said.
Picard activated combadge.
"Picard to Bridge."
"Riker, here." Riker said.
"What is my present location, Number One?"
"Engineering..." Riker said. "Is something wrong, sir?" he said off his old request.
"No. Thank you, Picard out." Picard said. "Our combadges must be locked into the simulation; if that had been the real Commander Riker, he would have given our location as Holodeck Three." he said to the others.
Picard considered.
"Mister La Forge, Mister Crusher, will you excuse us please?" Picard said.
Geordi and Wesley nodded and moved away.
"Data... who is real here?" Picard asked.
"You and I are real, as is Lieutenant Barclay. We entered the Holodeck together when we first went to see Moriarty." Data said.
"Then... from that point on... we have been existing in a Holodeck simulation of the Enterprise - created by Moriarty."
"I believe that to be the case, sir."
"I just gave my command codes to the computer... thinking I was regaining control of the ship."
"You may have inadvertently given Professor Moriarty the means of gaining control of the real Enterprise."
"Since he has never actually left the Holodeck... he'll probably demand that Commander Riker find a way for him to do so." Picard said. "How long until the planetary collision?"
"Less than three hours."
"As long as Moriarty has control of the ship - we are vulnerable." Picard said. "Somehow, we have to find a way to give him what he wants."
At the main bridge Riker, Worf, Geordi, Wesley and various N.D's. Moriarty were on the viewscreen, talking to Riker from the Holodeck simulation of his quarters.
"Where is Captain Picard? What have you done with Lieutenant Barclay and Commander Data?" Riker asked.
"They're safe... for now." Moriarty said.
"Release control of this ship."
"I'm afraid I can't do that."
Moriarty held all the cards and he's enjoying playing them. Riker doesn't like any of this one bit.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I only want what you have the luxury of taking for granted: freedom. I want to leave this Holodeck."
"I think you know that's impossible."
"Your crewmates here in my little... ship in a bottle, seem a bit more optimistic."
"Oh?"
"They attempted to use your Transporter device to remove a simulated object from the Holodeck."
Riker turned to Geordi and Wesley.
"If they tried it, they must have thought they were on to something." Geordi said.
"Their attempt was futile because their Transporter was just a facsimile. I expect more from you." Moriarty said.
"Just because our Transporter is real doesn't mean it's going to work." Wesley said.
"I sense a distressing lack of enthusiasm on your parts..."
Moriarty reached forward and pressed a button on the PADD in front of him.
"Sir... warp core temperature is rising - approaching critical levels..." Worf said.
"I have nothing to lose, Commander..."
Riker weighed his options.
"Mister La Forge... start working on the problem." he said grim.
Moriarty tapped his console.
"Core temperature is dropping..." Worf said.
Picard was at the panel.
"Computer, resume program." he said.
The Countess at the drawing room looked up, curious but not startled by the appearance of this stranger.
"Hello... have we met?" Countess said.
"Captain Jean-Luc Picard."
She extended her hand to him, graciously.
"James has told me all about you. I am Regina, Countess Barthalomew. May I offer you tea, Captain?"
"No, thank you." he said. "I've come to prevail upon your intelligence and insight."
"But not, apparently, my humility." she said with a slight smile.
Picard adopted a more formal, 19th century manner of speech, which the Countess might find more familiar.
"Credit where it is due, Madame. You are clearly a woman not only of breeding, but of wit and sagacity." he said.
"And you, sir, are a man of charm... and guile." she said. "You remind me of the Viscount Bisimuth... he could bewitch any woman who breathed..."
Picard regarded her with a smile, enjoying the banter with this woman.
"And do you suspect that is my intent?" he asked.
She leaned toward him and gazed at him.
"I cannot be certain of your intent... but I am certain that you are the kind of man who usually gets exactly what he wants."
She was intriguinging and challenging. Picard couldn't help but be charmed.
"What does a woman like you see in a man like Professor Moriarty?"
"He is an exciting man, Captain. Brilliant... incisive... ruthless. He has an almost irresistible appeal."
"He is also an arch criminal.
"Only because he was written that way." she said. "I see him much differently, Captain - he is not a villain."
"Then it is your desire to leave the Holodeck in order to be with him."
"More than anything. Can you help us?"
"I can. We've learned that if we uncouple the Transporter's Heisenberg Compensators and allow them to rescramble randomly, we can beam a Holodeck object... or a person... off the grid - with all the cohesion of conventional matter."
"That's splendid! I must tell James."
Picard put out a hand.
"Wait... I came to you with this information because I believe you are someone who will listen to a reasonable proposition. Whose mind is open to compromise."
She eyed him carefully.
"Yes?"
"My ship is in danger... it is imperative that I regain navigational control. You must convince Moriarty to return voice commands to me... or we will not modify the Transporter."
"I see."
"Once I have voice command, I promise we will transport you from the Holodeck."
"Forgive me, Captain... but that sounds a bit more like a threat than a compromise."
"Please understand - I am responsible for the lives of over a thousand people."
She looked at him for a moment.
"I'll do what I can."
Picard inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement.
At the main bridge Riker moved toward the back science station where Geordi and Wesley were working.
"Any progress?" Riker asked.
"We've got my people modifying the Transporter... but I don't see how running Holodeck matter through the pattern buffer will give it molecular cohesion." Geordi said.
"Any luck getting back systems control?"
"Moriarty has reinitialized the Captain's command codes and input his own. We can't get control without them." Wesley said.
"Commander." N.D. said.
Riker, Wesley and Geordi turned and see the two gas planets on the viewscreen - almost touching.
Geordi moved to tactical and worked the controls.
"The gravity well is beginning to intensify." he said.
Riker's face hardened.
"Are we far enough away to keep from being pulled in?"
"It's too soon to tell."
"Riker to Lieutenant Worf..." Riker said to com.
"Worf here, sir." Worf said on com.
"How are you doing?"
Worf and a number of N.D's were now working on a Mees panel in order to disable a force field blocking their path to the Holodeck.
"There are force fields blocking our access to the Holodeck. It will take time to disable them." Worf said.
"Keep trying." Riker said on com.
"Aye, sir."
The Countess at the drawing room had told Moriarty about her conversation with Picard.
"Think, my dear. You're certain he said they had to uncouple the Heisenburg Compensators?" Moriarty said.
"Yes, James, I'm quite sure. But he won't do it unless you return control of the ship to him." Countess said.
"I have them running around like rats in a maze." he said pleased.
"It's an entirely reasonable request. There are lives at stake -"
"Yes, ours."
"What harm would there be in accepting his proposition?"
"My dear, you are as brilliant as you are beautiful. Nonetheless, there are things you do not understand. You must let me handle this." he said. "Computer, arch."
The arch appeared in the room. Moriarty went to it and worked the controls. Riker's face appeared on the monitor.
"Commander Riker... a pleasure as always." he said warmly.
"I don't have time for games, Moriarty. This ship is falling into a gravity well. It'll be destroyed within twenty-five minutes... Holodeck and all." Riker said on monitor.
"Then I'm sure you'll be motivated to listen to me... very, very carefully. I want to talk to you about uncoupling the Heisenburg Compensators."
A few minutes later Moriarty and the Countess were setting up the pattern enhancers in the middle of the room, presumably as instructed by Riker.
"James? Where will we go when we leave here?" Countess asked.
"Everywhere, my darling. There are more worlds in the heavens than there are grains of sand on a shoreline." Moriarty said.
They shared a smile of excitement and anticipation.
"I wish I could take my books. I'll be lost without them." Countess said.
"I'll get you more. I promise you... you'll want for nothing."
"Riker to Moriarty." Riker said on com.
"It's time..."
He moved to the arch where Riker's face was again on the monitor; the First Officer was now in the Transporter Room.
"Yes, Commander?" Moriarty said.
"We're ready." Riker said on transporter room monitor.
"As are we."
"Step inside the transport area and activate the pattern enhancers." Riker said on monitor.
Moriarty and the Countess moved into the triangular area demarcated by the pattern enhancers. Once there, Moriarty knelt and twisted a cylinder on one of the pylons, causing a beam of energy to connect the three units.
"We're ready here." Moriarty said toward the arch.
"Stand by... Energizing..." Riker said on com.
Moriarty and the Countess exchanged a look... they're off into an exciting new world. Transport was initiated and they dematerialized.
They rematerialized at the transporter room after a slightly more protracted Transporter process than usual. Riker and Worf watched with a certain urgency - if this doesn't work, Moriarty may not relinquish control of the ship.
Moriarty felt his hands and sides, as if testing their solidity. He and the Countess exchanged huge smiles of relief and excitement.
"Welcome aboard..." Riker said with grim irony.
"May I present Regina, Countess Barthalomew..." Moriarty said.
"Countess..." Riker said. "Forgive me if I skip the pleasantries... but given the circumstances..." he said to Moriarty.
"Ah, yes. I expect you want me to relinquish my hold on your vessel?"
"Please.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible just yet."
"What-"
"I have a small favor to ask of you."
"We had an agreement."
The angrier Riker became, the calmer Moriarty seemed to get.
"And I intend to honor it. I have no wish to see your vessel destroyed. Just give me one of your..." Moriarty said. "- shuttlecraft, and allow us to leave in peace." he said with a new word.
"There's no time for this. Release the command codes and we'll talk."
"I will not release your vessel... until I'm looking at it through a shuttlecraft window." Moriarty said smiling.
Riker's jaw set in frustration, but there's little he can do.
Riker was now on a shuttlebay standing outside a shuttlecraft, talking to Moriarty and the Countess through its open door.
"Everything has been programmed to operate on voice command. Just tell the computer where you want to go." Riker said.
"Excellent." Moriarty said.
"You do have a destination? The shuttle's range is limited."
"Your concern for our welfare is touching."
"I suggest you head for Meles Two. It's the nearest inhabited planet, and the people are friendly. Where you go from there is your business."
"Please tell your Captain I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye." Moriarty said. "I do wish I could see his face when he realizes where he's been the last several hours."
Riker was eager to get them out of there before the danger from the colliding planets becomes imminent.
"Every second we waste puts us in that much more danger." he said.
"Don't worry, you'll soon have control of your ship."
Riker backed away from the door.
"Goodbye, Commander. Thank you for everything." Countess said.
Riker managed a polite nod.
"Computer... prepare to depart." Moriarty said.
Riker backed away as the door to the shuttlecraft closed. Follow him as he joined Worf at the console that controls the shuttlebay doors.
"Open shuttlebay doors." Riker said.
Worf worked the controls. the sound of the door opening and the warning alarm that accompanied it.
The shuttlecraft shuttle had left the bay and moved away from the ship. Stars were visible through the windows as the shuttle moved through space.
Moriarty and the Countess peer out into space, struck by the beauty of its expanse.
"It's so beautiful..." Countess said.
"Indeed, my dear. It is a wondrous sight. The first of many we are sure to encounter in our travels." Moriarty said.
The stared out into the starfield, into their future.
"Computer... interface with the central computer on the Enterprise." Moriarty said.
The computer beeped.
"Interface complete." computer said.
"Release command function lockouts... authorization Moriarty, alpha two-four-one-five-nine."
"James...?"
"Yes, my love?"
"Can we go back to Earth... someday?"
"Of course, my dear... Of course."
He looked at her with great tenderness.
At the shuttlebay Riker and Worf stood at the console as last time.
"Computer..." Picard started.
Riker and Worf turned at the sound of the Captain's voice as he walked toward them.
"Store program Picard delta one in active memory and discontinue simulation."
The shuttlebay disappeared, including Riker and Worf. Picard was now standing in the empty grid.
"Program stored." computer said.
Picard crossed toward the door and left.
Data and Barclay were waiting for Picard as he entered from the grid. They looked at him expectantly for a moment and he broke into a smile.
"It worked... they believed they were off the Holodeck." Picard said.
"Did Moriarty release the voice commands, Captain?" Data asked.
"We'll soon find out. Computer... discontinue the Holodeck simulation created by Professor Moriarty."
The Corridor disappeared and the three men find themselves standing in the empty grid.
Back at the holodeck grid,
"So far, so good. This should be the Holodeck on the real Enterprise." Barclay said.
Picard activated his combadge.
"Picard to Bridge."
Riker, Geordi and various N.D's were at the main bridge.
"Captain! Are you all right?" Riker asked.
"Yes, Number One. What is your status?"
"We regained full control of the ship a few minutes ago."
"And the planetary collision?"
"Six minutes away... we're pulling back to a safe distance."
Back at the Holodeck grid,
"We'll join you shortly." Picard said.
Worf and his team appeared in the doorway to the Corridor.
"Captain -" Worf said.
"We're all right, Mister Worf." Picard said.
Barclay crossed to the Arch and opened a panel. He removed a cube-shaped piece of hardware.
Picard, Data, Barclay, Riker, Beverly and Deanna were in the observation lounge. The tech cube was sitting on the table between them.
"How did you do it, sir?" Riker asked.
"We were able to program the Holodeck inside the Holodeck, and use the same ruse on Moriarty that he used on us." Picard said.
"When he attempted to contact the real Bridge, he was in fact talking to a simulation." Data said.
"You mean he never realized that he hadn't left the Holodeck?" Deanna asked.
"The simulation is continuing even now, inside that cube." Picard said gesturing to cube.
"A miniature Holodeck?" Beverly said.
"In a way, Doctor. However, it has no physicality. The program is continuing... but only within the computer circuitry." Data said.
"As far as Moriarty and the Countess know, they're half way to Meles Two by now." Barclay said.
Barclay picked of the tech cube and inserted it in a slot inside a larger, briefcase sized piece of hardware blinked on it.
"This enhancement module contains enough active memory to provide them with a lifetime of experiences." he said.
"They'll live out their lives... and never know the difference." Picard said.
Deanna smiled.
"So in a sense... you did give Moriarty what he wanted."
Picard smiled because he felt he had at last been able to fulfill his obligation to Moriarty.
"In a sense. And... who knows - our reality might not be all that different from theirs. All this..." he said. "... might be nothing more than an elaborate simulation being run inside a little device... sitting on someone else's table..." he said gesturing around him.
Picard's just making a philosophical point that brings smiles around the room. Except for Barclay, who seemed a little disquieted by what he said.
"Well... I believe we have a new born star to study." Picard said. "Mister Barclay... you'll see that is kept in a safe place?" he said standing indicating the cube.
"Aye, sir." Barclay said.
Barclay adjusted a control or two on the unit as everyone filed out of the room. He stood and picked up the unit to follow, but then decided to wait and allow the door to close behind them. Once alone, he looked around the room.
"Computer... end program." he said tentatively.
When nothing happened, Barclay was satisfied he's not still inside some Holodeck simulation somewhere. He suddenly felt foolish for having doubted it, smiled sheepishly, and left the room.
Note: I might be taking a little break on the next episode because I'm doing the two parts right now to make it easier and quicker. So unless I decide to do the next one be patient and you'll see the next one soon. I promise. Typing one handed isn't that easy though.