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The Nth Degree

You were like a brother to me.

Do you remember?

We used to play in the park near the lake.

Yes, of course.

Every summer you would come to Bergerac.

You used to make swords out of the reeds.

And when you cut your hand, you would come running to me and I would say, "Let me see."

Oh, how did you do that?

Playing near the Porte de Nesle.

CRUSHER: And how many did you play against?

No more than 100.

Tell me.

No.

( whispering ) Let it go.

( whispering ) What?

( whispering ) Let it go.

Oh! Let it go.

Let... let it go.

You... you tell me what you were going to say.

Do you dare?

CRUSHER: I do dare.

I love someone.

Ah.

He does not know.

Ah. Not yet.

But he is proud, noble, brave and beautiful.

( wretchedly ) Oh, beautiful.

What's the matter? With me? Nothing.

It is my hand.

He is in the guards?

Since this morning.

Baron Christian de Neuvillette in your own regiment.

Ah.

Promise me... promise me to be his friend.

I promise.

Oh, I love you.

I must go now.

Oh, and tell him to write me.

100 men-- what courage!

Oh, but I...

I ha-- I have done better since.

( polite applause )

Bravo!

Wonderful, wonderful.

Lieutenant Barclay's performance was adequate, but clearly not rooted in the method approach.

I do not understand... Data, because it's polite.

Good job, Reg.

And only six weeks for the lessons?

Good job period.

Well, we... we have a patient teacher.

CRUSHER: Uh, Worf?

I have an opening in my workshop.

Well done.

Thank you, Counselor.

You've come a long way, Reg.

After more... more rehearsals than I can count.

I don't just mean your acting ability.

It takes a great deal of courage to put yourself on display like that.

You... you think... think so?

There was a time when nothing could have dragged you onto a stage in front of an audience.

You've made tremendous progress.

I, I... I guess.

Don't you think so?

Well, I just feel more comfortable... playing somebody else.

And maybe all of this is... is... is not any better than escaping into... into a Holodeck fantasy.

I disagree.

This isn't fantasy.

It's theater.

You used to withdraw onto the Holodeck.

You isolated yourself inside your own imagination, avoiding contact with real people.

Look at yourself now.

Look at all the other people you're with.

You're not just acting, you're interacting.

Give yourself some credit, Mr. Barclay.

Maybe you're right.

Captain's Log, Stardate 44704.2:

We have arrived at the Argus Array,

a remote subspace telescope

at the very edge of Federation space.

The unmanned structure mysteriously

stopped relaying its data nearly two months ago.

The fusion reactors that power the Array are unstable.

There is a risk of overload.

What about the computer systems?

They do not seem to be functioning at all, sir.

Captain, I am picking up an unidentified device

1.8 kilometers from the Array.

On screen.

Magnify.

That's some kind of probe.

I bet that's what damaged the Array.

Is it emitting any signals, Lieutenant?

Negative, sir. I show no activity.

Mr. La Forge, why not go out and take a closer look? Aye, sir.

Lieutenant Barclay, report to the Main Shuttle Bay.

Enterprise, this is shuttle five in position.

Ready to begin a short-range scan.

RIKER: Proceed, shuttle five.

Reg, why don't we begin with the passive hi-res series, all right?

Electromagnetic band?

Give it a try.

I'm picking up visual wavelengths only, between 45, uh...

4,500 and 7,000 angstroms.

Let's try the neutron densitometer.

Nothing.

Hmm... doesn't want to give up any of its secrets.

Let's go to an active scan.

No... no modulation.

Really?

You are definitely not from our neighborhood.

Increase to 3.0.

Commander? Yeah, Reg?

Thanks for assigning me to this mission.

Don't mention it.

You're one of my top engineers.

It's about time you got in on some of the interesting stuff.

This... this is why I'm in Starfleet.

There's still no, uh... no modulation.

Well, hit it with a positron emission.

Ooh. What was that?

Computer's down, Reg.

Reg--

Reg?

Space... the final frontier.

These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.

Its continuing mission--

to explore strange new worlds,

to seek out new life and new civilizations,

to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Captain's Log, supplemental:

An intense energy surge from the alien probe

has severely disabled the shuttle's onboard computer.

The away team has been transported directly to Sick Bay,

where Lieutenant Barclay remains under observation.

Any indication of the probe's energy source, Data?

No, sir.

Power emissions do not match any known radiation patterns.

We have not encountered this technology before, sir.

Very well, isolate the probe and place it in tow.

We'll take it to Science Station 402 in the Kohlan system.

Captain, the probe has begun to move.

It is approaching the Enterprise.

Shields up. Aye, sir.

There was enough energy in that flash to overload your optic nerves.

It knocked you unconscious.

My visor must have filtered it out.

Exactly.

But there was no apparent retinal damage and the cornea looks fine, but I'm still waiting for a full sero-amino readout.

I'll call you when it comes in.

I'd like this done as quickly as possible, Ensign.

You shouldn't have to wait too long for the results.

What do you mean?

Couldn't you use a global mode in your scanner?

It would be a lot faster.

That's not possible.

We're talking about human cells here, not isolinear circuits.

I think you'd better stick to engineering, Lieutenant.

A cell has an electromagnetic signature just as a circuit element does.

Theoretically, it should work with just a few adjustments.

( Klaxons sounding )

I could set it up for you if you'd like.

Probe now closing at 15.3 meters per second.

Collision course.

Captain, sensors are reading no particulate emissions or subspace distortions.

Then how is it able to move?

Method of propulsion is unknown, sir.

Ensign, take us away from it.

One quarter impulse. ENSIGN: Aye, sir.

The probe is matching our speed and course.

Captain, an energy field is forming around the devise.

Intensity is 3.2 terawatts and increasing.

Sir, the shuttlecraft shield did not provide sufficient protection for its computer.

Our computer may also be vulnerable.

I recommend withdrawal to a safe distance.

Ensign Anaya, full about. Half impulse.

One-half impulse.

The probe is following.

Options, Number One?

We can't use photon torpedoes.

An explosion this close could cripple us.

Sir, recommend full phasers.

Proceed.

Firing phasers.

No effect, Captain.

The probe's field intensity is continuing to build, sir.

We are in danger.

Riker to La Forge. Can you increase phaser power?

Attempting to now, Commander.

Isolate phasers 80 to 120.

Shunt the plasma... To the emitters.

Yes, sir, I'm already on it.

Ready.

Phasers are as hot as we can make them, Captain.

Mr. Worf? Aye, sir.

Nothing.

Go to warp two.

Aye, sir.

Warp two.

The probe is still with us, sir.

At warp two? Yes, sir.

Captain, the probe's energy output is overloading our shields.

Failure anticipated in 47 seconds.

I'm willing to entertain suggestions.

Captain, we are dropping to impulse.

Commander, warp power has been transferred to the shield grid.

Yeah, but by whom?

Barclay?!

What are you doing?

Lieutenant Barclay to Captain Picard.

You can fire photon torpedoes.

Maximum yield, full spread.

We're too close.

BARCLAY: I'm certain the shields will hold.

Mr. La Forge?

I don't know how he did it, but shield strength has been increased by 300%.

It should be enough, Captain.

Mr. Worf, photon torpedoes. Maximum yield, full spread.

Aye.

Thank you, Mr. Barclay.

You're welcome, Captain.

Barclay out.

I'm sorry if I overstepped my authority.

Don't mention it.

Captain's Log, Stardate 44705.3:

The Enterprise has destroyed the alien probe,

but now we are left with the difficult task

of repairing the Argus telescope.

Failure to do so would represent

an incalculable scientific loss.

Mr. Barclay.

Everyone's still trying to figure out exactly how you did it.

It just occurred to me that I could set up a frequency harmonic between the deflector and the shield grid using the warp field generator as a power flow anti-attenuator.

And that, of course, naturally, created an amplification of the inherent energy output.

Uh-huh. I see that.

I'm glad you could join us, Mr. Barclay.

Your report, Mr. La Forge.

Each of the telescope's subspace antenna clusters is powered by its own fusion reactor, but a single computer controls them all.

So all 18 reactors were affected when the computer was damaged?

LA FORGE: Mm-hmm, that's right.

They're starting to overload and could eventually go critical.

The explosion would destroy the Array.

And I wouldn't want to be next door when that happens.

Standard isolation procedure would be advisable.

I agree. We'll cut off each reactor from the damage control system and repair them one by one.

RIKER: How long will that take? Two to three weeks at least.

All right, Mr. La Forge...

I don't agree.

We could repair all of the reactors simultaneous instead of one by one.

Simultaneously? All 18?

Yes, sir.

But the Argus computer is inoperable.

Not entirely.

The core memory is still intact and we could program a completely new control system.

An interesting suggestion, Lieutenant.

However, that approach would require much more time than our original plan, at least seven weeks.

I could have it ready for you in two days.

What?

If you could assist me in the morning, Commander.

Sure, Reg.

The moon-- yes, that will be my home.

My paradise.

I shall find there all the souls that I love--

Socrates, Galileo.

And when I arrive, they will question my worthiness.

What the devil is he doing there among us?

Philosopher, scientist, poet, musician, duelist.

Here lies Hercule-Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac.

I would not have you weep any less for that charming, good, and handsome Christian.

I only ask this: that as the great cold surrounds my bones, you allow a double meaning for your mourning veil.

And when you let fall your tears for him, some few will be... for me.

That was a real improvement.

Same time, day after tomorrow?

Same time.

Reg?

May I join you?

Of course. Please, sit down, Counselor.

Hard at work?

I'm getting prepared for tomorrow's meeting in Engineering.

We're planning our repair strategy.

I really enjoyed the scene you just performed.

You're a very forgiving audience.

Not at all.

I thought you were brilliant.

You've changed.

Is that a professional opinion?

Pure observation.

You know, it's true.

I can't explain it.

In the past few days, I've found confidence

I never knew was there.

I'm proud of you, Reg.

I'm glad for you, too.

Well, I'd better be going.

Must you?

I think so.

Wouldn't you like to take a walk with me through the arboretum?

The zalnias should be in bloom.

Reg, as your former counselor,

I don't think it would be appropriate.

I don't need a counselor.

What I need is the company of a charming, intelligent woman.

Good night, Mr. Barclay.

Where's Lieutenant Barclay?

I stopped by his quarters on my way over.

He wasn't there.

Computer, location of Lieutenant Barclay.

COMPUTER: Lieutenant Barclay is on Holodeck three.

G sub I,

J of T, as T approaches infinity...

G of T over G-naught.

So it is, so it is.

I still don't see how you're going to incorporate quantum principle into general relativity without adjusting the cosmological constant a lot more than you're doing here.

Well, if we increase the value as you suggest, we must face the possibility of 26 dimensions instead of ten.

I don't think I could deal with that.

I certainly could not.

If the semiset curved into the subatomic... the infinities might cancel each other out.

Gruss gott... they just might.

Ahem.

We had a meeting at 0700.

I'm sorry, Commander.

Thank you, Professor.

End program.

What was that all about?

I had some ideas late last night and I needed to consult with the computer about some quantum electrodynamic calculations.

A Holodeck Einstein program seemed like the best way--

I guess I went a little overboard. A little?

Most of the stuff on that blackboard was way out of my league and yours, too. Not really.

I just haven't thought along those lines before.

It's all really pretty evident now, and if you would put your mind to it, I'm sure--

Reg, ever since our run-in with that probe, something's different about you. What?

Because I'm beginning to behave like the rest of the crew?

With confidence in what I'm doing?

You just spent the entire night arguing grand unification theories with Albert Einstein. Yes, but...

Reg, something's happened to you and we can't ignore that.

Yes, I've finally become the person

I've always wanted to be.

Do we have to ask why? Yeah, I think we do.

Incredible!

The production of neurotransmitters in your brain has jumped by over 500%.

Pre- and postsynaptic membranes have increased permeability to match it.

I couldn't even guess at your I.Q. level now.

Probably somewhere between 1,200 and 1,450. But that isn't all.

The corpus callosum, the connecting bridge between both sides of the brain, it is so active now that the hemispheres are essentially behaving as one.

So it's not just raw intelligence we're talking about here. No.

Creativity, resourcefulness, inspiration, imagination-- they've all been enhanced.

Lieutenant, you could very well be the most advanced human being who has ever lived.

RIKER: Whatever that alien probe did to him,

Barclay now seems to know more about the internal workings of the Enterprise than anyone else on board.

PICARD: The question is how are we going to deal with it?

We could confine him to his quarters.

How can we do that? What's he done?

We're talking about locking a man up for being too smart?

If he's been influenced by an alien, wouldn't that put us all at risk?

Not necessarily.

It might be something as simple as an allergic reaction to a bee sting.

PICARD: Has Mr. Barclay done anything that could be considered potentially threatening?

Well, he did make a pass at me last night.

A good one.

I'd hardly consider that a threat.

No, but it's unusual behavior for Barclay.

CRUSHER: There's something else, Captain.

He taught violin technique at the music school last night.

I didn't know Barclay played the violin.

He didn't. Not until last night.

Look, if we want to save the Array, we need Barclay-- it's as simple as that.

Until he does something more menacing,

I see no reason why we should prevent him from continuing his work.

LARSON: Larson to Commander La Forge.

Go ahead, Lieutenant.

We're having trouble containing reactor nine, sir.

It's starting to chain. LA FORGE: I'm on my way.

You said he made a pass at you, but you failed to mention whether he was successful or not.

Thermal level's up 177%.

Comparable increase in neutron emissions.

Is the interface between the computer and Array still in operation?

Yes, but our computer is too slow to direct the repairs.

The parameters are changing too quickly for it to keep up.

Then we'll have to try a remote shutdown from here.

Transmitting commands to the Array now, sir.

Starting close down sequence.

Brower, increase the intake of liquid helium three into the reactor wall, we've got to cool this off.

Transmitting commands.

Thermal level's increasing, sir.

What happened? BARCLAY: Unclear!

The interface isn't fast enough.

LARSON: Commander La Forge, overload indications on Argus generator five, seven and 14.

Damn! Well, I can't do anything from here.

I have to find a better interface.

La Forge to Bridge.

We're looking at a cascade reactor failure on the Argus.

I don't think we're going to pull this one out.

Reactor nine will reach critical in ten minutes, 43 seconds.

The subsequent explosion will create a chain reaction along the entire length of the Array, sir.

Ensign, stand by for a jump to warp two. ENSIGN: Yes, sir.

La Forge, you've got ten minutes.

Mr. Worf, red alert. Aye, commander.

( red alert alarms blaring )

Computer, begin new program.

Create as follows: work station chair.

Now, create a standard alpha-numeric console positioned for the left hand.

Now an iconic display console positioned for the right hand.

Tie both consoles into the Enterprise main computer core utilizing neural scan interface.

COMPUTER: There is no such device on file. No problem.

Here's how you build it.

Argus reactor nine-- 28 seconds to critical.

Get us out of here. Warp two, Ensign.

Yes, sir.

Helm's not responding, sir.

Captain, we have lost computer control.

What?!

12 seconds to critical.

Go to manual.

I'm attempting that, sir, but...

There's not enough time.

The computer is coming back online, sir.

Captain... the Argus reactors are shutting down.

We are no longer in danger, sir.

What happened?

Unknown, sir.

Geordi, what did you do?

It wasn't me, sir.

Computer, how were the Argus reactors shut down?

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: A neural interface was created to expedite the repairs.

Barclay?

Computer, respond.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: I am responding, sir.

I'm sorry if I caused you any alarm.

It was necessary in order to secure the Array.

Barclay?!

RIKER: Barclay, what's going on?

Barclay?!

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: Yes, Commander.

It's me.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: I'm sorry Captain, I was only trying to help.

Our computer was too slow to compensate for the overload on the Array, so I created an interface that communicated my thoughts directly to the central processing unit.

Exactly what does that mean?

My body is as you see it here, but much of my higher brain functions and memory have been transferred to the starboard computer core.

Mr. Barclay, remove yourself from the computer system.

Leave the Holodeck.

I'm afraid I can't do that, sir.

And why not?

My primary cerebral functions are now operating almost entirely from within the computer.

They have expanded to such a degree that it would be impossible to return to the confines of my human brain.

Any attempt to do so would mean my death.

That's it.

I've disconnected the audio and visual pickups.

We can talk without being monitored by the computer.

By Barclay.

PICARD: Report, Mr. La Forge.

It is now almost impossible to tell where Barclay ends and the computer begins.

He's actually rewriting the isolinear chips each time he extends himself a little further.

How do we get him out of there? We don't.

Not without killing him.

This is an intolerable situation.

I have no wish to harm him, but I cannot allow Mr. Barclay to continue to act as the computer.

I don't care how smart he is.

Lieutenant Barclay has not yet extended himself into the Engineering subsystems.

It may be possible to establish an O.D.N. bypass directly to the Bridge.

But that still won't give us control of the ship.

No, but it would give us access to the propulsion systems, enough to get us to the next starbase.

How long would it take to set that up?

A few hours.

Make it so.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: Commander La Forge?

Yeah, Reg?

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: I thought you would be in your quarters.

No, I'm, uh... just catching up on some work, you know?

That level three diagnostic we talked about.

How are you doing?

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: I wish I could convey to you what it's like for me now-- what I've become.

Yeah?

Try.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: I can conceive almost infinite possibilities and can fully explore each of them in a nanosecond.

I perceive the universe as a single equation and it is so simple.

I understand.

You understand?

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: Everything.

Hmm.

Well, do you understand how this happened to you?

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: I believe it is a gift-- that I have been chosen to fulfill a great purpose.

Uh-huh.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: Do you suppose all of this has changed the way people think about me?

To tell you the truth, Reg, we don't know what to think.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: I've been concerned about that, but soon everyone will understand what I can do for humanity.

What do you mean?

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: We have always perceived the maximum speed of the Enterprise as a function of warp.

But I know now there are no limits.

We will explore new worlds that we could never before have reached in our lifetime.

I will take us to them.

Captain, I am picking up subspace distortion.

Mr. Data?

This disturbance is the result of a highly charged graviton field emanating from our warp nacelles.

It is creating a severe bias in the subspace continuum.

Mr. Barclay, are you responsible for this graviton field disturbance?

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: Yes, sir.

I'm altering subspace in a way that's never been conceived of before.

I'm fairly certain it will allow us to travel halfway across the galaxy in a matter...

Mr. Barclay, I want you to stop this experiment for now.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: Captain, if you'd only allow me...

Mr. Barclay, this is a direct order.

Discontinue whatever it is you are doing.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: I really would rather not, sir.

I'm positive that you'll be pleased with the result once I finished showing--

Audio is disconnected. You may speak freely.

How long before the O.D.N. process is in place?

I have been monitoring Geordi's progress.

It will be operational in 17 minutes.

Captain, let me go to the Holodeck and try and talk to him.

Sir, the subspace distortion continues to increase.

Hello, Deanna.

Reg.

I'm sorry that we can't take that walk in the arboretum.

So am I.

Reg, you've frightened all of us.

I'm sure that wasn't your intent.

Young children are sometimes frightened of the world.

That doesn't mean that their parents should let them stay in their cribs.

Are we children to you now?

I can see so much more than you are capable of.

You should trust that.

Deanna, I've always wanted to earn your respect.

You've got it.

From all of us.

We don't need any more convincing.

Please, obey the Captain's orders.

Stop whatever it is you're doing.

You must trust me.

How can we trust an officer who doesn't follow orders?

Trust me.

The Captain will do everything in his power to stop you.

( red alert sounds )

PICARD: Picard to La Forge. Status?

Ready, Captain. PICARD: Proceed.

Acknowledged.

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: Commander?

What?

COMPUTER/BARCLAY: You're too late.

Captain, we have not regained control of the propulsion systems.

The O.D.N. bypass to the Bridge has been blocked.

Barclay! COMPUTER/BARCLAY: Yes, Commander Riker?

RIKER: Whatever it is you're doing out there, you've got to stop it.

WORF: Sir, we're going in.

Mr. Barclay, respond at once!

Audio is disconnected.

Lieutenant, take a security team to Holodeck three.

Disconnect Mr. Barclay from the computer.

Aye, Captain.

I want you to know, Lieutenant Worf, that I understand your duty in this matter...

Phasers-- maximum setting.

...and that I will in no way take your actions personally.

Conduits.

La Forge, initiate stabilization procedure.

LA FORGE: Resetting stabilizers to match subspace flow matrix.

Stand by.

He is protected by a force field.

We could not disconnect him.

Mr. Data!

We are experiencing a quantum level oscillation delay doubling in intensity every 12.3 seconds.

Bio-cellular disruption is imminent.

Sir!

Where are we, Ensign?

Unless something is wrong with our sensors, sir, we're almost 30,000 light years from where we were.

Center of the galaxy.

Sir, our heading's been altered.

Approaching planetary cluster.

Captain, all systems are back under helm control.

The computer has returned to normal functioning.

Hmm.

Captain!

Emotive.

Electro-chemical stimulus-response.

Cranial plate.

Bipedal locomotion.

Endoskeletal.

Contiguous external integument.

Hmm.

I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise.

Hierarchical collective command structure.

Who are you? Interrogative.

PICARD: I am interrogative, yes, and I would appreciate an explanation.

I think I can help you with that, Captain.

Mr. Barclay?

I thought it would be fatal if you left the Holodeck.

The Cytherians have reintegrated me, sir.

Cytherians.

The probe was designed to instruct outsiders on how to reach the system.

The technologies are not always compatible, they failed with the Argus computer and with the computer on board the shuttle, but they were able to reprogram me.

What do you want of us?

The same as you.

Mr. Barclay?

You're both on the same mission, Captain.

Mission? Yes, sir.

The Cytherians are exploring the galaxy just as we are.

The only difference is that they never leave their home.

They bring others here.

Their only wish-- an exchange of knowledge.

They want to know us.

Captain's Log, Stardate 44721.9:

After ten days in the company of the Cytherians,

the Enterprise has been safely returned to Federation space.

We bring back knowledge of their race

that will take scholars decades to examine.

Lieutenant Barclay is apparently no worse

for his experience.

So how much do you remember?

I remember doing everything.

I just don't remember how or why.

How do you feel now?

Smaller.

Just plain old Barclay, huh?

It always seems to come back to that, doesn't it?

You know, almost everyone has a moment in their lives when they exceed their own limits, achieve what seems to be impossible.

The tricky part is what happens afterwards.

You almost always feel a sense of loss, but it is possible to carry something of that experience through the rest of your life in ways that you aren't even aware of now.

I... I think I know what you're saying.

Either way, Reg, you're an important part of this crew.

In fact, I could really use your help with that level 3 diagnostic. Sure.

Excuse me, Commander, but I believe Mr. Barclay and I had a date scheduled for a walk in the arboretum.

The diagnostic can wait. I'll see you later.

You really don't have to do that.

I know.

May I?

Checkmate in nine moves.

I didn't know you played chess.

I don't.