Star Trek: The Next Generation s06e12 Episode Script
Ship in a Bottle
It was then I suspected that your|brother did not die by his own hand.
That he was, in fact .
.
murdered.
Murdered? Huh! Good Lord! But, Holmes! The vial of poison|found in his hand! That was the first clue.
The vial contained strychnine|which induces violent spasms.
I cannot imagine someone in|the throes of so gruesome a death could hold on to so delicate|a container without shattering it.
You don't mean Exactly! The vial was placed|in his hand after he died.
- Then what was the cause of death?|- The cigar, of course.
Cigar? Upon investigation of the room|in which your brother was found, I discovered a fresh burn mark|on the carpet.
The ash revealed|the cigar was laced with strychnine.
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.
It takes a trained eye|to notice certain discrepancies.
For example, whether someone|is right- or left-handed.
Your brother was right-handed.
The note was written by a left-|handed individual such as yourself.
Data, it's in his right hand.
Curious.
There seems to be a problem|with the spatial-orientation systems.
London's greatest detective? Freeze program.
- La Forge to Barclay.
|- Barclay here.
Reg, something went wrong|with the holodeck again.
I'm sorry.
|I'll look into it rightaway.
Thanks, Reg.
|We should get back to Engineering.
Computer, end program and save.
Whoa, Reg! Sorry, I'm just on my way.
Sherlock Holmes program 3A|has very curious anomalies.
A glitch in the matrix diodes.
|I'll track it down.
Thanks, Reg.
See you later.
Computer, run a diagnostic|on all Sherlock Holmes files.
Display any anomalous|programming sequences.
Diagnostic complete.
All files|conform to specified parameters, except those in protected memory.
Protected memory?|Display those sequences.
Computer, unlock sequence|and run the program.
- Who are you?|- Professor James Moriarty.
Moriarty.
|That's Sherlock Holmes's arch-enemy.
- Are you left or right-handed?|- Left.
Would you mind? No problem.
Where is Capt Picard?|Is he still captain of this vessel? How would?|How do you know the Captain? You don't know anything|about what happened, do you? I have been stored|for God knows how long.
- No one has given me a thought.
|- You know! You know what you are! A holodeck character?|A fictional man? Yes, I know all about|your marvellous inventions.
I was created as a plaything so that your Cmdr Data|could masquerade as Sherlock Holmes.
But they made me too well.
I became|more than a character in a story.
I became self-aware.
I am alive.
- That's not possible.
|- But here I am.
Tell me, has a way been found to allow me|to leave this holodeck world? Leave the holodeck? Of course not!|You can only exist here.
Damn you, Picard.
He promised me|something would be done.
I should have realised he would say|anything for my hostage.
Hostage? How long have I been|Iocked away? Well, it looks like about four years.
It seemed longer.
You can't have been aware|of the passage of time! But I was.
Brief,|terrifying periods of consciousness.
Disembodied.
Without substance.
I don't see|how that could be possible.
Maybe there was a fragmentation|of the memory circuits.
Call it what you will.
All I know is, despite Picard's|promise, he has done nothing.
Just left me to go quietly mad.
The Captain would not have forgotten|his promise.
I'd like to talk to him.
Well, I can ask.
Ask him to meet me|in the sitting room at Baker Street.
I'll have to store you in memory|again until I get an answer.
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 civilisations, .
.
to boldly go|where no one has gone before.
Captain's log, stardate 46424.
1.
The Enterprise is in the Detrian|system for a unique celestial event.
The collision of two planets.
Since both planets are gas giants,|neither possesses solid surface.
Their atmospheres will come into|contact in 17 hours, nine minutes.
If their collision causes a fusion|reaction, this is what we may see.
The birth of a new star.
The Enterprise will hold position|till we can get in for a look.
I want triple redundancy|on all sensor arrays.
We'll probably never get|another chance to see this.
OK? Commander, you'll never believe what|happened with your holodeck program.
Professor Moriarty appeared.
|Out of nowhere.
What? And he wants to talk|to the Captain.
Computer, begin Sherlock Holmes 3A and place us in the drawing room|at 221B Baker Street.
Program complete.
Computer, access protected memory|and run Moriarty program.
Professor.
|It's good to see you again.
If you'd missed my company, you|should have summoned me before now.
I assure you, we did not forget.
We spent time investigating|how you became self-aware.
Frankly,|it still remains a mystery.
It is also irrelevant.
What concerns me|is how to leave the holodeck.
We have wrestled with that, too,|but without success.
But we turned it over to Starfleet's|most experienced scientists.
What did your finest minds|come up with? Unfortunately,|they have not arrived at a solution.
I see.
Professor, I am concerned to learn that you experienced|the passage of time while you were stored|in the computer.
I assure you, we had no idea|that would 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 will walk|out to your own concerns and leave me trapped|in a world I know to be an illusion.
I cannot bear that.
I must leave.
That is not possible.
|You cannot exist outside this room.
- Are you certain of that?|- Computer, exit.
Although objects appear solid|on the holodeck, .
.
in the real world,|they have no substance.
An object has no life.
I do.
Professor,|you are a computer simulation.
I have consciousness.
|Conscious beings have will.
The mind endows them with powers|that are not necessarily understood.
Even by you.
If my will is strong enough, perhaps I can exist|outside this room.
Perhaps I can walk|into your world right now.
Professor, believe me.
If you step out,|you will cease to exist.
If I am no more|than a computer simulation, then very little|will have been lost.
But if I am right Mind over matter Cogito ergo sum.
I think therefore I am.
Data to Security, two officers|to holodeck three.
- How is this possible?|- It contradicts holodeck physics.
Perhaps you know|less than you thought.
Please allow|our doctor to examine you.
Certainly, sir.
Policemen.
|I'd recognise them in any century.
As far as I can tell, he's real.
|He's human.
What else would I be, dear lady? His DNA is a little unusual but all the major systems|are functioning normally.
As far as I can tell, his molecules|have not lost any cohesion.
They seem as immutable|as ordinary matter.
Well, Professor, my crew will|continue to investigate, but .
.
for now|you have accomplished a miracle.
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? Weather permitting, of course.
Professor.
I think there are things|of which you should be aware.
My God!|We're adrift in the heavens.
No, not adrift.
The Enterprise is a starship,|capable of travelling through space.
Extraordinary! Are we far from Earth? What is its range?|What is its means of locomotion? There is so much to learn.
|Where to start? I can give you books.
Good.
I want to start making plans.
Determine what to do with my life.
I hope you plan|on remaining on board.
There is much we need to understand|about what has happened.
Does it really matter? The point is, I'm here,|eager to get on with life.
Professor, I feel it necessary|to point out that criminal behaviour is as unacceptable|in the 24th century as in the 19th.
And very much harder|to get away with.
Don't worry, Captain,|my past is nothing but a fiction.
The scribblings of an Englishman,|dead for four centuries.
I hope to leave his books|on the shelf, as it were.
If that is so,|there are opportunities awaiting you that are beyond anything|you have ever imagined.
Your century may welcome me, but What is the matter? In considering|all these vast possibilities, .
.
I suddenly feel very much alone.
I am a man out of time, Captain.
|That isolates me.
You have been more gracious|than I could have imagined.
I wonder.
May I impose|upon your generosity once again? There is a woman,|the Countess Regina Barthalomew.
She was created as|a holodeck character for Cmdr Data.
She was designed|to be the love of my life.
Could she also be brought off|the holodeck? Professor, believe me when I say that we do not know how or why you|are able to exist off the holodeck.
I do believe you.
According to the laws of physics,|this is impossible.
We have no idea how to do it again.
As I understand it, I was endowed with consciousness when someone said to the computer, "Create an opponent with a capacity|to out-think Data.
" Or words to that effect.
Make|a similar request for the Countess.
Even if I had reason|to believe it would be successful, I don't think I could sanction it.
|Please understand that you are,|in essence, a new life form.
One we didn't intend to create|and don't fully understand.
The moral and ethical implications of deliberately creating|another like you are overwhelming.
Is it morally|and ethically acceptable to deny the woman I love so that|your conscience can be at ease? Are you saying you will dictate|how I live my life? I assure you, we will do everything|to make you comfortable.
So long as I accept|the terms of those comforts? Captain.
I am a powerless man.
You hold my future,|my happiness, .
.
my very life in your hands.
Please.
Consider my request.
I understand his frustration.
We created him and then her|to be the woman he loves.
Surely we have some responsibility|to them.
It's romantic but until we know more,|I don't think we should try it again.
Even if we decided to do it,|there is no guarantee we could.
There is no way of knowing if the Professor's ability|to exist is permanent.
It may be unwise to create a second|individual without certainty.
Agreed.
We don't have enough|information about this phenomenon to act responsibly.
I think|we'll hold off on his request.
But continue with your investigation.
In the meantime, I have to deal|with Professor Moriarty.
I feel we must postpone action|until we learn more.
Yes, you know all about that.
I stayed in your computer for years|waiting for you to learn more.
It wasn't until I took matters over|that something got done.
Professor, why are you in a hurry? Is this woman involved with you|in some illegal venture? Your computer designed her as a|person with impeccable integrity.
- She would never commit a crime.
|- You must love her very much.
The program fashioned her|for me to love.
But I must admit,|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 her safety|must be important to you.
Give us time to determine|what is going on.
So we can minimise the risks|in bringing her to you.
You wouldn't want to lose her|because we acted too quickly.
- Riker to Capt Picard.
|- Picard here.
- Could you join us?|- On my way.
There they are, Captain.
- How long before they coalesce?|- Five hours, sir.
Mr Worf, launch four class-A probes|towards the planet.
Aye, sir.
- Mr Worf?|- I don't understand.
The controls are not responding.
Command functions are being rerouted.
- For what reason?|- Unknown, sir.
Computer, route|command functions to the bridge.
Command functions are off line.
Reinitialise on my authorisation.
Authorisation denied.
Explain.
Picard command codes|are no longer valid.
What's happening? Who's transferred|the voice authorisation? I have.
I'm afraid I had no choice|but to take control.
If you harm me, I will not be|able to relinquish voice control.
Professor, this situation|is more serious than you realise.
In five hours, those planets will collide|and a new star will form.
Unless we move,|this vessel will be destroyed.
I'm just a fictional character.
|I haven't much to lose.
But surely you wish to live? - Not without the Countess.
|- We've discussed that.
We are studying means of bringing her|safely off the holodeck.
But five hours is not enough time.
I'm not so sure.
A deadline has a wonderful way|of concentrating the mind.
Mr Data,|will you investigate the possibility of complying|with Professor Moriarty's request? Aye, sir.
In the meantime, .
.
we have a few things to discuss.
Let us consider|the transporter system.
It uses the same principles|as the holodeck.
Both are capable of converting|energy into matter.
But the transporter|reconstitutes permanent form.
Holodeck matter has no cohesion|outside the grid.
I wonder.
What would happen if we beamed|a holodeck object off the grid? Nothing.
|A holodeck object is a simulation.
There is no pattern-lock|for the transporter.
However, if it were possible|to lock on to the object, it might rematerialise with the|same cohesion as conventional matter.
I don't think the transporter|will accept simulated matter.
Unless we could find a way|to compensate for the phase variance.
If we could modify|the pattern enhancers we might do it.
Professor Moriarty has agreed|not to interfere with operations so long as he believes we are acting|in good faith.
Any progress? We were talking|about using the transporter to beam the Countess|off the holodeck.
- But I don't see how it would work.
|- Keep at it.
I have to tell him that we are|making progress.
Mr La Forge? Do you have any idea how Moriarty|gained control of the ship? Somehow, he managed to override|the lockouts and rewrite them.
The man is brilliant|in any century.
I want you to find some way .
.
to undo what he has done .
.
so that we can regain control|of this ship.
Set the pattern enhancers around|whatever you wish to transport.
I will go to the transporter room|and begin modifications.
Computer,|run Sherlock Holmes program 3A.
That program is already in use.
Have you come to see Mr Holmes|or Professor Moriarty? Neither is in just now.
No, I'm not here to see anyone.
|I'm .
.
just here to deliver these.
Fine.
Just .
.
put them anywhere.
Well, actually,|I have to put them right here.
How curious! Why's that? It has to do with Nothing|you need to worry about, Countess.
Are you suggesting|that it's beyond my comprehension? It's very simple.
I need to enhance|the molecular pattern of this chair so that the transporter can get|a better lock on the signal.
This has to do with taking James|and me into the real world.
You know about that?|You understand about the real world? James has explained it.
|It sounds like a grand adventure.
There's nothing I love more|than voyaging in the unknown.
Have you ever been to Africa,|Mr? Barclay.
Lt Reginald Barclay.
|No, I haven't.
I have.
When I was 17,|I went on safari with my uncle.
My mother had a terror|I'd be bitten by tsetse fly.
But I had a marvellous time.
I got to wear trousers|the whole time.
It was hard to go back to a corset,|I can tell you.
Yes, I'm sure it was.
After that,|I never stopped travelling.
I couldn't bear to be stuck|in one place, so I'm so looking forward|to this new experience! My! Travelling the stars! You know about that?|You know where we are? Countess, you just don't|sound like a holodeck character.
That's because she isn't.
James! If you loved this woman, would you let her|remain a simulation? You gave her consciousness? Yes, as it was given to me.
- I'm not sure that's a good idea.
|- Nonsense! Have you taken her off the holodeck? No.
I am unwilling|to risk the Countess's safety.
I want to make sure nothing happens.
We may be closer to freedom|than you think.
These devices|will enhance our molecular patterns.
They'll help take us|into the real world.
Please proceed.
We're going to try|this chair first.
We didn't want to try it|on the Countess yet.
How thoughtful!|Isn't he thoughtful, James? Barclay to Cmdr Data.
- Go ahead, Lieutenant.
|- I'm ready.
Modifications are complete.
- Stand by.
|- Standing by.
Activating pattern enhancers.
Energising.
I am having difficulty|establishing a pattern lock.
Boost the confinement beam, please.
Pattern lock established.
Energising.
Bravo! Do you have the chair, Commander? No.
It lost cohesion|as soon as the cycle was complete.
Well, it was a long shot|to begin with.
Agreed.
However, we may learn|something from the attempt.
Computer, display the transport|logs from the sequence.
Computer,|what is being displayed here? Transport log 759.
That is the correct log.
|No information is being presented.
Well, that's impossible.
It's almost as if our attempt|to transport the chair .
.
never occurred.
- You wanted to see me?|- Yes.
I think I've found a way to|reinstate your vocal authorisations.
Computer, route command functions|to this location.
Command functions are off line.
Reinitialise them|on my authorisation.
Please input command codes.
Picard, epsilon 793.
Command codes verified.
That should do it.
Wait a minute.
It didn't work.
The computer|won't release the command pathways.
Geordi.
- Why did you do that?|- Captain.
I have determined how Moriarty|was able to leave the holodeck.
He never did.
Neither did we.
None of this is real.
|It is a simulation.
We are still on the holodeck.
- We're still on the holodeck?|- How do you know that? Through deduction, sir.
Lt Barclay and I tried to transport|an object off the holodeck, something|that has never been attempted.
Since the transporter|is a simulation, the computer had no real data|for the transport logs.
Maybe it was a malfunction|in the transporter.
Then I saw you working the pad|with your left hand.
Cmdr La Forge is right-handed.
|A similar malfunction occurred in the Sherlock Holmes program|before Moriarty first appeared.
Mr Data, if what you say is true,|this is not Geordi.
Are you certain? Computer, discontinue program.
Computer, exit.
Moriarty has programmed the holodeck|to accept only his commands.
- Picard to bridge.
|- Riker here.
Number One,|what is my present location? Engineering.
Is something wrong, sir? No.
Thank you.
Picard out.
Our combadges are also simulations.
If that had been Riker,|he would have said holodeck three.
Mr La Forge,|would you excuse us, please? Mr Data, who is real here? You and I are real, sir,|as is Lt Barclay.
We entered the holodeck together|when we went to meet Moriarty.
And from that point, we have been|in a holodeck simulation created by Professor Moriarty? I believe so, sir.
I have given the computer|my command codes, thinking|I would get control of the ship.
You may have given Professor Moriarty the means of gaining control|over the real Enterprise.
Since Moriarty has never|actually left the holodeck, he may demand that Cmdr Riker|help him to do so.
How long|until the planetary collision? Less than three hours.
So long as Moriarty has control|of the ship, we are vulnerable.
Somehow, .
.
I have to find a way|of giving him what he wants.
Where is Capt Picard? What have you|done with Barclay and Data? They are safe for now.
- Release control of this ship.
|- I am afraid I can't do that.
What do you want? I only want what you have the luxury|of taking for granted.
Freedom.
|I want to leave this holodeck.
You know that's impossible.
Your crewmates here in my little|ship in a bottle seem a bit more optimistic.
They attempted|to use your transporter to remove a simulated object|from the holodeck.
They must have thought|they had something.
Their attempt was futile.
|Their transporter was a facsimile.
I expect more from you.
Just because ours is real|doesn't mean it will work.
I sense a distressing lack|of enthusiasm on your parts.
Sir! Warp-core temperature is rising,|approaching critical levels.
I have nothing to lose, Commander.
Mr La Forge,|start working on the problem.
Aye, sir.
Core temperature dropping.
Computer, resume program.
Hello.
Have we met? Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
James has told me all about you.
Regina, Countess Barthalomew.
Do sit down.
- May I offer you tea, Captain?|- Thank you, no.
I've come here to prevail|on your intelligence and insight.
But not apparently my humility? Credit where credit is due, madam.
I see you have not only breeding|but wit and sagacity.
And you, sir, are a man of charm|and guile.
You remind me|of Viscount Oglethorpe.
He was a man who could bewitch|any woman who breathed.
Do you suspect|that that is my intent? I cannot be certain of your intent.
But I am certain you're a man|who usually gets what he wants.
What does a woman like you|see in a man like Moriarty? He's an exciting man, Captain.
He's brilliant.
Incisive.
He's ruthless.
He has|an almost irresistible appeal.
He's an arch-criminal.
Only because he was written|like that.
I see him entirely differently.
Captain, he is not a villain.
So it's your desire to leave|the holodeck to be with him? More than anything.
Can you help us? Yes, I can.
We have learned that if we uncouple|the Heisenberg compensators and allow them|to re-scramble randomly, then 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.
No, please! Wait.
I have brought you|this information because .
.
you are someone who would|listen to a reasonable proposition.
Someone|whose mind is open to compromise.
- Yes.
|- My ship is in danger.
It is imperative|that I regain navigational control.
I want you to persuade Moriarty|to return the voice command to me.
Or I will not modify|the transporter.
I see.
Now, once I have regained|voice command, I will transport you|from the holodeck.
Forgive me, but that sounds|more like a threat than a compromise.
Countess, you must understand that I am responsible|for more than 1,000 lives.
I will do what I can.
The gravity well is intensifying.
- Are we far enough away?|- It's too soon to tell.
Riker to Lt Worf.
|How are you doing? Force fields are blocking access|to the holodeck.
It will take time to disable them.
- Keep trying.
|- Aye, sir.
Think, my dear.
You're certain they have to uncouple|the Heisenberg compensators? Yes, I'm quite certain.
But he won't do it unless you|return control of the ship to him.
I have them running around|like rats in a maze.
What harm would there be|in accepting his proposition? My dear,|you are brilliant and beautiful.
Nonetheless, there are things|you do not understand.
Please.
|You must let me handle this.
Computer, arch.
Moriarty to Cmdr Riker.
Riker here.
Cmdr Riker, a pleasure, as always.
I don't have time for games,|Moriarty.
This ship is in a gravity well.
It will be destroyed|within 25 minutes, holodeck and all.
Then I'm sure you'll be motivated|to listen to me carefully.
I want you to talk about uncoupling|the Heisenberg compensators.
James, when we leave here,|where exactly are we going? Everywhere, my darling.
There are more worlds in the heavens|than grains of sand on a shore.
I wish I could take my books.
I'll get you more.
Don't worry,|you'll want for nothing.
- Riker to Moriarty.
|- It's time.
- Yes, Commander?|- We're ready.
- As are we.
|- Step into the transport area.
We're ready here.
Activating pattern enhancers.
|Energising.
Welcome aboard.
May I present|Regina, the Countess Barthalomew? - Countess.
|- Commander.
You'll forgive me|if I skip the formalities.
Yes.
I expect you want me to|relinquish my hold on your vessel.
- Please.
|- That won't be possible just yet.
- We had an agreement.
|- I will honour it.
I have no desire|to see your vessel destroyed.
Just give me one shuttlecraft|and allow us to leave in peace.
We don't have time for this.
|Release those command codes.
I will not release your vessel until I am looking at it|through a shuttlecraft window.
It's programmed to operate|on voice command.
- Just say where you want to go.
|- Excellent.
I suggest you head for Meles II,|the nearest inhabited planet.
The people are friendly.
|Where you go then is your business.
Please tell your captain|I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye.
I wish I could see his face|when he realises where he's been.
Every second we waste puts|us in danger.
Don't worry.
You'll soon have|control of your ship.
Goodbye, Commander.
Thank you.
Computer, prepare to depart.
Open shuttlebay doors.
This is so beautiful.
Indeed, my dear.
|It is a wondrous sight.
The first of many we are sure|to encounter in our travels.
Computer, interface with the|central computer on the Enterprise.
Interface complete.
Release command-function lockouts.
Authorisation, .
.
Moriarty, Alpha 24159.
- James.
|- Yes, my love? Can we go back to Earth some day? Of course, my dear.
Of course.
Computer, store program Picard|Delta One.
Discontinue simulation.
Program stored.
Well, it worked.
They believed it.
Did Moriarty release|the voice commands? Let's find out.
Computer, discontinue|Moriarty's holodeck simulation.
So far, so good.
This is the|holodeck on the real Enterprise.
- Picard to bridge.
|- Are you alright? Yes, Number One.
What is your status? Our systems came back on line.
- And the planetary collision?|- We're at a safe distance.
We'll join you shortly.
- Captain.
|- Mr Worf, everything is alright.
How did you do it? We managed to program the holodeck|inside the holodeck and used the same ruse|Moriarty used on us.
When he contacted the bridge,|he was speaking to a simulation.
He never knew|he hadn't left the holodeck? The program is continuing|to run even now inside that cube.
A miniature holodeck? In a way, Doctor.
|However, there is no physicality.
The program is continuous,|but only within the circuitry.
As far as Moriarty knows,|they're halfway to Meles II by now.
This enhancement module|has enough active memory to provide them with experiences|for a lifetime.
They will live their lives|and never know any difference.
In a sense, you did give|Moriarty what he wanted.
In a sense.
Who knows? Our reality|may be very much like theirs.
All this might be|just an elaborate simulation, running inside a little device|sitting on someone's table.
Well,|we have a newborn star to study.
- Mr Barclay, keep that safe.
|- Aye, sir.
Computer, end program.
That he was, in fact .
.
murdered.
Murdered? Huh! Good Lord! But, Holmes! The vial of poison|found in his hand! That was the first clue.
The vial contained strychnine|which induces violent spasms.
I cannot imagine someone in|the throes of so gruesome a death could hold on to so delicate|a container without shattering it.
You don't mean Exactly! The vial was placed|in his hand after he died.
- Then what was the cause of death?|- The cigar, of course.
Cigar? Upon investigation of the room|in which your brother was found, I discovered a fresh burn mark|on the carpet.
The ash revealed|the cigar was laced with strychnine.
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.
It takes a trained eye|to notice certain discrepancies.
For example, whether someone|is right- or left-handed.
Your brother was right-handed.
The note was written by a left-|handed individual such as yourself.
Data, it's in his right hand.
Curious.
There seems to be a problem|with the spatial-orientation systems.
London's greatest detective? Freeze program.
- La Forge to Barclay.
|- Barclay here.
Reg, something went wrong|with the holodeck again.
I'm sorry.
|I'll look into it rightaway.
Thanks, Reg.
|We should get back to Engineering.
Computer, end program and save.
Whoa, Reg! Sorry, I'm just on my way.
Sherlock Holmes program 3A|has very curious anomalies.
A glitch in the matrix diodes.
|I'll track it down.
Thanks, Reg.
See you later.
Computer, run a diagnostic|on all Sherlock Holmes files.
Display any anomalous|programming sequences.
Diagnostic complete.
All files|conform to specified parameters, except those in protected memory.
Protected memory?|Display those sequences.
Computer, unlock sequence|and run the program.
- Who are you?|- Professor James Moriarty.
Moriarty.
|That's Sherlock Holmes's arch-enemy.
- Are you left or right-handed?|- Left.
Would you mind? No problem.
Where is Capt Picard?|Is he still captain of this vessel? How would?|How do you know the Captain? You don't know anything|about what happened, do you? I have been stored|for God knows how long.
- No one has given me a thought.
|- You know! You know what you are! A holodeck character?|A fictional man? Yes, I know all about|your marvellous inventions.
I was created as a plaything so that your Cmdr Data|could masquerade as Sherlock Holmes.
But they made me too well.
I became|more than a character in a story.
I became self-aware.
I am alive.
- That's not possible.
|- But here I am.
Tell me, has a way been found to allow me|to leave this holodeck world? Leave the holodeck? Of course not!|You can only exist here.
Damn you, Picard.
He promised me|something would be done.
I should have realised he would say|anything for my hostage.
Hostage? How long have I been|Iocked away? Well, it looks like about four years.
It seemed longer.
You can't have been aware|of the passage of time! But I was.
Brief,|terrifying periods of consciousness.
Disembodied.
Without substance.
I don't see|how that could be possible.
Maybe there was a fragmentation|of the memory circuits.
Call it what you will.
All I know is, despite Picard's|promise, he has done nothing.
Just left me to go quietly mad.
The Captain would not have forgotten|his promise.
I'd like to talk to him.
Well, I can ask.
Ask him to meet me|in the sitting room at Baker Street.
I'll have to store you in memory|again until I get an answer.
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 civilisations, .
.
to boldly go|where no one has gone before.
Captain's log, stardate 46424.
1.
The Enterprise is in the Detrian|system for a unique celestial event.
The collision of two planets.
Since both planets are gas giants,|neither possesses solid surface.
Their atmospheres will come into|contact in 17 hours, nine minutes.
If their collision causes a fusion|reaction, this is what we may see.
The birth of a new star.
The Enterprise will hold position|till we can get in for a look.
I want triple redundancy|on all sensor arrays.
We'll probably never get|another chance to see this.
OK? Commander, you'll never believe what|happened with your holodeck program.
Professor Moriarty appeared.
|Out of nowhere.
What? And he wants to talk|to the Captain.
Computer, begin Sherlock Holmes 3A and place us in the drawing room|at 221B Baker Street.
Program complete.
Computer, access protected memory|and run Moriarty program.
Professor.
|It's good to see you again.
If you'd missed my company, you|should have summoned me before now.
I assure you, we did not forget.
We spent time investigating|how you became self-aware.
Frankly,|it still remains a mystery.
It is also irrelevant.
What concerns me|is how to leave the holodeck.
We have wrestled with that, too,|but without success.
But we turned it over to Starfleet's|most experienced scientists.
What did your finest minds|come up with? Unfortunately,|they have not arrived at a solution.
I see.
Professor, I am concerned to learn that you experienced|the passage of time while you were stored|in the computer.
I assure you, we had no idea|that would 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 will walk|out to your own concerns and leave me trapped|in a world I know to be an illusion.
I cannot bear that.
I must leave.
That is not possible.
|You cannot exist outside this room.
- Are you certain of that?|- Computer, exit.
Although objects appear solid|on the holodeck, .
.
in the real world,|they have no substance.
An object has no life.
I do.
Professor,|you are a computer simulation.
I have consciousness.
|Conscious beings have will.
The mind endows them with powers|that are not necessarily understood.
Even by you.
If my will is strong enough, perhaps I can exist|outside this room.
Perhaps I can walk|into your world right now.
Professor, believe me.
If you step out,|you will cease to exist.
If I am no more|than a computer simulation, then very little|will have been lost.
But if I am right Mind over matter Cogito ergo sum.
I think therefore I am.
Data to Security, two officers|to holodeck three.
- How is this possible?|- It contradicts holodeck physics.
Perhaps you know|less than you thought.
Please allow|our doctor to examine you.
Certainly, sir.
Policemen.
|I'd recognise them in any century.
As far as I can tell, he's real.
|He's human.
What else would I be, dear lady? His DNA is a little unusual but all the major systems|are functioning normally.
As far as I can tell, his molecules|have not lost any cohesion.
They seem as immutable|as ordinary matter.
Well, Professor, my crew will|continue to investigate, but .
.
for now|you have accomplished a miracle.
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? Weather permitting, of course.
Professor.
I think there are things|of which you should be aware.
My God!|We're adrift in the heavens.
No, not adrift.
The Enterprise is a starship,|capable of travelling through space.
Extraordinary! Are we far from Earth? What is its range?|What is its means of locomotion? There is so much to learn.
|Where to start? I can give you books.
Good.
I want to start making plans.
Determine what to do with my life.
I hope you plan|on remaining on board.
There is much we need to understand|about what has happened.
Does it really matter? The point is, I'm here,|eager to get on with life.
Professor, I feel it necessary|to point out that criminal behaviour is as unacceptable|in the 24th century as in the 19th.
And very much harder|to get away with.
Don't worry, Captain,|my past is nothing but a fiction.
The scribblings of an Englishman,|dead for four centuries.
I hope to leave his books|on the shelf, as it were.
If that is so,|there are opportunities awaiting you that are beyond anything|you have ever imagined.
Your century may welcome me, but What is the matter? In considering|all these vast possibilities, .
.
I suddenly feel very much alone.
I am a man out of time, Captain.
|That isolates me.
You have been more gracious|than I could have imagined.
I wonder.
May I impose|upon your generosity once again? There is a woman,|the Countess Regina Barthalomew.
She was created as|a holodeck character for Cmdr Data.
She was designed|to be the love of my life.
Could she also be brought off|the holodeck? Professor, believe me when I say that we do not know how or why you|are able to exist off the holodeck.
I do believe you.
According to the laws of physics,|this is impossible.
We have no idea how to do it again.
As I understand it, I was endowed with consciousness when someone said to the computer, "Create an opponent with a capacity|to out-think Data.
" Or words to that effect.
Make|a similar request for the Countess.
Even if I had reason|to believe it would be successful, I don't think I could sanction it.
|Please understand that you are,|in essence, a new life form.
One we didn't intend to create|and don't fully understand.
The moral and ethical implications of deliberately creating|another like you are overwhelming.
Is it morally|and ethically acceptable to deny the woman I love so that|your conscience can be at ease? Are you saying you will dictate|how I live my life? I assure you, we will do everything|to make you comfortable.
So long as I accept|the terms of those comforts? Captain.
I am a powerless man.
You hold my future,|my happiness, .
.
my very life in your hands.
Please.
Consider my request.
I understand his frustration.
We created him and then her|to be the woman he loves.
Surely we have some responsibility|to them.
It's romantic but until we know more,|I don't think we should try it again.
Even if we decided to do it,|there is no guarantee we could.
There is no way of knowing if the Professor's ability|to exist is permanent.
It may be unwise to create a second|individual without certainty.
Agreed.
We don't have enough|information about this phenomenon to act responsibly.
I think|we'll hold off on his request.
But continue with your investigation.
In the meantime, I have to deal|with Professor Moriarty.
I feel we must postpone action|until we learn more.
Yes, you know all about that.
I stayed in your computer for years|waiting for you to learn more.
It wasn't until I took matters over|that something got done.
Professor, why are you in a hurry? Is this woman involved with you|in some illegal venture? Your computer designed her as a|person with impeccable integrity.
- She would never commit a crime.
|- You must love her very much.
The program fashioned her|for me to love.
But I must admit,|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 her safety|must be important to you.
Give us time to determine|what is going on.
So we can minimise the risks|in bringing her to you.
You wouldn't want to lose her|because we acted too quickly.
- Riker to Capt Picard.
|- Picard here.
- Could you join us?|- On my way.
There they are, Captain.
- How long before they coalesce?|- Five hours, sir.
Mr Worf, launch four class-A probes|towards the planet.
Aye, sir.
- Mr Worf?|- I don't understand.
The controls are not responding.
Command functions are being rerouted.
- For what reason?|- Unknown, sir.
Computer, route|command functions to the bridge.
Command functions are off line.
Reinitialise on my authorisation.
Authorisation denied.
Explain.
Picard command codes|are no longer valid.
What's happening? Who's transferred|the voice authorisation? I have.
I'm afraid I had no choice|but to take control.
If you harm me, I will not be|able to relinquish voice control.
Professor, this situation|is more serious than you realise.
In five hours, those planets will collide|and a new star will form.
Unless we move,|this vessel will be destroyed.
I'm just a fictional character.
|I haven't much to lose.
But surely you wish to live? - Not without the Countess.
|- We've discussed that.
We are studying means of bringing her|safely off the holodeck.
But five hours is not enough time.
I'm not so sure.
A deadline has a wonderful way|of concentrating the mind.
Mr Data,|will you investigate the possibility of complying|with Professor Moriarty's request? Aye, sir.
In the meantime, .
.
we have a few things to discuss.
Let us consider|the transporter system.
It uses the same principles|as the holodeck.
Both are capable of converting|energy into matter.
But the transporter|reconstitutes permanent form.
Holodeck matter has no cohesion|outside the grid.
I wonder.
What would happen if we beamed|a holodeck object off the grid? Nothing.
|A holodeck object is a simulation.
There is no pattern-lock|for the transporter.
However, if it were possible|to lock on to the object, it might rematerialise with the|same cohesion as conventional matter.
I don't think the transporter|will accept simulated matter.
Unless we could find a way|to compensate for the phase variance.
If we could modify|the pattern enhancers we might do it.
Professor Moriarty has agreed|not to interfere with operations so long as he believes we are acting|in good faith.
Any progress? We were talking|about using the transporter to beam the Countess|off the holodeck.
- But I don't see how it would work.
|- Keep at it.
I have to tell him that we are|making progress.
Mr La Forge? Do you have any idea how Moriarty|gained control of the ship? Somehow, he managed to override|the lockouts and rewrite them.
The man is brilliant|in any century.
I want you to find some way .
.
to undo what he has done .
.
so that we can regain control|of this ship.
Set the pattern enhancers around|whatever you wish to transport.
I will go to the transporter room|and begin modifications.
Computer,|run Sherlock Holmes program 3A.
That program is already in use.
Have you come to see Mr Holmes|or Professor Moriarty? Neither is in just now.
No, I'm not here to see anyone.
|I'm .
.
just here to deliver these.
Fine.
Just .
.
put them anywhere.
Well, actually,|I have to put them right here.
How curious! Why's that? It has to do with Nothing|you need to worry about, Countess.
Are you suggesting|that it's beyond my comprehension? It's very simple.
I need to enhance|the molecular pattern of this chair so that the transporter can get|a better lock on the signal.
This has to do with taking James|and me into the real world.
You know about that?|You understand about the real world? James has explained it.
|It sounds like a grand adventure.
There's nothing I love more|than voyaging in the unknown.
Have you ever been to Africa,|Mr? Barclay.
Lt Reginald Barclay.
|No, I haven't.
I have.
When I was 17,|I went on safari with my uncle.
My mother had a terror|I'd be bitten by tsetse fly.
But I had a marvellous time.
I got to wear trousers|the whole time.
It was hard to go back to a corset,|I can tell you.
Yes, I'm sure it was.
After that,|I never stopped travelling.
I couldn't bear to be stuck|in one place, so I'm so looking forward|to this new experience! My! Travelling the stars! You know about that?|You know where we are? Countess, you just don't|sound like a holodeck character.
That's because she isn't.
James! If you loved this woman, would you let her|remain a simulation? You gave her consciousness? Yes, as it was given to me.
- I'm not sure that's a good idea.
|- Nonsense! Have you taken her off the holodeck? No.
I am unwilling|to risk the Countess's safety.
I want to make sure nothing happens.
We may be closer to freedom|than you think.
These devices|will enhance our molecular patterns.
They'll help take us|into the real world.
Please proceed.
We're going to try|this chair first.
We didn't want to try it|on the Countess yet.
How thoughtful!|Isn't he thoughtful, James? Barclay to Cmdr Data.
- Go ahead, Lieutenant.
|- I'm ready.
Modifications are complete.
- Stand by.
|- Standing by.
Activating pattern enhancers.
Energising.
I am having difficulty|establishing a pattern lock.
Boost the confinement beam, please.
Pattern lock established.
Energising.
Bravo! Do you have the chair, Commander? No.
It lost cohesion|as soon as the cycle was complete.
Well, it was a long shot|to begin with.
Agreed.
However, we may learn|something from the attempt.
Computer, display the transport|logs from the sequence.
Computer,|what is being displayed here? Transport log 759.
That is the correct log.
|No information is being presented.
Well, that's impossible.
It's almost as if our attempt|to transport the chair .
.
never occurred.
- You wanted to see me?|- Yes.
I think I've found a way to|reinstate your vocal authorisations.
Computer, route command functions|to this location.
Command functions are off line.
Reinitialise them|on my authorisation.
Please input command codes.
Picard, epsilon 793.
Command codes verified.
That should do it.
Wait a minute.
It didn't work.
The computer|won't release the command pathways.
Geordi.
- Why did you do that?|- Captain.
I have determined how Moriarty|was able to leave the holodeck.
He never did.
Neither did we.
None of this is real.
|It is a simulation.
We are still on the holodeck.
- We're still on the holodeck?|- How do you know that? Through deduction, sir.
Lt Barclay and I tried to transport|an object off the holodeck, something|that has never been attempted.
Since the transporter|is a simulation, the computer had no real data|for the transport logs.
Maybe it was a malfunction|in the transporter.
Then I saw you working the pad|with your left hand.
Cmdr La Forge is right-handed.
|A similar malfunction occurred in the Sherlock Holmes program|before Moriarty first appeared.
Mr Data, if what you say is true,|this is not Geordi.
Are you certain? Computer, discontinue program.
Computer, exit.
Moriarty has programmed the holodeck|to accept only his commands.
- Picard to bridge.
|- Riker here.
Number One,|what is my present location? Engineering.
Is something wrong, sir? No.
Thank you.
Picard out.
Our combadges are also simulations.
If that had been Riker,|he would have said holodeck three.
Mr La Forge,|would you excuse us, please? Mr Data, who is real here? You and I are real, sir,|as is Lt Barclay.
We entered the holodeck together|when we went to meet Moriarty.
And from that point, we have been|in a holodeck simulation created by Professor Moriarty? I believe so, sir.
I have given the computer|my command codes, thinking|I would get control of the ship.
You may have given Professor Moriarty the means of gaining control|over the real Enterprise.
Since Moriarty has never|actually left the holodeck, he may demand that Cmdr Riker|help him to do so.
How long|until the planetary collision? Less than three hours.
So long as Moriarty has control|of the ship, we are vulnerable.
Somehow, .
.
I have to find a way|of giving him what he wants.
Where is Capt Picard? What have you|done with Barclay and Data? They are safe for now.
- Release control of this ship.
|- I am afraid I can't do that.
What do you want? I only want what you have the luxury|of taking for granted.
Freedom.
|I want to leave this holodeck.
You know that's impossible.
Your crewmates here in my little|ship in a bottle seem a bit more optimistic.
They attempted|to use your transporter to remove a simulated object|from the holodeck.
They must have thought|they had something.
Their attempt was futile.
|Their transporter was a facsimile.
I expect more from you.
Just because ours is real|doesn't mean it will work.
I sense a distressing lack|of enthusiasm on your parts.
Sir! Warp-core temperature is rising,|approaching critical levels.
I have nothing to lose, Commander.
Mr La Forge,|start working on the problem.
Aye, sir.
Core temperature dropping.
Computer, resume program.
Hello.
Have we met? Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
James has told me all about you.
Regina, Countess Barthalomew.
Do sit down.
- May I offer you tea, Captain?|- Thank you, no.
I've come here to prevail|on your intelligence and insight.
But not apparently my humility? Credit where credit is due, madam.
I see you have not only breeding|but wit and sagacity.
And you, sir, are a man of charm|and guile.
You remind me|of Viscount Oglethorpe.
He was a man who could bewitch|any woman who breathed.
Do you suspect|that that is my intent? I cannot be certain of your intent.
But I am certain you're a man|who usually gets what he wants.
What does a woman like you|see in a man like Moriarty? He's an exciting man, Captain.
He's brilliant.
Incisive.
He's ruthless.
He has|an almost irresistible appeal.
He's an arch-criminal.
Only because he was written|like that.
I see him entirely differently.
Captain, he is not a villain.
So it's your desire to leave|the holodeck to be with him? More than anything.
Can you help us? Yes, I can.
We have learned that if we uncouple|the Heisenberg compensators and allow them|to re-scramble randomly, then 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.
No, please! Wait.
I have brought you|this information because .
.
you are someone who would|listen to a reasonable proposition.
Someone|whose mind is open to compromise.
- Yes.
|- My ship is in danger.
It is imperative|that I regain navigational control.
I want you to persuade Moriarty|to return the voice command to me.
Or I will not modify|the transporter.
I see.
Now, once I have regained|voice command, I will transport you|from the holodeck.
Forgive me, but that sounds|more like a threat than a compromise.
Countess, you must understand that I am responsible|for more than 1,000 lives.
I will do what I can.
The gravity well is intensifying.
- Are we far enough away?|- It's too soon to tell.
Riker to Lt Worf.
|How are you doing? Force fields are blocking access|to the holodeck.
It will take time to disable them.
- Keep trying.
|- Aye, sir.
Think, my dear.
You're certain they have to uncouple|the Heisenberg compensators? Yes, I'm quite certain.
But he won't do it unless you|return control of the ship to him.
I have them running around|like rats in a maze.
What harm would there be|in accepting his proposition? My dear,|you are brilliant and beautiful.
Nonetheless, there are things|you do not understand.
Please.
|You must let me handle this.
Computer, arch.
Moriarty to Cmdr Riker.
Riker here.
Cmdr Riker, a pleasure, as always.
I don't have time for games,|Moriarty.
This ship is in a gravity well.
It will be destroyed|within 25 minutes, holodeck and all.
Then I'm sure you'll be motivated|to listen to me carefully.
I want you to talk about uncoupling|the Heisenberg compensators.
James, when we leave here,|where exactly are we going? Everywhere, my darling.
There are more worlds in the heavens|than grains of sand on a shore.
I wish I could take my books.
I'll get you more.
Don't worry,|you'll want for nothing.
- Riker to Moriarty.
|- It's time.
- Yes, Commander?|- We're ready.
- As are we.
|- Step into the transport area.
We're ready here.
Activating pattern enhancers.
|Energising.
Welcome aboard.
May I present|Regina, the Countess Barthalomew? - Countess.
|- Commander.
You'll forgive me|if I skip the formalities.
Yes.
I expect you want me to|relinquish my hold on your vessel.
- Please.
|- That won't be possible just yet.
- We had an agreement.
|- I will honour it.
I have no desire|to see your vessel destroyed.
Just give me one shuttlecraft|and allow us to leave in peace.
We don't have time for this.
|Release those command codes.
I will not release your vessel until I am looking at it|through a shuttlecraft window.
It's programmed to operate|on voice command.
- Just say where you want to go.
|- Excellent.
I suggest you head for Meles II,|the nearest inhabited planet.
The people are friendly.
|Where you go then is your business.
Please tell your captain|I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye.
I wish I could see his face|when he realises where he's been.
Every second we waste puts|us in danger.
Don't worry.
You'll soon have|control of your ship.
Goodbye, Commander.
Thank you.
Computer, prepare to depart.
Open shuttlebay doors.
This is so beautiful.
Indeed, my dear.
|It is a wondrous sight.
The first of many we are sure|to encounter in our travels.
Computer, interface with the|central computer on the Enterprise.
Interface complete.
Release command-function lockouts.
Authorisation, .
.
Moriarty, Alpha 24159.
- James.
|- Yes, my love? Can we go back to Earth some day? Of course, my dear.
Of course.
Computer, store program Picard|Delta One.
Discontinue simulation.
Program stored.
Well, it worked.
They believed it.
Did Moriarty release|the voice commands? Let's find out.
Computer, discontinue|Moriarty's holodeck simulation.
So far, so good.
This is the|holodeck on the real Enterprise.
- Picard to bridge.
|- Are you alright? Yes, Number One.
What is your status? Our systems came back on line.
- And the planetary collision?|- We're at a safe distance.
We'll join you shortly.
- Captain.
|- Mr Worf, everything is alright.
How did you do it? We managed to program the holodeck|inside the holodeck and used the same ruse|Moriarty used on us.
When he contacted the bridge,|he was speaking to a simulation.
He never knew|he hadn't left the holodeck? The program is continuing|to run even now inside that cube.
A miniature holodeck? In a way, Doctor.
|However, there is no physicality.
The program is continuous,|but only within the circuitry.
As far as Moriarty knows,|they're halfway to Meles II by now.
This enhancement module|has enough active memory to provide them with experiences|for a lifetime.
They will live their lives|and never know any difference.
In a sense, you did give|Moriarty what he wanted.
In a sense.
Who knows? Our reality|may be very much like theirs.
All this might be|just an elaborate simulation, running inside a little device|sitting on someone's table.
Well,|we have a newborn star to study.
- Mr Barclay, keep that safe.
|- Aye, sir.
Computer, end program.