PATHFINDER
Episode 130
Part B

Flashbacks are depicted in this style.

 

As Harkins and Barclay leave the empty Holodeck and enter the Pathfinder laboratory which it adjoins, Barclay proposes his theory: "Now that I think about it, it's a good thing that Admiral Paris is coming tomorrow. We can brief the Admiral on my theory." As Barclay talks, Commander Harkins goes round to various work stations keeping an eye on progress. Harkins: "What theory?" Barclay: "I've been going over the interstellar phenomena forecasts from Deep Space Nine. They are predicting er, a class B itinerant pulsar will pass within four billion kilometres of the MIDAS Array in three days." Harkins: "You think the pulsar might damage the Array?" Barclay: "No, no, the shields will hold. Actually I was thinking, we could use the pulsar to our own advantage." Harkins: "How?" Barclay: "Suppose, suppose we instructed the Array to direct a tachyon beam at the pulsar. Theoretically, we could produce a gravimetric surge powerful enough to create an artificial wormhole. We could establish two-way communication with Voyager."

They go up to the upper level. Harkins: "Reg, you're dreaming again." Barclay: "No, no, I really think this could work. Based on my simulations that-" Harkins: "Based on your last series of simulations we wasted six months trying to develop that transwarp probe."

Barclay: "This, this is different. This-" Harkins: "Reg, I really appreciate your imagination. It's what makes you such a valuable part of this team, but I'm not about to tell the Admiral that we've found a way for him to chat with his son because of some cock-eyed theory that only exists up here," tapping Barclay's left temple. "Now please, finish those diagnostics."

Barclay: "Yes, sir." Harkins, turning in the doorway: "And, Reg."

Harkins, continuing: "remember, while the Admiral's here I do the talking." Barclay: "You do the talking. Understood." Harkins leaves.

Barclay to Troi: "Pete was only trying to look out for me, but I was sure my plan would work. I just couldn't give it up."

Starfleet's Communications Research Center, home of the Pathfinder project - later that evening, after Barclay first put forward his theory to Harkins.

Harkins enters the lab to find Barclay still there. "Burning the midnight oil?" Barclay: "I, I finished, er, the diagnostics, sir." Harkins: "Yes, I know. I looked them over. Good job. Well, why don't you call it a day?"

Barclay: "I just, er, have a few more things to take care of." Harkins: "Well, see you tomorrow then. Oh, Reg, why don't erm, why don't you drop by tonight when you're through here?" Barclay, nervous and alarmed at the thought of a social gathering and meeting someone he does not know: "Drop by?"

Harkins: "Come to the house. Have some coffee. Angie's sister's in from Boston. I er I think she might like you." Barclay: "I, I don't, I don't think I can er- I'm spending the evening with, erm, Neelix." Harkins: "Correct me if I'm wrong, Reg, but Neelix is your cat. Well, if you change your mind...." Barclay: "Thanks. I'll, I'll try." Harkins leaves.

Barclay: "But I couldn't leave. Not until I'd strengthened my case for accessing the MIDAS Array. The meeting with Admiral Paris was only fourteen hours away and I hadn't come up with anything. Poring over the data wasn't helping. I decided that what I needed was, er, a little inspiration."

Barclay: "Computer, activate Hologrid Messhall scenario Barclay 11-gamma."

In his holoprogram, a simulation of USS Voyager complete with holographic re-creations of the crew, Barclay is quite different to real life. In the holoprogram, he is self-confident, popular, urbane. Paris: "Hey, Reg."

Holo-Chakotay: "Warning: the shark is circling." Torres, laughing: "Let the games begin." In the holoprogram, the Maquis crewmembers are wearing their Maquis clothes not Starfleet uniform. Barclay moves past Lieutenant Ayala and heads for a table on the port-side by the window.

Holo-Kim: "What'll it be, Reg?" Barclay: "The usual." Holo-Kim goes over to the replicator: "Computer, one milk, warm." Barclay, taking the milk: "Oh thanks, Harry." Holo-Kim: "Just trying to get on your good side so you'll go easy on me tonight." Barclay: "You know what I always say if you can't stand the heat-" Holo-Kim, finishing the saying: "Get out of the warp core."

Holo-Chakotay, shuffling the deck of cards, to Barclay: "Sit down, Lieutenant, and give us mortals a chance to get even. That's an order."

Barclay: "If you insist, Commander, but I think it's only fair to warn you I have no intention of letting my winning streak come to an end. Now where's er Tuvok?"

Holo-Torres: "He said it's illogical to continue losing to a clearly superior player." Barclay: "Oh, that's too bad. I love to watch that Vulcan squirm."

He talks as he deals the cards. "Now, you all know the rules: deuces, one eyed Jacks and suicide kings are wild; five of a kind beats a straight flush every time." Holo-Kim: "The man's ruthless." Holo-Paris: "He's a killer."

Barclay: "Now, come on, guys. You know it hurts me to see you lose. After all, you are my best friends."

But Barclay, once back at his apartment, is unable to sleep for thinking about his theory. Barclay to Troi: "I hoped that the poker game would help calm my nerves so that I could get a decent night's sleep before the briefing but, when I got home that night, I couldn't keep my mind off Voyager. I needed to get back to the Holodeck."

(Note by Janet: I refer to the Holodeck's version of the Doctor as "Holo-Doctor" even though, strictly speaking, it should be "Holo-holo-Doctor".)

Back in the Pathfinder lab's holoprogram of Voyager, Barclay is in its Sickbay receiving a massage. Barclay: "Ahhh, that feels so good." Holo-Doctor: "Therapeutic massage can be an effective treatment for insomnia, Lieutenant, but we need to get to the cause of your sleeplessness if we're going to find a more permanent solution." Barclay: "It's just that every time I close my eyes, my mind starts to race." Holo-Doctor: "Can you be more specific?" Barclay: "Well, I worry about the project. Have I explored the problem from every angle or is there something else I should be trying, am I doing enough?" Holo-Doctor: "Hmm. Acute work related anxiety. Perhaps I should speak to the Captain about reducing your schedule." Barclay: "Oh, something tells me she's not going to be able to help." Holo-Doctor: "You are an invaluable member of this crew, Mr Barclay."

Barclay: "Thank you, Doctor. It's nice to be appreciated."

Barclay walks along a holo-Voyager corridor toward his quarters. Holo-Chakotay: "Turning in, Reg?" Barclay: "Yes, sir."

A holo-crewman walks by: "Hey, Reg."

Barclay enters his holographic quarters.

He settles down to sleep and falls quickly into a relaxed sleep.

Barclay to Troi: "For some reason, I never slept in my apartment as comfortably as I did in my holographic quarters. I suppose I felt more at home on Voyager." Making an affirmative sound as he realises how true it is: "Mmm hmm."

Next morning, still in the Pathfinder Holodeck, Barclay enters the holo-Voyager Messhall, feeling rested. Barclay, bright and cheerful: "Good morning, everyone!" Holo-Kim: "Morning, Reg." Holo-Paris: "You're awfully chipper." Barclay: "Ah, slept like a baby." Holo-Kim: "Then maybe you've got the energy to whip up one of your famous cheese omelettes." Holo-Paris: "Oh, yeah. I'm starved." Barclay: "I'm sorry, guys, I have a very important briefing oh nine hundred. Just have time for coffee." Holo-Kim: "Er, don't forget about tonight." Barclay: "Er, remind me." Holo-Kim: "You were supposed to teach me how to play Velocity." Holo-Paris: "No, no way. Reg and I have a hoverball game scheduled." Barclay: "Don't fight." Torres hurries in. Barclay continues to the men: "Plenty of me to go around."

Holo-Torres, hurrying up to Barclay, desperately: "Reg, I'm sorry to bother you again, but I'm still having trouble with the warp core recalibration." Barclay: "It's no problem. I'll stop by engineering later, and we'll talk it through." Holo-Torres, relieved and very grateful: "Thank you. I really appreciate it." She hurries out.

Holo-Paris: "Velocity, hoverball, warp core recalibrations? Reg, I don't know how you do it." Barclay: "Let you in on a little secret - there's TWO of me." Holo-Paris looks bemused.