Barclay's apartment: his transfer to Project Pathfinder means that his quarters are no longer aboard ship but on Earth

Counsellor Deanna Troi can be seen - she visits Barclay in 2376

Barclay and Deanna Troi. Barclay's white cat, named Neelix after the person aboard USS Voyager, can be seen.

Barclay's immediate commanding officer on Project Pathfinder is Commander Peter Harkins, with Admiral Owen Paris (Tom Paris' father) in overall charge of the project.

Cmdr. Pete Harkins

Adm. Owen Paris

Barclay in the Pathfinder lab

Barclay's workplace: layout drawing of the lab at Project Pathfinder.
3D cutaway drawing and screenshots of the lab.

Barclay relaxes in the company of holograms of Voyager's crewmembers, here enjoying a poker game with senior staff Barclay relaxes with a massage by a hologram of Voyager's Doctor (yes, a hologram of a hologram) Barclay can only sleep in the Voyager simulation Barclay fails to persuade his superior that his theory is viable Harkins confronts Barclay over the excessive amount of time spent in the Voyager simulation Barclay visits Admiral Paris

Barclay comes up with some of the project's most innovative ideas. One is a transwarp probe which, however, proves unsuccessful after six months of research.   Next, in 2376, stardate unknown, in [#130 Pathfinder], episode guide, Barclay proposes that a tachyon beam directed a class-B itinerant pulsar could produce enough gravitmetric energy to create an artificial singularity, i.e. a wormhole, through which contact with USS Voyager could be established. His theory is based upon research already conducted by the team into sending messages at hypersubspace speeds. When interstellar forecasts indicate that an appropriate pulsar will pass within four billion kilometres of the MIDAS Array Barclay sees it as a not-to-be-missed opportunity to test his theory. However his superior, Commander Harkins, does not share his enthusiasm.   As a result Barclay, already obsessed with Voyager, becomes even more preoccupied and spends more and more time inside the Pathfinder lab's holodeck simulation of USS Voyager, using the holo-environment working on his theory and also finding it the only place where he can escape, relax and feel self-confident. The holograms of Voyager's crew are his surrogate family, now that he has left the USS Enterprise crew.   When Admiral Paris visits the lab for a formal briefing in front of all the staff, Barclay cannot resist giving voice to his theory, thereby going over the head of his immediate superior Commander Harkins. The Admiral shows some interest in Barclay's theory but Barclay's garbled presentation and a faux pas mention of the Admiral's son Tom Paris leads to Barclay being dismissed from the meeting. Hence Barclay's attempt to persuade Admiral Paris to authorise work on his theory fails.   When Commander Harkins discovers the large number of hours Barclay has spent in the holodeck he fears that Barclay has suffered a relapse into holodiction (as depicted in [TNG: Hollow Pursuits]) and suspends him from the Project.   Barclay makes a breakthrough when he realises that only a micro-wormhole is necessary in order to contact Voyager. He visits Admiral Paris, apologises for his behaviour and begs him to consider his research which he gives to him on a PADD, this time hopefully presented clearly. The best that the Admiral can do, however, is to review his findings, whereas Barclay has been hoping for authorisation to test his theory.

Barclay confides in his friend from the USS Enterprise, Counsellor Deanna Troi (Deanna Troi Index), who comes to visit him at his apartment. Concerned by his obsession with Voyager, and with his best interests at heart, she refuses to vouch for his health as he had been hoping in order that he can return to work. Barclay to Troi: "I've lost myself, in Voyager. I have become obsessed with Voyager."

Deanna Troi

Barclay is so convinced that his refined theory will work that he breaks into the Pathfinder lab and tests it, but no contact with Voyager is made. He is cornered by Starfleet Security just as Admiral Paris arrives to say that Barclay's theory has promise, but Barclay's disobedience can now only merit disciplinary action.

Barclay breaks into the Pathfinder lab

However, at that moment Voyager's answering signal is heard - Barclay had succeeded after all! And it is Barclay who speaks the first words to Captain Janeway. Janeway: "Starfleet Command, come in. ... This is Captain Kathryn Janeway. Do you read me?" Harkins to Barclay: "I think she's talking to you." Barclay: "Captain, this is Lieutenant Reginald Barclay at Starfleet Command." Janeway: "It's good to hear your voice, Lieutenant. We've been waiting a long time for this moment." Barclay: "The feeling is mutual. Unfortunately, the micro-wormhole is collapsing. We have only a few moments." Janeway: "Understood. We're transmitting our ship's logs, crew reports and navigational records to you now." Barclay: "Acknowledged, and we're sending you data on some new hypersubspace technology. We're hoping eventually to use it to keep in regular contact and we're including some recommended modifications for your com. system." Janeway: "We'll implement them as soon as possible."

At this point Barclay hands over to Admiral Paris.

The first conversation between Project Pathfinder on Earth and USS Voyager in the Delta Quadrant [#130 Pathfinder]:

part 1 part 2

Contact is brief, but it is a major breakthrough, thanks to Barclay.

 

TOP BACK REG BARCLAY: PREVIOUS REG BARCLAY: NEXT REG BARCLAY INDEX PATHFINDER INDEX INDEX FOR [PATHFINDER] ARTICLES INDEX BRIDGE