STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
                                
                       "The Nth Degree" 
                          #40274-193 
                              
                          Written by 
                          Joe Menosky 
                              
                          Directed by 
                          Rob Legato 


THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

Copyright 1991 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.

                         FINAL DRAFT


         STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - CAST 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                       "The Nth Degree" 

                             CAST                               
                              
                PICARD             REGINALD BARCLAY
                RIKER              ALBERT EINSTEIN
                DATA               VOICE OF THE PLANET
                BEVERLY            
                TROI               
                GEORDI             
                WORF               
                ENSIGN APRIL ANAYA 
                LIEUTENANT LINDA LARSON
                ENSIGN BROWER      
                COMPUTER VOICE     

                Non-Speaking       
                  N.D. ENGINEERS     
                  N.D. SECURITY OFFICERS
                  SUPERNUMERARIES    

         STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - SETS 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                       "The Nth Degree" 
                           
                             SETS 

            INTERIORS                  EXTERIORS
          
            USS ENTERPRISE             USS ENTERPRISE
              MAIN BRIDGE
              CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM     SHUTTLECRAFT
              OBSERVATION LOUNGE
              SICKBAY                  "SUPERSPACE"
              ENGINEERING
              CORRIDOR                 SUPER PLANET
              HOLODECK
                EMPTY
              SHIP'S THEATRE
                17TH CENTURY FRENCH DINING ROOM
                UNDRESSED STAGE
          
            SHUTTLECRAFT

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/29/91 - PRONUNCIATION 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                       "The Nth Degree" 
                           
                      PRONUNCIATION GUIDE 


              ANGSTOM                ANG-strum
              AXONS                  ax-ONS
              CORPUS CALLOSUM        CORE-pus kuh-LOW-sum
              CYTHERIANS             sigh-THEAR-ee-n
              DENSITOMETER           dense-uh-TOM-uh-ter
              GIGAWATTS              GIG-uh-watts
              ICONIC                 eye-KAH-nick
              INTERROGATIVE          in-ter-ROG-ah-tiv
              PERMEABILITY           per-mee-ah-BILL-uh-tee
              POST-SYNAPTIC          POST sin-AP-tic
              SERO-AMINO             SEHR-oh uh-MEAN-oh
              TERAWATTS              TEHR-uh-watts

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/28/91 - TEASER     1.

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION                  
                      "The Nth Degree"                            
                            TEASER                              

	FADE IN:

1    INT. 17TH CENTURY FRANCE - DINING ROOM

	A very spare, period dining room -- simple wooden table
	and two chairs, more functional than fancy. BEVERLY
	CRUSHER wears a beautiful dress; REGINALD BARCLAY, has
	the clothes of a duellist -- and a LARGE NOSE. They
	are doing CYRANO DE BERGERAC.

					BEVERLY
			-- You were like a brother to
			me. We played in the park near
			the lake.

					BARCLAY
			Of course -- Every summer you
			came to Bergerac!

					BEVERLY
			You used to make swords out of
			the reeds -- And when you cut
			your hand, you would run to
			me, and I would say --
				(taking his hand)
			"Let me see --"

	She sees real blood on the hand from a cut, and reacts.

					BEVERLY
			Oh! How did you do that?

					BARCLAY
			"Playing" near the Porte de
			Nesle.

	She wets a handkerchief and starts to wash his hand.

					BEVERLY
			And how many were against you?

					BARCLAY
			No more than a hundred.

					BEVERLY
			Tell me!

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/30/91 - TEASER     2.

1    CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY
			No... Let it go. You tell me
			what you were going to say. Do
			you dare?

					BEVERLY
				(still holding his hand)
			I do dare... I love someone.

					BARCLAY
			Ah!

					BEVERLY
			But he does not know.

					BARCLAY
			Ah!

					BEVERLY
			Not yet. He is proud, noble,
			brave and beautiful --

					BARCLAY
				(turns pale, quickly
				 rises)
			Beautiful!

					BEVERLY
			What's the matter?

					BARCLAY
				(smiling to cover it)
	With me? Nothing. Just my hand.
				(beat)
			He is in the Guards?

					BEVERLY
			Since this morning. Baron
			Christien de Neuvillette. In your
			own regiment.

					BARCLAY
			Ah...

					BEVERLY
			Promise to be his friend.

					BARCLAY
			I promise.

					BEVERLY
			And never let him fight a duel.

    STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/30/91 - TEASER    2A.

1    CONTINUED: (2)

					BARCLAY
			God forbid.

					BEVERLY
			Oh, I love you.
				(standing)
			I must go now. You never told
			me what happened last night.
			And tell him to write me. A
			hundred men against one. To
			write, remember. A hundred men!
			What courage!

					BARCLAY
				(aside to audience)
			Oh... I have done better since...

	Barclay holds the moment in character. He is met with
	applause.

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - TEASER     3.

2    INCLUDE AUDIENCE

	RIKER, DATA, GEORDI, TROI, WORF, and a few
	supernumeraries still clapping.

					RIKER
			Bravo.

					TROI
			Wonderful.

	Data reacts with puzzlement to the applause. He
	himself has not joined in.

					DATA
				(to Riker)
			Lieutenant Barclay's performance
			was superficially adequate but
			clearly not rooted in The Method
			approach. As a result, his
			customary anxiety was evident.
			I do not understand why...

					RIKER
				(still clapping)
			-- Because it's polite, Data.

	Data considers for a beat, and joins in the applause
	as it finishes. Beverly and Barclay step off the
	"stage" area to meet their friends, who stand to greet
	them.

					GEORDI
				(re: Barclay)
			Not a bad showing after only six
			weeks of lessons.

					BEVERLY
			Not a bad showing period.

					BARCLAY
				(sheepish, re: Beverly)
			I... we have a very... patient
			teacher.

	Beverly eyes Worf.

					BEVERLY
			There's an opening in my
			workshop... Worf.

	Worf grunts his disapproval of the suggestion, and the
	others laugh as the group begins to break up.

       STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - TEASER       4.

3    ON TROI AND BARCLAY

					TROI
			Well done.

					BARCLAY
			Thank... thank you...
			Counselor...

	Barclay is more confident than we saw him in his debut
	episode, but still a far cry from Enterprise norm (he
	still has trouble meeting another's gaze). And he's
	noticeably even less sure of himself than he appeared
	in the acting scene only moments ago.

					TROI
			You've come a long way, Reg.

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

					TROI
			I don't just mean your acting
			ability. It takes a great deal
			of courage to put yourself on
			display like that.

					BARCLAY
			You think so...

					TROI
				(acknowledges)
			There was a time when nothing
			could have dragged you onto a
			stage in front of an audience.
			You've made tremendous progress.

					BARCLAY
			I... I guess...

	He's hesitant. She picks up on it, encourages him.

					TROI
			Don't you think so?

					BARCLAY
			Well...

	She waits him out for a beat. He indicates his
	costume.


       STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - TEASER       5.

3    CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			I still feel more... more
			comfortable playing somebody else.
			Maybe all this is no better than
			escaping into a holodeck fantasy.

					TROI
			I disagree. This isn't fantasy
			-- it's theatre. You used to
			withdraw into the holodeck. You
			isolated yourself inside your own
			imagination, avoiding contact with
			real people.

	She indicates the stage.

					TROI
				(continuing)
			Look at yourself now... and look
			at all the other people you're
			with... you're not just acting,
			you're inter-acting. Give
			yourself some credit, Mister
			Barclay!

	He nods.

					BARCLAY
			Maybe... you're right.

	Troi smiles and goes out the door. Stay on Barclay,
	alone in costume, audience gone. Despite some
	progress, we get a sense of just how painful it still
	is to be Barclay.

4    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The Enterprise hovering in front of the ARGUS ARRAY.
	It is a huge subspace radio telescope -- a series of
	panels, resembling several very long box-kites stacked
	one on top of the other. It looks absolutely immense.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 44704.2.
			We have arrived at the Argus
			Array, the remote subspace
			telescope at the very edge of
			Federation space.
					(MORE)

       STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - TEASER       6.

4    CONTINUED:

					PICARD (Cont'd)
			The unmanned structure
			mysteriously stopped relaying its
			data nearly two months ago.

5    INT. BRIDGE

	PICARD, Riker, Worf, Data, Geordi and ENSIGN APRIL
	ANAYA.

					DATA
			The fusion reactors that power
			the array are extremely unstable.
			The risk of overload is high.

					RIKER
			What about the computer systems?

					DATA
				(testing panels)
			They do not seem to be functioning
			at all.

					WORF
				(off instruments)
			Captain! I am picking up an
			unidentified device! One point
			eight kilometers from the array!

					PICARD
			Onscreen.

6
thru	OMITTED
7

8    INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN -- THE PROBE (OPTICAL)

	We see a panel of the Array, and hanging in front of
	it, a silent, probe-like device.

					PICARD
			Magnify.

	The image on the viewscreen is replaced by a highly
	MAGNIFIED VIEW of the probe.

					RIKER
			Some kind of probe. I'll bet
			that's what damaged the array.

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/28/91 - TEASER     7.

8    CONTINUED:

					PICARD
				(to Worf)
			Is it emitting any signals,
			Lieutenant?

					WORF
			Negative, sir. I show no
			activity.

					PICARD
			Mister La Forge, why don't you
			go out and take a closer look.

					GEORDI
				(exiting)
			Aye, sir.
				(to Com)
			Mister Barclay, report to
			Main Shuttlebay.

	As the turbolift closes behind Geordi, OFF Picard as
	he stares at the viewscreen...

9    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The shuttle is already in space... moving away from the
	ship.

10   INT. SHUTTLE

	Geordi at the helm, Barclay at his station.

					GEORDI
			Enterprise, this is Shuttle Five,
			in position. Ready to begin
			short-range scan.

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			Proceed, Shuttle Five.

11   INCLUDE SHUTTLE WINDOW (OPTICAL)

	At this close distance, the Array can be seen only as a
	grey, metallic backdrop. Hanging motionless in front
	of it, only meters from the shuttle, is the alien
	probe, vaguely cylindrical, about ten meters tall and
	three wide.

       STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - TEASER       8.

11   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
				(to Barclay)
			Let's start with the passive high
			res series.

	Barclay is a little nervous, but it's combined with an
	excitement about being there.

					BARCLAY
			Electromagnetic band?

					GEORDI
			Give it a try.

	Barclay nods and touches his instrument panel.

					BARCLAY
			I'm picking up visual wavelengths
			only. Between forty-five...
			forty-five hundred and seven
			thousand angstroms.

					GEORDI
			Try the neutron densitometer.

	Barclay touches the panel.

					BARCLAY
			Nothing.

					GEORDI
			Hmmmm. Doesn't seem to want to
			give up any secrets. Let's go
			to active scan.

	Barclay keys it in. They're both surprised at the
	instruments.

					BARCLAY
			No... No modulation.

					GEORDI
				(to probe)
			You are definitely not from our
			neighborhood.
				(to Barclay)
			Increase to three point zero.

	Barclay does so. Glances over at Geordi.

       STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - TEASER       9.

11   CONTINUED: (2)

					BARCLAY
				(hesitantly)
			Commander?

					GEORDI
			Yeah, Reg?

					BARCLAY
			Thanks for... for assigning me
			to this mission.

					GEORDI
			Don't mention it. You're one of
			my top engineers. It's about time
			you started to do the interesting
			stuff.
				(re: situation)
			This is why I'm in Starfleet.

					BARCLAY
				(off instruments)
			Still no modulation.

					GEORDI
			Hit it with the positron emission.

	Barclay touches his panel -- the probe responds with a
	BLINDING FLASH of white light that lights up the entire
	inside of the shuttle for an instant before shutting
	down again.

					GEORDI
				(continuing)
			What was that?
				(looking at instruments)
			Our computer is down!

	He glances over -- Barclay is slumped back in his
	chair, unconscious. Geordi is alarmed. He shakes
	Barclay.

					GEORDI
			Reg! Reg!

	Geordi puts a finger on Barclay's neck to feel for a
	pulse. OFF the concern on his face.

									FADE OUT:

                         END OF TEASER                          

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT ONE      10.

                            ACT ONE                             

	FADE IN:

12   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The ship maintaining position near the Array.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental. An
			intense energy surge from the
			alien probe has severly disabled
			the shuttle's onboard computer.
			The away team has been transported
			directly to Sickbay.

12A  INT. BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Ensign Anaya.

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

					DATA
			No sir. Power emissions do not
			match any known radiation
			patterns. We have not encountered
			this technology before.

					PICARD
			Very well. Isolate the probe and
			place it in tow. We'll take it
			to Science Station Four-Oh-Two
			in the Kohlan system...

					WORF
				(interrupting)
			Captain. The probe has begun to
			move. It is approaching the
			Enterprise.

					RIKER
			Shields up!

					WORF
			Aye, sir.

	OFF Picard's reaction...

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT ONE      11.

13   INT. SICKBAY

	Barclay is sitting up on a diagnostic bed, looking
	completely normal. Beverly and Geordi are standing
	next to him. Crusher turns to Barclay.

					BEVERLY
				(to Barclay)
			There was enough energy in that
			flash to overload your optic
			nerves. It knocked you
			unconscious.

					GEORDI
			My VISOR must have filtered it
			out.

					BEVERLY
			Exactly.
				(to Barclay)
			Well, there's no apparent retinal
			damage and the cornea looks fine.
			But I'm still waiting for the full
			sero-amino readout. I'll call
			you when it comes in.

	Barclay takes this as a dismissal, and gets down off
	the bed, joining Geordi. Beverly heads for another
	part of Sickbay. Barclay thinks for a moment, then
	hesitantly calls after her.

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

	Beverly stops and turns back to him, puzzled.

					BEVERLY
			What do you mean?

					BARCLAY
			Couldn't you use a global mode
			in your scanner... It would be
			a lot faster.

	She's a bit taken aback by the suggestion, and by who
	it's coming from. So is Geordi.

    STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/28/91 - ACT ONE    12.

13   CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY
			That's not possible.
				(a smile)
			These are human cells we're
			talking about, not isolinear
			circuits.
				(kiddingly)
			You'd better stick to engineering.

	Barclay, still a bit sheepish about bringing it up,
	thinks for a second.

					BARCLAY
			The cells have a... an
			electromagnetic signature... just
			like a circuit element does...
			Conceptually, it should work...
			with a few adjustments...

	She's interrupted by the RED ALERT lights and klaxons
	sound. Geordi quickly heads for the door, Barclay
	follows. On the way out he looks back toward Beverly
	over his shoulder.

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			I could set it up for you if you'd
			like...

	HOLD a moment on Beverly as Geordi and Barclay
	disappear out the door. Despite the Red Alert, she's
	still curious about his suggestion.

14   INT. BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Ensign Anaya at their
	positions. RED ALERT klaxons and lights in background.

					WORF
			Probe now closing at fifteen
			point three meters per second.
			Collision course.

14A  INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN

	The Array is in the distance. We gradually discern the
	probe approaching from its direction.

	It is miniscule by comparison.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT ONE      13.

14A  CONTINUED:

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

	Picard reacts.

					PICARD
			Then how is it able to move?

					DATA
			The method of propulsion is
			unknown.

					RIKER
			Ensign, take us away from it.
			One quarter impulse.

					ENSIGN ANAYA
			Aye, Sir.

	She touches her controls.

15   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The probe continues hanging before them as they move,
	inert -- no blinkies or indication of any activity --
	but threatening in its silence.

15A  INT. MAIN BRIDGE

					WORF
			The probe is matching our speed
			and course.

					DATA
			Captain, an energy field is
			forming around the device.
			Intensity is three point two
			terawatts, and increasing.

					WORF
			Sir, the shuttlecraft shields did
			not provide sufficent protection
			for its computer. Our computer
			may also be vulnerable. I
			recommend withdrawal to a safe
			distance.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT ONE      14.

15A  CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Ensign Anaya, full about, go to
			one-half impulse.

					ENSIGN ANAYA
				(touching panel)
			One-half impulse.

					WORF
			The probe is following.

	Reactions.

16   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse. The probe moving parallel.

17   INT. BRIDGE

					PICARD
			Options, Number One?

					RIKER
			We can't use photon torpedoes.
			An explosion this close to the
			ship could cripple us.

					WORF
			Sir, recommend full phasers.

					PICARD
			Proceed.

					WORF
			Firing phasers.

	Worf fires the phasers.

18
thru	OMITTED
19

20   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	The phasers fire point blank on the probe. Nothing
	happens.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT ONE      15.

21   RESUME

	The staff reacts.

					WORF
			No effect, Captain.

					DATA
				(off instruments)
			The probe's field intensity is
			continuing to build... we are in
			danger, Captain...

					RIKER
				(to COM)
			Riker to La Forge. Can you
			increase phaser power?

									INTERCUT AS NEEDED:

22   INT. ENGINEERING

	Geordi is at his controls, Barclay a couple of panels
	down, other N.D. engineers including LIEUTENANT LINDA
	LARSON hurrying around to various panels, checking
	readings and making adjustments. The RED ALERT
	continues. Barclay appears to be working furiously.

					GEORDI
				(to COM)
			Attempting to now, Commander.
				(to Barclay)
			Isolate phasers eighty through
			one twenty and shunt all plasma...

					BARCLAY
			... to the emitters, yessir, I'm
			already on it... ready.

	Geordi glances at the instrument panel with some
	surprise at how quickly Barclay anticipated the move.
	Everything appears to be ready.

					GEORDI
				(to COM)
			Captain! Phasers are as hot as
			we can make them!

23   INT. BRIDGE

	The RED ALERT continues.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT ONE      16.

23   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Mister Worf.

					WORF
			Aye, sir.

	Worf fires the phasers.

24   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	A narrow, intensely bright burst of phaser fire strikes
	the probe for several seconds, then stops -- no change.

25   RESUME

					RIKER
			Nothing.

					PICARD
			Go to warp two.

					ENSIGN ANAYA
			Aye, sir.
				(beat)
			Warp two.

25A  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at warp. The probe still alongside.

25B  INT. BRIDGE

					WORF
			The probe is still with us, sir.

					RIKER
			At warp two?

					WORF
			Yessir.

					DATA
			Captain. The probe's energy
			output is overloading our shields.
			Failure anticipated in forty-seven
			seconds.

	Picard looks around.

    STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT ONE    17.

25B  CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			I'm willing to entertain
			suggestions...

					WORF
				(interrupting)
			Captain! We're dropping to
			impulse.

26   INT. ENGINEERING

	The RED ALERT continues. Barclay is still working
	feverishly at his instrument panel.

					LARSON
				(puzzled)
			Commander, warp power has been
			transferred to the shield grid.

	Equally surprised, Geordi glances at the instruments.
	Then looks over at the cause -- Barclay.

					GEORDI
			Barclay, what are you doing?

	Barclay holds up a "hold-on" finger, leans back from
	the instrument panel as if finished with something,
	hitting his insignia.

					BARCLAY
				(keys insignia)
			Lieutenant Barclay to Captain
			Picard. You can fire photon
			torpedos. Maximum yield, full
			spread.

27   INT. BRIDGE

					RIKER
			We're too close.

					BARCLAY'S COM VOICE
			Our shields will hold.

	Picard and company react to the suggestion.

					PICARD
				(to COM)
			La Forge?

   STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/28/91 - ACT ONE   17A.

28   INT. ENGINEERING

	Geordi is pouring over Barclay's instrument panel,
	amazed.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT ONE      18.

28   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
				(to COM)
			I don't know how Barclay did it,
			but shield strength has been
			increased by over three hundred
			percent. It should be enough.

29   INT. BRIDGE

	Continue RED ALERT as Geordi's words sink in.

					PICARD
			Mister Worf. Photon torpedos.
			Maximum yield, full spread.

					WORF
			Aye.

	Worf touches the panel as though it's his final act.

30   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	A full spread of photon torpedos fires away, hitting
	the probe. There is a tremendous explosion.

31   INT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

	The ship is buffeted terribly for several seconds, then
	everything calms suddenly down.

32   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	Only the background -- the probe has vanished.

33   RESUME

	Everyone reacts to the narrow escape. A beat as they
	collect themselves.

					PICARD
				(to Com)
			Thank you, Mister Barclay...

34   INT. ENGINEERING

	Geordi and Barclay.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT ONE      19.

34   CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY
				(to COM)
			You're welcome, Captain. Barclay
			out.

	Barclay turns to Geordi, who is looking at him.

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			I'm sorry if I overstepped my
			authority.

	A beat.

					GEORDI
			Don't mention it...

	OFF Geordi's still stunned reaction.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT ONE                          

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      20.

                            ACT TWO                             

	FADE IN:

35   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	Holding position in front of the Argus Array.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			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 irreplaceable scientific loss.

35A  INT. CORRIDOR

	Barclay is walking slowly along towards a turbolift,
	lost in thought as he glances over a PADD.

					RIKER (O.S.)
			Mister Barclay.

35B  INCLUDE RIKER

	catching up to Barclay, heading the same direction,
	smiling with obvious admiration.

					RIKER
				(continuing)
			... Everyone's still trying to
			figure out exactly how you did
			it.

					BARCLAY
			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. (TECH?)

	Riker lost him a long time ago.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      21.

35B  CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Uh huh.
				(beat)
			Nice job.

36   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

	Picard, Data, Geordi, Troi. Barclay and Riker ENTER.

					PICARD
			Mister Barclay, I'm glad you could
			join us.
				(to Geordi)
			Your report, Mister La Forge.

	Geordi steps over to a schematic representation of the
	Array on the monitor.

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

					RIKER
			So, all eighteen reactors were
			affected when the computer was
			damaged... ?

					GEORDI
				(nods)
			They're starting to overload, and
			could eventually go critical.
			If that happens, the explosion
			would destroy the Array. And I
			wouldn't want to be next door if
			that happens.

					DATA
			A standard isolation procedure
			would be advisable.

					GEORDI
				(nodding)
			I agree. We'll cut off each
			reactor from the damaged control
			system and repair them one by one.

					RIKER
			How long will that take?

    STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT TWO    22.

36   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Two, three weeks -- at least.

					PICARD
			Alright then, Mister La Forge --

					BARCLAY
				(O.C.)
			I don't agree.

	A beat. Reactions. Everyone turns to Barclay. A
	beat, as he rises, steps over to the schematic. There
	is a steadiness in his voice we've never heard before.

					BARCLAY
			We could repair all the reactors
			simultaneously instead of one by
			one.

					PICARD
				(reacts)
			Simultaneously? All eighteen?

					BARCLAY
			Yessir.

					GEORDI
			But the Argus computer is
			inoperable.

					BARCLAY
			Not entirely. The core memory
			is still intact. We could program
			a completely new control system.

					DATA
			That is an interesting suggestion,
			Lieutenant. However, such an
			approach would require more time
			than our original plan, at least
			seven weeks.

					BARCLAY
				(studying the
				 schematics)
			-- I can have it ready in two
			days.

					RIKER
				(incredulous)
			What?

    STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT TWO    23.

36   CONTINUED: (2)

					BARCLAY
				(to Geordi)
			If you could assist me in the
			morning, Commander...

	Geordi glances at Picard -- they share a reaction.

					GEORDI
				(awed)
			Sure, Reg.

	Glances at the others... the staff reacts with shock.
	A beat.

37   ANGLE ON TROI

	OFF the curiosity on her face.

38   INT. UNDRESSED STAGE

	Same area as previous CYRANO scene, but with only a
	chair. Barclay is sitting on it, not in costume but
	in character. Beverly is not in character, but is
	observing as instructor.

	This is an acting class and it's much looser than the
	scene we saw played previously. A few more students
	are watching and waiting their turn. One of the
	spectators is Troi, standing off to one side. This
	time, Barclay is the consummate actor as he rehearses
	the death scene.

					BARCLAY
			The moon -- yes, that will be my
			home. My paradise. I shall find
			there, all the souls I love --
			Socrates, Galileo...

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			"But what the devil is he doing
			among us?"
				(he raises himself,
				 declaiming)
			Philosopher. Scientist. Poet,
			musician, duellist -- Here lies
			Hercule-Savinien De Cyrano de
			Bergerac.

    STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/28/91 - ACT TWO    24.

38   CONTINUED:

	He falls back into the chair, half fainting. When he
	gathers himself, he stares straight into Beverly's
	eyes.

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			I would not have you weep any
			less for that charming, good,
			handsome Christien. I only ask
			this: that as the great cold
			surrounds my bones, you allow a
			double meaning to your mourning
			veil. And when your tears fall
			for him, some few will be... for
			me.

	The scene ends. Beverly has genuine tears in her eyes.
	Troi is also impressed.

					BEVERLY
				(understatement)
			That was... a real improvement.

	Barclay comes out of character.

					BARCLAY
			Thank you, Doctor. Same time day
			after tomorrow?

					BEVERLY
			Same time...

	Barclay nods, smiling, and leaves the room. Beverly is
	still moved -- and now, puzzled. She glances over at
	Troi and they exchange a look -- they're both feeling
	the same way.

38A  INT. TEN-FORWARD

	Barclay is sipping from a glass at a table, studying a
	PADD. Troi steps over to his table, a cup of tea in
	hand.

					TROI
			May I join you?

					BARCLAY
			Of course. Please... Sit down,
			Counselor.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      25.

38A  CONTINUED:

					TROI
			Hard at work?

					BARCLAY
				(re: PADD)
			Getting prepared for tomorrow's
			meeting in Engineering. We're
			planning our repair strategy.

	A beat.

					TROI
			I enjoyed the scene you just
			performed.

					BARCLAY
				(laughs)
			You're a very forgiving audience.

					TROI
			Not at all.
				(a beat)
			I thought you were brilliant.

	Barclay smiles in response. Another beat as Troi
	studies him carefully.

					TROI
			You've... changed.

					BARCLAY
			Is that a professional opinion?

					TROI
			Pure observation.

	Barclay studies her for a moment.

					BARCLAY
			It's true. I can't explain it.
			But in the last few days I've
			found a confidence that I never
			knew was there.

					TROI
			I'm proud of you, Reg... and I'm
			glad for you, too.

	He gives her a meaningful look -- not like a lounge
	lizard, but like someone who has always had a crush and
	is finally confident enough to act on it. Noting the
	sexual tension, she decides it's time to leave.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      26.

38A  CONTINUED: (2)

					TROI
				(stands)
			Well, I'd better be going.

					BARCLAY
			Must you?

					TROI
			I... think so...

					BARCLAY
				(stands)
			Wouldn't you like to take a walk
			with me through the arboretum?
			The zalnias should be in bloom...

					TROI
			Reg, as your former counselor...
			I... don't think it would be
			appropriate...

					BARCLAY
			-- I don't need a counselor. What
			I need is the company of a
			charming, intelligent woman.

	Troi stares at him for a beat -- the offer is not
	without its appeal. She decides against it. She rises
	and Barclay follows suit.

					TROI
				(with a smile)
			Goodnight, Mister Barclay.

	He nods and returns her smile -- not at all feeling
	rejected. Then sits back down as she leaves, watching
	her go.

39   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	Holding near the Array.

40   INT. ENGINEERING

	BROWER and Larson are waiting around the pool table as
	Geordi steps in with a PADD. Notices they're one
	short.

					GEORDI
			Where's Lieutenant Barclay?

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      27.

40   CONTINUED:

					LARSON
			I stopped by his quarters on my
			way over. He wasn't there.

					GEORDI
			Computer, location of Lieutenant
			Barclay.

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Holodeck Three.

	Geordi scowls. Turns and quickly heads for the exit.
	OFF the look between Brower and Larson.

41   INT. HOLODECK - CLOSE ON

	a man who appears to be ALBERT EINSTEIN, writing a long
	equation on a blackboard in the undressed holodeck.
	The board is already covered with mathematical symbols.

					EINSTEIN
			G sub I J of t as t approaches
			infinity...

	A hand reaches in and rubs out the appropriate symbol.

					BARCLAY (O.S.)
			That's G of t over G-naught.

42   INCLUDE BARCLAY

	standing next to Einstein, chalk in hand. He makes
	the correction on the board as the great physicist
	watches.

					EINSTEIN
			So it is, so it is.

	Barclay points to a different part of the formula.

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

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      28.

42   CONTINUED:

					EINSTEIN
			If we increase the value as you
			suggest, we must face the
			possibility of twenty-six
			dimensions, instead of ten!

					BARCLAY
				(laughs)
			I'm not sure if I'm ready for
			that.

					EINSTEIN
				(good humored)
			I certainly am not.

	Barclay thinks a moment. Points to the board.

					BARCLAY
			But if this semiset was curved
			into the subatomic, the infinities
			might cancel each other out.

	Einstein gives Barclay an amazed look.

					EINSTEIN
			Gruss Gott. They just might.

	As Einstein feverishly continues writing on the board,
	the two hear someone CLEARING HIS THROAT. As they turn
	towards the sound --

43   INCLUDE GEORDI

	standing in the doorway, staring at the board --
	clearly unable to decipher it.

					GEORDI
			We had a meeting at Oh-seven
			hundred...

					BARCLAY
			I'm sorry, Commander.
				(to Einstein)
			Thank you, Professor.
				(to computer)
			End program.

	Einstein DISAPPEARS in mid-chalk stroke. Barclay
	quickly joins Geordi and they walk together out of the
	holodeck.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      29.

43   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			What was that all about?

	FOLLOW them outside and into corridor.

44   INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

	Geordi and Barclay walking away from the holodeck.

					BARCLAY
			I had some ideas late last
			night... I needed to consult the
			computer about some quantum
			electrodynamic calculations. A
			holodeck Einstein program seemed
			like the best way. I guess I went
			a little overboard.

					GEORDI
			A little? Most of the stuff on
			that blackboard was way out of
			my league. Yours too.

					BARCLAY
			Not really. I just never thought
			along those lines before. It's
			all pretty evident now... I'm sure
			if you put your mind to it --

	Geordi stops, interrupting him.

					GEORDI
			-- Ever since our run-in with the
			probe, something's been different
			about you.

	A long beat as Barclay looks at Geordi.

					BARCLAY
			Because I'm starting to behave
			a little more like the rest of
			the crew? With confidence in what
			I'm doing?

					GEORDI
				(continuing)
			You just spent the entire night
			arguing Grand Unification Theories
			with Albert Einstein!


      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      30.

44   CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY
			Yes, but --

					GEORDI
			-- Something's happened to you,
			Reg. We can't ignore that.

	Barclay pauses, looks at Geordi.

					BARCLAY
			I've finally become the person
			I've always wanted to be. Do we
			have to ask why?

	A moment between them.

					GEORDI
				(reluctantly)
			Yeah, I think we do...

45   INT. SICKBAY

	Barclay is on a diagnostic bed, Beverly and Geordi
	standing next to him. Beverly is looking at the data
	displayed one the readout above the bed. She is
	stunned by what she finds.

					BEVERLY
			Incredible. The production of
			neurotransmitters in your brain
			has jumped by over five hundred
			percent. Pre and postsynaptic
			membranes have increased their
			permeability to match it.
				(a beat)
			I couldn't even guess at an I.Q.
			level.

					BARCLAY
			Probably somewhere between twelve
			hundred and fourteen fifty.

					BEVERLY
			But that isn't all.

	She indicates a readout on the wall.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT TWO      31.

45   CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY
				(continuing)
			The corpus callosum -- the
			connecting bridge between the two
			sides of the brain. It's so
			active that the hemispheres have
			essentially become one.

					GEORDI
			So it's not just raw intelligence
			we're talking about.

					BEVERLY
			Creativity, imagination,
			resourcefulness, inspiration --
			it's all been enhanced.

	A beat as they consider the implications.

					BEVERLY
				(continuing)
			Lieutenant, you are the most
			advanced human being who has ever
			lived.

	OFF everyone's reactions.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT TWO                          

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     32.

                           ACT THREE                            

	FADE IN:

45A  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	By the Array.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log; supplemental.
			Apparently as a result of his
			exposure to the alien probe,
			Lieutenant Barclay has gained an
			extraordinary new level of
			intelligence. The question now
			is -- how are we to deal with it?

46   INT. READY ROOM

	Picard, Beverly, Geordi, Troi, and Riker.

					RIKER
			We could confine him to his
			quarters.

					GEORDI
			How can we do that? What's he
			done? You're talking about
			locking him up for being too
			smart.

					RIKER
			If he's under an alien influence,
			doesn't that put us all at risk?

					BEVERLY
			Not necessarily. For all we know
			it could be more like a simple
			allergic reaction to a bee
			sting...

					PICARD
				(a beat)
			Has Mister Barclay done anything
			that could be considered
			potentially threatening?

					TROI
			He did make a pass at me last
			night.

	They react. Riker particularly, raises an eyebrow.

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     33.

46   CONTINUED:

					TROI
				(continuing)
			A good one.

					GEORDI
			I wouldn't exactly call that a
			threat.

					TROI
			No, but it's definitely unusual
			behavior for Barclay.

					BEVERLY
				(corroborating)
			He taught violin technique at the
			music school last night.

					RIKER
			I didn't know Barclay even played
			the violin.

					BEVERLY
			He didn't... until last night.

	A beat.

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

	Picard considers for a beat.

					PICARD
			Until he does something more
			menacing than what's been
			described -- I see no reason why
			we should prevent him from
			continuing his work.

					LARSON'S COM VOICE
			Larson to Commander La Forge.

					GEORDI
				(to COM)
			Go ahead, Lieutenant.

47   INT. ENGINEERING

	Barclay, Brower, and Larson are at their respective
	consoles, working as quickly as possible.

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     34.

47   CONTINUED:

					LARSON
				(to COM)
			We're having trouble containing
			reactor nine, sir. It's starting
			to chain.

48   INT. READY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

	Geordi glances at Picard, who nods his permission.

					GEORDI
				(to COM)
			I'll be right there.

	Geordi takes off towards the door. As the others begin
	to leave, Riker moves next to Deanna -- with a twinkle
	in his eye; no jealousy intended...

					RIKER
			You said he made a pass... you
			forgot to mention whether it was
			successful or not...

	Deanna controls a grin, EXITS without answering...

49   INT. ENGINEERING

	Barclay, Larson and Brower at their respective control
	panels. Geordi is quickly moving between them and
	other stations, coordinating the work. It's damage
	control time.

					BARCLAY
			Thermal levels up one hundred
			seventy seven percent. Comparable
			increase in neutron emissions.

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

					BARCLAY
			Yes.
				(re: instruments)
			But our computer is just too slow
			to direct the repairs; the
			parameters are changing too
			quickly for it to keep up.

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     35.

49   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			We'll have to try a remote
			shutdown from here.

					LARSON
			Transmitting commands to the Array
			now, Sir. Starting close down
			sequence.

					BARCLAY
				(to Brower)
			Brower, increase the intake of
			liquid Helium Three into the
			reactor wall. We've got to cool
			it off.

					BROWER
				(working panel)
			Transmitting commands...
				(alarmed)
			Thermal levels increasing!

	Geordi rushes over.

					GEORDI
			What happened?

					BARCLAY
			Unclear... the interface isn't
			fast enough.

	Barclay's fingers are flying over the keyboard. He's
	frustrated.

					LARSON
			Commander La Forge! Overload
			indications on Argus generator
			Five...
				(a beat as he looks at
				 instruments)
			Seven and Fourteen.

	La Forge quickly moves over to Larson.

					GEORDI
			Damn.

50   ON BARCLAY

	thinking out loud.

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     36.

50   CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY
			Can't do anything from here...
			I've got to have a better
			interface...

	Barclay pushes away from the console.

51   RESUME

					GEORDI
				(to COM)
			La Forge to Bridge. We're looking
			at a cascade reactor failure on
			the Argus.

	In the background, Barclay disappears unnoticed out
	the door.

52   INT. BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Ensign Anaya.

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			I don't think we're gonna pull
			this one out.

					DATA
				(off instruments)
			Reactor Nine will reach critical
			in ten minutes, forty three
			seconds. The subsequent explosion
			will create a chain reaction along
			the entire length of the Array.

53   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	As Picard considers the vast structure for a beat.

					RIKER
				(to COM)
			La Forge. You've got ten minutes.

					PICARD
				(to Anaya)
			Ensign, standby for a jump to warp
			two.

					ENSIGN ANAYA
			Yes, Sir.

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     37.

53   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Mister Worf, Red Alert.

					WORF
			Aye, Commander.

	Worf touches he panel and the RED ALERT KLAXONS and
	LIGHTS begin.

54   INT. CORRIDOR

	Barclay is hurrying along the corridor, RED ALERT
	alarms blaring around him. He reaches a door marked
	HOLODECK THREE.

	The door opens and he heads through it. FOLLOW him
	inside.

55   INT. HOLODECK - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL)

	Barclay steps quickly into the bare room.

					BARCLAY
			Computer.

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Standing by.

					BARCLAY
			Begin new program. Create as
			follows: Work station chair.

	A chair MATERIALIZES in front of him. He sits down
	in it.

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			Create a standard alpha-numeric
			console positioned for left hand.

	A console MATERIALIZES on his left.

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			... Now, an iconic display console
			positioned for right hand.

	Another work station console MATERIALIZES to his
	immediate right. Barclay sits in the chair, begins
	testing both consoles...

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     38.

55   CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			Tie both consoles into the
			Enterprise main computer core,
			utilizing a neural scan interface.

					COMPUTER VOICE
				(a beat)
			There is no such device on file.

					BARCLAY
			No problem. Here's how you build
			it...

56
thru	OMITTED
57

58   INT. BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Ensign Anaya. As the RED
	ALERT continues.

					DATA
			Argus Reactor Nine is twenty-eight
			seconds to critical.

					RIKER
			Let's get out of here.

					PICARD
			Warp two, Ensign.

					ENSIGN ANAYA
			Yes, Sir.

	Before she can execute the command, several of the
	console and display lights suddenly GO OUT on the
	Bridge.

					ENSIGN ANAYA
			Helm is not responding.

					WORF
			Captain! We have lost computer
			control!

					RIKER
			What?

					DATA
			Twelve seconds to critical, Sir...

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     39.

58   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
				(quickly to Anaya)
			Go to manual.

	Ensign Anaya attempts in vain to manually engage the
	helm...

					ENSIGN ANAYA
			I'm attempting to, sir... but
			it's...

					RIKER
			There's not enough time...

	The console lights suddenly brighten back to normal.
	As everyone reacts to these unexpected events --.

					WORF
			The computer is coming back on
			line, sir.

					DATA
				(puzzled; off
				 instruments)
			Captain, the Argus reactors are
			shutting down.
				(to Picard)
			We are no longer in danger.

					PICARD
			What happened?

					DATA
				(checking)
			Unknown, sir...

					RIKER
			La Forge, what did you do?

59   INT. ENGINEERING

					GEORDI
			Wasn't me, sir.

60   INT. BRIDGE

					PICARD
			Computer, how were the Argus
			reactors shut down?

     STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT THREE     40.

60   CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			A neural interface was created
			to expedite the repairs.

	Reactions.

					RIKER
			Barclay?

	Puzzled reactions.

					PICARD
			Computer! Respond.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			I am responding, sir. I'm sorry
			if I caused you any alarm. It
			was necessary in order to secure
			the Array.

	Everyone is stunned.

					RIKER
			Barclay?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Yes, Commander...

61
thru	OMITTED
62

63   INT. HOLODECK

	Barclay is in his chair, the two consoles around him.
	Hovering above is a massive half-globe shaped laser
	scanner that continuously plays tiny laser lights over
	Barclay's head. Conduits of all sizes and shapes lead
	away from the device to the walls of the holodeck,
	effectively wiring Barclay in.

	His LIPS DO NOT MOVE when he speaks.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
				(continuing)
			It's me...

									FADE OUT.

                       END OF ACT THREE                         

	(NOTE: Red Alert ends during the act break.)

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT FOUR      41.

                           ACT FOUR                             

	FADE IN:

64   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	Motionless in space next to the Array.

65   OMITTED

66   INT. HOLODECK

	Picard, Riker, Geordi and Worf are staring at Barclay
	in his interface chair, the tiny lasers continuously
	scanning his head. His lips are not moving as he
	speaks. Red Alert has been cancelled.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			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.

					RIKER
			Exactly what does that mean?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			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.

	A beat as the officers all look at each other. Picard
	turns to Barclay.

					PICARD
			Mister Barclay, please remove
			yourself from the computer system
			and leave the holodeck.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			I'm afraid I can't, Sir.

					PICARD
			Why is that?

    STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 2/1/91 - ACT FOUR    42.

66   CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			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.

	A beat.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
				(continuing)
			Any attempt to do so would mean
			my death.

	OFF the reactions.

66A
thru	OMITTED
67

68   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE - ON GEORDI

	finishing up at a wall panel that has been removed to
	expose some circuitry beneath.

					GEORDI
			That's it.

69   INCLUDE SENIOR STAFF

	Picard, Riker, Worf, Data sitting at the conference
	table. Geordi replaces the panel.

					GEORDI
				(continuing)
			I disconnected the visual and
			audio pickups. We can talk
			without being monitored by...
				(hesitates)
			the computer...

					WORF
			By Barclay.

	Geordi joins them at the table.

					PICARD
				(to Geordi)
			Report, Commander.

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT FOUR      43.

69   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			It's 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.

					RIKER
			How do we get him out of there?

					GEORDI
			We don't. Not without killing
			him.

					PICARD
				(beat)
			This is an intolerable
			situation... I have no wish to
			harm him, but we cannot allow
			Mister Barclay to continue to act
			as the ship's computer... I don't
			care how smart he is.

					DATA
			Lieutenant Barclay has not yet
			extended himself into the
			Engineering subsystems. It may
			be possible to establish an ODN
			bypass directly to the Bridge.

					PICARD
			That won't give us control of
			the ship.

					GEORDI
			No... But we would have access
			to the propulsion systems. Enough
			to get us to the nearest
			Starbase.

					RIKER
			How long would it take to set
			it up?

					GEORDI
			A few hours.

					PICARD
			Make it so.

All rising...

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT FOUR      44.

69   CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
			Should we... discuss this with
			Barclay, Captain?

					PICARD
			I think not.

70   INT. JEFFRIES TUBE

	Geordi is working in a Jeffries Tube.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Commander La Forge?

	A pause, as Geordi debates whether to respond. He
	keeps working.

					GEORDI
			Yeah, Reg?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			I thought you would be in your
			quarters.

					GEORDI
			Just catching up on some work.
				(lying)
			That level-3 diagnostic we
			talked about.
				(beat)
			How're you doing?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
				(a beat)
			I wish I could convey to you what
			it's like for me now. What I've
			become...

					GEORDI
			Give it a try.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			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...

      STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT FOUR      45.

70   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Understand?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
				(beat)
			...everything.

					GEORDI
			Do you understand how this
			happened to you?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			I believe it is a gift... that
			I have been chosen to fulfill a
			great purpose...

					GEORDI
				(concerned)
			Uh huh.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
				(a beat, suddenly
				 concerned)
			Do you suppose all this has
			changed the way people think about
			me?

	Geordi is touched for a moment -- it's still the real
	Barclay somewhere in there.

					GEORDI
			I'll be honest with you. We don't
			know what to think.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			I've been concerned about that.
				(a beat)
			But soon everyone will
			understand what I can do for
			humanity.

					GEORDI
			They will... ?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			We have always perceived the
			maximum speed of the Enterprise
			as a function of warp... but I
			know now there are no limits...
					(MORE)

   STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FOUR   46.

70   CONTINUED: (2)

					BARCLAY'S VOICE (Cont'd)
			We will explore new worlds that
			we could never before have reached
			in our lifetime. I will take us
			to them...

	Off Geordi's reaction...

71   INT. BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Ensign Anaya. Worf looks up
	in alarm from his instruments.

					WORF
			Captain! I am picking up a
			subspace distortion.

72   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	where the stars appear to be stretching away from the
	Enterprise.

					PICARD
			Mister Data?

					DATA
				(off instruments)
			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.

	Everyone reacts. A beat.

					PICARD
			Lieutenant Barclay, are you
			responsible for this graviton
			field disturbance?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Yessir, I'm altering subspace
			in a way that's never been
			conceived of before. I'm fairly
			certain it will allow us to travel
			half-way across the galaxy in a
			matter of only...

          STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT FOUR          47.

72   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Mister Barclay, I'd like you to
			hold off on this experiment for
			now.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Captain, if you'd only allow
			me...

					PICARD
			Lieutenant, this is a direct
			order. Discontinue whatever it
			is you're doing.

	A beat.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			I really would rather not, sir.
			I'm positive you'll be pleased
			with the result once I've
			finished.

	Picard glances at Worf, gives him the CUT OFF sign.
	Worf touches the controls.

					WORF
			Audio is disconnected. We may
			speak freely.

					RIKER
				(to Data)
			How soon before the ODN bypass
			is in place?

					DATA
			I have been monitoring Commander
			La Forge's progress. It will
			be operational in approximately
			seventeen minutes.

					TROI
				(to Picard)
			Captain, let me go to the
			holodeck. Try to talk to him.

					WORF
				(off instruments)
			Sir, the subspace distortion is
			continuing to increase...

	Picard nods to Troi... she EXITS.

          STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT FOUR          48.

72A  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The ship hovering near the distortion.

72B  INT. HOLODECK (FORMERLY SCENE 72A)

	The door opens and Troi ENTERS. She is taken aback by
	the sight of Barclay all plugged in. As before, when
	he speaks, his mouth does not move.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Hello, Deanna.

					TROI
			Reg...

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			I'm sorry that we can't take that
			walk in the Arboretum.

					TROI
			So am I.
				(beat)
			Reg, you've frightened everyone...
			I can't imagine that is your
			intent.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Young children are sometimes
			frightened of the world. That
			doesn't mean their parents should
			let them stay in their cribs.

					TROI
			Are we children to you, now?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			I can see so much more than you
			are capable of. You should trust
			that.

	A beat.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
				(continuing)
			Deanna, I've always wanted to earn
			your respect.

					TROI
			You've got it... From all of us.
			We don't need any more convincing.
					(MORE)

          STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT FOUR          49.

72B  CONTINUED:

					TROI (Cont'd)
			Please obey the Captain's
			orders... stop whatever you're
			doing...

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			You must trust me...

					TROI
			How are we to trust an officer
			who doesn't follow orders... ?

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Trust me...

	A beat as Troi gives up.

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

	She waits a beat, there is no further replay... she
	turns and EXITS.

73   INT. JEFFRIES TUBE

	The RED ALERT SOUNDS. Geordi reacts.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Picard to La Forge. Status?

	Geordi makes one final adjustment in his work.

					GEORDI
			Ready now, Captain.

					PICARD
			Proceed.

					GEORDI
			Acknowledged.

	He quickly puts his hand to an interface and works the
	controls.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Commander?

					GEORDI
				(startled)
			What.

          STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - 1/25/91 - ACT FOUR          50.

73   CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			You're too late.

74   INT. BRIDGE

	Troi is back on the Bridge. Data looks up from his
	console.

					DATA
				(surprised)
			Captain, the ODN bypass to the
			Bridge has been blocked. We have
			not regained control of the
			propulsion systems.

75   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	The intense horizontal curvature of space is beginning
	to glow.

					RIKER
				(to computer)
			Barclay!

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
			Yes, Commander Riker?

					RIKER
				(re: viewscreen)
			Shut that thing down!

76   OMITTED

77   RESUME

	No response. All are facing the viewscreen.

					WORF
			Captain. We are going in.

78   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	as the ship begins to move slowly toward the
	distortion.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FOUR                         

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       51.

                           ACT FIVE                             

	FADE IN:

79
thru	OMITTED
81

82   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The ship is inexorably heading towards the disturbance
	-- which has now begun to assume a more tunnel-like
	appearance. The stars inside and along the edges look
	stretched.

83   INT. BRIDGE

					PICARD
			Mister Barclay!
				(beat)
			Respond at once!

	Still no answer. Picard motions Worf to cut the
	audio...

					WORF
			Audio is disconnected.

					PICARD
				(to Worf)
			Lieutenant, take a security team
			to Holodeck Three.
				(beat)
			Disconnect Mister Barclay from
			the computer.

					WORF
				(understanding
				 implication)
			Aye, Captain.

	Worf quickly heads for the door.

84   OMITTED

84A  INT. HOLODECK

	The door opens and Worf and TWO N. D. SECURITY MEN
	ENTER, phasers in hand.

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       52.

85   INCLUDE BARCLAY

	plugged into the interface. He seems to be in a
	higher state of consciousness... hardly acknowledges
	Worf's arrival. The ship suddenly SHAKES. Worf and
	his men steady themselves, then head quickly towards
	Barclay, BOUNCING OFF a force field directly in front
	of him. They quickly recover.

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

					WORF
			Phasers. Maximum setting

	All three pull their phasers.

					BARCLAY'S VOICE
				(continuing)
			... and that I in no way will take
			your actions personally.

					WORF
			The conduits.

	They aim at the interface unit above Barclay's head.
	Again, the ship SHAKES.

					WORF
			Fire.

	They fire -- with no result. The force field holds.
	Suddenly, the entire room JOLTS violently to one side,
	then back. Worf and the others fall...

86   OMITTED

87   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The ship has been drawn into the 'tunnel'... the ship
	moves incredibly fast -- stars blur by at an
	extraordinary rate...

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       53.

88
thru	OMITTED
91

92   INT. BRIDGE

	SHAKING. The staff is holding on... watching the
	viewscreen. There is a change becoming apparent --
	as everything on the Bridge, including personnel and
	voices, starts to distort. The effect continues
	through Scenes 92 and 96.

					RIKER
				(to Con)
			La Forge! Initiate stabilization
			procedure!

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Resetting stabilizers to match
			subspace flow matrix... stand
			by...

	Slowly, the ship STABILIZES...

					PICARD
			Mister Data... ?

					DATA
				(off instruments)
			We are experiencing a quantum
			level oscillation delay...
			Doubling in intensity, every
			twelve point three seconds...

	Worf ENTERS from the turbolift...

					WORF
				(reporting)
			He is protected by a force
			field... we could not disconnect
			him.

					RIKER
			Data, how long can we take this?

					DATA
			Bio-cellular disruption is
			imminent.

	Everyone holds on for a few difficult beats.

					ENSIGN ANAYA
				(re: viewscreen)
			Sir!

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       54.

93
thru	OMITTED
95

96   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	Where all the star lines converge into one bright mass,
	which we approach at immense speed, until it engulfs
	the screen, and we burst through... with a WHITEOUT...

97   RESUME

	Everything on the Bridge is suddenly normal. Everyone
	reacts.

					RIKER
			Where are we, Ensign?

					ENSIGN ANAYA
				(off instruments,
				 amazed)
			Unless something is wrong with
			the sensors... We're almost
			thirty thousand light years from
			where we were.

	Everyone reacts with astonishment.

98   OMITTED

98A  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	surrounded by more stars than we've ever seen before
	-- there's more light than the blackness of space.

98B  INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	Include viewscreen... Everyone stares in amazement
	at the countless stars.

					PICARD
				(awed)
			The center of the galaxy.

					ENSIGN ANAYA
			Sir, our heading has been altered.
			Approaching a planetary cluster.

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       55.

98B  CONTINUED:

					DATA
				(off instruments)
			Captain, all systems are back
			under helm control. The computer
			has resumed normal functioning.

	Suddenly, directly in front of the viewscreen appears
	a holographic-type image of an alien being. It is an
	odd combination of intense curiosity, lightheartedness,
	quickness and benevolence.

					WORF
			Captain!

	Worf quickly moves to position himself between it and
	Picard, pulling his phaser.

					ALIEN
				(re: Worf's action)
			Emotive. Electro-chemical
			stimulus-response.
				(a beat)
			Cranial plate.

	Picard puts out a hand, holding Worf off. Worf stops.
	They all watch the alien as it takes them in, glancing
	quickly around the Bridge.

					ALIEN
				(continuing)
			Bipedal locomotion. Endoskeletal.
			Contiguous external integument.

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

					ALIEN
				(aha!)
			Hierarchical collective command
			structure!

					PICARD
			Who are you?

					ALIEN
				(still describing what
				 it sees)
			Interrogative.

	Picard realizes it's describing him.

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       56.

98B  CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			Yes. I am interrogative... And
			I would appreciate an
			explanation...

					BARCLAY (O.C.)
			I believe I can help with that,
			Captain.

98C  ANGLE - BARCLAY

	has arrived from the turbolift... walking toward
	command... He is returning to normal... a little
	rattled by the experience.

					RIKER
			Mister Barclay. I thought it
			would be fatal if you left the
			holodeck.

					BARCLAY
			The Cytherians have reintegrated
			me, sir.

					ALIEN
				(affirming)
			Cytherians.

					BARCLAY
			The probe was designed to instruct
			outsiders on how to reach this
			system. But the technologies
			aren't always compatible. It
			failed with the Argus computer,
			and with the computer on the
			shuttle. But it was able to
			reprogram... me.

					PICARD
				(to the alien)
			What do you want of us?

					ALIEN
			The same as you.

					PICARD
				(explain)
			Mister Barclay... ?


        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       57.

98C  CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY
			You both have the same mission,
			Captain...

					PICARD
			Mission... ?

					BARCLAY
			Yessir. The Cytherians are
			exploring the galaxy just as we
			are... The difference is they
			never leave their home -- they
			bring others here. They only wish
			an exchange of knowledge...
				(beat)
			They want to know us.

	The alien hologram nods and grins at Picard. Picard
	glances at Riker, who smiles -- he knows what Picard's
	decision will be.

99   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	At impulse speed through normal space.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 44721.9.
			The Cytherians have returned the
			Enterprise to Federation space.
			We bring back knowledge of their
			race that will take our scholars
			decades to examine. Lieutenant
			Barclay is apparently no worse
			for his experience.

100
thru	OMITTED
102

103  INT. TEN-FORWARD

	Geordi, Troi, and Barclay are standing at the bar.
	Several couples and others dot the lounge, including
	two crew members playing three dimensional chess.

	Barclay seems basically his pre-transformation self.

					TROI
			How much do you remember?

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       58.

103  CONTINUED:

					BARCLAY
			I can still remember doing
			everything -- I just can't
			remember how or why.

	There's a melancholy in his look... he can't disguise
	it. Troi and Geordi exchange a glance.

					TROI
			And how do you feel now?

					BARCLAY
				(sad chuckle)
			Smaller...

					GEORDI
			Just plain old Barclay, huh...

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

					TROI
			Most everyone has a moment in
			their lives when they exceed their
			own limits... achieve what seems
			to be impossible...

					GEORDI
			The tricky part is what happens
			afterwards.

					TROI
				(nodding)
			You almost always feel a sense
			of loss. But it's possible to
			carry something of that experience
			through the rest of your life --
			in ways that you're not even aware
			of now.

					BARCLAY
			I... I think I see what you're
			saying...

					GEORDI
			Either way, you're an important
			part of this crew.
				(rising)
			In fact, I could use your help
			tackling that level-3
			diagnostic...

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       59.

103  CONTINUED: (2)

	Barclay and Troi rise too...

					BARCLAY
			Sure...

					TROI
			Excuse me, Commander... but I
			believe Mister Barclay and I had
			a date scheduled for a walk in
			the Arboretum... ?

	Barclay reacts, walks into a chair, stumbles a
	tad... she supports him...

					GEORDI
			The diagnostic can wait. See you
			later...

	He EXITS.

					BARCLAY
			You don't... don't have to do
			this, you know...

					TROI
				(grins, takes his arm,
				 leading him)
			I know.

	He smiles and as they walk past two players at the
	chess game... he glances and pauses. He looks at one
	of the players.

					BARCLAY
			May I?

	The player nods, giving a look of: "go ahead, I'm losing
	anyway." Barclay moves a piece on the board.

					BARCLAY
				(continuing)
			Checkmate in nine moves.

	The players react... so does Troi, and Barclay leads
	the way out...

					TROI
			I didn't know you played chess.

        STAR TREK: "The Nth Degree" - REV. 1/29/91 - ACT FIVE       60.

103  CONTINUED: (3)

					BARCLAY
				(surprised)
			I don't.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FIVE                         

                            THE END