- When Geordi is assigned to survey a new mining development with Dr. Farallon, who invented an experimental mining technology, she uses a new sophisticated robot called an Exocomp to repair a power grid.
- The Enterprise orbits Tyrus VIIa to assist the experimental mining project Tyrus Particle Fountain, which Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge must evaluate for Starfleet. Dr. Farallon demonstrates the Exocomp, a revolutionary power grid repair device needed to keep the fountain operational, which creates its own tools and learns from its experience. Picard allows 48 hours more for Data to help Farallon. After performing efficiently, it suddenly burns out, but later self-repairs. Data realizes this only makes sense as a self-preservation move, and therefore hopes it's now a living machine, like himself; the theory is tested.—KGF Vissers
- Poker is being played on ship. Beverly wins and Geordi, Worf and Riker have to shave their beards. If she loses, she has to dye herself a brunette. It is interrupted by their arrival at the Tyrus system. The Enterprise orbits Tyrus VIIa to assist the experimental mining project Tyrus Particle Fountain, which Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge must evaluate for Starfleet. This is a new mining tech and fraught with issues so far. The technology was supposed to lift 500 Kgs/min from the planet surface and is not even close to that. Dr. Farallon (Ellen Bry) talks about increasing the stream density to improve lift capacity by 72%, but Geordi thinks that will consume even more time and resources. Starfleet wants to check if this technology is more efficient than conventional mining techniques.
Dr. Farallon (Ellen Bry) demonstrates the Exocomp, a revolutionary power grid repair device needed to keep the fountain operational, which creates its own tools (with a micro replicator) and learns from its experience. Farallon thinks she can expedite the completion of the Particle Fountain with an expanded use of Exocomps across the board. She makes a presentation to Picard, who is convinced. Picard allows 48 hours more for Data & Geordi to help Farallon get the particle fountain to operate at full strength. Picard delays the departure of the ship from the Tyrus system for the same.
After performing efficiently at first, the Exocomp suddenly burns out, inexplicably, when ordered to perform a hazardous task. The unit won't take any input commands from Farallon. A detailed investigation on board the Enterprise reveals that the unit has developed a large number of new neural pathways which seem to be driving this behavior. Data then finds that the Excomp basically burned out its own circuits and then performed a self-repair function at a slightly later hour. Data realizes this only makes sense as a self-preservation move, and therefore hopes it's now a living machine, like himself.
Data asks Farallon to stop using the Exocomps for hazardous work as they are alive and should have rights. Farallon disagrees and the matter is escalated to Picard, who decides to test the hypothesis. The Exocomp is given the same simulated conditions again and is expected to take steps to preserve itself. But this time, the Exocomp continues to carry out the instructions. Farallon says this proves that the machine is not alive. But later, Data and Beverly figure out that the machine didn't fail the test, it saw right through it and performed accordingly.
Picard decides to review the Particle Fountain himself. But during the inspection, the Fountain encounter a major system failure with a large and increasing radiation leak. Picard beams back Farallon and her team, while he stays back with Geordi to rescue a stranded scientist. But then the radiation increases and establishes an ionization field, which prevents Enterprise from beaming them out. Riker and Farallon make a plan to use the Exocomps to carry & detonate a low yield torpedo in the Fountain beam, in order to shut the system down. Data is against the plan as he sees Exocomps as a fellow life form. He disables the transporters before Riker can beam them out.
Riker is furious but listens to Data. Data offers to go himself to execute the mission, since he is choosing to save his fellow officers lives. He says that the Exocomps have no choice. Riker says that he could reconnect their command pathways and give them this choice. Data programs the Exocomps, but they reprogram themselves with an alternative and provide new coordinates to the transporter that take them to the station core. The 3 Exocomps begin to siphon power from the fountain beam and the radiation levels start to drop. This reduces the ionization enough for Picard and Geordi to be beamed out. The Enterprise also beams out 2 Exocomps, but one has to stay behind to keep the radiation down, allowing the other 2 to escape. Farallon is convinced that Exocomps are some type of a life form
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