Emergence ( episode ) A series of puzzling events on and off the holodeck lead the crew of the " Enterprise " to a surprising conclusion : The ship is creating its own offspring . The crew has to assist with this arduous process to ensure the survival of the emerging lifeform – and their own . Summary . Teaser . Data and Captain Picard are at the holodeck as Data is rehearsing his performance of Prospero , a character from the William Shakespeare play " " The Tempest " . " After adjusting the set lighting after Picard complains that he can hardly see the android , they discuss the character of Prospero , when suddenly they see three lights approaching in a distance , which Data identifies as a steam - powered locomotive . When the computer fails to end the program on Picard ' s command , the two barely manage to get out of the train ' s way . Picard has a cut on his right cheek . Act One . Upon exiting , Data examines the holodeck controls and tells Captain Picard that the train originated from one of Beverly Crusher ' s programs , a recreation of the Orient Express . In a malfunction of the holodeck database retrieval program , the two programs somehow became linked together temporarily . Picard orders Data to run a diagnostic of the holodeck system , and to discontinue the crew ' s use of the holodecks just to be sure . In sickbay , Picard has Dr . Crusher examine him for possible injuries while discussing her program and the history of the Orient Express . Just after Crusher suggests that Picard take a trip on the Orient Express himself , Picard is hailed by Commander Riker , who reports that " all sections are ready to begin the survey . " Crusher again insists that Picard ride on the Orient Express one day , stating that he ' ll never know who he ' ll meet on the famed train . On the bridge , Riker tells Picard that they will probably find no new sites in the current systems , because most of the star s are main - sequence binaries with no M class planet s . As Picard is ordering to continue , the " Enterprise " suddenly goes into warp drive . Riker asks who ordered the maneuver , but Data reports that no one did . " " Helm and navigation controls are not functioning . Our speed is now warp 7 . 3 and holding . " " Down in engineering , Geordi La Forge can only tell his inquiring captain that he does not understand what happened : " " The impulse systems suddenly cut out and the warp drive just kicked in . " " He tries to take the warp drive off - line . On the bridge , Data notes that the current heading is 187 mark 4 . " " I am unable to determine our destination , however we are moving away from the Mekorda sector . " " La Forge reports that the computer has locked all the controls and he is unable to override it . In order to stop , he would have to initiate an emergency core shutdown . Riker remarks that this would leave " Enterprise " without warp power for over a week . While taking this in , Picard then orders La Forge to initiate the procedure . However , the ship stops immediately . Data reports : " " We are no longer at warp , sir . Impulse power has resumed , all systems show normal . " " The " Enterprise " has stopped 30 billion kilometer s from their previous position . Picard congratulates his chief engineer , but La Forge concedes that it wasn ' t him , since he didn ' t have time to begin the shutdown procedure . Picard tells La Forge that he wants an explanation . Later on , La Forge rounds up his investigation with Data on the bridge , finding only more mysteries . It shows that a theta flux distortion had been building up around the ship . The sensor s were never designed to detect such distortions , yet there was a record of the distortion in the sensor log . Data reports that " " one fact is clear however . The distortion was growing in strength . If we had remained at our original position 1 . 7 seconds longer , the distortion would have ruptured our warp core " . " La Forge tells Picard that if the ship had not entered warp when it did , the " Enterprise " would have been " " blown to pieces . " " Act Two . La Forge and Data head down to a power conduit . While crawling through the Jefferies tube , they theorize about what could have caused the " Enterprise " to go to warp . Data suggests a random power fluctuation , but La Forge thinks the chances of that too small . As an alternative explanation , Data suggests that the sensors somehow did pick up the distortion and engaged the warp systems to protect the ship . La Forge objects that the sensors aren ' t connected to the warp system . They reach the conduit , finding a strange set of tubes inside the system . La Forge states that it looks like a new circuit node , connected to at least half a dozen points of the sensor array . To Data , " " it appears to be connected to several other systems as well , including the warp control circuits . " " When La Forge tries to access the node , it turns out to be protected by a force field . Data remarks the node " appears to be protecting itself . " In engineering , La Forge and Data report their findings to Commander Riker . The nodes have formed all over the ship , linking all systems together , including sensors , warp control and the defensive system s . The sensors detected the threat , which tripped the defensive systems , which in turn activated the warp engines to protect the ship . Data speculates about the magnascopic storm having had an unexpected effect on the ship ' s systems . The nodes are also multiplying . The more of them that are created , the more difficult it will become to keep control of the ship . Riker instructs that their " first priority is getting back control over the ship . " All of the circuit connections appear to be connected to Holodeck 3 . Data notes " it appears to be a focal point of some kind . " La Forge believes there may be a way to disable the nodes permanently , using the holodeck circuitry . When Riker , Data and Worf arrive at the holodeck , Data finds it in operation , even though he had shut down the entire holodeck system earlier . The holodeck has reactivated itself , and will not disengage . Data tells the others that several different holodeck programs are running simultaneously . As they enter the holodeck , Riker comments that " this should be interesting . " They enter into the Orient Express . The train compartment is filled with a strange crowd of holodeck characters . There is a knight in armor , cutting figures in old papers , a farmer ( The Hayseed ) , and two ladies and a gentleman sitting at a nearby table building a jigsaw puzzle . Then , an old western desperado enters the compartment from the opposite side . He takes a puzzle piece out of his pocket and puts it on the table with the other pieces . Riker says " " You weren ' t kidding , Mister Data . " " Data estimates that the scene contains portions from seven distinct holodeck programs . Riker orders Data to access the affected circuits . A Conductor enters the car , asking for tickets . When he comes to the Hayseed , the Hayseed tells the conductor that he has " " never been away from home . Now I ' m going to Vertiform City . " " At first , the Conductor passes the officers without taking notice of them . Data calls Riker to him and reports he has found a large concentration of nodes , connected directly to the holodeck ' s main power coupling . Riker orders Data to depolarize the entire holodeck grid . As they attempt to open the floor to access it , however , the Conductor has returned , telling them to " get away from there . " He asks the officers for their tickets . Riker explains that they left their tickets in their compartments and blames Worf for leaving them . The Conductor says he doesn ' t " think you folks belong on this train . " At that , the Train Engineer enters the cabin , and tells the Conductor to leave the officers alone , since " " they ' re only trying to help . " " The Conductor orders the Engineer to go back to the engine since this affair is of no concern to him . The Engineer complains to the Enterprise officers that " " they ' re all trying to hijack the train ! " " The Hayseed wonders who is doing the driving of the train . Then , the Engineer is shot by the Hitman , a " mafioso " stepping in to the compartment from behind the Engineer , and falls dead in Riker ' s arms . At that same moment in engineering , the console La Forge is working on explodes , throwing him to the floor without seriously injuring him . After being brought to his feet by Russell , he finds the navigational relay has overloaded . In the train , the Conductor looks out the window , then operates the emergency brakes . At the same moment , the " Enterprise " goes back to warp , and La Forge reports to Picard that the warp controls have " completely burned out . " He is not sure if he can stop the ship . Back in the train , Data says he believes that they have changed direction . The Conductor , with a smile on his face , tells them that " " now we ' re on the right track . Ladies and gentlemen , we are on our way ! " " The Hitman comes up to the Engineer ' s corpse and takes a brick from his uniform . The Conductor urges him to " " take good care of that . We can ' t afford to lose it . " " The Conductor asks the officers if they will leave voluntarily , if not , they would have be to be forcibly removed . Data tells Riker that the holodeck safety protocol s have been disengaged , making the Hitman ' s weapon lethal . Riker tells his men to retreat with him . Back in engineering , Data and La Forge inform Picard that the number of nodes has increased considerably . Sensors , engines , replicator s and propulsion systems are all working together , almost independent of the main computer . The nodes also link all the systems through the holodeck . Data theorizes that the events on the holodeck directly affect the ship , asking La Forge whether he recognizes the pattern of the nodes ' distribution . La Forge remarks that it looks a lot like Data ' s positronic brain , which Data confirms , concluding that the nodes are beginning to form a rudimentary neural net . " " Unlikely as it may sound , I believe that the " Enterprise " may be forming an intelligence . " " Act Three . In the observation lounge , Data briefs the senior staff about the current situation . He points out the similarities between the Human neocortex , his own positronic net and the nodes ' current distribution , concluding with the hypothesis that the " Enterprise " is forming some type of intelligence . When Troi asks how this could be possible , he explains that this is an emergent property . " " The " Enterprise " contains a vast database , which is managed by a sophisticated computer . This complex system gives the ship many of the characteristics of a biological organism . [ . . . ] I believe a " self - determining " intelligence is emerging . " " Data also believes that " " the key to understanding the ship ' s behavior lies in the holodeck . All of the connection nodes intersect at that location . It is clearly some kind of processing center . " " Troi volunteers to go to the holodeck to interact with the characters and learn what is happening . Picard agrees and sends Data and Worf along with the orders to disable the nodes without damaging them – if the ship is creating an intelligence , " " it deserves the same kind of respect as any other being . " " Troi , Data and Worf enter the holodeck . Troi finds one of the ladies clinking her cup to the knight ' s armor in a repeating loop . The Hitman and the desperado are playing cards . As Data goes off to depolarize the power grid , Deanna and Worf try to distract the other people . They go to look at the puzzle , now being built by the other lady and the Hayseed , which is still not quite finished . The picture on the puzzle somewhat resembles the nodes , but nobody can quite identify the picture . Worf sits down to help with the puzzle , while Troi visits the two men playing cards . She asks to be dealt in , but the Hitman says it is a two - man game . Then the Counselor notices that the desperado is tied around his chest . When trying to examine a brick lying on the table , the Hitman grabs her hand and warns her not to touch it , it being worth " plenty . " He also tells her that he has to get it to Keystone City which is the place where " everything begins . " After that , he puts his cards down and says " " Gin . " " Troi notices the same strange picture , the same as on the puzzle , on each card . Worf checks on Data , who is now ready to access the power grid . At that moment , the Conductor comes in announcing the next stop to be Keystone City . When he notices Worf and Data , he asks to see their tickets again . As they don ' t have any , they have to leave the train in Keystone City . The Hitman also gets off , and Troi advises the others to follow him , as she considers the brick to be an important clue . The Hitman disappears in the streets of Keystone City . Data manages to find an access point below a manhole cover in the street . He attempts to depolarize the holodeck grid with a low - frequency inversion field , as this may disengage the nodes without destroying them . Then Troi spots the Hitman again , and she and Worf go after him . When Data attempts to access the hologrid , a taxi appears out of nowhere heading for his position . Data only barely manages to avoid an impact . The Hitman walks to a building under construction , with a wall missing one brick in the center . Troi and Worf walk up to him , and Troi asks the man what he is doing . He comments that he is " laying the foundation . " At that he places the brick in the hole , the whole wall glows for one moment , and the brick melts in perfectly with the rest . The Hitman leaves , remarking that he has a train to catch . At that moment on the bridge , La Forge informs Picard that he cannot explain why Cargo Bay Five suddenly depressurize d , but that everyone could get out in time and he has re - established the containment field . He also reads massive power surges and all kinds of transporter activity in the cargo bay , which prompts Picard to send him there to investigate . In Cargo Bay 5 , La Forge finds a strange object which looks exactly like the picture on the puzzle as well as the playing cards at the holodeck , an ominous light glowing in the center of it . Picard asks him what it is , but La Forge is unable to tell exactly what . Act Four . In the meantime , back on the holodeck , Troi and Worf are discussing the strange events . Troi says " " That man said he was laying a foundation . " " Worf replies " " For what ? " " Troi asks Data how he is doing . Data is then seen holding off the same taxi ( which is still trying to run him over ) with one hand while working on the now exposed node with his other . He reports that he has " " encountered a minor difficulty , Counselor , but it has been dealt with . " " He begins to depolarize the holodeck power circuits . In the cargo bay , the object has by now grown to about knee height . La Forge remarks that " " the ship ' s replicator s and the ship ' s transporter systems have merged somehow to create this . " " He does not know , however , what ' it ' is , and orders an ensign to run a full spectral analysis on the object . Then the cargo bay begins to shake and rumble . La Forge reports " " massive power fluctuations . The ship is losing its structural integrity . " " Back with Troi and Worf , the holodeck also begins to shake . The brick wall collapses , almost on top of Troi . Behind the wall is a building entrance , bearing number 1136 . La Forge tells Data to stop with whatever he is doing , and the trembling stops . Troi has suffered minor injuries . La Forge suggests that he and Data " " ought to get together and compare notes . " " In sickbay , Crusher is treating Troi , who believes the ship was protecting itself . " " Whatever it ' s doing , it intends to continue . " " La Forge thinks it has something to do with the strange object forming in the cargo bay . Troi agrees , seeing how the symbols in the holodeck all point to something being created . Picard asks his chief engineer what the object might be , but all he can tell Picard is that it is composed of silica - polymer s , duranium and " " a couple of other compounds we haven ' t been able to identify yet . " " Creating it however , has had a major effect on the systems . " " Warp power has dropped 47 percent . " " Picard asks Troi if she has been able to determine anything else on the holodeck . She tells him it is full of metaphoric images , like it was having some kind of day - dream . The character could represent different systems : The Engineer stands for navigation , while " the gunslinger could be the weapons system . " Troi tells Picard it will be difficult to reason with the characters , since they " seem unaware of what is going on . " She feels the intelligence is still in an infant state , and " the only experience it can draw on is ours , through our holodeck programs . " Picard asks if there is some way to influence the characters ' behavior . Troi thinks there is , and wants to go back in . La Forge argues that the safeties are still off - line , and Crusher tells her that while her injuries were not too severe this time , she could get killed if it happens again . She understands , and still wants to go . Picard agrees , and suggests they cooperate with the holodeck characters . Troi , Worf and Data enter the Orient Express once again . Immediately , the Conductor tells them they " don ' t belong on this train . " Worf then shows him three tickets to Vertiform City , upon which the Conductor admits that he was in error about them , and welcomes them aboard . The lights go on and off , and the train shakes . Worf asks what ' s going on , and the Conductor tells him " " the engine ' s running out of steam . I hope we make it to Vertiform City on time . " " Troi asks if they can help , and the counselor asks Worf to help the Conductor and brings him to the engine room . Both leave , and the Hayseed walks up to Troi , worried if they will make it to Vertiform City in time . Troi reassures him , and inquires about Vertiform City . The Hayseed describes the city as an all - you - can - eat restaurant . At the engine , the Conductor tells Worf to shovel coals into the fire , saying that he ' s " much obliged for [ his ] help . " Up on the ship ' s bridge , Riker reports that warp power is back to normal . Picard asks him for their heading , and Riker tells him they are going to Tambor Beta VI , a white dwarf star . In the train , the Conductor compliments Worf and tells him to keep going . When the " Enterprise " reaches the star , Riker reports the ship is " " using a modified tractor beam to collect vertion particles from the star . " " Picard makes the connection between Vertion particles and Vertiform City , and concludes this is what the ship was looking for . The ship trembles , and Riker reports that " " the particles are being routed through the transporter system into Cargo Bay Five . " " La Forge reports that the object is absorbing vertion particles , and growing even faster than before . Also , he is " picking up internal energy , " reports coherent emissions and matter conversion . Suddenly , something appears to be going wrong , power is fluctuating , vertion absorption rate is dropping . Riker reports " " the beam has exhausted the supply of particles in the star . " " The energy output of the object is decreasing . In the engine room , the Conductor is alarmed : " " This was supposed to be Vertiform City . We ' ve been on the wrong track all along . " " He pulls the brake lever and the train screeches to a stop , jumping off the tracks and knocking all the passengers to the floor . Act Five . Worf comes to Troi and Data , who are just standing up after having been thrown to the floor , to report that " " the Conductor accidentally derailed the train . " " Data informs Picard , who is now in the cargo bay , about the accident , asking whether there had been a similar incident on the " Enterprise " . Picard tells him that they have had " " a ship - wide shutdown . We ' ve lost attitude control , and most systems are off - line . " " La Forge asks Picard to take a look at a PADD , explaining " " When the particle beam cut off , the object was beginning to form a coherent energy matrix . The emission patterns were almost organic in nature . " " He concludes that the " Enterprise " is trying to create a lifeform . Picard asks if it will survive , but La Forge observes that its energy levels are decreasing rapidly . Unless the lifeform gets a new infusion of vertion particles , it might not survive . The cargo bay shakes . La Forge walks to a console and tells Picard that the systems are functioning again , and the ship is moving at warp 9 . Picard and La Forge head back to the bridge . Back in the train , the Hayseed tells Troi , Worf and Data that they are now heading for New Vertiform City . Data relays the information to Picard . On the bridge , Riker announces that they are heading toward the Cordannas system , the nearest white dwarf star . La Forge interrupts : " " We have a problem . " " Even at warp 9 , the system is 12 hours away , and though the object will survive that long , all energy is rerouted to propulsion , including life support , and there are only 2 hours of reserve oxygen . The captain orders Data to gain control over the train to stop the " Enterprise " , then asks for another source of vertion particles closer than the Cordannas system . La Forge reports white dwarves are the only natural source of vertion particles , but , on Picard ' s suggestion , tries to find an artificial one . Back aboard the train , Data and the others attempt to go to the engine and stop the train . All other characters suddenly spring to life to stop them , the Hayseed stating that they " are going nowhere . " On the bridge , La Forge has found the MacPherson Nebula , which is a supernova remnant , and Dikon Alpha , which is a class nine pulsar . Both are close , and both can produce vertion particles if a modified photon torpedo is detonated inside them . La Forge cannot guarantee if enough vertion particles will be produced , if any at all . Picard leaves it up to La Forge to decide where to go . He decides on the nebula . Picard agrees , and tells him to " " begin the torpedo modifications . " " On the train , Troi tells the Hayseed that they understand what is happening , and want to help the holodeck characters to get to New Vertiform City . The Hayseed is reluctant , but Troi convinces him . Data is allowed to go to the engine , but is stopped by the Conductor and the Hitman . Data argues he knows a shorter route to New Vertiform City . The Hitman doesn ' t trust him , but the Conductor grants permission , " " but no funny stuff ! " " Data reports to Picard he has " " taken control of the engine room . " " Picard orders Data to slow the " Enterprise " to impulse speed . Data adjusts the train ' s speed , using the brake to slow it down accordingly while the Conductor remarks " " I hope you know what you ' re doing ! " " The " Enterprise " approaches the nebula and launches the adapted torpedo . La Forge reports it is working , and that the nebula is producing vertion particles . In the train , an ecstatic Conductor proclaims that they ' ve arrived at New Vertiform City . Crusher , Picard , Riker and La Forge are assembled in the cargo bay and observe the lifeform . Riker observes that the nodes are disappearing and systems are functioning normally again . Picard concludes the entire purpose of the ship ' s odd behavior was to bring the lifeform into being . The doctor remarks that some species die after they procreate . Then , the lifeform lifts up , disappears through the bulkheads and exits " Enterprise " . On the holodeck , Worf , Troi and Data are drinking champagne with the other characters . Then the program ends and the holodeck ' s grid appears . Picard is drinking tea in his ready room when Data enters . He invites the captain to visit his performance of a scene from " " The Tempest " " in front of a small audience that evening . Picard asks Data what scene he will be playing , and Data tells him it will be the scene where Miranda first encounters other Human beings , since it seemed appropriate . Picard declaims : " " Oh brave new world , that has such people in it . " " As Data is about to leave , he turns back around and observes that Picard " " took a substantial risk by allowing the " Enterprise " to complete its task . [ . . . ] The object could have been dangerous . " " Picard argues that the formed intelligence did not only come from the ship ' s systems , but also from the crew ' s personal records , mission logs , etcetera . " " Now if our experiences with the " Enterprise " have been honorable , can ' t we trust that the sum of those experiences will be the same ? " " Memorable quotes . " " Yes , yes , Data . I know about the Orient Express but what is it doing on Prospero ' s island ? " " " " I never realized you were interested in trains . Are you aware that at its peak , the Orient Express carried more than ten thousand people a year ? " " " " It isn ' t really the train itself that I ' m interested in . " " " " What then ? " " " " It ' s the experience . " " " " I was right . He was trying to make off with my brick . " " " " Take good care of that . We can ' t afford to lose it . " " " " Unlikely as it may sound , I believe the " Enterprise " may be forming an intelligence . " " " " If the " Enterprise " hadn ' t jumped into warp when it did , we would have been blown to pieces . " " " " Sorry , boys . You ' re getting off right here . " " " " Complex systems can sometimes behave in ways that are entirely unpredictable . The Human brain for example , might be described in terms of cellular functions and neurochemical interactions , but that description does not explain Human consciousness , a capacity that far exceeds simple neural functions . Consciousness is an emergent property . " " " " In other words , something that ' s more than the sum of its parts . " " " " Keep it steady . Put your back into it ! That ' s the ticket ! " " " " The intelligence that was formed on the " Enterprise " didn ' t just come out of the ship ' s systems . It came from us . From our mission records , personal logs , holodeck programs , our fantasies . Now , if our experiences with the " Enterprise " have been honorable , can ' t we trust that the sum of those experiences will be the same ? " " Links and references . References . act ; astronomical database ; atom ; binary star ; boiler ; brake ; brick ; cargo bay ; ; circuit node ; class 9 pulsar ; coal ; coherent energy matrix ; communications system ; conductor ; connection node ; Cordannas system ; Data 73 ; database retrieval program ; data - flux distortion ; defensive system s ; Dikon Alpha ; duranium ; earthquake ; emergency core shutdown ; emergent lifeform ; emergent lifeform holodeck sequence ; emergent property ; energy matrix ; engine room ; engineer ; Federation ; force field ; foundation ; ; full diagnostic ; full spectral analysis ; gangster ; gin ; gunslinger ; helm ; hijacking ; holodeck ; holodeck characters ; holodeck circuitry ; impulse system ; infant ; inversion field ; Istanbul ; Jefferies tube ; Keystone City ; knight ; locomotive ; M class ; MacPherson Nebula ; magic ; magnascopic storm ; Mekorda sector ; Miranda ; modern era ; navigation ; navigation system ; navigational relay ; neocortex ; Neoplatonism ; neural matrix ; neural net ; neurochemistry ; New Vertiform City ; newspaper ; Orient Express ; oxygen ; painting ; paper doll ; Paris ; photon torpedo ; play ; polymer ; positronic brain ; positronic net ; power coupling ; power grid ; processing center ; Prospero ; Prospero ' s Island ; puzzle ; Renaissance ; replicator ; reproduction ; sensor s ; sensor array ; sensor log ; set ; ; silica ; ; stellar cartography ; subway ; Sunshine Radio System ; supernova ; synapse ; Tambor Beta - 6 ; taxi ; " " ; theta flux distortion ; ticket ; toast ; torch ; tractor beam ; train ; Vertiform City ; vertion ; warp control ; warp control circuit ; warp drive ; weapons system ; white dwarf