Stardate 46307.2: Dr. Farallon is testing a new orbital mining technology on the station Tyrus VII-A. The so-called particle fountain suffers from frequent malfunctions, however. Exocomps, smart robots with microreplicators that take over tasks in hazardous environments, are instrumental in the repairs on the station. When one of the exocomps refuses to carry out an order in a power conduit that is about to explode, Data examines the case. He supposes that there was no malfunction, but the robot acted to preserve itself. Data thinks exocomps are alive. An experiment with a simulated danger seems to fail when the exocomp continues with the work regardless - until Data discovers that it was aware that the danger was not real and was even going to turn off the false alert. When Picard and Geordi are trapped aboard the station whose internal containment has failed, only the exocomps can help. Dr. Farallon blocks their command pathways that would allow them to act on their own and programs them to detonate so the particle flow would be interrupted. But Data blocks the transporter. With time running out for Picard and Geordi, Riker suggests a compromise, to re-route the command pathways and let the exocomps decide what to do. The exocomps distort the frequency of the particle stream, thereby forming a transport window for the two officers. One exocomp has to stay behind, sacrificing itself for the other two. Dr. Farallon promises not to use the exocomps as simple tools in the future.

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