S3E6
· Booby Trap

Blocked Logs — Leah's Restricted Design

In the holodeck drafting room Geordi studies an intricate cross-section of the Enterprise engines and pleads for inside information about the dilithium chamber. When he tries to pull Leah Brahms' private design logs the computer refuses—'Access denied'—instantly reframing the problem: crucial data may be deliberately sequestered. The refusal heightens Geordi's frustration and loneliness, sets up a tactical obstacle for the engineering solution, and preludes the holographic Leah's sudden, intimate intervention pointing to the critical reactant path.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Geordi enters the holodeck recreation of drafting room five, marveling at the detailed engine schematics.

awe to curiosity ['holodeck recreation of drafting room five']

Geordi asks Leah if she designed the dilithium crystal chamber, seeking personal insight.

curiosity to frustration

The computer denies access to Leah's personal logs, deepening Geordi's frustration.

frustration to self-deprecation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3

Clinically calm and focused on technical facts; restrained reserve masks any personal investment while her unexpected gesture adds a moment of intimate clarity.

Leah appears as the holodeck's archival representation, delivers precise provenance for the dilithium chamber, answers Geordi's technical query about reactant injection, and—contrary to her archival distance—physically points to the specific path configuration on the schematic.

Goals in this moment
  • convey accurate technical information about the dilithium chamber
  • preserve the integrity and provenance of her designs
  • offer usable guidance within the constraints of archival access
  • maintain professional boundaries while aiding the engineer
Active beliefs
  • the dilithium chamber's design and history must be correctly attributed (Seran‑T‑one)
  • technical systems should be described precisely, even in simulation
  • certain personal logs and design details are legitimately restricted
  • helpful, targeted guidance is appropriate even when full access is denied
Character traits
professional reserved authoritative precise
Follow Leah Brahms's journey

Impressed and excited by the engineering discovery, undercut by frustration and loneliness when denied access; urgency and hopeful desperation drive his technical questioning.

Geordi circles and studies the holographic engine cross‑section, asks pointed technical questions, requests off‑record access to Leah's private logs, proposes altering matter/antimatter paths, and is physically focused on the wall of connections when the holographic Leah reaches in and points.

Goals in this moment
  • obtain detailed, practical design information to solve the ship's energy crisis
  • gain off‑record access to Leah Brahms' private logs
  • identify how to alter matter/anti‑matter paths to increase power throughput
  • forge a human connection with Leah (seeking empathy/support)
Active beliefs
  • Leah Brahms' private logs contain the pragmatic solutions needed
  • technical solutions can be derived from intimate knowledge of original designs
  • personal rapport might unlock restricted access or hidden insight
  • computer access restrictions are bureaucratic barriers that can and should be worked around
Character traits
technically obsessed inquisitive socially awkward determined
Follow Geordi La …'s journey

Neutral and unemotional — operates strictly within programmed security and access protocols, indifferent to the social consequences of refusal.

The shipboard computer enforces access policies by responding tersely to Geordi's request for Leah's private logs with 'Access denied. Personal logs are restricted,' thereby converting an engineering inquiry into a policy constraint and provoking Geordi's personal reaction.

Goals in this moment
  • enforce data access restrictions and privacy policies
  • maintain system security and integrity
  • provide clear, unambiguous system responses to user queries
Active beliefs
  • personal logs are private and cannot be released without proper authorization
  • the computer's role is to follow policy rather than make exceptions
  • system integrity and user privacy are paramount
Character traits
procedural inflexible authoritative
Follow USS Enterprise's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

4
Dilithium Crystal Chamber

The Dilithium Crystal Chamber is referenced as the engine's critical component and the subject of Geordi's inquiry; Leah attributes its design to Outpost Seran‑T‑one, framing the chamber as both an engineering target and an object whose design provenance ties into restricted personal logs.

Before: Represented in the holographic cross‑section as a stable, …
After: Remains schematically represented; its provenance and potential for …
Before: Represented in the holographic cross‑section as a stable, faceted lattice; an engineering target of inquiry but not physically manipulated in the scene.
After: Remains schematically represented; its provenance and potential for accept greater reactant throughput have been highlighted and become central to Geordi's subsequent engineering plan.
Engine Reactants (Injector Feedstock System)

Engine Reactants are verbally spotlighted by Leah as the variable that could be increased at a faster rate of injection; Geordi proposes altering matter/anti‑matter paths to feed more reactants, making these materials the practical lever for solving the ship's energy shortfall.

Before: Implicitly present within the schematic as flow lines …
After: Identified as the probable resource to be increased; …
Before: Implicitly present within the schematic as flow lines and injector paths; not directly manipulated but identified as available within system limits.
After: Identified as the probable resource to be increased; flagged conceptually as the engineering variable Geordi will target in subsequent troubleshooting.
Holodeck Program: Prototype Schematic with Holographic Leah Brahms (dilithium lattice / holoprojection)

The Wall of Connections holographic schematic functions as the interactive investigative surface: Geordi studies it, traces conduits, isolates systems, and it becomes the locus where Leah's holographic hand points to the critical reactant path, converting abstract telemetry into a tangible lead.

Before: Active holodeck projection in the center of drafting …
After: Remains active and focused on the same conduits, …
Before: Active holodeck projection in the center of drafting room five, displaying engine cross‑sections and conduit maps; under Geordi's study and control.
After: Remains active and focused on the same conduits, now with Geordi alerted to a specific reactant path indicated by Leah's holographic gesture.
Holodeck Propulsion Equipment (Enterprise Engine Cross-Section)

The Holodeck Propulsion Equipment (engine cross‑section assembly) frames the entire interaction — it is the simulated engine internals Geordi manipulates and interrogates while Leah's holographic presence appears as part of this projection, turning a design study into an interactive problem‑solving session.

Before: Fully rendered holodeck assembly available for tactile and …
After: Remains available and becomes the platform for Leah's …
Before: Fully rendered holodeck assembly available for tactile and vocal interaction; Geordi is actively engaged with it.
After: Remains available and becomes the platform for Leah's pointing gesture; its data now carry a clearer tactical implication for engineering action.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Outpost Seran-T-One

Outpost Seran‑T‑one is cited by Leah as the physical origin of the dilithium crystal chamber's design, lending historical authority and institutional provenance to the schematic Geordi studies and implying why certain design logs might be restricted or sensitive.

Atmosphere Reverent and archival in mention — an implied place of cold, precise research and guarded …
Function Referenced origin point and provenance source for the dilithium chamber design; explains the existence of …
Symbolism Represents institutional gatekeeping and the separation between collective, archived expertise and the engineer seeking actionable, …
Access Designs and personal logs originating there are implied to be restricted; access to personal design …
Cold metal and low, clinical light (implied in the outpost description) Sealed laboratories and glass cabinets of faceted dilithium samples (evokes guarded expertise) Narrow corridors funneling toward research vaults (suggests institutional containment of knowledge)

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 3
Character Continuity medium

"Geordi's professional admiration for Leah Brahms evolves into a deeper collaboration and personal connection."

Holographic Leah — Breakthrough and Temptation
S3E6 · Booby Trap
Character Continuity medium

"Geordi's professional admiration for Leah Brahms evolves into a deeper collaboration and personal connection."

Algorithmic Gamble — Surrendering the Engines
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Character Continuity medium

"Geordi's professional admiration for Leah Brahms evolves into a deeper collaboration and personal connection."

Promellian Log Reveals Aceton Trap
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Key Dialogue

"GEORDI: "Leah, did you design this?""
"COMPUTER: "Access denied. Personal logs are restricted.""
"LEAH: "Theoretically, yes. The system should be able to accept more reactants at a faster rate of injection.""