Stardate: 61004:2017
Title: Recordings, Research and Rumours
Author: Maxine Jenna
Time: Current
Scene: USS Relentless, Science Lab 1
The device planted by their other selves had been successfully disrupted and now
lay on the bench in front of Maxine in hundreds of pieces. Evidently some of the
travels their other selves had been on had given them technological
advancements, as was also indicated by Ensign Adams' notes on the phaser his
counterpart had carried.
Maxine turned one of the pieces over in her hands. The small crystalline
structure was a hundred times smaller than the smallest isolinear chip on the
Relentless, but it appeared to hold over a thousand times as much information.
And the unit was crammed with them!
She spoke aloud, the computer already recording her observations.
"The small isolinear chips are higly condensed memory units. Coupled with a low
power scanner and processing unit, the device appears to be able to record
specific items onboard the ship. Although I have only isolated a few of these
functions, sensor logs and communications appear to be the most at risk items."
"Triggered by the detection of the formation of an Einstein-Rosen bridge, and
thus an inter-universe excursion, the device commences recording and buffering
data ready for transmission. The device would then send this data during the
next trip between universes - this is the only point at which a bridge between
ALL universes is temporarily formed in the proximity of the vessel. Billions of
gigaquads of data would be transmitted to the native universe in less than a
picosecond, providing the receiving party with plenty of data to analyse at no
risk to themselves."
Maxine played with another piece of the device as she paused for thought.
"My other self explained how the research into inter-universal travel began in
their universe after an incident involving the Enterprise-D, and from Commander
Winters' explanations their universe's Starfleet Council halted the travel
program only a few years ago after an incident in which many of the crew died in
a universe not so dissimilar to their own. We also know the Relentless was the
first vessel to be fitted with the drive, and in our universe the Intrepid-class
has been in production since 2370. Therefore, the program could have been
running for ten years if they got things right first time, although I would
guess the complexities involved mean this figure would be more realistic at five
years. Even so, five years is a large amount of time to be gathering data,
firsthand or otherwise, and I only wonder what other versions of ourselves have
learned."
"As it is merely a recording device I disagree that the device is a security
risk per se, although I do understand Ensign Adams' stance. Instead, I find the
device frightening because it shows how even apparently friendly versions of
ourselves may harbour malevolent intentions. It also shows us how some other
versions of ourselves, both good and bad, may have a technological advantage our
us."
Maxine paused for a moment.
"However, fore-warned is fore-armed, as they say."
"Additionally, it should be noted that, after a conversation with Maximillian
and some apparently spontaneous changes created by the Jump Drive, I have
devised a way to track our own universe and relate our current position to that;
I term this the 'Multiverse Index'. From analysing logs of the other universe's
Relentless, it would appear that whilst ALL universes are connected for
fractions of a second during the formation of an Einstein-Rosen bridge, the
power input into and out of the device determines which one bridge is
successfully created."
"The power requirement is not as straight-forward as I would have predicted
though. A natural barrier exists between all universes, and this barrier is what
stops different universes from 'colliding' into each other. An initial energy
hurdle must therefore be crossed, but after this the energy requirement appears
to follow a simple nth-power curve. However, if we assume an infinite number of
universes exist then this means additional barriers must exist between different
subgroups of universe, and we could be looking at nth-power requirements across
logarithmic Multiverse Indexs."
"As a footnote, it should also be stated that due to the uncertainty of the
power outputted when using the device partially charged I would strongly
recommend against doing this. Eventually, this scenario will come up though, for
one trip is bound to need an emergency jump to escape a powerful enemy. At that
point things may get ever more interesting..."
"Computer, end log."
The computer beeped its compliance to the command.
The Science Lab was eerily quiet at this quiet hour, and Maxine had taken her
time to go over the crew roster, paying particular attention to the transfer
list. An Ensign Jacob Daniel was listed for transfer at Starbase 9. Although an
Ensign fresh out of the Academy, Maxine took this as a good thing - scientists
were sometimes tainted by their previous experiences, whereas Jacob had the
inexperience and impetuousness of youth to help keep his mind from being
tainted, and the Relentless was going to need plenty of scientists to help
analyse the data at each and every jump.
"Computer, attach previous log entry to Ensign Daniel's welcome message and
transmit. Repeat a copy of the log to Admiral Foster and Captain Deadilus also."
Maxine smiled both inwardly and outwardly, for she knew Scott Deadilus somehow
managed to be kept abreast of many 'black projects' and was sure this favour
would come in handy someday.
Turning to look out of the nearest viewport she could see Starbase 9 growing
ever larger. She was uncertain of how long their stay would be, but rumour had
it they would be afforded at least another jump. Maybe this time they could try
to plan their target.
But then, where was the fun in that?
====================
Lieutenant Maxine Jenna
Chief Science Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
====================
