Arcadia:Science & technology

Science and technology play big roles in the Arcadia universe.  It's recommended that you be well-versed in what's scientifically plausible, and technologically accurate in Star Trek terms, if you decide to participate.  Innovation and progress are key words to keep in mind.  Our understanding of the universe, and the rapid, almost daily rate of acceleration in technology, may well put us on (or beyond) the level of "Treknology" well before the 24th century (or the 23rd, or even the 22nd).  The same should be said, realistically, of Star Trek itself.  It seems doubtful that Starfleet would continue to use the same methods and machines from one century to the next.

Arcadia shows progress since the time of the last Star Trek series (Voyager, chronologically), in order to "make up" for what Star Trek's producers lack in vision, as well as the resulting social and cultural impacts.  In Arcadia continuity, the Federation (until 2407) was a unified, scientifically advanced and technologically integrated society.  This page highlights innovations which may have the most bearing on characters' lives.

Future attire won't merely be decorative/protective wear, made of simple cloth.  It will be lined with thousands of tiny modules, woven into the fabric, which, like many other common, everyday objects, communicate with external devices, as well as communicate with nanomods in people's bodies.  These aid us in our movements and allow us to be tracked on or off the ship.  Clothing custom-fits itself to the wearer, providing the ultimate in comfort.  Equipped with holographic senceivers, they also permit personal "cloaking", enabling us to appear partially invisible (completely if the head and extremities are covered), or in disguise (negating a need for specially replicated outfits for forays into alien environments).

Starfleet uniforms contain viridium-based subspace microbeacons ("homing transponders"), detectable up to 100 light-years (five sectors) away (further, with uninterrupted wormhole frequencies), aiding subspace transporter lock.

We need not make physical contact with communication devices (i.e., tapping a combadge) to initiate communication with (a) remote recipient(s).  In most areas (a ship, starbase, or Federation planet), computers handling communications continuously scan the airwaves, and upon hearing a specific verbal cue ("Lieutenant [sender] to [recipient]"), open communications instantly.  Since subspace transceivers operate on most frequencies, sending com-signals at faster-than-light speeds when necessary, communications are instantaneous, with no appreciable delay from the perspective of the sender or the recipient.  However, sources of interference may still impede such processes.

Holographic imaging makes it easy to communicate visually.  In the Federation and Starfleet, this has become far more common than limited audio channels.  Holographic screens generated from holoemitters appear when speaking to others, displaying the sender before the recipient(s) and vice versa.  Fully interactive holograms of two or more communicating parties as well as surrounding environments can also be manifested, reducing a feeling of "disembodiment", allowing audiovisual interaction with the environment at either location.  This reduces the need for certain instructions or questions, allowing one to gain information directly from the comm-recipient's environment.  Holographic imaging is not always necessary, however, since complants permit (shared) visual input, directly.

"Complants" are computerized communication and data storage implants – basically subdermal communicators, tricorders and PADDs, combined into one, super-miniature device.  These tiny implants, based on bioneural impulse technology (rather than standard circuitry and synthetic alloys), permit easy mesh with organic systems, evading detection by all but the most sophisticated scanning equipment.  Microscopic in diameter, they are implanted below the skin on humanoids (usually the face or neck, near the ear & throat), ranging from the auditory canal to the vocal chords, for spoken communication when desired.  When verbal communication becomes impractical, a cochlear extension into the temporal lobe (auditory center of the brain) can be activated, allowing one to "hear" and communicate with others in concert with photocom lenses.  Basically, complants permit nonverbal communication and transmission of information without telepathy.  As an alternative, if a recipient lacks an equivalent apparatus, text-messaging or holo-link interfacing can be utilized through similar equipment.  This works to an extensive yet limited degree, based on the technology; the recipient must possess proper "translation" equipment to render the message, depending upon its format.  Complants can "talk" directly to their wearers through the senceiver, and also facilitate common actions without tactile contact (passing through doors, activating computers/lights, etc.).

The cochlear extension supports two supplements: An ear-piece, fastened in the auditory canal, with a microreceiver extension (usually worn on the collar) for conventional (verbal) input; and a subdermal sensor for manual activation, typically implanted in the tragus (on humanoids).  These register voice-waves but filter out background noise, and are voice- or touch-activated.  Voice-activated: "[Sender] to [intended recipient]" – the device activates automatically and directs communication; by touch: tapping the implant area with a finger (or other body part) (again for discontinuing communication).  The ear-piece can also be worn as earring-type jewelry.  For a demonstration of modern-day, real-life cochlear implants, click here.

Holographic imaging is a part of everyday life.  Holoemitters (also, colloquial, "holomitters") line most state-of-the-art facilities, and holographic interfaces accompany operations.  Tactile-interactive holotechnology has spawned the terms T-gram and T-graphic (from "tactigram" and "tactigraphic").  Entire sections of some ships (including the Arcadia) are modulated holographic projections, held in place by powerful forcefields, generated from their holo-arrays.  Thus, personal surroundings can be masked or reconfigured (within the discretion of protocol).  (Photocoms also simulate this process for individual-specific, virtual consumption – "projection" – without disrupting the environment for others, although this is not true holotech.) On Federation vessels, these holomodules are contained internally.  Due to energy requirements and the traditions of organic thinking, such vessels often retain their conventional, deck-by-deck and external (non-holographic) design.

As holographic systems designed to mimic life become more complex and sophisticated, some holograms can achieve sentience.  When certain holograms in the Federation once rebelled at the concept of being mere "tools", citing analogues to slavery, the issue of holographic rights was born.  As a result, the proliferation of sentient or "smart" holograms has taken a down-curve; any hologram implemented on a Federation facility must meet a pre-specified set of parameters for limited ability, or have memory back-ups to accommodate its growth as an individual (and in the latter case, must be treated with civil rights like a sentient being).  Federation law mandates great care in the use and treatment of holograms designed to behave as "real people", and strongly discourages this as a design goal, due to the social ramifications.

For this reason, holographic supplements no longer appear "human" (like Voyager's doctor) and possess limited programming.  They can be seen in various areas, their necessity determined on a specific basis, as robot-like, impersonal devices lacking social interaction capacity.  If an emergency hologram is activated, it knows the nature of the situation (through computerized prescanning via internal sensors) and will go straight to work, deactivating automatically when its task is complete.  This applies to any area where such holograms are needed.  In short, you won't find holograms singing opera or going on dates.

Physical health is necessary to self-improvement.  A body is a machine; it must be maintained, "tuned up" and kept in good working order.  Peak physical condition is also maintained through a balanced diet and proper exercise.  The majority of Federation citizens are smart, educated and enlightened; they have the good sense and resolve to achieve this, and pass these values on to their children – accounting for generations of "better people".  Limited genetic engineering has played a part.  As early science and knowledge advanced, biological, physical flaws became preventable in the pre-embryonic stage.  Since the Federation medical industry isn't geared towards profiteering, doctors use whatever is most beneficial to patients.  Nanotechnology helps to accomplish this.  Nanites, microscopic robots capable of entering cells, repair defective or damaged tissue according to preprogrammed parameters.  Doctors treat patients with a regular influx of nanites, in addition to using them for special operations.

Thus "nanomods".  Nano-modules, cell-sized capsules injected into the body, release stored nanopopulations to flush a person's system at periodic intervals, cleansing it of harmful bacteria or infections, and repair defects as they are found.  Nanomods often bond directly to neural tissue, facilitating faster thought processes and interlinking with external devices.  They also help to regulate and reinforce physical maintenance regimens.  Exercising and "eating right" makes them more effective.  (So we can't become lazy.)  Nanomodifications enable longer and greater quality of life, keeping us healthy and "looking good".  Starfleet nanites are reconfigurable for other tasks, as deemed suitable and necessary on a per-case basis.  Only specially trained medical personnel are authorized and equipped to administer, re-program or remove nanomod implants.  In most Starfleet facilities this is the chief medical officer.

Starfleet personnel receive Starfleet-issue nanomods at the outset of their service.  They are an unseen part of the Starfleet officer's life, rarely thought about or noticed.  In addition to preventative biomaintenance, Starfleet nanites have extra instructions to help safeguard and maintain personnel in life-threatening conditions.  One benefit arises in a capture scenario: If personnel are tied up by hostile parties, their nanites may be capable of dissolving the restraints.  This depends partly on personal circumstance.  If an individual reacts adversely (wants out), autonomic reflexes are triggered, cuing the nanites to release, and in moments the bonds are severed.  If the individual wishes to remain held (for example, to possibly acquire information), this calm acceptance essentially tells the nanites that nothing is wrong – which is true, since the captive can be released at will.

While nanotech applications are advanced, they are no more so compared to a culture with similar levels of technology.  If (in the above scenario) the captors use nano-lined or nanosynthetic restraints, our nanites may be incapable of breaking them.  Regardless, nanotech has revolutionized Federation society on the scale of the small, as wormholes and other technologies have achieved on macro-levels – leading to improved manufacturing of starships, textiles, housing, instrumental aids, quality foodstuffs and so on.  The Federation closely supervises and restricts this technology, ensuring that only its most benevolent applications are utilized.

Preserving life and the quality of life is Starfleet's, and the Federation's, highest priority – the benchmark of a benevolent, enlightened society.  For centuries, Starfleet officers (even vaunted "heroes" like Jean-Luc Picard and Benjamin Sisko) resorted to lethal means of defense without regard for causes of enemy behavior, or the consequences of their own actions.  Actually, this was the fault of the writers. Since this reflected badly on the Federation (an enlightened society), policies and laws were passed to prevent or circumvent such actions.  Thinking behind weapons design was re-examined, and training implemented in proper use, in order to lessen the need for fatal confrontations as much as possible.

Because preserving rather than taking life is Starfleet's utmost concern, phasers have been redesigned to permit the greatest possible non-lethal means of neutralizing hostile targets, incorporating a host of built-in "extras" for other, non-aggressive uses – resulting in a multi-purpose device, more than a mere weapon.  Phasers bear an innocuous curved-handle design to soften their appearance, which may be passed off as a simple scanning device to unknowing parties if necessary.  Essentially, this is what they are.  A built-in tricorder scans and tracks targets; a microcomputer compiles target data as well as surrounding environmental conditions; and communication transponders, linked to a parent computer at all possible times, routinely transmit the data, including weapon registration (who has it & is using it, or trying to use it), attempted force-level deployment (weapon settings), etc.  When & if a target needs to be removed instantly, this transponder links to the nearest authority computer (usually the ship's, if within communications range) and sends a request for transporter use along with target data.  Once this information is analyzed & verified, and clearance has been authorized (a process which takes microseconds), the phaser, rather than firing a beam of superheated plasma to kill or vaporize the target, remote-activates the transporter, beaming the target into a safe holding area (brig, etc.) at the pull of a trigger.  Just point and scan!  The practicality of this method is best demonstrated compared to the lengthier, potential problem of calling the ship verbally and arranging transporter use to the same end.  If remote transporter activation is impossible, the weapon calibrates automatically to the lowest level of force needed to incapacitate without killing a target.  Higher, deadly-force settings remain an option, if necessary, but only as a last resort, determined at the user's or commanding officer's discretion.  Unnecessary use of deadly force draws severe reprisals in Starfleet, and may warrant investigation.  Lower, "stun" settings are also available.  The basic "stun" function no longer discharges a beam of plasma, but rather a pulse which can disable a victim through hypersonic emission, knocking the target unconscious at the neurocellular level.  For this scenario, the phaser does not need to be pointed at the target; it can simply be programmed and activated with the touch of a button.

By Federation law, Federation-manufactured phasers (Starfleet and otherwise) feature disabling functions (via non-removable components) which allow a parent computer to instantly prevent firing inside a recognized "safe zone".  The phaser function has the basic operational range of a type-II phaser, while tricorder range & function has been greatly enhanced (see tricorders).  Each issued phaser is coded & touch-enabled for personal use, and usually concealed inside a jacket or uniform pocket.  Power-cells for these instruments as well as others have been vastly improved, to the effect that they virtually never die (if used within normal parameters).