#google: things to do in the delta quadrant

[thresholdbb]

Who in the hell are those random crewmen Janeway takes on vacation with her to the Pendari system during Tsunkatse???

[galactic-pirates]

It’s a day ending in Y so I am musing about Star Trek as is my thing at the moment.

The Delta Quadrant was an unknown when Voyager got stranded there.

Now I was a Stargate fan first and they have hyperdrive in that, not Warp Drive. Near as I can tell from google maximum Warp is 2-3 light years travelled per day. For a Stargate regular Asgard-Earth hyperdrive (as seen on the Daedalus) they can do more like 143,000 a day. If they pair it with a ZPM it’s 750,000. Now hyperdrive speeds do vary. The Goa’uld pre-Apophis (probably reverse engineered Asgard stolen) would have taken a year to make the trip to Earth. In the Season 1 finale they did it in a couple of days. Wraith hyperdrives are also slower and they have to stop (a bit like Warp) as the engines/ships take damage and need to rest. But regardless hyperdrive is ridiculously much faster than Warp Drive.

All alien races in Trek seem to use some iteration of Warp Drive. I mean achieving Warp is when a race is considered ready for first contact right? Well it’s FTL not Warp and as I understand it because Warp has to set a course around everything, they are still in normal space. It’s basically just like really fast, with some kind of something so that there isn’t a temporal issue. Which is a bit how Destiny worked in Stargate (which pre-dates every other ship seen). So it could be said that Warp is like “early development” when it comes to FTL but due to first contact, and then the federation, they never broke from it. They just kept going like with a mental block. Sort of an echo chamber thing due to working together the second any race started down FTL.

Anyway so Delta Quadrant is far away in terms of Trek travel times. Not really far enough but work with me. What if races here had developed something akin to hyperdrive?

This is a very long way of musing about what such a development could do to the federation. They have the Prime Directive right because introducing advanced tech to people who aren’t ready for it - they could destroy themselves. Fear leads to jealousy, leads to divisions, leads to fighting and boom it’s war. So if they encountered a race with hyperdrive how would Voyager feel being on the ‘other side’ of the Prime Directive? Knowing this race had a way to get them home but they were refusing for Voyager/the Federations own longterm good.

Or alternately what if they did agree to share? What would the Federation suddenly having such tech do? Comparing 2-3 light years per day with hundreds of thousands times more, is like some guy who has only ever walked anywhere, suddenly getting a supersonic jet. What would that do to the power relations/politics of the federation? Would it help areas that StarFleet had given up on as it could increase their reach as ships could move around more easily? Or would it increase the inequality? If the Federation had the tech but they wouldn’t share with say the Romulans, would that lead to a first strike war as the Romulans afraid of what the Federation could do, sought to weaken them preemptively and then of course the Federation would what? Expand with imperialism. As the Klingons in Discovery said the most dangerous of words “we come in peace”?

I don’t know. My mind is chewing on it.

[camb99-cbmi6]

Thanks @sparkga for tagging me to answer these 20 questions! I like your addition of changing any if I don't have a good answer so have done that too and marked them with an asterisk.

Name:

Cam (short for Cameron)

Birthday:

16th September

Fave Bands/Groups:

To be honest I just like songs if I like them lol, so I don't really obsess over any particular bands or artists, but a few that have made songs I really like are ABBA, Daft Punk, and Imagine Dragons.

Fave Solo Artists:

Again this is only a few lol but Avicii, Conchita Wurst, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor, Michael Jackson, Sean Mendes, and Troye Sivan.

Song currently stuck in your head:

Obsession by Animotion (it's been stuck in my head for about 3 days now lol)

Number of songs you've liked on Spotify:

376

Last show binged:

It's A Sin I think, that was back in February or March but I don't think I've binged anything since.

What are you most likely to buy in a bakery?*

A brownie lol, but cake and doughnuts are a close joint second.

Why you chose your Tumblr URL:

Well I started out with CBMI6 which was the awful and cringey username I thought of when I was about 12 lol, so I changed it to CamB99 as that's my nickname, initial of my surname, and the year I was born all put together.

Following count:

350

Follower count:

500

Last thing you Googled:

GWR vacancies

Last book you read:

Oh lord I don't remember, I haven't read a book in months unfortunately :(

Last movie watched:

Again I haven't watched a movie for ages, so probably Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides (I didn't watch Dead Men Tell No Tales in the end, couldn't bring myself to do it lol)

Currently wearing:

Black socks, black Step One boxer briefs/trunks, blue jeans, black and grey camo t-shirt, and a charcoal hoodie (it's not gay enough I know lol)

Favourite childhood stuffed animal:

I actually had two favourites lol, a grey teddy bear from Scotland called Squidgy (but not like a normal teddy bear he was some weird sort of bear idk XD), and a dog called Pippen based off Pippen from the kids show Come Outside aha

Top three fictional universes to live in:

If Joke Rowling wasn't such a b*tch, I'd say the Harry Potter universe for one, but unfortunately she is so instead I'll say the Star Trek universe for one (yk proper Star Trek from the 60s - 90s not the stuff they make now). It would be around the time Voyager got back from the Delta Quadrant and I'd have my own Intrepid Class ship, yes I've thought about it way too much lmao, but it was what got me through secondary school. Maybe the Pirates of the Caribbean universe/time period for another cuz again I'd love my own ship lol, not so much the supernatural creatures though XD. I can't think of any others right now for some reason but I know there are plenty

Fictional character(s) you'd love to meet:*

The Golden Girls lmao. I'd love to chat with Blanche about guys, listen to Rose's St Olaf stories, then listen to Dorothy's and Sophia's reactions to the stories lol, and of course share a cheesecake with the four of them

Describe (or show!) your handwriting:

It's awful so I'm not gonna show it lmao, although I wouldn't say it's particularly difficult to read, it's just not pleasant to look at lol

Weird personal quirk:

I'm sure there are weirder and much more interesting quirks but all I can think of right now is that my arm-span is longer than my height

I've not quite reached 20 lol, but if you'd like to @business-pug, @long-life-town, @seanmgilbert20, @za1-01, @pufle10, @secretly-of-course, @asamurainamedjack, @no-ordinary-guy, @an-actual-duck, @l1nks-world, @themrkitty, @thefelineofaveb, @thetrashchronicles, @spendthedaygay, @underneath-i-am-godly, @bitchard-of-oz, then I look forward to reading your posts :3

[stcroixauto]

Google Ask And You Will Receive

The information age as we know it. Anything that a person or persons wants to know is as easy as typing it into a search box and within seconds there is more information in front of you then you know what to do with, let alone read it all. Yellow pages have become obsolete, libraries are interesting but very few are up to date and current with the day to day knowledge base and information available to us. So, if the yellow pages are old school and our libraries are turning into museums of days gone by, how do we get global knowledge and current information? Google.

Remember the old sci-fi show Star Trek, with Spock the pointy eared dude, Captain Kirk played by William Shattner and Scottie the starship engineer who could push a button, lock in on your position and you would magically be transported from point A to point B. Then there was the ships computer, and that is what they called it too, Computer. If Captain Kirk needed to know something he would just say "computer, what is the alpha quadrants for delta nine?" and a voice would answer him from the ships main computer with the precise answer.

Today in 2011 we can basically do the same thing. If there is something we want information on or a question we are debating with our social peers and need clarification with, we just type the question into Google and just like magic more information than you knew was available is right before you on your computer screen.

used cars fredericton has the largest data bank of information in the world. Any subject you can imagine, Google has information stored away about it and looking for new information that has been posted on the internet about the subject. Any subject.

Google is in constant search for new information to add to its collection of knowledge and wants to show this information whenever a search is performed. If you are looking for a used car in Saint John, Google it "Used Cars Saint John" if you need a plumber in Saint John NB, Google it " plumber saint john nb ". Any information you want or need just Google it.

The more specific your search the more specific your results. If you were to Google blue shoes the results would be very broad but if you Google blue shoes high heel pumps, then your results would be more specific to blue high heel pumps.

Google can be very helpful with finding any information you may search for. Old, new, relevant or irrelevant there is a very, very good chance Google has found and stored some information pertaining to your search query.

[alphaflyer]

@rikerssexblouse kindly released me from my Christmas cookie coma and asked the following questions:

1. What was the first fandom you got involved in?

Star Trek Voyager!  Caught me totally by surprise - at my ripe old age of [insert wildly speculative figure] I would not have thought it possible.  But, it was...  And thus “Alpha Flyer” was born, the Delta Flyer from the Alpha Quadrant.  Been writing ever since...

9. What are the best things about your current fandom?

The thematic links to today’s politics (division, fear) and issues (accountability, responsible leadership) make writing for the MCU a pure joy.  Also, its characters tend to be so fundamentally human, no matter how they got their super hero qualities.

39. What is you greatest strength as a writer?

A sense of realism and place? But I write stuff where those things matter, so maybe that’s a chicken-and-egg thing?  Other than that, I’d like to think smart-assy banter/dialogue.

40. What do you struggle the most with in your writing?

These days, focus and just GETTING IT STARTED/DONE. I have a full-time-plus job, and find it really hard to concentrate. Much easier to answer fan fic memes on tumblr than come up with a new story idea... :P  

When I do get started, it’s connecting plot points so the arc makes sense on at least some level.  

44.  What ship do you feel needs more attention?

Janeway/Paris!!  Its heyday seems to have passed, and there was some truly great stuff being written for them just a few years ago.  (Here’s looking at you, @thiswillonlyhurtalittle and @missparker, and YES I will read the Google Doc you gave me access to. Right now!!)

[eyetagonthebridge]

Getting to Know Each Other

I noticed questions 20 and 25 were missing so I've added in some questions, hope this is okay :)

Rules: Answer 30 questions and tag blogs you would like to get to know better.

thanks 4 tagging me #@Stasiclaire

1. Nicknames: Tinkerbell (cos, man - I ain't!)

2. Gender: Female

3. Star sign: Taurus

4. Height: 5ft. 4in.

5. Time: 10.30 am

6. Birthday: 11 May

7. Favorite band: Savage Garden

8. Favorite solo artists: Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Rag & Bone Man

9. Song stuck in my head: "Tears Of Pearls" Savage Garden

10. Last movie I watched: A load of Christmas movies I can't remember cos they've all blurred into one, so I'll say, "Under The Tuscan Sun"

11. Last show I watched: "Line Of Duty"

12. When did I create my blog: January 2017 (I think)

13. What do I post: Mainly my OTP Janeway/Chakotay, but also Voyager stuff, Beltran and Mulgrew, Music vids which speak to my J/C heart, girl-power stuff, animals doing the cute, artworks that I think need to be shared no matter which fandom they are from cos I'm in awe of real artists and wish I was able to draw or paint

14. Last thing I googled: "Sims 3 Voyager uniforms" cos I'm off work and I've gotten back into playing J/C Sims. Man, they can't keep their hands off each other! Me: "Dudes, the fridge is empty, go shop!" J/C: "We will, we're just going to eat each other's faces again first."

15. Do I have any other blogs: no

16. Do I get asks: No

17. Why I chose my url: Because I adore how J/C can say so much with simple eye-tags/eye-sex, mainly on the bridge, but everywhere really.

18. Following: 122

19. Followers: 74

20. If you had super-powers or a magic wand what's the first thing you would do?: Seriously, I'd have kept Obama in the Whitehouse. Sorry if that offends any Trump supporters, but I would.

21. Average hours of sleep: between 6 and 8

22. Lucky number: 14

23. Instruments: No, but I wish now that I had stuck with piano lessons when I was a kid

24. What am I wearing: Black jeans, black tunic top with a grey butterfly pattern, chunky-knit black cardigan, and fleece Santa Claus slippers

25. Desktop computer, laptop, or Android device? : Desktop computer

26. Dream job: Robert Beltran's PA. I know he's married now and I'd never do anything inappropriate, but I'd love to get to know him cos he makes me laugh and he seems to be a genuinely kind man, and I'd also love to hear more about all the behind the scenes shenanigans on Voyager. Other than that, Fraud Investigation.

27. Dream trip: Delta Quadrant on Voyager LOL! In reality, Italy and a villa in Tuscany.

28. Favorite food: Indian

29. Nationality: British

30. Favorite song right now: "My Immortal" by Evanescence - all the J/C feels

I tag

[eos10transcriptions]

101 - Welcome to EOS 10 (transcription)

101 - WELCOME TO EOS 10

Transcribed by: @akmazianisgay

Read on google docs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_c00sI1LlqULJOW_rCdii5ZvrDuCxOoGR9gnJWGQRiM/edit?usp=sharing

SCENE 1

SOUND: DOOR OPENING

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS

RYAN (to himself):

Huh… okay, big, uhmmm…

(outward) Hi excuse me, I- um okay. Hi, can you-

(SIGHS)

Excuse me, hi, I uh…

(loudly) I’m looking for the infirmary, can anyone-?

SOUND: COMPUTER BEEPING

RYAN (CONT’D):

(to himself) Okay, um… primary docking ring… airlock corridor C to level 10 Promenade… then take a right at the… Gimjaach stand? I don’t see a Gimjaach stand… I don’t even know what a Gimjaach stand is.

(outward) Hi, can you help me? No, of course not. Huh. Maybe that… guy, I assume, can help. Hi, uh sir, can- ma’am. Sir? Definitely sir, sorry I’m looking for the infirmary.

SOUND: UNINTELLIGIBLE NOISES

RYAN:

Great, yes, and the Gimjaach stand would be…?

SOUND: UNINTELLIGIBLE NOISES

RYAN:

Oh. So that’s Gimjaach… that is disgusting.

CUT TO: THEME

SCENE 2 (INFIRMARY)

JANE (exasperated):

No.

LEVI:

It could be Talarian flu!

JANE:

Have you been to Talarian Prime lately?

LEVI:

Not this rotation… Oxonians disease perhaps? Should I remove my pants? You can check-

JANE (forcefully cutting him off):

No. Thank you.

LEVI:

I don’t mind!

JANE:

It’s okay.

LEVI:

It will take but a second!

JANE:

Go back to the kitchen, Levi.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING, FOOTSTEPS

RYAN:

Oh! Hi, I’m-

JANE (cutting him off):

Sign in at the kiosk with your name, species ID, and station identifier, please.

RYAN:

No, I’m looking for- I’m sorry, I’m Dr. Dalias, uh nice to meet you… Johns?

JANE:

Jane. Nurse Jane Johns.

RYAN:

...Really? Really- uh, really nice to meet you, Lieutenant Johns, Nurse uh Lieutenant Johns.

JANE:

Jane is fine.

RYAN:

Okay. I’m, uh, looking for Dr. Urvidian?

JANE:

Oh! You… he’s been waiting for you

RYAN:

Is that a good thing?

JANE (laughing):

No. Not even a little bit.

TRANSITION TO: SCENE 3 (DR. URVIDIAN’S OFFICE)

JANE:

Dr. Urvidian, Dr. Dalias is here to see you.

URVIDIAN (slurred):

Dr. Dalias?

SOUND: DRINKING

URVIDIAN (CONT’D):

Doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor Dalias?

RYAN:

Uhh…

URVIDIAN:

Finally! I’ve been waiting for you… waiting for you to come replace me. Come to take my job? Come to undo my life’s work?

(CHUCKLES)

Well not as long as I’m standing here on my own feet.

SOUND: HEAVY THUD

RYAN:

He just passed out…

JANE:

Uh-huh.

RYAN:

...He do that a lot?

JANE:

Uh-huh.

CUT TO: SCENE 4 (INFIRMARY)

SOUND: HEART MONITOR BEEPING (CONTINUED)

URVIDIAN:

(GROANS)

RYAN:

Welcome back. Something hurt?

URVIDIAN:

Yes. Everything. Also… I’m sober.

RYAN:

You’re welcome.

URVIDIAN:

This is unacceptable.

RYAN:

Do you have any idea how high your blood-alcohol was?

URVIDIAN:

Is this a game? Would you like me to guess?

RYAN:

Point-six-two.

URVIDIAN (under his breath):

Child’s play

(louder) You dosed me for that?

RYAN:

Okay. Two questions: what were you drinking and how are you alive?

URVIDIAN:

Ceriliac Ale.

RYAN:

The Alliance banned Ceriliac Ale more than 100 rotations ago.

URVIDIAN:

Oh, grow up.

RYAN:

And the being alive part?

URVIDIAN:

Postnatal hepatic mutagenic resequencing.

RYAN:

You… altered your genes? Your liver?

URVIDIAN:

To metabolize more alcohol, try to keep up, Doctor.

RYAN:

Genetic engineering was banned-

URVIDIAN (cutting him off):

Yes, yes, by the Alliance more than 100 rotations ago.

RYAN:

200, actually.

URVIDIAN:

Are you always this prudish? How-

RYAN:

Sensible? Sage

URVIDIAN:

-Joyless, actually, you seem like a joyless person, very sad. And your forehead is much too large for a man of your stature.

RYAN:

Okay. I’ve neutralized the alcohol, you’re fine, so now we-

URVIDIAN (forcefully cutting him off):

No, I’m not! I’m sober, you miscreant.

RYAN (finishing his sentence):

We can finally take care of this.

URVIDIAN:

And this would be what?

RYAN:

My transfer orders commanding me-

URVIDIAN (cutting him off, again):

NOPE. No thank you. You’ve come to cast me out? Well think again.

RYAN:

Wait, Doctor-

URVIDIAN (cutting him off, yet again):

To you, miscreant, I say suck it. I’m not leaving, I don’t care what the orders say.

RYAN (fed up):

Doctor Urvidian, if you would just-

URVIDIAN (literally just will not let Ryan complete a sentence):

NO. Begone. Petulant little fly. You’re nasty, disturbing, and uncomfortable. And you bother me. I will not be undone by the likes of you, especially not while sober.

SOUND: RIPPING OUT IV, HEART MONITOR FLATLINES, FOOTSTEPS

RYAN:

(SIGHS)

Well I think that went well.

TRANSITION TO: SCENE 5 (INFIRMARY)

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS

RYAN (what’s someone doing here?):

Hi…

LEVI:

Hello.

RYAN:

Sorry, I was just walking by, would you like me to close the door so you can have some privacy?

LEVI:

Oh no. Nurse Johns opened it, and she’ll be very angry if you close it.

RYAN:

I see… uh, but… you’re not wearing any pants… and you’re quite obviously from Arian-7…

LEVI:

I am Arule Delatro Levithian the Third, 82nd prince of the high command of Helinsanki, protector of the sacred Asmuthian bones, and heir to the Diamond Throne. And yes, from Arian-7. How could you tell? We look much like humans.

RYAN:

Not with your pants off, you don’t. Prince?

LEVI:

Deposed. I was toppled by insurgents from the southern continent. Ghastly creatures with no sense of decorum or appreciation for the finer things in life. Also… they have spikes on their backs. Unseemly. I’ll return to Arian-7 one day and reclaim my birthright. Until then, I live here, on EOS 10, and work in the kitchen.

RYAN:

You’re a cook.

LEVI:

Dishwasher. For now.

RYAN (slightly concerned):

How… wonderful… Ar-Arul-

LEVI (cutting him off):

Everyone calls me Levi.

RYAN:

Levi. About your pants-

LEVI:

Yes, I’m waiting for an exam from Nurse Johns.

RYAN:

...I see… until then, why don’t we close this door?

SOUND: DOOR CLOSING

CUT TO: SCENE 6 (INFIRMARY)

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, BACKGROUND CHATTER

RYAN:

Lieutenant-

JANE:

Jane is good.

RYAN:

Jane. Uh, you have a patient in exam 3.

JANE:

I do?

RYAN:

A ‘Levi?’ ...From Arian-7.

JANE:

(GROANS)

He’s still here?

RYAN:

And he’s not wearing any pants.

JANE:

That’s typical.

RYAN:

Is he really a prince?

JANE:

Deposed.

RYAN:

How’d he end up in the kitchen?

JANE:

He arrived on a transport full of refugees one day, and the next thing we knew, he ousted the plongeur in a coup d'etat and installed himself as his own marmiton.

RYAN:

He… took over for the guy who cleans the plates and forks and made him wash pots and pans instead?

JANE:

Exactly. You know French?

RYAN:

I grew up in Paris, actually.

JANE:

The French was Levi’s doing too. Once he secured his position on the dish line he was able to use his influence to institute a strict brigade de cuisine system with the help of a newly formed coalition of bussers from food court delta.

RYAN:

The bussers are on his side?

JANE:

Just the food court delta ones. I think he promised them a place in his new kingdom…

RYAN:

In the kitchen.

JANE:

Or maybe just longer bathroom breaks. Both seem plausible.

RYAN:

What’s wrong with him?

JANE:

He’s absolutely, completely, and totally insane.

RYAN:

I meant physically.

JANE:

Nothing. He’s a hypochondriac.

RYAN:

Good to know. Can we, uh, talk about Dr. Urvidian?

JANE:

Not a hypochondriac.

RYAN:

Not what I meant.

JANE:

But also absolutely, completely, and totally insane.

RYAN:

Also good to know, how often is he drunk?

(SILENCE)

...Hello?

JANE:

Sorry, you threw me, most people just ask when he’ll be sober next.

RYAN:

I didn’t know it was this bad.

JANE:

Well…

SOUND: EXPLOSION, JANE AND RYAN GASP, ALARMS (CONTINUED)

RYAN:

What was that?

JANE:

I don’t know, hold on.

SOUND: COMPUTER BEEPING

JANE (CONT’D):

Some kind of explosion, lower plane ring.

RYAN:

Are there any people in that section?

SOUND: COMPUTER BEEPING

JANE:

Three.

RYAN:

Let’s go.

SOUND: DRAMATIC MUSIC (CONTINUED)

CUT TO: SCENE 7 (LOWER PLANE RING)

SOUND: COMPUTER BEEPING AND SHORTING OUT

RYAN:

What happened?

JANE:

Power conduit he was working on blew.

RYAN:

The computer doesn’t have his bio info, what is he?

FEMALE VOICE:

No idea, he just started.

RYAN:

He’s not wearing an ID!

FEMALE VOICE:

He just started today!

RYAN:

He’s got four arms, no one could slap an ID bracelet around one of them?

SOUND: COMPUTER BEEPING AND SHORTING OUT

RYAN (CONT’D):

Do you recognize this species?

JANE:

No. Is he… is he conscious?

SOUND (as Ryan talks): DOOR OPENING

RYAN:

(groans) I- I can’t- I can’t tell, these vitals, he- he has no vitals, so either he’s dead or… taking a nap?

URVIDIAN:

He’s not dead

RYAN (startled):

Ah! Jesus!

(confused) Where did you come from?

URVIDIAN (ignoring him):

He’s not dead, and he’s definitely not asleep.

RYAN:

You recognize this species?

URVIDIAN:

He’s a native of Sigma-Upsilon in the Perseus Arc. SQ-3 if I’m not mistaken.

RYAN:

It- it must’ve taken him forever just to get here.

FEMALE VOICE:

He said he left 3 rotations ago, hoping to start a new life in the Alliance.

RYAN (sarcastic):

Oh, well good thing we put him in a furnace and blew him up, then.

FEMALE VOICE:

(scoffs) This is a fourth generation 0-point reactor-

URVIDIAN (cutting her off):

Yes, wonderful. Now, do we actually plan to treat this man sometime soon?

RYAN:

I’d love to, if I could tell exactly how to do that. I can’t even find his heart…

URVIDIAN:

That’s because he doesn’t have one.

RYAN:

Oh. Well that explains it.

URVIDIAN:

His species enters a protective neurogenic stasis when confronted with severe injury, you’ll need to revive him to diagnose his injuries. 55 CCs of neuropeneferin.

RYAN (in disbelief):

55 CCs?

URVIDIAN:

Into the upper-right thoracic quadrant. Quick now!

RYAN:

Okay… here goes.

SOUND: INJECTION, HEARTBEAT MONITOR (CONTINUED), DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES

JANE:

I’m getting some neuro-electrical activity in the- well, we’ll just call it a brain? You can have a brain down there, right?

URVIDIAN:

He’s coming out of stasis

RYAN:

I think I’m seeing a sinus rhythm... it’s a rhythm, so that’s generally better than… no rhythm. I think.

JANE:

Looking at general percussive trauma, no real internal damage that I can tell.

RYAN:

Alright, let’s uh, let’s get him back to the infirmary and prep for a full diagnostic scan, keep him sedated until we get a full idea of what’s going on. Dr. Urvidian… where’d he go?

TRANSITION TO: SCENE 8 (DR. URVIDIAN’S OFFICE)

SOUND: DOOR OPENING, DOOR CLOSING

RYAN:

Anything interesting out that window?

URVIDIAN:

Stars. Lots and lots of stars.

RYAN:

So… no.

URVIDIAN: Can I help you?

RYAN:

You were good today.

URVIDIAN:

I’m good everyday.

RYAN (sarcastic):

Really? Yeah I thought so too, especially when you were passed out on the floor earlier? Genius.

URVIDIAN:

For your information-

RYAN (cutting him off):

When your head hit the exam table-

URVIDIAN (cutting him off):

I had- shut up- everything under complete control. No one asked you to intervene.

RYAN:

Are you, uh, familiar with alcohol poisioning?

URVIDIAN: Clinically? Yes.

RYAN:

Also personally.

URVIDIAN: Would you just get this over with?

RYAN:

What?

URVIDIAN:

Dammit man, stop… stop driving the dagger in slowly, stab me in the heart and get it over with!

RYAN:

Okay, first of all, ew. Second, will you just read the transfer orders?

URVIDIAN:

(indecipherable mumbling)

...This says you’re to become my new… chief of surgery?

RYAN:

That’s right.

URVIDIAN:

That would make you…

RYAN:

Technically, your second in command.

URVIDIAN:

I’ve… never had a chief of surgery before…

RYAN:

Well, now you do.

URVIDIAN:

You’re not here to replace me?

RYAN:

Not as far as I know.

URVIDIAN:

Why not?

RYAN:

I’m sorry?

URVIDIAN:

Why would they not replace me? I deserve to be replaced, I am a derelict, I am an alcoholic, and I have no bedside manner to speak of.

RYAN:

Well now that we’ve gone over your CV-

URVIDIAN:

I’ve also been seriously thinking of diverting prescription narcotics for my own use, would you think toridali or sicilia would have a higher street value?

RYAN:

Why would you-?

URVIDIAN (cutting him off):

It seems fun! And don’t be stupid Dr. Dalias, toridali, I think.

RYAN:

First, sicilia, obviously, and second, I wasn’t trying to… I’m not stupid.

URVIDIAN:

If they’re sending you here but they’re not replacing me with you… there must be something wrong with you.

RYAN:

What?

URVIDIAN:

It’s simple logic. I’m awful, anyone would be better than me, that leaves us with the question of what, then, is so wrong with you, Dr. Dalias?

RYAN:

There’s nothing wrong with me.

URVIDIAN:

Must be.

RYAN:

There isn’t.

URVIDIAN:

Has to be, obviously.

RYAN:

I assure you-

URVIDIAN (cutting him off):

Do you have a mental instability? Tulsian cowing syndrome, perhaps? Yes, yes, now I see it.

(whispering) The signs are… everywhere.

RYAN:

Wha- what signs?

URVIDIAN:

Like you’ve never noticed that sloping forehead in the mirror.

RYAN:

My forehead does not slope, and- and besides-

URVIDIAN (as Ryan continues):

A little bit.

RYAN:

That is not even a symptom of Tulsian-

URVIDIAN (snapping):

Then what is wrong with you!?

RYAN:

Nothing!

URVIDIAN:

Then why aren’t you replacing me?

RYAN:

Because that is not the plan!

URVIDIAN:

Aha!

RYAN:

(groans) Aha what?

URVIDIAN:

So there’s a plan.

(PAUSE)

Was I to be let in on this plan?

RYAN:

Yes… eventually. Probably…

(PAUSE)

(SIGHS)

Okay, fine.

(looking for the right words) Look I was sent here to watch you mostly, and, if absolutely necessary, yes, to take over.

URVIDIAN:

So… I was right.

RYAN:

No, no, you were not right. Central command has a lot of respect for you, and- and honestly a lot invested, your failure here would be an em- an embarrassment.

URVIDIAN:

Oh please.

RYAN:

Come on. The great Dr. Urvidian, pioneer of frontier medicine, brilliant xenomorphologist, curer of the baraat-a-athian plague, savior to millions?

URVIDIAN: That sounds like my CV.

RYAN:

Uh-huh. Special skills: egotism, egocentricity, narcissism-

URVIDIAN:

Those all mean the same thing.

RYAN:

Caught that, did you?

URVIDIAN:

... I dislike you.

RYAN: So you’ve said, look, the truth is… I think you’re scaring them. The Council. A little.

URVIDIAN:

Rubbish.

RYAN:

How quickly we forget the Pharmaceutical Micro-Xenobiology Conference on Arioka-3.

URVIDIAN:

I’ve not forgotten, it was simply… blown way out of proportion.

RYAN: Really?

URVIDIAN:

Of course.

RYAN:

Then, they didn’t find you behind a poster on the effects of simprosin on late state cybernosis unconscious and naked?

URVIDIAN:

Half-naked

RYAN:

Which half?

URVIDIAN:

Shut up. And none of your business.

RYAN:

Should I move on to the Pediatric Xenomorphologist Section Meeting on Starbase Delta?

URVIDIAN:

Now that was… not entirely my fault.

RYAN:

Did you see the video?

URVIDIAN: ...There’s a video?

RYAN:

Should I keep going, how many conferences did you go to last rotation?

URVIDIAN:

You’re not as humorous as you seem to think you are.

RYAN:

Well then why don’t I pull up the video and we can both have a laugh?

URVIDIAN:

Alright! Enough! What is it you want from me?

RYAN:

Just your cooperation.

URVIDIAN:

...What’s in it for me?

RYAN:

If all goes well, you get to keep your post and retire into bourjois senility without anyone ever being the wiser.

URVIDIAN:

That’s it? I’m nice to you and you don’t run home and tell mommy and daddy?

RYAN:

This has nothing to do with me. My job is to help you get your practice back on track so you can keep your command and not embarrass yourself and the dozens of now senior officers you’ve stood on to get here.

URVIDIAN:

And how do you intend to do that?

RYAN:

Sobriety would be a good place to start.

URVIDIAN (laughing):

No, nope, no. Are you out of your tiny monkey brain?

RYAN:

...My brain is not tiny.

URVIDIAN:

We can test that.

RYAN:

Look, in a few months, I either tell central command you’re fit for duty and I’m out of your hair, or we haul you back to earth on a shuttle, possibly in a straightjacket.

URVIDIAN:

Would there be beverage service on this shuttle?

RYAN:

...Seriously?

URVIDIAN:

...Fine.

RYAN:

Fine?

URVIDIAN:

Yes, fine. I will cooperate with you, you barbarian.

RYAN:

Good. We can start with no more Cyrillic Ale.

URVIDIAN:

Gods, man, what kind of demon are you?

RYAN:

It’s for the best.

URVIDIAN (quietly):

I suppose. Maybe it is. Bloody expensive anyway, doesn’t… doesn’t even taste that good.

RYAN:

Great, then, that’s settled, where is it?

(SILENCE)

...Doctor?

URVIDIAN:

Fine! It’s… in the drawer

SOUND: DRAWER OPENING, GLASS CLINKING, DRAWER CLOSING

RYAN:

Wow. Nice vintage.

URVIDIAN (sarcastic):

Anything else for today? Perhaps you can demonstrate your catheter insertion skills on me, that’s always fun. Seems like something you’d be into. Oh! I have a picture of my mother in my quarters, she’s drinking a glass of wine, perhaps you’d like to throw that away as well? Could be a source of temptation.

RYAN:

One step at a time, right?

URVIDIAN:

Did you happen to pick up a book of platitudes in the station gift shop or are you just that simple?

RYAN:

...There’s a gift shop?

URVIDIAN:

So what does this exactly make you? My sponsor? Gallenteur? Underwriter?

RYAN:

Why don’t… why don’t we just start with “colleague?”

URVIDIAN:

I prefer “subordinate.” I’m still your commanding officer.

RYAN:

Of course, absolutely. One who just has to… defer to my medical judgment when it comes to his own well being.

URVIDIAN:

So it’s come to this, being brow-beaten into sobriety by a central-command psychophant with a neanderthal forehead.

RYAN:

There is nothing wrong with my forehead!

URVIDIAN:

Of course not. Just be careful where you point it, we don’t want you blinding pilots heading for the docking pylons, that would be a disaster.

RYAN:

You know, it might not seem like it, but… I’m actually happy to be here. Do you know how many doctors would, like, seriously kill to have the opportunity to learn from you? I- I had to kill a few myself.

URVIDIAN (mocking):

Seriously, like, for real?

RYAN:

Okay, I’m just saying that I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for a… very long time.

URVIDIAN:

...Really. You’re not just playing to my over-inflated ego? That’s how you put it, correct?

RYAN:

My dad used to read Dr. Urvidian: Medicine Man to me when I was little. I loved the illustration of you coming down Mt. Ceberon with bushels of colenian root under your arms. The loincloth was probably over the top, but…

URVIDIAN:

It cures Hysax fever.

RYAN:

Your loincloth?

URVIDIAN:

The cole-

RYAN (cutting him off):

I know.

URVIDIAN:

That mountain-

RYAN:

Is exceptionally dangerous. You risked your life to save the colony.

URVIDIAN:

It wasn’t all so dramatic as that.

RYAN:

Uh, seemed pretty dramatic to a 6-year-old. Still does to a… well, to me.

URVIDIAN:

You’re 34.

RYAN:

...How did you know that?

URVIDIAN:

I counted the circles around your eyes.

Your father… that would be Admiral Dalias, would it not?

RYAN:

...Yes.

URVIDIAN:

Figures.

RYAN:

I know you don’t believe me, but I want you to succeed, Dr. Urvidian, I really do, so does my father.

URVIDIAN:

Well… that’s very thoughtful. Thank you.

(PAUSE)

(sarcastic) Are we going to kiss now?

RYAN:

What?

URVIDIAN:

Or do you like to snuggle first? Shall I make some room on my sofa?

RYAN (sighing):

Okay-

URVIDIAN:

You have a very nice ass, Dr. Dalias, has anyone ever told you?

RYAN:

I’m going now. I’ll see you tomorrow.

URVIDIAN:

I’m sorry, should we… share more feelings first, is that the appropriate thing, I am-

RYAN:

A horrible person?

URVIDIAN:

-New at this.

RYAN:

Have a good evening, Dr. Urvidian.

URVIDIAN:

I believe I’m likely a top, but I’m willing to experiment just so you know.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING

RYAN:

Thanks for sharing.

URVIDIAN:

Anytime.

CUT TO: END THEME

[hashtagtodayilearned-blog]

#TIL about star trek tech

Today is #StarTrekDay! The 51st anniversary of the show’s airing on NBC in 1966. And I think for everyone who ever watched the show - as an adult or as a kid - this drums up a certain nostalgia, because of the impact the show has on people.

But did you know that the show - over 51 years - impacted a lot more than just the warm fuzzies in your stomach. Did you know it impacted real life technology?

#TodayILearned about 6 real technologies inspired by Star Trek!

(ps. Happy #StarTrekDay!) 

iPads

That up there is Captain Picard using a “PADD” or a “Personal Access Display Device” [1]. Sure, Picard probably wasn’t playing Angry Birds or “Netflix and Chillin’” with Dr. Crusher (like my fan-fiction would have me believe), but these futuristic pieces of tech definitely show some similarities to their 21st Century counterparts. Fun fact, the first “PADD” was written into the show in January 1987 - 23 years before the iPad debuted in 2010.

It did take a few years for the PADD to make its way through Starfleet, as - in my instances of The Original Series (TOS) - Captain Kirk uses a clipboard, and flips through paper [2]. How 23rd Century! 

#ToBoldyInvent: on-screen 23 years before invention.

Bluetooth

Uhura is the queen of communications and for that she needs the best tech. Out of her ear is a little silver piece of metal that isn’t connected to anything - but still seems to be able to deliver messages to her. What does that sound like? Bluetooth, of course.

Known just as “earpieces,” this Star Trek tech were common for navigators and people on the bridge.[3] It debuted in the first season of Start Trek, back in 1966, where as Bluetooth was first prototyped by Nils Rydbeck and Johan Ullmanin 1989.[4]

#ToBoldyInvent: on-screen 20 years before invention.

Virtual Assistants

“Captain Kirk to the bridge.” How many times have we heard that? Now ask yourself how many times you’ve asked Siri to buy you pizza. 

That’s right! Virtual Assistants - like Siri, Alexa, Cortana, and Google Home - look at lot like the internal virtual assistant that exists within the ship. The ship’s computer was able to relay information, respond to questions, find crewmen, among a variety of other hijinks and features that we could only wish our phones had today.[5]

But... could it order a pizza and have it delivered to the Delta Quadrant? 

TOS’ USS Enterprise featured the computer’s voice in the first season, and Siri popped up in February 2010 as an iOS app.[6]

#ToBoldyInvent: on-screen 23 years before invention.

Cell Phones / Smart Watches

A vital tool for any away team, the communicator was always on hand (or utility belt). The classic “flip communicator” that we all know and love (and would switch out for our iPhone in a heartbeat!) would be replaced in The Next Generator (TNG) by badge communications, but the flip communicator is still #1 in our hearts.

In the original draft of “The Cage” (#CaptainPikeGroupiesUnite), the Communicator was drafted as a universal translator with “radio capabilities” but are strong enough to send signals through “a half-mile of solid balsite rock.”[7]

Later on, communicators of various types are able to provide starships with transporter locks (GPS, anyone? Or maybe that’s Starship Uber?) and show up even as wrist-held communicators in Wrath of Khan (Apple Watch, anyone?)

Basically, StarTrek inspired/invented everything from the Motorolla Razr to the Apple Watch. And while I love my iPhone, what I wouldn’t give for a commbadge... 

#ToBoldyInvent: the flip-communicator was on-screen 7 years before the first mobile phone and 38 years before the Motorola Razr. Kirk’s wrist-communicator showed up 33 years before the Apple Watch. 

Skype & FaceTime (”personal teleconferencing”)

I’ll be honest. This one took me by surprise. Mostly because the first example that came to mind for me was when Captain Janeway (#MaamInACrunch) - when she’s on the videophone talking to Earth on Caretaker (aired 16 January 1995)[8]. But in researching this fact, I forgot that Kirk and McCoy also talk through video monitor in “The Man Trap”[9].

In the modern age, it would seem totally possible that people could communication with more than just voice chatting. In fact, “videotelephony” had been conceptualized - in drawings and theory only - as early as 1870.[10] The first records of actual video footage being transmitted between two parties was in Germany in the 1940s - but the method of communication was shared on a cable. This means that in order to FaceTime someone - you would have to have have a cable attached to them. (And we don’t even have headphone jacks anymore.)

[WARNING: things get geeky from this point on]

So this is a little tricky. If McCoy and Kirk’s monitors were attached to the same cable, then I suppose that this technology wasn’t invented by StarTrek. BUT, that would mean that every individual monitor was connected on the interior of the ship  - to each other. So let’s assume that they weren’t connected (stay with me) and that Kirk was able to just dial up McCoy using a special code... like a username (@realHesDeadJim).

The first computers capability of “teleconferencing” showed up in the late 1980′s.[10] But the computers that were capable of doing it were huge - about 100 pounds and costing up to $100,000 (about $240,000 in 2017)[11]. Again, that’s not what we see here. This is one random monitor in the wall talking to another random monitor in the wall. This is being able to use this program on a Personal Computer. For that, we’ll need a program - or, something like CU-SeeMee - which was an internet-protocol that allowed “point-to-point” video calls, much like a telephone call, with anyone who had the software running on their end. (No fancy 100-lbs computer or cables needed). CU-SeeMee (extra points for name originality) was developed in 1992, but only allowed video.[12] In 1994, it included audio and was available for Windows and Mac.

That is what we see McCoy and Kirk using in “The Man Trap.”

Whew. Wow. That took some getting to. But, stay with me, we’re almost there.

Now, if we’re talking about the technology that Janeway used to call Earth from Voyager - that’s a whole other category. This is what NASA jokingly calls an “ultra-long-distance phone calls”[13]. Astronauts use something called a “Softphone” - which uses a software (hence “soft”) to take the words they talk through a phone, and use IP info packets to transfer the audio data to any number they dial.

In this 2003 article, NASA talks about “A new digital tool called the Orbital Communications Adapter allows high-speed data transfers and carries voice and video signals.”[13] So in 2003, video-conferencing from Earth to space (at least to the International Space Station) is possible. I’m sure that someone has figured out how far away from Earth Janeway is when she calls that beautiful man and looks at that picture of their beautiful dogs. But for brevity’s sake, let’s call it even.

So that’s...

#ToBoldyInvent: “personal teleconferencing” was on-screen 26 years before CU-SeeMe and “earth-to-space personal teleconferencing” was on-screen 8 years before it was divulged by NASA.

Replicators

Okay. I’m reaching here. I know I am. But if I am, it’s only because I want to be able to be at my laptop yell “EARL GRAY. TEA. HOT.” And have it magically appear before me. 

In Star Trek, a replicator is defined as “a device that used transporter technology to dematerialize quantities of matter and then rematerialize that matter in another form.”[14] It could also “inverting its function, thus disposing of leftovers and dishes.” (Notice how, in the gif above the replicator makes both the martini AND the glass it comes in, the olive AND the toothpick it comes on.

In the 21st Century, I’m of course talking about magical, wonderful 3D-printers - which take matter (usually plastic) and make it into something different (usually also plastic).[15] There are even 3D printers that can take plastic (like water bottles or statues of Yoda) and turn it into your wildest dreams (as long as those dreams are made of plastic).[16] 

Okay. So that’s plastic to plastic. What about just matter to matter?

Well, we might be getting there.

Not for food - but for something just as noble. Science is right now trying to 3D print organs.[17] This method - known as “bioprinting” - takes cells (usually stem cells) and prints them onto a substrate and scaffolding and artifical biosignalling, which allows the stem cells to change to some other form of cells. So far this method has been able to create flat and hollow organs, like skin or bladders. These methods and theories have been around since 2003.

How viable is this? Well, in 2013, an entire human liver was 3D printed. Now, while it wasn’t viable for transplant into a real human, it was able to act as a suitable drug testing location.[17]

Where is this going? Well, organs are a tissue. And if tissues can be made, why not muscle? And if muscles can be made, why not a chicken breast? Or a head of lettuce? Or a martini? And the glass it comes in.

We should definitely utilize this technology for organ transplant first - save a few lives in the process. But, while we’re at it, can I get a cup of early gray? Tea? Hot? 

#ToBoldyInvent: a real replicator was on-screen in 1987, with TNG’s “Loney Among Us”, and while a “real replicator” hasn’t been made, we were able to make a liver, 26 years later, in 2013.

... and More!

There’s even a whole bunch of tech that Star Trek predicted or even “inspired” that is still coming to being, such as Tricorders, Hyposprays, transparent aluminum, and more! 

So here’s you you, Star Trek. Number one in inventions, number one in our hearts.

[Author’s Aside: I am not an expert on Star Trek (despite how much I love it) or an expert on future technology. If I’ve gotten something wrong or there is something you think I should add, let me know! ]

SOURCES

[1] Memory Alpha | PADD | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/PADD

[2] Memory Alpha | Clipboard | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Clipboard

[3] Memory Alpha | Earpiece | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Earpiece

[4] Wikipedia | Bluetooth | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

[5] Memory Alpha | Computer voice | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Computer_voice

[6] Wikipedia | Siri | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siri

[7] Memory Alpha | Communicator | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Communicator

[8] Memory Alpha | Caretaker | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Caretaker_(episode)

[9] Memory Alpha | The Man Trap | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/The_Man_Trap

[10] Wikipedia | Videotelephony | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Videotelephony

[11] Saving.org | Inflation Calculator | https://www.saving.org/inflation/inflation.php?amount=100,000&year=1984

[12] Wikipedia | CU-SeeMe | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CU-SeeMe

[13] NASA.gov | Now that’s a long distance call | https://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/livinginspace/Now_Thats_A_Long-Distance_Call.html

[14] Memory Alpha | Replicator | http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Replicator

[15] Wikipedia | 3D Printing | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing

[16] Popular Science | Feed Your 3D Printer Recycled Plastic | http://www.popsci.com/feed-your-3-d-printer-recycled-plastic

[17] Wikipedia | Organ Printing | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_printing

EDITS

14 Sept 2017: updating formatting errors