High Tech Smoke and Mirrors

Posted on Tue Jun 27th, 2023 @ 12:21am by Captain Charlotte Rhodes & Lieutenant Callie Knight & Lieutenant Savar & Lieutenant Steven Edgeware

1,947 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 1S: Shore Leave
Location: Recreational District, Starbase Arcadia
Timeline: During Shore Leave

The street was lively today. The population of Starbase Arcadia had grown noticeably in the last weeks and the impact was evident. The station had started to acquire a culture of its own, as its population rose to that of a small city. People of all walks of life from around the sector had started to relocate here. It wasn't just Starfleet personnel, but many civilians as well, including some non Federation species.

A small street fair had popped up down one of the connecting streets, letting the sounds of festivities and the smell of fresh food spread slowly through the district. Charlotte Rhodes would have gladly spent the day just enjoying the atmosphere. But there was actually something a bit more noteworthy that had demanded her attention. And in uniform no less. Her mind finally drifted back to the conversation at hand.

"...extremely complicated combination of forcefields, sophisticated holography, and even a hint of matter synthesis. Truly a marvel in terms of simulation technology. We've know the Xyrillians have had a version of this tech for near a century. Some Starfleet personnel have even gotten to toy around with it. But this right here is the first Starfleet prototype recreating it...with the substantial help of our Xyrillian guests of course," the Starbase Engineer, Chief Raddack, added at the end of his monologue.

While Rhodes was interested in the tech on a passing level, the specific jargon had gone a bit over her head. And frankly, she hadn't wanted to follow along to closely. The 'holosuite' was truly mesmerizing, but at the end of the day it was just a game of very, very high tech smoke and mirrors. Learning too much about how the illusion was made could rob it of its magic.

The Xyrillian, Kajet, nodded her scaled head in appreciation for the recognition. "We are happy to provide it. The Federation was extremely helpful in our recent issues with the Klingons. And I will even admit, with access to some of Starfleet's technology we were able refine a few of our processes. Our previous models were much more limited in the scale of the environments they could produce."

"We appreciate the offer of a tour, Crafter Kajet," Charlotte replied, making sure to use the appropriate title for the holo-artist. "I imagine my crew and I are going to enjoy this quite a bit while we're in dock."

"I think they will find it to be quite the addition to their 'shore leave," Kajet said, leading them into the chamber. The room was a metallic box, with hundreds of emitters spread across its walls and ceiling. The vibrantly colored bits of loaned auxiliary Xyrillian tech were visible at numerous points, but in theory, the Federation tech should be capable of achieving the illusions on their own. "Before we begin our demonstration, do any of you have any questions?"

"Savar of the Defiant. I have a question Crafter Kajet. What are the parameters the device operates within? Also, I take it that safety protocols are built in to prevent any extremely dangerous situations and or fatalities."

"A pleasure, Savar," the Crafter replied. "Excellent questions. At present, the device's power range is still limited. It would probably struggle to provide much in the way of lethality. However, even injury is best avoided so we have worked closely with Starfleet staff to ensure the utmost safety precautions have been taken. As for parameters, it is capable of creating fully convincing environments and atmospheric effects. Through work in conjunction with the artificial gravity, you should be able to simulate any atmospheric condition, including zero gravity environments. It is also capable of creating simulated individuals, though they may not be the most exciting conversation partners just yet..."

"Thank you, Crafter Kajet for your answer. I find this technology to be most intriguing and look forward to seeing work. From your answer concerning simulated individuals. I would venture the reasons individuals are still a work in progress is due in part to the sheer volume of information that needs to be collected and downloaded into the matrix for said individuals," Savar said.

"Indeed. Quite the undertaking. And complicated further by the sheer breathe of different inputs the users might offer up. I am sure it will be refined in time," Kajet replied.

Savar nodded, "I am sure the number of responses be they verbal or physical is incalculable in terms of volume. I do not envy the work you still have ahead of you Crafter Kajet."

“Callie Vali of the Defiant” Callie smiled warmly. “Is there anything that your technology can’t currently reproduce? I mean could it make a holographic image of me?”

"It could indeed," Kejat replied. "Computer, generate a holographic recreation of Lieutenant Callie Vali."

A moment later, an identical image of Callie appeared a few feet away from the real one.

Captain Rhodes was taken aback. Had she not just watched the image appear, she was not certain she'd be able to pick out the correct Callie as the real one. "Oh wow. That's impressive." A bit frightening, she thought to herself.

Callie stood face to face with the facsimile of herself. “Ohh Wow...” She gave Charlotte a surprised look before looking at Kejat. “That’s amazing!”

Charlotte rose her eyebrows in reply. Maybe she wasn't the only one a bit taken aback by it.

Kejat nodded. "Ultimately, the holosuite will be capable of generating anything stored in its memory banks or accessible to the computer. The applications are wide ranging. My people have long used it for entertainment purposes or even therapeutic services. The ability to visit home, even if only a simulation of it, can be quite helpful for those feeling adrift or homesick. It can also be used for training purposes. While I know Starfleet has already employed some basic holo simulations for training purposes, this grants a far wider range of replicable threats, locales, and combat methods. You could use it to simulate infiltration missions, intense firefights, close quarters sparring, or even full starship combat."

Rhodes nodded. "Not needing to use the bridge for training purposes would be nice. We can run full battle simulations while still having Defiant herself at the ready for launch."

"Perhaps a demonstartion as well," Kejat said. "Computer, loaded Northern Peninsula of Lana'i III, Program 3."

Suddenly, the mechanical room around them shimmered and was replaced by a breathtaking scene. Smooth black volcanic rock spread across the ground beneath them, leading to a shoreline where gentle waves crashed against the smooth stone. The sky above them was a calm overcast grey, with a few large avian creatures flying off in the distance beyond the shore, their cries just barely audible over the gentle crashing waves. Miles away to the north, a mountain peak emitted the telltale orange glow of another one of Lana'i's volcanic eruptions. A chill wind whipped in from off the shoreline, tussling hair and flapping coats.

"How the hell..." Charlotte said, trailing off as her eyes went wide. Her voice was incredulous. "You're telling me we're still in that room? We haven't been transported down to the planet?"

"We are still in the holosuite, I assure you," the Crafter replied.

Charlotte couldn't believe what her eyes. Quite literally. She knew everything around her to be an illusion, but she simply couldn't fathom that the landscape stretching out for miles around her was entirely simulated.

She approached the shoreline and every sense seemed dedicated to convincing her that she was not, in fact, in the holosuite. Her eyes and ears were already fully convinced. It was her other senses she was surprised by. The cool air bit at her a bit, making her wish she'd brought a jacket. The lava rock beneath her feet crunched just as the real thing had on the shores of Hawaii. The salty scent of ocean air filled her lungs. And perhaps most shockingly, she reached down into the water and her hand came away wet. For all intents and purposes, she was on that beach.

She'd come into this room fully convinced she'd see through the facade and ruin the magic for herself. Now, she needed to spend every ounce of her focus to remind herself that it wasn't actually real. "Crafter Kejat, this is...I don't even have words."

"Quite impressive Crafter Kejat." Savar spoke. "I do however have a question concerning the holoimage of Counselor Vali. My question is, while the physical resemblance is remarkable. I wonder about verbal and emotional responses. Am I correct in presuming that the holoimage would be lacking sufficient replies as it's database is still compiling? That is gathering information?"

The Crafter nodded. "To a degree. The hologram would be able to mimic her voice given a sample of it. Any other sufficient audio source would be enough. A locally recorded copy through her own speech would be sufficient also. However, you'd probably find the responses fairly generic or at least not specific to the Lieutenant until additional data was provided. Something that might cause a personal reaction in the Counselor might
not have the same level of impact on the hologram. Or conversely, something that the hologram reacted to might not phase Counselor Vali, if that makes sense. A more detailed simulation would require more detailed information or actual observed reactions."

Savar nodded. "I had thought as much. The holomatrix needs to gather and correlate the data to the specific individual it is creating. However it is an amazing and fascinating piece of engineering technology."

Callie was totally in awe. “This technology could revolutionise the way I treat patients! Instead of them having to wait to be home, they could be there in seconds. Relaxation therapy could take on a whole new perspective! That and Shoreleave time as well, it’s totally amazing!!”

Steven bit his lip although this technology was amazing something was worrying him.

“I agree but how far should we take this. A holographic doctor is one thing but what happens if say the power cuts out? Supposing it is operating on a patient? The back up power can only last so long. Recreation is one thing but if someone’s life depends on it. I would prefer a flesh and blood surgical team. Not one made of smoke and mirrors,” Steven said

"I think for the time being, it might be best if we have the room stick to sturgeons rather than surgeons," Charlotte added with a chuckle. She for one would prefer a set of real hands to perform patient care. At least for now. "Regardless, Crafter Kejat, this is truly impressive. How soon do you expect it to be available for use by station and starship crew?"

The Crafter extended her arms in a welcoming gesture. "Any time. Today even, if some would like. Your tour here was the final reserved visit. The Admiral wanted you all to see it before it was opened to the rest of the station."

"Well I appreciate the honor," Rhodes replied. "I had initially been skeptical, but I think I might find myself here on occasion. And I will certainly inform the rest of my crew."

"I look forward to further refinements and improvements as this is a fascinating piece of technology. I agree with Captain Rhodes. I will tell Verelan of this technology as I believe she will be anxious to use it."

"Thank you again, Crafter Kejat. I'm sure our crew will log plenty of hours to help you refine it," Captain Rhodes said, finally drawing herself away from the shore line.

Kejat bowed her head. "It will be our honor to host them."

 

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