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[[File:Federation_cloaking_device.jpg|thumb|The Federation interphase cloak]] |
[[File:Federation_cloaking_device.jpg|thumb|The Federation interphase cloak]] |
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| + | The '''interphase cloaking device''', or '''phasing cloak''', was an experimental technology developed by a secret group in [[Starfleet Security]] in the [[2350s]]. An expansion on the more traditional [[cloaking device]], it was designed to change the structure of matter in order to allow any vessel utilizing it to pass through normal matter. A direct violation of the [[Treaty of Algeron]], which banned cloaking technology aboard [[Federation]] [[starship]]s, the phasing cloak was first tested aboard the {{USS|Pegasus}} in [[2358]], under the command of [[Captain]] [[Erik Pressman]]. |
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| − | The '''interphase cloaking device''' was an advanced type of [[cloaking device]] that allows a starship to travel through solid [[matter]] and high-energy fields. A [[molecular phase inverter]] moves the ship out of phase with the [[spacetime continuum]]. |
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| + | In response to the illegal use of this device, the crew of the ''Pegasus'' mutinied against Pressman, forcing Pressman and a small group of officers who sided with him, including a young [[Ensign]] [[Will Riker]], to flee the ship. Afterwards, the ''Pegasus'' drifted into an [[asteroid field]] in the [[Devolin system]] while still in a phased state. The cloak blew out the [[plasma relay]]s aboard the ship, and when it passed through a particularly large asteroid, the cloak failed, causing the ''Pegasus'' to partially materialize inside solid rock. The crew dead, the ''Pegasus'' remained entombed in the asteroid for the next twelve years. A [[Judge Advocate General]]'s investigation into the mutiny was initiated, but, in order to conceal the illegal test, [[Starfleet Intelligence]] classified the file. |
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| − | In [[2358]], a branch of [[Starfleet Intelligence]] illegally developed such a device in direct violation of the [[Treaty of Algeron]], which explicitly banned the [[Federation]] from developing cloaking technology. |
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| − | {{bginfo|The illegal actions and the fact that it was referred to as "a secret division of [[Starfleet Intelligence]]" suggests that the 'branch' may have been [[Section 31]].'' ({{ENT|These Are the Voyages...}})}} |
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| + | In [[2370]] Pressman, now an [[admiral]] at Starfleet Intelligence, boarded the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} and mounted a mission to retrieve the phasing cloak. It had been determined that the [[Romulan]]s had learned about the cloaking device and were attempting to retrieve it themselves, and Pressman was determined not to let it fall into their hands. The ''Pegasus'' was eventually located and the device retrieved, but not before [[IRW Terix|a Romulan Warbird]] sealed the ''Enterprise'' inside the asteroid. Deciding not to continue to aid Pressman in the illegal activity, Riker, by this point the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s [[first officer]], revealed the existence of the cloaking device to Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]], and suggested using it to phase the ''Enterprise'' and pass through the surface of the asteroid. The plan worked, and Picard ordered the ''Enterprise'' to decloak in front of the [[Warbird]], thereby revealing the existence of the phasing cloak to the Romulans. Both Admiral Pressman and [[Commander]] Riker were subsequently taken into custody for their respective roles in the illegal experiment. ({{ENT|These Are the Voyages...}}; {{TNG|The Pegasus}}) |
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| − | A test aboard the {{USS|Pegasus}} was initially successful, but the crew mutinied against the [[captain]], [[Erik Pressman]], when they realized that what he was doing violated the Treaty of Algeron. [[William T. Riker]], an ensign at the time, defended his captain, and the two of them along with seven others succeeded in escaping the ship. |
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| − | Shortly thereafter, a temperature spike in the [[plasma coolant|plasma intercoolers]] caused an explosion which led Captain Pressman and Ensign Riker to believe the ship had been destroyed. In fact it had not, and it drifted into an asteroid field in the [[Devolin system]], and after drifting into [[asteroid]] [[asteroid gamma 601|Gamma 601]] in that field, the interphase cloak failed, causing the half of the ship to rematerialize into solid rock. |
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| − | [[Starfleet Intelligence]] attempted to cover the incident up. The truth was revealed in [[2370]] when Pressman attempted to recover the device. The USS ''Enterprise''-D used the interphase cloak to escape after the chasm (the ''Enterprise'' had used to enter the asteroid) of [[asteroid gamma 601|Gamma 601]] was closed by the Romulan Warbird, {{IRW|Terix}}. ({{TNG|The Pegasus}}) |
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Several other races have either experimented with, or utilize interphasing technology: |
Several other races have either experimented with, or utilize interphasing technology: |
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Revision as of 19:42, 1 September 2010
The Federation interphase cloak
The interphase cloaking device, or phasing cloak, was an experimental technology developed by a secret group in Starfleet Security in the 2350s. An expansion on the more traditional cloaking device, it was designed to change the structure of matter in order to allow any vessel utilizing it to pass through normal matter. A direct violation of the Treaty of Algeron, which banned cloaking technology aboard Federation starships, the phasing cloak was first tested aboard the USS Pegasus in 2358, under the command of Captain Erik Pressman.
In response to the illegal use of this device, the crew of the Pegasus mutinied against Pressman, forcing Pressman and a small group of officers who sided with him, including a young Ensign Will Riker, to flee the ship. Afterwards, the Pegasus drifted into an asteroid field in the Devolin system while still in a phased state. The cloak blew out the plasma relays aboard the ship, and when it passed through a particularly large asteroid, the cloak failed, causing the Pegasus to partially materialize inside solid rock. The crew dead, the Pegasus remained entombed in the asteroid for the next twelve years. A Judge Advocate General's investigation into the mutiny was initiated, but, in order to conceal the illegal test, Starfleet Intelligence classified the file.
The USS Enterprise-D deactivating its interphase generator in front of a Romulan Warbird
In 2370 Pressman, now an admiral at Starfleet Intelligence, boarded the USS Enterprise-D and mounted a mission to retrieve the phasing cloak. It had been determined that the Romulans had learned about the cloaking device and were attempting to retrieve it themselves, and Pressman was determined not to let it fall into their hands. The Pegasus was eventually located and the device retrieved, but not before a Romulan Warbird sealed the Enterprise inside the asteroid. Deciding not to continue to aid Pressman in the illegal activity, Riker, by this point the Enterprise's first officer, revealed the existence of the cloaking device to Captain Picard, and suggested using it to phase the Enterprise and pass through the surface of the asteroid. The plan worked, and Picard ordered the Enterprise to decloak in front of the Warbird, thereby revealing the existence of the phasing cloak to the Romulans. Both Admiral Pressman and Commander Riker were subsequently taken into custody for their respective roles in the illegal experiment. (ENT: "These Are the Voyages..."; TNG: "The Pegasus")
Several other races have either experimented with, or utilize interphasing technology:
- The Romulans were experimenting with an molecular phase inverter to create an interphase cloak. The experiment failed, heavily damaging the vessel on which the experiment was being run. The Klingons also experimented with interphase cloaking technology in the early 2360s but they abandoned their research because of several accidents. (TNG: "The Next Phase").
- Interphase technology was used extensively by the Srivani to hide their scientific experiments. (VOY: "Scientific Method")
- The Voth also used interphase cloaking technology. This allowed Forra Gegen and Veer to covertly observe the USS Voyager and her crew. (VOY: "Distant Origin")