| Infinity modulator | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mark-1 I-Mod rifle | |
|
Class: |
Delta |
|
Type: |
AI modulated multi-molecular quantum particle beam |
| |
| Mark-3 rifle (c 2380s) | |
The Infinity modulator or I-Mod as it is also termed is a heavy directed energy rifle and later ship-mounted heavy weapons system and modified ships propulsion system.
Originally designed by Seven of Nine and USS Voyager Hazard team officer Perfecto Oviedo as a specialized weapons system that could easily overcome Borg adaptive shielding.
The closest Alpha Quadrant native equivalent is the Ba'ul designed and built Antiproton Multibeam.
System mechanics[]
The modulator operated on a literally infinite rotating band of energy-based frequencies within the subspace spectrum which were generated by a similar algorithm used in quantum-based intelligence cryptography.
This endless energy modulation prevented the Borgs shield systems from adapting to the energy attacks. This effectively removed the primary advantage of all Borg drones, who could adapt to other types of weapon fire after a few strikes.
Due to the intensity of the rapid spectrum modulation, the rifle could produce a multi-molecular replicating beam of Nadions, Photons, Tetryons, Ions, Hadrons and various forms of exotic subatomic elements that no known shield system could keep up with. The emitter produced the molecules as a Polaron or semi-solidified based beam adding even more advantage over shielding as the solidified matter could on some impacts, detonate the personal shield, creating a mass explosion.
While a useful weapon against the Borg, the first models of the weapon ran on a finite amount of energy, and once depleted, it would need to be taken to the nearest energy station to recharge through an armored hazard suit or by means of physically reloadable energy cells. The weapon played a large role in Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant.
History[]
Once back in the Alpha quadrant, the systems quantum algorithm was used to replace Phaser adapters and as a heavy rifle in Borg abductee rescue missions. later in the late 24th century as there was an increasing incursion of Borg ships into Federation space ship mounted I-Mod based arrays were installed on some Galaxy class dreadnoughts replacing phasers.
Just as their phased counterparts, I-Mod arrays were constructed similarly with strips of modulator emitters that were more directly connected to the computer core for full algorithm control.
This also included the expansion of heavy cannons as well similar to Mega-Phasers with them being placed on omnidirectional turret platforms.
I-Mod cannons firing
By the early 2380s Pakleds made themselves as a threatening warrior race by adding Klingon confiscated I-Mod cannons to their Dreadnought ships termed Clumpships giving a devastating edge over basic ships such as the California class.
However, after being neutralized by several Luna class ships confiscated clumpships was discovered that the usage of I-Mod energy technology within Pakled vessels went further than weaponry.
Fins mounted on top of the ships acted like Bussard collectors using the infinite modulation algorithm to collect random forms of energy directly from the Quantum vacuum giving the ship near unlimited atomic resources for fuel and other essential systems.
The clumpships engines had the appearance of 22nd century rocket thrusters. However Starfleet engineers found that the "rockets" were actually massive I-Mod emitters that pumped out large amounts of subspace spectrum modulated "plasma" that allowed the ship not to "cheat" getting around the light speed barrier that Warp engines allow and propel the Pakled vessels at warp velocities without physically effecting subspace.
And while Starfleet engineering researchers had applauded the technical efforts and ingenuity of the Pakleds to create a propulsion system so radically original that wouldn't use warp-based standards. They also severely criticized the system as while clumpships were reinforced to handle the extreme velocities of direct I-Mod plasma propulsion, the ships were still too likely to fall apart from the loss of structural integrity without specialized shielding.
By the late 2390s I-Mod rifles became standard issue for Fenris Rangers mainly due to the fact that by that time Seven of Nine (now returned to her Human birth Name of Annika Hansen) had joined the rangers and decided that the organization as they were for the rescue and liberation of Borg drones needed a heavily specialized weapons system to handle adaptive Borg security measures.
By the early 2400s I-Mod ship arrays finally became a standard heavy weapons option when Seven is promoted to the First Officer of the USS Enterprise-G after the multiversal incident in 2401 she works to make the arrays as ships standard for all long-range heavy assault vessels throughout Starfleet.
External links[]
- Infinity modulator article at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek wiki.