Epsilon-Delta: Difference between revisions

Epsilon-Delta was a modified Soong-Type Android programmed to (1) minimize risk and casualties in the course of Starfleet missions and (2) better understand interstellar social dynamics. Delta is one of four Epsilon Androids emerging from a joint-program commissioned by [[StarFleet Intelligence|Starfleet Intelligence]], the [[VulcanScience Academy]] and [http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Starfleet_Corps_of_Engineers Starfleet Engineering Corps], under the direction of Federation cyberneticist [http://www.wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Epsilon-Delta#Profile_on_Dr._Helen_Mirren.2C_PhD Helen Mirren].

 

* '''Rank:''' Lt. Commander

* '''Assignment:''' ''[[USS Discovery-B|U.S.S. Discovery-B]]''

* '''Service Number:''' SP-812-813B [MIA]

* '''Last Position:''' Chief of Security

** Although she could directly communicate with most LCARS and non-weapons-based Federation-compliant technology, Epsilon has stated in her internal log that she finds audio and tactile manipulation "stimulating."

 

===Profile on Dr. Helen Mirren, PhD [MIA]===

Dr. Mirren was the director of the Epsilon Program, a member of the Borg Defense Initiative and a senior staffmember on Project Voyager. She went Missing in Action in the [[Avalon Sector]], [[Deep Space 285]].

Early in her cybernetics career, Mirren initiated a variety of independent projects and conducted a period of research at the Omnicron Theta cybernetics research colony before it's demise in 2336. Dr. Mirren's reputation is well-known in the interstellar cybernetics community. She was one of the few Starfleet experts on Soong-type androids to have studied with Dr. Soong.

Mirren's family ties date back to Ancient Earth before the Eugenics Wars. Her doctoral thesis was on Khan Noonien Singh and the exploits of James Kirk and U.S.S. Enterprise-A.  

She was under unique entry restrictions when traveling within the Imperial Klingon Empire. Although Dr. Mirren publicly stated a refusal to work outside the Federation, her record of achievement can be traced to Romulan and Klingon space.

* 238607.10 - Hardware repurposed to Epsilon Program on DS285. Declared M.I.A. by Dr. Rama Sumataran, [[Avalon Sector]], [[Deep Space 285]].

The Epsilon series is based on the work of Dr. Noonien Soong, creator of the Data, Lore and B4 androids as well as new findings following the return of the highly-modified U.S.S. Voyager. Drawing from Senior officer's logs, mission debriefings, computer core logs and the Emergency Medical Holographic runtime log as well as EMH duty-officer logs, Starfleet Engineering Corps and the Vulcould Science Academy discovered new theoretical relationships between positronic theory and Borg technology as well as restricted research on non-Federation eugenics theory and ancient Earth DNA research. The Epsilon operating system is dependent on the Soong-based architecture and could only run specified hardware, of which there are only four models, one in mothball and this model M.I.A. The Gamma and Beta versions are assigned to special duty at the Betazed Institute. Epsilon synthetic lifeforms are a benevolent convergence of the aforementioned technologies, serving the Epsilon Program's primary and secondary missions in Starfleet and to minimize casualties and better understand interstellar life, respectively.  

There are four synthetic lifeforms each codenamed Epsilon, housed in separate modified Soong-type cybernetic architectures (designed to support separate Epsilon organisms). Each is progressively designed, the first ("Epsilon-Alpha") was developed after approximately 17,520 hours of research projects culling data and ship schematics from the modified USS Voyager upon its return from the Delta quadrant, and its research contributions to the Borg Defense Initiative.  

The Epsilon is a balance of synthetics, breakthroughs in cybernetics and an experiment in form and function. Her hardware design is modifiable. In accordance with Starfleet regulations, aboard [[USS Discovery-B]], the Chief Medical Officer and Science Chief possess separately packaged critical data regarding cybernetic functions and the Chief Engineering Officer has command clearance authorization to override all on-board equipment. Epsilon's schematic is also accessible by authorization of her Commanding Officer.

Starfleet Intelligence was intrigued by the mission potential of an easily deployable, re-assignable physiology using cybernetics. Though many designs were shelved, they remain in testing at multiple projects currently being developed for the future Mark V Epsilon at Betazed Institute. (See bionanetics and externals).  

Starfleet Engineering Corps rigorously pursued an systems integrated designed to fool-proof reverse engineering attempts on the Epsilon series, developing a semi-modular design scheme that deters unauthorized disassembly.  Comprehensive analysis of hypothetical and actual missions scenarios showed that the highest probability Epsilon-Delta would be damaged beyond repair would occur by intentional, pre-meditated subterfuge by Starfleet personnel or a member of the Epsilon project to gain access to her positronic brain.  

Final analysis by Starfleet Intelligence concluded that the Epsilon Lab modify the basic Soong Architecture, so that in the event of catastrophic circumstances, her design safeguard positronic assets at the expense of external hardware, synthetics and cosmetic function. (See Emergency Safeguards)

The Epsilon-Delta holographic program is based on surgically-salvaged memory engrams of post-assimilated individuals, functioning within the run-time environment of the Soong-Type positronic brain using the Zimmerman/Barclay holographic protocol system. Because the engrams are salvaged, Borg nanotechnology firmware has been embedded into the Soong runtime environments; the cybernetic architecture developed by [http://www.google.com/search?q=noonien+soong&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a Dr. Noonien Soong] transacts memory engrams between the Epsilon synthetic neural structure housing the salvaged consciousness.  

Holographic and cybernetic technology designed to support the Epsilon artificial lifeform were detectable on the current Starfleet lifeform index [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_biology][http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1151721]. Using a modification of the Soong-based design and research in synthetic organism, the Epsilon series is a life-support solution for an assimilated Borg individual whose connection to the collective has been effectively severed. The individual's consciousness is preserved within the Zimmerman/Barclay holographic operating system. The prime synthetic biological specimen was detectable on modified sensor equipment to assist or prevent officer from going M.I.A. (See section on Holography & Salvaged Memory). For the purposes of this primer Epsilon shall be described as a synthetic organism, as opposed to an artificial lifeform.

Indeed, Epsilon-Delta mirrors the evolutionary relationship between a joined Trill and it's symbiont. Summarizing her design principle, Dr. Mirren stated as part of this personnel interview, "I drew from a long tradition in biomimetics, and chose to exploit the Soong type positronic neural architecture, which thrives through continuous stimulus, much like a gifted child could thrive in a safe, resource-rich environment."   

Theoretically, each of her decisions and actions are determined by her mission to explore and investigate possiblity for new types of interaction and communications, within circumstances of each mission scenario. It is worth noting, all of her decisions are governed by the primary task of minimizing risks and casualties in the course of Starfleet missions.  

In theory, the modfied Soong-Barclay artificial intelligence structure simulates cognitive functions and relies strongly on research in interstellar behaviorial psychology paradigms. The quality of sentience is based on theory that by constantly reanalyzing stimulus and interactions with her peers, Epsilon produces new behavior that her peers will recognize and accept as equivalent to emotion, self-awareness and a state of dream. Although the architecture of Epsilon's personality is built on the Soong architecture, the Epsilon program's mission endeavors to improve the highly flexible interaction models Dr. Soong tirelessly explored. Delta's written Academy counseling exit exam matched a psychological profile similiar to Vulcans.

The case for sentience builds. Unlike previous Soong-type Androids, the Epsilon series units are not recognized as sentient under Federation law; and have yet found a landmark event to prove their sentience. Until the event(s) whereby a legal precedent is presented in a tribunal or Federation court requesting such evidence be provided as necessary in their defense, Epsilon-Delta's rights as a sentient remain in a state of legal purgatory. A battery of Starfleet and non-Federation psychological tests hypothesize that Epsilon-Delta is aware of its own construction. As of stardate 238305.28, all Starfleet officers holding the position of Ship's Counselor have access to this declassified data.  

Additionally, the artificial lifeform developed to house her holographic matrix continually evolves. The realm of her neural activity occurs in the interaction between hardware-software. Recent advances in hardware, including an emotional memory bank, raise new questions and capacities, such as her ability to detect a lie or respond verbally and non-verbally to emotional stimulus.

Epsilon-Delta has verbally expressed a desire to continually evolve healthy interpersonal relationships, stating it is essential to the integrity of her program to mirror the behavior of her peers and role-models. Perhaps Starfleet is the ideal environment for her, with it's clearly outlined hierarchical social structures and routinized activity. As she plays roles of subordinate-ranking officer to commanding officer, a patient to doctor, and in the case of Dr. [http://www.wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Epsilon-Delta#Profile_on_Dr._Helen_Mirren.2C_PhD Helen Mirren], director of the Epsilon Program, a child to a parent.

According to internal logs examined Epsilon Lab scientists, a great deal of interaction data is analyzed real-time in off-duty social environments. Although she could intelligently timeshift her reanalyzation of her experiences to non-strenuous relaxation phases or low-power modes, much of this data is filed during live interaction. Whitehall believes that this is learned behavior, mirroring the paradigms of some of the galaxy's habitual, nervous writers, artists and possibly military personnel.

Some cultural theorists believe Delta also possesses what might be perceived in many cultures as a fierce sense of loyalty, as evident in her voluntary assignment in the security and her record as a former marine platoon leader of her assigned vessel, [[USS Discovery-B]]. The notable exception to this theory is the director of Epsilon Program, Dr. Mirren.

The function of the Delta exterior is both cosmetic and highly modifiable in the fabrication period prior to her activation

Her external surface in contact with airborne environment is an organic, malleable compound designed to instantly become an adhesive and detour attempts at disassembly and access to the synethetic lifesign shell running the Barclay-Zimmerman holography. Beneath this surface is a duranium shield that acts as a sensor-resistant quantum material. Remote hacking with a tricorder is difficult due to the quantum obfuscation of positronic action. The same shuttle-grade duranium is also machined into a single-molding that surrounds the positronic unit. Additionally, The malleable skin compound could be re-programmed with medical or engineering expertise.

Wired access to her neural network is restricted to the use of proprietary cabling, whose design is classified. Blueprints are available to the CSO, CEO and CMO aboard [[USS Discovery-B]] and senior Epsilon Lab personnel on [[DS285]].  

In several mission scenarios, Starfleet Intelligence observed her ability to board, without authorization, non-Federation vessels to evade intruder alert systems. Following the successful test, Starfleet Intelligence also required the Delta unit be outfitted with safeguards to prevent and deter the opportunity she be lost to enemy hands (see section on Emergency Safeguards).  

The Delta series uses the same duranium-based alloys used to construct many types of Federation-compliant vehicles and Starfleet-grade housing. Over seventy percent of her construction is designed to withstand continuous stress and/or diffuse directed energy within the standard absorption rate of a Starfleet-grade warp-capable hull.  

Epsilon is technically certified in water survival techniques and she could travel in most liquid environments plus 1 unit above standard starship's gravity at an average of 1.07 knots. However, her capacity to remain in a high volume of water exceeding her mass decreases exponentially over time. Most of Epsilon-Delta's solid mass is tonnage from duranium-based materials protecting her positronic brain.  In summary, although Epsilon-Delta could remain afloat by continuously converting hydrogen into kinetic energy required to sustain flotation, she is still subject to the laws of conservation of energy and would lose energy efficiency over time. Also, degradation of the surface compounds in certain liquid environments would likely trigger safeguard mechanisms to protect the positronic brain from damage.

Epsilon Lab research & development continued to test her hardware capacity to operate in liquid environments within her existing design long after her viral infection and subsequent M.I.A. A nautical weight was added to compensate for inertial loss in liquid environments through use of a single experimental anti-gravity module powered by the primary battery. The mark III (Epsilon-Gamma) demonstrated that energy efficiency costs outweigh the collateral cost of deploying Delta in liquid environments.

In standard operating mode, Epsilon-Delta could consecutively record up to 7900 petabytes of data/milisecond. By default, storage capacity is prioritized for observational data relevant to crew behavior and mission success, then self-monitoring protocols, and lastly for monitoring external systems such as her assigned vessel's ship routines and crew logs. This data is continuously uploaded via secure subspace to DS285.

Epsilons could self-erase any recorded information. Her short-term memory cycle prioritized the protection of life over tasks devoted to high-bandwitch memory operations between her core and the main computer network, dumping non-essential data if necessary to the nearest subspace communication relay in the event of a catastrophic processing error. However, control of her memory functions is highly flexible in part to the brilliant work of Dr. Soong in positronic architecture and she could reverse aforementioned prioritization if a logical analysis dictated last-minute erasure (or vice versa) would save lives.

Memory transfer in Soong-type Androids is a critical asset in mission success, sometimes leading to surprising results. In one hostage scenario involving USS Discovery-B and an alien artificial intelligence, [http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/sb118-discovery/message/3454] Delta copied the contents of a damaged alien digital archive shortly before it's failure, inadvertantly retrieving the most succinct and complete finding of their extinct civilization.

All Epsilon units use various methods to store, draw and deplete energy, depending on environmental circumstances. Besides continually shunting kinetic energy into a storage battery, Epsilons could convert water and synthehol into energy and draw power from UVA/UVB radiation. Rollover energy not used during duty shifts is usually sent to a reserve battery as well as the main battery which cycles energy between systems to maintain optimal efficiency.

 

In two improvised test scenarios, Epsilon was able to survive in desert climates and traverse great distances during daytime using abundant solar energy. Epsilon also used battery heat to liquify ice in Antarctic Earth, converting the water into hydrogen energy. Though Epsilon-Delta may continue to function well into the next century, test scenarios show that a total depletion of her energy reserves could be quickly accomplished through continuous unmanaged use.

As of Stardate 238306.17, the Delta series was assigned as female. It should be noted that although functions required to establish a sexual relationship with the Delta series are untested, there is evidence it has already begun to evolve as part of the artificial lifesign interaction with the programmable holographic matrix (see Personality) However, since Delta couldnot reproduce in the normative biological sense, some cyberneticists theorize the mating subroutine within the personality interaction routine is non-essential to the integrity of Delta's personality.  

Although she could directly communicate with most scientific and non-weapons-based Federation-compliant technology, Epsilon stated in her internal log that she finds audio and tactile manipulation "stimulating."

Theoretically, a starship's entire computer functions, including navigation, engineering and lifesupport, could be re-routed and controlled by the Epsilon positronic processor. However, this is an inefficient and unstable "miracle solution," as over a short period of time, information payload would gradually decrease processor efficiency.

After the discovery of the Soong-type Android, [[ma:B4|B4]], and subsequent events surrounding the [[ma:Battle in the Bassen Rift|Battle in the Bassen Rift]] resulting in near-loss of U.S.S. Enterprise-E, a series of safety protocols were developed by Starfleet regarding the use of Soong-based technology. Like all sworn Starfleet Officers, Epsilon-Delta observes emergency protocols in ship or land battle-readiness and first aid but could assist with several additional safeguards.  

All four Epsilon units were designed to serve as emergency beacons and mobile communications hubs in the event of an away-team or ship-board emergency and only where primary systems are rendered off-line. Epsilon could directly interface with all Federation-compliant communications systems and even act as a universal translator.

The reserve battery could cycle energy for an explosive discharge. The collateral damage is roughly equivalent to the power of a fully-charged Mark IV phaser set to self-destruct. The discharge results in the loss of the unit, the internal hardware with the exception of the highly-shielded positronic brain, and will severely injure the synthetic organism. Since this safeguard could only be initiated through command authorization by either Dr. Mirren [MIA] or the Commanding Officer of her assigned post.  However, this safeguard is deprioritized when her logic routines dictate the reserve battery power be saved to accomplish mission scenarios.

Although Epsilon units obey a rigid behaviorial code that values life, personal liberty and a greatest possible degree of security, command codes to directly control her behavior could be initiated in the event of an unprecedented critical situation. This command code authorization can only be initiated if her logic routine is compromised and only by her CO. The encrypted voice authorization command is changed each stardate and housed in the LCARS [http://lcarscom.net/] of her assigned vessel on as as well as the LCARS aboard [[DS285|Deep Space 285]] and [http://www.utopiaplanitia.info/ Utopia Planitia].

In each event Epsilon predicts she will incur catastrophic damage to her positronic brain, Epsilon will execute a secure memory transfer by subspace to [[DS285|Deep Space 285]], one of two Federation facilities where major repairs of her systems are possible.