Much Ado About Alidade, Part 1: Thunderchild Report

Posted on Thu 5th Jun, 2025 @ 4:15pm by Captain Gordon Francis & Commander Heriah Rex & Commander Geraldine "Geri" Severide & Lieutenant Sufai Kell & Brigadier General Franklin Sinclair & Captain Izwyx 'Lo
Edited on on Thu 5th Jun, 2025 @ 4:16pm

3,448 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: From The Ashes
Location: Conference Room 3

-Start-

{Conference room 3}

A piece titled "The Propensity of Violence" was how Captain Izwyx had been introduced to the Cardassian conflict. She had been a junior officer, a gear turner with a pip at best. She learned animosity had a stink that stuck to her clothes, but she was immersed among crew who feared the Cardassians just a little more than they hated them.

Until Today. Izwyx and Sufai got along, as it turned out, and their chat over the planning tables at OPS had led to collaboration. Sufai had not considered Alidade into the refit, but since Captain Izwyx had taken over the thrashed hulk of the Thunderchild her desire to refit had expanded to include the non-corporeal supraluminal lifeform her former science officer Fouran had named Alidade.

As people came into the meeting they giggled over small talk, shop talk, generally just being delighted to know one another. Alidade was also on comms, but who knew where her attentions lay?

Lt. Kell sat patiently waiting for the gathered officers to read her report, seeing the holo-display flare up once everyone had arrived.

****

Preliminary Upgrade Assessment: USS Thunderchild NCC-63549

Prepared by Lt. Commander Sufai Kell, Chief Operations Officer, Starbase 109

The Akira-class remains a proven warhorse of the fleet, its robust frame and devastating torpedo arrays instrumental in key Dominion War victories. However, warfare evolves. Threats evolve. Recent encoutners from obsolete but well coordinated pirate raids further highlight areas of needed improvement in certain areas of the Akira Class platform such as over-engineered torpedo systems, lack of defensive complexity, and a single-unit starship without modular upgrade capability. This class was meant to be tough and able to continue fighting well past the point of no return, but it is rigid in its uniformity. If the Thunderchild is to stand at the forefront of Federation security, evolution is not a luxury; it is a necessity. With the integration of Alidade as a tactical-intelligence core, we propose a holistic refit: a ship capable not merely of surviving battles, but of anticipating them. Enhanced warp capabilities, quantum integrated battle management, regenerative shielding, and modular rapid-response auxiliary wings will transform the Thunderchild from a stalwart carrier into an agile, thinking predator of the stars. The Federation's enemies are not idle. Neither should we be.

With the redesign there is a caveat, Alidade is presently occupying the ship's systems much like we occupy our bodies as minds within a larger biology. Alidade is not an Artificial Intelligence and was not created or programmed. Incidentally, Alidade's first data points upon entering our realm were from Starfleet, so arguably, if we were to contend with the origins of Alidade as a person, then we as Starfleet are her parents. Given this, we have decided to incorporate her presence into the refit, while maintaining autonomous crew control capabilities. Alidade is a first contact with a new lifeform and has pledged to Starfleet's service.

Here following is the final proposal as revised by the Advanced Starship Design Bureau:

Vessel: USS Thunderchild NCC-63549 Class: Akira-class Heavy Cruiser/Carrier

Project Title: Operation "Mind of Light"

Refit Report Prepared By: Lt. Commander Sufai Kell, Chief Operations Officer, Starbase 109

Date: Stardate 88123.4

1. Executive Summary

The USS Thunderchild has served with distinction in major conflicts including the Dominion War and subsequent skirmishes along the Cardassian Demilitarized Zone, The Triangle most recently. However, evolving threats necessitate modernization. This proposal outlines a complete systems and tactical refit to integrate the Alidade Quantum Intelligence Core, advanced propulsion, enhanced armaments, adaptive defenses, and modular auxiliary systems. The refit will transition Thunderchild into a next-generation adaptive tactical platform capable of predictive threat engagement.

2. Primary Objectives

-Facilitating integration of Alidade, an adaptive quantum intelligence entity, into all ship systems. A parallel system will remain in the event Alidade is not present.
-Refit to modern standards, updates applied to all systems.
-Upgrade propulsion systems for superior warp efficiency and sublight agility.
-Enhance defensive and offensive capabilities to address known deficiencies.
-Increase survivability and mission adaptability through modular fighter wing and support craft enhancements.

3. Proposed Upgrades

-Updating Standard Bio-Neural Gelpack Core to Hardened Bio-Neural substrate. Existing infrastructure to be upgraded organically. Computer core to be supplemented by a Quantum Intelligence Mainframe with Alidade allowed to integrate. Improving predictive combat modeling, real-time adaptation, integrated ship management. Core Computer System will be enhanced with a new Quantum-Integrated Core for Alidade. Alidade will reside inside a layered quantum mainframe capable of parallel tactical analysis and predictive modeling beyond standard Starfleet processors. Systems do not require Alidade's presence but are greatly enhanced with them present.

-Sensor Systems expanded to include Tachyon-Enhanced Wideband Scanner Suite, for long-range cloaked ship detection, subspace minefield mapping, high-speed threat indexing; Tactical Systems to be refit and include "Rapid Fire" Torpedo Loading Racks, Combat Hologram Units, Multi Fire Simultaneous spread launchers with minimal reload time. Alidade projects ECM holographic decoys for deception tactics. Deflector dish upgraded Mark IX to increase long-range sensors, installation of Astrometrics lab. Tachyon-Enhanced Wideband Scanning Suite offering Cloaked ship detection, increasing battlefield topology mapping.

-Warp Drive | Upgraded to a compact Variable Geometry Warp Core (inspired by Intrepid-class advances), which improves cruising speeds to Warp 9.8 and maximum emergency to Warp 9.95. More energy-efficient "Kell Bottle" configurations, with adaptive plasma flow for rapid directional changes. Warp Drive from Class-VIII Standard Core to Class IV Variable Geometry Warp Core for an increase to Warp 9.95 emergency cruise; and enhanced field modulation for tactical warp maneuvers.

-Power Generation- Power is redundantly featured in both a power plant consisting of a 1500+ Cochrane warp core that feeds two nacelles and an impulse system, and Twin "Model H" fusion reactors. Upgrading the Warp Core will increase yields to 2200+ Cochranes. This warp core power matrix is located within the Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Chamber (M/ARC).

-The Impulse Engines operate as a twin fusion-powered Impulse Unit, and an enhanced Vector Thrust Impulse System will allow for greater maneuverability, increased lateral agility, improved escape/engagement dynamics. Impulse Engines operating and powered independently as enhanced Fusion Impulse Engines with Vector Thrust Nodes will greatly increase sublight agility; this allows Thunderchild to "drift" and perform complex combat maneuvers (dogfighting a la fighters) at nearly (~92%) full Impulse without detriment.

-Shield systems will be rebuilt from the Regenerative Shield Grid to incorporate a Multi-Phase Adaptive Regenerative Matrix allowing self-adjusting shield frequencies, and rapid field restoration. Multi-Phase Regenerative Shield Matrix can regenerate dynamically based on threat modeling from Alidade; adapts frequency and polarization faster than enemy adjustment.

-Weapon systems will change entirely: Updating to Type XII Phaser Arrays; Quantum Torpedoes; Micro-Torpedo Burst Systems. Establishing connections for recombinant Warp plasma reduces waste and cycles up to a 40% phaser power increase; torpedo loadout expanded for flexible engagement. Micro-torpedoes for point-defense and saturation fire.

-The Standard Ablative Armor will be updated to Adaptive Resonance-Tuned Armor Tiles. This allows responsive hull adaptation to incoming threats; magnetic field tuning. Layered Ablative Armor Tiles now reinforced by armor that can shift its resonant frequency based on incoming energy weapon signatures.

-Auxiliary Craft | Modular Fighter Bays expanded for Warp-capable Peregrine variants, Rapid deployment 24 second-gen Peregrine fighters with warp capability for deep patrols or assault operations.

-The Shuttle bays will change to accommodate a number of Auxiliary Craft
- 20 Automated Peregrine-class Fighter drones (non-warp)
- 24 Warp-Capable Second-Gen Peregrine Fighters (requires pilots)
- Rack deploy for faster deployment, modular fuel cells for deep-strike capability.

-Crew Accommodations will be reduced with the Hybrid Automation and Crew Integration protocols. Critical shipboard functions can be fully automated by Alidade if crew casualties occur. Crew serves in dual-support roles, cross trained for redundancy. Overall reduction of crew by 48% to approximately 225.


4. Refit Timeline and Staging

Phase 1: Systems Removal and Core Prep is 2 months for legacy computer removal, drydock systems isolation. Internal structural refit, additional facilities.

Phase 2: Propulsion and Power Overhaul is 4 months to complete Warp/Impulse upgrades; and complete warp field validation.

Phase 3: Weapons and Tactical Systems Installation is 3 months reconfiguring to Type XII arrays, installing micro-torpedo systems, completion of Alidade's Quantum core calibration.

Phase 4: Hull Armor and Shielding will require 2 months for adaptive tile application; shield grid reinforcement and updates.

Phase 5: Flight Trials and Systems Synchronization will take 2 months, including trial runs under SB109 authority; Alidade will require separate systems for full initialization.

Phase completions: Goal established for a completed project within 13 months.


5. Strategic Justification

The Thunderchild Refit aligns with Starfleet's ongoing Directive 13-A to modernize late 24th-century tactical starships to new hybrid threat standards. Integration of a fully adaptive AI system allows for increased crew survivability, rapid tactical deployment, enhanced strategic flexibility, and a minimized mission loss ratio across multi-threat environments.

Thunderchild will act as the first-of-type prototype for subsequent Akira-class and carrier-cruiser modernization projects, with her performance data informing future Starfleet shipbuilding initiatives.

Supplemental: Visual Changes

-Sleeker nacelles, as variable geometry are smaller and offer enhanced warp field stabilization

-Dorsal bulge atop saucer section (Bridge moved to accommodate Alidade housing, to be replaced by secondary Shield Matrix Nodes)

-Extended impulse engine Ports

-Expanded shuttle/fighter bays

-Subtle armored paneling over hull with textured difference between Ablative and Tuned.

-Slightly bulkier pylons and dorsal saucer section, otherwise the silhouette remains Akira-class proud.


Supplemental: New Internal Systems Layout

-Main Bridge relocated to connect directly to Quantum Core Conduit

-Secondary Data Management Hub in Engineering Deck 2

-Auxiliary Core Reactor for powering independent Alidade systems

-Burst-Fire Torpedo Array Deck below main fighter bays


Final Recommendation: Submitted for approval: Final proposal for a full-scale refit. Authorization to initiate Phase 1 pending Command Council review.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lt. Commander Sufai Kell- Chief Operations Officer, Starbase 109

***

A holo-emitter, with a radius range of 20 meters in all directions, sat atop the desk in front of Sufai and next to her PADD with her report displaying. The holo-emitter had an open channel linked to the Thunderchild. A dim light, only Sufai could see, blinked almost nervously. In the event anyone wanted to meet the Alidade entity, they would be able to do just that. It was decided to hold off on that for the moment however. Still, Alidade found herself in hopeful anticipation.

Sufai let her confidence lead, "This is also a proving ground for us to be able to refit the station. I'd like to build off of lessons learned from this project to refit Starbase 109 into a Stardock."

Captain Izwyx replied first, "We feel the Ticonderoga has the capacity to perform these tasks, and we have the crew present. If we can become a viable Shipyard for production and a top tier refit/repair facility it only improves the Federation presence in the Triangle without adding additional armaments."

Gen. Sinclair nodded at Thunderchild's captain and SB-109's chief engineer but kept his thoughts to himself until after Captain Francis spoke. The upgrade recommendations sounded like the plan was to make Thunderchild into a dream of a ship, one he wouldn't mind taking out for a spin sometime. But he did have at least one question that he wanted considerable thought given to.

Heriah could not remain silent any longer. And that was partly due to Rex, in her gut, constantly worried about the proverbial elephant in the room. "And you are absolutely certain," Heriah spoke up, "that this..." she looked at the report on her PADD, "this Alidade, is certainly NOT an artificial intelligence, but some form of incorporeal intelligent life form, having sworn Starfleet allegiance, and is trustworthy in complete control of the Thunderchild?" Before she could allow anyone to answer, Heriah added to her words. "In complete control of the Thunderchild we will refit the ship to be? I am not sure if I speak of only myself, but I find it a concern to have that much ability and firepower in the...hands...so to speak...of a single intelligence."

Sufai had spent time enough debating this within herself, and the chance to finally have the argument out loud was immensely gratifying.

"First," she held up a her index finger, "Alidade is a being independent of the Thunderchild mainframe. Take away the computer systems, and she still exists. Starfleet has catalogued a number of beings who do not have a corporeal form, and exist in a state far different from our own. She didnt understand time at first, but is now able to provide meaningful data as to a time before she was pulled into our dimension the what I presume was the Isolytic reaction the Thunderchild was exposed to while at warp speeds. She learned our ways in record time, and has passed every measure of test we can conceive of for original thinking..." Sufai then looked to Captain Izwyx for support.

Heriah was nodding her understanding of everything Sufai was saying, thinking to herself 'That is exactly what a malicious AI would want you to think.'

Izwyx took the baton, and Izzy leaned forward to speak with confidence. "Ok, and second... Alidade came to being in a time of crisis, and made choices on her own which saved thousands of lives. I would stake my reputation and the lives of my crew on her performance, as I already have and found her work exemplary. Her answers to the Starfleet cadet's reviews show aptitude and spirit, ingenuity... I have a keen sense for good crew, and this is a good crew. She is lost,, and we will figure out how to get her home, and this will all have been a fever dream for her in the infinity of life she will lead. For now, we have the benefit of her service, and are the better for it."

Geri leaned in, waiting to be given the floor by Captain Izwyx who graciously acknowledged her and sat back in the chair to yield. "Cadet Alidade will be an ensign soon. She passes muster with Intelligence. Also, the proposed refit does not allow for total control by Alidade unless criteria for emergency situations are met and command authorized. The Thunderchild will retain autonomous capability, with controls in the Quantum computer separated from ship functions unless purposefully bridged by manual console switches."

All the while she was speaking, Heriah was calling up Alidade's ability to utilize holographic emitters to project itself, possibly giving itself the chance to move those manual switches itself. Before she could say anything, the conversation continued.

Sufai nodded along and waited hitting a third point home, "Have you spent time with our new crewmember Commander Rex? Alidade is here, now, we can also ask her directly. we can send you our test results but what would you need from Alidade to prove she isn't a pre programmed artificial construct but rather a non corporeal living being?"

Captain Francis leaned forward. "That's exactly it, Lieutenant," he said. "Non-corporeal means it has no physical form. So if not an artificial program, what exactly is Alidade? A spirit? A ghost? Sha Ka Ree?"

'That is precisely what I was going to say,' thought Rex just as Heriah herself thought, 'that is precisely what I was going to say.'

Izzy had already gotten this from the Jupiter Station Review board after the Advanced Starship Design Bureau sent revised specs. She pounced on the question, "We have exhaustively tested this. There are numerous entities who exist in super luminal forms or have non corporeal biologies. Take the Organians or Medusans for example. There are space-dwelling lifeforms, multispectrum particle lifeforms, electromagnetic lifeforms, and included interphasic ones..." Izzy ticked off her fingers as she listed.

Sufai chimed in, "Alidade existed prior to the Thunderchild becoming her unwilling home. She had to learn what existence in our dimension even was, and imprinted a fair amount on herself from Captain Izwyx and the Federation Backup database. She chose everything about her, nobody has once programmed a thing, her code, runs errors in any other computer because it is techno organic surpassing even the Borgs capability. We are both of us learning about the other, trying to understand."

Izzy brought it home, "We have truly hit the point where magic and technology are one and the same here. She is unique, and irreplaceable. We are lucky to have met her too. But Sufai said it best just now... talk to her. She has satisfied all of our testing and verified true intelligence to each of us. You will only be able to satisfy this yourself, if these reports and results already don't."

'Do you want to vomit? Do you want to know what it feels like to have me dry heave in your gut?'

Heriah raised a hand to silence Izzy in the event she had more words. "There is no need for that," she said. "Unless if anyone else here," she looked around at the others, "really wants to meet it. I for one..."

'Oh no. Don't do this.'

"...in the spirit of Starfleet, in the spirit of the Federation and the spirit of boldly going where no one has gone before, I..." she pressed on reluctantly, "...move we allow the Alidade entity to remain. My motion includes LT Sufai Kell to be named as the Alidade Entity's handler and for LT Kell to supply the Command Team of weekly reports on the progression and development of the Alidade Entity. We do not want personal comments like, 'It is the best thing since replicated bread' or 'I feel it deserves a promotion.' No, we need quantitative, provable observations, where its shortcomings are, where it can improve, what it does good, what it does bad. Things like that. You will get to know the Alidade Entity. Work with it. Befriend it."

'Bed it.'

"And also provide personal accounts should you wish," Heriah continued, "but separate from your progress reports." Heriah finished and looked to her captain, wondering if he would second her motion.

Captain Francis sat stone-faced and unreadable as Rex and Sinclair voiced their concerns. He looked at Lieutenant Kell, the Chief of Ops who had thus far proven to be a very competent officer, but he hadn't known her long enough to be sure. Her argument carried some credibility. Francis was well aware of several beings existing beyond the physical realm.

Francis shook his head. "It isn't the question of if she's 'alive' that troubles me. It was what they can do. I'm well aware of several non-corporeal entities and they all give me the willies. The Q are a non-corporeal race that can make themselves into matter at will, also the Organians. Where I get nervous is when I consider the fact that both entities see themselves as superior to physical beings."

Francis continued, "The Q entity encountered by Jean-Luc Picard once tried to enlist in Starfleet. The rejection from Captain Picard led the angered Q to introduce the Enterprise-D to the Borg, an experience that took the lives of several Starfleet officers and resulted in several catastrophic engagements that killed thousands if not millions more. The Organians have multiple abilities including but not limited to manipulating technology. They could disable everything on this station with one thought if they didn't get their way. What happens when Alidade doesn't get her way?"

"So my concern is..." General Sinclair said after several moments, "We're going on the presumption, which seems to be clear, that this Alidade person is a natural, albeit non-corporeal, being. To me, that means it has rights, including rights to things like time off." He held up a hand. "Yes, I agree; it sounds ridiculous. My point is, Alidade is not our slave, even if it has committed to a commission as an officer in Starfleet. The commission only binds it to training, military discipline, and to a term of service. Once its current tour ends, it is free to leave at any time--or is it trapped here? What provisions are in place to ensure that, if Alidade should in the future decide to end its service with Starfleet, Thunderchild's crew are prepared to deal with its absence?"

Francis shook his head. "I'm not sure I like the idea of Alidade leaving at all. What does she do? Retire to France and buy a vineyard? Forgive me if I sound paranoid, but what's preventing her from serving with the Klingons or Cardassians? What happens if she fuses with the Borg?" Francis thought for a moment.

"I want to meet Alidade... in my ready room in two hours," the Captain said at last. Standing and picking up the PADD with the Thunderchild refit proposal he added, "I'll look into these refits and let you know what recommendations I'll make to Starfleet. They're ultimately in charge of such things. Meeting is adjourned everyone."

To Be Continued...

 

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