S.M.I.D.G.E.N.
( Ship’s Modular Intelligence Data Gathering and Evaluation
Node)
The newest addition to the arsenal of tools available to Starfleet
Intelligence is the Ship’s Modular Intelligence Data Gathering and
Evaluation Node (SMIDGEN). Designed by Commander Seabrook of Starfleet
Intelligence and built by engineers at Montgomery Station, it is a
radical departure from previous efforts to ensure that Starfleet and the
United Federation Planets maintain their intelligence edge in a
constantly changing environment.
SMIDGEN is a self-contained unit, which is placed into the hull of a
Starfleet vessel during a routine shipyard availability period. The
standard configuration is a 32' x 50' compartment, which includes the
Chief Intelligence Officer’s office, SMIDGEN itself, and emergency
living quarters. It is surrounded on all sides (including top and
bottom) by free-flowing freshwater pressurized at 500 psi. This fresh
water can also be utilized by the personnel manning SMIDGEN during
emergency situations and is replenished by the use of a recycling
system. In addition, all perimeters, which can be accessed from a
corridor, have a secondary bulkhead constructed of a hardened, composite
material 12-inches thick. Unauthorized entry, therefore, is virtually
impossible.
Access to SMIDGEN is through one of two code-controlled air locks.
Each air lock can, if necessary, be sealed by a force field generator.
As a secondary safeguard, each air lock can be flooded with two
different gases: one renders any occupant unconscious until the proper
antidote is administered, the second is lethal to all known life forms.
Should the need arise, the intelligence team can live within SMIDGEN’s
safe confines for up to six weeks, utilizing the integrated,
emergency-living quarters; emergency life support; and battery backup
systems which are within the protected area. The living quarters,
although not as spacious as normal crew quarters, contain sleeping,
eating, and sanitary facilities to accommodate the intelligence team’s
needs.
The central feature of every SMIDGEN is a holographic projection
table. This product of cutting-edge technology can project any desired
image, whether generated from sensor input or customized by the console
operator, as though it were a solid object. The ability to view an image
from all sides provides tremendous advantages in data evaluation.
Five computer stations handle the data gathering and evaluation
function: one dedicated to Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), one dedicated
to Electronics Intelligence (ELINT), one dedicated to Human Intelligence
(HUMINT), and one dedicated to Communications Intelligence (COMINT). The
fifth station provides SMIDGEN with extensive, enhanced communications
capabilities. Sensor input and holographic image generation are
controlled by panels located around the base of the holographic
projection table.
Constructed by Megalithic Memories of Vulcan, the main SMIDGEN
computer is an optical data network, parallel processor which is
primarily designed to handle the demands of intelligence gathering and
interpretation. Micronanotechnology enables the computer and its backup
systems to fit within a 4'x14.5' compartment within SMIDGEN, thus
alleviating the need for external data pathways between the Central
Processing Unit and the consoles. Inputs to the SMIDGEN computer include
every system aboard the ship. In recent Beta tests, the SMIDGEN computer
assumed all tasks of the test bed’s main computer system without
capability degradation.
The normal complement of SMIDGEN is 10 officers: A Chief Intelligence
Officer with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, an Assistant Intelligence
Officer with the rank of Lieutenant, two COMINT specialists with the
rank of Lieutenant (junior grade) (COMINT specialists also serve as
SMIDGEN’s communications specialists), two HUMINT specialists with the
rank of Ensign, two ELINT specialists with the rank of Ensign, and two
SIGNET specialists with the rank of Ensign.
Meticulous planning went into every detail of SMIDGEN, making it a
valuable and highly successful contributor to Starfleet Intelligence and
the safety of the United Federation of Planets. |