Lotus Fleet Forums

Introduction

The following is an account of the data gathered on the Azimuth Horizon anomaly by Lotus Fleet ships, primarily the USS Artemis between stardates 86920.6 and 87063.1

The Azimuth Horizon is an anomaly that is essentially a wormhole through Space-Time (see below for more information on this concept) to another "universe" (term used based on the limits in understanding of our own universe).

Summary

Location: Located in the Hromi Cluster in the imaginary triangle between Starbase 10 and the Romulan and Klingon borders (see attached image).

Distance of center from SB10: 4 LY

Diameter: Growing (1 LY upon discovery, 3 LY as of Artemis' 2nd mission)

Height: ~22% of diameter

Estimated stardate of conception: 86566.9 (July 26, 2409)

Speed: Warp 9.99997

Estimated Rate of Expansion: (1.03^x / 1000) LY per solar day, where x is number of days since conception. This means the rate of growth is exponential with the following rates at various key points...
1 day: 0.001 LY per day
116 days: 0.047 LY per day (Artemis discovers AH)
152 days: 0.089 LY per day
-- Note, at this point experiments performed by Artemis slows the rate of expansion of the edge closer to Starbase 10 back down to 0.011 LY per day, thus saving Starbase 10 from being overtaken 10 days later --
223 days: 0.031 LY per day (Overtakes Starbase 10)
365 days: 2.05 LY per day (Overtakes Sol)
458 days: 757 LY per day (Reaches galactic center)
618 days: 85,784 LY per day (Reaches Andromeda Galaxy)

ADDENDUM: Currently the anomaly has been contain following Operation Horizon using a net of monitoring satellites emitting inverted ionic pulses and low intensity sustained phaser to close up the subspace fractures the anomaly needs to expand. A task force under the command of the USS Wisconsin patrols the net for maintenance, protection and warning-off unauthorized approaching vessels. Authorization is obtained through the Federation Science Council.

General Behavior:

• The Azimuth Horizon's effects are distributed along multiple subspace frequencies. This causes it to drop out into normal space intermittently and at seemingly random intervals
• Strong presence of chronitons and nucleons
• No electrons nor gravitons registering
• The anomaly has no polarity and no mass detectable, yet, it behaves in most aspects like plasma, which is a state between energy and matter (and therefore should have both)
• Corona is definitely plasmic, similar to supernova ejections but caught in a vortex like a typical ion storm

Origin:

• A discharge from the collision of time and anti-time (thus the high level of chronitons) rupturing matter and anti-matter (thus the high level of free nucleons and the absence of any matter to produce electromagnetic and gravimetric properties) and expanding along subspace fractures.
• We are, at least partly, responsible for this catastrophe: subspace fractures sometimes occur naturally, but the centuries of extensive warp travel has created and expanded them dangerously until Starfleet modified its warp engines a few decades ago. This means that this anomaly will naturally travel towards the most dense inhabited parts of the quadrant, in all directions.

Effect on ship and crew within anomaly:

• Matter-Antimatter reactions increase exponentially up to a cascade build up resulting in a warp core breach (RECOMMENDATION: Shut down warp core and erect level 10 forcefield around it)
• Impulse power and thrusters inoperable (ADDENDUM: the Sangliar Impulse Upgrade allows Lotus Fleet ships full mobility within the anomaly)
• Increased temperature and irradiation upon the hull varying wildly
• Shields partly effective for only a short time
• Phasers ineffective at long range
• Torpedoes cause a plasmic chain reaction that will damage the ship firing them
• Transporters and forcefields only function within ship's hull
• Tractor beams will be greatly amplified in power and range due to lack of gravitons within the anomaly
• After a time within the anomaly, those within the ship will suffer varying medical side effects, although all will begin to suffer severe burns and radiation poisoning even if the ship's shield is still functioning

Side-effects

• Around the very center of the anomaly, and spreading out over time, the effects of the Azimuth Horizon will be various plasma storms and theta radiation
• Close study will reveal masses caught in the maelstrom of energies; fragments of planetary bodies of all sizes... and even here and there fragments of artificial origin. These objects are the sole source of gravimetrics within the anomaly and they have compressed themselves to a neutronic state. This means entire planets have been caught and destroyed by the anomaly already.

Sensor Readings of Anomaly Tendrils

• As the anomaly expands, it spreads out in tendrils following subspace fractures. Unlike the corona, these will not be surrounded by plasma storms and swirling planetary masses, so they will not be detectable until you are right on top of them. There is currently no known way to detect the tendrils. (RECOMMENDATION: When close to the anomaly, stay away from known paths of Warp Speed travel, which the anomaly tendrils tend to follow. Ships without the modified warp engines for safe highwarp travel should not approach the anomaly)

Methods of Travel Through / Escape From

• Multiphasic shielding with extra dedicated power
• Regenerative ablative armor with extra dedicated power
• Vessels with standard ablative armor cannot navigate without risk of severe damage. (RECOMMENDATION: Using the tractor beam to pull other debris around the ship to create a type of "shell", followed by detonation of torpedoes at point blank range to propel the ship forward if the ship has no Sangliar upgrade)

Scientific Explanation of "Wormhole through Space-Time"

To understand this concept it is necessary to build it on the foundation of a typical wormhole*. As all Starfleet Officers should be aware, a wormhole is a shortcut through the folds of Space-Time that allows one to travel great distances in a very short time.

To reduce the number of dimensions, and thus simplify the concept, if you took a crumpled up piece of paper (which represents a two dimensional plane) and traveled from one point on the paper to another in three dimensions (through the air), you would arrive much faster than if you traversed the entire distance upon the piece of paper.

Add one dimension and you get what we typically know of as a wormhole. Instead of a crumpled up two-dimensional plane, it is three-dimensional space which is crumpled up, and the wormhole allows you to cross "through the air" from one point in the 3D space to another point in much less time. Remember that our wormhole actually exists in one greater dimension than the dimension being traveled through, so in this case you're traveling through 3D space using a 4D wormhole.

The Azimuth Horizon is what occurs by essentially adding yet another dimension to the equation. The crumpled up paper is now the 4th dimension, i.e. Space-Time. The Azimuth Horizon thus allows travel from one point in Space-Time to another point very quickly. Essentially this puts one in another "Universe" where both space and time have changed significantly. Again in this case, you're traveling through 4D space-time using a 5D wormhole.

There is no way to determine temporal location, nor does it really matter, because all references in which one would base this "time" off of (namely Stellar Drift**) is lost. Similarly there is no method to determine the location in space, because with the massive change in time, any reference that could potentially be used to navigate back to a known location would have changed drastically.

References:
*Wormhole
**Stellar_drift

Additional Information
(all the following posts written by Kheren)

1. Appearance & Preliminary Data
2. Scientific Analysis
3. Technical Analysis
4. Security & Tactical Analysis
5. Medical Analysis
6. Navigational Data

((top))

Sensors pick up a zone of energy and matter in a state of flux: something like a powerful plasma storm but expanding in an unusual spiderweb patten and extraordinarily fast (just shy of the Hobus Supernova, something over warp 5 at least). It's already over a light-year in volume.

On the viewing screen, it appears as an immense field of swirling gold fire, slowly revolving around a blindingly white center. It flickers in and out like a candle flame in the wind. tendrils of fiery, crackling energy extend in several directions and angles like fire coursing on tree branches in a tangled forest. The raging fire quickly seems to cover the entire field of stars. it is both beautiful and terrifying to behold.

Long range sensor scan didn't pick it up because it seems to fluctuate in and out of our space-time continuum and across subspace in an apparently erratic manner, and it's radiofrequency is exaclty like that of the universe's background radiation.

Short range sensors detects the phenomenon only when it flickers into normal space.

Specific data analysis:

• approximately 3 light years in diameter (or 1 parsec)
• rate of expansion 0.1% light year per solar day in exponential progression
• speed warp 9.99997 (the speed only a massless thing like a subspace signal can achieve)
• frequency: It's effects are distributed along multiple subspace frequencies, sometimes only one, sometimes a few or all at once, sometimes dropping out into normal space (that is why it goes faster than light and is barely detectable intermittently until very close).
• emissions: Strong presence of chronitons and nucleonics coming from the center of the phenomenon, but time dilatation and excessive energy outpour from those concentrated emissions are distorting sensors.
• No electrons nor gravitons registering; the phenomena has no polarity and no mass detectable. yet, it behaves it most aspects like plasma, wich is a state between energy and matter (and therefore should have both).
• Nature: corona is definitely plasmic, similar to supernova ejections but caught in a vortex like a typical ion storm. There no electromagnetic but very minute gravimetric readings at the fringe; yet, no polarity nor mass readout at all at the central point.

((top))

Definition: the anomaly is a discharge from the collision of time and anti-time (thus the high level of chronitons) rupturing matter and anti-matter (thus the high level of free nucleons and the absence of any matter to produce electromagnetic and gravimetric properties) and expanding along subspace fractures.

Analogy: The closest analogy to it are the theories about the Big Bang that created the universe, before matter itself as we know it came into being. but the subspace displacement is beyond any natural cause known to science.

Possibility of natural origin: no natural, non-sentient phenomenon can travel faster than light, especially if it has any mass at all. But tachyons, muons and other such massless particles never behave in such a way or in such a massive scale. Also, no energy release feeds on itself as it propagates beyond destroyed planetary masses. There is no mass at the core, and not enough floating matter in the corona to create and keep a phenomena of this magnitude active, let alone expanding. Finally, there is no substance known, not even antimatter,that can account for what is observed here... If there were, there would be traces of them.

Possibility of artificial origin: Subspace weaponry is known to cause destruction like this, throughout subspace itself, feeding on it; the Hobus supernova that destroyed the Romulan Empire was due to failed experiments in this banned technology. But there was no report to Starfleet of any such illicit research since then... and the readings so far are not completely consistent with subspace weaponry results; the scale of it is even beyond the hobus catastrophe's worst projections.

((top))

Because of the atomic and subatomic forces increase, Matter-Antimatter reaction would also increase exponentially closer to it, up to a cascade build up that could result in a warp core breach... unless completely shutting down the core with a level 10 forcefield around it. And that will last only for a couple of hours or until other energy reserves are depleted.

Impulse power would decrease with proximity because of the lack of electromagnetism within the anomaly proper. Probably down to zero within it.- batteries being heavily shielded and unconnected until actual use will be unimpaired... but only rechargeable out of the anomaly's range (beyond 300,000 km).

Thrusters are not powerful enough to oppose the gravimetric forces accumulated by the objects and debris swirling at the corona. However, they would be much more effective within because of the total lack of gravitons in there to oppose their own thrust... but they could only be powered by batteries,and maintaining all systems active just on them would deplete them all rapidly before emerging out of the anomaly.

The hull itself will be exposed to temperatures and irradiation ranging from full phaser fire to that at the core of a star in wildly fluctuating manner. The direct stress and impact on exposed hull plates will damage the ship in unpredictable ways, including anything from microfractures to clean hull breaches... and no way for any damage control team to patch things up until out of the anomaly proper. That is, excluding the possibility of any impact from hyper-dense debris buffeting at the corona that our own ship's mass might attract or the ship itself being attracted to the bigger ones in this gravimetric-free environment.

((top))

All the effects of a standard plasma discharge can be expected: severe burns and radiation poisoning from limited or distant exposure, outright disintegration from direct close contact. However, the peculiarities of the storm causes several debilitating effects on the crew under prolonged exposure, even within a starship's shielded environment:

• Humans and many humanoid species are showing early signs of chronic fatigue and stress resulting from the lack of electromagnetic contact. Bone and muscle tissue degradation is also starting to appear from the absence of gravimetric forces, although controllable to a degree as long as artificial gravity holds. All in all, it is much like what early space explorers had to cope with over 400 years ago when they attempted the first orbital flights. A highly concentrated diet of calcium and protein will be prescribed... along with regular social events to relax without needing technology to avoid depleting reserves.
  
• More serious however is the debilitating effect on vision. Light being electromagnetic in nature, everyone experiences short sightedness and diminishing field of vision. The effects are cumulative, therefore long exposure to the phenomena will eventually cause blindness... until the patient is brought back into a healthier environment.

Other species among the crew suffer the same effects, but some with additional inconveniences depending on their specific physiology:

• All empathic and telepathic races are definitely handicapped by the lack of electromagnetic forces on which psionic powers depend on: Betazoids and other fully telepathic races are now no more than touch telepaths at best... and touch telepaths like Vulcans or species-limited ones like Kalthurians and Rethians are now deprived of their natural mental abilities as long as the ship is within 300,000 kilometers of the anomaly.
  
• Caitans, Klingons, Andorians and all other species with highly developed endocrine and hormonal systems are prone to elevated stress reactions, violent mood swings and even arousal states. Regular dosage of tranquilizers and counterbalancing hormonal injections will be prescribed to those affected.
  
• Tellarites are unaffected: their argumentative nature is cultural, not physiological. They now just have many more partners to engage in their racial sport... at their own risk. They must be strongly counseled into restraining themselves in their behavior for the time being. the anomaly is not a good place to taunt hunting Caitans, brawling Klingons or dueling Andorians.
  
• Speaking of Andorians, the lack of electromagnetic forces is particularly debilitating to them: in short, their antennae are not working. They become perfectly colorblind, anosmic, and loose their famous depth of perception and ability to sense bio-auras. But the worse is that their sense of balance is in there, like their own auditory system. Consequently, they suffer mild deafness and a definite loss of balance.
  
  Clumsy, hard of hearing, short-sighted and short-tempered, Andorians should be given a wide berth while in the anomaly. They should be temporarily transferred from regular duties to isolated ones like conduit maintenance or nightshift guard duties...if at all possible.

----------------------------------------------

Within minutes of being out of the anomaly (beyond 300,000 km) all debilitating effects will be reversed. Tellarites will still be argumentative however.

If the transitory effect of the actual passage might disrupt the inertial dampeners, physical restraints, like large straps solidly affixed must be provided to all ship personnel before attempting it. Else, broken bodies imbedded in all bulkheads of the ship are to be expected.

((top))

There are several ways to navigate through the anomaly, although none without risks: and they all require an initial warp burst at the edge and then course through on momentum, shutting down the warp core and piloting with thrusters. Emergence will leave the ship without warp power for 30 minutes (restart time), and without shields and phasers recharge until after that.

• Vessel with multiphasic shielding can safely go through but must provide extra battery power to power it. Large vessels like the Artemis and bigger already have the necessary power reserves; others must add them before encountering the anomaly. Note that there is currently no Starfleet vessel equipped with multiphasic shielding.
  
• Vessels with regenerative ablative armor can safely go through best in a straight line: only the Lotus and McKenzie are so equipped within Lotus Fleet, but they must also devote extra battery power to it and will emerge from the anomaly without regenerative armor left until after full power is restored.
  
• Vessels even with standard ablative armor like the Spectre, the Artemis and the Alsea cannot fly through the anomaly without risking severe damage and even destruction.

Following the Artemis experience:

• Engineers are studying the possibility of building ''hull shells'' for ships assigned to go near or through the anomaly based on what the Artemis improvised to survive her first encounter with the anomaly : Capt Kheren ordered tractoring loose debris all around her to improvise a hard shell while detonating torpedoes at point blank range aft to create thrust from the plasma backdraft and go through the engulfing anomaly.)
  
• Multiphasic shielding can be manually attempted but only by a first grade science officer with state of the art equipment.
  
• Unprotected vessels must navigate following subspace fractures while the anomaly is not coursing through one (like running a maze with corridors being flooded and dried suddenly). It requires expert piloting, and scanning proficiency of the highest level with state of the art equipment.
  
  (The Artemis logs shows how they used a guiding shuttlecraft piloted by an aerial-flight-experienced pilot with engineering knowledge to detect beforehand the ebb and flow of the discharges and react fast enough to avoid destruction for it as it guided the ship through. Engineers have worked on probe designs able to reproduce the maneuver more safely. The Artemis also used photon torpedoes in order to divert storm effects from the ship's trajectory through an artificially created matter-antimatter wake from one fracture into another farther away)
  
• An inverted ionic pulse fired from a ship's main deflector dish can seal off a space fracture, preventing the anomaly from pouring out into normal space. The pulse will not extinguish the anomaly nor even remove the fracture (it would take the power equivalent to a star just to do one!) but just collapse the space-time at its end thus cutting off subspace from space at this specific point. It has been theorized by science officer Syntron of the Artemis that the anomaly could therefore be contained to its present location if all subspace avenues for it to move into space were somehow closed... and of course no new one made in close contact to it.

It should be noted that a phaser beam will also close up a subspace fracture, as demonstrated on the USS Voyager report, but this needs pinpoint accuracy and a longer sustained fire along the entire aperture to close it effectively.