Difference between revisions of "Genesis Device"

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The '''Genesis Device''' is the product of the '''Genesis Project''', an effort led by Dr. Carol Marcus and her son, Dr. David Marcus, to develop a means of rapidly terraforming planets. The device consists of a data matrix and chain-reaction effect system deployed via a photon torpedo casing.  When activated, the device systematically re-orders matter across the target planet to conform with its programmed matrix.  Any life already existing on the planet is destroyed, its matter transformed by the "Genesis Effect".  The device's potential to rapidly scour a planet of all life caused many to regard it as a weapon of mass destruction.
[[Image:Programming Genesis.jpg|thumb|right|Carol and David programming the device.]]The '''Genesis device''' was a device intended for [[terraforming]] entire planets seen in ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]''.  A dead moon could be transformed into a life-sustaining planet.  The device was developed by Drs. [[Carol Marcus|Carol]] and [[David Marcus]] on board the [[Federation]] [[spacestation]] [[Regula 1]].  They sent a detailed proposal of their intended research project to the Federation to receive the resources they would need for their research, which included the [[starship]] [[USS Reliant]].  The video proposal outlined the benefits to the Federation which included new planets for colonies and agriculture to alleviate the problems of overcrowding and food supply.
[[Image:Genesis effect simulation.jpg|thumb|right|Computer simulation of the Genesis effect]]


It should be noted that the Genesis Device was only seen used once, and the information related to its construction was lost due to the destruction of the device itself, the data used in its construction, and the science station where it was developed, as well as the murder of most its developers.
== Promising development ==


The Genesis Device, when used, was detonated in the Mutara Nebula rather than on a planet as was originally intended, but it successfully reordered the dust and gas of the nebula into a habitable planetThe planet did not exist long, however, as David Marcus used proto-matter in the matrix in order to solve unspecified problems with the mechanismThe use of unstable proto-matter in the matrix resulted in an unstable planet which soon self-destructed.
The project was to proceed in three stages.  Stage one was conducted in a lab.  Stage two was conducted in a lifeless underground cavernReliant was to search for a lifeless planet for stage three while the scientists put the finishing touches on their research and developmentUnfortunately, Reliant got its planets mixed up and was hijacked by [[Khan Noonien Singh|Khan]].


== Dire consequences ==
As with most pieces of miracle technology in fiction, it has a horrible downside.  [[Spock]] speculates that it would destroy any life in the area of its effect.  David confirms that it could be perverted into a terrible weapon.  Khan learned of the project from a mind-controlled [[Pavel Checkov]] and added stealing the device to his objectives in addition to seeking revenge on Admiral [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]].  The devastating potential become a subject of great controversy in the quadrant, with the [[Klingon]]s doing everything from launching protests against the project to trying to steal it for themselves in ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]]''.
== Revenge and new birth ==
[[Image:Genesis torpedo buildup.jpg|thumb|right|The Genesis torpedo building up power to detonation]]Khan eventually steals the device.  After a second battle with Kirk, where Reliant was severely damaged, Khan activated the device, hoping to take Kirk down with him.
[[Image:Genesis planet.jpg|thumb|right|The Genesis Planet]]The device detonates inside the [[Mutara nebula]], destroying the Reliant.  The device forms a new planet, named "Genesis" and the system is subsequently quarantined because of the previously mentioned controversy.  The planet did not exist long, however, as David Marcus used [[proto-matter]] in the matrix in order to solve unspecified problems with the mechanism.  The use of unstable proto-matter in the matrix resulted in an unstable planet which soon self-destructed.  David Marcus is killed by the Klingons trying to steal the secrets of the device and the knowledge behind the technology is lost as a result.
== In the versus debate ==
Trekkies see this device as an ultimate weapon in the Trek universe.  In their eyes it could destroy entire fleets of enemy starships.  Some have gone so far as to calculate exorbitant energy figures for the collapse of the nebula into a planet.  These calculations are completely backwards as the collapse of matter into a planet is a net negative energy event.


[[Category:Star Trek]]
[[Category:Star Trek]]
[[Category:ST Other Technology]]
[[Category:ST Other Technology]]
[[Category: ST Technology]]
[[Category: ST Technology]]

Revision as of 01:59, 13 February 2008

Carol and David programming the device.

The Genesis device was a device intended for terraforming entire planets seen in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. A dead moon could be transformed into a life-sustaining planet. The device was developed by Drs. Carol and David Marcus on board the Federation spacestation Regula 1. They sent a detailed proposal of their intended research project to the Federation to receive the resources they would need for their research, which included the starship USS Reliant. The video proposal outlined the benefits to the Federation which included new planets for colonies and agriculture to alleviate the problems of overcrowding and food supply.

Computer simulation of the Genesis effect

Promising development

The project was to proceed in three stages. Stage one was conducted in a lab. Stage two was conducted in a lifeless underground cavern. Reliant was to search for a lifeless planet for stage three while the scientists put the finishing touches on their research and development. Unfortunately, Reliant got its planets mixed up and was hijacked by Khan.

Dire consequences

As with most pieces of miracle technology in fiction, it has a horrible downside. Spock speculates that it would destroy any life in the area of its effect. David confirms that it could be perverted into a terrible weapon. Khan learned of the project from a mind-controlled Pavel Checkov and added stealing the device to his objectives in addition to seeking revenge on Admiral Kirk. The devastating potential become a subject of great controversy in the quadrant, with the Klingons doing everything from launching protests against the project to trying to steal it for themselves in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

Revenge and new birth

The Genesis torpedo building up power to detonation

Khan eventually steals the device. After a second battle with Kirk, where Reliant was severely damaged, Khan activated the device, hoping to take Kirk down with him.

The Genesis Planet

The device detonates inside the Mutara nebula, destroying the Reliant. The device forms a new planet, named "Genesis" and the system is subsequently quarantined because of the previously mentioned controversy. The planet did not exist long, however, as David Marcus used proto-matter in the matrix in order to solve unspecified problems with the mechanism. The use of unstable proto-matter in the matrix resulted in an unstable planet which soon self-destructed. David Marcus is killed by the Klingons trying to steal the secrets of the device and the knowledge behind the technology is lost as a result.

In the versus debate

Trekkies see this device as an ultimate weapon in the Trek universe. In their eyes it could destroy entire fleets of enemy starships. Some have gone so far as to calculate exorbitant energy figures for the collapse of the nebula into a planet. These calculations are completely backwards as the collapse of matter into a planet is a net negative energy event.