Infinite Realities

I'm working on a new story arc based on the ship shifting through a number of quantum realities (ala Parallels except in a larger scale) and I'm collecting alternate reality ideas.

To-date I've got the usual stuff from All My Yesterdays and of course Parallels one or two that the PCs have already encountered including a universe where Picard did not "repair" the timeline in Yesterday's Enterprise and the Fed-Klingon War continues, a world where Kirk was kicked out of Starfleet during the 1st five year mission for violating the Prime Directive.

Any other ideas?

A Vulcan scout ship suffers a minor mechanical failure, and as a result doesn't notice that humans have developed warp drive. As a result, humans leap into space exploration without having a truly unified earth, and when they finally do meet the Vulcans, their influence is much less potent on Earth culture. As a result, the "Federation" proper never really forms, and Starfleet remains a Terran organization, allied with the Andorian Defense Forces, and other planetary militias. After a war with the Romulans that goes badly for both sides, with a narrow victory for the Terrans, a loose "Trade Federation" is organized, but you never end up with the truly grand Starfleet as we know it - technology is more fragmented, with particular races having more or less of an edge in certain areas, and the lack of co-ventures in the areas of science and engineering are quite visible. You could play with this however you want, but I bet it'd be neat for the characters, on their way through this dimension, to introduce the seed of a multi-planet Federation with a unified government etc...

The Doc

2 ideas off the top of my head:

The quantum reality where Picard never becomes captain. I don't remember the episode, but Q got involved & showed Picard what life would have been like if he'd never been stabbed by the Nausicaans.

Another thought: Give a character the opportunity to see what would happen if they'd never been born, aided by Q. Something along the lines of "It's a Wonderful Life" (corny, I know, but it could work somehow!)

"Darwinia" - A parallel dimension where genetic tampering was resumed after WW3 with careful controls (much like Darwin Research Station). This has left most human beings - through manipulting DNA to mimic that of Vulcans, Deltans, and Betazoids - telepathic. The Federation had a few greater victories throughout the years because of this - Contact with the Horta was quick and ended peacefully, both Romulan and Cardassian intelligence operations were rarely successful against the Federation, which led to the early defense and protection of Bajor, among other things. However, a secret sect, known as Genome 31 (*groan*), is manipulating things behind the scenes, encoding Starfleet Officers with genetic trigger words and loyalty biological coding, and the crew arrive to find themselves on the wrong end of Genome 31's attention.

"Humans? What are they..?" - In developing an atomic weapon, scientists were unsure if they were going to set off a reaction that would burn up the whole damned planet. In this reality, they nearly did. Earth never joined the space race, it was left a ruined world with barely any survivors. Though those humans did eventually crawl out of the wreckage, they're a barely known race, usually called "Terrans," with low population, that live mostly on Alpha Centauri as refugees, and most of them can't claim a completely Terran lineage over the generations. The "Federation" formed with Alpha Centauri, the Vulcans, and the Tellarites, the Andorians choosing to remain neutral, and not joining for many more years. The Romulans hit the Alpha Quadrant hard, and it is a rougher place for it. Bajor is still an occupied planet that the Cardassian Empire rules with a hard fist, the Ferengi are the masters of most of the interstellar economy, and the "Federation," with barely 30 member worlds, including the nearly destitute Klingon race (who nearly died out as a result of their moon exploding and having no one willing and able to help them out), is not quite on par with the other major governments / powers of the quadrant.

"One Vulcan," - The Vulcan movement of logic worked, and the Romulans never left - they were given a separate continent on Vulcan in which to continue their ways. Over the years, however, they merged in with the rest of Vulcan society, and we see a slightly less strict Vulcan society, where emotions are frowned upon when they are extreme, but minor emotional talks and expressiveness is allowed. Most of the history of the Federation remained the same, with a few exceptions: No Romulan-Earth wars led to a slightly softer Federation that was hit harder and taken more unaware by the Cardassian Union. As a result, the Cardassian-Earth wars were harder, longer, and the Cardassian Union a larger place currently. The Bajoran wormhole was never discovered, and the Bajorans still suffer under Cardassian rule, but most importantly, a new war is brewing with a race who call themselves the Taurhi Unity (sp?), coming from a part of the quadrant the Federation had explored with little violence or troubles...

A few other thoughts in my head. :)

The Doc

I remeber near the end of DC Comics run as publishers of the TNG comic, there was a four issue story arc which dealt with a reality where the Enterprise failed to rescue Picard from the Borg and they went on to conquer Earth. The Enterprise saucer section was destroyed leaving the stardrive section to fight on against the Borg menace with a few remaining starships. Ultimately they manage to rescue and restore Picard and destroy the Borg on Earth. I see this universe as an interesting place with a shattered Federation trying to pick up the pieces of a Borg ravaged Earth and having to contend with a Cardassian and Romulan threat simeltaneously.

Or how about one where Earth lost the Romulan War and became slaves of the Empire :)

I will think of others when not so tired :)

Admiral Janeway DOESN'T go back to met herself to defeat the Borg. Voyager dies a horrible bloody death!

What if warp tech was created in another ear, say 1950-1960's (another Bell-X project). What impact would that have on ships encountered from there ("Their nacelles look so...different"). And image the speeds:).
Likewise: what if phasers were develops say Korean War era-ish?
or: The first computer wasn't the vacume-tubed monstsity we've all read about in computer fundamentals

Just a few ideas...

Why do parallel universe have to be always worst than our own ? Let's make the "normal" timeline be the ghastly alternate reality for once...

Due to the successful rescuing of a stranded Klingon on Earth in early 2150's, the Klingon Empire soon became an ally of the emerging Federation, eventually becoming part of it. Thanks to this alliance, the Earth-Romulan war was quickly won by Earth, who then proceeded to make first contact with the Romulan. Shaked by this defeat, the Romulans soon reunified with their Vulcan brothers.
The Federation then expanded exponentially; Bajor joined in 2270, after first contact was made by Captain Kirk in 2265.
The Cardassians were only beginning their expansionnist phase when discovered by the Federation; successful negociations were made, and the Cardies were soon able to overcome their lack of resources, eventually forming an alliance with the Federation.
In 2370 (or whenever your game occurs), the Federation controls both Alpha and Beta Quandrant, and parts of the two others. An alliance was made with the Dominion, thanks to the efforts of Commander Odo Ital. The Borg have stopped any offensive action after the Federation was able to de-assimilate entire cubes (Federation starship USS Voyager, equipped with experimental transwarp drive, is currently on a spiying mission in the Delta Quadrant). The Ferengi Alliance has been absorbed in the Federation, and is now the core of their Merchant Marine.

Hope you like the idea...

Quote:

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Originally posted by C5
Why do parallel universe have to be always worst than our own ? Let's make the "normal" timeline be the ghastly alternate reality for once...

Due to the successful rescuing of a stranded Klingon on Earth in early 2150's, the Klingon Empire soon became an ally of the emerging Federation, eventually becoming part of it. Thanks to this alliance, the Earth-Romulan war was quickly won by Earth, who then proceeded to make first contact with the Romulan. Shaked by this defeat, the Romulans soon reunified with their Vulcan brothers.
The Federation then expanded exponentially; Bajor joined in 2270, after first contact was made by Captain Kirk in 2265.
The Cardassians were only beginning their expansionnist phase when discovered by the Federation; successful negociations were made, and the Cardies were soon able to overcome their lack of resources, eventually forming an alliance with the Federation.
In 2370 (or whenever your game occurs), the Federation controls both Alpha and Beta Quandrant, and parts of the two others. An alliance was made with the Dominion, thanks to the efforts of Commander Odo Ital. The Borg have stopped any offensive action after the Federation was able to de-assimilate entire cubes (Federation starship USS Voyager, equipped with experimental transwarp drive, is currently on a spiying mission in the Delta Quadrant). The Ferengi Alliance has been absorbed in the Federation, and is now the core of their Merchant Marine.

Hope you like the idea...

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Inevitably, IMHO, there's always a serpent in this type of Eden. Usually there's a deep dark secret of how the Federation controls this perfect world...maybe Section 31 is more insidious than they are in our universe. Its the only way to make these perfect worlds fun.

Well, my idea was precisely to have one perfect universe for once, without its usual serpent in the garden.

However, if you want one, how about this :
Extending the Federation to all these various cultures has not been without cost. The original spirit of the Federation has been decaying over the years, and now part of it has been forgotten. The Prime Directive is only a guideline, wich is the first thing StarFleet Captain forget when they discover interesting worlds (from strategic position or mineral resources). The Federation still doesn't expand through conquests, but doesn't hesitate to infiltrate worlds and somehow "guide" them to request Federation membership. For instance, the Ferengi Alliance joined the Federation, only after a huge krach of unknown origin caused the collapse of their economy - that, and the accidental death of the current Nagus, who was anti-Federation.
Some rumors are spreading that some group or sect in the Federation, named Section 31, is trying to expose some evidence of this slipping of Federation activities, and restore its original spirit.

Better?

In almost all cases, diplomacy worked. With the Romulans, with the Klingons, the Axanari, even with the Cardassians. There were bumps and bruises and brief struggles and wars, but it isn't until the arrival of the Dominion that things get ugly in the Alpha/Beta quadrants. However, the United Federation of Planets (which includes Romulus, Qonos, and Cardassia), knocks the crap out of the Dominion in rather short order, and then, through the diplomatic corps (and the volunteer Odo), things are patched up pretty quickly.

If you need a snake for this Eden, who better than the Borg: Q never showed up, never introduced the Federation to the Borg, and now, here they come... Heck your crew zipping through this dimension would have more information on the Borg than anyone in this galaxy...

The Doc

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poster

Very interesting idea, Styro. This could make an interesting hypothesis to the origin of the Borg.

Wich BTW sparks another idea : when the Crew finally get home, they could wonder if the Borg in our universe were indeed the result of such experimentations, and then, if the threat they were facing has been wiped out or if some parts of it remain somewhere...

"The Best of All Worlds?"

This sprung from my head as I continued to try to develop a 'better than Federation' alterniverse for my campaign.
I wrote it all in one sitting, and admittedly it came about because of my particular personal dislike for one man.

Okay. The Union of Planets.

Timelines diverge...

1980: A wave of religious fervor sweeps the United States. Ultra-Right-Wing candidate Pat Robertson wins the Republican nomination and the US Presidential election. In 1984, there IS NO election.

1980-2002: The "Fundie Wars." Robertson attempts to establish a Theocracy in the United States using the power of the Federal Government and his authority as Commander in Chief. He claims a "Mandate from God" to 'restore' the USA. Robertson also commits US forces to actively fighting the Soviets in various areas of the world. Fortunately, his abysmal failures do not encourage the Soviets to employ nuclear weapons. Resistance to Robertson's tyranny results in the Second American Revolution. (Try Robert Heinlein's "Revolt in 2100," but sooner)

1993: The secret Eugenics program "Operation Uplift" is rooted out by the Robertson regime. Although most of the 'abominations against God' are killed outright, one Khan Noonien Singh escapes and goes into hiding in the US, eventually rising to lead the resistance. This Khan, equally intelligent but far less monomaniacal than 'our' Khan, wins a stunning series of battles with government forces.

2002: The Theocracy falls. Robertson is tried and convicted of treason, war crimes, and other offenses. Khan is elected President of the United States. Intending to make the US into a preeminent world power again (The Soviet alliances dominate Asia, Africa, and most of Europe), President Singh mandates an increased focus on the sciences and a re-expansion into space. he also creates a covert 'super-soldier' program for the US military.

2012: man returns to the Moon

2035: First manned mission to Mars

2039: W.W. III is fought, the Western Alliance (led by the US, Canada, Quebec, Australia, the UK, Japan and South Africa) vs the Soviet States (almost everybody else). A Soviet nuclear first strike is defeated by the Alliance's missile defense network, although several warheads do get through, causing widespread destruction. The retaliation, however, is devastating. Limited Alliance nuclear strikes take out the Soviet's remaining missiles, while covert teams of supersoldiers "cut the brains and hearts" out of the enemy leadership.

2041: The New United Nations is formed after the Treaty of Kiev. Under Section 30 of the Treaty, further genetic engineering other than to treat or prevent congenital defects is forbidden. President Singh publicly insists that there be no further 'supermen.'

2052: Young scientist Zefram Cochrane and his team of specialists build and fly the spaceship UNITY, ushering in man's Warp Age.

2055: First Contact between Earth and Alpha Centauri.

2056; First Contact between Earth and Vulcan, near Eridani.

2090: Earth colonizes Mars

2103: The New United Nations becomes the New Earth Union. Australia and Quebec are the last nations to join, in 2125.

2120: First Contact between Earth and Andor.

2156: Beginning of War between Earth and Romulan Empire, quickly expands to include Earth's new friends.

2160: The Romulans are decisively defeated by a combined fleet near Cheron. The Romulans sue for peace, and the Neutral Zone (a smaller version, granting the Romulans les space than in 'our' universe) is established.

Terran Conventions draft the Union of Worlds charter.

2220: Romulan/Klingon War erupts.

2221: The USS RANGER makes First Contact with the Klingons, sustaining heavy damage while saving a Klingon civilian transport under attack by a Romulan destroyer. this display of force and honor impresses the Klingons, who open relations and trade with the Union.

2242: The Treaty of Donatu V formalizes an alliance between the Klingons and the Union.

2264: The USS ENTERPRISE embarks on its historic five-year mission under captain James T. Kirk.

2266: Romulan attacks across the Neutral Zone resume, with plasma weapons and cloaking devices employed. Several worlds are ravaged in sneak attacks. Eventually, after a bloody war, the Union is forced to invade and occupy Romulan space.

2267: First Contact with the Horta, Gorn, and Kzinti Empire. The Babel Conference admits Coridan to the Union. Orion interference in the conference leads to a Unionwide crackdown on the Orion Syndicates.

2268: First Union contact with the Tholian Assembly. Loss of the USS DEFIANT and Tholian vesel THILVANCE into interphase.

2281: The Gorn join the Union.

2286: A powerful probe, its origin and purpose still a total mystery, approaches Earth, causing great consternation, beams signals into the oceans, then departs without further incident. Humans resume serious attempts to communicate with Cetaceans.

2290: The Romulan rapproachment. Occupation forces withdraw from Romulus and Romulan space, leaving a new Romulan Republic in place. The Romulan government pledges neutrality and nonaggression.

2293: Disaster on the Klingon moon Praxis is narrowly averted by a visiting team of Union engineers. Qo'nos and the Klingon Empire formally enter the Union. Dissident elements of the Klingon Empire secede and form the Free Klingon States (FKS).

2294: Betazed joins the Union.

2309: The bajoran Empire establishes a 'presence' on Cardassia Prime.

2313: Fleeting First Contact between the Union and the Taurhai, little of substance exchanged.

2328: The Bajoran Empire occupies Cardassia.

2342: The Kzinti Empire allies itself with the Union.

2350: The Reunification movement gainst strength on Romulus; Ambassador Spock publicly relocates to Romulus to advocate for the movement.

2361: The Breen attack the Bajoran Empire, but are repulsed.

2369: The Romulan Nationalist Party (RNP) seizes control of several worlds in outlying Romulan space and begins terroristic actions against the Union and its Romulan allies.

The Kzinti Empire formally enters the Union.

2370: The Bajoran "Circle" Order makes covert contact with the RNP and agrees to supply weapons and information, using the Ferengi as intermediaries. Without the RNP's knowledge, the bajorans also contact the FKS and offer them the same alliance.

2370: The Present Day.
And now, the 'Dirty Secret' of the Union:

Khan's 'supermen' never really went away.

A secret cabal of superintelligent humans, Section 31 (their answer to the Treaty of Kiev's Section 30) has always guided the Union (and thusly, Terrans, the dominant culture) towards hegemony over the quadrant. Behind the scenes, they work to bring the other races into the Union, by any means necesary. They staged the Praxis incident, and many other events that altered the course of history.

Now led by three individuals, Khan Singh V, Julian bashir, and Sarina Douglas, their agents are highly placed in the terran and Union government, and even include a few nonhumans who have been convinced and/or coerced into assisting them. Ambassador Spock's aide, Valeris, works for Section 31, as do Admiral Sedlak of Starfleet Intelligence, Klingon High Council member Duras, and Romulan Senator Jarok. Others include Admirals Kane, Sagan, and Ross, Senators Brahms, D'nal, Espinoza and Kovarazov, and the mysterious Flint.

Section 31, while holding what they believe to be the best interests of the Union at heart, are absolutely ruthless in bringing their goals about. If the Union will be served by the deaths of a civilian populace, the destruction of a Union fleet, or the annihilation of a world, so be it.

Section 31 has recognized the Taurhai as a cultural threat, and is moving into position to counter them. (Section 31's knowledge and technology is generally a decade ahead of the rest of the Union, naturally.) Of more imediate concern, however, are the renegade Klingon and Romulan factions, and the Bajoran Empire, led by Emperor Bareil. Starfleet Intelligence's highest operative on Cardassia, Councilor Damar, has reported rumors that the Bajorans are actively supplying the renegades with weapons and information. The mysterious disappearance of several small colonies in the vicinity of the Typhon Expanse also has Section 31 (and the rest of the Union) worried.

Naturally, a dimension-hopping crew would be of great interest to the Union, their enemies, and Section 31 especially.