Temporal Operative Training

Trailing for temporal operations requires a great deal of phycological fitness and takes the form of two distinct halves. Theoretical training in concepts of time travel as well learning how to work with and use equipment which allows time travel as well as practical training in simulations, many of which are recreations of actual events faced on missions.

Theoretical Concepts

Temporal Operatives require a working knowledge of how time travel works.

• Slingshot Method
• Time Displacement Engine
• Dimensional Fold Drive
• Gravitational Displacement Drive

Operatives are also required to know the dangers of forming temporal paradoxes.

Determining Temporal Location

Operatives must know how to determine their location in the timeline at a given location. This includes using star positions, subspace radio signals, conventional radio signals, and a variety of other methods. When Operatives have access to a proper computer system this can be trivial, but Operatives do not always have this access and must - therefore - be able to approximate location in time without such luxuries using manual star measurements of key celestial objects.

Slingshot Method

Operatives are taught how to maneuver a ship into a trajectory which allows to slingshot around a star and travel faster than the conventional warp speed limit of Warp 10 (infinite velocity), passing that barrier and breaking from orbit with the star at the right point to arrive at the desired location in time. This is perhaps one of the most difficult things to learn how to do and how to do properly. They also learn how to determine when a gravity well is too strong for a slingshot method or when a star burns too hot for their vessel to withstand.

In this instance, time travel is achieved by effectively jumping from one location in time to another. The ship does not travel through time as much as it is simply repositioned. nThis is a key difference as a temporal wave will not interact with a vessel that can jump from one point to another. At the same time, it makes the jump harder to achieve, Operatives are taught how to overcome this problem and what to expect.

Time Displacement Engine

Programming a TDE is much simpler but has its own issues. Operatives are taught how to use, program, and avoid pitfalls of using a TDE. This is another case where a vessel is jumped from one location in time to another, and suffers the same pitfalls.

Dimensional Fold Drive

The Dimensional Fold Drive differs greatly from other methods of time travel as it does not jump from one location to another, instead, it travels through null space moving through time. As such, while the transition is easier and a course simpler and more precise to plot and control - a temporal wave will impact the shields as the vessel travels through time. Operatives are taught now to use the shields and engines to protect the vessel from these effects and when such efforts will be ineffective.

Gravitational Displacement Drive

A still experimental drive system that would allow a vessel to form a temporal graviton corridor large enough for the vessel to pass through between one location in time and another. So far the drive system has not been tested extensively for time travel and Operatives will only deal with this drive in theory rather than in practical simulations.

Paradoxes

Paradoxes are contradictions in the flow of time and can have explosive results. A temporal paradox causes time to loop back in on itself and collapse into a finite time loop. Such time loops can only be escaped from by restoring the series of events to their original sequence. There are many different kinds of paradoxes, Operatives will learn how to predict and escape from the events of a paradox.

Practical Training

Simulations are used for a great deal of practical training, usually performed on the holodeck. Operatives are taught how to handle problems in going through time, in particular passing through a temporal wave or encountering disruptions which can cause temporal issues. Operatives must know how to handle and adapt to the unexpected. In addition, Operatives are training in short term and long term surveillance techniques and how to spot potential operatives causing disruptions in the timeline.

Observation Scenarios

Short Term Distant Observation / Enemy Detection

Operatives are given a mission to observe a subject from afar and avoid many any contact in the past. They are given a rough outline of what to look for (this is variable) and are told to report and not engage. Trainees will then witness an enemy operative engage the subject. This activity can be friendly, unfriendly, hostile, or even violent. Operatives are to assess the situation, report on it, and determine as much about the nature of the enemy operative and their mission as possible.

Short Term Close Observation / Enemy Detection

Operatives are given a similar mission to the above, however, are in close proximity to the subject when the enemy encounter occurs and must not be detected. This offers other challenges as an enemy operative may be watching for signals which do not belong, delaying the ability to communicate with command. The same problem also becomes an issue when attempting to determine more information about the enemy operative.