Quantum Entanglement Drive (QE for short) is an alien technology discovered by Realm engineer Pelgar Shrian and given to the Compact to prevent Pelgar's master from exploiting it. QE drive initiates a quantum state between two masses, either baryon or dark matter, to effect an instantaneous transfer of each over interstellar distances. It is preferred dark matter be used as it dissipates rapidly and does not coalesce into structures normally seen in space. This process allows a ship to be virtually anywhere in space instantaneously.
Features and Limitations
- Swaps anything the “drive” or “box” is aboard. All a ship needs is an equal mass to transfer with.
- Causes a static charge similar to static electricity. Though harmless in most cases, it does cause hair to stand up on end and has been known to make those inside the transfer to tingle on occasion.
- The size of the vessel effects range.
- Swapping with baryon (normal) matter can drain the mechanism’s power, as can jumps over extreme range.
- Warp fields can interfere with the drive’s operation.
Discovery
The drive was discovered on a planetary survey commissioned by the Realm looking for future colonies to settle. Pelgar’s team discovered a planet not too dissimilar to the Realm’s Throneworld. The civilization there had gone extinct through a planetary contagion they had not predicted. Pelgar and another teammate found the drive in an orbital station and watch holos. Because Gelt could quickly extrapolate languages not heard before, they were able to deduce its purpose and operating instructions, but not its origins. They tested the drive by jumping to several systems known and unknown. However, upon their return, they discovered an unmapped asteroid had killed the entire team and destroyed their main ship. Pelgar and her teammate survived for a month on the orbital station, though the teammate died of starvation while Pelgar was days from death.
Laral Raas
Laral Raas, a minor trader now holding leadership of the remains of the Laral Family, came into the system and found Pelgar barely alive. When he learned of the drive, he offered her two choices: indenture or death by starvation. Pelgar agreed to become Laral’s property, though she had the presence of mind to tie possession of the drive to her, meaning Laral would lose it if he lost her indenture or when the contract ended in five revolutions, as mandated by Realm law.
Compact Possession and Testing
At Armaneya in 438, Pelgar made contact with Connor Duffy, a Compact Navy engineer on shore leave. She showed Duffy the “box,” even jumping to the Realm Throneworld and back in minutes. As she also had fallen in love with Duffy, she convinced him to challenge Laral to a rigged game of reaper. With the help of the Children of Amargosa, Duffy won her indenture, assumed custody of Pelgar when she asked for political asylum, and turned the device over to the Compact.
The drive was first tested on the CNV Challenger, then transferred to the Endeavour for a secret mission: Gather the delegates of the Compact Assembly for an emergency session.
The Yedevans
During the mission to retrieve the Assembly delegates, the Endeavour was pulled into unknown space and confronted by the Yedevans, an alien race talked about but never seen beyond an encounter around 135 IE. They killed Captain Darnell and a delegate to make their point. However, Commander Davra Andraste and Pelgar Shrian were able to negotiate duplicating the device. The Yedevans regretted killing the captain and the delegate but left instructions on how to build a new device and source materials. Pelgar and Duffy soon became the Navy’s leading experts on this technology.
Appearances: Jump, Davra's Endeavour, Suicide Solution