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Mintaka III "duck blind".

Mintaka III "duck blind".

A "Duck blind" was a term that originated from a method used by Human hunters to catch their prey, such as ducks, off guard. The expression was then used in the 23rd and 24th century for the method of holographically camouflaging observation posts and cultural observers to prevent pre-warp inhabitants from discovering the observers.

Specifics

Duck blinds avoided the risks of cultural contamination during observation. (Adventures RPG module: Core Rulebook)

The First Contact Office oversaw duck blind missions. If a duck blind was compromised, Office procedure dictated trying to use a memory erasure procedure on those who saw the scientists. (DS9 - Millenium novel: The Fall of Terok Nor)

History

23rd century (Kelvin timeline)

In 2262 of the Kelvin timeline, the USS Enterprise's chief engineer, Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott, invented his version of the duck blind technology to study the Felidae. (TOS - Deity comics: "Part 1", "Part 2")

24th century

Simulated duck blind when active.

Simulated duck blind when active.

Simulated duck blind when deactivated.

Simulated duck blind when deactivated.

In 2366, the Federation built a duck blind on Mintaka III to observe the Mintakans. However, it was dismantled when the inhabitants discovered the observers, believing them to be gods. (TNG episode: "Who Watches the Watchers?")

In 2375, the Federation, working with the Son'a, built a duck blind to observe the Ba'ku. Vice Admiral Matthew Dougherty had the blind equipped with chromodynamic shields. However, Lieutenant Commander Data exposed the blind when one of the Son'a fired at him. (TNG movie & novelization: Insurrection)

In 2376, the Starfleet Corps of Engineers undertook a mission to repair duck blinds damaged by the presence of the Dominion, with the USS da Vinci dispatched to work on Coroticus III and Sachem II. The duck blind on Coroticus was installed on treetops. (SCE eBook: Fables of the Prime Directive)

In 2381, Diplomatic Officer Deanna Troi filed a recommendation to either install a duck blind to study the Orishan culture or leave their planet Orisha alone. (TTN novel: Sword of Damocles)

Also that year, in a holodeck drill controlled by the evil artificial intelligence Badgey, a Mintakan civilization seemed to have evolved within the Genesis Planet simulation aboard the USS Cerritos. Dr. Gabers Migleemo set up a duck blind to study their culture, manned by Ensigns Beckett Mariner and Sam Rutherford. Rutherford was impressed with the facility's cloaking technology, but accidentally deactivated it while checking it out. Mintakans immediately spotted them and determined that they must be deities. (LD video game: The Badgey Directive episode "Quis Custodiet Custard")

In 2382, Troi suggested using a duck blind to study the Hranrarii on Hranrar. (ST - Typhon Pact novel: Seize the Fire)

Appendices

Appearances and references

External link