Object

Covert Isolinear Bypass Chip (Engineering Override Module)

A small, covert isolinear bypass chip used as a removable engineering override module. Physically it is a flat, credit-card–sized isolinear module of translucent composite with a latticed contact edge and precision-machined mounting notches; its face glows with faint diagnostic tracery when active. Functionally it carries and injects control logic and stealth bypass directives into Engineering's isolinear rack architecture—here employed by Roga Danar as an improvisational, surreptitious exploit to reroute control paths, produce anomalous calls on consoles, and stall detection while bridge and engineering personnel observe the override signatures.

2 appearances

Purpose

To carry and re-route control logic and subsystem directives within the ship's isolinear rack architecture — here used as removable bypass modules to override or redirect Engineering control signals.

Significance

Functions as the tactical fulcrum of a covert breach: Danar's manipulation of these chips enables a surgical, non‑destructive override that exposes systemic blind spots, compels Picard to stall alarms for observation, and escalates the political and moral stakes by proving how an individual can weaponize routine hardware.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S3E11 · The Hunted

Reactor Gambit — Danar's False Restoration

An isolinear bypass module is implicated as the physical mechanism Danar used to reroute control paths for the false shuttlebay restoration; it functions narratively as the material clue of tampering and as the temporary tool enabling his diversion.

Before: Installed in Engineering racks as a functional isolinear module available to engineers.

After: Likely displaced or bridged as part of Danar's bypass; rendered ineffective when Data reoverrode the exploit remotely.

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S3E11 · The Hunted

Danar Slips into the Jefferies Tubes

An isolinear bypass module is implied to have been manipulated by Danar in Engineering to reroute control paths and restore power to Shuttlebay Two. Data's override counteracts the bypass's effects, rendering the unauthorized module's action ineffective and closing that access point.

Before: Displaced/bridged in Engineering by the intruder to create an unauthorized control path; functioning as a temporary bypass.

After: Its unauthorized function is overridden by Data; the bypass no longer provides power to Shuttlebay Two though the physical module's disposition is not specified.

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