Fabula
Object
Object

Shuttle Bay Console Stardate Readout

A low-profile metal faceplate embedded near Shuttle Bay Two’s service bulkhead: compact rows of illuminated touch-keys, tactile switches, and a narrow holo-readout that pulses with sensor data, including a small high-contrast numeric stardate display. The surface bears smeared fingerprints and a faint, irregular scorch where an antimatter‑like flash kissed the casing. Geordi crouches before it, thumbs dancing across keys; Data feeds it paradoxical inputs while the panel's numeric displays and stardate readout flicker (Data reading digits four-two-six-seven-nine-point-five), sparking alarm and disbelief. The unit hums softly when bridged to ship power and goes dead when isolated, responding with jittery oscillation rather than steady diagnostics.
6 appearances

Purpose

Provide a localized diagnostics and power‑interface for Shuttle Bay Two: manage power transfers, run shuttle telemetry, display stardates and system readouts, and accept engineering overrides or calibration inputs.

Significance

Serves as the technical fulcrum of the temporal mystery: its readout reveals a stardate six hours ahead, its responses force Data to issue a counterintuitive negative adjustment, and its anomalous behavior converts bafflement into an urgent temporal threat — physically anchoring the plot’s evidence and the crew’s shift from curiosity to crisis.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

6 moments
S2E13 · Time Squared
Shuttle Bay Discovery — The Future Picard

A shuttle bay control panel is used by an unnamed crewmember to attach a secondary tractor beam which releases the first beam and transfers haul control — a procedural action that enables the shuttle's retrieval and the subsequent discovery of the duplicate shuttle and Picard.

Before: Operational and manned at the bay entrance, ready to receive tractor control inputs.
After: Has transferred control successfully; remains at bay entrance with input logs reflecting the transfer during retrieval.
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S2E13 · Time Squared
Mirror in the Bay — Future Picard Discovered

The Shuttle Bay Two control panel is the operational interface used by a bay crewmember to attach a second tractor beam and transfer beam control so the incoming shuttle can be secured. It enables the physical retrieval that precedes discovery and investigation.

Before: Active on the bay wall and in use by an external tractor operator, showing sensor readouts and engaged first tractor coupling to the shuttle.
After: Has transferred control to the bay operator (second tractor beam engaged) and remains the hub through which the shuttle is held and later will be processed for diagnostics.
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S2E13 · Time Squared
Duplicate Picard — Antimatter Burn and Temporal Alarm

A shuttle bay control panel is used by a crew member to attach a second tractor beam which releases the first stronger beam and transfers tractor control; the panel mediates the physical retrieval of the derelict shuttle and the timing of doors closing.

Before: Operational and engaged in external tractor beam lock operations, with tactile keys showing recent use and light scorch marks.
After: Has completed the beam transfer to the operator; remains in use for bay operations with displays stabilizing after the transfer.
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S2E13 · Time Squared
Counterintuitive Calibration, Ominous Stardate

The Shuttle Bay Two control panel is the hands-on interface where Geordi and Data execute power adjustments and read diagnostic feedback, including the stardate display. Its flickering readouts make the anomaly tangible and provide the evidence chain leading to the urgent report to the Captain.

Before: Jittery and unsteady: touch-keys responsive but readings oscillating; numeric displays flickering and occasionally dying when power adjustments are made.
After: Responding coherently: numeric displays and readouts, including stardate, stabilize and hold after the successful negative invert adjustment, enabling Geordi to read and report the stardate.
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S2E13 · Time Squared
Shuttle Out of Time — Stardate Six Hours Ahead

The shuttle bay control panel is the tactile interface Geordi manipulates and Data reads; it registers the fluctuating indicators and the stardate readout. Keys, switches, and flickering displays make the panel the primary evidentiary surface for diagnosing the anomaly.

Before: Flickering and jittery when first engaged; displays and keys intermittently responding to input.
After: Stabilized visually after the negative invert command; stardate and other readouts remain visible and legible, providing the critical future timestamp.
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S2E13 · Time Squared
Three Hours, Nineteen Minutes — Shuttle Log of Destruction

The shuttle bay control panel is referenced as part of the shuttle's recorded environment and retrieval process; it contextualizes the shuttle's last positions and provides a tangible locus for the visuals that show Riker in the bay and the shuttle's departure.

Before: Installed in Shuttle Bay Two, showing normal operational lights but later bearing scorch/smear marks from the shuttle's anomalous return.
After: Remains physically in Shuttle Bay Two; its last recorded indicators are part of the corrupted logs now under analysis.
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