Since the first known encounters with them, xenobiologists have supported theories suggesting that Tholians are far more different from other forms of intelligent life than even their strange outer appearances suggest. One of the cornerstones of these theories is the notion that the Tholian Assembly actually spans multiple dimensions in spacetime. These claims are supported by their frequent involvement with the so-called “Mirror Universe,” as well as their apparent interest in the Temporal Cold War, and time displaced artifacts. It is said that the Tholian homeworld inhabits a region of space where the borders between dimensions are unnaturally thin, and that they have developed technology that allows them to cross those borders at will.

Up until now, these leading theories have been unsupported by much in the way of facts, as infiltrating the Tholian Assembly proved to be an impossible task. Recent evidence of Tholian activity within the Nukara System and the Azure Nebula has put nearly all remaining doubts to rest.

Within these areas, Tholian operatives have been utilizing multi-dimensional phasing technology to not only penetrate the borders between our spatial dimensions, but also the barriers of the space-time continuum itself. Their temporal incursions have resulted in the retrieval of technology, weapons, personnel and even entire starships, pulled from distant times and places.

Their temporal incursion technology is not perfect, however. Ripples from their activity have caused uncontrolled temporal anomalies to appear up to several hundred light years from their source. Daredevil profiteers from the Lobi Crystal Consortium have set up an intricate supply chain dedicated to seeking out these uncontrolled ripple anomalies, and exploiting them to retrieve goods that they can then sell to the highest bidders. Both Starfleet and the Klingon Defense Force have an obvious interest in these valuable time-displaced artifacts, for it may be that the fate of time itself will be in the hands of the faction that controls them.

What is Star Trek without time travel? From the first time Kirk took the Enterprise to another timeline, Star Trek writers have been sparring with temporal mechanics, causality loops, paradoxes, alternate realities and so much more. It’s become a cornerstone of our Trek experience, and an aspect of the intellectual property that we’ve been itching to toy with in Star Trek Online.

With the introduction of the Temporal Lock Box, we finally have a chance to introduce a small sampling of ships, gadgets and people that are direct references to time-travel-related references from Star Trek lore.

The shining jewel of those references is the grand prize of the upcoming Lock Box: The Temporal Science Vessel. We will be allowing Federation captains to get behind the helm of the Wells Class Starship, modeled directly after the U.S.S. Relativity seen in Star Trek: Voyager (s05e24: “Relativity”) and outfitted with an impressive console ability called the “Tipler Cylinder” which allows the ship to rewind time using a localized temporal anomaly. The KDF equivalent – the Korath Class Science Vessel (named after the infamous Klingon scientist that supplied Janeway with a Chrono Deflector in Star Trek: Voyager’s finale, “End Game”) – will also be outfitted with the same console ability, but have a completely original ship appearance that has been custom created in the style of a 29th Century Klingon Empire vessel.

As a counterpart to these ships, we’re also introducing the Temporal Destroyer as an addition to our Lobi Crystal Store offerings. The Federation will be able to obtain the sleek Mobius Class Destroyer, while members of the KDF will obtain the deadly Krenn Class Destroyer. These powerful Mirror Universe Temporal vessels, also reminiscent of the design of 29th Century Federation and KDF starships, have a decidedly more tactical focus than their Temporal Science Vessel cousins, and also come equipped with another unique console ability known as the “Manheim Device” which can create quantum duplicates of your ship from its near-future and near-past. Equipping both this and the Tipler Cylinder on a single ship will also unlock additional effects when activated, and they can be fitted on any temporal vessel.

In addition to these full-size Temporal vessels, we’ll also be offering a flyable version of the Aeon Timeship (Federation) and Rozhenko Timeship (KDF) shuttles for sale on the Lobi Crystal Store.

Mirror Universe Vessels will also be making a return appearance in the Temporal Lock Box. Federation players will find either a Mirror Universe Deep Space Science Vessel or Mirror Universe Reconnaissance Science Vessel, while KDF players will find a unique Qin Raptor variant dressed in a Mirror Universe skin. As an additional feature coming along with this round of Mirror Universe vessels, we have also enabled the use of the I.S.S. registry prefix for these (or A.K.S. for Klingon equivalents) and all previously available Mirror Universe ships. These prefix unlocks will only be usable on Mirror Universe ships.

Complete stats and information on all of the above ships and their associated special abilities will be published in a future Dev Blog, so keep checking in to see which of these fantastic ships will be added to your personal wish list!

While starships are easily the most talked-about prizes of any Lock Box we roll out, they are far from being the only prize worth seeking out. As with all previous Lock Boxes, the upcoming Temporal Lock Box will allow players to obtain Ship Consoles previously unavailable to their faction. Federation players will finally be able to get their hands on the Isometric Charge console, while members of the KDF can turn the tides of battle with an Antimatter Spread console.

We’re excited to announce that the Temporal Lock Box will also mark the return of a fan-favorite mechanic first seen in the Ferengi Lock Box – an item which, when activated, will enable players to undertake a never-before-seen Duty Officer Assignment. The Temporal Beacon Storage Device contains one of nine random Temporal Beacons, each of which allows you to send your Duty Officers on dangerous Time Travel assignments. Each of these assignments, if successful, will result in large CXP rewards in their specific commendation categories, as well as an opportunity to recruit Temporal Investigator or Time Traveler Duty Officers to add to your roster.

Another returning feature that was missed when we introduced the Tholian Lock Box is a Space Equipment Set. We’re happy to say that alongside the Temporal Lock Box, we’ll be introducing a new Temporal Set that will be obtainable from the Lobi Crystal Store. This set includes a Chroniton Dual Beam Bank, a Temporal Disruption Device (a torpedo-type weapon), and Universal Console: Tachyokinetic Converter. These items, when combined, will give captains a passive boost to their Chroniton projectiles as well as allowing you to activate an AOE time-slowing bubble around your ship that will slow down nearby enemies’ Flight Speed, Turning Speed and Recharge Timers. If equipped on a Temporal vessel, this ability also has an beneficial effect on the ship that activates it, increasing their maneuverability and reducing their recharge times.

A new costume pack will become available in the Lobi Crystal Store that tie to the 29th Century theme. Both factions will be able to obtain a Time Traveler Jumpsuit, as seen worn by “Crewman” Daniels in an alternate 31st Century timeline.

We’ll be introducing a new hybrid energy weapon with the Temporal Lock Box: Polarized Disruptors. Much like the Phased Tetryon weaponry introduced with the Tholian Lock Box, this new energy type combines the properties of two separate energy types: Polarons and Disruptors. Both space and ground weapons will be available, and all will be of Very Rare (Purple) quality. And remember – Level 50 characters will have a chance to receive Mk XII Very Rare weaponry when opening these reward packs!

The most notable change that is taking place when the Temporal Lock Box appears on Holodeck, is happening on the Lobi Crystal Store. Our original design for the store was to have a rotating stock that would periodically be altered with the introduction of each new Lock Box. Based primarily on the feedback we received from our fans and players, we’ve decided to alter that design from this point forward.

With the Lock Box Promo that began on September 20th, we’ve brought back the items that were previously available alongside the Ferengi Lock Box as well as adding many items that previously appeared in the Cardassian Lock Box. I’m excited to announce that those items will not be going away when the Temporal Lock Box becomes available.

In fact, for the foreseeable future, we do not plan on removing items from the Lobi Crystal Store.

This means that each new Lock Box, beginning with the upcoming Temporal Lock Box, will introduce new and interesting items that cause the Lobi Crystal Store inventory to continue to grow more and more impressive, with more and more reward options available for purchase. From this point forward, no player will ever have to worry about missing an opportunity to purchase the item they want to have, because they may have been unable to gather enough Lobi Crystal in time.

A complete FAQ will be published soon that will include an item-by-item breakdown of the contents of the Temporal Lock Box as well as the items that will be added to the Lobi Crystal Store. We’re all certain you’ll enjoy the new and returning items alike, and look forward to seeing you all in-game as we continue our trek through time toward Season 7 and beyond.

Read more about the new Temporal Lock Box and Lobi ships in Season 6 Dev Blog #29, and check out our new FAQ here.

Season 6 News Dev Blog Index

Link to the forum post