Field Enhanced Logic & Information Node Engine “FELINE”

MK1

Type MK1 Positronic Based - Sentient Artificial Lifeform

Notable Units Morpheus - Captain Maddox’s personal Companion

Dimensions H: L: W: 40lbs

Specialization Technical resource and assistance *Upgradable to personal assistance and companionship with Mk3 behavioral programming Update.

Description

Designed in the mid 2380s for space stations on the fringes with limited personnel and visitors. Starfleet wanted to add more life to these installations that normally wouldn't have the resources or wouldn't be safe to have a companion. Units were also programmed to be able to assist with technical and scientific endeavors of their charges. Features included sensor suits, hyperspanner units in the tail and a micro-replicator to create tools as needed. The one complaint about this feature is placing the unit in the FELINE’s mouth, creating a gagging sound during replication that mimicked a hairball of a real cat. This feature, despite being distressing, has continued through all following units, the engineers behind the FELINE project refusing all requests even from Starfleet Command to remove it.

Mk1 FELINEs were very clearly artificial lifeforms, the connections for legs, head, and tail not seamless to the body. Their fur was more a simulation of a short fluff more akin to a child’s toy. Another notable feature was the Mk1’s weight coming in close to 40lbs despite being the size and dimensions of a normal Tabby Cat. All Mk1 units were produced with the same patterning and look, but many officers desired the ability to customize their companion. In response a catalog of customization patterns were available to add to personal replicator menus.

As companions These Mk1 units were intelligent but lacked emotion or a very complex personality. Despite this many of those staff who were assigned a Mk1 grew very attached to their technical companions. Even after the introduction of the Mk2 many Mk1s remain in service and have been upgraded with personality and expanded companion programming. The Mk1 unit only came in masculine programming.

MK2

Type MK2 Positronic Based - Sentient Artificial Lifeform

Notable Units Meowron - Commander Tusalo’s Personal Companion

Dimensions H: L: W: 55lbs

Specialization Station Security and Companion Services *Model slated to be discontinued with adoption of Mk3

Description

With the success of the Mk1 FELINE units researchers went about designing a more lifelike and versatile model. Many of those with a Mk1 unit gave feedback that they didn’t use the technical assistance capabilities as much as expected. Instead they would create programs to have the FELINEs search for rodents and other pests, keep an eye on cargo facilities and act as support for those personnel who missed companionship. With tension rising between the Federation and Klingon Empire the FELINEs became a natural choice to help offset limited Security Forces across the Federation.

With a much more lifelike physical look, Starfleet endeavored to add on a more lifelike personality, deemed necessary by the new facility security focus of the unit. This personality was developed in concert by FELINE experts from Earth and a team of Caitian researchers who had taken on personal interest in the project. The final product, while effective, was deemed quite intense for most and the Mk2 didn’t find wide adoption among the wider Starfleet populace as a companion. These units have proved very popular with Security and those personnel who joined Starfleet during the Dominion and post war eras. Not produced in as large numbers as the Mk1, the Mk2 has stopped production with the decreased tensions in the Alpha Quadrant.

The Mk2 Feline in addition to having a more robust, if aggressive personality also came with a more lifelike look. The Mk2 being a near perfect replication of Earth Felis Catus, the Mk2 also isn’t based off a particular breed. The designers, especially eh Caitian technicians believed it was important the features of the design be most suited to their role as Guards first and companions second.

MK3

Type

Mk3 Positronic-Bioneural Sentient Artificial Companion Lifeform

Notable Units

Dimensions H: L: W: 23lbs Specialization Personal assistant and therapeutic companion services

Description

The newest FELINE unit to be proposed, the Mk3 is meant to perfectly replicate the Earth Felis Catus while still providing the Security, Technical, and personal supportive services of its predecessors. While only in the final development stages, several prototype units have been assigned to Starfleet vessels to test their performance against both the Mk1 and Mk2s.

Notable differences between the Mk3 and previous units is the variety of personalities and looks, the Mk3s able to fully emote and connect with their charges. These units can be produced as any breed selected by their charges as well. It is advised by the production team to not change the ‘breed’ of the Mk3 as to not confuse or to dictate the creature's existence.

The Mk3 is the first unit to come with a replicated Feline personality subroutine where they will act completely as a normal house cat. This setting may be activated at any time and is customizable by the user to be permanent or only used in specific scenarios. The FELINE however must agree before this feature can be activated. Just as their standard personality matrices the Feline personalities of each unit are just as engaging and unique.

The Mk3 FELINE also comes with several technological upgrades including replicator systems for their paws and claws, a streamlined sensor suite, and mimicking processes such as the ability to ingest food, shed, sleep and purr. If the trials go well the Mk3 is slated for deployment throughout Starfleet by the beginning of 2405.